Latest news with #Kamaldeen
CAF
14-05-2025
- Sport
- CAF
Abdul Hakim Sulemana: Ghana's rising star steps out of his brother's shadow
At the TotalEnergies CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations Egypt 2025, Ghana's Abdul Hakim Sulemana emerged as one of the tournament's breakout stars, showing the continent—and the world—that footballing brilliance runs deep in the Sulemana family. The 20-year-old winger not only captured hearts with his dazzling displays for the Black Satellites, but also proved he's no longer just 'Kamaldeen's younger brother.' With a Man of the Match performance in Ghana's opening game and a clutch penalty in the quarter-finals, Hakim's star is rising fast. Forged in Techiman, Sharpened in Dreams Born in Techiman in Ghana's Bono East region, Sulemana grew up in a household where football was more than just a pastime—it was a calling. His older brother, Kamaldeen Sulemana, now at English Premier League side Southampton, paved the path. Another brother, Abdul-Rauf, also played professionally. But Hakim has never been content with living in the shadows. 'We all played football in the compound, in the streets—Kamaldeen always pushed me,' he told 'He set the standard, but I want to go higher.' His journey began at Ghana's prestigious Right to Dream Academy, the same institution that developed stars like Mohammed Kudus, Majeed Waris, Ernest Nuamah and David Accam. The academy's holistic approach—focused on education, discipline, and football—shaped Hakim into a complete player and young man. From Ghana to Lyon to Randers Hakim's potential was clear. After excelling at Right to Dream, he joined Olympique Lyon's youth setup in France before sealing a move to Danish top-flight side Randers FC in 2024. The switch was seamless, aided by a familiar face—Fatah Abdirahman, a former Right to Dream coach, now assistant at Randers. 'Having someone who already knows your game makes a big difference,' Hakim said. 'It helped me settle quickly in Europe.' Although still breaking into the Randers first team, his experience at the U20 AFCON has enhanced his reputation. His performances in Egypt—including a late penalty equalizer against hosts Egypt in the quarter-finals—demonstrated maturity well beyond his years. Tournament Recognition and Global Buzz Ghana's U20 run may have ended in heartbreak, losing 5-4 on penalties to Egypt after a 2-2 draw, but Sulemana's stock soared. U20 head coach Desmond Ofei praised the youngster's mindset and impact. 'Hakim is fearless,' Ofei said. 'His size might fool you, but his courage, technical ability, and tactical intelligence make him indispensable.' CAF's Technical Study Group lauded his creativity, balance, and relentless work ethic—attributes reminiscent of Kamaldeen in his early days. And while comparisons are inevitable, Hakim welcomes them with confidence. 'I admire what Kamal has achieved, but I want to be known for my own journey,' he said. Carving His Own Legacy Kamaldeen has already played in the UEFA Champions League and represented Ghana at the World Cup. But Hakim insists the weight of expectation fuels his ambition rather than hinders it. 'Kamal always says, 'Work harder than everyone else.' That's what I live by,' he explained. Following Hakim's Man of the Match accolade against DR Congo, Kamaldeen tweeted: 'Proud of you, little bro. This is just the beginning.' Footballing dynasties are not uncommon in Africa—think the Ayews in Ghana, the Tourés in Côte d'Ivoire, or the Eto'os in Cameroon. But Hakim's rise feels uniquely personal: the shy younger sibling stepping into the arena, ready to be the headline act. The Road Ahead With Ghana missing out on a spot at the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Chile, Hakim's next chapter returns to Europe, where scouts are watching. He's determined to earn more minutes at Randers and continue improving. 'My dream is to reach the Premier League, just like Kamal,' he said. 'But first, I want to become a regular at Randers and prove I can make a difference.' If his performances in Egypt are anything to go by, Hakim Sulemana won't be in anyone's shadow
Yahoo
15-02-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Cherries go fifth and complete first league double over Saints with 3-1 win
THE Cherries moved to eight away games unbeaten in all competitions and moved to fifth in the Premier League with a 3-1 win over neighbours Southampton. Bournemouth made a fast start as Dango Ouattara and Ryan Christie scored a minute either side of the 15-minute mark, the Burkinabe glancing a free header home before the Scot found the bottom corner from outside the box. Saints got a goal back after 72 minutes through Kamaldeen Sulemana, but substitute Marcus Tavernier quashed any Hampshire hopes of a comeback with a goal seven minutes from time. The Cherries completed their first ever league double over Southampton as they leapfrogged Newcastle and Chelsea into the top five. Andoni Iraola named an unchanged side for the fourth league game in a row, but Alex Scott and Luis Sinisterra returned from injury to take their places on the bench. Ivan Juric made three changes to his side that beat Ipswich two weeks ago, as Will Smallbone, Kamaldeen and Nathan Wood came in to start. (Image: Andrew Matthews/PA Wire) The Cherries made a fast start, winning a corner from their kick off and exerting some early pressure, but without threatening Aaron Ramsdale in the Saints net. The first chance fell the way of the hosts after eight minutes, Kamaldeen getting in behind on the Cherries right and squaring it, Paul Onuachu unable to get a shot off in the six-yard box. Ouattara headed wide from a Lewis Cook cross after 12 minutes, before the Cherries took the lead just two minutes later. It was Ouattara again who drifted between the two Saints centre backs to earn himself a free header to glance a pinpoint Christie cross home into the far corner. And two minutes later the lead was doubled. (Image: Andrew Matthews/PA Wire) Justin Kluivert played a simple pass to Christie in the middle of the Saints half, and the Scot had an age to line up his shot, firing into the bottom corner from just outside the box. Kamaldeen was unable to find a finishing touch to a Kyle Walker-Peters squared ball after good Cherries defending from a three-on-three for the hosts. Ramsdale saved from a Cook shot from distance, before Kluivert fired over the bar. Antoine Semenyo turned his man on halfway and carried the ball deep into Saints territory before teeing up Ouattara who saw his powerful effort saved by Ramsdale, as the Cherries took their 2-0 lead into halftime. (Image: Andrew Matthews/PA Wire) Onuachu glanced a header wide before Illia Zabarnyi did well to slide in and block a shot from the forward behind as Saints sought a way back into the game. Ramsdale made a couple of big saves to keep the deficit at two, as the keeper denied Semenyo after the Ghanaian danced away from three defenders and shot. The Englishman then kept a Christie header out from the resulting corner, with the goal decision system showing the ball was a couple of inches from crossing the line. Kamaldeen sliced a shot well wide, before Yuki Sugawara shot straight at Kepa. Brooks was replaced by Tavernier in Iraola's first change of the afternoon, before the hosts got a goal back with just under 20 minutes to play. (Image: Andrew Matthews/PA Wire) Onuachu passed to Kamaldeen just inside the Cherries box, before he took a touch and finished into the far corner past Kepa. Scott replaced Kluivert as he came back from injury, before Ramsdale was at full stretch to stop an own goal, as Walker-Peters looked to head back to his keeper. The St Mary's crowd rose as Saints looked for an equaliser, but substitute Tavernier restored the Cherries' two goal advantage with a little over five minutes to play. Semenyo was played in behind and looked to play it into the stride of the onrushing Englishman, it was a little behind him so he checked and cut inside, before finishing past Ramsdale. (Image: Andrew Matthews/PA Wire) Sinisterra returned from injury off the bench as he and Daniel Jebbison replaced goal scorers Ouattara and Christie. And the Cherries saw out six additional minutes to take the 3-1 win and move to fifth in the Premier League. Southampton: Saints: Ramsdale; Bree, Bednarek, Wood (L. Ugochukwu 46'); Walker-Peters, Aribo (R. Manning 85'), Smallbone (booked, 10')(T. Dibling 56'), Welington (Y. Sugawara 46'); Fernandes, Kamaldeen (C. Archer 85'), Onuachu. AFC Bournemouth: Kepa; Kerkez, Huijsen, Zabarnyi, Cook © (booked, 8'); Christie (L. Sinisterra 88'), Adams; Semenyo (booked, 32'), Kluivert, Brooks (M. Tavernier 67' (booked, 78')); Ouattara (D. Jebbison 88').
Yahoo
15-02-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Saints suffer double-defeat to Bournemouth for first time in history
SAINTS succumbed to their second 3-1 defeat to New Forest neighbours AFC Bournemouth in the Premier League this season. Dango Ouattara and Ryan Christie had the injury-depleted visitors two to the good by half-time as Saints produced an abject performance. Ivan Juric's side improved after the break but the highlight of their afternoon was Kamaldeen Sulemana's first Premier League goal since May 2023. Saints pushed for an equaliser with nearly 20 minutes still to play but substitute Marcus Tavernier killed the contest in the closing stages. Following the 3-1 win at Vitality Stadium, Bournemouth, unbeaten in seven on the road, were looking to complete a first-ever league double over Saints. Lovely minute's applause in memory of Saints fan Ian Still observed here.#SaintsFC — Alfie House (@AlfieHouseEcho) February 15, 2025 Juric made four changes from the defeat to Burnley in the FA Cup, with Aaron Ramsdale, Nathan Wood, Will Smallbone and Paul Onuachu in. Taylor Harwood-Bellis, Jack Stephens and Adam Lallana were all ruled out by injury, while midfielder Lesley Ugochukwu dropped to the bench. Juric's side had taken the lead in four of their last six Premier League outings, once more than they did under Russell Martin, but went on to win just once. It was Bournemouth who started the more alert of the two teams, forcing Saints to clear from two corner kicks within the first 60 seconds. Onuachu did scuff a chance laid on by Kamaldeen, and Lewis Cook and Smallbone both went into the referee's book inside the first 10 minutes. But Dango timed his run perfectly to glance an in-swinging Christie cross across Aaron Ramsdale's goal and put his side ahead in the 14th minute. Bournemouth doubled their lead 120 seconds later as creator turned scorer when Christie unleashed a low strike inside the far post from outside the area. "Say hello to Pompey," sang the elated visiting fans, with the prospect of a Hampshire derby in league competition since 2012 more and more likely. Kamaldeen pulled wide with Southampton's only shot of the first half, as the visitors totally dominated possession, chances and set-pieces. Juric made two changes at the break, moving Joe Aribo to defence to have Ugochukwu replace Wood, while Yuki Sugawara replaced Welington. Ramsdale had to make a really smart save at his near-post to prevent a third but it was all Saints from there - particularly after Dibling's introduction. Saints pulled one back in the 72nd minute when Kamaldeen lashed into the side netting from inside the area after he was smartly set up by Onuachu. The goal and the overall improvement of the performance lifted the St Mary's crowd, who roared Saints forward with every subsequent attack. The momentum was almost cut when a Walker-Peters headed backpass looked certain to loop in but for the intervention of the backtracking Ramsdale. Tavernier ensured it was after Antoine Semenyo beat the offside trap to lay off his teammate, who rifled a powerful strike through Ramsdale. Saints went close in six minutes of added time after a clever quick free-kick from Ryan Manning unleashed Cameron Archer, but Kepa Arrizabalaga saved. Saints: Ramsdale; Bree, Bednarek, Wood (Ugochukwu, h-t); Walker-Peters, Aribo (Manning, 83), Smallbone (Dibling, 56), Welington (Sugawara, h-t); Fernandes, Kamaldeen (Archer, 83), Onuachu. Unused subs: McCarthy, Bella-Kotchap, Taylor, Gronbaek. Booked: Smallbone. AFC Bournemouth: Kepa; Kerkez, Huijsen, Zabarnyi, Cook; Christie (Sinisterra, 88), Adams; Semenyo, Kluivert (Scott, 77), Brooks (Tavernier, 66); Ouattara (Jebbison, 88). Unused subs: Dennis, Kinsey, Winterburn, Rees-Dottin, Akinmboni. Booked: Cook, Semenyo, Tavernier. Referee: Jarred Gillett. VAR: Peter Bankes.
