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Italy will be preparing for the World Cup play-off semi-final against Northern Ireland with two major dilemmas, even if Gennaro Gattuso has reiterated that his priority will be to work on the team’s mindset.

The head coach of Medeama Sporting Club, Ibrahim Tanko, has set his sights on a dominant victory against Bechem United in the Ghana Premier League this weekend.The Yellow and Mauves will face off with the Hunters on Saturday, November 22, in a Week 11 fixture of the ongoing 2025/26 Ghanaian top-flight league campaign.Speaking in his pre-match interview, Ibrahim Tanko assured Medeama supporters that his team is preparing well to dominate and defeat the opponent on the matchday.“We are playing at home, so like any other game, we want to control the game, to score goals. It’s not going to be easy. Bechem is a very good team, they have a new coach, the players are motivated, but I think playing at home with our supporters behind us, I think we can take the three points,” Ibrahim Tanko told Medi TV.Currently top of the Ghana Premier League standings, a win for Medeama SC will keep them at the summit.For Bechem United, the team needs all three points from the upcoming encounter to move further away from the relegation zone.The Week 11 fixture between Medeama SC and Bechem United will kick off at 3:30 pm at...

Medeama coach Ibrahim Tanko is pleased with his team’s ability to grind out results, but he wants a better showing when they face Bechem United.The coach stressed that Medeama’s last league match, a 2-1 away win over Eleven Wonders, did not reflect the level he expects from his players.The victory in Techiman was hard-fought. Godknows Dzakpasu gave Medeama the lead with a fine strike, but the home side pushed back. Daniel Lomotey equalised after missing an earlier penalty, giving Eleven Wonders hope of rescuing a much-needed point in their battle at the bottom of the table. However, Medeama found their moment again when Nana Kofi Babil calmly finished to secure all three points.Tanko praised his side’s resilience but made it clear that they must raise their performance as the season gets tougher."No, I think we were determined to come back home with a good point and I think and looking at the overall performance I'm not 100% satisfied but I think with the three points away and the team has done a very very good job," he told Medeama TV.Medeama’s clash with Bechem United kicks off at 3:00 pm on Saturday.

Genoa coach Daniele De Rossi used his pre-match press conference ahead of the game against Cagliari to reflect on both his team’s preparations and Italy’s tricky path toward the 2026 World Cup.

Italy have been drawn against Northern Ireland in the World Cup play-off semi-final, and will go on to face either Wales or Bosnia and Herzegovina in the play-off final should they qualify. Here is how the British nations reacted to ending up in the same section of the draw as Italy. 

Soccer Football - Ligue 1 - Rennes v Olympique Marseille - Roazhon Park, Rennes, France - August 15, 2025 Rennes' Ludovic Blas celebrates scoring their first goal with teammates REUTERS/Stephane Mahe

Ghanaian coach Samuel Mensiro has been appointed head coach of IFK Östersund’s Women’s Team, marking an exciting new chapter in the club’s development.The fast-rising Ghanaian tactician was officially confirmed on Thursday as the new manager of the Red and Black outfit’s women’s side.Mensiro, a well-known and respected figure within the organization, steps into the role with a reputation for strong leadership, passion, and a deep understanding of the club’s long-term vision.Over the years, he has served the club in multiple capacities, earning admiration from players, staff, and supporters alike.Club officials say they are confident that his energy and experience will reinvigorate the women’s team, elevate their performance, and support their continued growth.“We believe Sam’s leadership will inspire the squad and drive the positive progress we’ve been working toward,” the club said in a statement.The La-born coach is expected to assume his duties immediately as preparations intensify ahead of upcoming fixtures.Mensiro previously spent seven years at the Jemkraft Arena, where he played a key role in helping the club win the Swedish Cup in 2017.@Reuben Obodai

Medeama have named midfielder Emmanuel Owusu as the Mr Tee Shoe & Unisex Boutique Player of the Month for October 2025, following a commanding public vote in which he secured 86.5 percent.He finished ahead of fellow nominees Kelvin Nkrumah and Abdul Salam after a month marked by consistency and influence in the Ghana Premier League.Owusu featured in three of Medeama’s four league matches during the period, missing one through injury, yet his impact remained substantial. He recorded one goal, two assists and a NASCO Man of the Match award, underscoring his growing importance in the team’s approach play.His standout performance came in the 2-1 victory over Nations FC. The midfielder opened the scoring with a well-taken free-kick before delivering the decisive corner that led to the match-winning goal, earning him the NASCO MVP honour. Throughout the month, his ability to control the tempo, unlock defences and offer reliable set-piece delivery strengthened Medeama’s push up the table.The award, sponsored by Mr Tee Shoe & Unisex Boutique, recognises exceptional performance and commitment. As part of his prize, Owusu receives a GHC 1,000 shopping voucher from the Tarkwa-based fashion outlet. The presentation is scheduled for Saturday, ahead of Medeama’s...

Tottenham Hotspur are looking to improve the attacking unit with the signing of Al-Ahli striker Ivan Toney. 

Quick take: Match context: momentum and small details could decide this one, especially set-pieces and transitions. Form and fitness will matter; expect managers to rotate carefully around the congested schedule. Continental stakes raise the intensity, where away goals no longer apply but margins still feel razor thin. We’ll keep an eye on confirmed details as the story develops from official …

Four-time world champions Italy will travel to Northern Ireland in the semi-finals of the European World Cup play-offs, aiming to secure a spot at next year’s tournament in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.The Azzurri have not qualified for the World Cup since 2014, making this campaign crucial for restoring their presence on football’s biggest stage.The semi-final, a single-leg clash scheduled for 26 March, will determine who advances to the Path A final, where the winner of Wales vs Bosnia-Herzegovina will await. The victorious team in the final will earn a place in the 2026 FIFA World Cup.The European play-offs feature 16 teams competing for four spots, with one-legged matches designed to decide who progresses.Italy, as a pot one side, were drawn away to Northern Ireland, reflecting their high seeding despite recent qualification struggles.The draw also set the paths for other nations, with the likes of Denmark, the Czech Republic, Ukraine, and Turkey all competing for the remaining spots.The World Cup draw will take place on 5 December in Washington, DC, finalising the group stage placements for the tournament.

There are mixed reactions to the World Cup play-off draw that put Italy up against Northern Ireland in the semifinal, but will also force the Azzurri to play the potential final away in Wales or Bosnia and Herzegovina.

A late call will reportedly be made on Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard as he possibly looks to make his comeback from a knee injury against Tottenham this weekend.

Northern Ireland head coach Michael O’Neill admits that drawing Italy in the World Cup play-off semi-final is ‘as tough as we can get’, but has urged his players to ‘believe we can go there and get an amazing result’. 

Experience proved to be key as Vicente Guaita is set to join Parma on a free transfer, replacing the injured Zion Suzuki.