Football - Ghana: Antoine Semenyo facing the challenge of leadership

When is the Antoine Semenyo era in Ghana? Yet untenable in a club, whether with Bournemouth or today with Manchester City, the winger has not yet taken on the role of leader of the Black Stars, unlike his predecessors like Yeboah, Essien, Asamoah Gyan or more recently André Ayew.

The 26-year-old player scored only 3 goals and delivered a single assist in 34 caps. A poor record that continued during this March truce where the player had a lot of trouble against Austria (defeat 5-1) and Germany (defeat 2-1). And even worse, Antoine Semenyo hasn’t scored in the national team since March 2025.

And if we go back further, he has only scored once on his last 27 outings in the national team. Inevitably, this report does not comply with its standing, and in the country, critics burst forth. Especially given his talent and what he produces in the club (7 goals and 2 assists in 17 games since his arrival at Manchester City in January).

Moreover, Ghana, absent from the last AFCON, is counting on him for the 2026 World Cup which is coming fast.


Nevertheless, faced with this horde of critics, Antoine Semenyo can rely on a support of weight: that of the legend Anthony Baffoe. The latter indeed took the side of his young successor after this complicated March international break.

“Semenyo is a very high-level player, but currently the Black Stars are not Manchester City. So everything around him is different. Let’s not forget that we play without Kudus and that Kamaldeen barely returns from injury. Thomas Partey is not yet fully in shape, which is understandable. They must regain their best level. If these players are in shape, Semenyo will receive better balls and be more efficient.”

Antoine Semenyo therefore knows what he has left to do: take the lead to guide the new generation and silence critics.