By Nana Karikari, Senior Global Affairs Correspondent
As Premier League giants Manchester City prepare for the domestic campaign under new manager Enzo Maresca, forward Antoine Semenyo has channeled the historic milestones of his record-breaking season into a fresh mission to elevate both his club and the expanding global landscape of African football.
Breaking Records and Chasing Childhood Idols
Antoine Semenyo established a new milestone for Ghanaian football by scoring 17 goals in the English Premier League last season. The forward surpassed the previous benchmark of 12 goals set by Tony Yeboah during the 1994/95 and 1995/96 campaigns. Growing up, Semenyo drew inspiration from several legendary African forwards who starred on the English stage.
“Tony Yeboah is a player I always looked up to. Asamoah Gyan too, (former Ivory Coast star) Didier Drogba, the names are endless,” Semenyo told CNN.
Inspiring the Next Generation of Talent
Reaching the milestone previously held by his childhood hero carries profound personal significance for the 26-year-old forward. Semenyo hopes his achievements on the pitch will serve as a guiding light for aspiring footballers in Ghana.
“When they were playing in the Premier League, scoring every week, you wanted to the same thing as a young kid. To think I’m doing it now, I’m grateful to God. It’s a dream of mine to have kids looking up to me, following in my footsteps. It gives me more motivation to keep going,” he added.
Unconventional Journey to the Elite Stage
Born in England to Ghanaian parents, Semenyo navigated a challenging path to the upper echelons of professional football. He encountered numerous early rejections and competed within the English non-league system before securing a transfer to Premier League club Manchester City from AFC Bournemouth in January. Reflecting on his formative years, the forward embraced his identity as a late bloomer.
“When you don’t go through the normal (youth) academy route, playing through teams all the way to (Under) 18s, it’s very, very different,” he said.
“When you go through the Sunday League route, it’s very unorthodox. Not many tactics, and you just have to learn on the go. When you join a professional environment, you just have to learn everything all at once.”
Adapting to Tactical Shifts Under Enzo Maresca
Football club Manchester City entered a new era following Pep Guardiola’s departure after a decade of immense success. Enzo Maresca assumed managerial duties, bringing a distinct tactical philosophy and meticulous attention to detail. Semenyo expressed optimism regarding the team’s swift adaptation to the new coach’s methods during their preseason tour at the Hong Kong Football Festival.
“He’s been great so far,” Semenyo said of his new coach. “He’s joined with us very, very quickly, tactically. You can see it’s very similar with our last manager. It’s going to take some time to get used to, but everyone’s buying into it.”
He further emphasized the collective ambition within the squad under the new leadership structure.
“You can see he’s driven and wants to win everything, like how we do as a team. He’s going to implement what he needs to, and we’ve still got experienced players from the seasons before. That will help lead us to hopefully victory in all the trophies this year.”
African Football on the Global Stage
Beyond domestic competition, Semenyo reflected on the historic strides made by African nations in international tournaments. Cape Verde’s impressive run during the 2026 World Cup resonated deeply across the continent, though the Manchester City football star noted that the team’s capabilities were already well known to their continental peers.
“We played against them in the Africa Cup of Nations in 2022. I remember coming off that game thinking, ‘Oh my gosh, this is one of the best African teams I’ve played.’ They
were so, so good. So this wasn’t any news to us, but obviously to the world it was,” Semenyo said.
This success reflected a broader shift in international football as nine out of ten participating African nations advanced to the knockout stages, with Morocco reaching the quarterfinals.
“It shows African football is evolving. It shows the world we’re competing at the highest levels. Long may it continue.”
During the tournament, Semenyo played every minute of Ghana’s campaign as the Black Stars reached the Round of 32, which included a resilient 0-0 draw against England in the group stage.
Heritage and On-Pitch Identity
Drawing from his cultural roots provides Semenyo with a distinct advantage when competing at the highest levels for both club and country. The forward credits the core traits instilled by his heritage for his dynamic style of play.
“Strength, for sure. Pace. Excitement is another thing,” he noted when asked about his Ghanaian identity.
“All the Ghanaian fans are so excited when we play. All the tricks, flicks and goals. That’s what I like to think my traits are.”
Ultimately, representing the nation of his parents remains a profoundly emotional experience driven by deep personal affection.
“And love. Love is all I get from Ghana. My mom and dad grew up there, so it’s a dream come true to say that I represent the nation.”
Bridging Past Heritage and Future Ambition
As club football transitions into its latest chapter, Semenyo’s trajectory bridges the rich legacy of African pioneers in Europe with a rising generation that views international excellence as an expectation rather than an exception. Whether that momentum translates into silverware under Manchester City’s new tactical framework or further continental triumphs remains to be written, but the foundation has firmly been set.
Pride, Passion, and Local Inspiration
Across Ghana and throughout the wider African sports ecosystem, Semenyo’s ascent carries a unique resonance. By crediting his work ethic and on-pitch flair to his Ghanaian roots, he reinforces a vital connection between European elite leagues and the grassroots development thriving back home. For young fans watching from local pitches across the continent, his journey from non-league football to the summit of the English Premier League serves as tangible proof that African talent belongs on the global center stage.
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