New Bournemouth signing Antoine Semenyo came off the bench to score the winner for Ghana in their recent Africa Cup of Nations win over Angola. His winning goal came six minutes into stoppage time. So, after his big-money move to Bournemouth in the January transfer window, could this be the goal that kickstarts his career on the south coast of England, and helps him to keep his new club in the Premier League?
Cherries are in relegation danger
Bournemouth is in big trouble at the bottom end of the Premier League. Along with Southampton and Nottingham Forest, the Cherries are one of the three favorites to go down with the bookmakers. In the latest football betting odds for relegation, Bournemouth is priced at -163. Meanwhile, local rivals Southampton are the favorites at -275, with Nottingham Forest third in the betting at +100, just ahead of Everton at +162.
To stave off relegation, Bournemouth has taken a gamble on signing Semenyo. His track record to date doesn’t suggest he is going to get bagfuls of goals, but the Cherries have seen something in him that they feel could work for them.
Semenyo's career is yet to get going
In his time at Bristol City, Semenyo scored 16 times in 112 appearances. The Robins loaned the striker out three times during his five-year spell at the club, and it’s probably fair to say he didn’t excel during his loan spells at Bath City, Newport County, and Sunderland, either. But despite this, Bournemouth was prepared to sign the 23-year-old in a deal worth up to £10 million.
He's here
We're delighted to confirm the signing of @antoinesemenyo1 from Bristol City
— AFC Bournemouth (@afcbournemouth) January 27, 2023
In his brief international career, Antoine Semenyo has scored two in his eight appearances. His debut for Ghana came in their 3-0 win over Madagascar in an African Cup of Nations qualifier in June 2022. He didn’t have to wait long for his debut goal, which came a few months later in a 2-0 friendly win over Switzerland in a warm-up match for the 2022 World Cup.
Semenyo was named in Ghana’s squad for the 2022 Qatar World Cup. But his influence was minimal as he was restricted to just two substitute appearances.
Vital impact on his nation
But after a disappointing World Cup for all concerned with the Ghanaian national team, Semenyo didn’t have to wait long to make a real impact for his nation. On Matchday three of qualifying for the African Cup of Nations, the Black Stars were in danger of dropping points at home to group rivals Angola.
With the match at 0-0 and heading for a goalless draw, Semenyo scored the winner six minutes into stoppage time to give his nation a 1-0 win.
FOOTBALL DRAMA AT ITS FINEST 😍
🇬🇭 Ghana scored a late late winner to claim the 3 points against Angola 🌟 #TotalEnergiesAFCONQ2023 | @GhanaBlackstars pic.twitter.com/XPj1lhxCrA
— CAF (@CAF_Online) March 23, 2023
Ghana tops Group E, by just one point ahead of the Central African Republic. Angola sits third on five points, three behind Ghana (who have eight points), showing just how vital that goal was for Chris Hughton’s team.
So could this be the turning point in the career of Antoine Semenyo? Might this goal for his nation give him the confidence to grab his chance at the Vitality Stadium and make his mark in the Premier League? If it does, it could result in Bournemouth avoiding the dreaded drop.