Latest news with #Kouka
See - Sada Elbalad
2 days ago
- Sport
- See - Sada Elbalad
Al Ahly Looks to Sign Free Agent Kouka After Departure of Abou Ali
H-Tayea Al Ahly is preparing to open formal negotiations with Ahmed Hassan Kouka, as the club looks to secure a replacement for Wessam Abou Ali, who is on the verge of completing a move to Major League Soccer in the United States. With the team's foreign player quota already full, Al Ahly has been actively seeking an Egyptian option to lead the attack next season. Kouka, a product of Al Ahly's own youth academy, has emerged as the top candidate for the role. His interest in returning to the club, combined with his availability and vast experience, makes him an ideal solution for the club's current needs. The Red Devils' five foreign player slots are currently occupied by Achraf Dari, Achraf Bencharki (both from Morocco), Mohamed Ali Ben Romdhane (Tunisia), Aliou Dieng (Mali), and Gredašek (Slovenia). This means any non-Egyptian addition would require releasing a foreign player—something the management prefers to avoid. At 32 years old, Kouka is nearing the end of his contract with Le Havre, the French side he joined in January 2024 on a free transfer from Portugal's Rio Ave. During the last season, Kouka made 16 appearances, scoring three goals and assisting once. Despite limited minutes, his performance showed that he remains a capable and experienced striker at a high level. read more Japan Stun Spain 2-1 to Qualify for World Cup Last 16 World Cup 2022: Get to Know Confirmed Line-ups of Japan and Spain Group E Decider Saudi Arabia Bid Farewell to World Cup after 2-1 Loss to Mexico Tunisia Achieve Historic Win over France but Fail to Qualify Tunisia to Clash against France in World Cup Sports Get to Know Squad of Group D Teams in World Cup Sports Al Ahly Gift EGP 70,000 to Players After Claiming Egyptian Super Cup Title Sports Bencharki Hits First 2 Goals with Al Jazira Since Leaving Zamalek Sports Arsenal Possible Line-up for Nottingham Forest News Israeli-Linked Hadassah Clinic in Moscow Treats Wounded Iranian IRGC Fighters Arts & Culture "Jurassic World Rebirth" Gets Streaming Date News China Launches Largest Ever Aircraft Carrier Videos & Features Tragedy Overshadows MC Alger Championship Celebration: One Fan Dead, 11 Injured After Stadium Fall Lifestyle Get to Know 2025 Eid Al Adha Prayer Times in Egypt Arts & Culture South Korean Actress Kang Seo-ha Dies at 31 after Cancer Battle Business Egyptian Pound Undervalued by 30%, Says Goldman Sachs News "Tensions Escalate: Iran Probes Allegations of Indian Tech Collaboration with Israeli Intelligence" Sports Get to Know 2025 WWE Evolution Results News Flights suspended at Port Sudan Airport after Drone Attacks
Geek Girl Authority
18-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Geek Girl Authority
Geek Girl Authority Crush of the Week: PRINCESS YONA
Welcome to this week's installment of Geek Girl Authority Crush of the Week, wherein we shine a spotlight on strong women and nonbinary folks who inspire us. These characters are a prime example of empowerment and how crucial it is for youth to have said example to follow. DISCLAIMER: This article contains spoilers for Season 1 of Yona of the Dawn . RELATED: Reincarnated As What? 6 Most Bizarre Isekai Anime Princess Yona Fast Facts Yona is the titular protagonist of Yona of the Dawn . Based on the ongoing manga of the same name by Mizuho Kusanagi, the story follows the crimson-haired princess of the Kouka kingdom. Her life changes when her cousin, Su-Won, assassinates her father. Yona and her childhood friend-turned-bodyguard, Hak, flee the grounds and manage to escape to safety. But the princess has always lived a sheltered and privileged life. Reckoning with her dire circumstances pushes Yona to accept that she must advocate for herself and others to restore balance to the kingdom. This means saying goodbye to her father's strict 'no weapons' rule (and her long hair) when Hak nearly loses his life protecting her from Su-Won's assassins. For the first time ever, Princess Yona picks up a sword and vows to become self-sufficient. In line with the prophecy given to Yona by the oracle Ik-Soo, she and Hak embark on a journey alongside Yoon, the oracle's caretaker, to recruit the fabled Dragon Warriors — Kija, Sinha, Jae-Ha and Zeno. While some need more convincing than others to join the cause, Princess Yona wins the warriors over with her compassion, unwavering determination and newfound strength. She also makes it her personal mission to become a pro with a bow. Yona spends many a late night practicing while her friends rest. RELATED: 6 Comfy Anime Shows to Binge-Watch The Real Deal Princess Yona is the real deal. She departs from Hiryuu Castle with little to no understanding of the world beyond its walls, but she quickly accepts the reality of the Kouka kingdom and the consequences of her father's rule. She never turns a blind eye to those suffering unjust treatment. In journeying from one town to the next, she and the rest of the bunch aim to leave each destination and the people they meet better off than they found them. Of course, this also leads Yona into trouble. In Yona of the Dawn's final arc, she and her friends join forces with the pirates of Awa to take down Yang Kum-Ji, the ruthless leader of the human slave trade. To get the job done, Yona and Yoon infiltrate the operation by posing as poor, young women. They put their lives at risk to take down the trade from within and free many abducted women. In the heat of an all-out brawl between the pirates and Kum-Ji's men, it's the princess's arrow that finally ends the trafficker's reign. Why She Matters Why does Yona matter? Despite a budding romance between the princess and Hak, the importance of Yona's role in Kouka's restoration is never lost on her (or us, the viewers and readers). In this way, the series and its protagonist subvert the expectations of shojo fans by arming the princess with a bow and seeing her pursue goals far beyond romantic love. RELATED: Tavern Talk Thursday: Must-Watch Anime for TTRPG Fans And Hak accepts this, too. Ironically enough, the two model a relationship dynamic that's just as important for Yona of the Dawn's younger audiences to take away as themes of redefining leadership and power. Yona shows us what it means to lead with love, for yourself and others. She teaches us to advocate for ourselves and for those who can't, to search endlessly for our inner strength and to never stop using that power for good. So, be like Yona. Don't let preconceived notions about yourself or your circumstances stop you from becoming who you're meant to be. Redefine what it means to be you . Most importantly, don't turn away when life challenges your perspective. Oftentimes, we can see the world through a new set of eyes when we face challenges head-on. And when we can recognize that a system is broken, we can do our part to repair it. The first season of Yona of the Dawn is currently streaming on Crunchyroll and Hulu. You can also pick up the manga where the events of the anime end, starting with Volume 9. Anime Roundup: Everything Coming Out in June 2025 Olivia Rolls (she/her) is a weekly contributor at GGA, specializing in cozy games, anime and all things horror. Her byline has appeared at publications like The Mary Sue, The Escapist, GameSkinny and more. When she's not writing deep dives on her favorite games, shows, movies or characters, she's probably yapping about the latest pop culture trends or catching up on another Pokémon playthrough. E-mail professional inquiries to [email protected]. You can also find Olivia on Bluesky and LinkedIn.
Al-Ahram Weekly
19-05-2025
- Sport
- Al-Ahram Weekly
Egyptian striker Kouka defends appearing in anti-homophobia match after offensive messages - Talents Abroad
Le Havre Egyptian striker Ahmed "Kouka" Hassan defended his situation after participating in Saturday's 3-2 win over Strasburg in the final day of the league despite of receiving offensive messages urging him not to play before the game and even after it. The final day of Ligue 1 witnessed the league's annual anti-homophobia campaign and despite his rejection for the issue, Kouka gave his club the priority amid its critical situation in the competition. 'I have received a lot of offensive messages to not play yesterday's game and even after the game,' Kouka said via X on Sunday night. 'But Yesterday's match was incredibly important for our club, our fans and I couldn't abandon my team mates in the most important game of the season, I gave everything on the pitch for the team, as I always do, but I also had to find a way to stay true to my personal and religious beliefs,' the Egyptian international added. The 32-year-old Kouka, who joined Le Havre last January from Portuguese side Rio Ave, found his new team struggling at the bottom of the table upon his arrival, but things improved with time. On Saturday, Kouka came off the bench in the 63rd minute to score for Le Havre, but VAR disallowed the goal, ending the game in a 2-3 win for his team, which avoided relegation and ensured a place in the top flight competition next season. French giants PSG secured their fourth successive Ligue 1 title this season, ending the competition with 84 points from 34 games. Egyptian striker Mostafa Mohamed, who plays for French side Nantes was in the same situation, but unlike Kouka and as usual for him, he refused to play on the same match day for the third successive season. Mohamed was fined by his club for after his early announcement that he will not play Saturday's game against Montpellier. Moreover, Aurore Bergé, the French Minister for Equality between Women and Men and the Fight against Discrimination, has called for sanctions against Mohamed. From his side, Kouka said that he had his way of rejection regardless of abandoning the game. 'The league chose to impose a logo that represents a cause I respectfully do not support due to my faith. I made the decision to cover the logo, not out of disrespect toward anyone but to protect my conscience and remain true to my principles,' Kouka explained. 'I believe that support for any cause should come from the heart and be a matter of personal choice, not a forced obligation,' he added. Kouka finally called for mutual respect regardless of differences of orientation. 'Respect must go both ways. just as we are asked to respect others, we ask for our beliefs and values to be respected too,' he said. 'I know some people will disagree with my decision, but I acted with sincerity, respect, and a clear conscience. 'Let's keep working to create a world where we can live together peacefully, even when we don't all agree,' the former Ahly player concluded. Since his arrival last winter, Kouka has made 16 league appearances for the team, netting three goals, including two crucial ones, in two decisive games against Lens and Monaco. (For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter at @AO_Sports and on Facebook at AhramOnlineSports.) Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
Asharq Al-Awsat
09-02-2025
- Sport
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Lille Follows French Cup Exit with more Humiliation against Le Havre in the League
Four days after its humiliating French Cup exit, Lille completed a week to forget on Saturday with a 2-1 loss at home to last-placed Le Havre in the French league. Goals in each half from Egypt forward Kouka and Senegalese striker Issa Soumaré – his first for the club – helped Le Havre end its nine-game winless run across all competitions and climb off the bottom of the table until Sunday at least, when fellow struggler Montpellier visits Strasbourg, The Associated Press reported. Lille substitute Chuba Akpom scored on his league debut in the seventh minute of stoppage time but it was too little, too late for the home team. Lille has exceeded expectations in the Champions League, where it last week thrashed Feyenoord 6-1 to qualify directly for the knockout phase. It followed that by rallying from a goal down to beat St. Etienne 4-1 in the French league's 20th round last weekend. On Tuesday, the team squandered a 2-0 lead against second-tier Dunkerque in the French Cup, before losing the penalty shootout. Lille dropped to fifth in the French league on Saturday after its fourth defeat of the season. Earlier Saturday, Nice capitalized on Monaco's defeat the night before to move third with a 2-0 win over 10-man Lens. Ill-discipline cost the visitors dearly as Adrien Thomasson conceded an early penalty for a foul on Hicham Boudaoui. Gaëtan Laborde duly scored from the spot. Lens defender Fucundo Medina was sent off with his second yellow card in the 57th and Jonathan Clauss sealed the win against his ex-club seven minutes later. Monaco lost 4-1 at league leader Paris Saint-Germain on Friday. Rennes back in business under Beye Rennes substitute Mahamadou Nagida scored late to seal a 2-0 win at Saint-Etienne in the late game, giving the team's new coach, Habib Beye, two wins from two games in charge. Nagida, a 19-year-old defender from Cameroon, scored almost immediately after entering in the 84th minute for his second goal in as many appearances. He didn't play in the win over Strasbourg last weekend, but scored the previous weekend in a 3-2 loss at Monaco. Arnaud Kalimuendo's early goal got Rennes off the mark at Saint-Etienne. Beye is the ambitious Brittany club's third coach this season after Jorge Sampaoli and Julien Stephan. Sampaoli, the former Argentina coach, had to go after the loss to Monaco stretched the run of defeats to five across all competitions. Rennes spent more than 70 million euros ($73 million) in the winter transfer window. The win over Saint-Etienne lifted the team from 15th to 11th with the rest of the 21st round to be played Sunday.
Yahoo
09-02-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Lille follow French Cup exit with more humiliation
Four days after their humiliating French Cup exit, Lille have completed a week to forget with a 2-1 loss at home to last-placed Le Havre in the French league. Goals in each half from Egypt forward Kouka and Senegalese striker Issa Soumare helped Le Havre end their nine-game winless run across all competitions and climb off the bottom of the table until Sunday at least, when fellow strugglers Montpellier visit Strasbourg. Lille substitute Chuba Akpom scored on his league debut in the seventh minute of stoppage time but it was too little, too late for the home team. Lille have exceeded expectations in the Champions League, where they last week thrashed Feyenoord 6-1 to qualify directly for the knockout phase. But on Tuesday, the team squandered a 2-0 lead against second-tier Dunkerque in the French Cup, before losing the penalty shootout. Lille dropped to fifth in the French league on Saturday after their fourth defeat of the season. Earlier Saturday, Nice capitalised on Monaco's defeat the night before to move third with a 2-0 win over 10-man Lens. Ill-discipline cost the visitors dearly as Adrien Thomasson conceded an early penalty for a foul on Hicham Boudaoui. Gaëtan Laborde duly scored from the spot. Lens defender Fucundo Medina was sent off with his second yellow card in the 57th and Jonathan Clauss sealed the win against his ex-club seven minutes later. Monaco lost 4-1 at league leaders Paris Saint-Germain on Friday. Rennes substitute Mahamadou Nagida scored late to seal a 2-0 win at Saint-Etienne in the late game, giving the team's new coach, Habib Beye, two wins from two games in charge. Nagida, a 19-year-old defender from Cameroon, scored almost immediately after entering in the 84th minute for his second goal in as many appearances. Arnaud Kalimuendo's early goal got Rennes off the mark at Saint-Etienne. Beye is the ambitious Brittany club's third coach this season after Jorge Sampaoli and Julien Stephan. Rennes spent more than 70 million euros in the winter transfer window. The win over Saint-Etienne lifted the team from 15th to 11th.
