This is The Afro-Pulse Report: Your front-row seat to the culture, the games, and the drama shaking up the continent this January 2026.
Buckle up. The year has barely started, and the energy in Ghana and Nigeria is already tipping the scales. From Accra’s streets shutting down for a global streaming icon to the heart-pounding conclusion of the AFCON in Morocco, here is what went down in late January 2026.
ENTERTAINMENT: The “Homecoming” & The Hits
🇬🇭 GHANA: IShowSpeed Shuts Down Accra
If you were anywhere near Kotoka International Airport or Independence Square on January 26, you felt the tremor. American streaming giant IShowSpeed (Darren Watkins Jr.) touched down in Ghana, turning the city into a carnival.
- The Scene: It wasn’t just an arrival; it was a coronation. Deafening cheers, roaring motorcades, and a sea of fans greeted the 21-year-old in what is being dubbed a “Homecoming” for the creator, who has famously claimed Ghanaian roots.
- The Impact: Following chaotic but viral stops in Nigeria and Kenya, Speed’s Accra leg includes a supercar show at Independence Square. For Ghana’s tourism and digital culture scene, this is the viral moment of the quarter.
- Music Drop: While the streets were loud, the airwaves got smoother. Gyakie dropped the visuals for “PARTY GALORE” (feat. Kojey Radical) on January 23. It is a visually stunning fusion of high-life soul and UK lyrical grit—pure Alte vibes.
🇳🇬 NIGERIA: Nollywood Standoffs & Chart Toppers
Lagos never sleeps, and neither does the drama.
- Nollywood Heat: Star actress Bimbo Ademoye is in a fierce battle over intellectual property. On January 24, she issued a public ultimatum regarding a false copyright claim on her YouTube hit “Where Love Lives”, which led to its demonetization. It is a major conversation starter about creator rights in the digital age.
- Music Notes:
- Simi opened up to fans this week, revealing that illness and pregnancy delayed her highly anticipated track “Where You Dey” featuring Chike.
- Tragedy struck the Fuji scene with the passing of rising star Destiny Boy. Police have confirmed the arrest of a suspect, bringing a somber note to an otherwise high-tempo month.
- The Charts: The streets are currently bumping Davido’s feature on “Nakupenda” and Wizkid’s smooth delivery on “Money Constant”, keeping the rivalry and the playlists alive.
SPORTS: Kings of Africa & The World Cup Horizon
🌍 AFCON 2025: The Lions Roar, The Eagles Soar
The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (played Jan 2026 in Morocco) has officially wrapped, and the hierarchy of African football has shifted.
- The Champions: Senegal has done it again! The Teranga Lions retained their crown, defeating hosts Morocco 1-0 in a tense extra-time final.
- 🇳🇬 Super Eagles (Bronze Kings): Nigeria may not have lifted the trophy, but they are flying high. The Super Eagles finished 3rd, edging out Egypt on penalties after a grueling 0-0 draw.
- Ranking Boost: This performance has catapulted Nigeria 12 places up in the FIFA World Rankings to 26th globally and 3rd in Africa. The tactical discipline under the current technical bench is finally paying off.
🇬🇭 GHANA: Black Stars Eye Redemption
While the Super Eagles celebrated in Morocco, the Black Stars were noticeably absent (having missed out on AFCON qualification). But don’t count them out—the focus has shifted aggressively to the 2026 World Cup.
- World Cup Ready: Ghana has secured their ticket to the 2026 Mundial in the USA/Mexico/Canada!
- The Roadmap: The GFA announced marquee friendlies to prep for Group I (where they face England, Croatia, and Panama). Mark your calendars:
- March 27: Ghana vs. Austria (Vienna)
- March 30: Ghana vs. Germany
- Local League (GPL): Domestically, Medeama SC is running away with the league, sitting comfortably at the top. Meanwhile, giants Asante Kotoko are in crisis mode—winless in three games and struggling to find the net. The pressure on the technical team is mounting fast.
The Verdict
January 2026 proved that the continent remains the heartbeat of global culture. Nigeria is dominating the football rankings and film conversations, while Ghana is leveraging global pop-culture moments and preparing for the biggest stage in football this summer.
Writer’s Pick of the Week:
- Watch: Gyakie’s “PARTY GALORE” video.
- Stream: The IShowSpeed Ghana archives (pure chaos).
- Debate: Can the current Black Stars squad actually survive a World Cup group with England and Croatia?
Stay tuned. February promises even more heat.
