Guardiola delivers shock Semenyo verdict

Bournemouth FC’s Ghanaian striker Antoine Semenyo has been the most outstanding African footballer in the 2025-2026 Premier League campaign.

Whether creating and scoring goals using his athleticism, speed and trickery on the ball, the 25-year-old has been nearly unstoppable for the Cherries.

Our unbeaten run comes to an end but you were with us all the way.

Thank you for your support 👏 pic.twitter.com/cy9j0uOBMq

— AFC Bournemouth 🍒 (@afcbournemouth) November 2, 2025

Little wonder, Semenyo’s form has greatly contributed to Bournemouth’s rise in the Premier League log tables. They occupy third place, having gone a step down following Sunday’s 3-1 defeat at the hands of Manchester City.

The Cherries succumbed to a double from Erling Haaland and Nico O’Reilly’s late strike. Tyler Adams scored for the visitors.

The Black Stars’ front-man did not score at the Etihad on Sunday but he still made City defenders work overtime with his ability to defend from the front.

Little wonder, the Citizens’ manager Pep Guardiola could not help but deliver his pleasantly shock verdict on Semenyo, describing him as world class.

What does Guardiola think about Antoine Semenyo?

“I like the team for many things and I give incredible credit to the victory because Bournemouth are in a good phase,” Guardiola told City’s website.

Highlights from today’s Premier League victory over Bournemouth 🙌🩵 pic.twitter.com/XYsC6jaABt

— Manchester City (@ManCity) November 2, 2025

“They had only lost one game. They play minute one and minute 95 in the same rhythm. If you are not clever and lose sloppy balls, in transition, nobody can stop them—[David] Brooks and Semenyo are top class players.

“The talent we had behind the lines, especially Erling, made the difference. We embraced the challenge that they do. We tried to play the game that we always tried to do with a lot of passes and find the right moment but it was difficult for us because they are so aggressive and they have so much energy.”

Such remarks coming from a man who has managed football greats such as Lionel Messi should mean a lot to the African star.

Semenyo was voted the PFA Premier League Fans’ Player of the Month for September after he scored two goals and provided one assist in three Premier League matches during the month.

He has six goals and three assists, ranking second in both the scoring and assist charts in the Premier League.