by Emmanuel Atanga | Mar 26, 2026 | Africa, Europe, Ghana, International, Soccer, USA, World Cup
The Ghana national team, the Black Stars, intensified their preparations on Wednesday with a high-energy training session in Vienna as they gear up for their international friendly against Austria on Friday.
All 25 players in camp were fully involved, each pushing hard to catch the attention of head coach Otto Addo and his technical team as competition for starting spots continues to grow.
Under Addo’s guidance, the squad trained at the Austria Football School pitch, focusing on both tactical organization and physical sharpness. The session marked a significant step up in intensity as the team fine-tunes its approach for the clash at the Ernst Happel Stadium on March 27, 2026.
The friendly is part of Ghana’s broader preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with another crucial test against Germany scheduled in the coming days.
by Emmanuel Atanga | Mar 26, 2026 | Africa, Europe, Ghana, International, Soccer, USA, World Cup
Former Black Stars head coach Charles Kwablan Akonnor has thrown his full support behind Otto Addo and his technical team, expressing confidence in their ability to deliver at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Akonnor believes the recent reinforcement of the technical bench places the team in a strong position ahead of the tournament in the USA, Canada, and Mexico. The additions include French tactician Alain Ravera and Black Queens head coach Kim Lars Björkegren as assistant coaches, along with Jose Daniel Martinez Alfonso, who joins as Performance Analyst from Atalanta FC.
Further strengthening the backroom staff, Carlos Lozano Romero returns as physiotherapist after his role in the 2022 World Cup squad, while Dwayne Peasah Paa Kwesi takes up duties as Performance Coach.
Despite some notable absences in the squad for upcoming friendlies, Akonnor emphasized the need to respect the authority of the current coach and allow him the space to implement his long-term vision.
He stressed that the key to success lies in stability and trust, noting that the technical team is made up of highly capable professionals who need a calm environment to perform effectively.
The Black Stars are currently in Vienna preparing for an international friendly against Austria at the Ernst Happel Stadium, before traveling to Stuttgart, Germany, for another test match.
by Emmanuel Atanga | Mar 26, 2026 | Africa, Europe, Ghana, International, Soccer, USA, World Cup
German-born Ghanaian forward Ernest Poku has expressed his ambition to play at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, keeping his international future open as he weighs options between Ghana, Germany, and the Netherlands.
The 22-year-old winger revealed that representing Ghana at the global tournament—set to be hosted by the USA, Canada, and Mexico—remains a strong possibility if the opportunity arises. However, he emphasized that no official approach has been made by any of the three nations.
In an interview with Dutch outlet Sportsnieuws.nl, Poku explained that his focus remains on performing at his best while waiting patiently for clarity regarding his international future.
He also addressed rumors of contact from Ghana, noting that the messages he has received so far appear unofficial and unreliable. According to him, any serious communication about a nationality switch should come through his agent.
Currently part of the Netherlands U21 squad, Poku is preparing for their UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualifier against Norway, as he continues to build his career and keep his World Cup dream alive.
by Emmanuel Atanga | Mar 13, 2026 | AFCON, Africa, Ghana, Nigeria, Soccer
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has officially announced new dates for the TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) 2026, shifting the tournament to 25 July – 16 August 2026.
The competition, which will be hosted by Morocco, was initially scheduled to take place from 17 March to 3 April 2026 after CAF awarded the North African nation the hosting rights in October 2024.
However, following consultations between CAF, FIFA, and other key stakeholders, the decision was made to reschedule the tournament to ensure better preparation and the overall success of the prestigious women’s competition. The governing body explained that the change was necessary due to unforeseen circumstances affecting the earlier timetable.
Despite the adjustment in dates, CAF confirmed that preparations for the tournament are progressing steadily. Organizers and partners remain confident that the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations will deliver a successful and memorable edition for women’s football on the continent.
Morocco, which has increasingly become a major hub for African football tournaments in recent years, is expected to provide world-class facilities and organization for the event.
by Emmanuel Atanga | Mar 6, 2026 | Africa, Europe, International, Soccer, World Cup
The Royal Moroccan Football Federation has reportedly named Mohamed Ouahbi as the new head coach of the Morocco national football team, replacing Walid Regragui ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Regragui vacated his position by mutual agreement with the federation this week, following months of speculation after Morocco’s narrow loss to Senegal national football team in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final. His tenure is celebrated for leading Morocco to the semi-finals of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, but reports cite “mental exhaustion” and a desire to return to European club football as reasons for his departure.
Ouahbi, a 50-year-old Belgian-Moroccan tactician, gained attention after guiding Morocco’s U-20 squad to a World Cup title in October 2025. He is expected to be officially unveiled this Thursday, with the FRMF planning to surround him with an experienced technical team, including former João Sacramento and Moroccan legend Youssouf Hadji.
The new head coach faces an immediate challenge, with high-profile friendlies against Ecuador national football team and Paraguay national football team scheduled for late March. He will also need to stabilize the squad following the recent international retirement of long-time captain Romain SaĂŻss.
Ouahbi’s appointment signals Morocco’s intent to maintain momentum from past successes while preparing for the challenges of the 2026 World Cup in North America.
