by Emmanuel Atanga | Sep 1, 2025 | Africa, Ghana, International, Soccer, World Cup
The Black Stars of Ghana will hold their first training session today, September 1, 2025, at the Accra Sports Stadium as they prepare for the decisive stages of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
The session, which will be open to both the media and the public, marks the start of an intensive two-day training program before the team departs for N’Djamena to face Chad on September 4. After that fixture, the squad will return to Accra for a recovery session on September 5, which fans and journalists will once again be allowed to observe.
Captain Jordan Ayew is among the first to report for duty, arriving in Ghana alongside six other players: Antoine Semenyo, Joseph Tetteh Anang, Elisha Owusu, Jonas Adjetey, Gideon Mensah, and Christopher Bonsu Baah. The early arrivals will be joined by the rest of the invited players later today, when coach Otto Addo officially oversees his opening training session.
Ghana, who sit at the top of Group I with 15 points from six games—winning five and losing just one—will then return home to host Mali on September 8 at the Accra Sports Stadium. With qualification within reach, the Black Stars are determined to maintain their momentum and edge closer to securing their place at football’s biggest stage.
by Emmanuel Atanga | Sep 1, 2025 | Africa, Ghana, International, Soccer
Ghana has long been a breeding ground for football talent, producing stars who dazzle on the pitch and thrive in life after football. While their skills have earned them global recognition, their financial achievements are equally impressive. From record-breaking contracts to business empires, these players have turned their careers into lasting wealth.
Today, Sportsblog247.com takes a closer look at the nine richest Ghanaian footballers, past and present — men who not only played for glory but also built enduring legacies of success.
9. Iñaki Williams – $15 million
Born in Spain to Ghanaian parents, Williams has been the loyal face of Athletic Bilbao. Since switching his international allegiance to Ghana in 2022, his weekly wage of £189,000 and career earnings of over £47 million place him comfortably among the elite.
8. Andre Ayew – $16 million
Currently at French side Le Havre, the veteran forward has amassed over €40 million in career earnings. His wealth goes beyond football, with diversified business investments keeping him in the millionaire bracket.
7. Jordan Ayew – $19.3 million
Following in his brother’s footsteps, Jordan has carved his own financial path. With a £50,000 weekly wage at Crystal Palace and endorsement deals, his long-term Premier League presence has ensured stability and growth.
6. Kevin-Prince Boateng – $20 million
The retired star’s flashy lifestyle often overshadowed his business acumen. But after spells at AC Milan and Barcelona, combined with endorsements and ventures in entertainment, Boateng sits among Ghana’s wealthy icons.
5. Sulley Muntari – $22 million
Inter Milan’s treble-winning midfielder made his fortune across Europe and Saudi Arabia. Now retired, Muntari thrives as a businessman, running 4FKMotosport and investing in fashion and sports ventures.
4. Asamoah Gyan – $23 million
A household name in Ghana and beyond, Gyan once earned £227,000 weekly in China. Off the pitch, he has built a thriving empire spanning bottled water, airlines, real estate, and boxing promotions.
3. Jeffrey Schlupp – $27.4 million
With stints at Leicester City and Crystal Palace, Schlupp has built a reputation as a consistent Premier League performer. His wages and real estate ventures have boosted his financial standing.
2. Michael Essien – $35 million
Chelsea legend Essien was once among Europe’s most feared midfielders. His prime years at Stamford Bridge, Real Madrid, and other clubs, combined with endorsements, have left him with an enduring fortune.
1. Thomas Partey – $36.4 million
Currently the highest-paid Ghanaian footballer, Partey earns £200,000 weekly at Arsenal. At just 30, he has already pocketed over £41 million in career earnings and continues to invest wisely across Africa and Europe.
by Emmanuel Atanga | Sep 1, 2025 | AFCON, Africa, Ghana, International, Nigeria, Soccer, World Cup
Morocco is on the brink of history as they prepare to potentially become the first African team to book a ticket to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Led by their talismanic captain and Ballon d’Or nominee Achraf Hakimi, the Atlas Lions will seal qualification if they defeat Niger in Rabat on Matchday 7. A victory would give them an unassailable lead in Group E, unless second-placed Tanzania spring a surprise win in Congo Brazzaville earlier that day.
Even if that happens, the 2022 World Cup semi-finalists are unlikely to be denied for long. Morocco will then travel to Ndola for a clash with Zambia on September 8, where just one point would be enough to confirm their place at the expanded 48-nation showpiece.
Currently, Morocco sit comfortably on top of the table with 15 points from five matches. Tanzania trail with nine, while Zambia and Niger both have six. Congo, meanwhile, are bottom with zero points after a turbulent campaign marked by walkovers and administrative woes.
Hakimi, fresh from helping Paris Saint-Germain lift the 2024/25 UEFA Champions League — even scoring in the final against Inter Milan — is now determined to achieve glory with his country. “My dream now is to win a trophy with Morocco — either the World Cup or the Africa Cup of Nations,” he told Moroccan media.
The Atlas Lions will also have the chance to chase continental glory on home soil when they host the 2025 AFCON in December, starting as firm favourites to end a trophy drought stretching back to 1976.
Egypt, Nigeria, and Ghana Plot Their Paths
Elsewhere, Egypt — spearheaded by Mohamed Salah — are also closing in on qualification. Wins over Ethiopia and Burkina Faso in Group A would secure their place. Burkina Faso, boosted by Brentford’s Dango Ouattara, will finally return to their Ouagadougou base after FIFA approved stadium renovations.
Nigeria, meanwhile, face an uphill battle in Group C. Despite a squad stacked with European stars, the Super Eagles have only managed one win in six games and sit fourth, six points behind leaders South Africa. Striker Victor Osimhen admits the pressure is high:
> “Our squad is packed with stars from the top leagues in Europe, but that alone does not guarantee success. Qualification has to be earned.”
The Super Eagles will host Rwanda next before a crucial showdown away to South Africa, which could decide their World Cup fate.
Ghana, in contrast, are enjoying a revival under coach Otto Addo. After the disappointment of missing the 2025 AFCON, the Black Stars now have their sights firmly on World Cup qualification. With attacking talent like Bournemouth’s Antoine Semenyo and Athletic Bilbao’s Inaki Williams, Ghana will face Chad and Mali in Group I knowing two wins could edge them closer to back-to-back World Cup appearances.
Mali, the pre-group favourites, have underwhelmed and now sit six points behind Ghana, leaving their dream of a debut World Cup appearance in jeopardy.
As Africa’s qualifiers heat up, Matchday 7 begins Wednesday, followed by Matchday 8 on Sunday. With two more rounds scheduled for October, the race is intensifying — but Morocco look set to be the first to cross the finish line.
by Emmanuel Atanga | Sep 1, 2025 | Africa, Europe, Ghana, International, Soccer, USA, World Cup
As Ghana prepares to resume its 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign with decisive clashes against Chad and Mali, Otto Addo’s 24-man squad is buzzing with energy from their latest club performances. Victories in these fixtures would put the Black Stars within touching distance of a place on football’s grandest stage.
Over the weekend, several players caught the eye across Europe, America, and Africa—raising hopes that their form will translate into success in national colours.
Goalkeepers Standing Tall
St. Gallen’s Lawrence Ati-Zigi led from the back with a heroic display, pulling off three crucial saves in a 2-1 win over Lausanne in Switzerland. In Ireland, Joseph Anang featured in St. Patrick’s 2-2 draw with Derry City, while Benjamin Asare kept a clean sheet to guide Hearts of Oak past rivals Asante Kotoko in the GHALCA Top Four Tournament.
Mixed Fortunes for Defenders
Gideon Mensah was solid in Auxerre’s 1-0 loss to Nantes, while debutant Derrick Arthur Kohn earned minutes for Union Berlin in their Bundesliga defeat to Borussia Dortmund. Jerome Opoku impressed with a commanding 90-minute outing for Basaksehir, securing a 7.6 Sofascore rating.
Elsewhere, Mohammed Salisu and Alexander Djiku were unused substitutes for Monaco and Fenerbahçe respectively. Tariq Lamptey missed Brighton’s squad list as he finalized his switch to Fiorentina. Youngster Caleb Yirenkyi, however, continued to shine, scoring in FC Nordsjaelland’s 2-1 win over Odense.
Midfield Engines Warming Up
Elisha Owusu and Salis Abdul Samed both featured in France but couldn’t prevent defeats for Auxerre and Nice. Mohammed Kudus, meanwhile, endured Tottenham’s first Premier League setback against Bournemouth. Ibrahim Osman couldn’t extend his assist streak, while Atalanta’s Ibrahim Sulemana remained sidelined without minutes.
Thomas Partey offered a brief but impactful cameo in Villarreal’s 1-1 draw with Celta Vigo, showing glimpses of his trademark control in midfield.
Forwards Grabbing Headlines
The biggest story came from England, where Antoine Semenyo stole the show with a brilliant performance in Bournemouth’s shock 1-0 win over Tottenham, upstaging compatriot Kudus. In MLS, Joseph Paintsil’s decisive strike sealed LA Galaxy’s 2-1 win over Orlando City.
Captain Jordan Ayew was influential in Leicester City’s 2-0 triumph over Birmingham, while Inaki Williams kept Athletic Bilbao perfect in La Liga after a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Real Betis.
Kamaldeen Sulemana, Jerry Afriyie, and Christopher Bonsu Baah experienced mixed fortunes, with the latter sidelined due to suspension in Saudi Arabia.
With players like Semenyo, Paintsil, and Ayew in red-hot form, Otto Addo has plenty of firepower at his disposal. Ghana’s path to the 2026 FIFA World Cup will now depend on whether these standout performances can be replicated against Chad and Mali.
by Emmanuel Atanga | Sep 1, 2025 | Africa, Ghana, International, Soccer, World Cup
The Black Stars of Ghana have officially opened camp in Accra as preparations intensify for their upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying fixtures.
Otto Addo’s side will first hit the road to N’Djamena, where they face Chad at the Stade Olympique Maréchal Idriss Déby Itno on September 4. Four days later, all eyes will be on the Accra Sports Stadium as Ghana welcome Mali in a high-stakes encounter.
Captain Jordan Ayew, alongside Antoine Semenyo and Elisha Owusu, headlined the first group of arrivals. They were joined by Christopher Bonsu, Jonas Adjetey, and goalkeeper Joseph Anang, as the rest of the 24-man squad are expected to link up in the coming days.
The Black Stars currently sit top of Group I after six matches, and Ghanaian fans are hopeful that the team will extend their fine run as they push for a fifth FIFA World Cup appearance.
