by Emmanuel Atanga | Apr 10, 2026 | Africa, Europe, Ghana, International, Soccer, USA, World Cup
Former Black Stars Management Committee member Kudjoe Fianoo has called on the Ghana Football Association to act swiftly by appointing technical director Winfried Schäfer as interim head coach of the national team.
The Ghana national football team are currently without a head coach following the dismissal of Otto Addo after a string of disappointing results, including a 2-1 defeat to Germany in an international friendly in Stuttgart.
Speaking in an interview with Kessben Sports, Fianoo emphasized the urgency of the situation, warning that time is not on Ghana’s side with the World Cup approaching. He believes Schäfer’s familiarity with Ghanaian football makes him the ideal short-term solution.
According to Fianoo, appointing Schäfer on an interim basis would give the GFA breathing space to carefully identify a long-term coach capable of leading the team through immediate and future challenges.
He also cautioned against the federation’s recent trend of frequent managerial changes, stressing the need for stability and a well-thought-out strategy moving forward.
With preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup underway, the GFA is expected to name a new head coach soon as pressure mounts to steady the ship and restore confidence in the team.
by Emmanuel Atanga | Apr 10, 2026 | AFCON, Africa, Europe, Ghana, International, Soccer, Uncategorized, USA, World Cup
Africa will be strongly represented at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with ten nations set to compete across the United States, Mexico, and Canada. The big question remains—can any team go beyond the remarkable semi-final run achieved by Morocco national football team at the 2022 tournament in Qatar?
Heading into the competition, Morocco national football team and Senegal national football team are widely tipped as Africa’s strongest contenders. Morocco will be eager to respond after a disappointing AFCON campaign on home soil, while Senegal could channel the frustration from recent controversies into a determined push on the global stage. Still, both sides may find the quarter-finals a realistic ceiling.
Ivory Coast national football team enter the tournament with a new generation of talent, including Amad Diallo and Evann Guessand, but questions remain about their ability to progress beyond the round of 16. Similarly, Algeria national football team and Egypt national football team face uncertainty, with Egypt still heavily reliant on Mohamed Salah.
Ghana national football team, however, could emerge as dark horses. Drawn alongside England, Croatia, and Panama, Ghana’s chances of progressing may hinge on a strong start. With a dynamic attacking setup and conditions likely to favor their style, they have the potential to trouble more established sides.
Elsewhere, South Africa national football team return to the World Cup for the first time since 2010 and could prove difficult opponents despite modest expectations. Cape Verde national football team are set for a historic debut but face a daunting group, while DR Congo national football team may struggle to advance after navigating the intercontinental play-offs.
As the tournament approaches, Africa’s representatives carry both hope and pressure. While matching Morocco’s historic feat will be a challenge, the continent’s teams are determined to leave a lasting mark on the world stage once again.
by Emmanuel Atanga | Apr 10, 2026 | AFCON, Africa, Europe, International, Soccer, USA, World Cup
Congolese referee Jean-Jacques Ndala has been omitted from the list of officials selected for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, months after his controversial handling of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final.
Ndala officiated the heated clash between Senegal national football team and Morocco national football team—a match that descended into chaos following a disputed penalty decision. The situation escalated when Senegal players walked off the pitch, with Morocco’s Brahim Díaz missing the resulting penalty before a dramatic late goal from Pape Gueye.
The controversy deepened after Morocco successfully appealed the result, leading CAF’s Appeals Jury to award a 3-0 victory in their favor in March. The case has since progressed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, keeping the dispute firmly in the spotlight.
In contrast, FIFA’s final list of referees for the 2026 tournament—set to be hosted across the United States, Canada, and Mexico—features strong representation from Brazil, including officials like Ramon Abatti Abel.
Africa will still have a presence, with referees such as Mustapha Ghorbal, Pierre Atcho, Amin Mohamed, Jalal Jayed, Dahane Beida, Omar Abdulkadir Artan, and Abongile Tom making the cut.
However, Ndala’s absence stands out, with many linking his omission to the fallout from the AFCON final in Rabat. Despite efforts by Patrice Motsepe to ease tensions, the controversy continues to cast a long shadow.
As African football reflects on the incident, Ndala’s exclusion highlights the lasting impact of high-stakes decisions and the fine margins that define careers at the highest level.
by Emmanuel Atanga | Apr 10, 2026 | AFCON, Africa, Europe, International, Nigeria, Soccer, World Cup
The Nigeria Football Federation has addressed growing concerns surrounding unpaid bonuses and allowances owed to members of the Flying Eagles, following complaints from players in both the 2023 and 2025 squads.
Several players have urged the federation to settle outstanding qualification bonuses and camp allowances accumulated over a three-year period. These payments are linked to participation in major competitions including the WAFU B Cup, the U-20 Africa Cup of Nations, and the FIFA U-20 World Cup, spanning six tournaments and approximately 65 days in camp.
Under former head coach Ladan Bosso, the 2023 squad enjoyed a strong run—winning the WAFU B Cup against Benin Republic, finishing third at the U-20 AFCON in Egypt, and reaching the quarter-finals of the World Cup in Argentina before bowing out to South Korea.
In 2025, led by Aliyu Zubair, the team finished as runners-up at the WAFU B Cup after a narrow loss to Ivory Coast. They went on to secure a semi-final finish at the U-20 AFCON, earning qualification for the World Cup, where they eventually exited in the round of 16 following a heavy defeat to Argentina.
Sources indicate that players were promised a $5,000 qualification bonus per tournament alongside daily camp allowances of $100. This payment structure was introduced after the NFF scrapped match bonuses for youth teams in 2017 during the tenure of former president Amaju Pinnick.
However, concerns have emerged that while camp allowances may be partially settled, qualification bonuses could be excluded. Some players claim they are owed up to $6,500 each, combining unpaid allowances from both 2023 and 2025.
Amid rising tension, the federation has reportedly begun steps to address the debts ahead of its upcoming elective congress, with fears the issue could dominate discussions.
Responding to the allegations, NFF General Secretary Mohammed Sanusi dismissed claims that the federation intends to neglect its obligations. He maintained that although full payment may not be immediate, a substantial portion will be settled, emphasizing that all matches played had official approval.
The situation adds to a growing list of financial disputes involving the NFF, including previous bonus-related concerns raised by the Super Eagles during the 2025 AFCON and the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, as well as scrutiny from Nigeria’s House of Representatives Committee on Sports in 2023 over similar issues affecting the Flying Eagles.
by Emmanuel Atanga | Apr 10, 2026 | Africa, Europe, Ghana, International, Soccer
Former Ghana U17 standout Mohammed Umar has made a successful return to action after enduring a lengthy nine-month spell on the sidelines due to a serious knee injury.
The 23-year-old defender suffered the setback during a friendly match between Politehnica Iași and Metalul Buzău on July 14, 2025. The injury, which involved a torn anterior cruciate ligament and meniscus damage, required surgery in Bucharest and a long period of rehabilitation.
At the time, club official Florin Briaur confirmed the severity of the situation, describing it as a major blow that would keep Umar out of action for months. The former Medeama SC centre-back had also been attracting interest from Feyenoord before the injury halted his progress.
Now fully recovered, Umar marked his comeback by featuring in Politehnica Iași’s 2-0 friendly victory over USV Iași, signaling a positive new chapter in his career. His return not only strengthens his club but also revives hopes of seeing him fulfill his promising potential.
