by Emmanuel Atanga | Nov 21, 2024 | Africa, Europe, Ghana, International, Soccer
Leicester City manager Steve Cooper has expressed his disappointment over Fatawu Issahaku’s long-term injury, labeling it a significant setback for the club and the young forward’s burgeoning career.
The 20-year-old Ghanaian winger, who has been a bright spark in the Premier League this season, sustained a serious anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury during an Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Angola in Luanda. Issahaku was forced off the pitch and has since undergone successful surgery, but he is expected to miss the rest of the season.
Addressing the media ahead of Leicester’s clash with Chelsea, Cooper reflected on the impact of the injury.
“It’s not good; it’s a serious injury. He’s had an ACL injury which will rule him out for the rest of the season. It’s a real blow, first and foremost for him,” Cooper said.
The Leicester manager highlighted Issahaku’s potential and the progress he had been making in the Premier League.
“He’s a young player, and while ACL injuries are not uncommon in football, it’s still a serious challenge, especially at his age. It’s tough for him and for us as a club. We were enjoying his journey and seeing the incredible potential he has. This is only a pause in that journey.”
Cooper emphasized the need to rally around the player and provide him with the best support for his rehabilitation.
“With the mentality Fatawu has, I’m confident he’ll come back stronger—both as a player and as a person. It’s difficult news, but we’ll stick together and help him through this tough period.”
Fatawu Issahaku had been a standout performer for Leicester City, dazzling fans with his energy and creativity. The Foxes will now face the challenge of filling the void left by the young talent as they continue their Premier League campaign.
by Emmanuel Atanga | Nov 21, 2024 | AFCON, Africa, Ghana, Soccer, World Cup
The fate of Black Stars coach Otto Addo has become a hotly debated issue as the Ghana Football Association (GFA) prepares to make a critical decision on November 27, 2024. The decision could determine whether Addo will lead Ghana into the final stretch of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.
Addo’s tenure has faced intense scrutiny after Ghana failed to qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) for the first time in 21 years—a painful setback for one of Africa’s most storied football nations. Despite the criticism, Nana Akomea, a prominent figure in Ghana’s ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), has called for calm and urged the GFA to retain Addo.
“I don’t think we should get into a panic mode yet. I know there is widespread calls for the coach to be relieved of his duties,” Akomea said in an interview with Joy FM. “But we have the World Cup qualification ahead of us. I believe we should maintain the coach to take us through the qualification series.”
The stakes couldn’t be higher for Ghana, who sit joint-top of Group I in the qualifiers with nine points from four matches. Their campaign so far includes three wins and one defeat, with Addo securing two of those victories during his second stint as coach.
The upcoming matches against Chad and Madagascar are must-wins if the Black Stars hope to maintain control of their qualification destiny. A review meeting held by the GFA’s Executive Council earlier this week failed to reach a consensus on Addo’s future, leaving his position hanging by a thread.
For now, Ghana’s football faithful wait with bated breath, as a decision on Addo’s future could define the nation’s path to the 2026 World Cup.
by Emmanuel Atanga | Nov 21, 2024 | Africa, Europe, Ghana, International, Soccer
Leicester City manager Steve Cooper has offered a positive update on Ghanaian forward Jordan Ayew’s fitness ahead of their Premier League clash against Chelsea on Saturday.
Ayew, who picked up a knock during international duty, missed Ghana’s final Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Niger. Despite initial concerns about the severity of the injury, Cooper clarified the situation during a press conference.
“Jordan has come back injured from international duty,” Cooper confirmed. “It’s not a serious injury contrary to some reports. The hope is he may be available for the weekend, but we’re a little inconclusive on that for now.”
The 33-year-old has been a standout performer for Leicester City since his summer move from Crystal Palace. Ayew has already netted two Premier League goals this season, contributing significantly to the Foxes’ campaign after their promotion.
On international duty, Ayew showcased his quality with a stunning freekick in Ghana’s 1-1 draw against Angola in Luanda. However, the result ended Ghana’s hopes of qualifying for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
In other news, Leicester City has been dealt a blow with the loss of Abdul Fatawu Issahaku. The Ghanaian winger has been ruled out for the remainder of the season following an anterior cruciate ligament injury.
by Emmanuel Atanga | Nov 21, 2024 | Africa, Ghana, Soccer
In a significant move to bolster the football ecosystem in Ghana, the President of the Ghana Football Association (GFA), Kurt Okraku, has unveiled an ambitious plan to expand the association’s bus acquisition strategy.
The announcement came during a ceremony at the Accra Sports Stadium, where nine Division One League clubs received buses as part of the merit awards scheme. This initiative, aimed at addressing the transportation challenges faced by clubs, marked the fulfillment of a promise made during the 2023 GFA Congress in Kumasi.
“Sometime back in July 2023, during our Congress in Kumasi, I spoke about an identified need in the football ecosystem. One of the things I spoke about was the lack of transport for our clubs, leading to the inability of our players to travel in comfort. Today, we’re here to see the fulfillment of that singular promise by the Executive Council of the Football Association,” Okraku stated.
The nine beneficiary clubs—Basake Holy Stars, Young Apostles, Vision FC, New Edubiase, Okwahu United, Techiman Heroes, Cape Coast Ebusua Dwarfs, Hohoe United, and Victory Club Warriors—received buses funded by increased revenue generated through collaborative efforts.
Okraku also emphasized that this initiative is not a one-time effort. Plans are underway to extend the program to additional clubs in the coming season, with details to be revealed soon. Furthermore, four Women’s Premier League clubs are set to benefit in the coming days.
“One of the fundamental needs of our clubs is transportation, and we are determined to help address these challenges,” he added.
Club representatives expressed their gratitude during the ceremony. Gideon Bekoe from Techiman Heroes praised the initiative, while Nana Kwame Dankwa from Okwahu United described it as a game-changer for clubs at the grassroots level.
This innovative strategy underscores the GFA’s commitment to improving the infrastructure and operational capabilities of football clubs across the country.
by Emmanuel Atanga | Nov 21, 2024 | AFCON, Africa, Ghana, Soccer, World Cup
The spotlight is once again on the Ghana Football Association (GFA) as pressure mounts on Otto Addo, the current coach of the Black Stars. Following the team’s shocking failure to qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) for the first time in 21 years, calls for Addo’s dismissal have grown louder.
This isn’t the first time the GFA has faced such turmoil. Under the leadership of Kurt Okraku, the association has gone through five coaches, including a second stint for Otto Addo. Former Okaikwei South MP, Nana Akomea, has expressed his frustration with this “sack-the-coach” culture, which he believes has only perpetuated the team’s struggles.
“Any sign of trouble, we change the coach to bring in another coach, and then we get into trouble again,” Nana Akomea lamented in an interview with Joy FM. “We should maintain the coach to lead us into the qualifiers. If we fail there too, then we can take a decision.”
The GFA Executive Council, however, remains divided on Addo’s future. A meeting held on Wednesday failed to reach a consensus, leaving the coach’s fate hanging until November 27, 2024, when a final decision will be made.
Despite the AFCON disappointment, Ghana remains in contention for the 2026 World Cup. The Black Stars sit joint-top of Group I with nine points, thanks to three wins from four matches—two of which came under Otto Addo. With crucial qualifiers against Chad and Madagascar on the horizon, the stakes couldn’t be higher.
For now, the question remains: Will the GFA stick with Otto Addo or continue the cycle of coaching changes?
