by Emmanuel Atanga | Jun 15, 2025 | Africa, Europe, Ghana, International, Soccer
In a groundbreaking verdict, Ghana’s esteemed Right to Dream Academy has emerged victorious over FIFA at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in a legal dispute involving development fees from the high-profile transfer of Ernest Nuamah.
The ruling, accessed via Sportsblog247.com, reverses FIFA’s earlier decision that awarded solidarity payments from Nuamah’s €25 million transfer to a club with limited influence on his development. CAS has now directed FIFA to reassess and properly allocate the funds to Right to Dream, who played a central role in shaping the player’s footballing journey.
At the center of the case was Nuamah’s 2023 move from FC Nordsjaelland—owned by the Right to Dream Group—to Belgian side RWD Molenbeek, followed by an immediate loan to French giants Olympique Lyonnais. The deal, structured through Eagle Football Holdings (which owns both Lyon and Molenbeek), set a new transfer record in the Danish Superliga.
FIFA’s original ruling listed Ghana’s Stadium Youth Club as a primary beneficiary of the solidarity mechanism—which reserves 5% of international transfer fees for clubs that trained a player between the ages of 12 and 23. However, CAS found that Stadium Youth only trained Nuamah until age eight, while Right to Dream nurtured him from age 10 onward, within the eligible period.
According to the ruling, FIFA’s database had outdated and inaccurate information. The CAS panel criticized the global body’s reliance on flawed registration data in the Transfer Matching System (TMS) and declared Right to Dream the rightful recipient of at least €283,919 from the initial transfer to Molenbeek. More payments are expected once Lyon activates their purchase obligation this year.
FIFA defended its stance, claiming it acted in good faith. But CAS sided with Right to Dream’s legal team, led by Danish sports attorney Jes Christian Fisker, who argued that FIFA’s oversight deprived the academy of critical funds and violated the very spirit of its solidarity policy.
“It’s a landmark moment,” said a source close to the case. “This sends a clear message to FIFA and shines a light on the administrative gaps affecting African academies.”
Nuamah’s path to Lyon, through a strategic transfer to Molenbeek, had raised questions in football circles. However, after investigations by Danish and French authorities, the deal was deemed compliant.
The CAS decision also clarified Nuamah’s formative years: he started at Real Soccer Angels at age eight before moving to Right to Dream at 10. The academy has already compensated Real Soccer Angels with nine million Ghanaian cedis for their role. Stadium Youth Club, which ceased operations years ago, would have seen their share redirected to the Ghana Football Association had FIFA’s decision stood.
This rare setback for FIFA at CAS underscores growing concerns over the accuracy of youth development records, particularly in underrepresented football regions. The verdict empowers African academies to contest similar misallocations and fight for their rightful share in global football’s booming transfer market.
As Lyon gears up to complete Nuamah’s permanent signing, Right to Dream may yet receive additional financial rewards. Meanwhile, the winger continues to shine for Ghana’s national team, following in the footsteps of academy alumni like Mohammed Kudus, Simon Adingra, and Kamaldeen Sulemana.
by Emmanuel Atanga | Jun 15, 2025 | Africa, Ghana, International, Soccer
Ghanaian winger delivers match-winning goal in 3-2 comeback thriller
Former Ghana international Frank Acheampong proved the difference on Saturday afternoon as he scored the decisive goal in Henan FC’s dramatic 3-2 comeback victory over Chengdu Rongcheng FC in the Chinese Super League.
Playing at the Zhengzhou Hanghai Stadium, the 31-year-old winger was in fine form, featuring for 88 minutes and delivering a match-winning performance to help Henan FC secure all three points in front of their home fans.
The game began with an early blow for the hosts as Shihao Wei gave Chengdu Rongcheng the lead just eight minutes in. Henan responded quickly, winning a penalty which was confidently converted by Brazilian forward Felippe Cardoso in the 15th minute.
However, Chengdu reclaimed the lead through Felipe in the 22nd minute, only for Henan’s Zichang Huang to cancel it out with a swift equalizer three minutes later, ensuring a 2-2 scoreline going into halftime.
The second half saw fewer chances, but it was Acheampong who rose to the occasion—latching onto a pass and finishing clinically to hand Henan the lead for the first time in the match, a goal that ultimately sealed the win.
Acheampong, who joined Henan FC in February 2024, has now registered two goals and one assist in 12 league appearances this season. His contract with the club runs until December 2025.
by Emmanuel Atanga | Jun 15, 2025 | Africa, Europe, Ghana, International, Soccer
Ghanaian winger Nana Opoku Ampomah is once again making headlines — this time in Canada, where his blistering form for Forge FC in the Canadian Premier League has caught the eye of several European clubs.
Sources close to the player reveal that Israeli powerhouse Beitar Jerusalem and Belgian outfits Cercle Brugge and La Louvière have all expressed serious interest in signing the former Ghana international. Swiss side FC Sion is also reportedly monitoring his situation closely, with the summer transfer window heating up.
Ampomah has been a standout performer for Hamilton-based Forge FC this season, racking up four Man of the Match awards in just his last eight outings. His pace, creativity, and experience have made him a key figure in the CPL — and a hot commodity on the transfer market.
This potential return to Europe could mark a significant chapter in Ampomah’s career revival. The winger previously lit up the Belgian Pro League with Waasland-Beveren, a run that earned him a move to the German Bundesliga with Fortuna Düsseldorf. He also had a spell with Belgian giants Royal Antwerp.
With his recent performances proving he’s still a force to be reckoned with, Nana Opoku Ampomah could soon be on his way back to European football, ready to reignite the promise he once showed on the continent.
by Emmanuel Atanga | Jun 15, 2025 | AFCON, Africa, Europe, Ghana, International, Soccer
At the glittering 2025 Ghana Football Awards held at the Accra International Conference Centre, one young man stole the spotlight — Jerry Afriyie. The rising star was named the winner of the coveted Odartey Lamptey Future Star Award, a title reserved for Ghana’s most promising young footballer.
Afriyie’s journey over the past year has been nothing short of inspirational. After a breakout stint with Ghana’s Thoughts FC, he secured a move to Saudi Arabian side Al-Qadsiah. Not long after, he was loaned to Spanish second-division club CD Lugo, where he continued to impress with his attacking flair and work ethic.
His performances were further elevated during the U-20 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt, where he stood out as one of Ghana’s brightest prospects with the Black Satellites. These achievements marked him as a player on a steep upward trajectory — a sentiment now reflected in this prestigious award.
The Odartey Lamptey Future Star Award has a history of spotlighting talents destined for greatness. Afriyie follows in the footsteps of past winners like Ernest Nuamah (2023) and Abdul Aziz Issah (2024), both of whom have since made significant strides in their professional careers.
Despite stiff competition from other emerging talents, it was Afriyie’s consistent development, international exposure, and impact across competitions that earned him this honour. His win is not just a recognition of what he has accomplished, but a bold statement of what’s to come.
Ghana may just be witnessing the rise of its next football sensation.
by Emmanuel Atanga | Jun 15, 2025 | Africa, Europe, Ghana, International, Soccer
In a night that celebrated Africa’s finest football talents, Achraf Hakimi stood tall as he was named Best African International at the 2025 Ghana Football Awards, held at the prestigious Grand Arena of the Accra International Conference Centre.
The 26-year-old Moroccan and Paris Saint-Germain star earned the honour following a phenomenal season that saw him play a pivotal role in PSG’s historic treble—winning the Ligue 1 title, Coupe de France, and for the first time in the club’s history, the UEFA Champions League.
Hakimi’s dynamic performances on the right flank, combining defensive solidity with attacking flair, have cemented his status as one of the most complete fullbacks in world football today.
Organisers lauded his consistency, versatility, and leadership on the big stage, stating that Hakimi represents the pinnacle of African excellence in international football. He beat several other African stars who also had stellar seasons across Europe.
This award adds another feather to Hakimi’s growing cap of individual accolades and underscores his incredible journey from a promising talent at Real Madrid to a key figure in one of Europe’s elite clubs.
