by Emmanuel Atanga | Mar 18, 2025 | Africa, Ghana, International, Soccer, World Cup
As Ghana intensifies preparations for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, former Black Stars head coach Charles Kwablan Akonnor has thrown down the gauntlet to locally-based players in the squad, urging them to prove their worth in training and push for starting roles.
With Otto Addo naming Razak Simpson (Nations FC), Benjamin Asare (Hearts of Oak), and Kamaradini Mamudu (Medeama SC) in his squad for the upcoming clashes against Chad and Madagascar, the spotlight is on these homegrown talents. However, Akonnor insists that merely earning a call-up isn’t enough—they must make a statement.
“They have been invited, but they must show in training that they are more than just squad players,” Akonnor told Sportsblog247.com. “If they convince the technical team that they deserve a place in the lineup, the coach will have no choice but to use them.”
The three local stars took part in Ghana’s first training session on Monday at the Accra Sports Stadium, with the full squad set to assemble today. The Black Stars will face Chad on Friday, March 21, at 19:00 GMT before traveling to Morocco for their March 24 clash against Madagascar.
With competition heating up, will the local trio rise to the challenge and force Otto Addo into a selection dilemma?
by Emmanuel Atanga | Mar 18, 2025 | Africa, Ghana, International, Soccer, World Cup
As the Black Stars gear up for their crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, a heated debate has emerged over their travel conditions. Ghana’s Minister for Sports and Recreation, Kofi Adams, has voiced his concern, arguing that the national team players deserve better travel arrangements.
His remarks come in response to President John Mahama’s directive barring newly appointed ministers from first-class travel as a cost-cutting measure. While Adams acknowledges the need for financial prudence, he insists that footballers—who rely on peak physical performance—should not be subjected to economy-class travel, especially for long-haul flights.
“You can’t put players in economy class because they rely on their legs for performance, and they need enough space to stretch,” Adams stated on TV3 Sports Station. “For short trips, it’s manageable, but for longer flights, business class is a necessity.”
The discussion on player welfare continues as Ghana prepares to host Chad at the Accra Sports Stadium on March 21 before heading to Morocco for their match against Madagascar on March 24. With performance on the line, the balance between cost-cutting and competitive excellence remains a pressing concern.
by Emmanuel Atanga | Mar 18, 2025 | Africa, Soccer
For over a decade, Siyabonga Nomvethe’s record as the Premier Soccer League’s (PSL) all-time top scorer seemed untouchable. His tally of 123 goals was the gold standard, a benchmark that no striker could surpass—until Peter Shalulile arrived.
The Namibian forward has been rewriting history with every goal, reaching 121 and standing on the brink of a new record. But just as he was about to claim the throne, the PSL unearthed six additional goals credited to Nomvethe, adjusting his total to 129.
Now, with 127 goals to his name, Shalulile needs just three more to cement his place as South Africa’s greatest-ever goal scorer. Will he rise to the occasion and etch his name into PSL history?
by Emmanuel Atanga | Mar 17, 2025 | AFCON, Africa, Ghana, Soccer
The night of February 8, 2015, was supposed to be a glorious one for Ghana. After an impressive run in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), the Black Stars stood on the brink of reclaiming the trophy they last won in 1982. But fate had other plans.
Ghana’s journey to the final had been a rollercoaster. They stumbled in their opening match, a 2-1 loss to Senegal, but quickly regained their footing with wins over Algeria and South Africa. In the knockout stages, they brushed aside Guinea with a commanding 3-0 victory before silencing hosts Equatorial Guinea by the same scoreline. The stage was set for a classic showdown against long-time rivals Ivory Coast.
The final in Bata was a tense battle. Both sides fought hard, but after 120 minutes, neither had broken the deadlock. Then came the penalty shootout, where Ghana appeared destined for victory. The Ivorians missed their first two spot-kicks, and the Black Stars found themselves on the verge of glory.
But then, the unthinkable happened. Afriyie Acquah, Frank Acheampong, and goalkeeper Razak Brimah all missed crucial penalties, allowing Ivory Coast to mount an extraordinary comeback. The Elephants triumphed 9-8, leaving the Black Stars in despair.
“We were totally dead after the AFCON 2015 final,” Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu recalled in a recent interview with Sporty FM. “I’ve never seen a team lose a penalty shootout after leading 2-0. I still can’t understand what happened.”
Since that fateful night, Ghana has struggled to reach the same heights. The Black Stars have faced early eliminations in recent AFCON tournaments and even failed to qualify for the upcoming 2025 edition in Morocco. The scars of 2015 remain, a haunting memory of how close they came—only to see their dreams slip away.
by Emmanuel Atanga | Mar 17, 2025 | Africa, Ghana, International, Soccer, World Cup
Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu has taken a nostalgic look back at his time with the Black Stars, revealing the two players he considers the best he ever played alongside—Michael Essien and Andre Ayew.
Agyemang-Badu, a key member of Ghana’s historic U-20 squad that won the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Egypt, earned his first senior call-up ahead of the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). Ghana reached the final of that tournament but fell short against a dominant Egyptian side.
Despite missing out on the 2010 FIFA World Cup due to injury, he went on to feature in the 2012 and 2013 AFCON tournaments, helping the Black Stars secure consecutive fourth-place finishes. He was also part of Ghana’s squad at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
Reflecting on his journey with the national team, the former Asante Kotoko and Udinese midfielder singled out Essien and Ayew as the standout talents he had the privilege of playing with.
“Michael Essien and Andre Ayew are the best players I’ve played with in the national team,” he said, acknowledging their impact on his career.
Beyond his admiration for Essien and Ayew, Agyemang-Badu also shared fond memories of his close friendship with Kwadwo Asamoah, a bond forged during their four years together at Udinese.
“Kwadwo Asamoah is one of my good friends—I lived with him for four years in Udine. Gyan is good, same as Andre Ayew. Michael Essien gave me his boots,” he recalled.
The veteran midfielder, who last played for Accra Great Olympics, retired with an impressive 78 caps and 11 goals for the national team.
