by Emmanuel Atanga | Jan 15, 2025 | Africa, Ghana, Soccer
In a significant move for Ghanaian football, Frimpong Manso has been appointed head coach of the Ghana U17 national team, the Black Starlets. This appointment comes with high praise and a stern warning from former Ghana Football Association (GFA) vice president, George Afriyie, who believes Manso’s integrity and independence make him impervious to potential manipulation by the FA.
Manso, currently the head coach of Bibiani Goldstars in the Ghana Premier League, replaces Laryea Kingston, who departed during the qualifiers for the Africa U17 Cup of Nations. Afriyie, speaking on Kessben FM, lauded Manso’s uncompromising character, stating, “The FA will find him a difficult coach to work with unless the Frimpong I know has changed.”
Afriyie highlighted the critical role of the U17 team in reviving Ghanaian football, pointing out that the Black Starlets’ success has historically placed Ghana on the international football map. He added, “If we groom a solid U17 team, it will bolster the U20, U23, and ultimately the Black Stars.”
Manso, who previously held this role from 2009 to 2010, has a wealth of experience. He has served as assistant coach for both the Black Starlets and Black Meteors and has managed clubs including Asante Kotoko, Karela United, and Stade d’Abidjan in Ivory Coast.
The Black Starlets, two-time African champions and the first Ghanaian team to win the FIFA U17 World Cup, have struggled in recent years, failing to qualify for the Africa U17 Cup of Nations since finishing as runners-up in 2017. Manso’s return brings renewed hope for a revival of Ghana’s footballing glory at this level.
by Emmanuel Atanga | Jan 15, 2025 | Africa, Europe, Ghana, International, Soccer
Ghanaian forward reflects on the Cherries’ stellar Premier League campaign and their hard-fought draw against Chelsea.
Bournemouth’s rise in the Premier League standings this season has been nothing short of remarkable. Currently sitting seventh with 34 points after 21 games, the Cherries have shown grit and determination in their performances, earning respect across the league.
In their most recent outing, Bournemouth held Chelsea to a thrilling 2-2 draw at Stamford Bridge, with Ghana international Antoine Semenyo playing a vital role. The forward, who has been enjoying his best season yet, found the back of the net and gave Chelsea’s defense a tough time throughout the match.
Reflecting on the team’s impressive form, Semenyo credited their collective spirit:
“We all work for each other, and that’s what we’re about. We’re resilient. That resilience and determination is how we’ve got our points this season.”
Despite the draw, Semenyo expressed mixed emotions, feeling they could have secured all three points:
“We defended for our lives at times, and I feel we should have got three points. At half-time, the manager wasn’t happy! He livened us up, and we needed to get our press right. We did that from the get-go in the second half.
“I think we should have taken more from the home game against Chelsea, and we could’ve secured the win here. But we take the point and move on to the next one.”
The former Bristol City forward has been a revelation for Bournemouth this season, amassing seven goals and three assists in 22 appearances across all competitions. His contributions have been crucial to the team’s success, and fans will hope his form continues as Bournemouth aims to solidify their position in the top half of the table.
by Emmanuel Atanga | Jan 14, 2025 | Africa, Ghana, Soccer
In a strategic move to elevate the Black Queens to greater heights, the Ghana Football Association (GFA) has appointed Swedish football tactician, Kim Lars Björkegren, as the new Head Coach of the Senior National Women’s Team. He succeeds Nora Hauptle, whose tenure concluded at the end of December 2024.
Born in Ljungsbro, Sweden, Kim’s journey in football began as a player for his community club and later with Allsvenska Åtvidabergs FF, a Swedish First Division side at the time. However, a career-ending injury at 22 redirected his passion toward coaching—a decision that has defined his remarkable career over the past 18 years.
Now a UEFA License A Coach, Kim brings a wealth of experience and a proven track record in women’s football. His illustrious career includes winning the Damallsvenskan (Swedish Women’s League) with Linkopings FC and the Cypriot Women’s League with Apollon Ladies, earning him accolades such as the Cyprus Coach of the Season in 2020-2021. Notably, he shares the distinction with Sven Goran Eriksson as one of only two Swedish managers to clinch domestic titles in two different countries.
Kim has also made significant strides globally, serving as a Scout and Analyst for the Finland Women’s National Team, coaching Beijing BG Phoenix to third place in the Chinese Women’s FA Cup and Super Cup, and working as Technical Director of Manila Digger FC in the Philippines. Most recently, he managed Racing Louisville in the U.S. National Women’s Soccer League, further solidifying his expertise in women’s football.
Known for his dynamic and adaptable coaching philosophy, Kim emphasizes possessive attacking football that is both purposeful and entertaining. His approach prioritizes discipline, teamwork, and flexibility—values that align seamlessly with Ghana’s football identity. Additionally, his background in education and sports psychology positions him as a well-rounded leader for the Black Queens.
The GFA believes Kim Björkegren is the ideal candidate to guide the Black Queens into a new chapter of success, blending his international experience with Ghana’s rich football heritage.
by Emmanuel Atanga | Jan 14, 2025 | AFCON, Africa, Ghana, International, Soccer, World Cup
The Black Stars of Ghana, once a dominant force in African football, find themselves mired in an era of disappointing performances, and Wilfred Osei Kwaku Palmer, owner and president of Tema Youth FC, believes the Ghana Football Association (GFA) is to blame.
Speaking to Asempa FM, Palmer did not hold back in his criticism of the GFA, accusing the current leadership of dividing the football community and failing to provide the necessary environment for success. His frustration comes in the wake of the Black Stars’ historic failure to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco, marking their first absence in over two decades.
The team’s dismal campaign in the qualifiers saw them finish at the bottom of Group F with just three points, recording three draws and three defeats in six matches. This follows back-to-back AFCON group-stage eliminations, further compounding the misery of Ghanaian football fans.
Palmer, who has served Ghanaian football in various capacities, expressed personal pain over how he has been treated by the current GFA leadership, hinting that their actions have brought misfortune upon the team.
“Sometimes I wonder why people say the Black Stars are struggling. The truth is you cannot treat people like this and expect the team to prosper,” he lamented. “The team has no blessings. This is the national team I have served and helped, yet this is how I am treated? I am sorry, but I am pained.”
As the Black Stars gear up to face Chad and Madagascar in their final 2026 World Cup qualifiers in March, fans are hopeful for an upturn in fortunes. However, Palmer’s words serve as a reminder of the challenges within the administration of Ghanaian football that may hinder the team’s progress.
by Emmanuel Atanga | Jan 14, 2025 | AFCON, Africa, Ghana, Nigeria, Soccer
Ghana’s Nations FC captain, Razak Simpson, has rallied behind Black Galaxies coach, Didi Dramani, following the team’s heartbreaking failure to qualify for the 2025 Championship of African Nations (CHAN).
The Black Galaxies fell 3-1 to Nigeria in the decisive second leg of the CHAN qualifiers in December 2024, extinguishing their hopes of securing a spot in the prestigious tournament, set to be co-hosted by Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania from February 1-28, 2025.
Despite the setback, Simpson expressed unwavering support for Dramani, emphasizing that the coach’s approach to the game was solid.
“Everything was fine. We were just unlucky. Our coach Didi Dramani had his tactics and everything right, but luck eluded us,” Simpson said in an interview with Kessben FM, as reported by Sportsblog247.com.
The loss marks Ghana’s first failure to qualify for CHAN since 2020. The team was seeking a second consecutive tournament appearance after making it to the last edition. Ghana has a storied history in CHAN, having reached the final twice — losing to DR Congo in 2009 and suffering a penalty shootout heartbreak against Libya in 2014.
With Nigeria now taking the qualification spot, the Black Galaxies will need to regroup and rebuild for future competitions.
The 2025 CHAN tournament promises to be an exciting affair as East African nations Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania prepare to host the event from February 1-28.
