by Emmanuel Atanga | Jan 14, 2025 | AFCON, Africa, Ghana, Soccer
Renowned Ghanaian football administrator, Wilfred Osei Kweku Palmer, has voiced strong opposition to any potential move by Kurt Okraku to seek a third term as president of the Ghana Football Association (GFA).
Okraku, whose second term is set to end in 2027, is reportedly considering an amendment to the GFA statutes to enable him to extend his presidency. However, Osei Palmer, the president of Tema Youth FC, has criticized Okraku’s tenure, describing his leadership as ineffective and detrimental to Ghanaian football.
Speaking to Asempa FM, Palmer did not hold back his discontent:
“Kurt Okraku’s first term and second term have been abysmal, so why the need for a third term as GFA president? The Black Stars’ performance clearly shows there is no justification for him to remain in office.”
Osei Palmer’s criticisms come amid growing scrutiny of Okraku’s administration, particularly regarding the disappointing performances of Ghana’s national teams. Under Okraku, the Black Stars failed to progress beyond the group stage in the last two Africa Cup of Nations tournaments and recently missed out on qualifying for the 2025 edition in Morocco—the first such failure in two decades.
Despite these setbacks, Okraku’s leadership has seen progress in women’s football, with the Black Queens qualifying for the Africa Women’s Cup of Nations for the first time since 2018.
Kurt Okraku assumed office in 2019 after succeeding the Normalisation Committee, which had replaced Kwesi Nyantakyi’s scandal-hit administration. However, his tenure has divided opinions on whether his leadership merits further extensions.
by Emmanuel Atanga | Jan 14, 2025 | AFCON, Africa, Ghana, International, Soccer, World Cup
The tenure of Otto Addo as head coach of the Black Stars has come under intense criticism following Ghana’s failure to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) for the first time in two decades.
Wilfred Osei Kweku Palmer, a former Executive Council member of the Ghana Football Association (GFA), has expressed his dissatisfaction with Addo’s performance. Speaking on Asempa FM, Palmer described the results under the 49-year-old coach as far from satisfactory, casting doubt on his suitability to lead the senior national team.
“I’ve always been clear with my opinion on Otto Addo—that he is not the right man,” Palmer stated. “If you look at the results he has been producing, do you think he is doing well?”
Addo, who signed a three-year contract in March 2024, oversaw a dismal run during the AFCON qualifiers. Ghana finished at the bottom of Group F with three losses and three draws in six games. Over the past year, the Black Stars have won just two of their 14 matches, with Addo in charge of 10 of those games.
Palmer also drew comparisons to former Black Stars coach Kwasi Appiah, who has led Sudan to qualify for the 2025 AFCON and managed to beat Ghana in the process. “We said Kwasi Appiah should be sacked because he was not good, but look at what he’s done with Sudan,” he remarked.
With the Ghana Football Association yet to make a decision on Addo’s future, the Black Stars are set to resume action in March 2025 when they face Chad and Madagascar in crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
by Emmanuel Atanga | Jan 14, 2025 | Africa, Europe, Ghana, International, Soccer
West Ham United manager Graham Potter is navigating a tough spell as injuries have decimated his attacking options. With Michail Antonio and Niclas Füllkrug sidelined indefinitely and Jarrod Bowen weeks away from recovery, the Hammers are left with just one senior striker—32-year-old Danny Ings—fit to lead the line.
In a bid to address the crisis, Potter is exploring creative solutions. One standout option is Mohammed Kudus, whose versatility has caught the manager’s eye. The Ghanaian international, who joined West Ham from Ajax, has experience playing as a striker in his previous clubs and has already showcased his adaptability during his short time at the London Stadium.
“Mo has the capability to lead the line,” Potter admitted. “Sometimes, you need to think outside the box in situations like this. You look at the players you have, their attributes, and adjust. Mo is certainly an option for us.”
Another potential solution could involve Brazilian maestro Lucas Paquetá, known for his adaptability. Paquetá’s technical ability and creativity might make him an unconventional yet effective choice up front.
Potter’s tactical ingenuity was already evident during his debut against Aston Villa, where he shifted the positions of Kudus, Paquetá, and Crysencio Summerville. As West Ham prepare to face Fulham, Potter may also hand a chance to 18-year-old winger Luis Guilherme, who has shown promise in training.
With Potter’s willingness to experiment and a squad eager to step up, West Ham hope to weather the storm until their key players return.
by Emmanuel Atanga | Jan 14, 2025 | AFCON, Africa, Ghana, Nigeria, Soccer
Luck Deserted Us When We Needed It Most
The Black Galaxies’ dream of returning to the Championship of African Nations (CHAN) came to a crushing end after a 3-1 defeat to Nigeria in the second leg of their qualification clash at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium.
The Ghanaian team had held the Super Eagles B team to a thrilling goalless draw in the first leg at the Accra Sports Stadium, raising hopes of qualification. But the return fixture in Uyo proved a step too far. The defeat marks Ghana’s failure to qualify for the CHAN tournament for the first time since 2020, despite their rich history as two-time finalists.
Razak Simpson, Nations FC defender and one of the leaders of the squad, opened up about the setback in an interview with Kessben FM, as reported by Sportsblog247.com.
“Everything was fine. We were just unlucky. Our coach, Didi Dramani, had his tactics and everything right, but luck eluded us,” Simpson lamented.
With the CHAN 2025 tournament set to be co-hosted by Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania from February 1-28, Ghana’s absence will undoubtedly be felt. Fans are left to wonder what might have been, as the Black Galaxies regroup to prepare for future challenges.
by Emmanuel Atanga | Jan 14, 2025 | Africa, Europe, Ghana, International, Soccer
Ghanaian defender Alexander Djiku was all smiles after Fenerbahce secured a crucial 3-2 victory over Konyaspor in a hard-fought encounter on Monday evening. The match, held in Konya, saw a rollercoaster of goals, with Djiku playing the full 90 minutes and contributing to his team’s important win.
The game exploded into action early when Konyaspor’s Pedrinho found the net within the first minute, giving the hosts an early lead. However, Fenerbahce quickly responded through defender Mert Muldur, who leveled the score 13 minutes later. As the first half progressed, former Leicester City player Caglar Soyuncu put Fenerbahce ahead, but Konyaspor wasn’t backing down. Just before halftime, Blaz Kramer equalized, ensuring the game remained tied going into the break.
The second half saw more drama as Dusan Tadic’s clinical finish on the hour mark sealed the win for Fenerbahce, much to the delight of Djiku and his teammates. After the match, Djiku took to social media, expressing his joy and pride in the team’s collective effort: “Important win in a tough game. Great team effort. Thank you for your support.”
The victory is another step towards Fenerbahce’s push to catch up with Galatasaray at the top of the league. Djiku’s solid performance continues to be a crucial part of the team’s defensive strength. Meanwhile, his Ghanaian compatriot Emmanuel Boateng also featured for Konyaspor, playing 83 minutes before being substituted.
