by Emmanuel Atanga | Jan 11, 2025 | AFCON, Africa, Ghana, Soccer
Henry Asante Twum, the Director of Communications for the Ghana Football Association (GFA), has reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to reversing the recent struggles of the country’s national teams.
Speaking in an interview with Akoma FM, Asante Twum acknowledged the challenges faced by teams like the Black Stars and Black Galaxies but assured fans that the GFA is working tirelessly to restore success.
“It is not the goal of anyone at the FA, whether at the leadership or staff level, to continue failing at the national team level. The Black Stars just need one good result to turn things around,” he stated confidently.
Reflecting on recent setbacks, including the Black Stars’ failure to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations and the Black Galaxies’ inability to make it to the 2024 CHAN tournament, Asante Twum emphasized the importance of learning from past mistakes.
“There is always an opportunity to correct mistakes. If Otto stays, he will have learned from them, and if a new coach takes over, they will have analyzed our performances and know what needs to be fixed,” he added.
Despite these disappointments, the GFA remains optimistic about the future, pledging to implement measures that will lead to success at both the senior and junior levels.
by Emmanuel Atanga | Jan 11, 2025 | AFCON, Africa, Ghana, Soccer
Ghana’s inability to secure qualification for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) has reignited debates about the internal issues plaguing the Black Stars. Former Deputy Minister for Youth and Sports, Vincent Oppong Asamoah, has attributed the team’s decline to the mishandling of captaincy within the squad.
Speaking to Happy FM, Asamoah highlighted the inconsistency in leadership roles as a significant factor in the team’s struggles. He pointed to the example of Jordan Ayew, who was handed the captaincy briefly, only to have it taken away in a controversial decision.
“The captaincy issue is a big problem. Jordan was made captain for a while, then he wasn’t—it’s just a mess. That’s why we’ve failed to make progress in the African Cup of Nations,” Asamoah said.
He further stressed that unresolved leadership disputes have overshadowed the impact of coaching appointments, suggesting that even elite managers would struggle under such conditions. “We can bring in Maresca, or anyone else, but if the captaincy isn’t managed properly, the team will keep disappointing us,” he warned.
Fans have joined the chorus, urging the Ghana Football Association (GFA) to prioritize resolving the captaincy issues. Many believe that fixing the leadership structure is key to reviving the Black Stars’ fortunes on the continental stage.
by Emmanuel Atanga | Jan 11, 2025 | Africa, Europe, Ghana, International, Soccer
Story:
Everton Football Club is preparing a January move for Ghanaian winger Ernest Nuamah, marking the first signing under the stewardship of their new owners, The Friedkin Group. The 21-year-old forward has been a long-standing target for the Toffees and came close to joining Fulham during the summer transfer window, only for the deal to fall apart on deadline day.
Nuamah, currently playing for Olympique Lyonnais, has struggled to find consistency this season under manager Pierre Sage, managing just one goal in 16 appearances across all competitions. Despite his underwhelming form, Everton sees the young winger as a promising addition to their squad for the second half of the campaign.
The move comes amidst financial turmoil at Lyon, who face provisional relegation due to their fiscal challenges. The French club is expected to offload key players in January, with Nuamah reportedly among those on the transfer list. Nigerian forward Gift Orban has already departed, and Nuamah could be next as Lyon looks to stabilize their finances.
Everton’s struggles this season have seen significant changes at the club, including the sacking of former managers Sean Dyche and David Moyes, the latter rumored to make a dramatic return to Goodison Park. Moyes, who coached Ghana’s Mohammed Kudus at West Ham last season, is expected to play a key role in revitalizing the squad.
Key Takeaways :
Everton’s New Era: Ernest Nuamah could be the first signing under The Friedkin Group’s ownership.
Struggles at Lyon: Financial issues at Olympique Lyonnais have forced the club to sell top players.
Nuamah’s Form: The 21-year-old has scored just once in 16 appearances this season.
Everton’s Overhaul: Recent managerial changes and squad improvements aim to address the club’s challenging season.
Past Interest: Nuamah was close to joining Fulham last summer, highlighting consistent Premier League interest in his talent.
by Emmanuel Atanga | Jan 10, 2025 | Africa, Europe, Ghana, International, Soccer
Ghanaian Defender Scores Vital Equaliser in Thrilling Ligue 1 Showdown
AS Monaco showcased grit and determination on Friday night as they fought back from a two-goal deficit to earn a 2-2 draw against Nantes in an action-packed Ligue 1 encounter.
The game, played at Nantes’ Stade de la Beaujoire, got off to a shaky start for Monaco. The hosts opened the scoring in the 12th minute when Matthis Abline calmly finished into the bottom corner following a clever setup by Sorba Thomas. Nantes doubled their lead shortly after halftime, with Kelvin Amian executing a stunning volley into the top right corner, again assisted by the lively Thomas.
Trailing 2-0, Monaco refused to fold. In the 52nd minute, Wilfried Singo’s pinpoint pass found Breel Embolo, who unleashed a thunderous strike into the left post, sparking hope for the visitors.
The comeback was complete in the 60th minute, thanks to Ghanaian defender Mohammed Salisu. Rising to the occasion, Salisu met Lamine Camara’s precise corner with a towering header, sending the ball crashing into the back of the net to level the game at 2-2.
Monaco pressed for a winner in the final half-hour, but Nantes held firm to secure a share of the spoils. For Salisu, the equaliser not only saved a crucial point for Monaco but also highlighted his growing influence both defensively and offensively this season.
The draw sees Monaco maintain their position in the Ligue 1 race, while Salisu continues to shine as a key figure for the club.
by Emmanuel Atanga | Jan 10, 2025 | Africa, Europe, Ghana, International, Soccer
Ex-Deputy Sports Minister Highlights Leadership Issues as Key Factor in Ghana’s AFCON Woes
Former Deputy Minister for Youth and Sports, Vincent Oppong Asamoah, has pointed to poor captaincy management as a major factor behind the Black Stars’ recent struggles, including their failure to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
Speaking in an interview with Happy FM, Oppong Asamoah expressed his frustration with how football authorities have handled the captaincy over the years, describing it as a long-standing issue that undermines the team’s progress.
“The captaincy situation has always been chaotic. Jordan [Ayew] was made captain for a while, then he wasn’t—just a mess. This is part of the reason why we failed at the AFCON,” he lamented.
He warned that even bringing in high-profile coaches would not solve the team’s problems unless leadership issues were addressed. “We can bring in [Enzo] Maresca or whoever, but if we don’t manage the captaincy properly, the players will continue to disappoint us,” Oppong Asamoah added.
The debate over captaincy has been a sensitive topic in Ghanaian football, often sparking internal conflicts and criticism from fans. With the Black Stars’ recent underperformance, many are calling for urgent reforms to ensure harmony and accountability within the team.
As Ghana faces mounting pressure to reclaim its footballing glory, Oppong Asamoah’s comments have reignited discussions on the need for strategic leadership to rebuild the team’s reputation on the international stage.
