by Emmanuel Atanga | Feb 23, 2026 | Africa, Europe, Ghana, International, Soccer, USA, World Cup
Former Ghana Football Association Vice President George Afriyie has cautioned Ghanaians against expecting immediate transformation within the Ghana national football team despite recent additions to the technical bench ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
His remarks come after the GFA announced five new appointments aimed at strengthening the Black Stars’ backroom staff in preparation for the global tournament.
French tactician Alain Ravera and Black Queens head coach Kim Lars Bjorkegren have been named assistant coaches.
Spanish strategist Jose Daniel Martinez Alfonso will oversee scouting and match analysis, while Carlos Lozano Romero returns as physiotherapist after serving during the 2022 World Cup. British-born Ghanaian performance coach Dwayne Peasah Paa Kwesi completes the revamped technical team.
Despite these reinforcements, Afriyie insists that expanding the technical setup does not automatically guarantee improved performances.
“Ghanaians should temper their expectations for the Black Stars at the World Cup,” he told Asempa FM, emphasizing that simply adding more personnel does not necessarily enhance the team’s prospects.
As part of their preparations, Ghana will regroup in March for international friendlies against the Austria national football team and the Germany national football team.
The Black Stars, making their fifth appearance at the Mundial, have been drawn in a challenging group alongside the Panama national football team, the England national football team, and the Croatia national football team. Ghana will open their campaign against Panama on June 17, 2026, face England on June 23, and conclude the group stage against Croatia on June 27.
Afriyie’s message is a call for measured optimism as the Black Stars prepare for another shot at football’s biggest stage.
by Emmanuel Atanga | Feb 23, 2026 | Africa, Europe, Ghana, International, Soccer, USA, World Cup
Former Ghana national football team Management Committee Chairman George Afriyie has cautioned fans to lower their expectations ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The four-time African champions will be making their fifth appearance at the global showpiece and have been drawn in a challenging group alongside Panama national football team, England national football team, and Croatia national football team.
In an effort to bolster the team’s technical bench, the Ghana Football Association recently unveiled five new additions to the Black Stars’ backroom staff. However, Afriyie believes these changes alone are not enough to guarantee success on football’s biggest stage.
Speaking to Asempa FM, he urged supporters to remain realistic about the team’s prospects.
“Ghanaians should temper their expectations for the Black Stars at the World Cup,” he stated, stressing that increasing personnel does not automatically translate into improved performance.
The newly restructured technical team includes French coach Alain Ravera and Black Queens head coach Kim Lars Bjorkegren as assistant coaches. Spanish analyst Jose Daniel Martinez Alfonso will oversee scouting and match analysis, while physiotherapist Carlos Lozano Romero returns after previously serving during the 2022 World Cup. British-born Ghanaian performance coach Dwayne Peasah Paa Kwesi completes the revamped setup.
As part of preparations, Ghana will regroup in March for international friendlies against Austria national football team and Germany national football team.
The Black Stars will open their group-stage campaign against Panama on June 17, face England on June 23, and wrap up the first round against Croatia on June 27.
With expectations high back home, Afriyie’s message is clear: optimism is welcome, but realism is essential.
by Emmanuel Atanga | Feb 23, 2026 | Africa, Europe, Ghana, International, Soccer, USA, World Cup
With the countdown to the 2026 FIFA World Cup well underway, qualified nations are stepping up preparations by confirming their official training bases and accommodation sites ahead of the global tournament.
The 23rd edition of the competition will run from June 11 to July 19, 2026, and will be co-hosted across sixteen cities in the United States, Mexico, and Canada. As anticipation builds, several national teams have now settled on their base camp locations, where they will train and reside during the tournament.
Here are the confirmed team base camps as compiled by Sportsblog247.com:
Alexandria, Virginia – Croatia national football team
Austin, Texas – Saudi Arabia national football team
Boca Raton, Florida – Curaçao national football team
Boston, Massachusetts – France national football team
Charlotte, North Carolina – Scotland national football team
Chattanooga, Tennessee – Spain national football team
Chester, Pennsylvania – Ivory Coast national football team
Columbus, Ohio – Ecuador national football team
Greensboro, North Carolina – Norway national football team
Guadalajara, Mexico – South Korea national football team and Colombia national football team
Kansas City, Kansas/Missouri – Argentina national football team, England national football team and Netherlands national football team
Morristown, New Jersey – Brazil national football team
Nashville, Tennessee – Japan national football team
New Tecumseth, Ontario – Panama national football team
Oakland, California – Australia national football team
Playa del Carmen, Mexico – Uruguay national football team
Bryant University, Rhode Island – Ghana national football team
Santa Barbara, California – Austria national football team and Qatar national football team
San Diego, California – Switzerland national football team
Winston-Salem, North Carolina – Germany national football team
With preparations intensifying, attention now turns to whether teams will allow fans access to open training sessions or player interactions at these camp sites. As the world’s biggest football tournament draws nearer, excitement continues to build across the host nations and beyond.
by Emmanuel Atanga | Feb 23, 2026 | Africa, Europe, International, Nigeria, Soccer
Fans of Galatasaray S.K. are organizing a touching tribute in memory of the late mother of Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen, with a special choreography planned at Rams Park during an upcoming home match.
The large-scale display is expected to create an emotional atmosphere inside the stadium, as supporters aim to honor the Super Eagles forward and show their solidarity during a deeply personal chapter of his life.
Since his arrival in Istanbul, Osimhen has quickly won over the Galatasaray faithful with decisive goals, relentless energy, and a strong connection with the fans. His passion on the pitch and visible appreciation for the supporters have strengthened the bond between player and club.
According to sources within the supporters’ groups, the tribute is meant to acknowledge both Osimhen’s dedication to the team and the sacrifices his late mother made throughout his journey to the top. The Nigerian international has often spoken about her influence and the challenges she endured during his early years.
The planned gesture is expected to be a powerful and emotional moment, further highlighting the unity between Osimhen and the Galatasaray community — a relationship that continues to grow stronger both on and off the field.
by Emmanuel Atanga | Feb 23, 2026 | Africa, Europe, Ghana, International, Soccer
Ghanaian teenage forward Daniel Nunoo marked a memorable milestone in his young career by scoring his first senior goal for SK Rapid Wien in their Austrian Bundesliga clash against Wolfsberger AC.
The 19-year-old came off the bench to inspire the Green and Whites to a crucial win, calmly slotting home in stoppage time to secure all three points. Nunoo replaced Nikolaus Wurmbrand just after the hour mark and immediately injected energy into Rapid’s attack, using his pace and trickery to trouble the Wolfsberger defense on both flanks.
Ten minutes after his introduction, Rapid broke the deadlock through fellow substitute Matthias Seidl. Seidl later turned provider in the 92nd minute, delivering a precise cross that allowed the former Accra Shooting Stars youngster to roll the ball into the net and seal the victory.
The win lifted Rapid Wien to sixth place in the Bundesliga standings, narrowing the gap to four points behind leaders FC Red Bull Salzburg.
Nunoo has now made 11 league appearances this season, with his strike on February 21 marking his maiden goal at senior level. Since joining Rapid’s reserve side in 2024, the promising winger has steadily progressed into the first team and is becoming an increasingly valuable option for head coach Johannes Hoff Thorup.
His breakthrough performance signals a bright future ahead as he continues to make his mark in Austrian football.
