by Emmanuel Atanga | Jan 24, 2026 | Africa, Europe, Ghana, International, Soccer
Ghana Premier League outfit Nations FC have officially confirmed the transfer of attacker Faisal Charwetey to Albanian top-flight club FK Bylis, following reports from Sportsblog247.com earlier on Friday.
The 23-year-old winger quickly became a pivotal figure for Nations FC after joining the club in August 2024. Originally a full-back, Charwetey successfully transitioned into an attacking role, registering an impressive 14 goal contributions last season, with 12 goals and 2 assists in 30 league appearances.
In the current campaign, before his move abroad, Charwetey featured 15 times in the Ghana Premier League, scoring twice.
Charwetey will now look to adapt quickly to Albanian football and hopes to make an immediate impact at FK Bylis, potentially debuting against league leaders KF Egnatia this weekend.
Announcing the transfer on X, Nations FC wished their former player success in his new challenge:
“We can confirm the transfer of Faisal Charwetey to FK Bylis of the Kategoria Superiore. Proud pathway. New challenge. We wish you success, Faisal.”
by Emmanuel Atanga | Jan 24, 2026 | Africa, Europe, Ghana, International, Soccer, USA, World Cup
The Ghana Football Association (GFA) has firmly dismissed suggestions that a fixed quota should be reserved for Ghana Premier League players in the Black Stars squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Speaking on Akoma FM, GFA Communications Director Henry Asante Twum stressed that national team selection remains strictly performance-based, regardless of whether a player is plying his trade locally or abroad.
His remarks follow growing public debate calling for more home-based players to be included in the World Cup squad, particularly with Ghanaian clubs set to benefit financially from FIFA’s Club Benefits Programme.
“As it stands, there is no quota for local players,” Asante Twum clarified. “Black Stars call-ups have always been determined by merit, not location.”
He highlighted recent selections as clear evidence that outstanding performances in the domestic league are rewarded.
“Afriyie Barnieh, Danlad Ibrahim, Richmond Lamptey and, most recently, Benjamin Asare all earned their places through hard work and consistent performances. No one lobbied for them,” he noted.
According to Asante Twum, the door remains open for every Ghanaian player, home-based or foreign-based, as long as their performances justify selection.
“The principle is simple: wherever you play, if you perform well enough, you will be considered,” he added.
Ghana will compete in Group L at the 2026 World Cup. The Black Stars begin their campaign against Panama on June 17 in Toronto, before facing England in Boston and wrapping up the group stage against Croatia on June 27 in Philadelphia.
by Emmanuel Atanga | Jan 24, 2026 | AFCON, Africa, Europe, International, Soccer, USA, World Cup
Former Manchester United and France striker Louis Saha has challenged African national teams — including South Africa’s Bafana Bafana — to embrace a winning mentality if they are to make history at the FIFA World Cup later this year.
Bafana Bafana’s early exit in the first knockout round of the Africa Cup of Nations was a disappointment, but Saha believes it should not define their World Cup ambitions. According to the ex-forward, belief and mindset are the most important tools African teams must carry into the global tournament.
For years, African nations have been labelled as exciting but unlikely contenders for the World Cup title. Saha insists that perception must change, starting from within the teams themselves.
“The mentality African teams need now is to truly believe they can achieve something special,” Saha said in an interview with CoinPoker. “They must believe they can at least reach the quarter-finals, and South Africa should see themselves in that category.”
With the World Cup set to take place across Mexico and the United States from June 11 to July 19, Saha also pointed to climatic conditions as a possible advantage for African sides. He noted that many African players are accustomed to playing in intense heat, something that could work in their favour.
“African teams can do amazing things at the World Cup,” he added. “Playing in hot conditions is normal for them. That experience matters.”
Saha echoed sentiments previously shared by African football legends such as Yaya Touré, Didier Drogba and Samuel Eto’o, stressing that African teams must stop seeing European or South American nations as untouchable.
“They shouldn’t have an inferiority complex. Confidence is key,” he said.
Taking his belief a step further, Saha stated that an African nation is capable of winning the World Cup outright. He highlighted Morocco’s recent performances as proof of Africa’s growing competitiveness on the world stage.
“An African team can win the World Cup — they have the quality,” Saha said.
“Teams like Argentina, Brazil, France and Germany are strong in decisive moments, but African teams are now ready to truly compete with them.”
by Emmanuel Atanga | Jan 24, 2026 | Africa, Europe, Ghana, International, Soccer
Swansea City are reportedly preparing a bid of around £2 million for highly rated Ghanaian forward Jalal Abdullai, as interest grows in the Elfsborg striker ahead of the winter transfer deadline.
According to TEAMtalk, the Swans are among several English clubs tracking the 21-year-old, with QPR and Preston North End also monitoring his situation following an impressive spell in Scandinavia.
Abdullai recently returned to Swedish outfit Elfsborg after a productive loan stint with Norwegian side Molde FK, where he scored nine goals in 24 appearances across all competitions. With Elfsborg already deep into pre-season preparations ahead of the Allsvenskan kick-off on April 6, the striker has emerged as a strong transfer target.
Sources close to the deal indicate that Swansea are particularly impressed by Abdullai’s physical presence, pace, and ability to run in behind defences, qualities that fit well with their attacking profile.
His versatility is another plus, with the Ghanaian capable of operating both centrally and out wide—an area the Swans are keen to reinforce.
Although Abdullai remains under contract with Elfsborg until 2028, uncertainty continues to surround his long-term future amid mounting interest. While Swansea insiders have played down claims that the striker is a priority target this window, they have not ruled out the possibility of a formal approach.
Swansea had initially identified Jesurun Rak-Sakyi as their primary attacking target, but their pursuit of the Crystal Palace winger appears to have stalled, potentially opening the door for a move for Abdullai.
by Emmanuel Atanga | Jan 24, 2026 | Africa, Europe, Ghana, International, Soccer
Highly rated Danish-born Ghanaian defender Graham Nii Ankamah Ankamafio is still awaiting his senior debut for Danish Superliga giants FC Copenhagen, despite earning a place in the matchday squad for a high-profile UEFA Champions League encounter.
The 18-year-old centre-back, who currently features for FC Copenhagen’s U19 side, was named in the squad for Tuesday night’s Champions League clash against Italian heavyweights Napoli.
However, with the contest ending in a 1-1 draw, head coach Jacob Neestrup opted not to introduce the youngster, leaving him as an unused substitute.
Although his first-team bow is yet to arrive, Ankamah continues to make steady progress at youth level, having recorded 16 appearances across all competitions for the Byens Hold U19s this season.
Born in Denmark to Ghanaian parents, the promising defender remains eligible to represent Ghana internationally, despite previously featuring for Denmark’s U16, U17 and U18 national youth teams.
With exposure to elite European nights already under his belt, Ankamah’s senior breakthrough with FC Copenhagen now appears a matter of time rather than possibility.
