by Silas Boahene | Aug 2, 2024 | Africa, Ghana, Soccer
The Ghana Football Association has announced the dates for the upcoming 2024/25 Malta Guinness Women’s Premier League (WPL) season, set to begin on Friday, October 18, 2024. Matches will be held across the Northern and Southern zones.
The first round of the competition will run from October 18-21, 2024, to January 24-27, 2025. The second round is scheduled from January 31-February 3, 2025, and will conclude on April 11-14, 2025.
To accommodate the National Elections on December 7, 2024, the WPL will take a break, allowing players and officials to participate in the electoral process. Additionally, the league will pause for the Christmas and New Year holidays. Dates for the 2024/25 Women’s FA Cup matches will also be integrated into the league calendar.
The grand finale between the Northern and Southern Zone champions is set for the weekend of May 2-5, 2025. This early conclusion provides the winning team with ample preparation time for the WAFU B Champions League qualifying competition.
The GFA’s structured calendar aims to ensure a competitive and balanced league season, offering fair opportunities for all participating teams.
by Silas Boahene | Aug 2, 2024 | Africa, Ghana, International, Soccer
Ghana’s Malta Guinness Women’s Premier League champions, Hasaacas Ladies FC, have been confirmed to participate in the upcoming CAF Women’s Champions League 2024. This approval comes from the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
Hasaacas Ladies FC underwent a thorough evaluation based on the current CAF and GFA Club Licensing Regulations. The assessment covered five key areas: Sporting, Infrastructure, Personnel and Administration, Legal, and Financial.
In a letter addressed to the General Secretary of the Ghana Football Association, Prosper Harrison Addo, CAF stated:
“Reference to the club licensing process for the CAF Women’s Champions League 2024 (CAF WCL), we acknowledge receipt of your Federation’s communication containing the information of clubs which had their licence granted on the CAF Club Licensing Online Platform (CLOP), based on the fulfilment of the CAF Club Licensing criteria.
The name of your confirmed representative club is as follows:
CAF Women’s Champions League 2024: HASAACAS LADIES FC
According to the CAF Competitions and Club Licensing Regulations, all engaged clubs must undergo a licensing process at the Member Association level and be granted a license to participate in the CAF Inter-club competitions. Thus, and in respect of the above, the engagement and participation of the clubs in the CAF WCL 2024 is validated.”
Hasaacas Ladies FC’s participation in the tournament is a significant achievement for the club, demonstrating their commitment to meeting the rigorous standards set by CAF.
by Silas Boahene | Aug 2, 2024 | Africa, Ghana, Soccer
Ghana Football Association (GFA) President Kurt Okraku has highlighted the importance of patience and sustained investment in youth development programs.
Speaking at the ongoing KGL Foundation Inter-Regional U17 Colts Championship, Okraku expressed his satisfaction with the talent on display.
“I’m very impressed with the quality of the intangible assets which are the players,” Okraku said. “I have been super impressed with officiating right from the start up till now, and it can only get better; this, for me, is truly special. I think that everybody who has been part of this story will be proud of where we are at the moment, investing in the youth, both in refereeing and in the development of football players,” he added.
The GFA’s youth development strategy, supported by the KGL Foundation for the past four years, has culminated in the current talent identification championship. Additionally, the recent conclusion of the FIFA-supported Elite U15 Girls Championship marks another milestone in the association’s youth development efforts.
“What we are going through today is part of our strategy for the development of football. We saw the U-15 girls, which is part of the Women’s Football Strategy we launched in 2022, and this is also part of the talent development scheme that we are currently embarking on with support from FIFA and, of course, with KGL,” Okraku noted.
Looking ahead, the GFA president emphasized the need for sustained commitment to achieve long-term success.
“I think that this is the future of our sport. If we want to produce the Anas Thunder’s and Mohammed Polo’s of yesteryear, this is the way to go. I’ve always said that if we are patient and make the right levels of investment, Ghana football will definitely soar again,” he stated.
Okraku also commended the significant improvements in infrastructure at the GFA’s Technical Centre in Prampram, describing it as a “home” for young players.
The ongoing U17 Colts Championship is expected to unearth new talents who will form the backbone of Ghana’s future national teams.
by Silas Boahene | Aug 2, 2024 | Africa, Ghana, Soccer
Accra Hearts of Oak Sporting Club Board Member, Vincent Sowah-Odotei, has called for patience from Hearts supporters as the club continues its player transfer activities.
The club has recently signed former Accra Great Olympics goalkeeper Benjamin Asare and Michael Awuah, following the departures of Glid Otanga and Ibrahim Salifu.
Sowah-Odotei made these remarks in an interview with ChannelOne Sports during a ceremony marking the handover of the newly built Phobia House to the club. Hearts Executive Board Chairman, Togbe Afede XIV, led the club’s dignitaries to inspect the facility and receive the official handover notes.
He emphasized that the Phobia House supports Hearts of Oak’s ambition to become an elite club in Africa and reiterated the need for patience in their player transfer dealings.
“Remember that the transfer period is a marathon, not a sprint. The transfer period is not closed so far; we think we are on track.”
Hearts of Oak finished 14th in the 2023-2024 Ghana Premier League standings after going through three coaches.
by Silas Boahene | Aug 2, 2024 | Africa, Ghana, International, Soccer
Ghana’s representatives in the CAF Inter Club Competitions next season, Nsoatreman FC and FC Samartex 1996, have been approved to use the Accra Sports Stadium for their home games.
The Accra Stadium pitch has faced heavy criticism for its poor quality, a concern raised by former Ghana Sports Minister Nii Lante Vanderpuye and Deputy Sports Minister Evans Bobie Opoku.
Nsoatreman will compete in the CAF Confederation Cup after winning the MTN FA Cup during their debut campaign in the Ghana Premier League. They are set to face Electric Sport of Niger, with the first leg scheduled between September 13 and 15 and the second leg between September 20 and 22.
In the Champions League, Ghana Premier League champions Samartex will face Victoria United from Cameroon during the same periods.
Both clubs are debutants in the continental competitions, aiming to emulate Dreams FC’s impressive run in the Confederation Cup, where they reached the semifinals before losing to Zamalek of Egypt, who eventually won the tournament.
Nsoatreman recently unveiled a new logo and bus ahead of the new season.
