by Silas Boahene | Jul 9, 2024 | Africa, Europe, Ghana, International, Soccer
Eighteen-year-old Ghanaian talent Aaron Essel has signed a three-year contract with Scottish club St. Johnstone FC, pending international clearance.
The versatile player, who can operate both in midfield and defense, joins the Saints from Bechem United. Essel impressed during a trial match against Arbroath and is eager to continue his development at McDiarmid Park.
Expressing his delight about the move, Essel said, “I am so happy to sign here. It’s a great step for my career. I want to show my qualities on the field and develop into a key player for the club.”
He also praised the positive atmosphere at the club: “The staff, players, and manager have been amazing. Everyone has been welcoming, and I love it here.”
As an U-23 Ghanaian international, Essel is also settling into his new surroundings: “I love the city, and I’m trying to learn more about it.”
This signing bolsters St. Johnstone’s options with a promising young player hungry to prove himself.
by Silas Boahene | Jul 9, 2024 | AFCON, Africa, Ghana, International, Soccer
Niger head coach Badou Zaki is optimistic about his team’s prospects in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, despite being placed in a challenging Group F alongside Ghana, Angola, and Sudan.
In an interview with CAFONLINE.COM, Zaki evaluated the strengths and weaknesses of their opponents, stating, “We’re in an affordable group. We have every chance of qualifying.”
The Moroccan legend acknowledged Ghana’s football prowess but believes they are not as formidable as they once were: “Ghana is a football country with great professionals… but it’s not the team of 5 or 6 years ago. Even at home, they can lose.”
Niger will face Sudan and Ghana in their first two qualifying matches in September 2024. Despite the challenges ahead, Zaki’s confidence in his team’s abilities is evident.
With a positive mindset and strategic preparation, Niger aims to make a strong impact in the qualifiers. The Mena are seeking their first qualification to the Africa Cup of Nations in a decade, following back-to-back appearances in the 2012 and 2013 editions in Equatorial Guinea and Gabon, and in South Africa.
by Silas Boahene | Jul 9, 2024 | Africa, Ghana, International, Soccer
Former Ghana assistant coach Maxwell Konadu has explained why he initially declined, and subsequently accepted, an offer to join Black Leopards.
Konadu was unveiled on a three-year deal with the Motsepe Foundation Championship side and has been tasked with leading the club back to the DStv Premiership by the end of the season.
The 51-year-old joins Leopards after a successful season in Ghana, where he won the FA Cup and helped Nsoatreman FC qualify for their first-ever CAF Confederation Cup.
In an interview with FARPost, Konadu shared his reasons for the initial decline and subsequent acceptance. “The first time, the discussions didn’t go well, leading to a communication breakdown. I decided to join a smaller team in Ghana, and Mr. Thidiela also appointed a new coach. It’s football, and it happens,” he explained.
He continued, “It wasn’t a conflict, so when he [David Thidiela] approached me a second time, it worked out. I was very happy to receive his call again. We decided to give it a try and see if we could help the team achieve its goals.”
Konadu emphasized the importance of persistence in football management. “In this industry, it happens everywhere. When a team wants your services, they might come knocking more than once. The second time, you sit back and reconsider. That’s why I decided to join, especially since Mr. [David] Thidiela himself, along with Chief [Thidiela], approached me again.”
Having previously won the Ghana Premier League with Kotoko, Konadu is now set to bring his expertise and experience to Black Leopards in their quest for promotion.
by Silas Boahene | Jul 9, 2024 | Africa, Ghana, International, Soccer
Former Ghana President John Mahama has vowed to prioritize the welfare of Ghana Premier League players by promising stipends if he wins the upcoming presidential election in December.
In a media interaction on Sunday, Mahama outlined his vision for enhancing sports infrastructure and supporting lesser-known sports in Ghana.
Acknowledging the economic challenges the country faces, Mahama expressed a realistic approach to infrastructure development. While building new stadiums might not be feasible, he emphasized plans to improve existing facilities under a broader economic initiative.
Mahama, who served as Ghana’s president from 2012 to 2016, reiterated his dedication to the sports sector and his belief in its potential to uplift the nation.
He highlighted his commitment to improving conditions for footballers in the Ghana Premier League by ensuring they receive financial support.
“Let me also assure the sports fraternity that we shall develop our stadium infrastructure for track and field sports,” he said. “We’ll fix the deteriorating football pitches and pay stipends to footballers in the Premier League as we promised in 2020. What we call the lesser-known sports shall also receive equitable attention like we give to soccer.”
Mahama’s pledge reflects his broader vision for sports development and economic growth in Ghana.
by Silas Boahene | Jul 9, 2024 | Africa, Athletics, Basketball, Boxing, Ghana, International, Other Sports, Soccer
Former Ghana President and NDC flagbearer John Mahama has announced that sports will be a key component of his vision for a 24-hour economy.
Mahama’s policy aims to modernize Ghana’s economic framework to meet the demands of the globalized 21st century, emphasizing round-the-clock operations for businesses, services, and industries to maximize productivity and efficiency.
Addressing the lack of world-class sports facilities in Ghana, Mahama stressed the need for improvement. “We don’t have a world-class standard Sports Stadium. I have been to several countries to watch matches and have seen what top-tier facilities look like. Wembley Stadium, for instance, is of a different class from what we have here,” he stated at the Meet the Press event held on Sunday.
He explained that hosting major events often drives the construction of high-standard stadiums, as countries see the opportunity for significant returns on their investment. However, given the current economic crisis, Mahama was cautious about making immediate promises.
“I will not stand here and promise that we will build a new stadium immediately, but under the Big Push initiative, we intend to spend a significant amount over five years on infrastructure. This includes roads, bridges, agro-industrial parks, and potentially sports facilities.”
Mahama highlighted the importance of sports in a 24-hour economy, noting how other countries benefit from nighttime sports events. “In many countries, sports play a crucial role in the 24-hour economy. You find games being played at night, which boosts various sectors, from entertainment to local businesses. We need to enable similar opportunities in our part of the world.”
As Mahama continues to outline his plans, it is clear that he views sports as a vital component of Ghana’s future economic development, with the potential to transform the nation’s infrastructure and boost its global standing.
The former president is set to run in the December polls as the leading candidate for the National Democratic Congress (NDC), seeking a second term in office.
