by Silas Boahene | Jul 6, 2024 | Africa, Europe, Ghana, International, Soccer
West Ham United star Mohammed Kudus surprised Black Stars coach Otto Addo with a new pair of boots from sports kit manufacturer Skechers.
The Ghanaian international was recently unveiled as a new ambassador for Skechers after ending his deal with rival brand Puma. Kudus now joins the ranks of England forward Harry Kane, Arsenal’s Oleksandr Zinchenko, and Sweden’s Anthony Elanga as athletes endorsing the Skechers brand.
To celebrate his new endorsement, Kudus presented a pair of boots to his national team coach as a birthday gift for his June birthday. Addo also took the opportunity to congratulate the former Ajax star on being named the Ghana Player of the Year 2024.
On his Instagram Story, Addo posted: “Congratulations for receiving the Player of the Year award. And thank you for the shoes.”
Additionally, a beautifully crafted video announcement featuring renowned transfer expert Fabrizio Romano introduced Kudus as the new member of Skechers.
Kudus will soon return to England to begin pre-season training with West Ham United under new manager Julen Lopetegui.
by Silas Boahene | Jul 6, 2024 | Africa, Ghana, International, Soccer
Ghana coach Otto Addo is anticipating a challenging match against Sudan in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers, highlighting their impressive form under coach Kwesi Appiah.
Drawn alongside Angola and Niger, Ghana’s primary focus is on Sudan, led by the former Ghana captain and manager, Appiah, who also serves on the Ghana Football Association’s Executive Council.
Sudan’s strong performance in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, where they lead their group ahead of Senegal and DR Congo, has earned Addo’s respect.
“We have Sudan, who are doing really well at the moment with Kwesi Appiah,” Addo told the Ghana FA website. “He is a very good coach.”
Addo acknowledged the difficulty that Sudan presents. “They are not a well-known squad, but they are very tough to beat,” he said. “It’s going to be a big challenge.”
Despite the challenge, Addo remains optimistic. “I am excited to play against them,” he said. “We have a strong team, and we surely can beat them.”
The qualifiers are set to begin in September this year and conclude in November.
The 2025 AFCON finals will then begin on December 21 next year, with the final on January 18, 2026, marking the first time in Nations Cup history that the tournament will kick off in December and run over the Christmas and New Year period.
by Silas Boahene | Jul 6, 2024 | Africa, Europe, Ghana, International, Soccer
Ghanaian midfielder Mohammed Kudus is downplaying transfer speculation following a standout season with West Ham United.
The 22-year-old had an impressive debut campaign, scoring eight goals and providing six assists in the Premier League, alongside five goals in the Europa League.
His performances have naturally attracted attention, with rumors of big-money offers from Saudi clubs and interest from top European teams circulating.
Despite this, Kudus remains focused on his future with West Ham. He emphasized his commitment to the team, despite having an ÂŁ85 million release clause.
“It’s normal to have rumors,” Kudus told The Athletic, “but right now, I’m getting ready for the new season.”
Currently on vacation in Ghana, Kudus will soon rejoin his West Ham teammates for pre-season training.
With the team looking to build on last season’s success, his return is highly anticipated. While transfer market speculation continues, Kudus’s dedication to West Ham remains evident.
by Silas Boahene | Jul 6, 2024 | Africa, Ghana, International, Soccer
Former Asante Kotoko captain Danlad Ibrahim is close to securing a move to a Malaysian club, according to sources. The ex-Ghana youth international ended his eight-year tenure with the Porcupine Warriors last month after his contract expired.
Danlad, who joined Asante Kotoko in the 2016-17 season, made significant contributions to the team. He has represented Ghana at various youth levels, including the U-17, U-20, and U-23 teams, as well as the senior national team, the Black Stars. He was part of the Ghana squad at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
However, Danlad struggled to maintain his position as the first-choice goalkeeper for Asante Kotoko over the past two seasons, ultimately losing the spot to Frederick Asare. Local media reports indicate that the 21-year-old goalkeeper is expected to sign with an unnamed Malaysian club during the current transfer window to strengthen their goalkeeping department for the upcoming season.
Danlad’s accolades include winning the Ghana Premier League in the 2021-22 season, the Africa U-20 Cup of Nations in 2021, and the WAFU Zone B U-20 Tournament in 2020. Individually, he has been honored with the Golden Glove at both the WAFU Zone B U-20 Tournament in 2020 and the Africa U-20 Cup of Nations in 2021, as well as the Ghana Football Awards Goalkeeper of the Year in 2021.
During the 2023/24 Ghana Premier League season, Danlad made thirteen appearances for Asante Kotoko.
by Silas Boahene | Jul 5, 2024 | Africa, Ghana, International, Soccer
Former Ghanaian midfielder Laryea Kingston believes that Kwesi Appiah will have an advantage when Sudan faces Ghana in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers.
The recent draw placed Ghana in Group F, alongside Sudan, Angola, and Niger. The pairing has sparked discussions, as Otto Addo, the current Ghana coach, will be up against Kwesi Appiah, a former Ghana coach and the current manager of Sudan. Appiah notably led the Black Stars to the 2014 World Cup and the 2019 AFCON.
“Kwesi Appiah is a Ghanaian, and he knows how we approach games,” Kingston told 3Sports following the draw. “He is well-versed in the strengths and mindset of Ghanaians, which could make it challenging for us. Kwesi Appiah will have an advantage as he knows us better than Otto knows the Sudanese players.”
Appiah’s success with Sudan in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers further supports Kingston’s point. Sudan currently leads Group B with 10 points after four matches.
“If I were in Kwesi Appiah’s shoes now, it would be a game I would be eagerly anticipating,” Kingston added. “There would be a lot to prove, demonstrating that I still have what it takes to lead. It is going to be one of the best games during Otto’s tenure with the Black Stars.”
The qualifiers are set to begin in September 2024 and conclude in November 2024. The top two teams from each group will advance to the AFCON finals in Morocco, scheduled for December 2025 to January 2026.
