by Silas Boahene | Jun 28, 2024 | Africa, Ghana, International, Soccer, World Cup
Black Princesses head coach, Yussif Basigi, has unveiled his provisional squad for the 2024 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup scheduled for August.
The 35-woman roster includes six goalkeepers, ten defenders, ten midfielders, and nine strikers, which will be trimmed down to the final squad.
The squad features exciting talents such as Stella Nyamekye, Wasima Mohammed, Success Ameyaa, Mary Amponsah, and Maltese-based Salamatu Abdulai. However, the exclusion of Abdulai Mukarama, who was instrumental in the team’s success at the African Games, has raised eyebrows, with no reasons provided for her omission.
Earlier this year, the Princesses secured their seventh consecutive FIFA World Cup qualification with impressive performances in three qualifying rounds, defeating Guinea-Bissau, Eswatini, and Senegal.
The team commenced their training camp last Thursday, June 27, in Cape Coast, and will continue with a series of training sessions until the final squad is selected for the global tournament.
Ghana is drawn in Group E alongside powerhouses Japan, New Zealand, and Austria.
The FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup will take place from August 31 to September 22, 2024.
by Silas Boahene | Jun 28, 2024 | Africa, Europe, Ghana, International, Soccer
Ghana defender Daniel Amartey has been put on the transfer list by Besiktas, just a year after joining from Leicester City.
Amartey is among nine players, including Vincent Aboubakar, Jean Onana, Valentin Rosier, Omar Colley, Javi Montero, Arthur Masuaku, Ersin Destanoğlu, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, and Ante Rebić, who could depart the club this summer.
Amartey had limited playing time last season, appearing only 18 times as Besiktas finished sixth, 46 points behind champions Galatasaray.
Despite having two years remaining on his contract, the 29-year-old has fallen out of favour and did not feature in the final matches of the season.
Besiktas are aiming to revamp their squad to enhance their title challenge, necessitating the sale of these players.
However, their Turkish Cup victory secures their place in the Europa League qualifiers for the next season.
Before joining Besiktas, Amartey spent seven years at Leicester City, winning the Premier League and FA Cup, and making over 100 appearances. Prior to his stint in England, he played for Djurgardens IF and won the Danish Superliga and Cup with Copenhagen.
by Silas Boahene | Jun 28, 2024 | Africa, Europe, Ghana, International, Soccer
Brighton & Hove Albion defender Tariq Lamptey has expressed his excitement about the arrival of his compatriot Ibrahim Osman to the English Premier League club.
Osman, a highly-rated young forward, has signed with Brighton for a transfer fee of £16 million.
Lamptey praised Osman, emphasizing his talent and work ethic. “Ibrahim Osman is a really good player,” Lamptey said, as quoted by The Argus. “He’s young, but he’s really good. He’s hardworking, so I’m really excited to welcome him into the squad.”
The two players are already familiar with each other, having been teammates on the Ghanaian national team.
Lamptey is looking forward to mentoring Osman during his first season in England’s top league. “We’ve already spoken about it at the last camp,” Lamptey revealed. “He’s a good guy, and I think he’ll do well, so I’ll help him out, and he’ll be good just to enjoy his football. That’s what it’s about.”
With Lamptey’s guidance and Osman’s raw talent, both players have the potential to make a significant impact for Brighton in the upcoming season.
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by Silas Boahene | Jun 28, 2024 | Africa, Europe, Ghana, International, Soccer
Black Stars defender Alexander Djiku has met legendary Portuguese manager Jose Mourinho upon his return to Turkey to start pre-season training with Fenerbahce.
The Ghana international cut short his vacation in Mauritius to join his club as preparations for the 2024/25 season begin in earnest.
Djiku will now work under the former Chelsea and Real Madrid manager, who was appointed as the coach of the Yellow and Navy Blues this summer.
Mourinho has been tasked with leading the club back to success, including winning the Super Lig, which they narrowly missed last season by just three points.
Djiku, 29, joined the Turkish giants last summer and was a key player in their squad last season.
Meanwhile, Fenerbahce has scheduled friendlies against Petrolul Ploiesti, Admira, and Hadjuk Split as part of their preparations for their first competitive game next month.
Fenerbahce will face Swiss giants Lugano in the UEFA Champions League qualifier on July 30.
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by Silas Boahene | Jun 28, 2024 | Africa, Europe, Ghana, International, Soccer
New Black Stars forward Brandon Thomas-Asante has returned to West Bromwich Albion to commence early pre-season training.
The English-born striker, who made his debut for Ghana during the World Cup qualifiers in June, arrived at the West Brom Training Centre on Thursday to kick off pre-season activities.
Last season’s top scorer for the Baggies, Thomas-Asante is anticipated to play a pivotal role in West Brom’s upcoming campaign.
The former Premier League side has scheduled pre-season friendlies against Bolton Wanderers, Peterborough, Cambridge, Real Mallorca, and Birmingham City ahead of the new season.
They will start their campaign with a Carabao Cup clash against Fleetwood Town on August 12.
Thomas-Asante impressed with his performance against the Central African Republic, and he is expected to contribute significantly to Ghana’s World Cup qualification efforts.
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