by Silas Boahene | May 24, 2024 | Africa, Ghana, International, Soccer
The Black Starlets, Ghana’s National Under-17 team, will face Burkina Faso in the first semi-final match of the WAFU Zone B Under-17 Championship on Saturday. The match is scheduled to kick off at 17:00GMT at the University of Ghana Sports Stadium.
Ghana secured the top spot in Group A with 6 points, scoring 7 goals and conceding just one. Burkina Faso secured their place in the semi-finals after a hard-fought victory over Niger on Thursday.
The second semi-final match between Nigeria and CĂ´te d’Ivoire will also take place on Saturday at 20:00GMT, at the same venue.
The winners of the semi-final matches will not only advance to the final but will also qualify for the Under-17 AFCON Tournament scheduled for next year.
by Silas Boahene | May 24, 2024 | Africa, Ghana, Soccer
The Executive Council of the Ghana Football Association (GFA) has scheduled the 30th Ordinary Session of Congress for August 26th and 27th, 2024, to be held at the Ghanaman Soccer Centre of Excellence in Prampram.
In a significant departure from past practices, this year’s Congress will span two days instead of the usual one-day meeting. GFA President Kurt Edwin Simeon-Okraku and the Executive Council aim to enhance the experience for delegates by organizing activities that foster fellowship and allowing ample time for Congress business.
Hosting the Congress at the Ghanaman Soccer Centre of Excellence will also give delegates, Executive Council members, and other key stakeholders the chance to witness the ongoing positive developments at the Centre firsthand.
General Secretary Prosper Harrison Addo informed the Executive Council that the Audited Accounts of the Association are ready for presentation, and other relevant documents will be prepared in time for the Congress. The last Ordinary Congress was held in Kumasi on July 10th, 2023.
The Executive Council is confident that this year’s Congress will be a memorable experience for all delegates, with preparations already underway to ensure its success.
by Silas Boahene | May 24, 2024 | Africa, Ghana, International, Soccer
The General Secretary of the Ghana Football Association, Prosper Harrison Addo, asserts that club licensing regulations will significantly enhance the professionalism of football in Africa. His remarks followed a three-day CAF Regional Club Licensing Workshop at the Kempinski Gold Coast Hotel in Accra.
Fifteen Member Associations participated in the workshop, including Ghana, Egypt, Nigeria, Liberia, Gambia, Sierra Leone, Kenya, South Africa, Eswatini, Botswana, Angola, Cape Verde, Mozambique, Guinea Bissau, and SĂŁo TomĂ© e PrĂncipe.
At the workshop’s conclusion on Wednesday, Addo expressed optimism about the potential impact of club licensing on professionalizing football. “First of all, we thank CAF for bringing such a workshop to Ghana on club licensing,” he told Asempa FM. “Club licensing is a unique tool that will help make the game more professional. There are various pillars of it: infrastructure, finance, sporting, and the legal aspect.”
by Silas Boahene | May 24, 2024 | Africa, Ghana, International, Soccer
Hearts of Oak’s Public Relations Officer, Kwame Opare Addo, has provided clarity on the transfer situation involving midfielder Salim Adams and Sudan’s Al Hilal. The transfer will only proceed if Salim Adams agrees to personal terms with the club.
On Wednesday night, Hearts of Oak announced an agreement to sell Salim to Al Hilal but later retracted the statement following the player’s denial of involvement in the deal. Speaking to Asempa FM about the situation, Kwame Opare Addo explained, “Hearts of Oak have negotiated with Al Hilal to release midfielder Salim Adams. We all know Salim Adams and what he is capable of doing.”
He further clarified, “We have agreed on a deal with Al Hilal to sell Salim Adams, but for the transfer to happen, the club must negotiate with Salim and agree on personal terms. Hearts of Oak have given Al Hilal the go-ahead to speak to Salim and finalize personal terms.”
Salim Adams’ contract with Hearts of Oak is set to expire at the end of the current season.
by Silas Boahene | May 24, 2024 | Africa, Europe, Ghana, International, Soccer
West Ham midfielder Mohammed Kudus has been honored as the Europa League Player of the Season by Sportblog247.com. The Ghanaian international delivered outstanding performances throughout the 2023/24 Europa League campaign, playing a crucial role for the Hammers, who reached the quarter-finals.
Kudus’s most memorable performance was in the round of 16 second-leg against SC Freiburg, where he scored twice, including a spectacular solo goal. The 23-year-old netted five goals in just five appearances, showcasing his exceptional talent and consistency.
With an impressive average rating of 7.57, Kudus outperformed all other players in the competition, earning him the prestigious title. Additionally, he was named in the Europa League Team of the Season.
This recognition solidifies Kudus’s status as one of the brightest talents in European football and a key player for both club and country. He is expected to be included in Ghana’s squad for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Mali and the Central African Republic.
On the club front, Kudus will be working under new management, as West Ham United have appointed Julen Lopetegui as the successor to David Moyes.
