by Silas Boahene | May 15, 2024 | Africa, Europe, Ghana, International, Soccer
English-Ghanaian defender Jarell Quansah opens up about the invaluable experience gained from his impressive campaign with Liverpool this season.
Quansah emerged as a regular in Jurgen Klopp’s team, forming a formidable partnership with Captain Virgil Van Dijk throughout the season.
The 21-year-old center-back has featured in 32 matches across all competitions for the Reds, marking his debut Premier League goal against Aston Villa on Monday night.
“I’ve learned so much. It’s been incredibly valuable to my career,” he shared with Liverpool’s media. “I am immensely grateful to the gaffer for entrusting me with these opportunities.”
Having faced off against some of the world’s top talents and shared the pitch with esteemed teammates, Quansah is eager to maintain his momentum and continue improving.
As Klopp prepares to bid farewell to Liverpool after the final game against Wolverhampton Wanderers on Sunday, Quansah acknowledges the emotional significance of the occasion for himself and the team.
“I’m sure Anfield will be buzzing. Hopefully, we can secure a win for him,” he expressed. “It’s bound to be an emotional day, considering his contributions to the club, the fans, and especially the players like myself and other younger lads by providing us with opportunities. I anticipate it being a memorable and uplifting day.”
by Silas Boahene | May 15, 2024 | Africa, Ghana, International, Soccer
CAF has announced that Ghanaian referee Daniel Nii Laryea will oversee the upcoming clash between Mauritania and Sudan in Nouakchott as part of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifications.
Mauritania has faced a challenging start, failing to secure a win in their first two matches, with a 2-0 loss to DR Congo and a goalless draw against South Sudan, placing them 5th in Group B.
In contrast, Sudan, led by former Ghana trainer James Akwasi Appiah, currently holds the 2nd spot in the group after a narrow 1-0 victory over DR Congo and a 1-1 draw with Togo.
Fans can anticipate an exciting match between Mauritania and Sudan on June 6th.
The 36-year-old Laryea recently served as the VAR in the CAF Champions League semi-finals between TP Mazembe and Al Ahly SC. His last international fixture as a center referee was during the CAF Champions League group stage game where Simba SC defeated Jwaneng Galaxy in March.
by Silas Boahene | May 15, 2024 | Africa, Boxing, Europe, Ghana, International, Soccer, World Cup
Amin Mohamed Omar, an Egyptian referee, has been appointed to officiate the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup Group I qualifier between Ghana and Mali. The match is scheduled to take place next month in Bamako.
Omar, a 38-year-old lawyer, will be assisted by his compatriots Abouelregal Mahmoud Ahmed Kamel Ahmed (Assistant I), Ibrahim Ahmed Hossameldin Taha (Assistant II), and Hassan Elghandour Ahmed (Fourth Referee).
The referee assessor for this crucial match will be Abid Charef Mehdi from Algeria, while Balde Yaya from Senegal will serve as the Match Commissioner. Dao Brahim from Mauritania will be the security officer.
Omar previously officiated a Black Stars game in October 2021, when Ghana defeated Zimbabwe in a World Cup qualifying match in Harare. He also refereed the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations semi-final between Nigeria and South Africa on February 7, 2024.
The highly anticipated qualifier will kick off at 19:00Hrs at Stade 26 Mars in Bamako on Thursday, June 6, 2024.
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by Silas Boahene | May 15, 2024 | Africa, Europe, Ghana, International, Soccer
Ghanaian international midfielder Abu Francis has extended his contract with Belgian club Cercle Brugge for an additional year, with an option for a further season.
Francis joined Cercle Brugge in the summer of 2022 from Danish club FC Nordsjaelland. The 23-year-old, a product of Ghana’s esteemed Right to Dream Academy, brought top-flight experience and quickly proved his value, playing in 33 matches and contributing 2 goals and 3 assists in his first season.
“I am thrilled to continue my journey with Cercle Brugge and excited about what the future holds. This club has given me countless opportunities, and that means a lot to me,” said Francis.
Despite suffering an injury at the start of the current season that sidelined him for six months, Francis made a strong comeback in February and has been a key player in every game since, including the Championship Play-Offs.
In addition to his club success, Francis made his debut with the Ghana national team in March, participating in friendly matches against Nigeria and Uganda.
“I am extremely grateful for the additional year on my contract and eager to see what the future holds. Cercle Brugge has shown their belief in me by offering this extension. Despite my injury, I have come back even stronger. The hunger and competition within the team push me to be better,” stated Francis enthusiastically.
by Silas Boahene | May 15, 2024 | Africa, Ghana, International, Soccer
Desmond Ofei is on the brink of leading Ghana to their first African Games gold in men’s football in 13 years. His Black Satellites face Uganda in the final on Friday, marking a significant milestone in Ofei’s swift yet impactful coaching journey.
Hailing from Mampong-Akuapim, Desmond Ofei, like many young Ghanaians, aspired to a professional football career. He realized this dream briefly, playing in Belgium and the UK before a severe groin injury forced him to retire in his early 20s.
Faced with the decision to undergo surgery or leave football, Ofei chose the latter, ending a promising career. His deep passion for football, nurtured by his late father, Eric Asiedu, who served as Chelsea youth team’s kit manager, drove him to pivot to scouting and eventually coaching.
Ofei began with internships at Chelsea and later worked as a youth coach for Sporting Lokeren. He moved to Portugal to coach Lusitano Ginasio Clube SAD but returned to Belgium due to family matters, where he coached Antwerp’s under-18s and assisted with the under-21s.
Returning to Ghana, Ofei joined the GFA’s technical directorate as a high-performance manager before becoming head coach of the Black Satellites. Under his leadership, the team has seen remarkable improvement, conceding only once and winning three out of four matches in the African Games.
Ofei was instrumental in developing Ghana’s national football philosophy, emphasizing controlling the game with and without the ball, spatial awareness, decision-making, and game dominance. His mentor is Jose Mourinho, though Ofei describes himself as a more technical coach.
With his strategic approach and dedication, Ofei is poised to restore Ghana’s youth teams to continental prominence, aiming to follow the path of top youth coaches who became world-class leaders in the sport.
