by Silas Boahene | Mar 28, 2024 | Africa, Ghana, International, Soccer
Otto Addo, the head coach of the Black Stars, has articulated his confidence in his newly formed backroom staff, highlighting their collective capacity to elevate the team’s performance under his leadership.
The past week marked the commencement of work for Coach Addo and his assistants—Joseph Laumann, John Paintsil, and Fatawu Dauda—during the team’s training camp in Marrakech, Morocco, in preparation for friendly encounters against Nigeria and Uganda.
In an interview, the 48-year-old coach disclosed his familiarity with his first assistant, Laumann, stemming from their time together in Germany. He underscored Laumann’s expertise, considering him pivotal in the technical team’s decision-making process.
Laumann, holding a UEFA pro-license, brings a wealth of experience from coaching roles with esteemed clubs such as Standard Liege in Belgium, VfL Bochum in Germany, and Barnsley in the English championship.
Coach Addo’s connection with Paintsil traces back to their playing days in the national team, including their joint participation in the 2006 FIFA World Cup. Paintsil, previously serving as an assistant coach at Kaizer Chiefs in South Africa, possesses a CAF Licence B coaching certification.
Regarding Dauda, the newly appointed goalkeepers’ trainer, Coach Otto Addo reminisced about their acquaintance during the 2014 FIFA World Cup, where Dauda served as the team’s first-choice goalkeeper while Otto Addo worked as a scout for the Black Stars technical team.
“First of all, I knew all of them before the job. I played together with John, but Fatawu I got to know him during the 2014 World Cup, and it is really nice to come together and share our ideas,” he stated.
“Joe (Joseph Laumann), I know him from Germany, and he is absolutely an expert. He has a keen eye for situations, quick reactions, and is attentive to both constructive and destructive aspects that can influence the team’s development. Their contributions are crucial,” Otto added.
Following Ghana’s recent 1-2 loss to Nigeria in a friendly match in Morocco, Coach Otto Addo will lead the Black Stars in their next friendly encounter, a vital component of their preparations for the upcoming FIFA World Cup qualifiers scheduled for June.
by Silas Boahene | Mar 28, 2024 | Africa, Ghana, International, Soccer
Ghana’s quest for redemption after their recent loss to Nigeria was thwarted as they were forced to settle for a draw against Uganda in another international friendly clash at the Grande Stade Marrakech in Morocco.
In his return as head coach of the Black Stars, Otto Addo is yet to secure his first victory following the 2-2 deadlock against the Cranes, who twice managed to level the score on Tuesday.
Addo made five changes to the squad that suffered defeat against Nigeria, handing full debuts to Ebenezer Annan and Francis Abu, with Joseph Wollacott taking the goalkeeper position.
The Black Stars took an early lead just seven minutes into the game when central defender Jerome Opoku headed in a corner kick, marking his first international goal from a cross by captain Jordan Ayew.
However, the Cranes equalized in the 23rd minute after a penalty was conceded by left-back Ebenezer Annan, confidently converted by Asante Kotoko forward Steven Dese Mukwala.
Ghana reclaimed the lead with Jordan converting from the penalty spot.
Uganda once again managed to equalize with eight minutes left in the game when substitute Muhammad Shaban found the net from close range.
Ghana faced further adversity when Mohammed Salisu received a red card in the latter stages, leaving them with ten men.
The Black Stars’ winless streak now extends to seven matches across all competitions, comprising four draws and three defeats.
Looking ahead, Ghana’s next international break in June will feature matches against Mali and the Central African Republic in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
by Silas Boahene | Mar 28, 2024 | Africa, Athletics, Basketball, Boxing, Ghana, International, Other Sports, Soccer
The Deputy Minister for Youth and Sports, Evans Bobie Opoku, has indicated that his office is unable to specify a timeline for the disbursement of bonuses to Ghana’s 2023 African Games medalists.
Prior to the commencement of the games, the sports ministry had pledged bonuses to athletes: $3,000 for a gold medal, $2,000 for silver, and $1,000 for bronze.
At a press conference jointly organized by the Local Organizing Committee and the sports ministry on Monday at the University of Ghana Sports Stadium, gratitude was expressed to athletes and the Ghanaian populace for the successful hosting of the games.
Addressing attendees, Bobie Opoku emphasized the procedural nature of bonus distribution in the public sector, stating, “It’s a process. You know Ghana, if you work in the public sector you don’t just stand up and go and pick money.”
He continued, “It goes through a process. I am not the approving authority. I cannot give you a time frame. My job is to get the list and put the figures together and forward same to the appropriate authority and secure approval. When I have the approval then I can be sure and tell you tomorrow or today, but I want to assure you and the general public that, bonuses of the athletes will be paid.”
Ghana concluded the games with a historic medal tally of 69, the highest in the competition’s history. Prior to this achievement, the nation’s highest medal count was 27, achieved in 1973.
by Silas Boahene | Mar 28, 2024 | Africa, Ghana, International, Soccer
Following the conclusion of the 2023 African Games, Ghana Women’s U-20 captain, Afi Amenyeku, made a heartwarming gesture by presenting her gold medal to her father.
Throughout the competition, the goalkeeper played a pivotal role, featuring in all five games as the Black Princesses secured the gold medal without suffering a single defeat.
In the final against Nigeria at the Cape Coast Stadium, Ghana encountered a tough challenge. Despite an initial setback where Amenyeku’s error led to the Falconets’ opening goal, she displayed remarkable composure, rallying her teammates to secure a hard-fought 2-1 victory in extra time.
On Tuesday, March 26, Amenyeku shared touching photos of herself with her father as she handed him the cherished medal from the competition.
“One of the happiest men on earth right now. Witnessing AMENYEKU’s moment with the GOLD MEDAL. This day will always hold a special place in my heart. ALHAMDULILLAH,” she shared on X (formerly Twitter).
by Silas Boahene | Mar 28, 2024 | Africa, Athletics, Basketball, Boxing, Ghana, International, Nigeria, Other Sports, Soccer
The Minister for Youth and Sports, Mustapha Ussif, has affirmed Ghana’s commitment to capitalize on the remarkable achievements of Team Ghana during the recent African Games, held in the country.
Team Ghana clinched an unprecedented 69 medals at the Games, marking the nation’s most substantial medal tally at any multi-sports event since gaining independence.
Addressing attendees at the Games’ closing ceremony, Mustapha Ussif highlighted the consistent progress of Team Ghana in recent competitions. He emphasized the potential for further advancement in Ghanaian sports, with the newly constructed facilities from the Games poised to play a pivotal role.
“We are determined to leverage the unprecedented success attained by Team Ghana during these Games,” he declared. “This edition stands as our most triumphant African Games to date, measured by the sheer number of medals secured. Prior to this, Ghana showcased its prowess at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, and notably ended a three-decade Olympic medal drought in Tokyo.”
“The legacy of these Games extends far beyond mere sporting achievements. The state-of-the-art, multi-purpose infrastructure erected at the University of Ghana and Borteyman will significantly catalyze our sports development efforts,” he continued.
“Never before in our nation’s history have we possessed such world-class sports facilities capable of accommodating multiple disciplines. Thanks to the 13th African Games, Accra 2023, driven by the visionary leadership of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and the unwavering support of our government, Ghana now boasts these cutting-edge facilities.”
“This marks a transformative moment. When combined with the regional multi-purpose sports stadiums currently under construction across the country, our sports landscape is poised for an unprecedented evolution.
