by Silas Boahene | Mar 21, 2024 | Africa, Ghana, International, Soccer
Returning to lead the Black Stars, coach Otto Addo has selected Joseph Lauman, John Paintsil, and Fatawu Dauda as his assistant coaches.
Joseph Lauman, boasting a UEFA pro-license, brings a wealth of experience from his playing days in Cyprus, Germany, and Vietnam. His coaching resume includes spells with reputable clubs such as Standard Liege, VfL Bochum, and Barnsley in the English Championship.
Joining Lauman in the coaching setup are former Ghanaian internationals John Paintsil and Fatawu Dauda.
Paintsil, renowned for his tenure with clubs like Fulham, West Ham United, and Kaizer Chiefs, concluded his playing career after representing Ghana in two FIFA World Cup tournaments. With 89 caps, including a role in securing Bronze at the 2008 Africa Cup of Nations, Paintsil is hailed as a Ghanaian legend. He also brings coaching experience from his time as an assistant coach at Kaizer Chiefs and holds a CAF Licence B.
Fatawu Dauda, the former goalkeeper for clubs like Voradep, Okwahu United, AshantiGold, and Orlando Pirates, boasts 23 appearances for the Ghanaian national team, including the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
The Ghana Football Association expresses confidence in providing unwavering support to the newly formed technical team to ensure their success. They call upon Ghanaians to exhibit patience and extend full support as the nation embarks on this rejuvenation journey.
by Silas Boahene | Mar 17, 2024 | Africa, Ghana, International, Nigeria, Soccer
Ghana’s head coach, Otto Addo, has unveiled a 26-man provisional squad for the upcoming international break, marking the return of the Black Stars to action since their departure from the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.
During this break, the Black Stars are scheduled to face Nigeria and Uganda in friendly matches. Among the notable inclusions are five debutants, with Asante Kotoko’s Frederick Asare being one of the fresh faces.
The remaining four newcomers are David Akologo, who plies his trade in Bolivia and has also received a call-up to the Bolivia national team, Nathaniel Adjei from Lorient, Mohammed Diomande representing Rangers, and Ibrahim Osman from Nordsjaelland.
Tariq Lamptey marks his comeback to the squad following his recovery from a prolonged injury, which had sidelined him during the AFCON in Cote d’Ivoire. Additionally, Patrick Kpozo and Edmund Addo have secured spots in the lineup.
The roster also features the in-form Leicester City winger, Abdul Fatawu Issahaku, who has been in impressive form recently.
Ghana’s upcoming schedule includes a match against Nigeria on March 22, followed by a clash with Uganda four days later.
by Silas Boahene | Mar 17, 2024 | Africa, Ghana, International, Other Sports
Uganda continues to make waves at the 13th edition of the African Games held in Accra, Kumasi, and Cape Coast Cities, with cyclist Charles Kagimu securing yet another gold medal on Friday evening.
Despite challenging conditions, including excessive humidity in Poukuase, a suburb of Accra, Kagimu emerged victorious in the individual time trial category, marking Uganda’s second gold medal at the event. His achievement follows the earlier successes of Husinah Kobugabe and Gladys Mbabazi in badminton.
Reflecting on his triumph, Kagimu expressed gratitude, stating, “I thank God for this victory. The heat was intense, but I managed to prevail. I also extend my appreciation to my fellow riders for their contribution to the race.”
With Kagimu’s gold, Uganda’s medal tally rises to 8, comprising two golds (badminton and cycling), three silvers (weightlifting), and three bronze medals (swimming and weightlifting).
Kagimu, a reigning African champion in the individual time trial, maintained his stellar form, having previously claimed the title at the same venue in February 2023.
In football, Uganda’s Under-20 teams displayed remarkable prowess, securing berths in the semifinals. The men’s team, dubbed the Hippos, delivered a flawless performance in the group stage, notching up three consecutive victories, including notable wins against Senegal (2-1) and Nigeria (1-0), as well as South Sudan (1-0).
Similarly, the Uganda U20 National Women’s Team, known as the Queen Cranes, advanced to the semifinals undefeated, showcasing impressive performances against Tanzania and Ethiopia, along with a commendable draw against hosts Ghana. The Queen Cranes are now set to face Nigeria, the leaders of Group B, in the semifinals.
Elsewhere, in boxing, Owen Kibira emerged victorious against Equatorial Guinea’s Billigraham Nze in the men’s 67 kg category, while Sharua Musa Ndagire suffered a defeat against Nigeria’s Oje Nene in the women’s 57 kg category.
Today’s action includes Muzamiru Ssemuddu’s clash with Togo’s Holonou Akousan in the men’s 71 kg category, along with Kasimu Murungi’s bout against Liberia’s Williams Timothy in the men’s 57 kg category in boxing. Additionally, Uganda’s women’s handball team is poised to compete against DR Congo in the preliminary round at the Borteyman Sports Complex.
Uganda’s participation spans a diverse array of sports, including athletics, weightlifting, cricket, rugby (7’s), table tennis, tennis, swimming, cycling, basketball, taekwondo, handball, football, and badminton.
by Silas Boahene | Mar 17, 2024 | Africa, Ghana, International, Soccer
Otto Addo is poised to embark on his second tenure as coach of Ghana’s men’s national soccer team, following Borussia Dortmund’s decision to release him from his current position in talent development by the season’s end.
Having previously served as interim coach in 2022, including overseeing Ghana’s campaign in the World Cup held in Qatar, Addo returns to the helm on a 34-month contract, with the possibility of extending it for an additional two years, as announced by the Ghana Football Association via Facebook. This contractual arrangement would encompass pivotal events such as the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations and the 2026 World Cup.
Expressing his gratitude, Addo remarked in a statement released by Dortmund, “To be entrusted with the responsibility of leading my national team is a tremendous honor. Having previously served as interim coach, I have gained valuable experience in this capacity, and I eagerly anticipate the challenges that lie ahead, commencing this summer.”
At Dortmund, Addo currently serves as the “talent coach,” overseeing the development of promising young players, including the likes of Erling Haaland and Jadon Sancho. The club has agreed to release him from his duties at the conclusion of the season, allowing him to assume his role with Ghana. Moreover, Dortmund has granted Addo permission to oversee Ghana’s forthcoming friendlies this month, further demonstrating their support for his dual commitments. This flexibility echoes Dortmund’s approach during Addo’s interim stint in 2022.
Throughout his playing career, Addo, hailing from Hamburg, achieved success with Dortmund, clinching the Bundesliga title, and represented Ghana in the 2006 World Cup.
by Silas Boahene | Mar 15, 2024 | Africa, Ghana, International, Other Sports
Ghana’s Abeku Jackson won bronze in the men’s 100m butterfly final on Tuesday at the ongoing African Games.
The 23-year-old finished with a time of 53.80 seconds, behind Egypt’s Nassr Abdalla and South Africa’s Jarden Easton.
Ghana’s Abeiku Jackson wins bronze in the men’s 100m butterfly with a time of 53.80.
The race was initially held on Monday night, but an issue with the starter meant it had to be redone on Tuesday, with two swimmers failing to hear the starting bell due to noise in the arena.
With officials unable to stop the race, resulting in the swimmers finishing it, the re-swim thus became optional.
Swimmers were given the option of keeping their times from the original race, or taking part in the re-swim, and Jackson chose the latter.
Nassr Abdalla and Jarden Easton opted not to take part in the re-swim, and keep their respective times from the original race.
Unfortunately for Jackson, despite winning the re-swim in their absence, his time was still bettered by the two, meaning he settled for bronze.
It is his second medal of the games, adding to the silver he won in the 50m butterfly, and Ghana’s fifth.
