by Silas Boahene | Feb 9, 2024 | Africa, Ghana, International, Soccer
Nora Hauptle, the coach of the Ghanaian women’s national football team, made a trip to Spain over the weekend to observe Jacqueline Owusu’s performance in preparation for the upcoming Olympic Qualifier against Zambia later this month.
Hauptle attended a match in the Spanish Copa de la Reina, where Black Queens’ midfielder Jacqueline Owusu played the full duration for Real Sociedad against FC Levante UD. Real Sociedad emerged victorious with a 1-0 scoreline, advancing to the next round with a 2-1 aggregate victory.
Already having secured qualification for the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, Coach Hauptle is now focused on guiding the team through the 2024 Paris Olympic Games qualifiers.
The forthcoming clash between Ghana and Zambia will be a two-legged encounter, with the first leg scheduled for Friday, February 23, in Kumasi. The second leg is set to take place on Wednesday, February 28, 2024, in Ndola, Zambia.
by Silas Boahene | Feb 9, 2024 | Africa, Ghana, Soccer
Prosper Narteh Ogum, the coach of Asante Kotoko, is urging his players to maintain their focus as they prepare for the commencement of the second round of the Ghana Premier League. Despite a challenging start to the 2023/24 season, the Porcupine Warriors secured a third-place finish in the first half of the campaign.
In anticipation of the upcoming round, the former WAFA trainer has emphasized the importance of sustained focus and cautioned against complacency. Ogum acknowledges the collective effort of the team and encourages them to continue working hard to make a significant impact in the second half of the season.
Expressing gratitude for the team’s resilience, Ogum stated, “Thank you for trying to keep the team going. It tells how united we are; we need to keep working hard. The secret behind every good team is the ability to stay focused, so let’s stay focused because we have 17 more games to play in the second round.”
The Ghana Football Association has officially announced that the second round of the Ghana Premier League is set to kick off on February 23, 2024.
by Silas Boahene | Feb 9, 2024 | Africa, Ghana, International, Soccer
Hafiz Konkoni, a former striker for Bechem United, has shared insights into the persistent issue of players leaving the Ghanaian football leagues in large numbers. The widespread departure of talents from the domestic top-flight league has had a detrimental impact on the overall quality of the Ghana Premier League and other local competitions.
In a conversation with Bryt FM based in Koforidua, Konkoni, who recently joined Olympic Azzaweya, expressed skepticism about effectively addressing the rapid player exodus, attributing it to the financial constraints faced by local clubs. He emphasized the challenge of overcoming this trend without a substantial increase in funding.
Konkoni stated, “It will be difficult to curb player exodus in Ghana. Football is like lotto; it’s either you gain or you lose, and we can only get rid of it if we pump in more money.” Drawing a comparison with Tanzanian clubs, he highlighted their financial stability, fueled by support from local companies. Konkoni acknowledged Ghana’s superiority in terms of talent but pointed out the financial disparity.
The 24-year-old forward moved to Young Africans in Tanzania in June 2023 after an impressive stint with Bechem United. Currently on loan to Libyan side Olympic Azzaweya until the conclusion of the 2023/24 season, Konkoni shared his observations on the challenges facing Ghanaian football in retaining its talents.
by Silas Boahene | Feb 9, 2024 | Africa, Ghana, Soccer
Over the past three years, there has been a significant increase in the number of COLTS clubs across various regions in Ghana, thanks to the Ghana Football Association’s (GFA) constructive interventions and unwavering commitment to nurturing future soccer stars.
The GFA’s substantial investments, including the provision of free footballs and bibs, covering officiating fees, the introduction of Game Centres, and enhanced subventions for regional football associations, aim to foster the development of COLTS football. Recognizing the crucial role of grassroots football in the overall football ecosystem, these initiatives have led to a flourishing COLTS scene.
The Greater Accra Region leads with the highest count of COLTS clubs, followed by the Western Region, Ashanti, Brong Ahafo, Central, Eastern, Northern, and the two Upper regions of Ghana. The commencement of the 2023/24 season at Dansoman Carl Reindorf Park marked the beginning for Greater Accra, with other regions gearing up to launch their campaigns in the upcoming days.
Explore the statistics below detailing the active COLTS clubs in each of the ten regions:
by Silas Boahene | Feb 9, 2024 | Africa, Ghana, International, Soccer
Al Ahly, the Egyptian football club, has arranged a loan deal for their recently acquired Ghanaian striker, Samuel Obeng. The loan spell will see Obeng join second-division side WE Sports Club until the conclusion of the current season.
This move comes after Al Ahly completed a double signing of promising Ghanaian talents, Samuel Oppong and Reindorf Adom Sarbah. The duo, part of a group of Ghanaian players who recently underwent trials at Al Ahly, reflects the club’s commitment to scouting African talents.
Samuel Oppong, specifically signed as a striker from EurAfrica FC for an undisclosed amount, agreed to a four-and-a-half-year deal with Al Ahly. To provide Oppong with valuable first-team experience, Al Ahly opted to loan him to WE Sports Club, making him the club’s third winter signing.
WE Sports Club, led by former Egypt international Gomaa Mashour, boasts a roster with familiar names, including former Al Ahly player Ahmed Nabil Manga, Mahmoud El-Gharabawy, and Mohamed Shahin.
