by Silas Boahene | Dec 25, 2023 | AFCON, Africa, Ghana
In a strategic move to refine their preparations for the upcoming tournament in Ivory Coast, Ghana’s national football team, the Black Stars, is gearing up for an intensive training camp in Johannesburg, South Africa. This meticulous approach underlines the team’s commitment to focused training, ensuring peak performance in the highly anticipated AFCON tournament running from January 13 to February 11, 2024, in Abidjan, Ivory Coast.
During their 10-day stay in South Africa, the team will engage in a friendly match against Botswana on January 8, 2024. The coaching staff aims to fine-tune tactical strategies tailored to the team’s strengths and potential opponents, setting the stage for success in challenging group-stage clashes against Egypt, Cape Verde, and Mozambique in Group B.
Despite the absence of Kamaldeen Sulemana and Tariq Lamptey, sidelined due to Brighton’s evaluation of Lamptey’s injury status, the preliminary team, set to assemble in Johannesburg, anticipates the final squad declaration on January 3. The Black Stars kick off their AFCON campaign with a match against Cape Verde on January 14, followed by encounters with Egypt on January 18 and Mozambique on January 22, 2024.
by Silas Boahene | Dec 25, 2023 | AFCON, Africa, Ghana
Former Ghanaian striker, Yahaya Mohammed, has offered valuable insights into the journey of young talent Jonathan Sowah, cautioning him about the pitfalls of arrogance following his Black Stars call-up. Despite acknowledging Sowah’s prowess as one of Ghana’s finest strikers, Mohammed raised concerns about the striker’s recent behavior, including missing training sessions, receiving unnecessary cards, and displaying on-field indiscipline.
In his advice, Mohammed emphasized the potential impact of such behaviors on Sowah’s career trajectory, urging careful management to ensure a balanced and disciplined approach. As Sowah finds himself among the 55 players selected by Black Stars head coach Chris Hughton for the upcoming 2023 AFCON, the spotlight intensifies. Medeama SC fans have also voiced criticisms regarding Sowah’s recent performances, highlighting the need for the young talent to heed Mohammed’s wise counsel and navigate the path to success with humility and professionalism.
by Silas Boahene | Dec 25, 2023 | AFCON, Africa, Ghana
With the 34th edition of the African Cup of Nations (set to be hosted in CĂ´te D’Ivoire) just a few days away, it is pertinent to preview the tournament by taking a close look at some of the continent’s most in-form players heading into the competition.
We start with the Ghanaian sensation who is tearing it up in the English Premier League for West Ham United. Mohamed Kudus joined the Hammers in the summer for a fee just shy of ÂŁ40million and has quickly become a fan favourite in London.
His work-rate, dribbling ability, goalscoring prowess and iconic goal celebration has seen him quickly establish himself in David Moyes’ lineup. An unfortunate injury to striker Michail Antonio handed the 23 year old his chance in the starting XI and he hasn’t looked back since.
Kudus is in the form of his life heading into only his second ever AFCON. He was a part of the Ghana squad that fell to a disappointing group stage exit in 2021 but didn’t feature for a single minute. Since then, he’s grown into the side’s talisman and will relish another tournament with the Black Stars after standing out at the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
He’s netted 14 goals and laid on 2 assists in a total of 26 appearances for Ajax and West Ham this season. He’s in truly sizzling form for the Hammers, netting 7 goals in his last 12 outings. Last time out, he helped put Manchester United to the sword with an arrowed finish into the bottom corner before hitting his already iconic celebration of sitting on the advertisment boards.
Kudus has got two more fixtures with the Hammers before he joins up with the Black Stars squad in CĂ´te D’Ivoire. There’s another big game, this time away to table topping Arsenal on Thursday December 28th, before the visit of Brighton on 2nd January. Black Stars head coach Chris Hughton will be keeping his fingers crossed that his star player avoids any injury before the tournament. He knows full well that this could be an AFCON dominated by Kudus.
Written by: Fritz Addison.
by Silas Boahene | Dec 20, 2023 | Ghana
Former Nottingham Forest midfielder Andre Ayew has conveyed his appreciation and support for his former coach, Steve Cooper, who recently faced dismissal from Nottingham Forest due to poor performances in the English Premier League. The team is set to be led by Nuno Espirito Santo.
Ayew, who played under Cooper at Swansea City in 2019 and during the final six months of the previous season, expressed his sentiments on Instagram, paying tribute to the coach who played a significant role in his career.
On Instagram, Ayew shared a photo of Cooper and captioned it, “The King of forest and the King of Swansea. Always with you boss..no matter the matter you are the BOSS.”
This heartfelt message reflects Ayew’s deep respect and admiration for Cooper, emphasizing the strong bond formed during their shared journey in football.
Cooper took charge of Nottingham Forest in September 2021, successfully steering the team from the bottom of the Championship to playoff success. Despite Forest’s recent struggles in the Premier League, Ayew’s tribute underscores the lasting impact Cooper has had on the players he coached, including the Ghana captain.
by Silas Boahene | Dec 20, 2023 | Ghana
Frank Annoh Dompreh, the Majority Chief Whip in Ghana’s Parliament, has underscored the urgency for decisive action, asserting that everything, including a potential change in coach Chris Hughton, must be considered for Ghana to secure victory in the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations.
The Black Stars, aiming to end a title drought of over 40 years, are gearing up for the 2023 edition in Ivory Coast early next year. Recent performances, marked by three defeats in their last four games, including a loss to Comoros, have raised concerns about the team’s form.
“[Sports] Minister, you’ll agree with me that these days our Black Stars are becoming a pale shadow of itself,” Dompreh expressed in parliament.
“As we are heading towards another African tournament, we urge you to do everything and anything, including the changing of our national coach if need be. We can’t just go there and be part of the number of teams. We’ve always said that we are four-time champions; this thing is becoming old-time glory. We want to do something for ourselves, and minister, I know you can do it. Please help, and let’s get our Black Stars in good shape.”
The Black Stars are scheduled to kick off their campaign against Cape Verde on January 14, 2024, followed by matches against Egypt and Mozambique to conclude the group stage in the tournament starting on January 13.
