2024-12-23

Football

Ghana to host Angola on opening day of AFCON 2025 qualifiers

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has released the dates for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers (AFCON).

According to CAF, the qualifiers would take place from September to November this year to make way for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers slated for 2025.

Ghana will open its campaign against Angola at home before making a trip to Niger for the second Group F match scheduled for between September 2-10, 2024.

The Black Stars will later face Sudan in a double header in October as they host the 1970 African champions in Kumasi before traveling for the reverse fixture –in the week of October 7-15, 2024.

The final round of qualifiers will take place in November when Ghana trek to Luanda as guests of Angola before they wrap things up against Niger at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi.

The top two teams from the group will qualify for the 35th edition of the Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco next year. Otto Addo’s men are in search of a ticket to the biggest football tournament on African soil having previously won the title in 1963, 1965, 1978 and 1982.

The Group F Fixtures are attached below:

Japan will test our defence on a much higher level – Black Queens Coach Nora Hauptle

Black Queens Head Coach, Nora Hauptle, believes Japan will give her defence a much tougher test than what they are used to in their international friendly next week.

The team has been camping in Accra for the past four days in preparation for the game on Saturday, July 13.

This is the highest-ranked team the Black Queens will face since the Swiss took over last year..

Speaking to the media at the Accra Sports Stadium on Saturday, July 6, Hauptle said the team will play to win but the focus is on testing the level of her team against a much better side.

“Well, basically, it’s always the result we want to get in every national team game. We want to win, we go with this approach. But of course, it’s still working on our performance.

“They will challenge us in our defence on a much different level than we have been used to now in the last year.

“But we want to go with bravery in defence, courageously. We also have a bit of, let’s say, a courageous strategy.

“We also have a good plan B and C ready. So it’s about bringing the principles onto the pitch, but of course, always aiming for success.”The Black Queens will depart Ghana on Sunday for Japan ahead of the friendly game at the Kanazawa Go Go Curry Stadium on Saturday, July 13, 2024.

Asante Kotoko announce two Sudanese signings

Asante Kotoko have announced the signings of forward AbdoelRahman Yoouef Yagoub and defender Esmat Hassabalbagi.

The two Sudanese players signed a season-long loan contract with an option of a permanent deal.

Yagoub, who joined from Hay Alwady of Sudan, is expected to replace Steven Mukwala who netted 14 times for Kotoko last season in the Ghana Premier League.

Esmat moved from Al Hilal and will slot in the squad as a left-back.

The duo become the first activity of the club’s rebuild after parting ways with over 21 players in the last few days.

It is understood Sudan coach Kwasi Appiah who is part of Kotoko’s Interim Management Committee, made the recommendation.

Both Sudan nationals could make their debut against Hearts of Oak in the Democracy Cup on July, 17, 2024.

All Regional Games: Gyan, Bawumia launch event at Baba Yara stadium

Former Ghana international, Asamoah Gyan, and his team officially launched the All Regional Games on Saturday, July 6, 2024.

The launch of the all-new competition which is aimed at unearthing and developing talent across most of the sporting disciplines was held at the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi.

The much-anticipated competition will feature athletes competing in events such football,  athletics , volleyball , basketball , tennis, table tennis, boxing, Esports, and arm-wrestling.

The comes following weeks of several activities whipping up the traction from fans ahead of the launch.

The special guest at the Baba Yara Stadium was the Vice President of Ghana and the New Patriotic Party’s flagbearer, Dr Mahamadu Bawumia.

Others who graced the occasion were Sports Minister, Mustapha Ussif, Director General of the National Sports Authority, Numekevor Dodzie, as well as former team mates of Gyan.

Some entertainment celebrities were on stage to bring life to the event.

They were comedian, Ras Nene (now Dr Likee), musicians Fancy Gadam, Guru, and Wendy Shay.

Hundreds of fans also came out in their numbers to support the former Black Stars captain on his new project.

During the press launch of the competition in April, Gyan and his team revealed each region is expected to identify their top sportsmen and women through a trial.

Athletes selected, aged 18 to 23, are set to compete against their counterparts from other regions on a date yet to be announced.

Afcon 2025 to take place in December

The Confederation of African Football has set December 21, 2025, as the date for the next Africa Cup of Nations.

The 28-day continental event, which will be staged in Morocco, will end on January 18, 2026.

The decision was taken at CAF’s Executive Council Meeting on Friday after months of uncertainty.

The President of CAF, Dr. Patrice Motsepe, said: “I am confident that the AFCON Morocco 2025 will be extremely successful and will be the best AFCON in the history of this competition.”

The draw for the qualifiers is slated for July 4, 2024, with 48 nations, including Ghana, set to compete for slots at the tournament.

Ivory Coast are the defending champions after hosting and winning the title with a 2-1 win against Nigeria in the 2023 edition.

Former Ghana Premier League top scorer Hans Kwofie dies in car accident

Medeama have announced the sudden demise of their former striker, Hans Kwofie, following a fatal accident on Friday, June 21, 2024.

The crash happened at Dadwen in the Ashanti Region when the 35-year-old was on his way to his hometown, Dompim Pepesa.

Kwofie was the Ghana Premier League goal king in the 2017/18 season after scoring 17 goals for AshantiGold.

The veteran striker started his career at Nsoatre Manchester United before playing for the likes of Heart of Lions, Bechem United, Legon Cities and Medeama in the Ghana league.

WAFCON 2024 rescheduled to July 2025

The Confederation of African Football has set July 2025 as the date for the next Women’s Africa Cup of Nations.

The competition had initially been scheduled to be played this year in Morocco.

However, a decision at a CAF Council meeting earlier on Friday, June 21, moved the tournament to next year.

The 21-day continental event will commence on July 5, 2025, and end on July 26, 2025.

This comes after months of uncertainty following the completion of the qualifiers.

“I am also impressed by the enormous growth of Women’s Football in Africa and I am expecting the WAFCON Morocco 2024 to be immensely successful,” CAF president Patrice Motsepe said.

“We will continue to make significant progress in developing and ensuring that African Football is globally competitive and amongst the best in the World.

“CAF is grateful to King Mohamed VI of Morocco, the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (“FRMF”), its President Fouzi Lekjaa, the Government, and the people of Morocco for hosting the CAF TotalEnergies AFCON Morocco 2025 and the CAF TotalEnergies WAFCON Morocco 2024.”

Ghana’s Black Queens had secured qualification for the competition after missing out since 2018.

Black Stars defender Stephan Ambrosius joins Swiss side St. Gallen

Swiss Super League side, St. Gallen, have announced the signing of Ghanaian defender Stephan Ambrosius.

The Black Stars defender joins the Swiss outfit on a three-year deal which will keep him at the club until 2027.

Ambrosius joins St. Gallen as a free agent following the end of his contract with German side Hamburger SV.

The Ghanaian joined Hamburger in 2012 and played through all of the junior ranks before making it to the senior teams.

The central defender made 18 appearances for the club last season in Bundesliga 2 having returned from his loan spell at Karlsruher SC at the end of the 2022/23 campaign.

Ambrosius has been capped twice for the Black Stars both coming in friendly games last year.

The Ghanaian will don jersey number 5 at his new club and share the same locker room with national teammates Lawrence Ati-Zigi and Musah Nuhu.

Asante Kotoko striker Kalo Ouattara bids farewell after tough season

Asante Kotoko striker Kalo Ouattara has bid farewell to the club following his release, part of a massive clear-out that saw 18 players let go in less than 24 hours.

This significant overhaul is part of a comprehensive rebuild process aimed at revitalizing the team for the upcoming season.

The 22-year-old Ouattara, who joined Asante Kotoko at the start of the season from Berekum Chelsea, featured in 24 games and scored four goals, including one in the final game of the season.

Despite his efforts, the Porcupine Warriors finished the season in a disappointing sixth place with 49 points, 12 behind champions Samartex.

In a heartfelt message shared on social media, Ouattara expressed his gratitude to the club, his teammates, and the fans, with a special mention to the club’s video analysts.

Read the full note below:

“I want to take a moment to express my heartfelt gratitude to each of you as I prepare to move on from my time with Asante Kotoko.

I want to say a special thank you to the video Analysts of Asante Kotoko for their motivation every time and their dedication in making me a better player.

While my journey here has come to an end, the experiences and memories we’ve shared will forever hold a special place in my heart.

To my fellow players, it has been an honor to stand alongside each of you on the field.

And to our loyal supporters, your unwavering enthusiasm and encouragement have fueled our determination and made every match a memorable experience. Your presence at the games and your messages of support online have meant the world to me and the entire team.

As I embark on the next chapter of my journey, I will carry with me the lessons learned during my time at Kotoko.

Warm regards,

Kalo Ouattara”

Ouattara’s departure is part of the club’s strategic plan to rebuild and strengthen the squad for a more competitive performance in the next season.

Asante Kotoko had an unpleasant season, admits coach Prosper Ogum

Asante Kotoko coach Prosper Narteh Ogum admits the club had an unpleasant 2023-2024 season after they ended the campaign trophyless.

Kotoko struggled throughout the season, enduring a streak of seven matches without a win at one point. They ultimately finished in 6th place, accumulating 49 points with a record of 14 wins, 12 defeats, and seven draws.

Reflecting on their performance, Coach Ogum expressed his disappointment over the team’s inability to secure victories, particularly in their home matches.

“It was an unpleasant season. What we wanted to achieve, we couldn’t in terms of performance on the pitch. I think we fell below expectations,” Ogum stated on the club’s channel.

He pointed out that the outcome of several matches was a key reason for their failure to clinch the league title.

“Especially some of the games we lost and drew at home. Typically, Asante Kotoko shouldn’t have lost or drawn. If you look at these games, they are the ones that prevented us from winning the trophy,” he explained.

Ogum also highlighted the impact of their home game results on the fans’ morale.

“The joy of the fans is at Baba Yara because when you win, the fans become excited, and because we couldn’t win, it made everything unpleasant,” he added.

In response to the disappointing season, the club has taken drastic action by parting ways with 18 players, including goalkeeper Ibrahim Danlad.

These changes reflect a significant overhaul as Kotoko aim to improve their performance in the upcoming season.

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