Sports
2024 Futsal Premier League ends successfully with AMG emerging as winners
The 2024 Ghana Futsal Premier League concluded with AMG emerging as champions among 16 competing teams after thrashing Blessing Stars 4-1 to cap an incredible campaign.
Defending champions San Siro City Futsal Club have been dethroned after finishing in third place, equal on points with Blessing Stars but with a lower goal difference of +25 compared to Blessing Stars’ +27.
The final round of matches concluded at the weekend at the Spintex Astro Turf, and attracted top dignitaries including the President of the Ghana Football Association, Kurt Edwin Simeon-Okraku.
President Simeon-Okraku commended the participating teams for their competitiveness and congratulated AMG on their winning the enviable title. Individual players and officials were also recognized for their exceptional contributions.
Michael Ruttmern of AMG won the Best Goalkeeper Award with AMG Coach Philip Boakye winning the Coach of the Year Award. The Top Scorer Award went to Adenta Youth’s Ibrahim Issah Sheriff. Aaron Abban-Danquah of AMG was awarded the best player accolade for his outstanding performances, which greatly contributed to his team’s overall success.
The league, which began with a strong display of talent, ended successfully, showcasing the skills, determination, and sportsmanship of all participants. Throughout the tournament, teams battled fiercely under a points-based system, with the standings reflecting their performances.
The 2024 Ghana Futsal League highlighted the increasing popularity of futsal in the country and provided a valuable platform for local talent to showcase their abilities.
The President of the GFA was accompanied by Executive Council Member Samuel Aboabire, and Chief of Staff Michael Osekre. Also in attendance were Head of Public Relations and Strategy Neil Armstrong-Mortagbe, Referees Manager Alex Kotey, and Ghana Futsal Committee Chairman Nathaniel Markwei, who expressed delight at the successful conclusion of the season.
Ashantigold SC has terminated the contracts of three members of its technical team with immediate effect.
The affected officials are head coach and technical director Abdul Karim Zito, assistant coach Ernest Okyere, and goalkeepers’ trainer Robert Dabo.
The decision was announced in a statement signed by the club’s Chief Executive Officer, Edward Kwasi Akuoko.
According to the statement, the decision was taken following a consultative meeting by the Interim Management Committee on Monday, October 26, 2026.
The club says a caretaker coach has been appointed to steer the affairs of the team until a substantive coach/technical director is appointed.
Management expressed gratitude to the affected officials for their contribution and service to the team and wished them well in their future endeavours.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
England captain Harry Kane says it was extra special to be presented with the Ballon d’Or by one of his childhood idols.
Kane made the comment after receiving the prestigious award from former Brazilian striker Ronaldo Nazario.
“Ronaldo was one of my idols growing up,” Kane said.
The Bayern Munich striker described the moment as surreal, being honoured by a player he looked up to as a young footballer.
Kane was announced as the 2026 Ballon d’Or winner on Monday, October 26, at the London Palladium, marking the 70th anniversary of the award and the first time the ceremony was held outside France.
The 33-year-old beat stiff competition from second-placed Kylian Mbappe and Barcelona youngster Lamine Yamal to win his first ever Ballon d’Or.
He becomes the first Englishman to win the coveted individual award in 25 years since Michael Owen in 2001, and only the fifth Englishman ever after Stanley Matthews, Bobby Charlton, Kevin Keegan and Owen.
He is also the first Bayern Munich player to win the award since Karl-Heinz Rummenigge in 1981.
Kane won the award after a remarkable season in which he scored 61 goals in 51 club matches, the most a Bayern player has ever scored in one campaign.
Including England matches, it was 73 goals plus eight assists in 65 matches. His 73 goals is the second-highest single-season total ever behind Lionel Messi’s 82 in 2011-12.
Despite the goal haul, Kane did not win the Champions League or World Cup, with Bayern losing 6-5 on aggregate to Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League semi-finals and England losing 2-1 to Argentina in the World Cup semi-final before finishing third.
The award was presented by Brazilian great Ronaldo Nazario, a two-time Ballon d’Or winner himself, adding what was described as a special dimension to Kane’s historic achievement.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
