Sports
Black Galaxies face Niger in epic quarter final clash today
• Awako – Returns to action for the Galaxies
The Black Galaxies of Ghana will take on Niger in the quarter-final of the 2022 Championship of African Nations (CHAN) tournament at the Miloud Hadefi Stadium in Oran, Algeria, this evening.
Today’s encounter will be the second meeting between the two sides, following their first meeting in the 2011 edition, where Niger cruised pass Ghana in the group stage en route to a quarter-final exit.
Annor Walker’s side finished their group stage campaign in second place after losing their opening game 1-2 to Madagascar in Constantine.
However, with six points in their last two fixtures, Ghana booked a place in the last-eight of the competition after a spirited performance to beat Sudan 3-1 to set up the quarter-final clash with Niger.
The Nigeriens emerged top of the group with six points, having secured a goalless stalemate with Congo in their opener before their hard-fought 1-0 victory over Cameroon on Tuesday evening, courtesy of Ousseni Badamassi’s 69th-minute strike.
However, sweat merchant Annor will miss the services of top scorer, Daniel Afriyie Barnieh. The FC Zurich new signing was shown a red card in Ghana’s 3-1 comeback win over two-time bronze candidates Sudan.
Walker was dismayed at losing his talisman but was optimistic about getting a good replacement for the games ahead.
“It’s unfortunate Afriyie Barnieh got the red card. He’s one of my top strikers, but I came with 25 players; so I will have a replacement and after that, he can be in action,” he said.
Also, the return of skipper Gladson Awako will be a huge boost for the side after missing a game due to a slight knock. However, forward Yusif Razak is still nursing an injury from the Madagascar game.
BY LINUS SIAW NARTEY
Sports
Black Starlets arrives in Morocco on U-17 AFCON mission …FA boss charges team to make Ghana proud
The Black Starlets, the national U-17 male team, have safely arrived in Casablanca ahead of the 2026 U-17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
The team departed Accra on Wednesday, travelling with a 35-man contingent made up of 21 players and 14 officials, all focused on delivering a strong campaign on the continental stage.
They completed a smooth five-hour flight to Morocco, where final preparations will continue before the tournament kicks off.
The technical team is expected to fine-tune tactics and build cohesion among the squad as they gear up for the competition.
The Ghana Football Association (GFA) President, Mr Kurt Edwin Simeon-Okraku, was present at the Accra International Airport to bid farewell to the team.
Speaking during a brief farewell at the Airport, the FA President urged the team to carry a ‘never say die’ spirit into the competition.
President Simeon-Okraku emphasised the importance of mental strength and unity, particularly in difficult moments during matches. His message was inspired by the team’s recent friendly encounters against Cote d’Ivoire, where they bounced back strongly after an initial defeat.
“I’m very happy that when you lost to Cote d’Ivoire in your first game during your friendly matches, you were able to bounce back—not only to dominate but to outscore them in the second game,” he said. “I read a lot of meaning into that, and I want all of you to keep that in your heads—that, it’s not over until it’s all over,” he added.
The FA president stressed that the ability to respond positively to setbacks would be crucial in a tournament as competitive as the AFCON.
He encouraged the players to stay united and support one another when the pressure intensifies on the continental stage.
“When the chips are down, that’s when we need to hold each other together,” Okraku added. “So go out there and make Ghana proud.”
Ghana will compete in Group D alongside Algeria, Senegal, and South Africa, with their opening match scheduled for Thursday, May 14.
Twenty-three (23) players have been called up for this month’s international friendly against Mexico.
The squad is composed of star players from the domestic league and European leagues who are closely monitored by Coach Carlos Queiroz, as well as U-23 players who will soon represent Ghana in the upcoming Olympic Games qualifiers.
Notable names include Majeed Ashimeru, Felix Afena-Gyan, Razak Simpson, and Birmingham City’s Ibrahim Osman.
Ashimeru returns to action after a long spell on the sidelines due to a muscle injury that limited his appearances at both club and national level.
Also in the team is Felix Afena-Gyan, whose last appearance for Ghana was in May last year when he featured against Trinidad and Tobago in the Unity Cup in London.
Barcelona B’s Abdul Aziz Issah, Ebenezer Annan of AS Saint-Étienne, Ibrahim Osman of Birmingham City, and Paul Reverson of Ajax FC have also been included in the squad.
Midfielder Salim Adams, one of the key players for Ghana Premier League leaders Medeama SC, leads the group of home-based players.
Others are Heart of Lions’ Ebenezer Abban, Ebenezer Adade of Dreams FC, and Nations FC captain Razak Simpson. Ghana will travel to Mexico for the international friendly on Friday, May 22, 2026.
