Sports
Women’s Football Strategy: FIFA approves GFA’s Capacity Building Course for Women’s DOL Club Administrators
World football governing body, FIFA, has approved the application of the Ghana Football Association for a Capacity Building Training Course for Regional Women’s Division One League Club Administrators.
A letter from the FIFA Women’s Football Division communicated this welcome news to the GFA General Secretary, Prosper Harrison Addo, on Tuesday, July 30, 2024.
The approval follows an application by the Women’s Football Development Desk of the GFA Technical Directorate led by Prof. Joseph Kwame Mintah as part of the strategic pillars to upgrade the knowledge and skillset of Women Administrators and to equip them with modern administrative trends in the game.
“We hope that our collaboration will help you to achieve your strategic goals in developing women’s football in Ghana and allow more girls and women to access the game” – stated Dame Sarai Bareman, FIFA’s Chief Women’s Football Officer.
Regional Women’s Division One League clubs’ Female administrators will benefit from this course. The course will run from September 8 to 14, 2024 in two batches, one for the Southern Sector (to be held in Accra) and the other for the Northern Sector (to be held in Kumasi) with about 80 Women Administrators expected to be trained.
This initiative is part of the implementation phase of the GFA Women’s Football Development Strategy spearheaded by Jennifer Amankwaa Sarpong, GFA Women’s Football Development Manager.
Sports
Benjamin Asare’s call-up inspires local players – Osei Asibey
Hearts of Oak defender, Osei Asibey, has acknowledged that the call-up of Benjamin Asare, the current number one goalkeeper of the Ghana Black Stars, has given confidence to many local players to work hard.
Asibey explained that playing for the senior national team is time-based, and at the right time, every local player will get their chance.
“The Black Stars belong to Ghanaians, and everybody will get the chance to play for the Black Stars when the time is right. Benjamin Asare is a local player, and he has gotten the chance. I’m sure when it is our time, the country would call us to serve,” he asserted
Osei Asibey added that Asare’s achievement shows that with hard work, local players can also receive Black Stars call-ups.
By: Jacob Aggrey
Sports
World Cup Qualifiers: Ghana beats Mali to boost qualification hopes
The Ghana Black Stars on Monday evening secured a vital 1–0 win over Mali in the FIFA World Cup qualifiers, a result that strengthens their chances of booking a ticket to the 2026 tournament.
The Match
The only goal of the game came in the 52nd minute when Alexander Djiku powered home a header to put Ghana ahead at the charged Accra Sports Stadium.
Ghana dominated possession and created more chances, with Antoine Semenyo and Mohammed Kudus troubling the Malian defense.
Coach Otto Addo’s side managed the game well, with substitutes, Kamaldeen Sulemana, Iñaki Williams and Joseph Paintsil helping to protect the narrow lead.
Mali pushed for an equalizer but Ghana’s defense held firm until the final whistle.
What the win means
The victory takes Ghana to the top of their qualifying group, giving them a strong advantage in the race to secure a direct World Cup spot.
It also boosts team confidence as the Black Stars aim to make their fifth appearance at the global showpiece.
Games Remaining and Qualification Path
Ghana now has two games left in the qualifiers. To qualify directly, they must finish first in their group.
If they end up second, they will have to compete in the CAF play-offs to keep their World Cup hopes alive.
About the 2026 FIFA World Cup
The next FIFA World Cup will kick off on June 11, 2026, and run until July 19, 2026. For the first time in history, the tournament will feature 48 teams, an expansion from the usual 32.
It will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, with matches spread across 16 cities.
By: Jacob Aggrey
