Sports
Akonnor, don’t be overly desperate!
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DESPERATION to succeed may be adorable, but sometimes, it could trigger a negative adrenaline for failure.
In the case of the coach, they dare not play the Russian roulette; they got to be wholly focused, calculated and strategic in their manoevres to clinching the desired result. For, desperation can ultimately lead to destruction.
So, what are we trying to say, at all?
Somewhere last week or so, we were boldly told that the ‘sweat merchant’ of the Black Stars – Coach Charles Kwablan Akonnor, had handed a call-up to Kelvin Yeboah – a 21-year-old Italian-Ghanaian forward who features for Austrian Bundesliga side SK Sturm Graz.
The prolific Yeboah, nephew of Ghana’s retired icon Anthony Yeboah, is reported to be in some swashbuckling, smashing form in Europe – banging in goals like nobody’s business.
So, Ghanaians were naturally elated with the supposed ‘big catch’ when Yeboah’s name thundered across the country – believing Ghana was steadily building a formidably winsome team for a famished African conquest (Cameroon 2021). Fiasco!
Sadly, barely 24 hours or so later, we were almost stunned into petrified silence to learn that the same player had reacted positively to a call-up into the Italian Under-21 team over Ghana’s senior national team – a former FIFA World Cup quarter finalist.
The Italian Under-21 team were to play against neophytes like Luxembourg and Montenegro during the international break.
Indeed, many thought it was a huge embarrassment to the nation to watch Yeboah choose an Under-21 outfit over a senior national team of his native people.
But do not blame Yeboah! He has committed no crime. There are 64,000-dollar questions that have to be answered.
Question number one: How was Yeboah invited? Who spoke to him, and did the young precocious striker agree to the invitation? Why would he opt for the Italian U-21 national team when very aware that Ghana had struck the first move? What did we not do right in this regard? Did Akonnor really have a personal interaction with him ahead of the call-up? Or, we were just interested in giving Yeboah an invitation in order to avert Italy from initiating any move?
Whatever the response may be, it is limpidly evident that the Ghana Football Association (GFA) and Akonnor failed in snatching the talented finisher; and that is not good for the Black Stars brand.
Perhaps, we may not have lost Yeboah totally since he was not invited to Italy’s senior national side, but seriously, we ought to pick some harsh lessons in this regard.
The other day, too, we were told Ghana’s Southampton of England sturdy defender, Salifu Mohammed, was all-too ready to play for the Black Stars and was subsequently handed a call-up only for the player to turn his back on the nation.
Coach Akonnor himself had assured us of his availability, but we were later to dine with another disappointment.
It is true we need hordes of quality performers to build up the Black Stars into a fearsome unit. However, we must not out of desperation compel or cajole players into featuring for Ghana. No, it must not happen!
True, we may not have garnered home the African Cup ‘Holy Grail’ for nearly four decades – after the glories of 1963, ‘65, ‘78 and ‘82, but the senior national team is still freshly attractive.
No matter what the situation is or how it looks like, players – whether megastars or superstars, must not be kowtowed to in an attempt to woo them into playing for their own motherland.
They must play out of a supreme conviction to serve their country, and once they decline, we should respect their decision and leave them to their fate.
By so doing, we will succeed into erecting an aura of respect and reverence around the team whose members would now feel more nationalistic and be prepared to die a little more for a country that holds them in high esteem.
With the 2026/27 Ghana Premier League season set to kick off on September 4, clubs have continued to fine-tune their squads, with a number of late additions and free-agent deals shaping up ahead of the new campaign.
From established Premier League sides such as Asante Kotoko, Hearts of Oak, Medeama, Aduana FC, FC Samartex and Berekum Chelsea to ambitious lower-tier clubs, there has been significant movement in the transfer market.
Here is a rundown of the notable deals involving Ghana Premier League clubs:
Medeama SC strengthen across the pitch
Medeama have been among the busiest clubs, adding depth in midfield, defence and attack. The Mauve and Yellows have brought in Etse Dogli from Heart of Lions on a three-year deal, while Emmanuel Boateng arrives from Eleven Wonders on a two-year contract. Dominic Frimpong, a free agent, has also joined to bolster the attack on a three-year deal. Other additions include Usman Safianu, Abdul Rahman Yaya, Emmanuel Annor from Nations FC, and winger Emmanuel Fobi, who arrives from Georgia’s Dila Gori on a three-year deal.
Medeama have also recruited Issah Ibrahim from Latvia, Sudanese goalkeeper Monged Abuzaid Salman, midfielder Blessing Kwabena Dwamena, Jelillu Osman from New Edubiase, Emmanuel Anokye from Sporting Club Accra, and right-back Ebenezer Adade from Dreams FC.
Port City FC add experience and attacking options
Port City have also been active, bringing in several players to strengthen their squad. Kwabena Adu Meider and Francis Gyetuah arrive as free agents, while Stephen Diyou joins from Hohoe United.
The club have also secured Gideon Waja from WAFA, Ishak Suraj from Lebanese side Al Ahly, free-agent defender Samuel Gyimah, goalkeeper Daniel Amissah on a two-year deal, and Elliot Affotey from Heart of Lions on a three-year contract. Daniel Osei Snr., a defensive midfielder from Hohoe United, completes another addition to the squad.
Hearts of Oak bring in several young talents
Hearts of Oak have invested heavily in young players, including a number of long-term deals. Abdul Aziz arrives from Swedru All Blacks on a three-year deal, while free agent Ebenezer Amoh joins on a two-year contract. The Phobians have also secured Rockson Kyeremeh and centre-back Manuel Osei Djan from PAC Academy, both on five-year contracts.
Other arrivals include Caleb Koranteng from Victory Club Warriors, Alex Banso from Namoro FC, free-agent right-back Prince Amevor, goalkeeper Vicente Anane, Ivorian forward Mamadou Kader Kourouma, and free-agent defensive midfielder Dominic Nsobila.
Swedru All Blacks continue recruitment drive
Swedru All Blacks have added a sizeable group of players. Among them are Mohammed Musah Salifu from Tamale City, David Lartey from Dreams Chasers, Prince Arthur and Kelvin Ampoful from Nations FC, and winger Samuel Osei Kofi from Nsuopun Fidelity.
Free agent Faisal Chawetey, forward Vincent Baah Jnr from Tema Faith, centre-back Michael Abrokwa from Nations FC, forward John Ahuma Ocansey, midfielder Godfred Yartey from Cheetah FC, winger Andy Koramoah from Auroras, right-back Kojo Quansah from Samartex, and defender Latif Blessing from Cheetah FC have also joined.
Samartex add four
FC Samartex have strengthened with four additions. Ebenezer Okrah and Prince Affum arrive from Sefwi All Stars, while Joshua Fuseini joins from Golden Kick. Meshack Adjetey Sowah also arrives from Vision FC on a three-year deal.
Aduana FC bolster defence and attack
Aduana FC have brought in several players, including free agent Shawkan Hunalf Mohammed, defensive midfielder Samuel Tenedu from Berekum Chelsea, and centre-back Boa-At Regain from Bechem United. They have also signed free agent Stephen Amankona, right-back Abdul Latif Mohammed from Victory Club Warriors, winger Emmanuel Abban from Bechem United, Zakaria Fuseini from Techiman Liberty Youth, and free-agent left-back Bismark Anim on a two-year deal.
AshantiGold make international additions
FC Ashantigold have recruited from both Ghana and abroad. Raphael Kodjo Etchonou arrives from ESA Academy in Togo, while Burkina Faso defender Ben Yamine Nassirou Kabore joins from Etoile Filante. The club have also signed free-agent right-back Kamal Suraje on a three-year deal and goalkeeper Kwaku Musah, also on a three-year contract.
Other additions include Fatao Seidu, Sirinu Huzaifah from Skyy FC, Saddick Ibrahim Abubakar from Skyy, Ishmael Acquah from Skyy, William Addo from Unity FC, free-agent winger Alhassan Benny, and goalkeeper Thomas Kwabena Osei from Heart of Lions.
Gold Stars add attacking firepower
Gold Stars have brought in Nicholas Amekpewu from Elmina Sharks on a three-year deal, while centre-back Claude Shooting Bortey arrives as a free agent. They have also signed Kwame Opoku, another free agent, on a two-year deal.
Heart of Lions build new-look squad
Heart of Lions have also been busy, with several free-agent signings. Francis Odoom from Hohoe United joins on a two-year deal, alongside centre-back Abdul Jalilu, goalkeeper Edmund Wireko, winger William Oduro, centre-back Pius Baffuor, winger Sena Ati, and forward Mustapha Yakubu. Stephen Afoakwa from Faith Football Academy is another addition.
Other notable movements
Berekum Chelsea have recruited forward Jamal Haruna on a three-year deal, while Diawisie Taylor, Awuah Dramani, Chyereme Shadirac, Fuseini Zakaria, goalkeeper Zulka Massawudu, and Augustine Boakye have also joined.
At Asante Kotoko SC, goalkeeper Danlad Ibrahim arrives on a two-year deal, while the Porcupine Warriors have also added Emmanuel Mamah, Ivorian centre-back Koffi Marius Ange Bini, free agent Isaac Opoku Agyemang, Burkina Faso midfielder Abdoul Kader Tarnagda, Cameroonian midfielder Solomon Nsor Asaah, Moroccan goalkeeper Abdel Wadie Mourad, and Albanian defender Umar Ali from Partizani.
Karela United have signed Wisdom Jonas Manyina from RTU on a three-year deal, alongside Frank Ackom from Nsuopun Fidelity, Iddi Mahfuz, Edmund Afurapoe from Eleven Wonders, goalkeeper Kwaku Musah, Angel Ewulla, Collins Ntiful from Okwawu United, Issah Abdul Basit from Golden Warriors, forward Mohammed Alhassan Mankuyeli, Ebenezer Amegah from Hohoe United, and free-agent forward Prince Opoku Agyemang. Vision FC have also added Kwadwo Boamah from Hohoe United and Faruk Mohammed from Nations FC.
The final preparations begin
With the transfer deadline now passed and the Ghana Premier League scheduled to begin on September 4, attention will turn from recruitment to preparation.
The sheer volume of movement suggests that several clubs will enter the new campaign with significantly different squads. For coaches, the immediate challenge will be turning these new arrivals into cohesive teams before the opening whistle of the new Premier League season.
The Black Princesses will play Polish side Sleza Wroclaw, a team in the Orlen Ekstraliga Kobiet, in their first international friendly match in Wroclaw, Poland.
The game will be held behind closed doors as Ghana continue preparations ahead of the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup.
The friendly offers Black Princesses head coach Charles Sampson another valuable opportunity to assess his squad, build cohesion and sharpen tactics.
The game will be played on Tuesday, August 25, 2026, at the Stadion Sportowy Olawka in Wroclaw at 14:00 GMT.
The Black Princesses are making their eighth consecutive appearance at the biennial tournament, aiming to make it past the group stage for the first time in their history.
