Sports
Any help for Abu Imoro?
The name Abu Imoro may not ring a bell to many of today’s domestic football followers. Interestingly, ever since Abu hanged his boots, we have not had any player by that name in the national premier league. One stands to be corrected on that assertion though.
Even if we had it on our blind side, that player may not have glittered to win the hearts of many, particularly in the 80s and early 90s, as the REAL (cap mine) Abu Imoro did so naturally and effortlessly.
Of course, he may not be a player of the first water, but his poise and confidence on the ball coupled with a crazy obsession to strip bare the most-feared players, was always a gorgeous spectacle.
Indeed, he was a sweet blend of ruggedness and adroitness; but not extremely flamboyant in his midfield role. With his sturdy and solid frame – robustly recognised by a ‘fiery’ face, you need to possess some incarnated physical ability and brains to disarm him of the ball.
That is not all; aside from being a ‘spoiler’ particularly in midfield, his supreme ability to control an aerial ball on his chest – regaining his balance and pirouettes early enough to tame it onto his feet, easily makes him the crowd’s favourite.
Abu first played alongside football legend Abedi Ayew Pele at RTU in Tamale, before coming down south to feature for Great Olympics.
According to the President of the Sports Writers Association of Ghana (SWAG), Kwabena Yeboah, the story of Abu Moro cuts bones – describing him a huge talented star.
“I remember him vividly when we went to Liberia in 1987 for the SCSA Tournament. My goodness, he was something else. Indeed, Abu was mainly the reason Ghana won the trophy beating Liberia 2-0 in the final with George Weah and James ‘Salinsa’ Debbah, then featuring for the Lone Star.
“Hopefully, the media spotlight will bring some redemption,” he remarked.
Forlornly, the Accra New Town-born Abu Imoro did not blow out or mushroom into the kind of player Ghanaians had hoped for as he regrettably got hooked into drug addiction that eventually tore him up and left him staggering into poverty.
Today, the former midfield dynamo still reels from the ‘bad side’ of his past and survives solely on the benevolence of friends and loved ones.
On many occasions, he had been supported by former teammate Abedi Pele and other sympathisers with regard to rehabilitation. Sadly, Abu is always quick to go back to his ‘vomit’ anytime his situation appears to improve.
Indeed, if you set eyes on the player, known in Ghana football as Tigana (named after the great French midfielder), you might break down in tears – after recollecting his halcyon past.
Before he got ensnared into hard drugs, Abu had his own house, car, wife and children. When things got out of hand, the wife had no choice than to leave. His house and car were reportedly sold and his riches all evaporating into thin air with the speed of lightening.
On hearing his latest plight, some of his contemporaries and other ex-players of Great Olympics including George Alhassan, Godwin Attram, Isaac Acquaye, Awuley Quaye and John Naawu, last week paid him a visit to solidarise with him.
At present, Abu is looking for a new window of opportunity to turn a new leaf. He says he wants the nation to help him get over his drugs life. He pleads earnestly!
Any help?
By John Vigah
Black Stars midfielder Kwasi Sibo says the team is determined to begin its 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign with victory against Panama despite the absence of key midfielder Thomas Partey.
Partey will miss Ghana’s Group L opener in Toronto after Canadian authorities denied him entry into the country.
A Canadian court on Tuesday also rejected an emergency appeal seeking to overturn the decision. Canadian authorities ruled that he was inadmissible under the country’s immigration laws.
Reports indicate that the decision was linked to ongoing criminal charges he faces in the United Kingdom, which he denies.
Canadian officials also cited issues relating to information provided in his visa application.
His absence is a major blow for Ghana, with the experienced midfielder widely regarded as one of the country’s strongest players in the middle of the park and a key figure in the Black Stars setup.
Speaking ahead of Wednesday’s World Cup clash, Sibo said the players are united behind their teammate and want to deliver a positive result for him.
“Our coach always says whatever doesn’t kill you makes you stronger. Our brother has been through a lot these days, and we are always with him. He is one of our biggest stars” he said.
The midfielder noted that Partey has been part of Ghana’s journey from the beginning of the World Cup campaign, making his absence particularly difficult for the squad.
“We have to make sure we win the game for him as a family and make him happy,” Sibo said.
He admitted that it would be painful to play Ghana’s first match on football’s biggest stage without the former Arsenal midfielder but insisted the players are motivated to make him proud.
“It hurts that we are playing our first game at this big stage and he’s not with us. We are giving him our word that at the end of the 90 minutes, he will be happy,” he added.
Ghana will face Panama in its opening Group L match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup as the Black Stars seek a strong start to a group that also includes England and Croatia.
By: Jacob Aggrey
The President of Ghana, John Dramani Mahama, together with the Government and people of Ghana, has sent a strong message of support to the Black Stars ahead of their opening match against Panama in the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Toronto, Canada.
In an official statement released by Presidency Communications on June 17, 2026, the President said the entire nation is behind the team as they begin their fifth World Cup appearance, describing it as a symbol of Ghana’s resilience and unity.
“Our gallant Black Stars, as you stand on the threshold of your first match against Panama in Toronto, the Government and the over thirty million people of Ghana stand firmly behind you,” the statement said.
It added that the players are carrying the hopes and dreams of Ghanaians everywhere, from Chorkor to Bole and across the entire country.
The statement also called on Ghanaians living in Canada and across North America to fully support the team in the stadium, describing them as the “12th Man.”
It encouraged them to fill the stands with national colours and support the players throughout the tournament.
At home, the Government said arrangements had been made to ensure nationwide television coverage of the tournament so that all citizens can follow the matches live.
According to the statement, this move is to ensure that every Ghanaian, regardless of location, can watch and support the Black Stars.
The message urged the players to compete not only for the national flag but also for young Ghanaians who dream of following in their footsteps.
“The world is watching, and we are confident that the Black Star will shine brighter than ever before on this global stage,” the statement added.
Ghana will begin its World Cup campaign against Panama as part of Group L in Toronto.
By: Jacob Aggrey
