Sports
Avoid another Bochum disaster
GERMANY holds an impressive and dominant head-to-head record over Ghana in association football. Both countries have clashed on three occasions at the highest level of football—twice at the FIFA World Cup and once, an international friendly.
At the World Cup, the Germans defeated the Black Stars 1-0 at the African World Cup (South Africa 2010) and drew 2-2 at the same platform four years later in Brazil.
The outcome of the April 14, 1993 international friendly was one Ghanaians would not want to be reminded about. With some of the finest performers on the continent of Africa donning the Ghana jersey, the Germans walloped the Black Stars 6-1 to record what was christened the infamous ‘Bochum disaster.’ Despite leading at halftime with a Prince Polley goal assisted by Abedi Pele, Ghana conceded six second-half goals in 27 minutes.
This is a country that prides itself as four-time world champions (1954, 1974, 1990, and 2014) from a total of eight finals, three gold medals in UEFA European Championship (1972, 1980, 1996), one Olympic title (1976) and a FIFA Confederations Cup (2017). A friendly with the Germans is more of a privilege and they have a reason why; but it should be an opportunity Ghana must grab with both hands to attempt to exorcise the Bochum ghost or find a way to grind the German machine.
It is the reason Ghanaians had high expectation for Otto Addo’s squad for the two friendlies against Austria in Vienna on March 27 before travelling to Stuttgart to face Germany on March 30.
As a friendly, one understands the need to try new players with a focus on identifying new and effective talents to strengthen the team for the World Cup proper. But it is clear that injuries to Kudus Mohammed, Francis Abu and Salisu Mohammed coupled with the poor form of quite a number of players could throw a spanner into Otto Addo’s wheels.
He has handed debut call-ups to four players – Derrick Luckassen of Pafos FC in Cyprus, Patrick Pfeiffer from German Bundesliga II side Darmstadt 98, Marvin Senaya of AJ Auxerre, and Daniel Agyei from Turkish club Kocaelispor – for this month’s international friendlies.
The 26-man squad also marked the return of Iñaki Williams, Ibrahim Sulemana, Alexander Djiku and Thomas Partey who has had little playing time with Villarreal and facing a few issues in court.
It doesn’t look like any promising squad capable of producing the results Ghanaian fans would hope to have. The excuse would obviously be that it was just an exercise to fine-tune but even if the Black Stars were to lose to the Germans who are also struggling for form, it should not be worse than the Bochum disaster.
Full squad:
Goalkeepers: Lawrence Ati-Zigi (St. Gallen), Benjamin Asare (Accra Hearts of Oak), Joseph Anang (St. Patrick’s Athletic).
Defenders: Patrick Pfeiffer (SV Darmstadt), Derrick Luckassen (Pafos FC), Derrick Kohn (Union Berlin), Jerome Opoku (Istanbul Basaksehir), Caleb Yirenkyi (FC Nordsjaelland), Kojo Oppoong Pepprah (OGC Nice), Jonas Adjetey (VFL Wolfsburg), Marvin Senaya (Auxerre), Alexander Djiku (Spartak Moscow), Gideon Mensah (Auxerre).
Midfielders: Thomas Partey (Villarreal), Elisha Owusu (Auxerre), Ibrahim Sulemana (Cagliari), Kwasi Sibo (Real Oviedo).
Forwards/Wingers: Brandon Thomas Asante (Coventry City), Jordan Ayew (Leicester City), Prince Adu (Viktoria Plzen), Christopher Bonsu Baah (Al Qadsiah), Abdul Fatawu Issahaku (Leicester City), Inaki Williams (Atletic Bilbao), Antoine Semenyo (Manchester City), Kamal Deen Sulemana (Atalanta), Daniel Agyei (Kocaelispor).
By Andrew Nortey
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.
