Sports
‘Black Stars not there yet’
After seeing Mali undone by Alexander Djiku’s second half strike to give Ghana a 1-0 victory over Mali on Monday in a 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier in Accra, Otto Addo gave his thoughts in the post-match press conference.
Below are excerpts.
On the game against Mali
You could see that we have a young squad and players who haven’t been playing often for the national team so far; that made them nervous. I think we got a good game.
We increased the pressure early in the second half, and managed to score out of a set piece. And then it was pure fight afterwards, especially the period after the goal.
On decision-making in the final third
I think if you have played before, you know that sometimes there’s a little bounce from the ball or the position is close and you think too much, I told them actually, but as a footballer, it’s normal that you try to look for a perfect solution.
Semenyo’s performance
He did really well, you know, it’s difficult to compare games from the Premier League with games in Africa and Ghana. It’s very, very difficult and then all games have their own nature and surely you can say that he stands more out in the Premier League, but for me today he was excellent, he fought until he couldn’t run anymore.
On Gideon Mensah
Well, I think sometimes he’s a little bit too confident and we had, especially after the Chad game, had some talks and for everyone who has played football on a higher level.
If he does it in La Liga, it’s fine because in La Liga, if you lose the ball to your opponent, he will counter-press you. He needs to simplify his game sometimes. Didn’t look too complicated, but it’s difficult sometimes if you’re coming from a different environment to switch your thinking.
On Kwasi Sibo’s performance
First of all, big congrats for him. I think he really did well. It’s not easy to come from a different environment to fit into the squad, but yeah, he knows a lot of players already in the team and he connected well. He’s very, very confident and I think he did extremely well, especially when you see that this was his first match. .
On Ghanaians being overly expectant
No, I think the expectations are normal. We are Ghana. For me, if everybody is talking before the Chad game that we already won and we are already taking the three points, it’s dangerous because if this gets to the heads of the fans, it’s a problem for me.
I’m warning everybody who think we have already gone to the World Cup to take things easy. It’s not like that. We have to give the same effort as today to beat Central African Republic. If we don’t do this, it’s a big problem. We have a lot of work to do. A lot of work. It’s going to be very, very difficult.
On goal scoring
You know, the last window, we scored eight goals. I think it was ok, but we can’t expect it all the time. So I hope that the players who missed the chances would score the next time. But it’s all about learning, improving and adapting always to the circumstances.
And I think in each situation, they could have taken one, two, three steps more or more time to look for the partner to have a better overview to give the right pass.
Sports
Black Queens Set to Face England Lionesses in International Friendly
The Black Queens will face the Lionesses of England in a high-profile international friendly on December 2,2025 per agreement between the Ghana Football Association (GFA) and the England Football Association.
After reaching the semi-finals at the 2024 WAFCON, the Black Queens are determined to build on that performance and establish themselves among the elite teams on the continent.
This match comes off as part of Ghana’s preparations for all international assignments, including the 2026 Africa Women’s Cup of Nations (WAFCON).
The fixture against England, one of the world’s top-ranked sides and reigning European champions, is expected to provide the Queens with a tough test that will sharpen the squad.
Head coach Kim Lars Björkegren will also seize the golden opportunity to measure the team’s progress, expose the players to world-class opposition, and correct areas that need improvement.
The Black Queens will head into the encounter motivated to put up a strong performance, not only to test their readiness but also to showcase the strides Ghana continues to make in women’s football on the international stage.
Sports
Ghana Premier League Returns with Fresh Signings, New Coaches and High Expectations
The Ghana Premier League (GPL) is back for the 2025/26 season, promising one of the most competitive campaigns yet. Clubs across the country have strengthened their technical teams and recruited a blend of youth and experience as they aim to improve their squads and challenge for honours.
Our GPL Statistician, Shaban Mohammed provides a rundown of how clubs have shaped up in the preseason ahead of Friday’s kickoff.
Defending Champions Gold Stars Ready for Title Defence
Gold Stars, reigning league champions, have reinforced their squad in all departments. Backup goalkeeper Kwadwo Osei Bonsu joins to compete with Emmanuel Kobi, while the attack has been bolstered with Sampson Eduku, Prince Opoku Agyemang, Emmanuel Agyenim Boateng, and Burkinabé international Sanou Razack. Midfield stalwarts Francis Twene, Emmanuel Fosu Kyei, Emmanuel Kontor, Emmanuel Agyei, and Emmanuel Kojo Addy are expected to be pivotal. The champions head into the season on a high after lifting the Ghalca Top Four trophy.
Kotoko, Hearts and Lions Eye the Crown
Asante Kotoko also have their sights firmly set on the league title. Under coach Abdul Karim Zito, the Porcupine Warriors won the President’s Cup against Hearts of Oak, the Toyota Cup against Kaizer Chiefs, and the Champion of Champions match over Gold Stars. Key arrivals include goalkeeper Dari Aziz Haruna from Bechem United, Walid Fuseini, Sahyibu Abubakari, Musah Hamzata, Joseph Amoah, and Guinean striker Morifing Donzo.
Hearts of Oak are undergoing a resurgence under new head coach Mas-Ud Didi Dramani. After winning the Homowo and Democracy Cups and finishing joint-top of the GHALCA Top Four, the Phobians have strengthened their side with goalkeeper Solomon Agbasi, forward Prince Kwabena Owusu, Ali Mohammed, Paaku George, Rocky Dwamena, Abdul Karim, Frank Abora Duku, Baba Adamu, and Henry Kwaku Boateng.
Heart of Lions are also in the mix for the title after a strong pre-season. They have added Dennis Korsah, Chauncy Freeman, Michael Noumon, Yaw Polo, Emmanuel Anokye, and Faisal James to their squad.
Aduana FC, Karela United Lead Transfer Rush
Aduana FC were among the most active in the transfer window, signing experienced goalkeeper Obeng Sekyere Gregory from Berekum Chelsea, forward Mizack Afriyie, and striker Remember Adomako from Accra Lions. Former club captain Bright Adjei also returns, alongside Patrick Mensah, Riise Opoku Mensah, Dominic Frimpong, and Abdul Aziz Nurudeen.
Karela United, who have narrowly avoided relegation in the past two seasons, have rebuilt their squad with Evans Osei Wusu (a league winner with Samartex), Bless Ege (2024 MTN FA Cup finalist), goalkeepers Daniel Afadzwu and Kelvin Kofi Saaba, and foreign signings Oliver Adom from Ivory Coast and Cameroonian forward Franky Aoudou.
Key Signings Across the League
· Asante Kotoko: Lord Hilary Adaboi (Samartex), Dari Aziz Haruna (Bechem United), Walid Fuseini.
· Hearts of Oak: Solomon Agbasi (Free Agent), Abdul Karim (Nations FC), Prince Kwabena Owusu (Gold Stars).
· Medeama SC: Rich Sackey (Aduana FC), Fuzy Taylor (Accra Lions).
· Berekum Chelsea: Augustine Agyapong, Michael Awuah Mensah, Samuel Amofa.
· Vision FC: Dickson Afoakwa (Rainmasters), Kwame Aziz (Legon Cities).
· Nations FC: Faruk Mohammed (Hohoe United), Lawrence Ansah.
· Swedru All Blacks: John Andoh (Soccer Intellectuals), Junior Yeboah (Pac Academy), Benjamin York.
· Hohoe United: Michael Yeboah (Great Olympics), Alhassan Adamu (Karela), Maxwell Agyemang.
· Eleven Wonders: Daniel Lomotey (formerly WAFA, Medeama, Young Apostles).
Coaching Carousel: Continuity and Change
Only two of the 18 GPL clubs have appointed foreign coaches: Swedru All Blacks hired Egyptian Ahmed Fati, while Aduana FC retained Romanian Cioba Arista. Ten clubs maintained their coaches, including Abdul Karim Zito (Asante Kotoko), Frimpong Manso (Gold Stars), Nurudeen Amadu (Karela United), Nana Agyemang (Vision FC), Ibrahim Tanko (Medeama SC), Samuel Boadu (Berekum Chelsea), Christopher Ennin (Samartex), Bashir Hayford (Heart of Lions), and Kasim Mingle Ocansey (Nations FC).
Hearts of Oak, Eleven Wonders, Basake Holy Stars, Swedru All Blacks, Hohoe United, Dreams FC, Bechem United, and Young Apostles have all appointed new coaches as they seek to refresh their technical directions.
With major signings, tactical shake-ups, and heightened ambitions across the board, the 2025/26 Ghana Premier League season is shaping up to be one of the most thrilling campaigns in recent times’ memory.
