Sports
Dr. Prosper Narteh Ogum Appointed Black Starlets Head Coach and head of Coach Education
The Executive Council has appointed Dr. Prosper Narteh Ogum as the new head coach of the Ghana U17 national team, the Black Starlets, ahead of the upcoming WAFU Zone B U17 Boys Championship in Nigeria and has also been handed the role of Head of Coach Education, replacing Desmond Ofei.
Dr. Ogum takes over from Coach Frimpong Manso, who steps aside to fully concentrate on his club duties with Bibiani GoldStars as they prepare for their maiden campaign in the CAF Champions League. The GFA expresses its gratitude to Coach Manso for his dedication to youth football and congratulates him on leading GoldStars to a historic Ghana Premier League title.
The WAFU Zone B U17 Championship, scheduled for September 2025, serves as a qualifier for the 2025 U17 Africa Cup of Nations. With this critical tournament on the horizon, the Executive Council has entrusted Dr. Ogum with the responsibility of guiding the Black Starlets back to continental prominence.
Dr. Ogum boasts a rich coaching portfolio. He led Asante Kotoko to a Ghana Premier League title and previously steered WAFA to a second-place league finish. His experience also includes stints with Ebusua Dwarfs and the Black Galaxies, where he served as assistant coach. His background in talent development and tactical acumen makes him a fitting choice to nurture Ghana’s next generation of football stars.
With preparations for the WAFU Championship already in motion, Dr. Ogum is expected to intensify efforts in assembling a competitive and well-prepared squad. The GFA remains fully committed to providing the technical and logistical support needed to ensure the team’s success on the road to the U17 AFCON.
In addition to his role with the Black Starlets, Dr. Prosper Narteh Ogum has also been appointed as the GFA’s new Head of Coach Education. He takes over from Desmond Ofei, to allow him to fully focus on his duties as the assistant coach of the Black Stars.
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Sports
President Simeon-Okraku hails Black Queens’ Bronze medal, reaffirms commitment to Women’s football development
President Kurt Edwin Simeon-Okraku has expressed immense pride in the Black Queens’ historic Bronze medal win at the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, emphasizing the importance of continued investment in women’s football.
Following Ghana’s third-place triumph, the 2nd Vice CAF President highlighted the impact of the GFA’s strategic initiatives, including the DNA Women’s Football Strategy.
He “From the moment we developed the strategy, launched the talent identification program, established the Academy in the North, invested in the Women’s Premier League, and boosted TV coverage, we knew we were on the right path,” he said. “Thank God for the Bronze. Our investment in women’s football is yielding results, and we’re confident about our collective future.”
President Simeon-Okraku praised the Black Queens for their resilience and determination, acknowledging that their achievement signals greater potential for Ghanaian women’s football.
“We need to let the team enjoy this moment. Although they didn’t win the ultimate trophy, their achievement speaks volumes about the huge potential in our women’s game,” he stated.
Looking ahead, he emphasized the need for sustained investment, expanded talent identification programs, and a structured pathway for player development from the U-15 level to the senior national team.
“With the right investment, more talent identification programs, and a natural progression of players, we’ll reach our desired destination,” he affirmed. “The talent in them is unbelievable.”
The Black Queens’ bronze medal marks Ghana’s first WAFCON podium finish in over two decades, reigniting hopes for a new era of dominance in African women’s football.
Sports
Black Queens receive hero’s welcome in Accra after WAFCON Bronze triumph
The Black Queens returned home to a warm and emotional welcome in Accra after securing the Bronze medal at the 2024 TotalEnergies Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco.
Upon arrival at Kotoka International Airport, the team was greeted with thunderous applause, chants, waving flags, and traditional drumming by fans and officials. The players, dressed in team colors and proudly displaying their bronze medals, were visibly moved by the outpouring of love and support.
The team was received by prominent officials, including CAF 2nd Vice President and GFA President Kurt Okraku, Minister for Sports and Recreation Hon. Kofi Iddie Adams, GFA Vice President Mark Addo, and other GFA executives. Captain Portia Boakye led the team, lifting the medal high to the cheers of the crowd, symbolizing the team’s hard-fought journey.
The Technical staff, led by head coach Kim Lars Björkegren, and GFA representatives joined in the celebrations. The GFA and Ministry of Sports and Recreation have praised the team’s efforts, with plans underway for an official ceremony to honor their performance and inspire future investments in Women’s football.
The Bronze medal marks a significant milestone, reflecting years of hard work, structured reforms, and renewed focus on women’s football in Ghana. It’s a testament to the team’s dedication and progress.
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