Sports
FA refutes false media reports about Sports Minister and urges support for Black Queens
The Ghana Football Association (GFA) has refuted false media reports attributed to the Sports Minister, Kofi Adams.
According to the FA, the Minister did not call the bluff of the Queens.
They added in a press statement that at no point in the meeting did the Minister dared the players to boycott the return league and leave camp.
The Football Association further urged the media and the general public to rally behind the Black Queens by turning up in their numbers at the Accra Sports Stadium on today to cheer them up.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
Read the statement below
The Ghana Football Association (GFA) has taken notice of widespread media reports alleging that the Minister of Sports and Recreation, Hon. Kofi Adams, “called off the bluff” of the Black Queens during a meeting and dared them to boycott the return leg of the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Egypt on Tuesday.
The GFA wishes to categorically deny and clarify these reports as false and misleading. The facts are as follows:
- A meeting was held involving the Minister of Sports and Recreation, the GFA President and the leadership of the Black Queens to discuss outstanding financial matters and preparations for the second- leg fixture following the team’s impressive 3-0 victory in the first leg against Egypt.
- During the meeting, the Minister appealed to the conscience of the players to remain focused and to honour the return-leg fixture, while assuring them that the Government is taking immediate steps to resolve the financial impasse.
- At no point did the Minister “call off the bluff” of the players or instruct them to boycott the upcoming match. Such reports are entirely inaccurate and do not reflect the spirit or content of the discussions that took place.
- The GFA continues to work closely and harmoniously with the Ministry of Sports and Recreation to address the concerns of the players and ensure that the Black Queens receive the necessary support to excel.
The Ghana Football Association urges the media and the public to disregard the misleading reports and to rely on official communications from the GFA and the Ministry regarding matters of national football importance.
The GFA remains committed to fostering transparency, unity and collaboration among all stakeholders as the Black Queens continue their quest for qualification to the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations.
The Football Association urges the media and the general public to rally behind the Black Queens by turning up in their numbers at the Accra Sports Stadium on Tuesday to cheer the team on to victory. The unwavering support of Ghanaians will serve as a strong motivation for the players as they seek to complete their qualification campaign in style and make the nation proud.
Ashantigold SC has terminated the contracts of three members of its technical team with immediate effect.
The affected officials are head coach and technical director Abdul Karim Zito, assistant coach Ernest Okyere, and goalkeepers’ trainer Robert Dabo.
The decision was announced in a statement signed by the club’s Chief Executive Officer, Edward Kwasi Akuoko.
According to the statement, the decision was taken following a consultative meeting by the Interim Management Committee on Monday, October 26, 2026.
The club says a caretaker coach has been appointed to steer the affairs of the team until a substantive coach/technical director is appointed.
Management expressed gratitude to the affected officials for their contribution and service to the team and wished them well in their future endeavours.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
England captain Harry Kane says it was extra special to be presented with the Ballon d’Or by one of his childhood idols.
Kane made the comment after receiving the prestigious award from former Brazilian striker Ronaldo Nazario.
“Ronaldo was one of my idols growing up,” Kane said.
The Bayern Munich striker described the moment as surreal, being honoured by a player he looked up to as a young footballer.
Kane was announced as the 2026 Ballon d’Or winner on Monday, October 26, at the London Palladium, marking the 70th anniversary of the award and the first time the ceremony was held outside France.
The 33-year-old beat stiff competition from second-placed Kylian Mbappe and Barcelona youngster Lamine Yamal to win his first ever Ballon d’Or.
He becomes the first Englishman to win the coveted individual award in 25 years since Michael Owen in 2001, and only the fifth Englishman ever after Stanley Matthews, Bobby Charlton, Kevin Keegan and Owen.
He is also the first Bayern Munich player to win the award since Karl-Heinz Rummenigge in 1981.
Kane won the award after a remarkable season in which he scored 61 goals in 51 club matches, the most a Bayern player has ever scored in one campaign.
Including England matches, it was 73 goals plus eight assists in 65 matches. His 73 goals is the second-highest single-season total ever behind Lionel Messi’s 82 in 2011-12.
Despite the goal haul, Kane did not win the Champions League or World Cup, with Bayern losing 6-5 on aggregate to Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League semi-finals and England losing 2-1 to Argentina in the World Cup semi-final before finishing third.
The award was presented by Brazilian great Ronaldo Nazario, a two-time Ballon d’Or winner himself, adding what was described as a special dimension to Kane’s historic achievement.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
