Sports
Fallen standard of the Black Stars
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Ghana football a score ago, was a beauty and delight to watch; a gem to lay your life for and an opportunity to elevate your spirit. Times have past and fast forward, the spirit of the nation behind the famous and trusted Black Stars of Ghana has drown in the abyss of fallen standard.
Fans no longer enjoy the game of our once beloved Black Stars. Gone were the days our skeletons danced to the clamouring sounds of “vuvuzelas” at the stadium. In the midst of opposing noise, the standout language was “Black Stars, Do or Die” with a countless number the red, yellow and green colours on display in every corner of the country.
Indeed, Ghana owes gratitude to likes of Tony Yeboah, Abedi Pele, Shamo Quaye, Sammy Kuffuor, just to mention a few. These are the legends who committed themselves even without inducement making sure that, Ghana had its name written in the historical books of the African biggest tournament – African Cup of Nations (AFCON) and the world at large.
If we recall the Black Stars’ history, the last time the Stars won a trophy was in the year 1982. Subsequently, Black Stars have succeeded in qualifying to the AFCON many times, but failed to bring the trophy home unlike the Pharaohs of Egypt with whom they once upon a time rocked shoulders with on the continent.
African exploit
The Stars have successfully won four times the biggest tournament in Africa. The story started in 1963 – that was the fourth edition of the AFCON as Ghana hosted. They eventually made it to the finals to face Sudan on home soil. Goodness dawned on the Stars with a three-goal margin to lift the first trophy. Afterwards, the winning spirit settled on the Stars in the next edition of the tournament in 1965 making it, a back-to-back.
Preceding that, the Pharaohs of Egypt won the trophy twice; the first and second editions of the tournament to become the first country to win it twice in a row. It was a tie between the Stars and the Pharaohs until Ghana broke the tie with two more trophies in 1978 and 1982.
I am very sure the cheering hearts at the time believed the Black Stars would remain the leading nation in the AFCON. It is rather unfortunate that, since the last trophy won in 1982, Black Stars is yet to lift a trophy. However, the Pharaohs have managed to lift it five more times making it a record seven times including the ones they won in three consecutive editions (2006, 2008, and 2010). Painfully, the last trophy the Egyptians celebrated on the African stage was an encounter with the Black Stars in Angola.
As if that was not enough, the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon never tasted Africa glory when Ghana last lifted its fourth trophy; however, history now remembers Cameroon as the second most successful on the Continent of Africa after lifting it five times. Nigeria, a West Africa neighbour is breathing on the neck of Ghana with a trophy to equal Ghana; even though it also won none as at the time the Black Stars won it for the fourth time.
It must be well noted that, the Black Stars is in history the worst performing country at the AFCON finals, having lost the final five times. Ghana lost to Congo (Kinshasa), Sudan, and Egypt in 1968, 1970 and 2010 respectively; they also lost to West African neighbours La Cote d’ Ivoire in 1992 and 2015 on penalties. In effect, all two trophies won by “Les Elephants De La Cote d’ Ivoire” came at the hands of the Stars.
Exploit of local players
The Stars have tasted some sweet feet in football in Africa. The likes of Abedi Pele, Tony Yeboah and Sammy Kuffor made history for Ghana. In the 1960s down to late 2000s, the Stars were dominated by locally talented players such as Dodoo Ankrah, Ernest Joe De Graft, Addo Odametey, Atta Kwame, Charles Taylor and several others. These players were dominating in the local league; they played for Real Republicans (which dissolved in 1966), Accra Hearts of Oak and Asante Kotoko. They were equally good as the Pharaohs unlike the recent Black Stars.
Nowadays, we had and have big names who play in some of the top football leagues in the world – English Premier League, Spanish LaLiga, Italian Serie A and others, yet, trophies fail to smile at us. The golden generation of the Black Stars with Stars such as Asamoah Gyan, Stephen Appiah, Michael Essien, Sulley Muntari, Richard Kingson, John Mensah, Samuel Adjei, Dede Ayew and other international league players failed to win a single trophy. Imagine, when Black Stars was dominated by locally talented players, they won trophies so the acclaimed international players could have done better than that.
Look at the Pharaohs, even in the 21st century, you can count the number of players who played abroad in their national team. It seems they believe in their “home-made” players than those abroad. Players such as Mohammed Hany, Zizo, Afsha, Abdallah El Said, Mohamed Abu Treika played in their local league. They played the likes of Zamalek, Al Ahly and Pyramids equivalent to our local such Hearts of Oak, Asante Kotoko and other teams in the Ghana Premier League.
The patriotic spirit that elevated Black Stars into the memory of African football and the world seems to be in exchange for some foreign “papers with numbers” on them. The cheering spirits have significantly faded. The “street love” for the Black Stars has washed away.
There is a high possibility that if individuals who are fortunate to manage the Stars revisit the ancient way of selecting players “sankofa yenkyi”, Black Stars will rise again to resurrect the “street love” for Ghana football.
BY FRANCIS ELORM AGUDU
With the 2026/27 Ghana Premier League season set to kick off on September 4, clubs have continued to fine-tune their squads, with a number of late additions and free-agent deals shaping up ahead of the new campaign.
From established Premier League sides such as Asante Kotoko, Hearts of Oak, Medeama, Aduana FC, FC Samartex and Berekum Chelsea to ambitious lower-tier clubs, there has been significant movement in the transfer market.
Here is a rundown of the notable deals involving Ghana Premier League clubs:
Medeama SC strengthen across the pitch
Medeama have been among the busiest clubs, adding depth in midfield, defence and attack. The Mauve and Yellows have brought in Etse Dogli from Heart of Lions on a three-year deal, while Emmanuel Boateng arrives from Eleven Wonders on a two-year contract. Dominic Frimpong, a free agent, has also joined to bolster the attack on a three-year deal. Other additions include Usman Safianu, Abdul Rahman Yaya, Emmanuel Annor from Nations FC, and winger Emmanuel Fobi, who arrives from Georgia’s Dila Gori on a three-year deal.
Medeama have also recruited Issah Ibrahim from Latvia, Sudanese goalkeeper Monged Abuzaid Salman, midfielder Blessing Kwabena Dwamena, Jelillu Osman from New Edubiase, Emmanuel Anokye from Sporting Club Accra, and right-back Ebenezer Adade from Dreams FC.
Port City FC add experience and attacking options
Port City have also been active, bringing in several players to strengthen their squad. Kwabena Adu Meider and Francis Gyetuah arrive as free agents, while Stephen Diyou joins from Hohoe United.
The club have also secured Gideon Waja from WAFA, Ishak Suraj from Lebanese side Al Ahly, free-agent defender Samuel Gyimah, goalkeeper Daniel Amissah on a two-year deal, and Elliot Affotey from Heart of Lions on a three-year contract. Daniel Osei Snr., a defensive midfielder from Hohoe United, completes another addition to the squad.
Hearts of Oak bring in several young talents
Hearts of Oak have invested heavily in young players, including a number of long-term deals. Abdul Aziz arrives from Swedru All Blacks on a three-year deal, while free agent Ebenezer Amoh joins on a two-year contract. The Phobians have also secured Rockson Kyeremeh and centre-back Manuel Osei Djan from PAC Academy, both on five-year contracts.
Other arrivals include Caleb Koranteng from Victory Club Warriors, Alex Banso from Namoro FC, free-agent right-back Prince Amevor, goalkeeper Vicente Anane, Ivorian forward Mamadou Kader Kourouma, and free-agent defensive midfielder Dominic Nsobila.
Swedru All Blacks continue recruitment drive
Swedru All Blacks have added a sizeable group of players. Among them are Mohammed Musah Salifu from Tamale City, David Lartey from Dreams Chasers, Prince Arthur and Kelvin Ampoful from Nations FC, and winger Samuel Osei Kofi from Nsuopun Fidelity.
Free agent Faisal Chawetey, forward Vincent Baah Jnr from Tema Faith, centre-back Michael Abrokwa from Nations FC, forward John Ahuma Ocansey, midfielder Godfred Yartey from Cheetah FC, winger Andy Koramoah from Auroras, right-back Kojo Quansah from Samartex, and defender Latif Blessing from Cheetah FC have also joined.
Samartex add four
FC Samartex have strengthened with four additions. Ebenezer Okrah and Prince Affum arrive from Sefwi All Stars, while Joshua Fuseini joins from Golden Kick. Meshack Adjetey Sowah also arrives from Vision FC on a three-year deal.
Aduana FC bolster defence and attack
Aduana FC have brought in several players, including free agent Shawkan Hunalf Mohammed, defensive midfielder Samuel Tenedu from Berekum Chelsea, and centre-back Boa-At Regain from Bechem United. They have also signed free agent Stephen Amankona, right-back Abdul Latif Mohammed from Victory Club Warriors, winger Emmanuel Abban from Bechem United, Zakaria Fuseini from Techiman Liberty Youth, and free-agent left-back Bismark Anim on a two-year deal.
AshantiGold make international additions
FC Ashantigold have recruited from both Ghana and abroad. Raphael Kodjo Etchonou arrives from ESA Academy in Togo, while Burkina Faso defender Ben Yamine Nassirou Kabore joins from Etoile Filante. The club have also signed free-agent right-back Kamal Suraje on a three-year deal and goalkeeper Kwaku Musah, also on a three-year contract.
Other additions include Fatao Seidu, Sirinu Huzaifah from Skyy FC, Saddick Ibrahim Abubakar from Skyy, Ishmael Acquah from Skyy, William Addo from Unity FC, free-agent winger Alhassan Benny, and goalkeeper Thomas Kwabena Osei from Heart of Lions.
Gold Stars add attacking firepower
Gold Stars have brought in Nicholas Amekpewu from Elmina Sharks on a three-year deal, while centre-back Claude Shooting Bortey arrives as a free agent. They have also signed Kwame Opoku, another free agent, on a two-year deal.
Heart of Lions build new-look squad
Heart of Lions have also been busy, with several free-agent signings. Francis Odoom from Hohoe United joins on a two-year deal, alongside centre-back Abdul Jalilu, goalkeeper Edmund Wireko, winger William Oduro, centre-back Pius Baffuor, winger Sena Ati, and forward Mustapha Yakubu. Stephen Afoakwa from Faith Football Academy is another addition.
Other notable movements
Berekum Chelsea have recruited forward Jamal Haruna on a three-year deal, while Diawisie Taylor, Awuah Dramani, Chyereme Shadirac, Fuseini Zakaria, goalkeeper Zulka Massawudu, and Augustine Boakye have also joined.
At Asante Kotoko SC, goalkeeper Danlad Ibrahim arrives on a two-year deal, while the Porcupine Warriors have also added Emmanuel Mamah, Ivorian centre-back Koffi Marius Ange Bini, free agent Isaac Opoku Agyemang, Burkina Faso midfielder Abdoul Kader Tarnagda, Cameroonian midfielder Solomon Nsor Asaah, Moroccan goalkeeper Abdel Wadie Mourad, and Albanian defender Umar Ali from Partizani.
Karela United have signed Wisdom Jonas Manyina from RTU on a three-year deal, alongside Frank Ackom from Nsuopun Fidelity, Iddi Mahfuz, Edmund Afurapoe from Eleven Wonders, goalkeeper Kwaku Musah, Angel Ewulla, Collins Ntiful from Okwawu United, Issah Abdul Basit from Golden Warriors, forward Mohammed Alhassan Mankuyeli, Ebenezer Amegah from Hohoe United, and free-agent forward Prince Opoku Agyemang. Vision FC have also added Kwadwo Boamah from Hohoe United and Faruk Mohammed from Nations FC.
The final preparations begin
With the transfer deadline now passed and the Ghana Premier League scheduled to begin on September 4, attention will turn from recruitment to preparation.
The sheer volume of movement suggests that several clubs will enter the new campaign with significantly different squads. For coaches, the immediate challenge will be turning these new arrivals into cohesive teams before the opening whistle of the new Premier League season.
The Black Princesses will play Polish side Sleza Wroclaw, a team in the Orlen Ekstraliga Kobiet, in their first international friendly match in Wroclaw, Poland.
The game will be held behind closed doors as Ghana continue preparations ahead of the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup.
The friendly offers Black Princesses head coach Charles Sampson another valuable opportunity to assess his squad, build cohesion and sharpen tactics.
The game will be played on Tuesday, August 25, 2026, at the Stadion Sportowy Olawka in Wroclaw at 14:00 GMT.
The Black Princesses are making their eighth consecutive appearance at the biennial tournament, aiming to make it past the group stage for the first time in their history.
