Sports
GFA condemns acts of hooliganism, imposes immediate ban on Nsoatreman FC Home Venue and Initiates investigations into violent incidents
Thr Ghana Football Association (GFA) has condemned unfortunate incident of hooliganism which happened at Nsoatreman yesterday.
Thr incident, unfortunately led to the loss of life.
Many have called on the FA to take a swift action against perpetrators.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
Read the full statement below
The Ghana Football Association (GFA) strongly condemns acts of violence and lawlessness that marred the Ghana Premier League match between Kumasi Asante Kotoko and Nsoatreman FC on Sunday, February 2, 2025 at Nana Kronamansah Park.
The tragic events resulted in the loss of life, several injuries, and the destruction of property—an unacceptable blemish on the integrity of our game.
The GFA extends its deepest condolences to the family of the deceased and wishes a swift recovery to those injured.
The Executive Committee of the GFA has, with immediate effect, invoked Article 14(2) of the Premier League Regulations, by banning the use of the Nsoatreman FC home venue until further notice. This action ensures the safety of all stakeholders while investigations proceed.
Furthermore, the GFA has tasked the Security Committee led by DCOP Lydia Donkor and the FA Prosecutors, to immediately move to site and gather all necessary evidence, including match reports and relevant documentation, to present to the FA’s Disciplinary Committee for adjudication of all sporting matters.
Additionally, the GFA has formally engaged the Ghana Police Service to immediately conduct a full-scale investigation into the incident and bring all perpetrators to justice. We expect law enforcement agencies to deploy all necessary tools to ensure that those responsible for these heinous acts are identified, arrested, and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
The GFA reminds all clubs, players, officials, and supporters that there is zero tolerance for acts of violence, intimidation, and hooliganism in Ghana football. The FA will not hesitate to impose severe sanctions on any club, official, or supporter found culpable of engaging in or inciting such behaviour.
Further updates on this matter, including decisions from the GFA Disciplinary Committee and law enforcement investigations, will be communicated in due course.
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
