Sports
Ghana face Morocco in AFCON
GHANA will open their delayed 2021 Africa Cup of Nations tournament with a first-round Group C clash with the Atlas of Morocco on January 10.
In a draw conducted on Tuesday night, the Black Stars were also pitted against Gabon (January 14) and the Comoros Islands (January 18) in a group described by the experts as cagey.
In 2008, hosts Ghana claimed a 2-0 win over Morocco, courtesy of goals from Michael Essien and Sulley Muntari.
Holders Algeria have also drawn former winners Cote d’Ivoire in Group E where they will as well face Sierra Leone and Equatorial Guinea.
The other tournament debutants, Gambia, will play in Group F alongside Tunisia, Mali and Mauritania.
Nigeria – three-time winners of the competition – have a tough test in Group D where they will face Mohamed Salah’s Egypt, Sudan and Guinea-Bissau.
Sadio Mane’s Senegal, who suffered the heartbreak of losing the 2019 final to Algeria, will take on Zimbabwe, Guinea and Malawi in Group B.
Hosts Cameroon, seeking a sixth title, were put in Group A with Ethiopia, Cape Verde and Burkina Faso, who they will face in the opening match in Yaounde.
The tournament, which features 24 teams and runs from January 9 to February 6, will see the winners and runners-up in each of the six groups, plus the best four third-placed teams, reach the knockout phase.
Sports
GFA President engages Maryland State Leadership as GFA intensifies 2026 World Cup preparations
President of the Football Association and 2nd Vice-President of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), Kurt Edwin Simeon-Okraku, has paid a working visit to the Office of the Governor of the State of Maryland as part of ongoing high-level engagements ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America.
During the visit, the President held productive discussions with the Honourable Aruna Miller, Lieutenant Governor of the State of Maryland, and Chief of Staff Geri Royals Byrd. The meeting explored areas of mutual interest and potential collaboration aimed at supporting Ghana’s participation in the global showpiece, which will be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.
The engagement forms part of the GFA President’s broader diplomatic and institutional outreach in the United States, focused on strengthening partnerships that will enhance operational planning, logistics, fan engagement and overall support for the Black Stars during the tournament. President Simeon-Okraku emphasised the importance of early coordination with key stakeholders across host cities and states to ensure a seamless experience for the team and Ghanaian supporters.
With Ghana drawn in Group L, the Black Stars will begin their World Cup campaign against Panama in Toronto, before facing England in Boston and concluding the group stage with a clash against Croatia in Philadelphia.
The multi-city schedule presents unique logistical demands, underscoring the need for strong institutional collaboration and strategic planning.
President Simeon-Okraku, who has been holding a series of meetings with strategic partners across the United States, reiterated the Football Association’s commitment to delivering a well-organised and memorable World Cup campaign for the team.
He noted that these engagements are critical to advancing Ghana’s interests, projecting a positive national image and ensuring that the Black Stars are adequately supported on and off the pitch.
The GFA will continue to build alliances that will contribute to a successful and impactful 2026 FIFA World Cup experience for Ghana.
Black Galaxies head coach Kasim Mingle Ocansey has expressed confidence ahead of Ghana’s international friendly against South Africa, insisting his side will provide a stern test for Bafana Bafana.
Speaking in a pre-match interview, Ocansey noted that the encounter presents a valuable opportunity for the Black Galaxies to demonstrate their quality, while stressing that his team is not under pressure.
“This game is an opportunity for the Black Galaxies to prove that they are a very good side. I’m happy to have this friendly, but my team is not under any pressure. We believe in building, and that is exactly what I am doing,” he said.
The Black Galaxies will face South Africa at the Dobsonville Stadium on Tuesday, with kick-off scheduled for 2:00 pm Ghana time.
