Sports
Hudson-Odoi and Nketiah will add nothing to Black Stars – Derek Boateng
Former Ghana midfielder Derek Boateng has argued that inviting Callum Hudson-Odoi and Eddie Nketiah to the Black Stars will not benefit the team and could rather create problems within the squad.
Boateng shared his views during a discussion with Sporty fm on the ongoing debate about whether players who did not feature in Ghana’s qualifiers should be invited to the national team.
He stated that he did not think it was fair for players who failed to commit during qualification matches to be called up later, especially when others had worked hard throughout the campaign.
According to him, such decisions could hurt team unity and morale, stressing that football at the national level depended heavily on fairness and collective effort.
Boateng recalled an incident from his time with the national team to support his argument.
He explained that when the team travelled for an African qualifier, former Black Stars player Kevin-Prince Boateng was invited but failed to show up.
However, when the team later prepared to play a friendly match in England, the player appeared at the hotel and wanted to join the squad.
He noted that the technical team and players at the time insisted that Kevin-Prince Boateng leave the camp, explaining that it was unacceptable for a player to skip important qualifiers and then show up only for high-profile matches.
Boateng stressed that the same principle should apply now, insisting that Hudson-Odoi and Nketiah should not be invited because it would be unfair to players who featured in the qualifiers.
When asked whether the two England-based players would add anything positive to the team if invited, the former midfielder was emphatic that they would not.
He warned that bringing them in could create tension and division within the squad, as players who worked hard to qualify might feel sidelined and lose motivation.
Boateng explained that football was about teamwork and trust, and introducing players who did not take part in the qualification process could lead to resentment among teammates.
He, however, clarified that he did not entirely blame Hudson-Odoi and Nketiah for not playing for Ghana earlier, noting that there was a lack of proper engagement and support for them at the beginning of their international careers.
Despite this, Boateng maintained that the interest of the team should come first, adding that inviting the two players now would do more harm than good for the Black Stars.
By: Jacob Aggrey
The world over, the FA Cup is noted as a competition that produces winners whose pedigree can always be called into question.
This year in particular when many predicted an all-conquering Arsenal to win the English version of the championship, they were beaten by a struggling Manchester City side to win the trophy.
The season before, a dominant Manchester City side also surprisingly lost to Crystal Palace in a final many expected the east Manchester side to triumph.
The Ghana version of the competition is not spared of the surprises and uncertainties about the competition.
On Sunday at the University of Ghana Stadium, Nations FC walked a path that only defunct Ho Voradep treaded on 34 years ago when they suffered relegation in the 1992 edition but won the FA Cup competition.
Having faced the ignominy of relegation, Nations FC put up a strong fight to beat Dreams FC 5-4 on penalties to win the MTN FA Cup after drawing 1-1 in regulation and extra time.
Joseph Effah put Nations FC ahead in the 31st minute with a composed finish before Abdul Razak Salifu levelled for Dreams FC on the stroke of halftime.
Both sides had good chances in the second half and extra time, but all failed to find the back of the net again until the shoot-outs.
It was not just historic. It is the biggest silverware in their trophy cabinet. Though they would campaign from the lower tier of Ghana football, they would hoist Ghana’s flag in the CAF Confederations Cup competition in the next season.
It was a dramatic and memorable season, leaving huge responsibility on the tiny shoulders of Dr Kwame Kyei’s Nations FC.
The focus is now on the future for the winners considering the financial challenge that comes with participation for the continental championship others to arise regarding the acceptance of their home venue.
While commending the FA Cup committee and MTN Ghana, the headline sponsors, one hopes that corporate sectors consider that difficulty and rush to the aid of the club. Ayekoo, Nations FC.
By Andrew Nortey
Sports
National Teams Ambassador, Asamoah Gyan visits Black Queens training, rallies team ahead of WAFCON
National Teams Ambassador, Asamoah Gyan, paid a visit to the Black Queens during training on Wednesday.
The former Black Stars striker offered words of encouragement as the team continued preparations for the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON).
He congratulated the players and technical team for securing qualification to the continental showpiece and urged the team to remain focused, give their best whenever they step onto the pitch and to continue working hard.
The visit marked one of Gyan’s first engagements with a national team since his appointment as Ambassador for Ghana’s national teams.
He also assured the players of his commitment to supporting and motivating the team as they build towards WAFCON.
Gyan’s presence was warmly received by the players and technical staff, with the football icon sharing his experience and inspiring the squad as well.
The Black Queens are currently in camp in Accra as the team continue preparations under coach Kim Lars Björkegren.
