Sports
Journey well, Uncle Ebo
“I am a man for several seasons. I was born virtually on a cocoa farm, raised in a rural setting and became cosmopolitan, once spending 13 and a half years living in Her Majesty’s Great Britain. That is not all the contradictions surrounding my personality.”
The above was how Mr Kobina Ebo Quansah would describe himself when he meets you for the first time and wants to engage you.
On other occasions, he describes himself as a ‘Rebel with a course.’
In my developmental period as a Sports Journalist, he hardly called me by my name. He would look at me and just say ‘Hey my friend, my friend without history, how are you?
I often referred to him as ‘Ebusua’ due to his affinity with Mysterious Ebusua Dwarfs, then a formidable Premier League club.
Such is the quality, selfless, friendly, good-humoured and experienced member of Ghana’s inky fraternity that would be interred today at the Ekumfi Ekrawfo Methodist Cemetery.
Uncle Ebo died on June 26, 2025 after a short illness and although he’s no more, his works and legacy would continue to shape the profession and guide the young and upcoming journalists aiming to make it to the very top.
Beyond his uninviting look, when he sat behind a computer at the Design Section of the New Times Corporation (NTC), writing some of his hardcore stories cutting across the various sectors, especially sports, Uncle Ebo’s mood can swing immediately if you happen to be one of his buddies.
Despite the good relationship I had with him, Uncle Ebo was bothered about the choice of teams I support.
On one free day, he sent for me; when I entered his office, he offered me a sit.
“Hey my friend, my friend without history,” I have a big problem with you; today you must explain to me why you support Accra Great Olympics and Manchester City, two teams without history.
When I smiled, he snapped “No don’t laugh, I must understand why you support two teams without history.”
For Uncle Ebo, as ‘Accra boy’, my choices should have been Hearts of Oak and Manchester United, the latter being his favourite club in the English Premier League.
Many years after these conversation, I met Uncle Ebo and after some pleasantries’, he told me “my friend, you now have history and continue to carve more history for yourself,” referencing the change in fortunes of the two Manchester clubs.
It was one of the funny moments shared with this man who taught his subordinates to be fearless and selfless.
Today, he is no more but his memories would linger on. He stood for justice, he wrote and spoke against corruption. Fare thee well Uncle Ebo till we meet again.
Sports
Black Starlets arrives in Morocco on U-17 AFCON mission …FA boss charges team to make Ghana proud
The Black Starlets, the national U-17 male team, have safely arrived in Casablanca ahead of the 2026 U-17 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
The team departed Accra on Wednesday, travelling with a 35-man contingent made up of 21 players and 14 officials, all focused on delivering a strong campaign on the continental stage.
They completed a smooth five-hour flight to Morocco, where final preparations will continue before the tournament kicks off.
The technical team is expected to fine-tune tactics and build cohesion among the squad as they gear up for the competition.
The Ghana Football Association (GFA) President, Mr Kurt Edwin Simeon-Okraku, was present at the Accra International Airport to bid farewell to the team.
Speaking during a brief farewell at the Airport, the FA President urged the team to carry a ‘never say die’ spirit into the competition.
President Simeon-Okraku emphasised the importance of mental strength and unity, particularly in difficult moments during matches. His message was inspired by the team’s recent friendly encounters against Cote d’Ivoire, where they bounced back strongly after an initial defeat.
“I’m very happy that when you lost to Cote d’Ivoire in your first game during your friendly matches, you were able to bounce back—not only to dominate but to outscore them in the second game,” he said. “I read a lot of meaning into that, and I want all of you to keep that in your heads—that, it’s not over until it’s all over,” he added.
The FA president stressed that the ability to respond positively to setbacks would be crucial in a tournament as competitive as the AFCON.
He encouraged the players to stay united and support one another when the pressure intensifies on the continental stage.
“When the chips are down, that’s when we need to hold each other together,” Okraku added. “So go out there and make Ghana proud.”
Ghana will compete in Group D alongside Algeria, Senegal, and South Africa, with their opening match scheduled for Thursday, May 14.
Twenty-three (23) players have been called up for this month’s international friendly against Mexico.
The squad is composed of star players from the domestic league and European leagues who are closely monitored by Coach Carlos Queiroz, as well as U-23 players who will soon represent Ghana in the upcoming Olympic Games qualifiers.
Notable names include Majeed Ashimeru, Felix Afena-Gyan, Razak Simpson, and Birmingham City’s Ibrahim Osman.
Ashimeru returns to action after a long spell on the sidelines due to a muscle injury that limited his appearances at both club and national level.
Also in the team is Felix Afena-Gyan, whose last appearance for Ghana was in May last year when he featured against Trinidad and Tobago in the Unity Cup in London.
Barcelona B’s Abdul Aziz Issah, Ebenezer Annan of AS Saint-Étienne, Ibrahim Osman of Birmingham City, and Paul Reverson of Ajax FC have also been included in the squad.
Midfielder Salim Adams, one of the key players for Ghana Premier League leaders Medeama SC, leads the group of home-based players.
Others are Heart of Lions’ Ebenezer Abban, Ebenezer Adade of Dreams FC, and Nations FC captain Razak Simpson. Ghana will travel to Mexico for the international friendly on Friday, May 22, 2026.
