Sports
Kurt Okraku priorities youth football as GFA continues to build for the future
GFA President Kurt Edwin Simeon-Okraku, announced to delegates at Congress on Tuesday August 27, 2024 that the Association will fully place youth football at the top of the Ghana Football Association’s (GFA) development agenda.
The GFA has already unveiled a comprehensive strategy to rejuvenate the grassroots, aimed at strengthening the very foundation of Ghana football.
The strategy, which is already in motion, embodies the GFA’s commitment to ensuring the enduring vitality of the sport across all levels.
Addressing delegates at the 2024 convocation of Congress at the Ghanaman Soccer Centre of Excellence in Prampram on Tuesday, President Simeon-Okraku underscored the importance of placing youth football at the top of the pyramid.
“It is critical for all of us who invest in Ghana Football to understand the need to invest more in our youth. We, therefore, need to institute policies that support clubs to develop talent in a competitive way so as to make our leagues attractive.” he told the delegates.
With his extensive background in Football Management and broad knowledge about the nuances of the sport, President Simeon-Okraku has a deep understanding of how to lead Ghana football along the lines of revitalising youth football in the country.
The Ghana Football Association has initiated several policies and programmes targeted at youth development and empowerment across all levels in the country. These interventions include the training of about 1,600 young referees under the unique Catch Them Young Refereeing policy and the introduction of the novel Elite National Girls U15 Challenge Cup (developed in line with FIFA’s Talent Development Scheme [TDS]) to develop top talent and enhance Ghana Football.
The GFA has also announced plans to collaborate with the Regional Football Associations to introduce Inter-District U-15 and U-17 festivals for boys and girls and continue the path of improving the KGL Foundation U-17 National Championship, Girls U-15 Inter Regional Challenge Cup while introducing a national U-17 Girls Challenge Cup.
The GFA aims to leverage Ghana’s massive pool of potential talent to boost on-pitch success at the domestic, continental and international levels as President Simeon-Okraku and the Executive Council remain keenly engaged on the youth development agenda.
The FA’s sharpening focus on youth football falls in tandem with FIFA’s announcement that the girls’ and boys’ FIFA U-17 World Cup will now be annual events from 2025, giving the very best young talents in every country the opportunity to shine on the global stage.
The GFA has outlined a set of key objectives geared towards enhancing participation and engagement at the grassroots level. The strategy prioritises opportunities for both male and female teenagers, emphasizing on inclusivity and accessibility to underscore the FA’s dedication to fostering a diverse and inclusive Ghanaian football landscape and thus nurture young talents and instill good values and passion for the game in them.
Sports
Benjamin Asare’s call-up inspires local players – Osei Asibey
Hearts of Oak defender, Osei Asibey, has acknowledged that the call-up of Benjamin Asare, the current number one goalkeeper of the Ghana Black Stars, has given confidence to many local players to work hard.
Asibey explained that playing for the senior national team is time-based, and at the right time, every local player will get their chance.
“The Black Stars belong to Ghanaians, and everybody will get the chance to play for the Black Stars when the time is right. Benjamin Asare is a local player, and he has gotten the chance. I’m sure when it is our time, the country would call us to serve,” he asserted
Osei Asibey added that Asare’s achievement shows that with hard work, local players can also receive Black Stars call-ups.
By: Jacob Aggrey
Sports
World Cup Qualifiers: Ghana beats Mali to boost qualification hopes
The Ghana Black Stars on Monday evening secured a vital 1–0 win over Mali in the FIFA World Cup qualifiers, a result that strengthens their chances of booking a ticket to the 2026 tournament.
The Match
The only goal of the game came in the 52nd minute when Alexander Djiku powered home a header to put Ghana ahead at the charged Accra Sports Stadium.
Ghana dominated possession and created more chances, with Antoine Semenyo and Mohammed Kudus troubling the Malian defense.
Coach Otto Addo’s side managed the game well, with substitutes, Kamaldeen Sulemana, Iñaki Williams and Joseph Paintsil helping to protect the narrow lead.
Mali pushed for an equalizer but Ghana’s defense held firm until the final whistle.
What the win means
The victory takes Ghana to the top of their qualifying group, giving them a strong advantage in the race to secure a direct World Cup spot.
It also boosts team confidence as the Black Stars aim to make their fifth appearance at the global showpiece.
Games Remaining and Qualification Path
Ghana now has two games left in the qualifiers. To qualify directly, they must finish first in their group.
If they end up second, they will have to compete in the CAF play-offs to keep their World Cup hopes alive.
About the 2026 FIFA World Cup
The next FIFA World Cup will kick off on June 11, 2026, and run until July 19, 2026. For the first time in history, the tournament will feature 48 teams, an expansion from the usual 32.
It will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, with matches spread across 16 cities.
By: Jacob Aggrey
