Sports
Let’s brace for tough 2026
But for the qualification of the Black Stars to the 2026 FIFA World Cup to be hosted by the USA, Canada and Mexico, the year 2025 would have passed as an incredible one for the least-financed group of sports federations.
It demonstrates why football is considered the biggest sport globally. It attracts the attention of all, including active players or followers of the rivaled disciplines.
So, even when some of these least-financed disciplines were battling hard at several platforms to win medals to boost Ghana’s image on the international sports map, the greater focus was on the qualifiers for the football showpiece.
It may be considered unfair in certain quarters but such is the weight of the sport that potentially gather 100,000 followers together at one place if there is a facility to accommodate them.
That, notwithstanding the achievement of the other disciplines cannot also be swept under the carpet. They must be given the recognition they deserve.
Apart from the World Cup qualification, sports disciplines like armwrestling, badminton, taekwondo, athletics, table tennis and amateur boxing also distinguished themselves in the year under review.
Ghana Olympic Committee (GOC) President, Richard Akpokavie, described it in the committee’s end-of-year statement as “a period marked by significant strides and memorable achievements across the breadth of our national sports landscape.”
Under the period, Ghanaian athletes excelled in various championships including the first Africa School Games and the African Youth Games, WAFU Zone B championships for the various age groupings, badminton championships, and others.
Perhaps, the Ghana Olympic Committee’s (GOC) planned launch of a new four-year strategic plan designed to professionalise structures and enhance governance that will build on the success achieved this year.
For the sport of professional boxing, the year 2025 represents one of the most difficult ones with tough challenges that left them with a long journey to navigate.
Few months after a Nigerian boxer died in a Ghanaian ring, another shocking death was recorded.
Ernest Akushey passed on barely two weeks after a fight, throwing the entire boxing fraternity into confusion over the cause of death.
That obviously provided the grounds for which a legitimate management board of the Ghana Boxing Authority (GBA) was put aside, giving way to an interim body that was to end its work in December.
All that said and done, the focus in the New Year must be on what to do to write the wrongs of the past year to make sports better.
Obviously, the Black Stars preparation and participation at the World Cup would be high on the sector’s agenda, knowing the goodies we stand to gain as a nation.
The Confederation of African Athletics (CAA) Senior Athletics Championships is another major championship that would attract athletes from the entire continent of Africa.
The Black Queens would also be engaged in the next AFCON in Morocco.
As usual, it would be another busy year for sports but the approach must switch from mere participation to winning laurels to make Ghana great again.
By Andrew Nortey
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.
