Sports
Quality is quality!
After months of mind-maundering, dovetailing into a state of bewilderment on the pitch, sanity seemed to have been restored into the Black Starswith regard to the team’s work ethic and general discipline.
Until Serbian trainer Milovan Rajevac took over from CK Akonnor some three weeks ago, the Stars played with less enthusiasm, verve and obsession – and watching them became more or less a disconcerting penance.
It was the reason many thought the local trainer like Akonnor was not up to the task.
In his first Qatar 2022 World Cup assignment against Zimbabwe, Milovan proved his quality, especially after the recess when the visitors pulled level. His decision to take out a near-lifeless Jordan Ayew for Benjamin Tetteh brought some bite into the Stars’ less potent forwardline that resulted in Ghana’s 3-1 win. His predecessor would have kept Jordan until it may be too late.
Milo again demonstrated a brawny heart in his starting line-up. You must be a coach with big balls to name a debutante Swedish League Two goalie in Joojo Wollacott, in such crucial encounter whose upshot could determine your future in the campaign! Only few coaches too might start Africa Under-20 teenage star Mohammed Issahuku ahead of the more experienced Samuel Owusu. Big heart!
With the performance exhibited by the Stars, one can assertively say that the confidence of Ghanaians in the team should gradually be streaming back!
That is what you get when you have a quality bench: Ghana’s bench had Milovan (UEFA Pro Licence) and his two Assistants – Otto Addo (UEFA Pro Licence) and Maxwell Konadu (UEFA Licence A). The difference as regards reading the game was all-too clear.
It may not have come as any stunner when Milovan’s charges stormed Harare for the return to upstage Zimbabwe 1-0 on Tuesday – with Captain Andre Ayew starting from the bench – and coming on only in the last five minutes of the high-on-energy afternoon. The result puts the Stars on nine points, a point adrift South Africa who beat Ethiopia by the same scoreline on Tuesday.
Milo still have got some great deal of work to do; but coming back to handle the team for first time in 11 years in such manner, the Serbian must have scored full marks on the cards of many of the game’s experts.
By John Vigah
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.
