Sports
Skolars are champions of 2023 Men’s Rugby League 13s
Skolars Rugby League Club recorded a third consecutive win of the Men’s Rugby League 13s after defeating Accra Panthers 22-10 at the University of Ghana Ajax Park.
Skolars overcame The Bulls, Nungua Tigers, and Accra Panthers in the competition that lasted for 10 weeks.
From the start of the season, the Skolars dominated and put up championship-winning performances that saw fans support them throughout the period.
Eventually, they claimed top spot with 18 points, trailed by Nungua Tigers with 15 points as runners-up.
Bulls RLFC, the 2022 runners-up, amassed 12 points to secure the third position, with Accra Panthers following in fourth with 12 points.
The President of the RLFG, Madam Juliana Storey, congratulated the Skolars for the feat and challenged the other teams to improve for the subsequent season.
The Greater Accra Regional Manager of the Rugby League, Mr Riddick Allibah, said the clubs were amazing and delivered more than what organisers expected this season.
The General Manager of the RLFG, Mr Jafaru Mustapha, said with the Men’s 13s league season over, the Women’s Rugby League 13s and Youth Rugby League 13s will kick off next month with the Rugby League 9s, which involves the men, women, and youth later in November.
He thanked Beaufort Properties, Respect, Jibu, Firm Foods, Domicile Climax, and WinMedia Advertisement for their support for the league and called on other corporate bodies to come on board.
BY RAYMOND ACKUMEY
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.
