Sports
Some sanity in DOL!
The National Division One League (DOL) will roll out this weekend with matches across several centres nationwide.
Starting almost a month after the Ghana Premier League (GPL), it is expected to create a festival atmosphere which fans in every corner of the country would be part of.
The demotion of Accra Great Olympics among two others to the division last season is expected to heighten coverage and attention for the competition.
Apart from the Wonder Club, there are a number of former Premier League clubs that are campaigning for returns to the elite league.
The likes of Okwahu United, New Edubiase, Real Tamale United, Bofoakwa Tano and many others readily comes to mind.
Though they may be in different regions or zones, they would still make a number of high profile matches that would attract fans to their respective venues.
Despite the excitement it generates, the DOL has been branded as the ‘wilderness’ of Ghana football due to some negative factors associated with it.
Reports of vandalism, attacks on visiting teams, bad officiating leading to chaotic scenes, bad pitches and others have been usually associated.
With such issues, the DOL must be lucky to have courted Access Bank as headline sponsors for the competition.
This is because very few corporate institutions would want to be associated to product that attract such negative reports.
With a new season set to commence, the DOL Board and other stakeholders must be seen to be taking decisions to tackle some of these issues.
The Football Association seem to be doing well in this regard with the organisation of workshops for Venue Media Officers (VMOs), Match Commissioners (MCs) and others that play key roles in ensuring an incident-free season.
These workshops would refresh their memories on amendments to the Laws of the game, Integrity, the Competition Management System (CMS), Report Writing, the Role of the modern Match Commissioner and how to conduct successful technical meetings.
In all of these, officiating is very key. A poor performance from a referee can throw any preparation out of gear so the FA’s focus must be on the referees and their assistants.
They are usually the victims of the mayhem caused by their own actions on the field.
The FA must ensure that their needs are met on time for them to operate very independent while also dealing drastically with people that falls foul of the law.
In that way, there can be sanity in DOL.
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.
