Sports
WAFU B Qualifiers: Ghana U20 brace-hero Aziz Musibau named MVP against Niger
Ghana U-20 striker Aziz Musibau was named Man of the Match Award after his brace cushioned the Black Satellites to a comfortable 2-0 win over Niger at the WAFU B U20 Championship in Togo.
The talented forward scored twice in the second half to inspire the Black Satellites to their first win in Group A.
Desmond Ofei’s side drew 2-2 with Benin in their opening match on Thursday October 17, 2024, before accounting for Niger on Sunday.
The youngster deservedly clinched the Most Valuable Player accolade after an impressive showing against the Nigeriens.
Ghana, top of Group A with four points, will take on host Togo in their final Group match on Wednesday, hoping to qualify for the semi-finals of the 2024 WAFU B U20 Championship.
Hosts Togo recorded their second draw of the competition when they played out a scoreless draw with Benin on Sunday- setting the stage foir an enthralling contest on Wednesday October 23, 2024.
The competition serves as the qualifier for the 2025 U20 AFCON
Midfielder Thomas Partey will miss Ghana’s first match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Toronto after Canadian authorities refused him entry.
A FIFA statement to The Athletic confirmed the Arsenal star cannot travel from Ghana’s base camp in Boston, USA, for Wednesday’s, June 17, opener against Panama.
“FIFA can confirm that player Thomas Partey will be unable to travel from Ghana’s team base camp in Boston, USA, to Canada for their first match against Panama on Wednesday, 17 June, as his visa application has been refused by the Canadian government,” the statement read.
FIFA stressed it has no role in immigration decisions: “FIFA is not involved in the immigration processes of host countries, including the adjudication of visas. As with previous FIFA events, the host government ultimately determines who receives a visa and is admitted into the country.”
Canadian immigration rules state that “if you have committed or been convicted of a crime, you may not be allowed into Canada.” Partey has been charged with offenses in the UK but is awaiting trial and has not been convicted.
The Black Stars will now have to do without their midfield anchor for the crucial Group E opener against Panama.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
Ghana have arrived in Providence, Rhode Island, for the final phase of preparations ahead of their 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign. The team departed Virginia on Thursday afternoon and touched down at T.F. Green International Airport in Rhode Island at about 6:00 p.m.
Head Coach Carlos Queiroz and his squad will resume training on Friday as they fine-tune preparations for their opening Group L game against Panama.
The Black Stars wrapped up a week-long training camp in Washington following their international friendly against Wales in Cardiff.
The camp in Virginia included intensive sessions at the American University and D.C. United training ground and a farewell dinner with the Ghanaian community in Alexandria.
Ghana now enters the final stretch of preparation in Providence before heading to Toronto for the June 17 opener against Panama at Toronto Stadium.
The Black Stars will also face England in Boston on June 23 and Croatia in Philadelphia on June 27 to complete Group L.
Queiroz’s 26-man squad features captain Jordan Ayew, Thomas Partey, Iñaki Williams, Antoine Semenyo, and goalkeeper Lawrence Ati-Zigi, who is set for his second successive World Cup.
The team is expected to hold training sessions and series of Community engagement programs in Rhode Island in the coming days.
