Eleven Wise is in crisis as assistant coach Isaac Kojo Appiah becomes the latest to resign
Appiah’s exit further deepens the turbulence at the Sekondi-based club, which has witnessed a series of high-profile departures this season. The ongoing instability has raised serious questions about the club’s internal structure and long-term direction.
Earlier in the campaign, Executive Board Chairman Dr. Spio Garbrah stepped aside, followed by the resignation of head coach Seth Hoffman during the first round. His replacement, Ben Hayford, lasted only a short spell before also vacating the role last week, leaving Eleven Wise without sustained leadership on the technical bench.
The timing of the latest resignation could hardly be worse, as Eleven Wise continue to struggle on the pitch. After 17 league matches, the club finds itself drifting dangerously close to the relegation zone, having gone three games without a victory. With 13 fixtures remaining, they trail the automatic promotion spots by a daunting 16-point margin.
Persistent changes within the club’s leadership and coaching staff have clearly taken their toll, compounding an already difficult season. As the league enters its decisive phase, Eleven Wise face a crucial test of resilience, with survival now appearing to be a more realistic objective than promotion unless stability is urgently restored.
Black Stars to Face Austria in International Friendly on March 27 Ahead of 2026 World Cup
Ghana’s senior national team, the Black Stars, will take on Austria in an international friendly on March 27, 2026, as part of preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The match will be Ghana’s second fixture in the March international break, following an earlier scheduled friendly against Germany, making the window a crucial phase in the Black Stars’ World Cup build-up.
The friendly encounter forms part of Ghana’s broader preparations for the global showpiece, with head coach Otto Addo expected to use the match to assess his squad, test tactical options, and fine-tune team chemistry ahead of the tournament.
Facing European opposition such as Austria will provide the Black Stars with a valuable benchmark as they prepare for the World Cup. The game will also offer fringe players and new call-ups an opportunity to impress and stake a claim for a place in the final World Cup squad.
Further details regarding the venue and kick-off time are expected to be announced in due course.
With preparations intensifying, Ghana will be keen to maximize the March international window as they continue their push toward a strong showing at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Asamoah Gyan Reveals Mindset Behind His Legendary Goal-Scoring for Ghana
Former Black Stars striker Asamoah Gyan has opened up about the mentality and personal discipline that fueled his remarkable goal-scoring record for the Ghana national team.
Gyan made his senior international debut in November 2003 and went on to become Ghana’s all-time leading scorer, netting 51 goals in 109 appearances for the Black Stars — a record that remains unmatched.
The iconic forward represented Ghana at three FIFA World Cups: Germany 2006, South Africa 2010, and Brazil 2014, playing a central role in the nation’s rise on the global stage before retiring from professional football in June 2023.
Reflecting on his international career, the 40-year-old revealed the mindset and personal ritual that helped him remain consistent in front of goal and meet the immense expectations of Ghanaian fans.
“When you play for Ghana, people expect you to score because that’s what the fans want,” Gyan explained. “So I created that mindset for myself to be consistent in my goal-scoring. They knew that anytime Ghana plays, I would score.”
He added that failure to score often came with heavy criticism, something he accepted as part of the responsibility of leading the attack.
“Anytime I don’t score, then there is a problem,” he said. “So before every game, I pray and ask God to help me give the fans what they want.”
Gyan also highlighted the pressure that came with the trust fans placed in him.
“The people have confidence in me that I can score at any time. When I don’t score, I am the worst player, but when I score, I am the best player.”
Beyond his national record, Asamoah Gyan also holds a unique continental achievement, standing as Africa’s all-time top scorer at the FIFA World Cup, with six goals across three tournaments.
Gyan’s reflections offer insight into the mental strength, faith, and resilience that defined one of the most celebrated careers in African football history.
Ghana midfielder Daniel-Kofi Kyereh has returned to full first-team training with German Bundesliga side SC Freiburg for the first time in almost three years, marking a significant milestone in his long and challenging recovery from injury.
The 28-year-old has been sidelined since suffering a serious ACL injury in February 2023. Although he underwent surgery and an extensive rehabilitation programme, Kyereh experienced setbacks in 2024 that further delayed his long-awaited return to action. Through resilience and determination, the creative midfielder has now completed his first full senior team training session since the injury.
Kyereh trained with the Freiburg first team on Wednesday evening as the club prepared for their UEFA Europa League home fixture against Maccabi Tel Aviv on Thursday night — a clear indication of his improving fitness and readiness to rejoin competitive football.
The Ghana international joined Freiburg amid high expectations but has so far been restricted to 18 appearances, during which he recorded three goals and one assist. Before his move to the Bundesliga, Kyereh enjoyed the most productive spell of his career at FC St. Pauli, where he established himself as a key performer, registering an impressive 22 goals and 21 assists in 67 matches.
On the international stage, Kyereh has earned 18 caps for the Ghana national team and was part of the Black Stars squad at the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations. With the 2026 FIFA World Cup fast approaching, his progress will be closely monitored as he continues to build match fitness and push for a return to the national setup.
This positive development comes at a crucial time for Ghana, as World Cup preparations intensify in the coming months. The Black Stars’ technical team is expected to keep a close watch on Kyereh’s recovery, form, and availability before making any final decisions regarding his involvement.
The Ghana Black Stars are aiming for at least a quarter-final finish at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, according to Ghana Football Association (GFA) Communications Director, Henry Asante Twum.
Speaking ahead of the expanded tournament, which will be hosted across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, Asante Twum expressed confidence that Ghana can replicate — and possibly surpass — their historic 2010 World Cup quarter-final run in South Africa.
Ghana has been drawn in Group L, where they will face Panama, England, and Croatia in what promises to be a highly competitive group stage.
The Black Stars made their return to the World Cup at Qatar 2022 after missing the 2018 edition in Russia, but exited the tournament at the group stage. Despite that disappointment, Asante Twum believes the team has grown stronger and is better prepared for the challenges ahead in 2026.
“Our target for the World Cup is to qualify from the group stage and be competitive,” he said in an interview with Akoma FM. “We want to fight, we have the quality, and we believe we can match our quarter-final appearance — and possibly go even further.”
The GFA official also revealed that the Black Stars’ technical team has been strengthened following the Qatar 2022 World Cup. According to him, head coach Otto Addo has requested additional personnel, and the Football Association is currently working to finalize those arrangements.
“After the Qatar World Cup, we strengthened the technical team. The coach requested some new additions, and the FA is working on them,” Asante Twum explained. “However, the individuals involved are under contract with their respective employers, so it is difficult to disclose names at this time.”
He further disclosed that key logistical details ahead of the tournament will soon be made public. Information regarding the team’s camping base and preparations is expected in the first week of February, while the provisional squad will be announced in April. The final squad is scheduled to be confirmed by June 1.
Ghana will open their 2026 World Cup campaign against Panama on June 17 in Toronto, before taking on England in Boston. The Black Stars will conclude the group stage with a clash against Croatia on June 27 in Philadelphia.
With renewed optimism, technical reinforcements, and clear ambitions, the Black Stars are positioning themselves for a strong showing as they chase another memorable World Cup run on football’s biggest stage.
Ghanaian refereeing history was rewritten at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) as Daniel Laryea became the first Ghanaian referee in 54 years to officiate an AFCON semi-final, marking a landmark moment for Ghana’s presence on the continent’s biggest football stage.
The highly respected official was entrusted by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to handle the high-profile semi-final encounter between host nation Morocco and Nigeria, a clear endorsement of his consistency, authority and elite-level competence. The appointment signaled Ghana’s long-awaited return to the latter stages of Africa’s premier football tournament in an officiating capacity.
Laryea now becomes only the second Ghanaian referee to officiate an AFCON semi-final, following the late George Lamptey, who took charge of the 1972 semi-final in Cameroon between Zaire and Mali. Lamptey also officiated the third-place playoff at the same tournament, where hosts Cameroon defeated Zaire 5–2 to secure the bronze medal.
More than five decades after Lamptey’s trailblazing achievement, Daniel Laryea’s rise represents a powerful renewal of Ghanaian officiating excellence. In an era where referees operate under intense scrutiny, global broadcast exposure and advanced VAR analysis, the 38-year-old delivered composed and authoritative performances throughout AFCON 2025, earning CAF’s confidence at the highest level.
The milestone carries added weight given Ghana’s prolonged absence from AFCON semi-final officiating appointments and comes nearly a decade after a major refereeing controversy on the continent placed African officiating under intense global scrutiny. Against that backdrop, Laryea’s performance stands as a symbol of progress, professionalism and restored credibility for Ghanaian and African refereeing.
A FIFA-badged referee since 2014, Daniel Laryea has steadily built his reputation through discipline, consistency and excellent match control across domestic and international competitions. His historic AFCON 2025 semi-final appointment is not only a personal achievement, but also a defining moment for Ghana’s football administration and refereeing standards.
After 54 long years, Ghana once again has a referee trusted with the biggest moments on Africa’s grandest stage — and in Daniel Laryea, the nation has found a standard-bearer whose rise signals a new era of respect, relevance and global recognition in football officiating.
Morocco’s attacking talisman, Brahim Díaz, has been named the Puma Golden Boot winner of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025 after an outstanding goal-scoring run that lit up the tournament.
Spurred on by fervent home support, the Atlas Lions forward finished as the competition’s top scorer, capping a remarkable year in which he had already claimed the leading scorer honour during the AFCON 2025 qualifiers. Achieving both feats in the same cycle highlighted Díaz’s consistency, reliability, and growing influence within the national team.
Díaz closed the finals with five goals, a tally no other player could match, ensuring the Golden Boot remained firmly in Moroccan hands despite the hosts falling short of lifting the trophy.
His AFCON 2025 campaign was defined by decisive contributions at key moments. The Real Madrid attacker opened Morocco’s scoring in a 2–0 victory over Comoros, before finding the net again in a tightly contested 1–1 draw against Mali.
He went on to produce a standout performance in the group stage with a brace against Zambia, sealing a dominant win and underlining his attacking threat. Díaz maintained his momentum in the knockout rounds, scoring against Tanzania in the Round of 16 and adding another crucial goal against Cameroon in the quarter-finals.
By scoring in five separate matches, Díaz joined a select group of players in AFCON history to register goals across multiple consecutive games in a single tournament — a testament to his consistency at the highest level.
The Puma Golden Boot crowns a historic AFCON outing for Díaz, cementing his place among Morocco’s most prolific performers in a single edition of the competition and setting a new standard for sustained excellence on the continental stage.
Senegal claimed their second TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations crown in dramatic fashion, overcoming hosts Morocco 1–0 after extra time in a pulsating final at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat.
The decisive blow arrived just three minutes into extra time when Pape Gueye produced a moment of brilliance. Collecting the ball on the edge of the area, the midfielder unleashed a fierce left-footed strike that flew past Yassine Bounou, sparking wild celebrations among the Senegalese players and bench while stunning the home supporters.
Morocco had been on the verge of victory at the end of normal time. A late penalty, awarded after a VAR intervention, presented the Atlas Lions with a golden opportunity to settle the contest. However, Edward Mendy stood tall, denying Brahim Diaz from the spot and forcing the final into extra time.
From the outset, the encounter was evenly contested. Morocco were driven by the dream of ending a 50-year wait for continental success, while Senegal were determined to add to the title they won in 2021.
The Teranga Lions made the sharper start, dictating the rhythm and fashioning the clearer chances in the opening half. Bounou was quickly called into action, first blocking Gueye’s header at the back post before producing a superb one-on-one save to frustrate Iliman Ndiaye.
Morocco’s best moment before the interval came late in the half when Abdessamad Ezzalzouli delivered a dangerous cross that Nayef Aguerd narrowly failed to meet, the ball skimming across the goalmouth.
After the restart, the hosts raised their intensity. Ayoub El Kaabi found himself through on goal after a perfectly weighted pass from Bilal El Khannouss, but his effort drifted off target as Senegal’s defence scrambled back.
Despite sustained pressure and vocal home support, Morocco struggled to find the final touch. Senegal, meanwhile, remained a constant threat on the break and nearly stole the match in the dying minutes of regulation time when substitute Ibrahim Mbaye forced another acrobatic save from Bounou with a curling effort.
With the deadlock unbroken, extra time followed — and Senegal wasted no time. A quick turnover in midfield saw Sadio Mané cleverly redirect the ball to Idrissa Gana Gueye, who slipped Pape Gueye into space. The midfielder powered forward before firing an unstoppable shot into the net.
Morocco threw everything forward in search of an equaliser. Diaz came close to atoning for his penalty miss, only to be denied again by Mendy, while Youssef En-Nesyri’s diving header flashed agonisingly wide.
Senegal nearly added a second late on, but Bounou produced yet another save to deny Pape Cherif Ndiaye, who also failed to convert the rebound.
In the end, Senegal’s composure, discipline, and defensive resolve proved decisive. The Teranga Lions saw out the remaining minutes with authority, securing a memorable victory and reaffirming their status among Africa’s footballing elite with a second AFCON triumph.
Mohammed Kudus has the potential to become a world-class player, according to former Ghanaian striker Asamoah Gyan.
Despite obstacles since leaving West Ham United, the attacker for Tottenham Hotspur has grown to be a significant figure for both his team and his nation. In 19 games for the North London team, Kudus has only managed two goals.
Gyan, who participated in the 2006, 2010, and 2014 World Cups in Germany, South Africa, and Brazil, respectively, lauded Kudus and voiced confidence in his potential impact on the game in an interview with former Manchester United and England defender Rio Ferdinand.
“Mohammed Kudus is doing well,” he said.
“I wish him well because he is someone who is coming up in the ranks, and people should watch out. I always ask him to take good care of himself,” Gyan added.
Kudus is currently sidelined with an injury and is expected to be out until April, forcing him to miss Ghana’s friendly against Germany in March. Despite this setback, he is anticipated to be included in Ghana’s final squad for the 2026 World Cup.
Mantova defeated Padova 2–1 on the road in Serie B thanks to a brace from Italian-Ghanaian striker Davis Mensah.
Mensah doubled the lead halfway through the second half with a calm finish from Simone Trimboli’s assist on 66 minutes after opening the score on 32 minutes with a brilliantly timed run that swept in Nicolás² Radaelli’s low cross.
With the hosts controlling possession and launching wave after wave of assaults, Mantova had to endure constant Padova pressure.
Kevin Lasagna’s close-range strike on 77 minutes halved the deficit and set up a tense finale, but Francesco Modesto’s side defended bravely, limiting clear chances and relying on Bardi’s assured goalkeeping to see out the win.
Mensah’s double caps an increasingly influential 2025/26 campaign for the 34-year-old, who now has 17 Serie B appearances and 2 goals this season.
The result lifts Mantova’s mood after a difficult recent run and gives them momentum ahead of their next league match at home to Venezia on Saturday, January 24 at Stadio Danilo Martelli.
