Ghanaian international Mohammed Salisu is scheduled to be released by French Ligue 1 powerhouse AS Monaco during the current summer transfer window.
Salisu has not yet established a consistent spot in the starting lineup after moving from Southampton to the Principality club in 2023. The adventurous center-back made just 24 appearances for the French team across all competitions last season, primarily serving as a backup.
Despite starting more frequently in his second season, the former Real Valladolid defender finally found himself as a backup after suffering injuries in his first.
In February 2025, he made his final Monaco start. However, things have gotten worse for the Black Stars center-back since Eric Dier, England’s best defender, arrived.
Salisu is not an exception to the French Ligue 1 team’s desire to sell players before the current transfer window closes.
Meanwhile, Greek powerhouse Olympiacos and Premier League team Crystal Palace have shown a strong desire to sign the highly regarded Ghanaian defender.
In the summer of 2023, the defender signed a five-year contract with Monaco, a team in the Principality.
The Black Stars defender has made 37 appearances since joining Monaco, tallying three goals and one assist during that time.
The UEFA Champions League draw for this season was held in Monaco, with many interesting match-ups right from the onset, which is keeping fans in earnest anticipation for the games to commence.
The UEFA Champions League is the most prestigious club cup competition in the world, attracting millions of eyeballs and attention around the world. Though it is a competition under UEFA, it is a competition that attracts many people even beyond Europe. The competition has gone through so many changes over the years, with the recent one being the changes made to the group stage phase, where teams now compete in an all play all format. This season is the second time this format will be utilised.
The new format is a brilliant one from the officials at UEFA, as it ignites more excitement and competition, as big teams can no longer avoid each other to reach the knockout stages. The group phase has now been designed to give us thrilling and fierce match-ups right from the onset. This season’s competition is set to start on an exciting note as the draw gave us very interesting matches to enjoy. We delve into the draw for the top teams and explore the teams they face:
PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN
The current holders of the UCL start their title defence, playing at home against FC Bayern Munich and going away to play against FC Barcelona. They later play teams like Atalanta, Bayern Leverkusen, Tottenham Hotspurs, Sporting CP, Newcastle United and Athletic Bilbao. The match-ups of PSG v Bayern Munich and FC Barcelona v PSG; are straightaway the most anticipated matches as the German and Catalan team are amongst the strong contenders to win this season’s competition. Another interesting match-up is meeting Tottenham Hotspurs again, after they both played in the Super Cup, where Tottenham gave the Champions a really tough time, pushing the game into penalties.
REAL MADRID
Real Madrid, who have won the competition the most (15), are one of the strong favorites to win this year’s competition. Despite a change of managers with Ancelotti leaving the scene and Alonso taking charge, they are still touted as favorites to win, given how the competition itself finds a way to smile on them. The start the campaign by welcoming Manchester City to the Bernabau. They later travel to Anfield to face Liverpool. Subsequently, they play Juventus (Home), SL Benfica (Away), Olymique Marseille (Home), Olympiacos (Away), As Monaco (Home) and Kairat Almaty (Away).
The match-up against Manchester City is one that will be fierce as both teams have played against each other in either the Quarter finals and Semi finals, simultaneously. This encounter has always been a cagey one, which often comes down to tactical brilliance and mental fortitude of the players on the field. Liverpool is also one that many lovers of football are very much enthused about. In recent times, Real Madrid have had the better of Liverpool beating them twice in the UCL finals.
MANCHESTER CITY
One-time Champion Manchester City will look to clinch their second title, this season. They start of the campaign, welcoming Borussia Dortmund to The Ettihad Stadium and going away to the Bernabau to pplay Real Madrid. In Subsequent matches they play Bayern Leverkusen (Home), Valencia (Away), Napoli (Home), Bodo/Glimt (Away), Galatasaray (Home) and AS Monaco (Away). Many people are of the belief that City have the most favorable draw, as the only stiff opposition they have been drawn to face is Real Madrid. It remains to be seen if City can capitalize on this win the ultimate.
BAYERN MUNICH
Bayern Munich who are 6-time champions of the competition are also touted as on of the favourites to lift the UCL this season. The Bavarians begin with a home game against Chelsea at the Allianz Arena, and going to the Parc de Princes to face Paris Saint-Germain. They move on to play Club Brugge (Home), Arsenal (Away), Sporting CP (Home), PSV (Away), Union SG (Home) and Pafos (Away). Interesting match-ups are against PSG and Semi finalist Arsenal, who beat Real Madrid last season in the Quarter Final phase. It is interesting to see how Vincent Kompany and his team will compete against these opponents.
LIVERPOOL
Six times champions and English Champions Liverpool look to redeem themselves in the UCL after an abysmal performance against PSG which lead to their elimination in the Round of 16. They start with hosting Real Madrid at home and going away to Inter. They continue with their matches against Atletico Madrid (Home), Frankfurt (Away), PSV (Home), Marseille (Away), Qarabag (Home) and Galatasaray (Away). Real Madrid, Inter and Atletico Madrid are set to provide stiffer opposition to Liverpool, as they seek to give an impressive showing this season. They are one of those favored to win the competition.
INTER
Inter Milan are one of the teams in pole position to clinch the title this season, having made it to the final and losing hugely to PSG last season. They are also 3-time holders of the competition. Inter begin their campaign welcoming Liverpool and going to the Signa Iduna park to face Dortmund, in their first two opening fixtures. They later play Arsenal (Home), Atletico Madrid (Away), Slavia Praha (Home), Ajax (Away), Kairat Almaty (Home) and Union SG (Away).
CHELSEA
World Champions Chelsea and 2-time winners of the UCL, are certainly a force to reckon with this season in the UCL, after their impressive win over PSG in the Fifa Club World Cup final in the United States and their impressive start to the new Premier League season. The Blues start of their campaign against FC Barcelona at the Stamford Bridge and going away to Bayern Munich at the Allianz Arena in Germany. Chelsea go on to face Benfica (Home), Atalanta (Away), Ajax (Home), Napoli (Away), Pafos (Home) and Qarabag (Away).
The most anticipated match is against FC Barcelona as there remains stiff rivalry between the two clubs, after the Fernando Torres goal which denied Barcelona the chance to make it into the final. That qualification into the final, gave them their first UCL title in 2012, where they beat Bayern Munich at Allianz Arena. Bayern Munich with whom they play next after facing Barcelona.
BARCELONA
The Catalan club are one of the teams who are favourites to win the competition, as their team is seen as one of the strongest in Europe lead by Hansi Flick. Barcelona look to end their UCL trophy drought since 2015, even after winning the competition 5 times. They start this season’s campaign at home to PSG and make a trip to London to face Chelsea. They go ahead to play Frankfurt (Home), Club Brugge (Away), Olympiacos (Home), Slavia Praha (Away), Copenhegen (Home) and Newcastle (Away). The match-up against PSG is definitely one to anticipate as Luis Enrique in the PSG dugout was the manager who lead Barcelona to their last UCL trophy in 2015.
This season’s competition is definitely one that is set to be exciting and fierce as all teams will seek the chance to claim supremacy over the other. The UCL is touted to attract even more eyeballs than ever, as demand for the competition grows higher.
We want to defeat Senegal-Sudan coach Kwesi Appiah and take home a bronze medal.
Kwesi Appiah, the coach of Sudan, has promised that his side will do everything in their power to win the bronze in the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN).
Today, August 29, at Mandela National Stadium in Kampala, the Falcons of Jediane take on the Lions of Teranga of Senegal in the third-place playoff.
Appiah emphasized the need of uplifting the Sudanese people during difficult times after their semifinal loss to Madagascar.
“We want to bring smiles to the Sudanese, especially at a time when our country is going through such hardship.
“This game is very important to us, and we will give everything to win the medal.”
As the competition has gone on, the Ghanaian strategist added, the team has become stronger and more unified.
“We are more united now than we were in the first game. We have learned a lot throughout the tournament and believe we can put on a great show,” Appiah noted.
“We know what is at stake now, and if you look at our performance in our last games, the players should go into the games with that same determination,” Preko, a former Ghana international, told Asempa FM.
“Playing against Chad will not be easy, but then we have to be vigilant and also get the right players for that game because we are playing on an astro turf, but then I strongly believe that we have what it takes to win against Chad,” he added.
The Black Stars currently lead Group I with 15 points after six matches, three points ahead of Comoros and five clear of Madagascar, as they push for a fifth FIFA World Cup appearance.
Otto Addo and his charges will open camp in Accra on Monday, September 1.
Ghana Black Stars to Open Camp on September 1 for International Duty
The Black Stars of Ghana will officially open camp in Accra on Monday, September 1, 2025, as preparations begin for the crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Chad and Mali.
The team will hold its first training sessions at the Accra Sports Stadium on Monday and Tuesday before flying out to N’Djamena on Tuesday evening for their Matchday 7 clash against Chad, scheduled for Thursday, September 4, 2025.
Ghana will face Chad at the Stade Olympique Maréchal Idriss Déby Itno, a must-win encounter as the Black Stars aim to strengthen their qualification campaign. Following the away fixture, the team will return home to face Mali in another decisive qualifier on Monday, September 8, 2025, at the Accra Sports Stadium.
With World Cup qualification at stake, both fixtures are expected to be highly competitive, and the Black Stars coaching staff is anticipated to announce a strong squad for the two games. Fans across the country will be watching closely as Ghana seeks to secure vital points on the road to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Otto Addo names squad for 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Chad and Mali
In preparation for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Chad and Mali next month, Black Stars head coach Otto Addo has selected a 24-man roster. Regulars Antoine Semenyo, Jordan Ayew, Gideon Mensah, Inaki Williams, Mohammed Kudus, and Thomas Partey are on the roster.
Derrick, a left-back for Union Berlin After an outstanding season with Werder Bremen, Arthur Köhn, who has been on the technical team’s radar, receives his first call-up. After an impressive season on loan at Werder Bremen, where he made 27 appearances and scored two goals in the German Bundesliga, the 26-year-old moved from Galatasaray to Union Berlin this summer.
After a strong start in Italy, winger Kamal Deen Sulemana, who just moved from Southampton to Serie A team Atalanta, gets a spot.
France-based midfielder Elisha Owusu returns to the squad after recovering from a long-term injury.
Caleb Yirenkyi, a young player, is rewarded for his impressive accomplishments with FC Nordsjaelland in Denmark after making an impression at the Unity Cup in London.
In addition to Christopher Bonsu Baah and Ireland-based goalkeeper Joseph Anang securing berths for the doubleheader games, defender Tariq Lamptey returns to the team.
With five victories and one loss from six games, Ghana leads Group I in the African Qualifiers with 15 points.
The Black Stars will welcome Mali at the Accra Sports Stadium on Monday, September 8, 2025, after playing Chad at Stade Olympique Maréchal Idriss Déby Itno on Thursday, September 4.
In the Swiss Challenge League on Monday night, FC Aarau defeated FC Stade Lausanne-Ouchy 3-0 thanks to two goals from Ghanaian attacker Daniel Afriyie Barnieh.
In their drive for top-flight promotion next season, FC Aarau maintained their top rank thanks to a remarkable performance from Afriyie Barnieh, who scored twice.
In the game’s 22nd minute, the former Hearts of Oak talismanic attacker gave the Eagles the lead with an incredible goal.
He added to FC Stade Lausanne-Ouchy’s misery in the 63rd minute by scoring the second goal, and Valon Fazliu’s goal in the 92nd minute completed their decisive win at the Stadion Brügglifeld, extending FC Aarau’s winning streak to five games.
The 24-year-old was a delight to watch in the fixture and lasted for the entire duration, with his compatriot David Acquah also delivering a masterclass performance in FC Aarau’s defence.
In his first season with FC Aarau, Afriyie Barnieh has now scored four goals in five league games.
The forward, who was born in Kumasi, joined the second-tier team on a free transfer after amicably ending his two-and-a-half-year deal with FC Zurich of the Swiss Super League.
Since making his debut in a friendly match against Japan in 2022, Afriyie Barnieh has earned three caps for Ghana’s senior national team.
Leicester City goalie Jakub Stolarczyk praises Issahaku
After Ghanaian attacker Abdul Fatawu Issahaku’s game-winning effort against Charlton Athletic in the English Championship, Leicester City goalkeeper Jakub Stolarczyk has been praising him.
The Ghanaian international’s incredible curler put Leicester City back on track following consecutive losses before the trip to Charlton.
LEICESTER, ENGLAND – AUGUST 19: Abdul Fatawu of Leicester City reacts as he acknowledges the fans after the Premier League match between Leicester City FC and Tottenham Hotspur FC at The King Power Stadium on August 19, 2024 in Leicester, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
Even though the season is just three weeks old, the win keeps Leicester’s hopes of winning the Premiership alive.
“Abdul has shown us what he can do. He has been for the past couple of years, obviously apart from the time with the injury. It was good build up and something that we trained on. It’s something we want to be as a team as well. We’re happy with it,” he said after the game.
“I think we showed everything. We were playing for each other and fighting for each other. If one player makes a mistake, there are another 10 that are going to help him out and I think it showed today.
“We can all be really proud of sticking together out there because it’s not an easy place to come and dig out the result, but we’ve done it, we’re all happy and now we’ve just got to recover and move on to the big game next Friday.”
The Foxes will next face Birmingham on August 29 before heading for the international break.
Graham Potter Asking For West Ham Sack With His £20m Mistake vs Chelsea
To have any hope of keeping his position, Graham Potter could already have to give up one of his reliable new hires. In front of their own supporters, who were leaving the stadium before the hour, West Ham lost 5-1 to Chelsea on Friday night, putting up their second incompetent performance in as many weeks of the 2025–26 Premier League season.
At full time, the Hammers were wiping their eyes in shock at how far off the pace they appeared to be after a poor performance in which Blues’ new arrivals Joao Pedro and Estevao both found the net.
This was despite Lucas Paqueta’s bolt-from-the-blue inside six minutes – a goal that had briefly lifted spirits and offered hope of kick-starting their campaign after last weekend’s 3-0 loss to newly-promoted Sunderland set from off on the backfoot.
It goes without saying that if Potter, who was formerly in the opposite hot seat at Chelsea, is to stay into the September international break, adjustments are desperately needed. Although it may be difficult to find quick answers, firing new goalie Mads Hermansen, whose run of errors has already cost his team a lot of money, would be an obvious first step.
Nathaniel Markwei Korley retained as Chairman of Futsal Committee
Nathaniel Markwei Korley will serve as the Futsal Committee Chairman for a third year in a row, according to confirmation from the Football Association (GFA).
After serving as the Committee’s leader for the previous two seasons, Markwei Korley is anticipated to continue spearheading the growth and efficient administration of futsal tournaments around the nation in the forthcoming season.
The Committee’s leadership has also changed, with Fred Tindani, a member for the previous two years, taking over as Vice-Chairman in place of Elvis Herman Hesse.
Meanwhile, Nana Gyambibi Coker retains his position as a member, while Bernard Boye and Seth Armah Odai join the Committee, taking over from Ebo Kwaitoo and Elvis Herman Hesse.
The Futsal Committee is tasked with overseeing the management and successful execution of the Futsal League, the Futsal FA Cup, and the national futsal team.
