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Chief Imam Rallies Nationwide Prayers for Black Stars Ahead of 2026 FIFA World Cup

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Chief Imam Rallies Nationwide Prayers for Black Stars Ahead of 2026 FIFA World Cup
Chief Imam Rallies Nationwide Prayers for Black Stars Ahead of 2026 FIFA World Cup

The Ghana national football team Management Committee on Tuesday paid a courtesy visit to Ghana’s National Chief Imam, Sheikh Osman Nuhu Sharubutu, to seek spiritual support and prayers ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America.

The high-powered delegation was led by Moses Armah, President of Medeama SC and member of the Black Stars Management Committee. Also present were Samuel Aboabire, former Black Stars captain Stephen Appiah, and other key football administrators.

The visit forms part of wider preparations by the Ghana Football Association as the country intensifies efforts to ensure a successful campaign at football’s biggest tournament this summer.

Delegation Seeks Spiritual Backing

During the meeting, the delegation appealed to the respected Islamic leader for prayers, blessings, and spiritual guidance as Ghana prepares to compete against some of the world’s strongest football nations.

Speaking on behalf of the delegation, Moses Armah thanked the Chief Imam for his continuous support for the national team over the years and stressed the importance of unity and faith ahead of the tournament.

He noted that national support — both spiritual and emotional — would be crucial as the Black Stars aim to make the country proud on the global stage.

Chief Imam Rallies Nationwide Prayers for Black Stars Ahead of 2026 FIFA World Cup

Chief Imam Pledges Support

In response, Sheikh Osman Nuhu Sharubutu reaffirmed his support for the Black Stars and pledged nationwide prayers for the team throughout the tournament.

The respected religious leader encouraged unity among Ghanaians and expressed hope that the team would perform strongly and bring joy to the nation.

Ghana Face Tough World Cup Challenge

Ghana will begin their World Cup campaign against the Panama national football team on June 17 before taking on the England national football team on June 23 and the Croatia national football team on June 27 in Group L.

The Black Stars are preparing for their fifth appearance at the World Cup and will be hoping to improve on recent group-stage exits in 2014 and 2022.

Also present during the visit were Mohammed Jiji Alifoe, Prince Hamid, Ishmael Hamidu, and Patrick Akoto.

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Ghana Sports

‘Kakalika’ Fever Grips Tarkwa as DopeNation Set to Light Up TnA Stadium Ahead of Medeama’s Title Chase

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‘Kakalika’ Fever Grips Tarkwa as DopeNation Set to Light Up TnA Stadium Ahead of Medeama’s Title Chase
‘Kakalika’ Fever Grips Tarkwa as DopeNation Set to Light Up TnA Stadium Ahead of Medeama’s Title Chase

Excitement is building rapidly in Tarkwa as Ghanaian music duo DopeNation prepare to thrill fans with a live performance of their hit song Kakalika ahead of Medeama SC’s crucial Ghana Premier League clash against Heart of Lions on Sunday.

The much-anticipated showdown at the TnA Stadium is shaping up to be more than just a football match, with music, entertainment, and title dreams combining to create what could become one of the most memorable afternoons in the club’s history.

Medeama Eye Historic League Triumph

Medeama head into the decisive fixture knowing victory could move them within touching distance of a second Ghana Premier League title.

The Mauve and Yellow could officially be crowned champions on Sunday if they defeat Heart of Lions and defending champions Bibiani Gold Stars FC fail to secure victory away against Dreams FC.

Coach Ibrahim Tanko and his players have enjoyed an impressive campaign built on consistency, attacking football, and resilience, placing the club on the verge of another historic achievement.

DopeNation to Ignite the Atmosphere

To match the magnitude of the occasion, Medeama have lined up a major entertainment package, with DopeNation expected to deliver an explosive pre-match performance that will energize thousands of supporters before kickoff.

Known for their energetic stage presence and crowd-favourite hits, the duo are expected to turn the stadium into a carnival atmosphere as fans rally behind the team in one of the biggest games of the season.

Anticipation has already spread across Tarkwa and beyond, with supporters preparing for a potentially unforgettable day filled with football passion, music, and celebration.

Tarkwa Ready for a Historic Afternoon

The excitement surrounding the match has pushed the mining town into full football fever, with fans eager to witness what could become a defining moment in Medeama’s history.

With league glory now within reach, Sunday’s encounter promises a unique blend of entertainment and high-stakes football as the club aims to take a decisive step toward championship success.

The blockbuster fixture kicks off at 3:00 PM, with ticket prices set at:

  • Popular Stand – GH¢50
  • Gold Stand – GH¢70
  • VIP – GH¢200

All eyes will now turn to Tarkwa as Medeama chase glory in front of what is expected to be a packed and electric TnA Stadium.

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Ghana Sports

Ghana Secures Broadcast Rights for 2026 FIFA World Cup

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Ghana Secures Broadcast Rights for 2026 FIFA World Cup
Ghana Secures Broadcast Rights for 2026 FIFA World Cup

Ghanaian football fans will be able to follow the 2026 FIFA World Cup live after the government successfully secured broadcast rights for the tournament.

The Minister for Sports and Recreation, Kofi Adams, revealed that support from government and ongoing fundraising efforts made it possible for Ghana to acquire the rights to televise the global showpiece across multiple media platforms.

Speaking on Tuesday, May 12, during the presentation of a GH¢5 million donation from GCB Bank to the Black Stars fundraising campaign, the minister confirmed that arrangements had already been finalised.

“Through the support of government and fundraising efforts, we have been able to secure broadcast rights to telecast the World Cup matches live on some of the media stations,” Kofi Adams stated.

Support Growing for Black Stars Campaign

The contribution from GCB Bank forms part of a wider national fundraising initiative launched to support the Ghana national football team ahead of the tournament.

The campaign aims to encourage corporate institutions, businesses, and other stakeholders to contribute financially toward Ghana’s World Cup preparations as the country seeks to make a strong impression on football’s biggest stage.

Ghana Preparing for Fifth World Cup Appearance

The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

Ghana have been drawn in Group L alongside the England national football team, Croatia national football team, and the Panama national football team.

The Black Stars are preparing for their fifth appearance at the World Cup and will be hoping to improve on recent group-stage exits in both 2014 and 2022.

With broadcast rights now secured, millions of Ghanaian fans across the country will have the opportunity to follow every moment of the tournament live as anticipation continues to build ahead of the global spectacle.

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Featured

Thomas Partey Set for Villarreal Exit as Contract Extension Looks Unlikely

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Thomas Partey Set for Villarreal Exit as Contract Extension Looks Unlikely
Thomas Partey Set for Villarreal Exit as Contract Extension Looks Unlikely

Ghana international Thomas Partey is expected to leave Villarreal CF at the end of the season after reports indicated the Spanish club are unwilling to extend his contract.

Partey joined Villarreal last summer after the expiration of his deal with Arsenal FC, signing a one-year contract with an option for an additional season.

However, the experienced midfielder has endured a challenging campaign in Spain, struggling to secure a consistent place in the starting lineup due to recurring minor injury problems.

Although the 31-year-old managed 30 appearances across all competitions, fitness setbacks limited his influence and prevented him from fully establishing himself as a key figure in the squad.

With the season approaching its end, Villarreal are reportedly not prepared to trigger the extension clause in his contract, meaning Partey is now set to become a free agent this summer.

Future Still Uncertain

The former Atlético Madrid midfielder remains one of Ghana’s most experienced players and is still expected to play an important role for the Ghana national football team ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Despite questions surrounding his club future, Partey is widely anticipated to be included in Ghana’s squad for the tournament in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

The midfielder’s experience at the highest level could prove vital for the Black Stars as they prepare for difficult group-stage clashes against the England national football team, Croatia national football team, and Panama national football team.

As the summer transfer window approaches, attention will now turn to Partey’s next move and whether he can find a club where he can rediscover his best form ahead of football’s biggest tournament.

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Football World

Andre Ayew, Kamal Sowah and Denis Odoi Suffer Relegation with NAC Breda

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Andre Ayew, Kamal Sowah and Denis Odoi Suffer Relegation with NAC Breda
Andre Ayew, Kamal Sowah and Denis Odoi Suffer Relegation with NAC Breda

Ghanaian trio Andre Ayew, Kamal Sowah and Denis Odoi have officially been relegated from the Eredivisie with NAC Breda after a difficult 2025/26 season.

Breda’s relegation was mathematically confirmed after 16th-placed FC Volendam secured a 1-1 draw against Excelsior Rotterdam in the penultimate round of the campaign.

The result moved Volendam to 32 points, leaving NAC Breda stuck on 25 points with only two games left to play — a gap they can no longer close.

Although Breda’s own fixture against SC Heerenveen was abandoned following crowd trouble involving fireworks, results elsewhere officially sealed the club’s relegation to the Eerste Divisie.

Difficult Season for Ghanaian Trio

Ayew joined the Dutch club as a free agent in January in a bid to help steer the team away from relegation danger.

However, the former Ghana national football team captain struggled to make a major impact, scoring just one goal in 16 league appearances during the second half of the season.

Both Sowah and Odoi were also part of a Breda side that found consistency difficult throughout the campaign as the club endured an immediate return to the second tier.

For Ayew, the relegation marks another disappointing chapter late in his career, while Sowah and Odoi will now face uncertainty over their futures as the club prepares for life outside the Dutch top flight.

Despite the setback, all three players are expected to attract interest ahead of next season, especially with transfer activity expected to intensify during the summer window.

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Football World

Otto Addo named on FIFA Technical Study Group for 2026 World Cup

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Otto Addo named on FIFA Technical Study Group for 2026 World Cup
Otto Addo named on FIFA Technical Study Group for 2026 World Cup

Former Ghana national football team head coach Otto Addo has landed a major international role after being appointed to FIFA’s Technical Study Group (TSG) for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Addo is part of an elite 11-member panel tasked with delivering tactical and technical analysis throughout the tournament, which will be hosted across the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

The Technical Study Group is led by legendary former Arsenal FC manager Arsène Wenger and features several respected figures from the football world.

Addo will work alongside notable names including Jürgen Klinsmann, Gilberto Silva, Pablo Zabaleta, and Jon Dahl Tomasson.

Sole African Representative

The former Black Stars coach is the only African representative on the panel, underlining FIFA’s recognition of his football knowledge and tactical insight despite his recent departure from Ghana’s national team setup.

Addo guided Ghana to qualification for the 2026 World Cup before being dismissed less than three months before the tournament following a difficult run of friendly results.

Key Role During the Tournament

The Technical Study Group will monitor all 104 matches at the expanded World Cup, identifying tactical, technical, and physical trends shaping the modern game.

Members of the panel will analyse matches both from stadiums and from FIFA’s dedicated performance centre in Miami, using advanced performance data, video technology, and live analytical tools.

According to FIFA, the 2026 tournament will feature the most sophisticated football data system ever introduced at a World Cup through its Enhanced Football Intelligence service.

Speaking about the importance of the TSG, Wenger explained that the group’s work helps football evolve by identifying emerging trends and contributing to the future development of the game globally.

Beyond tactical analysis, the group will also play a major role in selecting the official tournament award winners during the competition.

For Otto Addo, the appointment represents another important chapter in his football journey and a chance to contribute to the game on the biggest stage from a global technical perspective.

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World Cup

Shakira Unveils Official Song for 2026 FIFA World Cup

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Shakira Unveils Official Song for 2026 FIFA World Cup
Shakira Unveils Official Song for 2026 FIFA World Cup

Global music icon Shakira has officially returned to the world’s biggest football stage after unveiling the anthem for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The Colombian superstar, famous for timeless hits like Whenever, Wherever and Hips Don’t Lie, teased her brand-new World Cup song titled Dai Dai on Thursday, building excitement ahead of this summer’s tournament in the United States, Mexico, and Canada.

The 49-year-old shared a one-minute teaser video on Instagram, filmed at the iconic Maracanã Stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, giving fans a taste of what is expected to be one of the biggest tracks of the tournament.

Adding even more star power, the song also features Nigerian Grammy-winning artist Burna Boy. The full track is scheduled for release on May 14, and anticipation is already building around what could become another unforgettable football anthem.

Shakira’s World Cup Legacy Continues

This marks Shakira’s second official World Cup anthem, having famously delivered Waka Waka (This Time for Africa) for the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa — a song that became a global sensation and remains one of football’s most iconic tournament tracks.

She also played a major musical role at the 2014 FIFA World Cup, releasing La La La (Brazil 2014), which she later performed at the closing ceremony in Rio de Janeiro.

Her connection with football stretches back even further, with Shakira also performing Hips Don’t Lie at the closing ceremony of the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany.

Another Global Hit in the Making?

With Shakira’s proven record of creating football anthems that transcend sport and Burna Boy’s global influence bringing an African rhythm to the collaboration, Dai Dai is already being tipped as one of the defining sounds of the 2026 World Cup.

As the countdown to kickoff continues, football fans now have a new anthem to soundtrack the journey — and if history is anything to go by, Shakira may once again have delivered a song the world won’t stop singing.

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Ghana Sports

Crystal Palace Hand Medeama Wonderkid Fuzy Taylor Major Career Opportunity

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Crystal Palace Hand Medeama Wonderkid Fuzy Taylor Major Career Opportunity
Crystal Palace Hand Medeama Wonderkid Fuzy Taylor Major Career Opportunity

Highly-rated Fuzy Taylor has taken another big step toward a potential move abroad after receiving an invitation to train with Crystal Palace FC.

The talented Medeama SC youngster is set for a training stint with the Premier League side in May 2026, a move that further highlights his growing reputation as one of Ghana’s brightest young football prospects.

Taylor’s invitation comes at a time when interest in the midfielder is rapidly building across Europe. Just days ago, he returned to Ghana after completing a one-week assessment with Turkish top-flight club Göztepe S.K., another sign that clubs outside Ghana are closely monitoring his development.

The teenager has been one of the standout breakthrough performers in the Ghana Premier League this season, enjoying an impressive debut campaign with Medeama.

Since joining the club from Accra Lions FC in July 2025 on a three-year contract, Taylor has quickly grown into a key figure, making 24 league appearances and scoring once while consistently delivering mature performances beyond his years.

Crystal Palace Hand Medeama Wonderkid Fuzy Taylor Major Career Opportunity

What has made him particularly exciting is his all-round game.

Taylor is admired for his calmness in possession, sharp tactical awareness, and relentless work rate, qualities that have made him one of the league’s most promising young midfielders. His versatility has also added to his appeal, with the youngster showing he can comfortably operate at right-back when needed.

His rapid rise has already earned him recognition on the international stage, receiving a call-up to the Ghana national under-20 football team — another important milestone in his fast-growing career.

Despite strong overseas interest, Taylor remains focused on club duties and has rejoined Medeama ahead of their upcoming league clash against regional rivals Basake Holy Stars FC.

However, his upcoming spell with Crystal Palace could prove to be a defining moment.

For Fuzy Taylor, this is more than just a training opportunity — it is a chance to showcase his talent on one of football’s biggest stages and potentially open the door to European football. With his stock rising quickly, Ghana may be witnessing the emergence of its next big export.

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Ghana Sports

Dacosta Antwi Earns Maiden Black Stars Call-Up for Mexico Friendly

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Dacosta Antwi Earns Maiden Black Stars Call-Up for Mexico Friendly
Dacosta Antwi Earns Maiden Black Stars Call-Up for Mexico Friendly

Young defender Dacosta Antwi has received his first senior call-up to the Ghana national football team after being named in Ghana’s squad for the upcoming international friendly against the Mexico national football team.

The invitation marks a major milestone in the career of the 19-year-old centre-back, who has impressed with his performances for Anderlecht Futures in Belgium’s Challenger Pro League.

New Black Stars head coach Carlos Queiroz has named a 23-man squad for the high-profile warm-up match as Ghana steps up preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, and Antwi’s inclusion is one of the standout selections.

Rapid rise in Europe

Antwi has enjoyed an impressive campaign in Belgium, making 18 appearances for Anderlecht Futures and scoring once, while quickly establishing himself as one of the club’s most promising young defenders.

His strong performances have been built on solid defensive awareness, composure on the ball, and maturity beyond his years — qualities that have clearly caught the attention of Ghana’s technical team.

Before moving abroad, Antwi made his name with Young Apostles FC in the Ghana Premier League, where his standout displays earned him a move to Europe.

He also shone on the international youth stage with the Ghana national under-20 football team, playing a key role for the Black Satellites and earning recognition as one of the top performers at the 2025 U-20 Africa Cup of Nations, where he was named in the Best XI of the group stage.

Big opportunity under Queiroz

Antwi is expected to join up with the senior squad for Ghana’s upcoming fixtures, where he will have the chance to stake a claim for a place in the final squad for the World Cup.

With Ghana preparing to face elite opposition on the biggest stage, Queiroz appears keen to blend experience with youthful talent — and Antwi’s call-up signals the start of a potentially exciting new chapter.

For the teenage defender, this is more than just a call-up — it is a chance to prove he belongs among Ghana’s best as the Black Stars build toward their fifth World Cup appearance in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

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Black Stars

“I Almost Retired” – Daniel-Kofi Kyereh Opens Up on Long Injury Battle

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“I Almost Retired” – Daniel-Kofi Kyereh Opens Up on Long Injury Battle
“I Almost Retired” – Daniel-Kofi Kyereh Opens Up on Long Injury Battle

Ghana midfielder Daniel-Kofi Kyereh has revealed that he seriously considered retiring from football during his lengthy recovery from injury, describing the period as one of the darkest and most challenging chapters of his career.

The 30-year-old spent close to three years battling to return to the pitch after suffering a devastating anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury in 2022 — a setback that not only halted his momentum but also tested his mental strength.

Speaking in an interview with Joy Sports, Kyereh admitted that thoughts of retirement surfaced during the most difficult moments of his rehabilitation.

“To be honest, I was fighting against those thoughts,” Kyereh said.

“The truth is they came up here and there, especially during the difficult times and the setbacks.”

His recovery journey proved far from straightforward. After undergoing surgery in February 2023 to repair the ligament damage, Kyereh appeared to be making progress — only to suffer another setback just as he neared a return, forcing him to undergo a second operation.

That fresh blow extended his spell on the sidelines and made the road back even more frustrating.

“I was going two steps forward and one step back,” he explained.

“There were definitely moments when retirement crossed my mind, but I never allowed those thoughts to stay for long. I kept believing that I would come back.”

That resilience has now paid off.

After gradually returning to partial team training in late 2025 and resuming full training in January 2026, Kyereh is finally back in competitive action. He has already made five appearances for SC Freiburg II since regaining full fitness in April, marking a major milestone in his comeback story.

Kyereh’s return is also welcome news for the Ghana national football team, with the midfielder now pushing to regain his place in the Black Stars squad ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Having fought through pain, setbacks, and moments of doubt, Kyereh’s story is now becoming one of determination — proof that even the toughest battles can lead to a second chance.

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