Ghana Premier League winners Bibiani Gold Stars scored a 2-1 comeback victory against Asante Kotoko on Wednesday, marking the start of their campaign at the 2025 GHALCA Top 4 tournament.
The competition between the top four Premier League teams from the previous campaign began today and will conclude on Sunday, August 24.
At the University of Ghana Stadium, the first game between Asante Kotoko and Gold Stars was an exciting contest that entertained the fans that came to support their sides.
Three goals were scored in the match, although Asante Kotoko equalized first thanks to a goal from forward Albert Amoah in the sixteenth minute.
Gold Stars maintained composure and adhered to their strategy even though they gave up first. To the ire of the Kotoko players, who objected to the referee’s decision, the team was given a penalty kick in the 22nd minute.
Samuel Atta Kumi converted from 12 yards out to even the score with the ruling still in effect.
After a fierce battle, Gold Stars won 2-1 at the conclusion of regulation thanks to an own goal from Kotoko defender Henry Ansu in the second half.
At 6 p.m. today, Hearts of Oak and Heart of Lions will play the second game of the day at the University of Ghana Stadium.
With her elegant free kick, Helen Alormenu draws for Texas State.
Texas State University and Texas A&M University drew 1-1 in NCAA soccer on Wednesday night, with Ghanaian youth star Helen Alormenu scoring her third goal of the year.
In the eighteenth minute, the 2024 Women’s World Cup standout opened the score with a beautiful free kick.
On 81 minutes, however, TAMU grabbed the equalizer to prevent the Bobcats from winning on the road.
Watch Texas State University’s free-kick goal by Helen Alormenu:
His Royal Majesty Dr. Nii Ayi-Bonte II, the former CEO of Hearts of Oak, has stated his belief that his former team will win the Ghana Premier League in 2025–2026.
Last season, the Phobians had a dismal season and failed to win any significant trophies. The club’s board responded by hiring Didi Dramani as head coach to lead their comeback.
Last Sunday, Hearts of Oak defeated Heart of Lions to win the 2025 Homowo Cup at the Accra Sports Stadium as part of their preseason training.
Dr. Nii Ayi-Bonte is adamant that the team must make a serious run for the championship when the new league season starts on September 12.
“For now, I’ll say we need to win the league this year. Definitely. We have come back, we’ll give our quarter and support our brother,” he told Citi Sports.
The Gbese Mantse and Adonten of the Ga State acknowledged the difficulties of football administration in Ghana but believe Hearts can rise above those challenges. He also praised current board chairman Togbe Afede XIV for his leadership, urging continued support for his vision.
“To run football in this country is not so easy. I’ve always been told that Togbe Afede is doing very well. We also need to give him the support to achieve the aim,” he added.
Nii Ayi-Bonte, who oversaw Hearts’ historic treble-winning campaign in 1999/2000, remains optimistic that the club is on course to reclaim its glory days.
Hearts of Oak will begin their 2025/26 campaign against newly promoted Hohoe United.
Mohammed Kudus, a Ghanaian international, was named to the Team of the Week in recognition of his exceptional performance during his Premier League debut for Tottenham Hotspur.
At the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Saturday, Spurs defeated Burnley 3-0 thanks to an incredible performance from the 25-year-old attacker.
Kudus demonstrated his inventiveness, vision, and ability to penetrate defenses with accurate passing by recording two assists.
Tottenham supporters got a sneak peek at the thrilling impact he is expected to have this season thanks to his link-up play in the final third, which was a continuous danger.
The fact that Kudus was named to the Premier League Team of the Week shows how swiftly he has adjusted to life at Spurs.
The Ghanaian, who was signed this summer to give the team more firepower and variety, has made an immediate impression on the English scene.
Following the match, Kudus said he was thrilled by the Tottenham team’s spirit of competition and that he wanted to compete for every prize.
Both fans and analysts have high hopes for him because of his early performance, with many predicting that he will emerge as one of the league’s most notable players this season.
Kudus and his teammates now face a major test when they travel to the Etihad Stadium to take on former champions Manchester City on Saturday, August 23.
Mohammed Kudus immediately made an impression during his Premier League debut for Tottenham Hotspur, contributing two assists in their victory over Burnley on the first day.
The Ghanaian midfielder, who joined Tottenham this summer, helped Thomas Frank’s team start the season strongly. He looked confident and quick.
Kudus quickly shown why Tottenham was so keen to get him after beingplaced in an advanced position on the right flank. Halfway through the first half, he deftly picked up Richarlison’s run, who tucked home to open the score, giving him his first assist.
In the second half, Kudus again found Richarlison in the 18-yard box with a right-footed cross, repeating his first set-up to provide the second assist.
The Brazilian doubled the advantage for the home team with an acrobatic finish.
The home crowd loudly applauded the 24-year-old’s enthusiasm, inventiveness, and directness, and they will be inspired by his easy transition to the team.
Brennan Johnson arrived just as the game appeared to be headed for just the two goals, but he added another to make Tottenham’s lead 3-0.
Kudus’s debut scarcely could have gone better. With their new acquisition already making an impact, Spurs had a spectacular start to the season.
Ghana forward Antoine Semenyo responds to racial abuse with a brace against Liverpool on EPL opening weekend
After being subjected to racist taunts by a supporter during the first weekend of the English Premier League, Ghanaian attacker Antoine Semenyo displayed a flawless mindset on Friday night by scoring two goals against Liverpool.
The alleged abuse happened when a supporter targeted Semenyo when he was trying to make a throw-in halfway through the first half.
Instead of being shaken, the 24-year-old striker for the Black Stars used his emotions to create a fantastic performance.
Liverpool gained the lead early in the match that opened the 2025–26 English Premier League season, thanks to the lovely atmosphere that the home crowd produced. In the 37th minute, newcomer Hugo Ekitike opened the goal by jumping on a loose ball inside the penalty area and shooting into the bottom right corner.
Cody Gakpo’s incredible low strike from the edge of the box in the 49th minute doubled the Reds’ lead.
When Antoine Semenyo reacted fastest to a loose ball in the box in the 64th minute, he slotted home to cut the deficit and start Bournemouth’s comeback.
The Ghanaian’s brilliant moment came twelve minutes later when he leveled the score with a perfect shot from the edge of the penalty area into the bottom right corner.
Even though he gave a fantastic effort, AFC Bournemouth was unable to earn a point.
Liverpool secured all three points at full time with late goals from Mohammed Salah in extra time and Federico Chiesa in the 88th minute.
Pep Guardiola hands Manchester City fitness update ahead of Wolves opener
Before their 2025–26 Premier League opener against Wolves on Saturday night, Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has given a report on the fitness of his team.
After defeating Palermo 3-0 in their preseason friendly in Italy last week thanks to two goals from new recruit Tijjani Reijnders, City will begin the new season this weekend at the Molineux Stadium.
This summer, Guardiola has brought six new players to the Etihad Stadium. With their lowest league point total under Guardiola (71) and a third-place finish the previous season, all eyes will be on City as they look to recapture the Premier League crown from Liverpool.
After spending £31 million to join City from Wolves in June, Rayan Ait-Nouri has shown promise in preseason. This weekend, the Algerian international will play his first Premier League game for the Blues against his old team.
Ballon d’Or winner Rodri suffered a serious injury setback at the FIFA Club World Cup in June, which is expected to prevent the 29-year-old midfielder from being fully fit in the first few months of the new season. Rodri had only recently returned to match fitness after a protracted ACL layoff.
In the days following Manchester City’s away Premier League match against Fulham in 2024–25, Mateo Kovacic had surgery on his Achilles.
The Croatian is stepping up recovery but himself remains out of contention till October.
As he approaches the last year of his contract, John Stones has fully recovered from a frustrating 2024–25 season that prevented the 31-year-old Englishman from consistently making a claim in Guardiola’s starting lineup due to recurrent niggles and injury issues that cast doubt on his future at the Etihad Stadium.
Due to fitness issues, Phil Foden, Claudio Echeverri, and Josko Gvardiol were unable to go to Sicily for last weekend’s preseason victory over Palermo. Guardiola has provided an update on his team’s fitness in a press conference prior to their trip to Wolves on Saturday.
Guardiola has confirmed that Gvardiol and Kovacic remain injured and will not make the trip to the Molineux Stadium, with Foden and Rodri fit and set to be included in the matchday squad for the opening game of the season.
Savinho suffered an injury in the pre-season win over Palermo last week, Guardiola stated, with the 21-year-old attracting interest from Tottenham and set to miss Saturday’s game.
Ederson is also struggling with fitness, Guardiola said, and will not travel with the Manchester City squad to face Wolves as the 31-year-old himself faces an uncertain future at the Etihad Stadium amid strong interest from Galatasaray.
Kalvin Phillips and Marcus Bettinelli remain on the sidelines as the former remains surplus to requirements by Guardiola. Bettinelli was signed as Manchester City’s third-choice goalkeeper in June after the expiration of Scott Carson’s contract.
Days after signing a contract to join the Black Queens, Chantelle Boye-Hlorkah, an attacking midfielder, has returned to preseason play with Nottingham Forest, a team in the Women’s Super League.
During the summer transfer window, Boye-Hlorkah, who performed admirably at the CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, agreed to a two-year contract to join the Reds from London City Lionesses.
The 29-year-old joined her new teammates to start getting ready for the forthcoming season in the women’s top flight league in England, despite taking a little gap owing to an international duty.
The England-born Ghanaian shared her excitement following the move and looks forward to make her debut for the club.
“I’m excited to join the Club and play with this group of players,” she said.
“The team had an incredible season last year – history is being created here and I’m grateful that I can be a part of continuing to build something special at the Club.”
Boye-Hlorkah could make her debut for Nottingham Forest against Newcastle United in the opening game of the campaign on September 7, 2025.
Kurt Okraku, president of the Ghana FA, says the Black Stars are on pace to qualify for the 2026 World Cup.
Kurt E.S. Okraku, president of the Ghana Football Association, says the Black Stars are still on course to qualify for the FIFA World Cup in 2026.
The West African powerhouses have turned their attention to the 2026 World Cup qualifying tournaments, which commence in September with games against Chad and Mali, after missing out on the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
In the African qualifiers for the largest soccer tournament, which will be held in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, Ghana has completely dominated Group I.
Okraku confirmed the Black Stars are still on course to qualify for the World Cup tournament the following year while speaking at the 31st Ordinary Congress on Tuesday.
“Though we regretfully missed out on AFCON 2025, the Black Stars remain on track for 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification in USA, Canada and Mexico” he told Congress members at the Ghanaman Soccer Centre of Excellence.
The Black Stars now lead Madagascar, who are in second position, by five points. With nine points apiece, Mali and Comoros are ranked third and fourth, respectively.
After five games, Chad is in last place with no points, while the Central African Republic is in fifth place with five points.
Premier League clubs receive record sponsorship from GFA for the 2025–2026 season.
In an attempt to fortify the nation’s top division, the Ghana Football Association (GFA) has revealed a significant financial and logistical package for all 18 Ghana Premier League clubs prior to the 2025–2026 season.
Each GPL club will receive at least GHS 1 million before the season starts, according to GFA President Kurt Okraku, who made this announcement during the 31st Ordinary Congress in Pampram on Tuesday. This is the greatest pre-season financial support in the league’s history. Enhancing club operations, player welfare, and competitiveness both on and off the field are the goals of the funding.
The package is a component of the GFA’s plan to professionalize the league and provide long-term sources of income.
It is backed by a commercialisation plan, developed with Adesa Productions Limited, to expand sponsorship opportunities, improve marketing, and increase matchday and broadcast revenues.
In addition to the cash support, the GFA has distributed 540 pairs of football boots and 540 footballs – 30 each per club – to help maintain training and matchday standards.
Okraku said the goal is to position the GPL as a competitive, sustainable, and globally marketable league.
