Earlier this week, the squad departed Ghana’s borders for the West African nation.
Following the first training session, coach Kim Lars BjÃrkegren expressed satisfaction with the team’s dedication and effort.
“It was a good exercise, and I liked the intensity and commitment everyone exhibited today. We arrived yesterday, and this is only our first training session, but I’m impressed,” the coach said.
The Black Queens will face Côte d’Ivoire tomorrow, May 30, at 19:00 GMT. The second friendly is scheduled for June 3, 2025.
Mohammed Kudus, the Ghanaian superstar, is too talented to remain stagnant. He needs a spark for his career, and West Ham is not going to provide that anytime soon.
In 2023, the Ghanaian international reportedly paid 38 million pounds to join from Ajax. He has since displayed glimmers of exceptional quality.
But things haven’t gone as planned this season. Kudus has just five goals to his name. His last strike came on the last of the Premier League this season.
According to Jamie Carragher, Kudus’ progress has stagnated. It is difficult to dispute this. Graham Potter replaced Julen Lopetegui in the middle of the season, putting West Ham (2.21) back in transition.
“Last season, he was fantastic. He just hasn’t looked the same player this season” Carragher said on Sky Sports.
He added: “Kudus might think this is an off-season for him, and last season was the real Kudus, and we get that type of player; It’s a good sign.”
“I won’t be surprised if there’s a change there somewhere because West Ham need the money,” Carragher remarked in reference to a possible transfer elsewhere.
On his best day, Kudus is a match-winning dribbler. However, his lack of consistency isn’t solely attributable to his own performance. One factor has been the club’s difficulties and tactical unpredictability.
Additionally, Lucas Paquetá’s betting case has increased ambiguity. If it is discovered that he was involved in match-fixing, he may be subject to a long-term ban. Kudus is now under additional creative strain as a result. However, the Ghanaian hasn’t been able to bear the burden by himself.
Aaron Essel, a defender, makes his Black Stars debut in the Unity Cup loss to Nigeria.
During Wednesday night’s 2-1 loss to Nigeria in the Unity Cup semifinal at the GTech Community Stadium in London, young defender Aaron Essel made his senior debut for the Black Stars.
Head coach Otto Addo gave the 19-year-old a starting position after he had played for Ghana’s U20 team in the 2025 Africa U20 Cup of Nations in Egypt last month. He received his first senior call-up after an outstanding run of play that led to his inclusion.
Early in the game, Essel showed promise while starting in a three-man defense. But after suffering an injury, he was substituted in the 29th minute, with Ghana already behind 2-0 within the first half hour.
Despite the early setback, Essel’s debut is seen as a key milestone in his development, with the technical team expected to monitor his progress ahead of future assignments.
Ghana will now face Trinidad & Tobago in the third-place playoff on Saturday, while Nigeria move on to face Jamaica in the Unity Cup final.
After defeating Rootz Sistaz 4-1 in the penultimate match of the GFA Regional Women’s Championship, Hearts of Oak’s women’s team, Oaks FC has qualified for the Women’s Premier League.
With their fourth victory in four games in the current qualifying competition, Hearts of Oak’s women’s team increased their lead at the top of Group A.
After Fati Ibrahim curled home from a freekick in the eighth minute, the Phobians lost no time in laying out their plan.
Victoria Yeboah doubled the lead nine minutes later after meeting an Amanda Mills cross at the far end.
Mills went from provider to scorer following a period of dominance from Oaks Ladies, putting the game beyond Rootz Sistaz before the half time break.
The score was still 3-0 at the half after the squad, captained by former Black Queens coach Mercy Tagoe, wasted multiple first-half opportunities.
Seven minutes into the second half, Rootz Sistaz rallied for a comeback after the interval.
However, after Esenam Sarafina converted from the spot, Oaks FC answered a little while after.
With one game remaining, the Hearts of Oak’s women’s team are comfortably leading their group and will advance to the Southern Zone of the Women’s Premier League for the upcoming season.
Otto Addo, the coach of the Black Stars, feels that now is the perfect moment to provide players who have been on his radar for months opportunities.
Five debutants have been added to the former Ghanaian winger’s Unity Cup roster, while Mohammed Kudus, Ernest Nuamah, Antoine Semenyo, and Kamal Deen Sulemana have been left out owing to minor injuries and knocks.
Following recent victories over Chad and Madagascar that retained the nation atop the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying log, Otto Addo will captain Ghana in the Unity Cup.
“These two matches are extremely important for the team, just like the FIFA World Cup qualifiers in September. I believe this is the perfect time to closely observe the players we’ve been monitoring over the last few months’’ he told ghanafa.org.
‘’Team building is a process that takes time, and it’s not something that happens overnight. Therefore, this is a great opportunity to give some of our young players a chance to prove themselves. Our aim is to create competition within the team, which can only be achieved by providing an equal platform for all our talents to showcase their skills’’
‘’We’re looking beyond individuals, and focusing on building a strong team, that’s why I’ve decided to give many of these young players a chance to play and prove themselves, with the aim of making them a key part of my team going forward”.
”The Unity Cup comes at a crucial time for us, and we want to make the most of it. We’re excited to welcome back players who have been absent for months due to various reasons, as well as integrate new players into the team.” Otto Addo added.
Ghana will take on Nigeria at the GTech Community Stadium in West London on Wednesday, May 28, for a slot in the final on Saturday, May 31, 2025.
Sarfo Duku, Asante Kotoko’s director of communications, has alluded to the club’s decision on Karim Zito’s future at the end of the current campaign.
Due to a bad run of results, the team fired Prosper Narteh Ogum halfway through the second half of the season, and Zito, a former Black Satellites coach, was brought in as the team’s temporary trainer.
The seasoned Ghanaian manager has not lost since taking over the Reds.
Duku said the team would make a decision regarding Zito’s future during the 2024–25 Ghana Premier League season, which has two games remaining.
“At the end of the season, we will do a proper assessment of their performance within this short period and take a decision that will be in the best interest of Kotoko and Ghana football,” he told Citi Sports.
But before finishing the season with an away trip to Vision FC, Kotoko, whose hopes of winning the Premier League are clearly dwindling, will play Medeama SC in the Matchday 33 fixtures on Sunday at Baba Yara Stadium.
When Asante Kotoko plays lower-tier Golden Kick FC in the MTN FA Cup final on June 15 at the University of Ghana Sports Stadium, Karim Zito will be hoping to raise a trophy.
Otto Addo names five debutants in Black Stars squad for Unity Cup 2025
Five young players have received their first call-ups from Otto Addo to play for the Black Stars in the Unity Cup 2025 in London.
They include Mohammed Gadafi Fuseini of Union St. Gilloise in Belgium, Aaron Essel of North Texas SC, Caleb Yirenkyi of FC Nordsjaelland of Denmark, Joseph Tetteh Anang of St. Patrick’s Athletic in Ireland, and Abdul Aziz Issah of Barcelona B.
As the technical team continues to assemble for the future, the five players will be given the chance to demonstrate their diverse skill sets. Since making his England U-20 debut in 2019, after playing for Derby County, Stevenage, and West Ham United, Joseph Tetteh Anang has been a persistent presence in Ghana.
Two players from the Ghana Premier League, Aaron Essel and Abdul Aziz Issah, have been representing the Black Satellites and participated in the most recent U-20 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt.
While Abdul Aziz Issah is currently playing for Barcelona Atletico in Spain, Aaron Essel is currently playing for North Texas SC in the United States.
Mohammed Gadafi Fuseini plays for Union St. Gilloise in Belgium, and Caleb Yirenkyi is stationed with FC Nordsjaelland in Denmark.
To get ready for this week’s four-nation event, the five players will train with the team in London.
Otto Addo, the Black Stars’ coach, has decided on 23 players for the Unity Cup 2025 in London this week. The team has added four homegrown players: Kwame Opoku of Asante Kotoko, Kamaradini Mamudu of Medeama SC, Razak Simpson of Nations FC, and Benjamin Asare of Hearts of Oak.
Joseph Tetteh Anang, a former goalkeeper for West Ham United who currently plays for St. Patrick’s Athletic in Ireland, has also received his first call-up.
Aaron Essel and Abdul Aziz Issah, who played for Ghana at the most recent U-20 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt, are another.
The team also includes Belgium-based Mohammed Gadafi Fuseini of Union Saint-Gilloise and Caleb Yirenkyi, a top player who has excelled for FC Nordsjaelland in the Danish top division.
Majeed Ashimeru of Anderlecht, forward Felix Afena Gyan, and midfielder Abdul Samed Salis of Sunderland are all returning to the squad. Abdul Samed Salis is making a comeback after recovering from an injury that kept him out of action for half of the season, and Afena Gyan is rejoining the team after nearly two years away.
To start getting ready for the Unity Cup, which includes Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica, and Nigeria, the players are anticipated to report to camp in London.
Ghana will take on Nigeria at the GTech Community Stadium in West London on Wednesday, May 28, for a slot in the final on Saturday, May 31, 2025.
Otto Addo, coach of the Ghana Black Stars, selects the team for the 2025 Unity Cup.
When Chelsea qualified for the Champions League, Enzo Maresca shouted, “F*** off” to those who had questioned him and his youthful team.
Chelsea overcame their away-day blues to defeat Nottingham Forest 1-0 at the City Ground on Sunday, despite just winning once on the road in the Premier League since Christmas and only managing five goals.
For the first time since Thomas Tuchel led them to third place in 2022, the outcome guaranteed a Champions League spot, and Maresca responded with optimism.
“I didn’t have any doubts about the players. The doubt was from outside,” said the head coach, who was taking charge of his first top-flight campaign.
“All the ones that have the answer and the truth, they were saying we were too young, we were not good enough.
“They were waiting for [Aston] Villa to drop points if we wanted to achieve Champions League.
“They were saying we were not able to win on this pitch because we were too young and not experienced.
“Unfortunately for them they are all wrong, all the ones who have the truth and the answer for everything. So in English, I will say ‘eff off’ to all of them.”
After three seasons in charge, Chelsea have returned to Europe’s top table for the first time under the current owners, and Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali were on the pitch to celebrate with the staff and players at full-time.
Hohoe United’s Premier League dream hangs in the balance amid legal challenges
Hohoe United is poised to make history by qualifying for the Ghana Premier League, but their festivities are on hold while they await the results of two significant court rulings that could change the trajectory of their campaign.
The dominant team defeated Inter Allies 3-1 on Sunday, extending their winning run to five games and securing their top spot in the Division One League standings.
On the field, their qualifying versus the Great Olympics seemed to be all but guaranteed with one game left.
But there is a legal tempest brewing off the field.
Two teams, including Kotoku Royals, have filed protest charges against Hohoe United, claiming the team fielded players who were not qualified. The final league standings may be significantly impacted by the decisions made in these matters, which are being decided by the Ghana Football Association’s judicial committees. Hohoe United might lose crucial points and jeopardize their chances of promotion if the demonstrations are allowed to continue.
Port City, their closest rivals, is ready to take advantage of any mistake. Even though they lost important points in a tie with True Democracy, they are still very much in the running if the court decisions go their way.
Despite the off-field distractions, Hohoe United have been a revelation this season. Their win against Inter Allies marked their 22nd victory in 29 games, a testament to the team’s consistency, tactical discipline, and attacking flair.
Formed in 2023 after Liberty Professionals withdrew from competitive league football, Hohoe United emerged under new ownership led by former Hohoe MP John-Peter Amewu. The new owners acquired Liberty’s Division One League slot, and the Ghana Football Association formally approved the transition, with Hohoe United inheriting all rights and obligations of Liberty Professionals.
Now, with their remarkable campaign nearing its climax, the club finds itself in a tense waiting game. The legal verdicts could confirm their rightful place among Ghana’s football elite or force them into a painful wait for another shot at glory.
Fans, players, and officials alike will be hoping the performances on the pitch are ultimately what define Hohoe United’s season, not the proceedings in the boardroom.
