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Braydon Manu

Braydon Manu, a German-born Ghanaian forward, has indicated his willingness to return to the Black Stars, emphasizing his desire to help the national team succeed in the future.

The 26-year-old winger, who initially joined the Black Stars squad in 2022 under former coach CK Akonnor for World Cup qualifiers against Ethiopia and South Africa, did not make his debut and watched both games from the stands.

Despite not being included in recent selections by current coach Otto Addo, Manu is still optimistic about his eventual comeback to the national squad.

“I am ever ready to play for Ghana. As long as I am fit and available, I am ready to honour any call by the coach and the Ghana Football Association,” Manu stated in an interview with JoySports he emphasising his readiness to respond to any future calls from the coach or the Ghana Football Association (GFA).

Manu also showed his support for the Black Stars as they prepare for the important World Cup qualifiers, urging the public to back the team.

“I wish the team well and hope the public also supports the team in the upcoming games as they work to secure qualification,” he added.

Manu, now a free agent, had a difficult season at Bundesliga club Darmstadt, where injuries kept him out for the majority of the season. Despite these obstacles, his ambition to return to the pitch and represent Ghana is unwavering.

Braydon Manu’s return to the Black Stars, with his steadfast commitment and willingness to assist, might be a useful asset as the club strives to clinch a spot in the 2026 World Cup.

Fifa

Following the outcomes of Round 3, Group I of the African qualifications for the 2026 FIFA World Cup has opened up.

Ghana’s Black Stars influenced the situation in the group with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Mali in Bamako.

In that game, the hosts scored and led at halftime, but they were unable to defend and take all three points.

Ernest Nuamah and Jordan Ayew scored goals to lead the Black Stars to a much-needed 2-1 victory at the halftime.

In the other Round 3 games this week, the Central African Republic defeated Chad, increasing their prospects of qualifying for the next round.

Today’s final game in Group I for the third round between Madagascar and the Comoros expanded the group even further.

Madagascar is now second in the group with six points, having defeated the Comoros 2-1.

Madagascar and Ghana in first and second also have six points respectively.

Meanwhile, Mali and the Central African Republic also are on four points each.

Chad after failing to win any of the first three matches in the qualifies sits bottom of the table.

Otto Addo

Otto Addo, Ghana’s head coach, revealed that he deployed five defenders against Mali since the game demanded it on Thursday in their third 2026 World Cup qualifier.

Ghana came from behind to win 2-1 in Bamako, moving up to second place in Group I of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

Mali were the favourites in the contest, but the Black Stars outperformed themselves to win in a hostile and steamy 26th March Stadium.

Otto Addo was questioned after the game why he chose the 3-4-3 shape, and he stated it was necessary due to the Malians’ speed.

“Every game has different demands and for this game I chose this system but in the next game maybe I’ll choose something else, I don’t know, I don’t know yet.

“I can’t say I will play the same. Maybe I will do so if I think this will be the right thing but maybe not, I don’t know.”

Kwasi Appiah

Sudan defeated Mauritania for the second time in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, led by coach Kwasi Appiah.

With two first-half goals at the Stade de la Capitale, the visitors ensured they would take maximum points.

Saif Thierry scored Sudan’s first goal in the 15th minute. Mauritania’s chances of a comeback were shattered when Aly Abeid unintentionally scored an own goal in the 29th minute, extending Sudan’s lead.

The North African side presently leads Group B of the FIFA World Cup qualifiers in Africa with 7 points, having won two and drawn one of their three games.

The results of today’s game will strengthen Sudan’s prospects of qualifying for the World Cup while also putting pressure on Senegal, who face DR Congo at 7 p.m.

Kwasi Appiah’s team will resume their qualification campaign with a road game against South Sudan on Tuesday.

2026 World Cup qualification

Ghana’s Black Stars defeated Mali 2-1 in Bamako, rekindling their chances of qualifying for the World Cup.

They now share second place in their group with Comoros after the victory, despite Comoros having played one fewer game. The Black Stars came back from a halftime deficit, demonstrating incredible tenacity.

Thanks to a brilliant setup by Fatawu Issahaku, substitute Jordan Ayew clinched the victory with a deflected goal after Ernest Nuamah’s header tied the score.

Coach Otto Addo commended his team’s tenacity and the way his replacements changed the course of the match.

“We had trouble in the first twenty minutes, but we improved in the second half. With his pushing late in the game, Fatawu performed admirably. In these conditions, I believe we performed admirably,” Otto Addo said.

“We played with a solid fighting mentality, but the score was tied at half. It was even, and in the end, our substitutes made the difference.”

Ghana will now concentrate on their encounter with the Central African Republic on Monday at Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi.

With a victory, the Black Stars might lead their group at the end of this month’s qualifiers, greatly increasing their prospects of earning a direct ticket to the USA, Canada, and Mexico-hosted 2026 World Cup.

Fans in Kumasi are incredibly excited for this important match, and the excitement is contagious. When the team arrived, fans greeted them with enthusiasm and praised their work in Bamako. Expect an electrifying atmosphere at Baba Yara Stadium as the Black Stars look to claim yet another crucial victory.

While the runner-up will have an opportunity through a round of playoffs, the group winner will get direct qualification to the World Cup.

The Black Stars are keen to build on their momentum and defeat the Central African Republic since there is so much on the line.

Nordsjaelland

Issaka “Baba” Seidu, a young player from Ghana, has recently joined FC Nordsjaelland in Denmark as a member of the Right to Dream Academy.

Prior to the 2024–2025 season, the left-back inked a contract to become a member of the Wild Tigers’ starting lineup.

When preseason action resumes on June 24, he is anticipated to join the team as the Danish squad gets ready for the next season.

Known by his nickname, Baba, he will be joining the Farum-based team as a player from the Right to Dream Academy in Ghana, along with Araphat Mohammed, Caleb Yirenkyi, Levy Nene, and Stephen Acquah.

“I am really happy and proud to have signed the contract. I had no doubt that FC Nordsjælland was the right club for me, as FCN is known for giving young players good conditions to develop on and off the pitch,” he said after signing the contract.

“I have seen for myself how young players have come to FC Nordsjælland and taken their game to the next level, and I hope to be able to do the same. – I am looking forward to playing with the Superliga team, and I am looking forward to standing in front of the fans. I promise I will do my best for the team and I hope I can help make the fans proud,’ he added.

The Right to Dream Academy has produced several top stars in recent years, including Mohammed Kudus of West Ham and Simon Adingra of Brighton.

Asamoah Gyan

Growing up as a football player, Ghanaian legend Asamoah Gyan said he always felt he would be the first to send the Black Stars to the World Cup.

When Ghana qualified for the competition for the first time in 2006, the renowned forward from that country saw his ambition come true.

In the match against the Czech Republic in Cologne, Germany, Gyan powered home from a Stephen Appiah assist to score Ghana’s first goal of the tournament.

With six goals in three tournaments, the former captain of Ghana is currently the African player with the most goals at the World Cup.

“We used to go to school and the teachers would ask what we would want to be in the future. Some would say I want to be a president, others say engineers and stuff but I was the only one who said I would be a football star,” he told YFM on the Leaderboard Series.

“I prophesized that I would be the person to take Ghana to the World Cup because at that time we had great players but we never qualified for the World Cup. I said the first time I will wear the Ghana jersey we will go to the World Cup. My friends at that time can testify,” he added.

Gyan holds the record as Ghana’s all-time top scorer with 51 goals in 109 international appearances.

Ghanaian goalkeeper Joseph Anang finally leaves West Ham United

Joseph Anang, a goalkeeper from Ghana, will depart West Ham in June 2024 when his contract expires.

After seven years in East London, where he won the UEFA Europa Conference League with the Hammers, the Ghana-born England youth international is leaving.

Anang, who mostly played third choice throughout the season, had opposition from first-choice goalkeepers Lukasz Fabianski and Areola Apphonse of France, despite his potential at West Ham.

In the just concluded season, he made 30 appearances for the team but did not play for the club.

During the course of his seven-year contract, the 23-year-old made appearances for Irish team St Patrick’s Athletic in the UEFA Europa Conference League qualifying rounds in 2022 and also spent time on loan at EFL clubs Stevenage and Derby County.

Anang is anticipated to sign with a new team prior to the 2024–2025 campaign.

The English-Ghanaian goalkeeper is still able to represent the Black Stars.

Medeama SC

Medeama SC of the Ghana Premier League is traveling on a one-of-a-kind team tour to Toronto, thanks to the International Development Academy.

This personalized experience allows players, coaches, and officials to explore the city, compete against local teams, and train in world-class facilities.

The trip promises to be an interesting and enriching experience, with attendees staying in 4-star hotels close to the training facilities.

Meals will be served on-site, with the option of exploring other dining options.

The team will face off against Toronto-based academy and club teams, garnering crucial experience and exposure.

They will also attend a Canadian Premier League or Major League Soccer game, which will provide them with insight into North American professional football.

IDA’s partner, Global Sports Experiences, will handle all logistical parts of the tour, assuring a smooth and pleasurable experience for everyone.

This tour provides Medeama SC with a unique opportunity to improve their abilities, bond as a team, and explore the exciting city of Toronto.

With its rich football history and cultural attractions, Toronto is an ideal location for this fascinating experience.

The Tarkwa-based football club will arrive in Toronto on October 2 for a trip that will go through October 9, 2024.

Black Stars

Coach Otto Addo of the Black Stars has stirred controversy with his audacious choice to restructure his team. He chose to bench experienced captain André Morgan Rami Ayew in favor of bringing in a new generation of youthful, explosive players.

Given the team’s recent transitional phase, the inclusion of young prospects like Antoine Semenyo and Mohammed Kudus was not completely surprising. However, the omission of Ayew, who had a stellar season for Le Havre in the French Ligue 1, scoring six goals in 20 games, has sparked discussion about the coach’s unexpected and calculated move.

It’s true that the team has been through a transition over the past two years, with new players like Inaki Williams, Antoine Semenyo, and Mohammed Kudus of West Ham United coming to the forefront. As a result, the coach’s decision to lean on youth in his most recent 27-man squad for the World Cup qualifiers against Mali and the Central African Republic (CAR) would not have created much of a stir.

His choice to exclude Ayew, who had a breakout season in club football after contributing an assist for Le Havre in the French Ligue 1 and scoring six goals in 20 games across all competitions, raised eyebrows and caused controversy.

In response to this divisive decision, Addo emphasized that Ayew, 34,’s exclusion did not signal the end of his

acknowledges the veteran’s noteworthy services to the national team during his 17-year career, which has seen him make a record 120 appearances for Ghana since making his debut in August 2007.

The decision marks a departure from the traditional reliance on experience to guide young players, reflecting the coach’s vision for the team’s future as he embarks on a second stint as national coach under a 34-month contract.