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GPL: GFA details why ONLY Benjamin Asare made Black Stars squad for Austria, Germany friendlies

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GPL: GFA details why ONLY Benjamin Asare made Black Stars squad for Austria, Germany friendlies

Henry Asante Twum, the Communications Director of the Ghana Football Association, has explained why only one player from the Ghana Premier League made it into the Black Stars squad for the upcoming international friendlies.

Head coach Otto Addo recently unveiled a 26-man squad for the pre-World Cup friendlies against Austria and Germany, with Benjamin Asare standing as the only locally-based player selected.

Addressing concerns on Asempa FM, Asante Twum stressed that the selection was guided strictly by data-driven evaluation and not a disregard for domestic league players.

GPL: GFA details why ONLY Benjamin Asare made Black Stars squad for Austria, Germany friendlies

According to him, the technical team, led by Otto Addo, has been closely monitoring performances in the Ghana Premier League while also analyzing players’ statistics, consistency, and adaptability before making final decisions.

He further noted that missing out on the squad is not limited to local players alone, as several foreign-based players in Europe were also left out, highlighting the competitiveness of the selection process.

Ghana will first face Austria at the Ernst Happel Stadium in Vienna on March 27, before traveling to Stuttgart to take on four-time world champions Germany on March 30.

The Black Stars will continue their preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup — to be hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico — with additional friendly matches lined up against Mexico in May and Wales in early June.

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Black Stars

Otto Addo Announces Ghana National Football Team Squad for Austria and Germany Friendlies

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Otto Addo Announces Ghana National Football Team Squad for Austria and Germany Friendlies

Head coach Otto Addo has unveiled the squad for the Ghana national football team ahead of their upcoming international friendly matches against the Austria national football team and the Germany national football team later this month.

The two games form part of Ghana’s preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with the technical team aiming to fine-tune the squad ahead of the global tournament.

Most of the players included in the squad featured during the World Cup qualification campaign. However, the Black Stars coach has also handed debut call-ups to four new players: Derrick Luckassen, Patrick Pfeiffer, Marvin Senaya, and Daniel Agyei.

Ghana will first take on Austria in Vienna on March 27 before travelling to Stuttgart for a high-profile clash against Germany on March 30, 2026.

Full Ghana Squad

Goalkeepers:
Lawrence Ati-Zigi (St. Gallen), Benjamin Asare (Accra Hearts of Oak), Joseph Anang (St. Patrick’s Athletic)

Defenders:
Patrick Pfeiffer (SV Darmstadt), Derrick Luckassen (Pafos FC), Derrick Köhn (Union Berlin), Jerome Opoku (Istanbul Basaksehir), Caleb Yirenkyi (FC Nordsjaelland), Kojo Oppoong Pepprah (OGC Nice), Jonas Adjetey (VfL Wolfsburg), Marvin Senaya (Auxerre), Alexander Djiku (Spartak Moscow), Gideon Mensah (Auxerre)

Midfielders:
Thomas Partey (Villarreal), Elisha Owusu (Auxerre), Ibrahim Sulemana (Cagliari), Kwasi Sibo (Real Oviedo)

Forwards/Wingers:
Brandon Thomas-Asante (Coventry City), Jordan Ayew (Leicester City), Prince Adu (Viktoria Plzen), Christopher Bonsu Baah (Al Qadsiah), Abdul Fatawu Issahaku (Leicester City), Iñaki Williams (Athletic Bilbao), Antoine Semenyo (Manchester City), Kamaldeen Sulemana (Atalanta), Daniel Agyei (Kocaelispor)

The friendlies are expected to give Coach Otto Addo the opportunity to assess new talents while strengthening team chemistry ahead of crucial international competitions.

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Black Stars

Ghana Commemorates 48 Years Since Historic 1978 AFCON Victory

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Ghana Commemorates 48 Years Since Historic 1978 AFCON Victory

Ghana is marking the 48th anniversary of its memorable triumph at the Africa Cup of Nations in 1978, when the Ghana national football team defeated Uganda national football team 2-0 in the final at the Accra Sports Stadium.

The victory on March 16, 1978, remains one of the most significant moments in Ghana’s football history, as the country became the first nation to win the continental tournament three times and permanently keep the AFCON trophy.

Ghanaian forward Opoku Afriyie was the hero of the final, scoring both goals that secured the win and cemented his place among the country’s football legends.

The Black Stars squad was led by captain Awuley Quaye and featured several iconic players who played key roles in Ghanaian football during that era. Among them were midfield maestros Karim Abdul Razak and Mohammed Polo.

Ghana’s 1978 AFCON Squad

Goalkeepers:
Joseph Carr, Abdulai Chesco, Fuseini Salifu

Defenders:
P.S.K. Paha, Ofei Ansah, Haruna Yusif, Isaac Acquaye, Awuley Quaye, James Kuuku Dadzie, Justice Moore

Midfielders:
Adolf Armah, John Nketia Yawson, Addae Kyenkyehene, Karim Abdul Razak, Mohammed Polo

Forwards:
Dan Kayede, George Alhassan, Emmanuel Quarshie, Opoku Afriyie, Anas Seidu, Willie Klutse, Kuntu Blankson

The 1978 success remains one of Ghana’s proudest football achievements. The Black Stars later captured their fourth AFCON title in 1982 but have since been unable to reclaim the continental crown despite reaching multiple finals over the decades.

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Ghana Sports

PRESS RELEASE: Akabenezer Leads Campaign to Discover New Football Talents in Kumasi

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PRESS RELEASE: Akabenezer Leads Campaign to Discover New Football Talents in Kumasi

Akabenezer Ventures Into Football Talent Scouting With KickNation

Kumasi, Ghana — Popular Ghanaian comedy actor Akabenezer has teamed up with emerging football scouting platform KickNation, led by Wunnam Haruna, to support the discovery of young football talents in Kumasi through an upcoming grassroots scouting tournament.

The initiative forms part of the KickNation Community First Gala, a football talent identification event scheduled to take place in Kumasi from April 15th to April 19th, 2026, at Alignment Park, Sofo Line.

The tournament will provide a platform for young footballers across the Ashanti Region to showcase their skills in front of scouts, coaches, and talent recruiters with the aim of identifying players to join the KickNation talent portfolio and potentially secure opportunities abroad.

PRESS RELEASE: Akabenezer Leads Campaign to Discover New Football Talents in Kumasi

Akabenezer’s involvement in the campaign has generated significant excitement among fans, particularly as the actor has recently been featured in a promotional commercial displaying surprising football skills alongside rising comedy skit sensation Gruma.

His involvement comes at a time when more Ghanaian creatives are showing interest in grassroots football development. Actor Yaw Dabo, for instance, has gained recognition for his work in academy football and talent development.

Speaking about the initiative, representatives of KickNation explained that the goal is to create accessible pathways for young players from local communities to be discovered and connected to international football opportunities.

KickNation has already begun facilitating international development opportunities for players, recently enrolling two young footballers into football academies in the United Kingdom as part of its growing global scouting network.

The KickNation Community First Gala is expected to attract hundreds of young players and football enthusiasts in Kumasi, reinforcing the organization’s commitment to grassroots development and international exposure for emerging Ghanaian talent.

The event is powered by the Global Football Festival, an initiative focused on promoting football, youth development, and sports entertainment across Africa.

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Football World

FIFA approves new rules to speed up games ahead of the 2026 World Cup

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FIFA approves new rules to speed up games ahead of the 2026 World Cup

Ahead of the 2026 World Cup, FIFA announced a number of rule modifications intended to expedite games and reduce time-wasting. The changes include replacements, restarts, injury protocols, and the use of VAR during the event, which takes place from June 11 to July 19.

The new regulations stipulate that players who are substituted must exit the field within ten seconds; if they do not, their replacement must wait a minute to join.

Goal kicks and throw-ins are now limited to five seconds, and if they take too long, the other team will get possession. Players who are receiving medical attention on the field are required to leave right away and are only permitted to return after play has restarted for one minute.

VAR oversight will also expand, allowing referees to review incidents involving second yellow cards and clear errors on corner kick decisions, reinforcing accuracy in critical moments.

The 2026 World Cup will be historic in several ways. It will be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico across 16 cities—11 in the U.S., three in Mexico, and two in Canada.

Mexico becomes the first country to host three men’s World Cups, while Canada will host for the first time. The tournament will expand to 48 teams, making it the largest World Cup ever.

The United 2026 bid secured hosting rights over Morocco at the 68th FIFA Congress in Moscow, returning the tournament to its traditional summer schedule after Qatar’s 2022 edition took place in November and December.

New entrants expected to make their debut include Cape Verde, Curaçao, Jordan, and Uzbekistan, while defending champions Argentina aim to retain their title.

Ghana will compete in its fifth World Cup, beginning its Group L campaign against Panama on June 17, followed by matches against England on June 23 and Croatia on June 27.

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Black Stars

2026 World Cup: I am confident Black Stars will beat Panama – Ex-GFA Veep George Afriyie

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2026 World Cup: I am confident Black Stars will beat Panama - Ex-GFA Veep George Afriyie

George Afriyie, a former vice president of the Ghana Football Association (GFA), is confident that the Black Stars would defeat Panama in their first World Cup match.

This summer, Ghana will play their first match at the Mundial against the Central American team on June 17. They will next play England on June 23 and conclude their Group L matches against Croatia on June 27. Mr. Afriyie emphasized in an interview with Graphic Sports that the Black Stars must defeat Panama to get their tournament off to a strong start. “I think we’ll defeat Panama.

The first game is crucial, and I assure you that we have the best chance against Panama among our group opponents,” he stated.

“We all know England and Croatia are ahead of us in terms of FIFA rankings, but national team football is quite tricky,” Afriyie added.

As part of their build-up, the Black Stars will face Austria and Germany later this month, before matches against Mexico in May and Wales on June 2.

After group-stage exits in both 2014 and 2022, the Black Stars are determined to deliver a stronger, more competitive performance on North American soil.

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Black Stars

Prince Adu and Kamaldeen Sulemana Poised for Black Stars Return Ahead of Friendlies

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Prince Adu and Kamaldeen Sulemana Poised for Black Stars Return Ahead of Friendlies
Prince Adu and Kamaldeen Sulemana Poised for Black Stars Return Ahead of Friendlies

Ghana could see the return of Prince Adu and Kamaldeen Sulemana to the Black Stars squad as the team gears up for international friendlies later this month.

Reports indicate that head coach Otto Addo has included both players in preparations for matches against Austria on March 27 and Germany three days later. The official squad list is yet to be released.

Adu, representing FC Viktoria Plzen, has caught the eye of the technical team with his impressive displays this season. The young forward has netted seven goals across 35 appearances, showcasing the form that earned him previous national team call-ups. Adu made his Black Stars debut during the Kirin Cup in Asia, performing notably against Japan and South Korea.

Meanwhile, Atalanta’s winger Kamaldeen Sulemana is also set for a recall. The attacker, who has scored twice in 21 outings this season, continues his bid to regain a regular spot in the national setup.

Their inclusion signals that both Adu and Sulemana remain integral to Otto Addo’s long-term vision as Ghana looks ahead to the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America, where they are set to face Panama, Croatia, and England in the group stage.

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Football World

Ghanaian youngster Kelvin Ansah Frimpong joins Norwegian top division outfit Viking FK

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Ghanaian youngster Kelvin Ansah Frimpong joins Norwegian top division outfit Viking FK

Kelvin Ansah Frimpong, a teenage player from Ghana’s African Vikins Academy, has signed a long-term contract that would keep him with the Norwegian top-flight team Viking FK until 2030.

The 18-year-old winger signed the contract after making an impression during a trial period with the Eliteserien squad in Stavanger. The club’s technical team was impressed by his speed, attacking desire, and technical skill.

After growing at the African Vikins Academy before joining Viking to play football in Europe, Frimpong’s move represents a significant turning point in his young career.

Speaking after the announcement, Viking sporting director Erik Nevland expressed delight over securing the promising Ghanaian talent.

Ghanaian youngster Kelvin Ansah Frimpong joins Norwegian top division outfit Viking FK

“Kelvin has come in with great energy and shown qualities that we like. He is a player with a lot of speed and offensive drive, and we see exciting development potential in him,” Nevland said.

Frimpong also expressed gratitude for the opportunity to begin his professional career in Norway.

“This is a great opportunity for me. I am very grateful for the chance Viking is giving me, and I look forward to working hard for the club and the supporters,” he said.

The move represents a new chapter for the young winger as he transitions from academy football in Ghana to the competitive environment of the Norwegian top flight.

Viking have in recent years intensified their focus on recruiting and developing young talents, both locally and internationally, and the signing of Frimpong underscores the club’s commitment to nurturing promising players for the future.

Frimpong will now integrate into the Viking squad as he continues his development with the Stavanger-based side.

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Ghana Sports

Karim Zito: I consider myself very successful with Asante Kotoko

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Karim Zito: I consider myself very successful with Asante Kotoko

Despite difficulties, former Asante Kotoko coach Karim Zito has called his time with the team a great success. Midway through the 2024–2025 football season, the seasoned trainer took over as interim coach in lieu of Prosper Narteh Ogum.

The team won the FA Cup, Toyota Cup, President Cup, and Champion of Champions under Zito’s leadership. Before the current 2025–2026 football season began, the former Black Satellites was confirmed as the team’s head coach.

However, Zito quit his position after they were eliminated from the FA Cup after losing to Aduana FC at home. Reflecting on his spell at the club, Zito, speaking to Akoma FM, said, “Winning four cups in just 43 days is not an easy task.

“At the end of the day, I consider myself very, very successful with Kotoko. It wasn’t easy, but we made it happen,” he added.

Prince Yaw Owusu is currently serving as the interim coach of Asante Kotoko.

Following his exit from Kotoko, Karim Zito has been appointed as the head coach of the lower-tier side, AshantiGold 04.

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Football World

Achraf Hakimi equals Osei Kuffour’s Champions League appearance record for African defenders

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Achraf Hakimi equals Osei Kuffour’s Champions League appearance record for African defenders

Achraf Hakimi, a Moroccan international, has made history in the UEFA Champions League by matching veteran Ghanaian defender Samuel Kuffour’s long-standing appearance record.

With 72 games in Europe’s most prestigious club competition, the Paris Saint-Germain full-back now holds the record for the most appearances made by an African defender in the competition.

The French powerhouses easily defeated Chelsea 5-2 in the first leg of their Champions League round of 16 match on Wednesday night thanks to the brilliant play of the enterprising defender.

Years of consistency at the top level of European football have led to Achraf Hakimi’s incredible milestone. Since making his debut as a player, the Moroccan star has frequently appeared in the Champions League.

Throughout his career, Achraf Hakimi has featured in the competition with several top clubs across Europe. He first gained experience in the tournament with Spanish giants Real Madrid before continuing his development during a successful spell with Borussia Dortmund in Germany. The defender later played in the competition with Italian champions Inter Milan and is currently a key figure for Paris Saint-Germain in France.

His rise has been marked by pace, technical quality, and an ability to influence matches from the right flank. Known for his relentless runs forward and defensive reliability, Hakimi has become an integral part of PSG’s ambitions in both domestic and European competitions.

Matching the record previously set by Kuffour further highlights the significance of Hakimi’s achievement. The Ghanaian legend built his legacy with German powerhouse Bayern Munich during the late 1990s and early 2000s, becoming one of Africa’s most respected defenders. Kuffour famously played a crucial role in Bayern’s triumph in the 2001 UEFA Champions League final, cementing his place in African football history.

By equaling Kuffour’s record of 72 appearances, Hakimi joins an exclusive group of African players who have consistently competed at the very top level of European club football.

At just 26 years old, the Moroccan still has plenty of years ahead of him, meaning he is well-positioned not only to break the record outright but also to set a new benchmark for future African defenders in the Champions League.

The milestone underscores Hakimi’s growing legacy and reinforces his status as one of the most influential African footballers of his generation.

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