Atiwa East MP Abena Osei Asare advocates for the inclusion of more local players in the Black Stars
Honorable member of parliament for Atiwa East, Abena Osei Asare, is now advocating for the inclusion of more local players in the Black Stars team.
The MP and former deputy finance minister believes that when more local players are included in the team, it will make the Black Stars stronger than it is now. She made the statement by referring to the impact Benjamin Asare from Accra Heart of Oak has made in just two games.
Following their significant victories over Chad and Madagascar during the March international break, the Black Stars have brought great joy to Ghanaians.
With back-to-back clean sheets, goalie Benjamin Asare impressed many. He was in the post for both games.
Only three local players made the Black Stars roster for the two games, including the Hearts of Oak goalkeeper.
Many Ghanaians, in addition to Abena Osei Asare, are demanding that more local players be given chances in the upcoming national team assignment.
Asamoah Gyan, a former captain of Ghana, has urged the Black Stars to play against Madagascar with zeal and heart.
Kickoff for tonight’s Matchday six of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers is set for 19:00 GMT, and the four-time African champions will face the Barea.
Gyan, Africa’s leading scorer at the FIFA World Cup with six goals, has pushed his teammates to go out for the win against the Malagasy team after the team’s thrilling 5-0 victory over Chad last Friday at the Accra Sports Stadium.
He also charged the team to ensure they don’t concede against their opponent.
“Let’s go one hundred per cent guys, I want Ghanaians to see you guys heckling and fighting and the result will come by itself, that’s all I want from you guys. We have great players, the talent and everything is there, that commitment, a bit, small push, we will get there,” Gyan said.
“Me and my colleagues, the technical team have confidence in you guys if not we won’t be here but the reason why we are here is just to push you just a bit to make sure you get there, that’s what we want.
“Let’s go for the kill, let’s go for the win, make sure we don’t concede if we don’t concede it’s one point, if we win it’s three points and we are there and then everybody can ease the pressure.” Asamoah Gyan said during an interaction with the players in camp,” he added.
After five matches played, Ghana are top of Group I with 12 points, two points ahead of Madagascar.
The ruthless Black stars defeat Chad to win Group I in the World Cup 2026 qualifiers.
Ghana Black Stars delivered a stunning performance as they trashed Chad by 5-0 on Friday night, 21st March 2025. The team’s determination to qualify for the 2026 World Cup has started on a good note this year.
The senior national team of Ghana started the game well by getting the early goal through Antoine Semenyo, who got the ball into the post with a great rebound.
Inaki Williams, who has been struggling in his recent appearances for Black Stars, also got a goal, doubling the scores in the 32nd minute. The scoring got better when Jordan Ayew, the captain of Ghana, also made it 3-0 from a spot kick before halftime.
The team continued to dominate Chad as they increased their attacking threats, which led to the 4th goal scored by Mohammed Salisu.
Ernest Nuamah on the night was seen as more impactful and also got a goal in the 69th minute after a fine pass from Ayew.
Benjamin Asare kept a historic clean sheet on his international debut, but he was not required to do much as Chad barely tested him.
Ghana Black Stars captain Jordan Ayew has urged Ghanaians to be patient with the national team, even though there are challenges that need to be overcome.
In recent years, the Black Stars of Ghana have been struggling in all competitions, especially in the AFCON. The team used to be among the best in Africa, but now there is a lot to be worked on to win trophies and claim that title back.
Most Ghanaians have shown their frustrations about the team suffering from back-to-back group stage exit from the AFCON in both Cameroon and Ivory Coast.
The Black Stars performed poorly in 2024, recording only 2 wins in 10 matches played, which led the team not to qualify for the 2025 AFCON.
Jordan Ayew admitted that it will take some time for Black Stars to get to where Ghanaians want it to be.
“International football has periods, and we are in a period of transition. The head coach [Otto Addo] has also come in with different ideas, so it will take time,” the Leicester City striker said.
“Look at Man City and their struggles this season, for example. It is the end of an era and it’ll take time for them to build again.
“I think we need patience because I’m convinced we have the players to turn things around.”
Ghana will host Chad tonight at the Accra Sports Stadium before flying to play Madagascar on Monday in Morocco.
Official Black Stars training will take place in Luanda.
On Thursday, November 14, 2024, the Black Stars of Ghana will officially train at the Estádio 11 de Novembro in Luanda in preparation for their pivotal 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier versus Angola.
The meeting is scheduled to begin at 8:00 p.m. local time.
After three successful training sessions in Accra, the Black Stars arrived in Luanda on Wednesday night as they get ready for a game they must win to maintain their prospects of qualifying. With just two points from four games, Ghana is currently in third place in Group F, behind Sudan and Angola.
So far in the qualifications, Angola has a perfect record and leads the group with 12 points. They are five points ahead of Sudan, who are in second place, and ten points ahead of Ghana. Ghana needs to win on Friday night in order to have any chance of making it to the 2025 tournament.
With the second leg of the qualifier against Niger also approaching, the Black Stars will be looking to earn a crucial three points in Luanda. Ghana’s chances of qualifying depend on both their own performance and Sudan’s performance in their remaining games.
Coach Otto Addo’s men are determined to put in a strong performance in the penultimate qualifier as they hope to earn a place in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, which will be hosted by Morocco.
Alexander Djiku, a Turkish defender, left the Black Stars before the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifications.
This week, the Black Stars finish their qualifying matches against bottom-rock Niger and Angola, who have already qualified.
Before hosting Niger in the Accra Sports Stadium on November 18, 2024, Ghana will travel to Luanda to play the Palancas Negras on November 15.
Djiku, who was first included in the 25-man roster for the forthcoming matches, has withdrawn, nevertheless, due to a worsening of an already-existing hamstring issue.
When Fenerbache thrashed Sivasspor in the Turkish first division on Sunday, the former Strasbourg defender was substituted out.
“It’s an aggravation of an existing hamstring that got him substituted in their last game on Sunday, November 10, 2024,” the Ghana FA said in a statement.
On Monday night, the West African superpower will begin getting ready for the next game.
Due to their lackluster performance in the qualifying series, the Black Stars are in danger of missing out on the AFCON for the first time in 20 years.
After four games, Ghana has suffered a terrible AFCON qualifying campaign, losing two and drawing two. They are now third in the standings going into the last round of games this month, having only managed two points.
To maintain their prospects of qualifying for the tournament in Morocco the following year, the Black Stars must now defeat Angola and Niger, who have already qualified, and hope that Sudan loses to these same opponents.
Important members of the Black Stars technical staff were involved in a car accident earlier today while traveling from Tarkwa back to Accra, according to the Ghana Football Association (GFA).
The Black Stars coaches accident happened following the team’s formal assignment, which involved watching FC Samartex 1996 vs. Nsoatreman FC in the Champion of Champions match.
Head coach Otto Addo, assistant coach John Paintsil, and goalkeepers trainer Fatawu Dauda were in the Land Cruiser, which had the license plate GR 6521-21, when a pickup truck abruptly pulled into their lane.
Although there was considerable damage to the car, a potentially disastrous head-on accident was avoided because of the driver’s prompt action.
The three members of the coaching staff are all in stable condition, the GFA is happy to announce. They will go through additional medical testing to make sure they are healthy as a precaution when they return to Accra.
The organization is hopeful that the technical staff will be fit and ready to guide the Black Stars in their forthcoming Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying matches against Niger and Angola.
As the team gets ready for these important games, the GFA thanks the public for their outpouring of concern and support and asks for ongoing prayers.
Stephen Frimpong Manso, a former Ghana international, has provided a somber account of the circumstances Black Stars players endured in the 1990s.
The former Bibiani Gold Stars coach opened up about the unpleasant realities of subpar facilities, subpar living arrangements, and terrible management during training camps in a recent interview with Joy Sports.
Manso, who played for Ghana from 1987 to 1994, drew attention to the striking difference in how the Black Stars and their opponents were treated.
He particularly singled out former coach Burkhard Ziese for his efforts in improving player welfare.
“Sometimes we will be playing like we are playing, let’s say, Ivory Coast. They will be staying at a five-star hotel…but the home team, rather, are not treated well. The conditions in Winneba at that time, everybody knew it wasn’t the best,” Manso said.
The former player mentioned an instance in which money intended for players was misappropriated when accusing officials of mismanaging club finances.
Manso claimed that Ziese played a key role in resolving these problems and guaranteeing improved circumstances for the players.
On June 11, 2024, Ghana Football Association President Kurt Edwin Simeon-Okraku led a delegation of officials, Black Stars players, and technical staff members visited the “Heal Komfo Anokye” project, spearheaded by Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II.
They offered compassion and affection to patients at Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH), encouraging and wishing them a speedy recovery.
The visit also allowed the GFA President and his entourage to witness and get firsthand information on the health facility’s rising issues.
The team’s visit comes after Ghana’s stunning 4-3 triumph over Central African Republic (CAR) in a 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier on Monday, June 10, 2024, at the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi, which propelled the country to the top of Group I.
Top officials from the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital escorted the players and authorities on a tour of the institution, meeting with patients in a heartwarming manner.
Okraku acknowledged the enormous issues that healthcare in Ghana faces, expressing his personal experiences after recently visiting three additional hospital facilities, stating that the team has been moved by what they have observed.
“If you’ve had the chance to visit any health facility in Ghana, you will fully understand the situation in which we find ourselves as a country. Prior to these two games, I paid a visit to three medical facilities including the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital maternity ward, Maamobi Polyclinic and Madina Hospital. I left those facilities with different perspectives of life,” Okraku revealed.
“You had situations where mothers with fresh babies couldn’t go home because they could not afford to pay as little as Ghc200.” he reflected soberly.
The GFA President pledged the commitment of the Football Association to supporting the renovation of the biggest hospital in the Ashanti Region using the GFA Foundation as a vehicle to offer critically needed help.
“I think all the players and technical staff, who are all here, have heard the message. On behalf of the entire team, I want to assure you of our commitment towards honouring the call by Otumfuo Osei Tutu II. Everybody here is naturally an ambassador. We have our images as a potential avenue for use in supporting such a worthy course. We’ll never know who will be a beneficiary of this facility in future. It can be our good selves, families and friends amongst others. We have a lot of footballers who have used these facilities and continue to use them.
“We appreciate the call from Otumfuo, our father. He’s always been there for us whenever we have needed him. He has been our spiritual head. He has attended a lot of our games and he’s an icon we all look up to.”
“Through the GFA Foundation, we will play our part and the message will pierce through the hearts of many. This is a firm commitment that we’ll offer to this clarion call by Otumfuo. Actions, they say, speak louder than words, and football will speak with a much louder voice. Our presence here confirms our commitment. We’ll confirm and affirm our support to the project, in due course.” he concluded.
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.
