German Bundesliga giants Borussia Dortmund have penned a heartfelt message to outgoing talent coach Otto Addo, who is leaving the club to become the head of the Black Stars.
In a social media message, Dortmund confirmed the imminent arrival of Otto Addo as Ghana’s coach, wishing him success in his new job.
Dortmund expressed belief that Otto Addo, who has worked on some of their finest talents, will bring his expertise to bear and succeed with Ghana.
“Borussia Dortmund talent coach Otto Addo will part ways in the summer as he embarks on his new role as coach for the Ghanaian national team.
“We wish him nothing but the best as he embraces this exciting new chapter in his career! Thank you for everything, Otto,” the statement reads.
Borussia Dortmund and talent coach Otto Addo will part ways in the summer as he embarks on his new role as coach for the Ghanaian national team.
We wish him nothing but the best as he embraces this exciting new chapter in his career!
Otto Addo’s return as the coach of the Black Stars was officially announced on Friday, March 15, 2024, through a press release issued by the Ghana Football Association.
According to the statement, Otto Addo has made a significant impression on the selection committee, securing a three-year contract to lead the Black Stars.
The announcement underscores Addo’s successful candidature and highlights the confidence placed in him to guide the national team forward.
GFA President Kurt Okraku is quoted in the statement to have said, “Otto was exceptional in the interview process and was rated highly by the search committee, hence the decision.”
“There were some brilliant individuals among the coaches who applied for the job, so the committee took the pain to interview a chunk of them to pick their thoughts on their intentions to transform the team within a short period of time due to our peculiar situation.
“The Committee was overly satisfied with Otto’s performance for which reason he was recommended to the Executive Council for approval,” President Simeon-Okraku added.
The Executive Council of the Ghana Football Association has approved the decision of the five-member Black Stars Head Coach search committee to appoint Otto Addo as the next coach of Ghana.
This decision was made following a long but decisive emergency meeting of the Executive Council on Thursday, March 14, 2024.
During the meeting, the Council reviewed the report of the search committee, which was led by Vice President Mark Addo, and further deliberated on the matter.
As a result, the Ghana Football Association has reached an agreement with Bundesliga giants Borussia Dortmund for Otto Addo to be released to take up the coaching position.
Otto Addo will be offered a 34-month contract with an option for a further 24 months.
“Otto was exceptional in the interview process and was rated highly by the search committee, hence the decision,” President Simeon-Okraku told ghanafa.org
“There were some brilliant individuals among the coaches who applied for the job, so the committee took the pain to interview a chunk of them to pick their thoughts on their intentions to transform the team within a short period of time due to our peculiar situation”
“The Committee was overly satisfied with Otto’s performance for which reason he was recommended to the Executive Council for approval,” President Simeon-Okraku added.
Otto will be allowed by Borussia Dortmund to join Ghana for the March international window, after which he will travel back to the club to officially hand over and take up the job permanently in May this year.
In December 2022, Otto Addo revealed the reason behind his decision to leave his position as Coach of the Black Stars, saying the decision is not only in his hands.
“The decision is not only in my hands, before I even started working with the GFA, everybody knew I had a contract with Dortmund and to even come here was very difficult and the GFA put a lot of effort to get me released,” he said in a press briefing in Qatar on Saturday following Ghana’s exit from the World Cup.
“What you have to know is the position I have as a talent coach is very crucial to Dortmund. We produce a lot of big talents. It is a crucial and important position for the club’’.
“Normally they won’t have to let me go but because I want to help the country and the GFA went there and had good talks, they released me for six months,” he added.
Addo won four games during his time with the Black Stars, beating Madagascar and South Korea in competitive games with the other victories coming against Nicaragua and Switzerland in friendlies.
Ghana qualified for the World Cup at the expense of Nigeria on 1-1 aggregate following a goalless draw in Kumasi and 1-1 in Abuja on March 29, 2022.
The Black Stars lost to Brazil and Uruguay and grabbed a 1-1 draw against Central African Republic in the other games under Otto Addo.
Ghana crashed out of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 tournament after finishing bottom of Group H with three points.
The team suffered two defeats to Portugal (3-2) and Uruguay (2-0) and defeated South Korea 3-2 in the other Group match.
Ghana Football Association (GFA) is set to unveil Otto Addo as the new manager of the Black Stars on March 15, 2024, according to a report by Sport Obama TV on YouTube.
Addo, a German-based trainer, is said to have been offered a long-term contract to spearhead Ghana’s new football project.
Reports from Nhyira FM suggest that Addo emerged as the top choice among all candidates interviewed for the vacant position.
If appointed, he will succeed Chris Hughton, with whom he closely collaborated during his previous stint.
Hughton initially served as a technical advisor before assuming the head coach role after the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
BREAKING NEWS 📢
Otto Addo returns to Ghana as new Black Stars trainer.
The GFA is expected to announce Otto Addo as replacement of Chris Hughton as new coach latest March 15, 2024.
Addo’s inaugural task, should he assume the role, will be to lead the Black Stars in international friendlies against Uganda and Nigeria scheduled to take place in Morocco in March 2024.
Ghanaian winger Joseph Paintsil has quickly made an impact in Major League Soccer (MLS), earning a spot in the Team of the Week after just two games with the Los Angeles Galaxy.
Paintsil’s outstanding performance during Galaxy’s 3-1 victory over San Jose Earthquake in the Cali Clasico secured his place in the prestigious lineup.
He showcased his talent by scoring a goal and providing an assist, contributing significantly to Galaxy’s unbeaten start to the season after drawing 1-1 with Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami in the opener.
Galaxy’s head coach, Greg Vanney, praised Paintsil’s exceptional display and emphasised his quality following the derby win over San Jose.
Recently joining Galaxy from KRC Genk in the Belgian league, Paintsil was named Team of the Week on the left side, alongside Inter Miami’s Luis Suarez and Messi, who occupied the central and right positions, respectively.
Suarez and Messi, former FC Barcelona teammates, played pivotal roles in Inter Miami’s dominant 5-0 triumph over Orlando City. Both players scored twice, contributing significantly to their team’s emphatic victory.
Youth and Sports Minister, Mustapha Ussif, has called for a strategic approach in appointing the next Black Stars coach, suggesting that a minimum three-year contract be offered to foster team development.
Following the departure of Chris Hughton after the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) due to the team’s unsatisfactory performance, the senior national team is currently without a permanent head coach.
Hughton’s tenure began disappointingly in the tournament with a loss against Cape Verde and draws against Egypt and Mozambique.
To address the coaching vacancy, a five-member committee was formed to recommend a suitable candidate to the Executive Council of the Ghana Football Association (GFA). Although the committee has completed its report, the official announcement is pending.
In an interview, Minister Ussif emphasized the importance of stability in coaching appointments for team growth. He highlighted that short-term contracts hinder the team’s progress and advocated for long-term commitments.
“I have proposed that the next Black Stars coach must be awarded a three-year deal or more,” Minister Ussif stated during an interview with Asempa FM, highlighting the necessity for a change in approach to propel the team forward.
Multiple reports in the media indicate that Otto Addo is the frontrunner to be reappointed as the Black Stars coach.
Former Asante Kotoko coach, Isaac ‘Opeele’ Boateng, has urged the Ghana Football Association (GFA) to consider appointing Black Queens coach Nora Haptle as the next manager for the Black Stars.
Boateng emphasised the importance of being forward-thinking and suggested that Ghana could make history by appointing a female coach for their senior men’s team.
In a tweet, Opeele expressed his unwavering confidence in the Swiss trainer, stating that she would be an excellent choice for the Black Stars job.
“Sometimes, I wish Ghana could live in the future to be the first to appoint a woman as their senior national team coach. The first to gain independence in Southern Sahara can be the first to do this. Nora can coach the Black Stars, trust me. Unthinkable, right?” he wrote.
The Black Stars coaching position has remained vacant since Chris Hughton’s dismissal following the 2023 African Cup of Nations.
In a recent announcement, the Ghana Football Association (GFA) revealed that the Black Stars coach search committee has concluded its evaluation process and submitted its report.
Nora Hauptle has garnered praise from Ghanaians for her accomplishments with the Black Queens. Since assuming the role of Black Queens coach in January 2023, she has overseen significant achievements, notably guiding the team to qualify for the WAFCON for the first time since 2018.
Under her leadership, the team has demonstrated remarkable performance, winning 10 out of 13 games, with two draws and one loss.
The rejuvenated Black Queens have netted 37 goals while conceding just six.
However, Nora Hauptle’s project faced a setback when the Black Queens narrowly missed out on qualifying for the 2024 Olympic Games after a 4-3 aggregate loss to Zambia.
Sometimes, I wish Ghana can live in the future to be the first to appoint a woman as their senior national team coach. First to gain independence at Southern Sahara can be the first to do this. Nora can coach the Black Stars trust me. Unthinkable Right? 🇬🇭 pic.twitter.com/pmPySagWP3
Ace sports presenter Bright Kankam Boadu dismisses rumours suggesting that the Ghana Football Association is preparing to pay $2 million to Borussia Dortmund for the release of Otto Addo to Ghana.
Boadu vehemently refutes these claims, asserting that such a financial arrangement lacks credibility.
During a panel discussion on his Pure FM sports show, Boadu adamantly rejected the allegations, going as far as threatening to organise a protest if they were proven to be true.
“There are rumours that Ghana will have to pay $2 million to Borussia Dortmund for Otto Addo. I’m not sure it’s $2 million. I don’t want to believe it. It is not true. Only a mad person will pay such an amount.
“Are we going to pay Dortmund $2 million and also pay Otto Addo for doing his work as Black Stars coach? Assuming we pay that $2 million and also pay Otto Addo $50,000, we would be spending $600,000 on him per year.
“In two years, it will be $1.2 million. If you add it to the $2 million, we would be spending $3.2 million on him for two years. $3.2 million can hire a coach of Mourinho’s calibre,” he said.
Following reports of Otto Addo’s interview for the Black Stars position, speculations have arisen regarding the Ghana Football Association’s potential payment to Dortmund for the release of their youth coach.
Otto Addo is reportedly the frontrunner to replace Chris Hughton, who was relieved of his duties following Ghana’s disappointing performance in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.
During the tournament held in Ivory Coast, Hughton’s Black Stars managed two draws and suffered one defeat in the three Group B matches played.
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo expressed grave concern over the performance of theBlack Stars at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations during his State of the Nation(SONA) address on Tuesday, February 27, 2024.
He characterised it as a clear indication of the team’s current dire state and the urgent need for intervention.
President Akufo-Addo pointed out that the Black Stars have been on a steady decline since 2014, with the 2023 AFCON serving as a stark reminder of the depth of their decline.
He stressed the necessity for immediate action to reverse the downward trajectory that Ghanaian football has experienced over the past decade.
“It is fair to say that, since the sad events of Brazil in 2014, many Ghanaians have been left disappointed by some of the recent results of the Black Stars. Various attempts have been made to revive the fortunes of the national team and rebuild the enthusiasm of the people with varying degrees of success.
“The recent AFCON in Cote d’Ivoire was probably the nadir of the performance of the Black Stars, and has left the nation saddened. However, I am quite certain that the young men and the technical handlers would, themselves, have wanted to make our nation proud, and I believe that the captain, Andre Dede Ayew, meant every word when he rendered heartfelt apologies on behalf of his team-mates to all Ghanaians for the team’s early exit,” he said.
To address the continuous downward spiralling of Ghanaian football, President Akufo-Addo says his government will institute the Presidential Policy on Football.
This policy, according to the president, will see the government working with the Ghana Football Association to develop football at the grassroots level.
“Mr Speaker, I believe it is time for us to take a long-term, far-sighted approach to correct what has gone wrong. It is time to return to scouting, grooming and developing talent at the district grassroots level under a Presidential Policy on Football that I intend to unveil.
The school sports department of the Ministry of Education will work hand in hand with the Ministry of Youth and Sports, in collaboration and synergy with the Ghana Football Association (GFA), to build district, regional and national juvenile teams for both boys and girls,” he said.
The Black Stars endured a disappointing campaign in the 2023 AFCON, failing to secure a single victory in any of their three matches.
Ghana suffered defeats to Cape Verde and managed only draws against Egypt and Mozambique, accumulating a mere two points out of a possible nine.
In the aftermath of their premature exit from the tournament, the GFA took decisive action by dismissing coach Chris Hughton. They are currently in search of a suitable replacement to lead the team forward.
The Black Stars head coach search committee has completed its report and recommendations, which were presented to President Simeon-Okraku on Tuesday, February 27, 2024.
ow, the Executive Council will review these recommendations to determine the next steps in appointing the Black Stars coach.
Following the resolution of the coaching decision, the FA plans to collaborate with the Ministry of Youth and Sports and other key stakeholders for their support.
The Executive Council had previously tasked a five-member committee, chaired by Vice President Mark Addo, to find a new coach for the senior men’s national team after the departure of Chris Hughton.
The committee’s mandate included identifying suitable and competent coaches for consideration, even if they did not formally apply for the position.
Comprising Vice President Mark Addo, Banker Kojo Addae Mensah, Professor Joseph Kwame Mintah, Technical Director of the Ghana Football Association, Ghana Football legend Opoku Nti, and William Kartey, Chief Director of the Ministry of Youth and Sports, the five-man search committee worked diligently to fulfil their responsibilities.
German coach Winfried Schäfer has expressed his commitment to leading Ghana to qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup if appointed as the Black Stars coach by the Ghana Football Association (GFA).
Schäfer emphasised that the Black Stars have not performed up to their potential in recent tournaments, and he believes that with the opportunity to coach the team, he can instill the necessary improvements to build a competitive squad capable of securing qualification for the World Cup.
“The team hasn’t been that impressive in their recent tournaments, and I am very ready to help build a good team and also ensure the team qualifies for the next FIFA World Cup,” he told SportsWorldGhana.com.
Additionally, he showcased his familiarity with the Ghana Premier League, affirming his intention to closely observe and consider players from the league for national team call-ups if appointed as the coach of Ghana.
“I know the Ghana League has abundant top talents. A senior team coach needs to be in the country to monitor players and give call-ups to those performing well. I would spend much of my time in the country to help get qualified players in the league to be part of the Black Stars,” he added.
Winfried Schäfer has officially applied for the vacant Black Stars coaching position and is optimistic about securing the role.
With previous experience in African football during his tenure in Cameroon from 2001 to 2004, Schäfer brings valuable expertise to the table.
According to a statement released by theGhana Football Association (GFA) on Wednesday, February 28, 2024, the FA’s Black Stars coach search committee has compiled a list of reputable candidates for the position.
The GFA’s Executive Council is now tasked with deliberating on the list and subsequently announcing the new technical team for the Black Stars.
Ghanaian musician Peter Famiyeh Bozah, popularly known as Fameye, has criticised Ghanaians for subjecting Black Stars players to harsh criticism, which he views as unjustified abuse.
Drawing a parallel between the criticism faced by musicians and that endured by footballers, he argues that both groups are equally affected by insults, which ultimately lead to frustration.
“You frustrate the players and put them under pressure. That is what you do to musicians. You insult the players and their families because of football,” he said on the Lound Lounge show on YouTube.
According to him, the insults weaken both singers’ and footballers’ morale and thus urge Ghanaians to be more constructive in their criticisms.
“You are killing our spirit. Present it well. You can be right, but present yourself in a way that will make people feel that this person is talking out of passion. Present it in a way that won’t be insulting. We can solve it without destroying it,” he submitted.
Following their early elimination from the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast, the Black Stars encountered harsh criticism from Ghanaians.
Ghana Football Association Executive Council member Gifty Oware-Mensah has sparked controversy by offering a surprising justification for why the senior national football team, the Black Stars, receives preferential treatment over other national teams.
The senior women’s national team, the Black Queens, is currently facing challenges with outstanding bonuses from their qualification games for both the African Women’s Cup of Nations and the 2024 Olympic Games. Each player is reportedly owed $7,500, even after their bonuses were reduced by 50%.
Reports indicate that the players are considering boycotting the final Olympic qualifier against Zambia on February 23 if the bonuses are not paid.
This situation has arisen shortly after Sports Minister Mustapha Ussif confirmed that the Black Stars players had been paid their bonuses before the 2023 AFCON in Côte d’Ivoire, a competition where Ghana exited at the group stages for the second consecutive tournament.
In an exclusive interview with Joy Sports, Gifty Oware-Mensah, who also serves as the Chairperson for the Black Queens Management Committee, appeared to downplay the seriousness of the Black Queens’ bonus issue, drawing criticism and raising questions about fairness and equality in football administration.
“The Ghana Football Association sells brands and products. Our foremost product is the Black Stars, and this spans across the world, not just in Ghana,” she said.
“The male team is the one that dominates the love and affection from the country.
“I find it quite worrying when I see people try to compare their treatment vis a vis the women’s team.
“They say half a loaf is better than none, and the beauty of it is that the first reason anyone should have to wear the national jersey is because of patriotism,” she added.
The Sports Ministry has assured the Black Queens bonuses will be paid before their Olympic Games qualifier against Zambia.
Management Committee Chair of the team, Gifty Oware-Mensah has told @kweku_lawrence.
Former national team player for the Black Stars of Ghana, Asamoah Gyan has called upon fellow sports legends to join forces in rejuvenating the image of sports in the country.
Gyan emphasized the need for a concerted focus on empowering the youth in various sports sectors, including football, boxing, and athletics.
Expressing his views, Gyan stated, “I believe the time has come for Legends in sports to come together and use their influence, network, and resources in attracting investors into our country and make a meaningful impact on our youth in the sports fraternity, i.e., football, boxing, and other athletics.”
Highlighting the necessity for substantial investment in these sectors, Gyan believes that the collective efforts of sports legends can play a crucial role in not only attracting investors but also bringing Ghana back to its glory days in sports.
“I strongly believe that engaging our youth and grooming them through these avenues can get them to be more focused, make sports more fun and attractive, and eventually bring us together once again just as it used to be in the past. I have started this journey and I humbly invite all my colleagues to join in this cause in reclaiming our football days,” Gyan concluded.
Forson, known for her outspoken views, asserts that the challenges plaguing Ghana’s football scene are not isolated incidents but reflect a persistent issue.
In her commentary, Forson draws parallels between the longstanding economic challenges in the country and the issues surrounding football.
According to her, just as economic problems have endured, football-related concerns have been prevalent for years.
Delving into her own experience, Forson recounted a past stint as a professional football player, revealing that the promised bonuses by the GFA were never delivered.
She expressed her disappointment, asserting, “The sad thing about our football is that like everything in this country, the problems didn’t start today. I remember playing pro football once ( long long story don’t ask,those who know know) and never getting the bonuses they promised. The way e pain me till date.”
Forson’s remarks shed light on the deep-rooted issues within Ghanaian football, emphasising that the challenges faced by the current national team are not new but part of a historical pattern.
As debates over the GFA’s role and the performance of the Black Stars continue, Forson’s perspective adds a nuanced dimension to the ongoing discourse surrounding Ghanaian football.
Hundreds of Ghanaian football fans embarked on a demonstration to express their displeasure over the decline in the achievements of the national teams.
The protestors, who started their march at the Obra Spot, seeked reforms towards reviving the game, which is the passion of the nation.
A group of sports journalists are the organisers.
The “Save Ghana Football Demo”, as it is dubbed, was triggered by the poor performance of the senior national team, the Black Stars, at the just-ended 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.
Some of the protestors carried placards with inscriptions: “Decline in our juvenile football- Sika Di Basabasa,” “Lack of Vision,” Our Domestic League has collapsed”, among others
There is heavy security accompanying demonstrators as they walk through the principal streets of Accra to present a proposal of football reforms to the Sports Authorities.
Speculation surrounding the next technical team for the Black Stars continues to circulate within the media sphere, with Otto Addo emerging as a prominent figure in discussions to succeed Chris Hughton.
On Tuesday, February 21, 2024, reports emerged indicating that former Chelsea star Michael Essien is being considered for the assistant coaching position.
According to the reports, Essien has expressed openness to the opportunity and has welcomed the Ghana Football Association’s approach to serving as deputy to Otto Addo.
There are indications that the Ghana Football Association intends to construct a Black Stars technical team largely comprised of former players from the Black Stars squads spanning 2005 to 2014.
Recent rumours have linked Asamoah Gyan and Adam Kwarasey to potential roles within the team. It’s reported that Gyan may take on the position of custodian trainer, while Kwarasey, a member of the 2014 World Cup team, is under consideration for the role previously held by the esteemed Richard Kingson.
Additionally, Asamoah Gyan is rumoured to be considered as a replacement for Ameenu Shadow, who served as team manager during the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.
Laryea Kingston, who is currently serving as an assistant coach with the Black Starlets, is also reportedly being considered for one of the two assistant coach positions.
Denial by GFA Exco member:
A member of the Executive Council of theGhana Football Association, Frederick Acheampong, has expressed shock about the reports flying in the media space over the issue.
“The appointment of the coach does not even stop with the search committee. This is from our level (the Executive Committee). The decision we made was that the search committee should draw up a shortlist of three coaches, so I was surprised to hear that Otto Addo is leading the race as if the search committee is in charge of appointing a coach.
“The search committee is expected to bring three coaches to the Executive Council for further discussions and checks before one person will be chosen amongst the three,” he said in a Kessben FM interview monitored by Footballghana.com.
Majority Leader in Parliament, Osei Kyei Mensah-Bonsu, has issued a cautionary message to the Ghana Football Association (GFA) regarding its quest for a new coach for the Black Stars.
Expressing his views, the Member of Parliament for Suame advised against appointing a well-established coach for the team. “Let’s not go for already-made coaches because they don’t add value to the national team.
The up-and-coming ones can help in building a solid team for the Black Stars. It’s time to dwell on the young ones as it was previously done,” he emphasised during parliamentary proceedings.
Following Ghana’s disappointing performance at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, where Ivory Coast emerged as champions, the Ghana Football Association (GFA) made the decision to part ways with the former Premier League manager and the entire technical staff.
Now, the GFA is actively seeking a new coach to lead the national team.
Amidst these developments, allegations of interference in player selection within the various national teams have emerged in recent years, drawing scrutiny towards the GFA.
These claims resurfaced during the 2023 AFCON when Richard Ofori, who was inactive, was selected as the first-choice goalkeeper over Lawrence Ati-Zigi and Jojo Wollacott.
As a result, Chris Hughton’s team exited the tournament at the group stage without securing a single victory, ultimately leading to his dismissal from the role.
President of the Ghana Football Association (GFA), Kurt Okraku, has issued a strong warning, cautioning that players might decline selection for the Black Stars if subjected to severe criticism following subpar performances.
The Black Stars received significant backlash following their disappointing performance at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Cote d’Ivoire, where they were eliminated in the group stage.
Speaking to the press during the GFA’s meet-the-press event in Kumasi, Okraku urged fans to refrain from verbally abusing players, highlighting the negative impact such behaviour could have on player morale and their willingness to represent the national team.
“If we excessively criticise our players when things go wrong, we risk losing their commitment and dedication. That’s why I’ve consistently emphasised the need for unwavering support for our players, regardless of the circumstances,” Okraku stated.
He emphasised the importance of trusting the technical team to make critical decisions regarding player selection, citing the expertise and judgement of the coaching staff.
Ghana’s disappointing performance at the 2023 AFCON saw them finish third in a group that included Cape Verde, Egypt, and Mozambique.
Despite efforts to turn the tournament around, the Black Stars suffered a 2-1 defeat to Cape Verde and consecutive 2-2 draws against Egypt and Mozambique, resulting in their early elimination.
This marked the second consecutive tournament in which Ghana failed to advance beyond the group stage, extending the nation’s AFCON title drought to 42 years.
Okraku’s plea underscores the necessity of creating a supportive environment to nurture player development and success, urging fans to stand behind the team through bothtriumphs and challenges.
Head coach of Nsoatreman Football Club, Maxwell Konadu, has emerged as a potential candidate to join the coaching staff of the new Black Stars head coach.
Following the dismissal of coach Chris Hughton last month due to the Black Stars’ failure to progress in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament, the Ghana Football Association (GFA) is actively seeking a replacement.
Sources have indicated that Konadu, who previously served as an assistant coach for the Black Stars from 2014 to 2019, may be appointed as a deputy to the incoming head coach.
A five-member committee, tasked by the Ghana FA to identify a suitable candidate, is set to present their findings to the Executive Council by the end of this week. It is anticipated that the new head coach will be announced to the public before the end of February.
While several reports suggest that former Black Stars coach Otto Addo is the frontrunner for the position, Konadu’s potential involvement adds intrigue to the selection process.
Following reports indicating that the Ghana Football Association (GFA) is considering reappointing Otto Addo as the new head coach of the Black Stars, the majority of Ghanaians seem highly supportive of this potential decision.
The Ghana senior men’s national team currently finds itself without a permanent coach following the recent departure of Chris Hughton, in the aftermath of the team’s disappointing performance at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.
In response, the GFA has formed a committee tasked with finding a suitable replacement, with specific criteria outlined for the search process.
However, speculation suggests that Otto Addo is emerging as the frontrunner for the position, with discussions reportedly underway between Addo and the GFA.
This prospective appointment is gaining favour among Ghanaian football enthusiasts, who appear to endorse the choice, while the GFA is reportedly inclined to offer Addo a long-term contract.
Otto Addo previously served as head coach in early 2022, stepping in after Milovan Rajevac, and notably guided Ghana to victory over Nigeria in the qualifiers for the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
Despite a mixed performance at the tournament itself, Addo’s track record and familiarity with the team are seen as assets for the role.
After the World Cup, he returned tohis coaching duties at German powerhouse Borussia Dortmund.
The four-time Africa Champions have failed to impress in the past three tournaments, facing elimination during the group stages. These tournaments include two AFCONs and a FIFA World Cup.
Prior to their disappointing outing at AFCON 2023, the Black Stars were prematurely ousted from the group stage at AFCON 2021 and the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
In an address to Parliament, Mustapha Ussif underscored the unacceptable nature of the Black Stars’ performances in these tournaments, particularly given the substantial investments made by the government in the team.
“The Black Stars’ performance in the last three major tournaments, namely the 2021 AFCON in Cameroon, 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, and 2023 AFCON in Cote D’Ivoire, where Ghana exited at the group stages of all three tournaments, notwithstanding government’s continuous huge investment in the team, is not acceptable,” he stated.
At the 2023AFCON tournament, where Ivory Coast emerged as winners, the Black Stars were eliminated in the group stage, finishing third in Group B with two points. They managed two draws and suffered one defeat.
Ghanaian media personality, Nana Aba Anamoah, has asserted that the main issue facing Ghanaian football is not the national team, the Black Stars, but rather the state of the local league.
She made these remarks on a live studio discussion with 3Music TV where she is disappointed in the President of the Ghana Football Association (GFA), Kurt Okraku, an, the Head of Communications of the GFA, Henry Asante Twum for poorly managing football in Ghana
The broadcaster said Ghana football is ‘dead’ and the Ghana Premier League is also at the verge of collapsing.
“Our football is dead! Have you followed the local league? Forget about the Black Stars, because they don’t matter. The real problem is our local league. It is dead!” she said.
Nana Aba added that the recent protest by some football lovers, dubbed “Save Ghana Football,” was futile and that the only solution was to dissolve the GFA and get a ban from FIFA, the world football governing body.
“Yesterday, I saw that protest, the ‘save Ghana football‘. It’s not going to do anything. What we should do is dissolve that FA, get a ban from FIFA, and put our house in order. And putting a house in order doesn’t mean putting friends and cronies there. It means to put people with sense there to work,” she said.
Ghanaian media personality, Nana Aba Anamoah, asserts that only 8% of the politicians in Ghana are sensible. https://t.co/LbZjb1Xzkn
Ghanaian sports Journalists and football enthusiasts embarked on a “Save Ghana Football’ demonstration on February 14, 2024, under the banner of “#Save Ghana Football,” calling for the GFA president’s resignation and the disbandment of the executive committee.
One of the lead conveners, Saddick Obama, said the demonstration was necessitated by the decline of football over the years with proposed solutions by stakeholders not yielding positive results.
Thus, a petition was presented to parliament at the end of the protest outlining concerns such as, Institute a commission of inquiry, develop a national football policy, dissolution of search committee’s report on the appointment of a new Black Stars coach and several others.
Below is a document containing details of the petition:
Following their disappointing performance at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), Ghana has experienced a significant decline in the latest FIFA World Rankings.
The Black Stars, previously ranked 61st at the end of 2023, have now plummeted six places to 67th globally, reflecting their regression on both the global and African rankings.
Currently occupying the 14th position on the CAF rankings, Ghana has been surpassed by Cape Verde, South Africa, and DR Congo, who have all moved ahead of the four-time AFCON winners.
This decline follows Ghana’s premature exit from the 2023 AFCON, where they managed to secure only two points from three matches against Cape Verde, Egypt, and Mozambique.
Meanwhile, Côte d’Ivoire, the champions of the 2023 AFCON hosted in Cote d’Ivoire, have seen a significant rise in their ranking, climbing ten places to 39th globally.
Nigeria, the runners-up, have also made substantial progress, moving up 14 places to 28th. Additionally, Angola, who was eliminated by Nigeria in the quarterfinals, experienced the mostconsiderable improvement, climbing 24 places to 93rd in the global rankings.
Addo, currently a member of Borussia Dortmund’s coaching staff, previously led the Black Stars during the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, successfully securing Ghana’s qualification for the tournament ahead of Nigeria.
However, Ghana’s campaign in Qatar ended in disappointment as they exited the competition at the group stage with two losses and one win.
Following Addo’s departure from the role, Chris Hughton was appointed as head coach.
Despite significant support, Hughton couldn’t guide the team to success, leading to his dismissal after Ghana’s early exit from the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.
Amid the ongoing search for a new head coach, recent reports indicate a potential return for Otto Addo.
Discussions within the GFA suggest that the former Black Stars player is being considered for the position, with the possibility of him assuming the role before the end of February.
Ace sports journalist Bright Kankam Boadu has asserted that the Director-General of the National Sports Authority, Professor Peter Twumasi, would face imprisonment if the government were truly committed to combating corruption and the misuse of public funds.
Kankam Boadu made these remarks during an interview on Pure FM, where he criticised Professor Twumasi for incompetence and financial mismanagement.
He stated that both Professor Twumasi and Sports Minister Mustapha Ussif lack a clear plan or vision for sports development, implying that their leadership is ineffective and unreliable.
“He is the biggest joker. If Ghana was a proper country, he would be in jail by now. Professor Twumasi would be in prison if we were a serious country. To date, we still cannot find the pick-up vehicle. That man has nothing to offer. He and the sports minister have nothing good to offer Ghanaians.”.
Professor Twumasi faced criticism following his testimony before the Public Accounts Committee, where he was reprimanded by the committee chairman for disregarding directives from the Minister of Youth and Sports.
The chairman raised concerns about the transfer status of Tieku Alexander, the Central Regional Director of the NSA, who was supposed to relocate from Cape Coast to the Eastern Region but failed to comply.
In response, Minister Mustapha Ussif explained that he ordered Tieku’s transfer after the latter refused to grant access to a team assigned to repair the stadium grass in Cape Coast.
“I got an expert pitch maintenance officer, and then I made a recommendation to the director general that the director general should ensure that once that Independence Day celebration is done, we get more hands in addition to the original people who are maintaining the pitch so that we can put the pitch in shape for the match to be able to take place,” the minister told the committee.
He stated that the pitch maintenance expert from Right to Dream Academy arrived at Cape Coast to carry out his duty but was denied access by the regional director despite his intervention in the matter.
“The young man came to Cape Coast and when he went to the regional director, the regional director said that he had not received instructions from the director general and because of that, he wouldn’t allow the man to go there.
“Then I personally called him, and I said, Listen, I am the Minister for Sports. I directed the director general to get this young man to help those who are already working there because I’ve identified him as a very good person.
“Then I called the director general to say I had called your regional director. the young man is there, so make sure that he gives him access to support them and put the place in shape because in the next two weeks we will be playing a match.
“All the instructions I gave, they did not take those instructions. Then it became a very big problem and we had to reschedule the match to Kumasi,” he said.
The minister explained that he later called for a meeting where he issued the instructions for Mr Tieku’s transfer in response to the “disrespect” of disobeying his instructions.
“I gave instructions and those instructions were not taken,” he added.
Mr. Tieku defended himself by pointing out a discrepancy in the transfer letter he received. While the heading indicated a transfer to the head office, the body of the letter stated relocation to the Eastern Region. He sought clarification from the director general, who instructed him to remain in Cape Coast.
Although Mr. Tieku acknowledged signing the transfer letter, Professor Twumasi informed the committee that he instructed the regional director to stay in Cape Coast due to upcoming matches scheduled to be played there.
“I asked him to support the home matches that we were playing there because it was very critical. We needed to honour those home matches and at the time it required a lot of attention and somebody very much experienced until we rectified the issue that he raised,” he justified.
Mr. Twumasi characterised the situation as a complete misunderstanding rather than a matter of disrespect towards the minister.
Following further questioning of the NSA director general, the committee chairman concluded that, despite issuing Mr. Tieku’s transfer letter, Prof. Twumasi had bypassed the minister’s instructions. He had instructed the regional director to remain on Cape Coast.
“You are not actually respecting the minister at all; you are actually undermining the minister. It is not good. No, Mr Twumasi it is not good,” the chairman said.
While noting the similar occurrences with Mr Twumasi’s appearances before the committee, the chairman directed that Mr Tieku move to the Eastern Region with immediate effect in fulfilment of the transfer letter.
President of theGhana Football Association (GFA),Kurt Okraku, revealed plans to extend a long-term contract to the incoming Black Stars coach.
This declaration came during a press briefing in Kumasi, where Okraku addressed the nation’s dissatisfaction with Ghana’s performance at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Côte d’Ivoire.
As GFA President for over four years, Okraku is spearheading the search for the team’s fifth head coach.
“When we find the new set of trainers, it is our collective decision to stay with them for the long haul and all our national teams,” he stated.
Following Ghana’s disappointing exit from the tournament, the Ghana Football Association (GFA) decided to part ways with Chris Hughton and his coaching staff, signalling the start of the search for a new coach.
To streamline the process, the GFA formed a five-member search committee assigned to identify the new coach within a three-week period.
The committee reportedly received over 600 applications for the position.
Ghana’s premature exit from the tournament occurred after the team finished third in a group that included Cape Verde, Egypt, and Mozambique.
The Black Stars faced a setback with a 2-1 loss to Cape Verde, followed by consecutive 2-2 draws against Egypt and Mozambique, ultimately leading to their elimination from the competition
Ghana Football Association (GFA) has appointed Prof. Joseph Kwame Mintah as its new Technical Director, succeeding Bernhard Lippert, the former German technical director whose contract expired in 2023.
Prof. Mintah brings a wealth of experience to the role, having previously served as the GFA’s Director of Coaching Education and as the psychologist for the Black Stars national team.
His impressive academic credentials include a doctorate degree in Education with a specialization in Sport Psychology, as well as a Master of Arts degree in Physical Education from the University of Northern Iowa, USA.
Prof. Mintah also holds an Elite CAF Instructors “A” Licence Certificate from the Confederation of African Football (CAF), further highlighting his expertise in the field.
In addition to his administrative roles, Prof. Mintah has practical coaching experience, having served as an Interim Assistant Coach for the Ghana Black Stars during the 2014 AFCON Qualifiers and as head coach of the Cape Coast Mysterious Dwarfs in the Ghana Premier League from 2010 to 2014.
Outside of football, Prof. Mintah is a distinguished academic, currently serving as the Dean of the Faculty of Science and Technology Education at the University of Cape Coast, Ghana.
His passion for the sport dates back to his playing days, where he represented various clubs, including Mysterious Dwarfs FC, Venomous Vipers FC, Diamond Stars FC, and Hafiz Stars FC, in addition to his tenure with the University of Cape Coast men’s soccer team from 1986 to 1990.
General Secretary of theGhana Football Association (GFA), Prosper Harrison Addo, has revealed that former Black Stars head coach James Kwasi Appiah has been offered a different role in the process of appointing a new Black Stars coach.
Despite his extensive experience, Kwesi Appiah was not included in the Ghana Football Association’s search committee tasked with finding the next Black Stars coach, sparking concerns about the committee’s composition.
Harrison Addo clarified that Kwasi Appiah will still have a say in the decision-making process after the search committee submits their recommendations.
Furthermore, Harrison Addo explained that Kwesi Appiah’s involvement in the decision-making process is due to his position as an executive council member of the FA.
“The committee working to select the coach will submit their report to the executive council,” he revealed during the GFA’s press conference on Wednesday, February 7, 2024.
“As a member of the GFA EXCO, Kwasi Appiah will bepart of the deliberations and decision-making before we announce a new coach,” he added.
GFA’s search committee comprises notable figures including Mark Addo, the vice president of the GFA; legal practitioner Kojo Addae Mensah, Group CEO of Databank Group; professor Joseph Kwame Mintah, Director of Coaching Education of the GFA; Ghana football legend Opoku Nti; and William Caesar Kartey, Chief Director of the Ministry of Youth and Sport.
They were tasked with submitting their report to the GFA by February 2, 2024.
The vacancy for the Black Stars head coach position arose following the dismissal of Chris Hughton.
Hughton’s departure came after a dismal performance at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, where the team failed to secure a single victory and exited the group stage with only two points.
In light of the team’s disappointing showing and the ambition to clinch an AFCON title, the GFA emphasised in a statement the need for a “proven winner” to helm the team.
Additionally, qualities sought in the new coach include demonstrated ability in team reconstruction, organisation, and nurturing young talent, as well as being a disciplinarian and possessing strong leadership and tactical skills.
According to Kingston, Gyan has not fully recovered from the hurt of being replaced as captain, a position he believes was taken from him against his will.
He emphasised that Gyan’s lingering anguish becomes evident whenever he discusses the circumstances surrounding the loss of the armband.
“Look at someone like Asamoah Gyan; Dede Ayew got the captaincy by force so if you are speaking to Asamoah now, he is not happy,” he told Graphic Sports.
Before the 2019 AFCON tournament, former Black Stars head coach Kwesi Appiah appointed Asamoah Gyan as the general captain while officially designating Andre Dede Ayew as the team’s captain.
Defending his decision, which faced criticism, especially after Ghana’s early elimination from the tournament, Kwesi Appiah asserted that he believed he made the correct choice.
“It is about doing the right thing. I couldn’t have stripped Gyan of the captaincy and given it to Christian Atsu (or any junior player). Whoever deserves to take over, you give it to him,” he told Dan Kwaku Yeboah TV on YouTube.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K49cRj09fpo
Laryea Kingston, too, experienced disappointment when he was omitted from Ghana’s squads for the 2006 and 2010 World Cup tournaments, ultimately retiring from international football without ever participating in the prestigious event.
Reflecting on his past, he admitted that he harboured resentment towards the team for some time but has since found a way to move on.
“Myself, what they did to me for so many years, I never supported the Black Stars but just recently I sat down and said, It’s over; let me focus, he said.
Laryea Kingston’s name has emerged as one of the recommendedcandidates for the vacant Black Stars coaching position. Many observers see the former Hearts of Oak player as being on a promising trajectory in his coaching career and believe he has the potential to excel in the role.
Saddick Adams, one of the organisers of the ‘Fix Ghana Football’ demonstration scheduled for Wednesday, February 14, 2024, discovered that his access to the GFA’s Twitter account had been restricted on Wednesday, February 7, 2024.
In a social media post, Saddick sought clarification from the President and Communications Director of the GFA regarding the block.
In response to Saddick’s inquiry, Prosper Harrison Addo apologised to the journalist and explained that the block was made in error. He assured Saddick that the issue was promptly rectified after being brought to the attention of the GFA.
“Dear @SaddickAdams, my brother. This was an error and was corrected immediately when it came to our attention. Apologies for this mishap, my brother. Talk to you immediately after meeting the press,” Prosper Harrison Addo stated on X.
Dear @SaddickAdams, my brother. This was an error and was corrected immediately it came to our attention. Apologies for this mishap, my brother. Talk to you immediately after the Meet The Press https://t.co/ughbuKcrvZ
Saddick Adams is among a group of esteemed journalists deeply troubled by the ongoing decline in Ghanaian football. They seek answers from theGhana Football Association (GFA), National Sports Authority, and Ministry of Youth and Sports through a planned protest.
The Ghana Police Service has granted them permission to carry out the protest on Valentine’s Day, February 14, 2024.
The group comprises prominent figures such as Countryman Songo, Odi Ahenkan Kwame Yeboah, Veronica Commey, and Dan Kwaku Yeboah, among others.
Saddick Adams, the head of sports at Angel Broadcasting Network in Accra, has been blocked by the official Twitter account of the Ghana Football Association (GFA).
Saddick, who is one of the organisers of the ‘Fix Ghana Football’ demonstration scheduled for Wednesday, February 14, 2024, brought this development to light.
In a post on Wednesday, February 7, 2024, Saddick sought clarification from the President and Communications Director of the GFA regarding the blocking.
He emphasised that he has never resorted to using abusive language towards the FA in his campaign for accountability and the revitalization of Ghanaian football. Therefore, he expressed confusion over the decision to block him.
Saddick Adams also sarcastically thanked the manager of the GFA’s Twitter account for the action taken.
Dear my brothers @kurtokraku and @MistarHAT I have never used any offensive words or abused or even tagged GFA on this space. I follow this handle to access information. Whoever is in charge of the handle that has blocked me, thank you very much.”.
As mentioned earlier, Saddick Adams is among the prominent sports journalists leading demonstrations to express their frustration over the state of Ghana football.
This group of respected journalists is deeply concerned about the continual decline of Ghanaian football and aims to use the protest as a platform to demand accountability from the Ghana Football Association (GFA), the National Sports Authority, and Ministry of Youth and Sports.
They have obtained permission from the Ghana Police Service to conduct the protest on Valentine’s Day, February 14, 2024.
Notable figures within the group include Countryman Songo, Odi Ahenkan Kwame Yeboah, Veronica Commey, and Dan Kwaku Yeboah, among others.
Former Ghana assistant coachGeorge Boateng has expressed interest in the vacant head coach position following Chris Hughton’s departure, as reported by Ghanasoccernet.
Boateng, who served as assistant coach under the last two Ghanaian head coaches, believes he is well-equipped to lead the team.
Despite facing competition from over 600 other coaches, Boateng remains confident in his abilities, citing his extensive experience and deep understanding of the team’s dynamics.
Having previously worked alongside Otto Addo and Chris Hughton, Boateng brings valuable experience to the table.
Despite Ghana’s disappointing performance at AFCON 2023, Boateng remains positive about his chances.
Ghana Football Association set a deadline of February 2, 2024, for applications, with a five-member committee currently reviewing submissions and conducting interviews to select thenext head coach.
The search for a new coach by the Ghana Football Association (GFA) for theGhana national team, the Black Stars, continues after the dismissal of Chris Hughton.
The Ghana Football Association (GFA) has scheduled a press conference for Wednesday in Kumasi to discuss matters related to the national team and the sport in general.
Anticipation is high as the FA addresses the selection of the next coach, with over 600 applications received.
With the next international assignment approaching in March, the FA is expected to shed light on the technical leadership of the Black Stars.
To aid in the selection process, the GFA has formed a committee led by Vice President Mark Addo.
The committee aims to appoint a coach who embodies a winning mentality, aligns with Ghana’s football philosophy, and resonates with the national team’s ethos.
Among the applicants are notable figures such as former Bayern Munich coach Felix Magath, ex-West Ham coach Nikola Jurcevic, and former Black Stars assistant coach Maxwell Konadu.
Other applicants include former Bibiani Goldstars coach Michael Osei.
Christiana Atsu Twasam, the twin sister of the late Black Stars player Christian Atsu, has announced plans for the establishment of the Christian Atsu Memorial Foundation.
The launch is set for March 2024, although the specific date has not been finalised. The foundation aims to honour Atsu’s legacy and perpetuate his philanthropic efforts, which endeared him to many beyond his achievements in football.
“We’ll launch the Christian Atsu Memorial Foundation in March to continue his charity work,” she told the Athletic.
Christiana confirmed that she had fronted her brother’s school project, which he was building for the less privileged before his passing.
“I have the baton to continue his work, but it’s not easy. I have to heal first,” says Christiana.
Regarding how she is holding up the loss, Christiana says his brother’s death has hit her harder than losing her mom and dad.
“I know grieving has five stages, but I don’t know where I am at the moment. Sometimes I’m in denial, sometimes acceptance; it fluctuates and I feel like I’m not progressing. I’ve lost my mom and my dad, but Christian’s leaving has had more impact on me than anything.
She added that on her birthday, which also happens to be Christian’s birthday, she changed scenery to escape her grief but she ended up breaking down.
“I went to Chester. But I broke down there. He was not there.”
Christian Atsu passed away following a tragic earthquake in Turkey. The former Black Stars player was trapped under the rubble for about three days before he was found lifeless on February 8, 2023.
Former Ghanaian footballer Laryea Kingston has expressed his eagerness to take on the position of the next coach for the Black Stars if presented with the chance.
Following the dismissal of Chris Hughton and his coaching staff due to Ghana’s disappointing performance at the 2023 African Cup of Nations, the coaching role for the Black Stars became available.
In an interview with Graphic Sports, Laryea Kingston conveyed his belief in his capabilities to lead the Black Stars.
He highlighted his vast experience and deep understanding of the prerequisites for achieving success at the international level.
Laryea Kingston said, “Of course, I will accept and do it easy. I know the level at which I am now,” highlighting his readiness to become the next Black Stars coach.
Laryea Kingston, who currently serves as the Assistant Coach of the Black Starlets, accumulated 42 appearances for the Black Stars, during which he scored six goals.
Roberto Donadoni, an Italian coach, has shown interest in taking over as the next coach of Ghana’s national team, the Black Stars.
The coaching position for the Black Stars became available after Chris Hughton and his technical team were dismissed following Ghana’s poor performance at the 2023 African Cup of Nations.
Reports indicate that Donadoni, who has previously coached the Italy national team and managed nine other clubs, is interested in leading the Black Stars.
Donadoni’s coaching career began in 2001, and he reached a career high when he was appointed as the head coach of the Italy national team.
During his tenure, Italy made it to the quarterfinals of Euro 2008, where they were defeated by eventual champion Spain in a penalty shootout.
The Ghana Football Association (GFA) has tasked a committee with finding a successor within three weeks, with applications accepted until February 2, 2024.
GFA has set specific criteria, including a minimum of 15 years of coaching experience, for candidates vying for the Black Stars’ head coach position.
Advocates believe there is a pool of talented coaches within Ghana capable of leading the Black Stars.
When the coaching vacancy was announced, several Ghanaian coaches, including Maxwell Konadu, expressed their interest in the position. Maxwell Konadu, a former Asante Kotoko coach, applied for the job last week, aspiring to fulfil his dream of coaching the national team.
Konadu previously served as an assistant to Kwasi Appiah in 2012 and worked with him during the 2013 AFCON in South Africa and the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil.
Following Kwasi Appiah’s dismissal in September 2014, Konadu took over as the Black Stars’ acting coach, successfully guiding the team to qualify for the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations.
He later served as Avram Grant’s assistant until Grant’s termination after the 2017 AFCON.
Coach Kwasi Appiah’s reappointment as head coach saw Konadu continue as part of the coaching staff alongside Ibrahim Tanko.
Additionally, Konadu was a member of Milovan Rajevac’s technical team during the 2021 AFCON, where the team exited at the group stage.
Michael Osei
The former Asante Kotoko player has confirmed that he has applied for the Black Stars, as he believes that his time is now.
“Yes, I have applied for the job because I believe that with everything I’ve learned, I am capable of coaching the squad.
“Looking at the team, there are a number of young players like Majeed Ashimeru, Enerst Nuamah, Osman Bukari, and many of the current players who I have coached at the U23 level alongside coach Ibrahim Tanko.
“I’ve been coaching in Ghana for about 12 years, totalling nearly 15 years of coaching experience. Ghana is also my home country, so I understand the culture, have the expertise, and believe now is the time to coach the squad and I’m always a winner.”
Michael Osei, who has previously managed clubssuch as Asante Kotoko and Liberty Professionals and served as an assistant at FSV Frankfurt II, submitted his application for the coaching position.
His most recent coaching role was with Bibiani Goldstars. The deadline for submitting applications, which was set for February 2, 2024, has now passed.
Flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress, John Dramani Mahama, has indicated plans to build a new Black Stars team around homegrown footballers if elected President in the 2024 elections.
The decision comes in response to Ghana’s disappointing performance at the recent African Cup of Nations, where the team exited the competition at the group stage for the second consecutive time.
Former President Mahama attributed the Black Stars‘ poor performance to the absence of colts football, which plays a crucial role in developing footballers at the early stages.
“We just came from the Africa Cup of Nations, and we performed abysmally. We performed abysmally because we are not growing our football,” observed Mahama.
“Before we used to have the colts and every district used to organize its colts’ league and they picked the prominent players from there. We used to have the academicals where the schools played against each other and we picked the promising players from there before we come to U-17 and then all the other age groups. Unfortunately, all that has collapsed and so we are going to work with the Football Association to start catching them young so that we can train them and give them to local teams to get experience.”
During a community engagement at Bongo as part of the NDC’s “Building Ghana Tour,” John Dramani Mahama addressed the community’s request for the construction of an astro turf for football development.
The NDC flagbearer pledged that if elected, together with the Ghana Football Association, they will build the Black Stars with homegrown players. Mahama emphasized the importance of nurturing talent at the grassroots level and did not discount the possibility of blending them with some foreign-based Ghanaian players.
“We will build a new Black Stars based on homegrown players, domestic players who have trained together for a long term and work as a team and then we bring the foreign ones to come and blend with them. If you bring only foreign-based players who don’t play together, they play in their individual teams and then when there’s time for competition you bring them and tell them to play it won’t work,” he added.
“We will build a new Black Stars based on homegrown players, domestic players who have trained together for a long term and work as a team and then we bring the foreign ones to come and blend with them. If you bring only foreign-based players who don’t play together, they play in their individual teams and then when there’s time for competition you bring them and tell them to play it won’t work,” he added.
Ghana’s aspirations of securing French coach Herve Renard as the head coach for the Black Stars have faced a significant setback, with reports indicating that Renard has reached an agreement with Egypt.
Multiple credible sources suggest that Renard is on the brink of being appointed as the next head coach of Egypt.
According to these reports, Renard, currently in charge of the French women’s team, has verbally committed to the Egyptian Football Association to assume the coaching role after the 2024 Olympic Games.
During the Olympics, he is set to lead France’s women’s national team.
Renard’s name has been prominently featured in Ghanaian media since the coaching vacancy arose on January 24, 2024.
Following Chris Hughton’s dismissal, who led Ghana in the 2023 AFCON, where they failed to secure a single victory, the search for a new coach has been underway.
The Black Stars’ disappointing performance in the AFCON included a 2-1 defeat to Cape Verde in the opening game and 2-2 draws with Egypt and Mozambique in the subsequent group matches.
With just two points and a goal deficit, Ghana experienced another early exit from the AFCON, mirroring their fate in the 2021 edition.
Former Ghana assistant coach, Maxwell Konadu, has submitted an application for the vacant coaching position of the Black Stars, as reported by JoySports.
Maxwell Konadu, who is currently the head coach of Nsoatreman FC, boasts extensive coaching experience, particularly in his role as the assistant coach of the Ghana national team from 2012 to 2022. With over 10 years of experience, he has been part of the coaching staff during Ghana’s four appearances in the FIFA World Cup.
During his tenure as assistant coach, Konadu worked alongside Kwasi Appiah, contributing to the team’s campaigns in the 2013 AFCON in South Africa and the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil.
Maxwell Konadu, the former Ghana assistant coach, has applied for the vacant Black Stars coaching position. Konadu, who has over a decade of coaching experience, served as the stop-gap manager when Kwasi Appiah was sacked in September 2014. During his interim role, he guided the team to qualify for the 2015 AFCON in Equatorial Guinea before Avram Grant was appointed.
Konadu continued as assistant to Grant until February 2017. He also worked with the team during Kwasi Appiah’s second stint from April 2017 to December 2019, partnering with Ibrahim Tanko. After a break from February 2020 to September 2021, he returned as an assistant to Milovan Rajevac in September 2021.
With extensive experience in coaching the national team, Maxwell Konadu believes he can transition into the head coach role and contribute effectively. The Black Stars head coach position became vacant following the dismissal of Chris Hughton after Ghana’s disappointing performance at AFCON 2023.
The Ghana Football Association requested CVs from interested candidates, and the application deadline was on February 2, 2024. The shortlisting process is yet to be disclosed, but sources suggest that both Maxwell Konadu and Michael Osei are among the indigenous coaches who have applied for the job.
However, one of the criteria is the UEFA Pro coaching license, which both Maxwell and Osei might lack. Nevertheless, they, like many other coaches on the continent, hold the CAF license A, the highest standard required to manage a national team at its competitions.
The final funeral rites for Ghanaian football star Raphael Dwamena, who passed away in Albania, are set to occur on Friday, February 16, 2024.
The ceremony will be held at the Adjirigano Astro Turf in Accra.
Raphael Dwamena, aged 28, faced a heart condition, leading to the insertion of a defibrillator. However, in 2022, he made a ‘personal decision’ to remove it.
The tragic incident occurred on Saturday, November 11, 2023, when he suffered cardiac failure during a game for KF Egnatia against Partizani in the Albanian league, leading to his untimely death in the 24th minute.
Known for his talent, Dwamena made his international debut for the Black Stars of Ghana on June 11, 2017, in a match against Ethiopia.
The whole technical team of the Black Stars had to leave after a disappointing performance at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast.
The Ghana Football Association (GFA) is now looking for a new coach and has set February 2, 2024, as the deadline for coaches to submit their applications.
Local reports suggest that the Serbian coach has applied for the position, wanting to have a second chance with the national team.
Goran Stevanovic managed the Black Stars from 2011 to 2012, leading them to the semifinals of the continental competition.
At 57 years old, he has experience managing various clubs, including Cukaricki Partizan and Qingdao Jonoon.
A consortium of sports journalists has obtained approval from the Ghana Police Service to stage a demonstration against the Ghana Football Association (GFA) and the Ministry of Youth and Sports, addressing concerns about the declining standards of football in Ghana.
Citi Sports has verified that the Ghana Police Service will issue an official statement at 14:00 GMT today, revealing details about the demonstration route.
Among the prominent members of the group are esteemed sports journalists Veronica Commey, Saddick Adams, and Patrick Osei Agyemang.
Commey expressed her frustrations regarding the deteriorating state of Ghanaian football during a segment on Citi FM’s Sports Panorama.
Scheduled for Wednesday, February 14, the demonstration aims to voice discontent over the current state of football in Ghana and is set to transpire in the capital, Accra.
According to Saddick Adams, the event is “a peaceful walk to present a petition” that the passion of thenation—football—is dying and that “there is no hate” but a “positive anger” to change the state of affairs.
The planned demonstration comes on the heels of Ghana’s first-round exit from the 2023 AFCON in Cote d’Ivoire, which had the Black Stars fail to win a game in three outings.
Dede Ayew reacts to Ghana’s 2-2 draw with Mozambique
For the second consecutive AFCON edition, Ghana has been eliminated in the group stage.
The 2021 AFCON marked the nadir of Ghana’s performance in the history of the competition, securing just a single point.
The position of head coach for theGhanaBlack Stars has been vacant for a week after the dismissal of Irish manager Chris Hughton.
The Ghana Football Association (GFA) is now accepting applications, and reports suggest that among the applicants is former German footballer Jurgen Kholer.
Jurgen Kholer is seen as a leading candidate to succeed Chris Hughton as the Black Stars’ head coach. Kholer had an illustrious playing career, featuring for top European clubs Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund, and Juventus.
He notably played a key role in Germany’s 1990 World Cup victory, contributing to their defense.
After retiring as a player in 2002, Kholer transitioned to coaching. Starting with the Germany U-21 national team, he has accumulated 17 years of coaching experience.
Despite his successful playing career, his coaching journey has included managing clubs like MSV Duisburg, Aalen, Bonner, EGC Wirges, Hauenstein, Alfter, Viktoria Koln U-19, and Viktoria Koln (caretaker).
While Ivory Coast expressed interest in hiring him in 2006, Kholer declined the offer.
Despite his coaching experience, he has not securedany trophies and has been without a coaching position since 2019.
He deleted nearly all his Instagram posts, including ones related to the Black Stars, and kept images from his current club, Besiktas.
Rumors circulated that Amartey was unhappy, especially since he did not get much game time during the 2023 AFCON and deleted the images while in the Black Stars camp.
However, he clarified that the decision to remove his posts had nothing to do with being sidelined by the Black Stars coach.
“Why would I delete my Black Stars pictures from my Instagram? It would be so childish. Everyone who knows me knows I am not a social media person; it’s all part of life, and it’s not because of the coach’s decision not to field me,” he said, as quoted by Happyghana.com.
During the AFCON, Daniel Amartey, who had been a regular starter in almost all the qualifying games, found himself on the bench for all three group stage matches.
He only got to play about 10 minutes, entering the field in the final moments of Ghana’s 2-2 draw against Mozambique.
Ghana concluded the group stage in third place with two draws and one defeat, conceding a total of six goals and failing to advance to the next round.
Member of Parliament for the North Tongu Constituency, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has advocated for the halt of all budgetary allocations to the Black Stars.
This suspension, he suggests, should pave the way for an impartial forensic audit of the expenditures related to their Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament.
Ablakwa emphasised that this suspension of financial allocations should extend to the current efforts to seek a new head coach, replacing Chris Hughton.
The call for an independent forensic audit reflects concerns about the transparency and accountability of the funds allocated to the national football team during the AFCON tournament.
“It is clear to me that the only way out of this grand mess is to immediately curtail any further expenditure on the Black Stars, including that ill-advised, rushed and misguided search for a new coach, and to urgently commission an independent forensic audit.
“Parliament must also assert its constitutional oversight authority when the House resumes. These outlandish breakdowns, illegalities and insulting opacity must be probed and sanctioned; we cannot afford to let the people down.”
His unwavering stance follows his interception of letters purportedly from the Ministry of Youth and Sports, the Finance Minister, and the Controller and Accountant General’s Department detailing the expenditure of the Black Stars during their unsuccessful AFCON campaign in Cote d’Ivoire.
On Monday, the lawmaker shared a letter from the Ministry of Youth and Sports to the Finance Ministry, requesting a substantial amount of US$8 million as a budget, causing public outcry.
Subsequently, on January 30, he released two documents claiming to confirm payments of the requested amount. One document, supposedly from the Minister for Finance to the Controller and Accountant General, instructed the release of a partial payment of US$5,071,840.36, equivalent to GHS60,306,717.80, out of the budgeted US$8,506,450.00.
The document detailed expenses, including GHS15.3 million for the Black Stars’ preparation days before AFCON, GHS14 million for air transport and per diem, GHS14 million for provision for Group stage bonuses, and GHS2.1 million for honorarium.
A bank transfer advice from the Controller and Accountant General confirmed the release of funds to the Ministry of Sports.
Ablakwa also alleged the existence of a separate budget for the supporters of the Black Stars, further adding to the controversy surrounding the team’s financial management.
“Deep throat sources inform me that the budget was managed by National Security. Nothing will stop us from demanding full accountability on this too,” he noted.
The Ghana Football Association (GFA) reacted to the publication of the budget by the legislator, calling it cheap politics.
“He should concentrate on his job of passing bills in Parliament and stop engaging in small, cheap politics in football. It is not the best,” Nana Oduro Sarfo, an Executive Council member of the GFA is quoted as saying by JoyNews.
Black Stars captain, Andre Dede Ayew, has issued a heartfelt apology for the team’s disappointing performance at the 2023 AFCON in Cote d’Ivoire.
Despite being in Group B, the Black Stars failed to advance to the round of 16, managing only two points from three games.
The team suffered a 1-2 defeat to Cape Verde and secured 2-2 draws against Mozambique and Egypt, leading to an early exit from the competition for the second consecutive edition.
The lacklustre performance sparked criticism from Ghanaians, who expressed frustration over the team’s perceived lack of drive and patriotism.
In response to the backlash, veteran forward Ayew took to video to express a sincere apology for the Stars’ AFCON 2023 campaign.
He assured fans that the team is committed to restoring Ghana’s pride, promising to elevate the national flag to its rightful place.
“I would like to apologise for the results in the AFCON that we just exited. We know that we should have done better and that we should have brought better results to the nation. As the captain of the squad, I take full responsibility for what happened on the pitch.”
“For the playing body , we should have done better,” he added to the apology released exactly a week after Ghana’s elimination from the 2023 AFCON was confirmed.
Captain of the Black Stars, Andre Dede Ayew, has issued a formal apology for Ghana’s disappointing performance at the 2023 African Cup of Nations (AFCON), acknowledging that the team fell short of expectations.
In a video message, the Le Havre player expressed regret for the team’s early exit from the tournament, stating, “These past days have been very difficult for every Ghanaian football fan and myself.
I would like to apologize for the results at the AFCON that we just exited; we know that we should have done better.”
Taking full responsibility as the squad captain, Dede Ayew admitted that the team’s showing, marked by a winless campaign with a loss to Cape Verde and draws against Egypt and Mozambique, did not meet the nation’s expectations.
“In football, these are things that happen; it makes you stronger. What doesn’t kill you always makes you a stronger person, individually and collectively. We are Ghana and never going to give up… we shall rise and shine again as a family,” he emphasized.
Dede Ayew, who made an appearance in the final group game against Mozambique, acknowledged setbacks as a norm in football but emphasized that they should serve as a stepping stone to better performances in the future.
He concluded his apology by addressing the sentiments of disappointed fans, stating, “We understand the anger, backlash, everything that came to us; we take it, and we will make sure that we put our flag back where it belongs.”
The national team’s failure to progress beyond the group stage led to widespread disappointment among fans, prompting key squad members, including Dede Ayew, to publicly express remorse and commitment to a stronger comeback.
Dede Ayew apologizes to Ghanaians for Black Stars' performance at 2023 AFCON
The Ghana Football Association has extended its apologies to Ghanaians and all stakeholders for the recent disappointing performance of the senior national team, the Black Stars at the Africa Cup of Nations Cote D’Ivoire 2023.
The GFA on January 30 admitted that Ghana’s performance fell short of the high expectations “we all share, and we take full responsibility for the disappointment.”
Following a meeting of the Executive Council of the Association and Chairmen of the RFAs on Tuesday, January 30, 2024, the GFA assured all stakeholders that the requisite steps are being taken to address the issues at hand, and a thorough review of the team’s strategies, training, compensation, and overall structure is underway.
“We value the unwavering support of our stakeholders, and we commit to working tirelessly with you to ensure a stronger and more competitive team. Your loyalty and passion are the driving forces behind our efforts to rebuild and elevate the standard of Ghanaian football.
“We appreciate your understanding during this challenging time and remain dedicated to restoring the pride and success we all desire for the Ghana Black Stars. Together, we will emerge stronger and more resilient,” the GFA added.
Ghana failed to progress from the group stage of the ongoing tournament in Ivory Coast. Following this, many stakeholders called on the GFA to render an unqualified apology to Ghanaians for the bad performance. The GFA has finally done so, a week after Black Stars’ exit.
GFA’s long-awaited apology comes at a time when it is facing public scrutiny for budgeting an amount of $8.5million for the senior national team without Parliamentary approval.
Dede Ayew apologizes to Ghanaians for Black Stars' performance at 2023 AFCON
Ghana’s Black Stars captain, Andre Dede Ayew, has finally opened up about the challenging period following the team’s exit from the 2023 African Cup of Nations (AFCON), expressing remorse and taking responsibility for the disappointing results.
In a video message sighted on social media, the Le Havre player acknowledges the difficulty faced not only by himself but every Ghanaian football fan in the aftermath of the AFCON campaign.
He extended a heartfelt apology for the team’s underwhelming performance, emphasizing the collective responsibility he bears as the captain.
Ayew reflected on the team’s shortcomings during the tournament, where they failed to progress beyond the group stage, registering a winless run with losses to Cape Verde and draws against Egypt and Mozambique.
He acknowledges that better results were expected, and as the captain, he takes full responsibility for the on-field outcomes.
“In football, these are things that happen,” Ayew said as he highlighted the transformative power of challenges, adding, “What doesn’t kill you always makes you a stronger person, individually and collectively.”
Despite the disappointments, he expressed unwavering determination, asserting that Ghana, as a footballing nation, will rise again.
“We are Ghana and never going to give up… we shall rise and shine again as a family”, he noted.
He concludes by reiterating his apology and emphasizing the team’s understanding of the frustration and backlash from disappointed fans.
Ayew assures that they will work towards restoring Ghana’s football pride and reclaiming their position among the footballing elite.
“We understand the anger, backlash, everything that came to us, we take it and we will make sure that we put our flag back where it belongs.”
Dede Ayew apologizes to Ghanaians for Black Stars' performance at 2023 AFCON
