Category: Local Sports

Vice Chairman of the Black Stars Management Committee, Stephen Appiah, is confident that Ghana is on the verge of securing a spot at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, set to be hosted in the USA, Canada, and Mexico.

The Black Stars solidified their lead in Group E with a dominant 3-0 victory over Madagascar on Monday night at the Al Hoceima Grand Stadium in Morocco.

This win follows their emphatic 5-0 triumph against Chad last week at the Accra Sports Stadium.

Reflecting on the team’s performance, Appiah—who captained Ghana to its first-ever World Cup appearance in 2006—expressed optimism about their qualification chances.

“With the win yesterday, yes, we are almost there. Because when you look at the points, the matches ahead, and the performance our boys have shown, yes, we are almost there,” he said.

Ghana currently sits on 15 points and will face Chad and Mali in the next round of qualifiers in June as they push for their fifth World Cup appearance.

Dr. Nyaho Nyaho-Tamakloe has praised Black Stars captain Jordan Ayew for his unselfish play in Ghana’s recent FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Chad and Madagascar.

The Leicester City forward played a key role as Ghana secured a 5-0 victory over Chad at the Accra Sports Stadium before defeating Madagascar 3-0 in the Matchday five and six fixtures of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.

While commending the team’s overall performance, Dr. Nyaho-Tamakloe was particularly impressed with Ayew’s team-first approach, which he believes contributed significantly to Ghana’s dominant display.

“They played like a team, and for once, I saw Jordan Ayew play selflessly,” the Hearts of Oak Board Member and former Ghana Football Association (GFA) chairman told Graphic Sports.

“He created space and distributed the ball well, which was wonderful. Before, he used to hold on to the ball too much, but this time, we didn’t see that,” he noted.

Ayew, who scored against Chad last Friday, further demonstrated his attacking prowess by netting a sensational hat trick in Ghana’s win over Madagascar on Monday night.

So far in the ongoing qualifiers, the Black Stars captain has registered four assists and five goals, reinforcing his crucial role in Ghana’s World Cup campaign.

Sports and Recreation Minister, Kofi Adams, has confirmed that members of the newly constituted Black Stars Management Committee are not receiving any remuneration for their roles.

The Ghana Football Association (GFA) disbanded the previous committee, led by Mark Addo, following the Black Stars’ failure to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

However, a new committee was formed ahead of the World Cup qualifiers against Chad and Madagascar.

The committee is chaired by Dr. Randy Abbey, with former Black Stars captain Stephen Appiah serving as Vice Chairman and head of Player Relations. Samuel Aboabire and Moses Armah oversee matchday activities and operations, while Richard Nsenkyire is responsible for special duties related to the team.

Asked whether the committee members would be compensated, especially after the team’s back-to-back wins, Mr. Adams clarified that the government is not paying them at this time.

“Black Stars Management Committee members are not being paid for now, but if we qualify for the World Cup, then the government will make a decision on what they must be given as a reward,” he told Asempa FM’s Ultimate Sports Show.

He further explained that the only support provided by the government so far has been covering their accommodation and meals.

“The only thing the government took care of is their food and where they would sleep. For now, they are all doing a sacrificial job for the team,” he added.

Sports and Recreation Minister, Kofi Adams, has defended the decision not to disclose the budget for the Black Stars’ matches against Chad and Madagascar in the ongoing 2026 World Cup qualifiers.

President John Mahama had earlier stated in his State of the Nation Address that budgets for national teams would be made public.

However, ahead of the crucial Matchday 5 and 6 fixtures, calls intensified for the government to reveal financial details of the team’s preparations.

Speaking on Asempa FM’s Ultimate Sports Show, Adams explained that withholding the budget was necessary to prevent distractions that could affect the team’s focus and performance.

“People were asking me to disclose the budget for the games, but I kept asking myself, what will the budget do for the team ahead of the games? Sometimes, certain situations create distractions, so we must weigh every decision carefully,” he said.

Despite the secrecy, the minister assured the public that the budget details would eventually be made available.

“The budget for the team will be made available. There is nothing to hide, but people must understand that running the national team is expensive because most of the players come from Europe. Apart from that, all details will be made public,” he added.

The Black Stars will now turn their focus to their next round of games against Chad and Mali as they push for a spot at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The Black Stars have arrived in Morocco ahead of their 2026 FIFA World Cup Group I qualifier against Madagascar on Monday.

Fresh from their emphatic victory over Chad on Friday at the Accra Sports Stadium, the team is set to take on Les Barea at the Al Hoceima Grand Stadium.

A 23-man squad, along with the technical team, departed Accra on Saturday morning at 10:30 GMT and landed at Acharif Alidrissi Airport in Al Hoceima at 16:16 GMT.

Leading the delegation are Dr. Randy Abbey, Chairman of the Black Stars Management Committee, and Vice Chairman Stephen Appiah. Ghana football legend Asamoah Gyan is also accompanying the squad.

The squad for the match includes:

Goalkeepers: Lawrence Ati-Zigi, Benjamin Asare, Joseph Wollacott.
Defenders: Gideon Mensah, Ebenezer Annan, Kingsley Schindler, Kamaradini Mamudu, Alexander Djiku, Mohammed Salisu, Razak Simpson, Jonas Adjetey, Jerome Opoku.
Midfielders: Thomas Partey, Lawrence Agyekum, Abu Francis, Mohammed Kudus.
Forwards: Ernest Nuamah, Jordan Ayew, Inaki Williams, Antoine Semenyo, Jerry Afriyie, Kamal Deen Sulemana, Christopher Bonsu Baah.

Kickoff for the Group I clash is scheduled for 19:00 GMT.

Black Stars captain Jordan Ayew has dismissed claims of a fractured relationship within the Ghana national team following their failure to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

Recent reports suggested tensions among the players, but Ayew, speaking to Joy Sports, strongly refuted these allegations, emphasizing the unity within the squad.

“Obviously, we are not best friends because everyone is different and has people they’re closest to,” he said.

“But just like a family, the fact that you’re closer to your sister doesn’t mean you don’t love your brother.

“There’s no problem or friction within the team, and I’m yet to see any problem whatsoever. We’re like brothers,” he added.

Ayew, who netted nine goals in 13 appearances for Ghana last year, will be looking to maintain his impressive form as the Black Stars prepare for their FIFA World Cup qualifier against Chad on Friday in Accra. The forward will lead the team against Chad at the Accra Sports Stadium before traveling to face Madagascar on Monday for the fifth and sixth rounds of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.

Newly appointed Black Stars captain Jordan Ayew has expressed his delight and gratitude for his new leadership role, describing it as something that was simply meant to happen.

Ahead of Ghana’s 2026 World Cup qualifying matches against Chad and Madagascar, the Leicester City forward has been officially named the team’s new skipper.

This makes him the third member of the Ayew family—after his legendary father, Abedi Pele, and older brother, Andre—to wear the captain’s armband.

Speaking to Joy Sports in his first interview since the announcement, Ayew acknowledged the influence of past leaders and shared his hopes for a successful tenure.

“I’ve learned from the best—whether it’s Asamoah [Gyan] or Andre [Ayew]. I’ll try and pick up things from their qualities.

“I’ll keep on taking advice and things that made me grow to become who I am today.”

He also revealed that both Andre and Gyan had reached out to offer their support.

“Andre and I are very close—he congratulated me and gave me some advice. Asamoah [Gyan] as well,” he said.

The former Swansea City and Aston Villa forward explained that stepping into the captaincy role happened naturally for him.

“I’m not someone who thinks about being captain or about leadership roles,” he said.

“I just want to enjoy playing football, winning games, scoring goals, and making people happy.

“There was a lot of talk and I was always quiet in my corner. I don’t focus on all those things. It just happened naturally,” he added.

With the captain’s armband now his, Ayew will be looking to lead the Black Stars to victory in their crucial World Cup qualifiers against Chad and Madagascar.

Black Stars head coach Otto Addo is optimistic about his team’s chances as they prepare to take on Chad in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.

The four-time African champions will host Chad tonight at the Accra Sports Stadium, with kickoff set for 19:00 GMT in a crucial Matchday Five encounter.

Addo and his squad have faced intense scrutiny following their failure to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

However, speaking to the media ahead of the match, the 49-year-old coach emphasized that their fate remains in their own hands and expressed confidence in securing a positive result.

“Now we have everything in our own hands, which is very important, very good for us, and this is really positive,” he said.

“I am very sure we will deliver [against Chad]. I’m not—I can’t call myself [an] expert… I always want to win,” he added.

Following the clash against Chad, the Black Stars will travel to Morocco on Monday to face Madagascar in their Matchday Six fixture of the qualifiers.

Former Black Stars captain Asamoah Gyan has urged Ghanaians to support the senior national team as they gear up for crucial 2026 World Cup qualifiers.

Ghana will regroup for the first time this year after failing to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), marking their first absence from the tournament in two decades.

The Black Stars will face Chad at the Accra Sports Stadium tonight before traveling to Morocco to take on Madagascar in their Matchday 5 and 6 fixtures.

Despite a challenging 2024 campaign with only two wins in 10 matches, Gyan—Ghana’s all-time leading goalscorer—has encouraged fans to put aside their frustrations and rally behind the team.

“I will call on everyone to stay behind the team ahead of these games. I know people are angry, which is normal, but this is the World Cup. There is a new government, and we must stay together and support this team,” he told Asempa FM’s Ultimate Sports Show.

“People expect these players to match past generations, which must be possible, but what they need now is our support to get the needed wins.”

Gyan also called on fans to fill the stadium, believing that with their backing, the players will rise to the occasion.

“We should go to the stadium in our numbers and support them because our players are confident, and I believe with our support, they will deliver,” he added.

Ghana, aiming for their fifth World Cup appearance, must secure victories in these upcoming matches to strengthen their standing in Group I and keep their qualification hopes alive.