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FEATURED: Abdul Fatawu Isshaku – The Tamale Crown Prince
When the talented Abdul Fatawu Issaku was named Best Player of the recently held African U20 tournament that was staged in Mauritania, I knew that was the beginning of greatness for the young midfielder from the Northern region plying his trade with Steadfast FC in the Division One.
It wasn’t surprising when news caught fire that some big European clubs were on his trials notably, Bayer Leverkusen, Germany.
I was swept with enormous joy because for the lad to be tracked by the German-based club meant that there was something valuable, they saw in him ready to harness and develop him into one of Ghana’s biggest exports.
Little did we know that Liverpool FC, England was also in the mix, apparently, they had scheduled with the midfielder’s advisors on the blind side of Leverkusen, who were prepared to finalize the deal but for some immature handlings, they pulled out of the deal citing mistrust on the part of the player’s advisors disappointment.
In the Ghanaian media space, others opined that it was a blessing in disguise since the young lad was heading towards England but I always maintained my stance that, yes, England is all glamourous and a welcoming privilege for anyone talk of Liverpool with all the history and accolades backing them in the domestic and European font but we all know that playing in the league is not for the faint-hearted because, it had made a joke of players (Kevin De Bryune, Mohammed Salah, Serge Gnabry, Memphis Depay, Romelu Lukaku), who had to cut careers elsewhere before coming to prove their mettle years down the line.
Clearly, the midfielder’s representatives were looking more at the financial gains they would amass when they move materializes than the interest of their prize asset, who would always rake in the gold in the coming years when he is churning out good performances on a regular occasion.
Read More: Match Report: Hearts sink Legon Cities in Accra
The more reason why, when I heard the deal for him to join Liverpool was off, I felt pained to the bone was that German football was blessed with many talents; literally your talent hub. A league that has been a breeding or step-up grounds for producing multiple talents who have gone on to rub shoulders with the very best on the world stage.
Bayer Leverkusen would have provided the right nurturing, guidance, tutoring, training, counseling, enabling an environment for him to grow to become a global superstar.
Well, looking at the brighter side of life, all is not dark and gloom, these days, I am told Fatau Issaku has earned a move to Sporting CP, a team that has produced many great talents, Cristiano Ronaldo, Bruno Fernandes, Ricardo Quaresma, Luis Nani, hopefully, Fatawu will embrace this opportunity and won’t remind us of a certain Saddick Adams or Ransdord Osei, who we all envisage would become household names.
Young Apostles FC defensive midfielder Samuel Adamu has acknowledged the recent surge in recognition after his strong start in the Ghana Premier League.
The 23-year old was named in the GPL Match week 6 Team of the Week which he has expressed delight at the growing appreciation of his performances.
“It feels like people are recognizing my talent and abilities which I feel happy about” he said
The Wenchi-based side squares off with Kotoko this weekend, a game the combative midfielder relishes,
“I hope to continue that form against Kotoko as I work hard to be the best DM in the country,” he told SaharaFootball.net.
The Young Apostles defensive midfielder has put up a strong start to the season which has seen him record 12 interceptions, 5 dribbles, 13 successful long passes, 22 tackles (of which 16 were successful), and 16 clearances.
It would be interesting to see how he goes up against veteran Richard Boadu in the heart of midfield for Kotoko over the weekend.
Black Queens head coach Kim Lars Björkegren is expected to take charge of the Ghana Black Stars on an interim basis for their crucial 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying double-header against Somalia in November.
The Swedish tactician is set to lead a temporary technical team that will also include Medeama head coach Ibrahim Tanko and current Black Stars assistant Godwin Attram, according to multiple reports.
The appointment follows the departure of Carlos Queiroz after Ghana’s disappointing start to the qualifying campaign. The Black Stars lost 2-0 to Côte d’Ivoire before surrendering a two-goal lead in a 4-2 home defeat to The Gambia, leaving them bottom of Group C without a point.
Björkegren, who has been in charge of the women’s national team since January 2025 and guided them to third place at the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, brings prior familiarity with the senior men’s setup. He was previously linked with an assistant role ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup while continuing his duties with the Black Queens.
Attram already serves as a Black Stars assistant, offering continuity, while Tanko has previous experience with the senior national team and the Black Meteors (Ghana’s U-23 side).
The interim arrangement is designed to ensure the team is prepared for the home-and-away fixtures against Somalia, scheduled for the November international window, while the Ghana Football Association and a five-member search committee continue their hunt for a permanent head coach.
The GFA is expected to officially communicate this announcement.
Ghana’s Sports Minister Kofi Adams has insisted there is no basis for his removal over the ongoing World Cup visa controversy, stressing that no public funds were lost in the matter.
READ MORE : “Its really tough” – Coach Björkegren
Kofi Adams was reacting growing concerns following of VISA issues that have been hanging over the past few weeks in local media.
He stated: “There’s no justification to dismiss me over the World Cup visa scandal, because no government money has been lost.”
The minister’s remarks come amid growing public and political pressure following questions surrounding visa arrangements linked to the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Adams maintained that the absence of any financial loss to the state removes grounds for his dismissal.
READ MORE: Black Queens thrash Mauritius 7-0 in Olympic Qualifiers
In a related development, NSA boss Yaw Ampofo Ankrah was asked to step aside from his role earlier this month by President John Mahama.
Black Queens head coach Lars Kim Björkegren has described the path to qualifying for the 2028 Olympic Games as “really tough” but says he “believes in the girls” to get the job done.
The Queens strolled past Mauritius 10-0 to progress to the next phase and now will face Zambia in the third round, scheduled for 23 February to 6 March 2027.
“We have the potential to go all the way,” Björkegren said.
“In football, there is no easy game, especially when it comes to qualifying for the Olympics, as only two countries from Africa will go to Los Angeles.
“It is really tough to get there; we need to win. I believe in the girls, and I think we [will] be there.”
The Black Queens have never qualified for the Olympic Games in the country’s history.
Just two slots are available for African teams.
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