African Football
FEATURED: Black Stars – Remember your first love
After the major European leagues came to its finality loads of attention switched to the national teams, with qualifiers being played in between periods on the African continent towards the tournament in Cote d’Ivoire, 2023.
But one topic that has remained on the lips of many Ghanaian football fans is the swirl of players of Ghanaian descent nearing the switch of allegiance to Ghana.
This move of getting players to play for Ghana didn’t start from the current Kurt Okraku-led administration, in fact, erstwhile Kwesi Nyantakyi’s regime also did their bits and pieces to get others to switch, notably, Kevin Prince Boateng and others around that time.
But this current one has seen a number of lads across the globe talked up into playing for the country, some of the names particularly have caused some level of excitement amongst the Ghanaian football fraternity, who have been watching these lads play week-in-week-out for their clubs abroad deemed to be worthy of complementing our status ahead of the World Cup slated for Qatar this year.
The Inaki brothers are in town for holidays and from all indications, the duo fancy the chances of playing for the country, Chelsea winger Callum Hudson-Odoi, Brighton star Tariq Lamptey and Arsenal youngster Eddie Nketiah are also in line to complete the nationality switch process.
Their qualities and technical abilities need no mentioning, something, our boys can tap into once they started the bonding process, a recipe for healthy competition for places within the squad.
I have heard people say that these lads of Ghanaian descent are going to walk straight into the squad, but that wouldn’t be the case under Otto Addo’s regime, a man who knows what he is about won’t just hand freebies to anyone just because you play at Chelsea or Hearts of Oak.
The lads who gallantly fought the course and aided Ghana’s qualification to the World Cup will think to themselves that they have to be there at all costs but clearly this is a team in transition, that will require that each and every member has earned the rights of passage and inclusion to hoist the flag of Ghana in the Gulf region.
In all the buzz of playing good football, mixed with quality and technique, fostering unity and team cohesiveness our first love’s shouldn’t be discarded.
Former Black Stars midfielder Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu has voiced concern over the state of football facilities in Ghana, saying inadequate infrastructure is damaging the game’s attractiveness.
The local league’s appeal over the years has dwindled with many calling for immediate action to be taken to salvage the situation.
Speaking to Kumasi based radio station, Ahenfie FM, he expunge on the poor infrastructure in the country which has reduced the appeal of the Ghana Premier League and football in general.
“The poor infrastructure is making our football less attractive.” he ended
His comments highlight ongoing challenges facing the development of football in the country, from grassroots level to the professional game
The 35-year-old, who earned 78 caps and scored 11 goals for the Black Stars between 2008 and 2017, began his career with local sides Berlin FC and Berekum Arsenal before a loan spell at Asante Kotoko.
He later returned to the Ghana Premier League with Accra Great Olympics in 2022–23 after a long career in Europe.
This week’s Ghana Premier League 2026/27 games produced incredible results across the various game venues.
- Swedru All Blacks 1–0 Asante Kotoko
Scorer: Wiafe/Eric Darkwah (penalty, late). - Hearts of Oak 1–0 Port City FC
Scorer: Frank (Abora) Duku (header). - FC AshantiGold 1–0 FC Samartex
Scorer: Raphael Ankamah
- Bechem United 4–2 Vision FC
Scorers (Bechem): Emmanuel Kobi (39’), Yaw Acheampong (62’), Kofi Tompuo (87’), own goal (stoppage time).
Scorers (Vision): Benjamin Kwarteng (47’), Ruben Quaye (51’). - Berekum Chelsea 3–0 Debibi United
Scorers: Stephen Kwakye, Dramani Awuah, Emmanuel Ofosu. - Bibiani Gold Stars 2–0 Basake Holy Stars
Scorer: Kwame Opoku 2x - Karela United 1–0 Dreams FC
Scorer: Malik Abubakar - Medeama SC 3–1 Heart of Lions
Scorers (Medeama): Emmanuel Annor (28’), Kingsley Braye (64’ and 66’).
– Kofi Mawutodzi Agbadji - Young Apostles 1–0 Aduana FC
Scorer: Samuel Prempeh (penalty, first half).
Hearts head coach Nebojša Kapor has lamented the infrastructure problems in Ghanaian football.
Hearts of Oak secured a crucial 1-0 win over Port City FC at the University of Ghana Stadium on Sunday, ending a three-match winless run in the Ghana Premier League.
Frank Duku’s 20th-minute goal was enough to separate the sides and hand the Phobians three points against the newly promoted outfit.
Despite the win, head coach Nebojša Kapor was left frustrated about the poor state of the Legon pitch.
“This is not our stadium; it’s a national stadium. Ghana football has serious problems with proper pitches,” Kapor said after the match.
The Serbian tactician’s remarks reflect growing frustration among coaches over the quality of playing surfaces across the league.
The Phobias have adopted the University of Ghana as their temporary home venue for the Ghana Premier League.
Hearts of Oak will play Vision FC in the next league game away from home.
Port City FC head coach Ennin Christopher admitted the pain of defeat after his side fell 1-0 to Accra Hearts of Oak in the Ghana Premier League on Sunday.
Frank Abora Duku’s 20th-minute strike proved decisive as the Phobians secured a hard-fought home victory.
Reflecting on the result, Ennin stated his ambitions prior to the game was to win.
“I didn’t come here to draw; I came to win. So, losing is painful, but that’s football,” the Port City coach said.
Before the game, they occupied the 3rd spot on the log and were looking to continue that feat against Hearts tonight.
They will hope to regroup as they face off with Dreams FC in Kukurantumi next week.
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