Featured

Five things we learned from BlackStars against Japan and South Korea games

Published

11 months ago

November 19, 2025

Raphael Bannerman-Quartey

The Black Stars of Ghana finished the Kirin Cup tournament with no wins from two games.

The team lost 2-0 to Japan on Friday and followed it up with another loss to South Korea.

For some, it was an exercise in futility as the team failed to make the most of the November break, but Otto Addo and his technical team will strongly fend off those suggestions.

In the aftermath of the two games, these are some observations I have sampled for you to munch on.

The System.

We played Japan with a five-man back line, switching to a more liberal back 3 when the team transitions to attack. In that span, the team lacked cohesion, fluidity, and creativity. The team had seven shots on target, with just two on target for the whole game. How do you win games if you don’t create to score? I know in Otto’s defense, he will say his regulars (Jordan, Partey, Kudus, Fatawu, Inaki) were unavailable. What if we lose all these regulars to injuries? It’s football; anything is feasible. The ones that step in should be well-baked to taste as good as the former; what’s the point if the ones that come in are unable to do the job? It means you didn’t select or recruit right from the national pool.Do better.

In the game against South Korea, the Black Stars again fell, but it was a massive improvement over what we saw against Japan. They went for a back four system. You could see the pattern, structure, telepathy, the zeal from the boys to make an impact. In fact, before, Lee Tae-Seok headed Korea into the lead. Prince Osei Owusu teed up Prince Kwabena Adu for the opener, but it was flagged offside. His composure, steeze, and confidence to score that goal were reminiscent of the early days of Asamoah Gyan. The boys did well against South Korea.

Caleb Yirenkyi is a man on a mission.

Caleb Yirenkyi debuted for the Black Stars in May 2025 during the Unity Cup semifinal against Nigeria. Even though the team lost that duel to its noisy neighbors, the young gem drew a lot of praise from fans, marking the start of something positive after his inclusion in the squad.

In the two games against Japan and South Korea, he showed up and executed the task perfectly.

There were several instances of the game where he received passes from deep, maneuvered his way from danger, and still managed to keep the attack going. This trait is rare among Ghanaian midfielders. If there is someone who has this press resistant trait, it’s Villareal midfielder, Thomas Partey which the young man bodied so beautifully. The 19-year-old showed Otto Addo and fans that he can be an option in midfield should there be a need to tinker with midfield options in the future.

If there is something he needs to work on, it will have to do with that sheer adrenaline rush. If he managed to balance that potion, he could lace it with his other technical qualities and perform magic on the field.

Blunt Attack

In two games, the Black Stars lost to Japan and South Korea, but the other glaring factor was the lack of goals. The team failed to score a goal in those two games. A total of 15 shots with 4 on target is not a good feat for the team in the lead-up to the World Cup, where other participating countries are scoring for fun.

I have noticed how cautious and careful Otto Addo sets up his team. Most of the attacking players are stifled and unable to create and score something that the technical team needs to work on if the team wants to progress in the global tournament.

The game has evolved to a point where teams are set up to aid the attackers in scoring. Otto’s system doesn’t route to that note; I feel the attacking players have to be handed the free will to operate in the game.

Prince Kwabena Adu

The Kirin Cup 2025 saw most of the first team regulars pull out for one reason or another other but that didn’t stop the technical team from handing call-ups to several players in the lead-up to the World Cup in June 2026.

Since Asamoah Gyan called time on his career, his position as the arrowhead has undergone several phases with players such as Jordan Ayew, Semenyo, Inaki Williams, Kwame Opoku, and Mohammed Fuseini. All these players have their own attributes and what they contribute to the game at which time of it, but the inclusion of Prince Kwabena Adu to the squad brought something different. He was relentless in his pressing; his hold up was very good, and he even had his goal flagged for offside.

He may not be a finished product, but he can be the final piece in the jigsaw ahead of the World Cup.

Joseph Anang Tetteh was in post for the team against Japan, he conceeded two goals then Benjaimen Asare was back in action against South Korea, he conceded just a goal. He made several crucial saves to keep the team in the game, it goes without saying he pulled off a heroic save for Hee-Chang Hwang’s penalty.

The Hearts of Oak goalkepper might have his lapses but i think his strength outweighs his weakness which is best we tap into ahead of the World Cup.

Featured

“Poor infrastructure hurting Ghana football” – Agyeman Badu

Published

3 hours ago

October 13, 2026

Raphael Bannerman-Quartey

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.

Featured

Black Queens thrash Mauritius 7-0 in Olympic Qualifiers

Published

5 hours ago

October 13, 2026

Raphael Bannerman-Quartey

The Black Queens demolished Mauritius in the second leg of the second round of qualifiers for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games at the Essipong Stadium on Tuesday.

The game ended 7-0, ensuring the Queens finished with a 10-0 aggregate win on Tuesday.

Captain Portia Boakye opened the scoring for the Queens before Evelyn Badu doubled the lead. Ajegipina Zakaria made it 3-0 for Ghana going into the break.

Benedicte Simon scored in the 73rd minute, before Jennifer Cudjoe added the fifth in the 87th minute.

There was still room for a late party as Nancy Amoh and Mukarama Abdulai completed the rout with two late strikes to make it 7-0.

The result edges Ghana to the third round of the qualifiers in search of a ticket to LA 2028.

Ghana will play Zambia in February

Featured

GPL : All Blacks tame Kotoko, Medeama, Hearts of Oak win

Published

11 hours ago

October 13, 2026

Raphael Bannerman-Quartey

This week’s Ghana Premier League 2026/27 games produced incredible results across the various game venues.

Medeama SC thrashed Hearts of Lions at the TNA Park with a brace from Kingsley Braye (64’ and 66’), Emmanuel Annor, and Kingsley Braye, and a consolation from Kofi Mawutodzi Agbadji.

WEEK 6

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).

Featured

Kapor laments about Ghanaian pitches

Published

14 hours ago

October 13, 2026

Raphael Bannerman-Quartey

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.