African Football
GFA FIFA NC responds to reports of Black Stars stranded in Kenya
The Normalisation Committee for the Ghana Football Associated has officially responded to media reports that the Black Stars contingent is stranded in Kenya upon arrival.
Kwesi Appiah and his players are training in Kenya ahead of the 2019 AFCON qualifier against Ethiopia on Sunday November 18 but according to some Ghana media reports on Thursday the team was stranded and left to cater for themselves upon arrival in Kenya to begin training.
But the Kofi-Amoah led normalisation committee has debunked those reports as false.
Below is the full statement:
The GFA Normalization Committee’s attention has been drawn to publications by some media outlets alleging that the Black Stars team is stranded in the Kenyan city of Naivasha. The publications further suggest that the players and the technical team have been left to fend for themselves.
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We wish to state unambiguously that the said publications are a falsification of the bare facts.
FACTS:
First of all, the Black Stars team did not pitch camp in Naivasha and cannot be stranded in a city they have not visited. The technical team and the players that arrived Monday morning in Nairobi were bused from Jomo Kenyatta airport in Nairobi to a 5-star City Lodge Hotel.
Itineraries drawn to get the players to report to camp were done with the approval of each of the players and their respective clubs as well as the technical handlers of the Black Stars. Thus the assertion that flight tickets could not get to the players in time is untenable.
Meanwhile all Nineteen (19) players invited are currently in camp at the team’s base in Nairobi. The Black Stars will depart for Addis Ababa Friday to continue preparations for Sunday’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Ethiopia.
(Dan Kwaku Yeboah-Spokesperson, Normalization Committee)
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.Â
- 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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