The team, which arrived in Bouake earlier in the day from Accra, took to the pitch at 7pm for a feel of the match venue.

Head Coach and his technical team took the players through tactical drills and other routines as they put final touches to preparations for the crucial opener.

All 23 players who made the trip took part in the session, which lasted for just over an hour under floodlights at the Stade de la Paix — one of the venues for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.

Ghana will face the Elephants on Thursday in what promises to be a highly competitive Group C opener as both sides begin their journey towards qualification for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.

Below are photos from the training session:

Credit: Ghana FA

Leading Ghana’s remarkable medal charge was Ghanaian para powerlifting sensation Tahiru Haruna, who powered his way to a prestigious bronze medal in the highly competitive Men’s Up to 107kg+ category, finishing behind two Iranian lifters who claimed gold and silver respectively.

In what has been described as one of Ghana’s greatest achievements in international para powerlifting, Haruna was officially crowned the Number One Ranked Athlete in Africa in the Men’s 107kg+ division and was presented with a special Gold Medal in recognition of his continental ranking dominance.

Haruna’s commanding performance in Oran demonstrated exceptional resilience, discipline, consistency, and elite strength against some of the world’s best para powerlifters, firmly establishing him among Africa’s leading heavyweight competitors.

The achievement further strengthens Ghana’s qualification pathway toward the Los Angeles 2028 Paralympic Games and reinforces the country’s growing reputation in international para sports.

Speaking after the competition, Tahiru Haruna dedicated the achievement to Ghana and to the leadership vision driving the development of para sports across the continent.

“We have been pushing to reach the top. We won the medals for President Samson Deen for his ‘Mount the Podium Agenda’ set in 2025, which calls for discipline and hard work,” Haruna stated.

Haruna is now expected to continue his international qualification campaign at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games in July, where he aims to improve his performance totals, secure additional world ranking points, and intensify his drive toward qualification for LA 2028.

Ghana’s medal success in Algeria was further boosted by the impressive performances of Isaac Nii Ayetey Tagoe and Isaac Obeng, who both secured bronze medals in their respective categories.

Competing in the Men’s Up to 72kg category, Isaac Nii Ayetey Tagoe produced a strong and determined performance to finish as a bronze medalist while earning an impressive 8th place world ranking and 4th place African ranking.

His performance has been widely praised as another major step in Ghana’s long-term Paralympic qualification journey, especially given the highly competitive global standards required to secure qualification points for the LA 2028 Paralympic Games.

Officials within Ghana’s para sports fraternity have reiterated the urgent need for increased financial investment and institutional support to enable athletes to participate consistently in international competitions and improve Ghana’s chances of qualification and medal success at future global events.

Expressing appreciation after his medal-winning performance, Isaac Nii Ayetey Tagoe acknowledged the encouragement and support that have contributed to his progress.

“I am grateful to President Samson Deen for his singular contribution to rewarding discipline and performance, which has brought me here today,” he said.

In the Men’s Up to 59kg category, Isaac Obeng also delivered a remarkable performance to secure another bronze medal for Ghana after competing against a strong field of 12 elite athletes from across the world.

Obeng finished ranked 7th in the world and 5th in Africa, further cementing Ghana’s growing competitiveness and international credibility in para powerlifting.

His achievement has been celebrated as a powerful symbol of determination, resilience, courage, and national pride.

“Every lift was for Ghana. This bronze medal is not just my victory — it is proof that determination, discipline, and belief can place Ghana among the world’s best,” Isaac Obeng declared.

Ghana’s outstanding performance at the ORAN World Para Powerlifting Championships 2026 represents another defining moment in the nation’s para sports history and demonstrates the growing impact of strategic athlete development, discipline, and international exposure.

As the road to the 2028 Summer Paralympics gathers momentum, Ghana’s para athletes continue to inspire hope and national pride while proving that with commitment, support, and opportunity, the nation can compete among the world’s elite.

The Starlets started the game brightly and took the lead through Eric Adu Gyamfi, who found the back of the net to break the deadlock and give the team a deserved advantage.

The goal lifted the confidence of the Ghanaian side, who controlled large spells of the game and continued to push forward in search of more goals.

However, Uganda responded before halftime and drew level through a corner kick situation, bringing the game back to 1-1 heading into the break.

The Black Starlets returned strongly for the second half and restored their lead through Abdul Latif Wunzalgu, whose goal looked set to send Ghana to the FIFA U17 World Cup in Qatar later this year.

With the Black Starlets appearing to be in control and just minutes away from qualification, Uganda were awarded a penalty with about five minutes remaining in the contest. The East Africans converted from the spot to level the game at 2-2 and force the match into a penalty shootout.

The shootout proved dramatic and tense, with both sides converting several kicks. In the end, Uganda edged Ghana 8-7 on penalties to secure qualification to the World Cup.

The painful defeat means the Black Starlets will miss out on the 2026 FIFA U17 World Cup despite an impressive and spirited campaign in Morocco.

Head Coach Dr. Prosper Narteh Ogum and his players will now have to regroup and shift attention to the next qualification cycle.

Credit: Ghana FA

The draw was held in Poland on Friday, May 15, setting the stage for a thrilling group-stage contest.

Ghana, making its eighth consecutive appearance at the global showpiece, will compete in Group C, where they will European giants, France, alongside Asian side Korea Republic and Ecuador from South America.

The Black Princesses will aim to advance past the group stage for the first time in the country’s history at the U-20 Women’s World Cup.

The FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup is scheduled to take place in Poland from September 5–27, 2026.

Credit: Ghana FA

The donation is in response to the fundraising effort launched by President John Dramani Mahama in March to garner corporate and individual support for a targeted $30m to support Ghana’ campaign in North America where the Black Stars play Panama, England and Croatia in Group L.

Presenting the cheque to Deputy Finance Minister Thomas Nyarko Ampem at the Ministry of Finance in Accra yesterday, Stanbic Bank Chief Executive Kwamina Asomaning said their support is structured in two ways, a participation contribution to address more pressing needs, and an incentive portion to motivate and encourage the team to look beyond the first round and go all the way. Uniquely, the performance incentive package which is allocated all the way to the grand finale, will still be made available to be given to a charity of the Black Stars choosing in case they don’t get that far.

“We feel that structuring it this way strikes a very fine balance between providing for the immediate needs of the team and at the same time giving them an incentive to look beyond just showing up and strive for the top prize,” Mr Asomaning said.

“It’s a great pride for us to come together to support the Black Stars. As a bank, we have been inextricably linked to sports in Ghana. We have sponsored table tennis, armwrestling badminton tennis, hockey, basketball, swimming, the list goes on,” he noted.

“Soccer has not been left out so we are quite excited today to be in a position to contribute to our participation in this global event.”

The amount as usual has already been deposited into a dedicated World Cup account at the Bank of Ghana to ensure transparency and proper allocation toward the team’s preparations, with the World Cup now barely 34 days away.

Other donations received on Thursday were $500,000 from Newmont Ghana and Gh¢250,000 from OmniBSIC Bank, bringing the total donations received so far to GH¢17,181,500 and $2.5 million, following earlier contributions, including $2m and GH¢5 million tranches from Engineers & Planners and KGL Group.

“We are grateful for the response and as we’ve said already, we’ll meet here every Thursday to receive donations,” said Deputy Minister Ampem who is also Chairman of the Black Stars World Cup Fundraising Committee.

“We already have signals that a number of other banks and institutions are also coming. We are grateful, we thank you sincerely for responding to the national call to support our national team,” he added.

Training at Wisdom Boxing Gym under the guidance of experienced trainer Coach Ofori Asare, Lomotey has embraced a demanding schedule, competing across multiple national and international platforms as part of his development.

At the Ghana National Championships earlier this year, Lomotey delivered a strong performance before being eliminated in the semifinals by Daniel Amu, who went on to claim the championship in the division.

He followed this with another competitive outing at the Youth National Championships, where his campaign ended in the quarterfinals after a bout with Samuel Plange, who has since progressed to the finals.

Despite these setbacks, Lomotey’s determination remained evident. Drawing from the experience gained, he stepped onto the continental stage at the U15 Accra Box Cup, where he delivered an impressive performance to emerge champion in the 44–47kg division.

Coaches at Wisdom Boxing Gym describe Lomotey as highly coachable and disciplined, noting his willingness to learn and adapt after each contest. His performances reflect not only his growing skill set but also his mental toughness – an essential trait for long-term success in the sport.

As the year progresses, Lomotey is expected to continue competing and refining his craft, with many in the boxing community keeping a close watch on his development.

With a strong support system and a commitment to improvement, Philemon Lomotey’s journey highlights the pathway of a young athlete learning, evolving, and steadily rising through the ranks of Ghanaian boxing.

Credit: Sarah Lotus Asare

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FC AshantiGold ’04 have secured promotion to the 2026–27 Ghana Premier League with three games to spare after a dominant 4–1 home victory over Skyy FC. Their qualification was further confirmed following Ebusua Dwarfs’ 2–0 away defeat to Sefwi All Stars.

AshantiGold now sit on 58 points, holding an 11-point lead over second-placed Dwarfs, who have 47. With only three matches remaining and a maximum of nine points available, the gap is unassailable, officially confirming AshantiGold’s qualification to the topflight next season.

FC AshantiGold ’04 will compete in the Ghana Premier League from Zone Two, while Port City have also secured promotion from Zone Three.

Credit: Ghana FA

Nations FC reached the final for the first time in their history after edging past Aduana FC 1-0 in a tightly contested match, continuing an impressive run that has marked them as one of the standout teams in this season’s competition. Their disciplined approach and ability to grind out results have been key to their progress.

Dreams FC, on the other hand, secured their place in the final with a hard-fought 3-2 victory over Medeama SC in Swedru.

The 2023 champions showed experience and composure in a high-pressure encounter, holding off a strong Medeama side to book another shot at the title.

The final presents a compelling contest between ambition and experience. Nations FC are chasing their first major trophy and will be eager to cap their campaign with silverware, while Dreams FC are aiming to reinforce their status by lifting the FA Cup for a second time.

Beyond the trophy, the stakes are high, with the winner earning qualification to the CAF Confederation Cup, adding further significance to what promises to be a closely fought final.

Credit: Ghanasoccernet

Dominic Frimpong, a member of Berekum Chelsea’s playing body, was killed on Sunday night (April 12) when gunmen attacked the team along the Ahyiresu–Kwame Dwumor Sreso (KDS) road in the Atwima Mponua District of the Ashanti Region. 

Robbery attack

The players and officials were travelling back to Berekum after a Ghana Premier League fixture against FC Samartex 1996 at Samreboi, which they had lost 1–0, when the tragedy struck.

According to police, the team’s vehicle — a VIP bus carrying about 30 players and officials — came under attack at around 10:30pm after six masked men blocked the road and opened fire. In the chaos, the driver veered off the road into nearby bushes while players and staff fled for safety. 

Frimpong sustained severe gunshot wounds and was rushed to the Bibiani Government Hospital, where he later died while receiving treatment.

Another victim, George Owusu Afriyie, 52, was robbed of GH¢4,500 during the attack, while police retrieved two spent BB cartridges from the scene to aid investigations. 

In a statement, the Ashanti Regional Police Command confirmed that additional personnel and crime scene experts had been deployed, assuring the public that the perpetrators would be apprehended.

“The public is urged to remain calm and continue to have confidence in the Police while investigations continue,” said the statement signed by the Ashanti Regional Head of Public Affairs of the Ghana Police Service, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Godwin Ahianyo.

Football family in grief

As news of the killing spread, Ghana’s football fraternity rallied in solidarity, with clubs, officials and governing bodies setting aside rivalries to mourn a life cut short.

The Ghana Football Association (GFA) led the tributes, describing Frimpong as “a promising young talent whose dedication and passion for the game embodied the spirit of our league.”

The GFA extended its condolences to the player’s family, teammates, technical staff and management, while also signalling a broader institutional response.

“The GFA will engage key stakeholders to review and strengthen security arrangements for clubs travelling for domestic competitions to prevent such tragic occurrences in the future,” it stated. 

Swedru All Blacks United FC also paid tribute, describing the incident as “heartbreaking” and a devastating blow to the entire football community.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with everyone affected by this painful tragedy,” the club said. 

For Aduana FC, the loss carried an even deeper emotional weight. In a statement signed by Corporate Affairs and External Relations Manager, Evans Oppong, the club revealed that Frimpong was their player on loan to Berekum Chelsea.

“This is a devastating loss to both clubs and Ghana football as a whole,” the statement read. 

FC Samartex 1996, the very club Chelsea had faced hours before the attack, also expressed profound sorrow, emphasising the shared humanity that transcends competition.

“In moments like this, football transcends competition, and we are united in grief,” the club said, pledging unwavering support to Berekum Chelsea and the bereaved family. 

Shock, gratitude and unanswered questions

In the immediate aftermath, Berekum Chelsea’s management commended the police for their rapid response and acknowledged the support of sports journalists who helped disseminate information about the incident.

They also expressed gratitude to the Ahyiresu community for providing temporary shelter to players and officials who fled into the bushes during the attack.

Credit: Daily Graphic

Thomas Partey, 32, appeared at Southwark Crown Court, where he denied twice raping a woman in London in December 2020.

Partey, who left Arsenal for Villarreal last summer, was charged in July last year with five other counts of rape and one count of sexual assault, relating to allegations dating back to 2021 and 2022.

He has also pleaded not guilty to those charges. A trial, originally scheduled for November this year, may now be delayed until January 2027 because of the new allegations.

In total, the footballer has pleaded not guilty to seven counts of rape and one of sexual assault involving four women.

On Monday, Judge Tony Baumgartner, the Recorder of Westminster, agreed for all the allegations to be tried together.

Partey wore dark grey trousers, a black jumper over a white shirt, and smart black shoes to the court.

He spoke to confirm his name and enter the two not guilty pleas during the hearing.

Partey did not attend the previous hearing at Westminster Magistrates’ Court when the charges came before a judge for the first time, but his lawyer indicated that not guilty pleas would be entered.

He remains on bail during the legal proceedings, with the condition that he does not contact the alleged victims.

He joined Arsenal from Atletico Madrid in 2020 in a deal worth about £45m, before leaving the club last June and is expected to play for Ghana at the World Cup this summer.

Partey is next due in court for a pre-trial hearing on 14 May.

Credit: Daily Mail