Ghanaâ??s Black Stars have completed their final training session ahead of Fridayâ??s 2025 Kirin Cup friendly against Japan at the Toyota Stadium in Aichi.The session included drills on attacking combinations, defensive organisation, and set-pieces, allowing head coach Otto Addo to finalise his lineup and game plan.All 22 players participated, with particular attention given to players who arrived late to camp, including Hearts of Oak goalkeeper Benjamin Asare and AS Monaco

Black Stars will receive GHâ?µ150 million ($13.68 million) from the government to fund their participation in the 2026 FIFA World Cup.The announcement was made by Finance Minister Dr Cassiel Ato Forson on Thursday, November 13, 2025, during the presentation of the 2026 Budget Statement in Parliament.Dr Forson explained that the allocation reflects the governmentâ??s ongoing commitment to supporting national teams in major international tournaments and promoting sports development

Cameroon will be without midfielder André-Frank Zambo Anguissa at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations after Napoli confirmed he suffered a severe thigh injury while on international duty.The 29-year-old sustained a â??high-grade lesion to his left hamstring,â? according to a statement released by Napoli on Thursday. The injury is expected to sideline him for three to four months, ruling him out of the tournament that begins on December 21 in Morocco.Anguissa has been an influential

Dreams FC head coach Winfred Dormon has set his sights on a win against Hohoe United in their next match in the 2025/26 Ghana Premier League season. The two teams will lock horns on Sunday, November 16, in a Week 10 fixture of the ongoing league campaign.Speaking in a pre-match interview, Winfred Dormon noted that his team is putting in all efforts to ensure they overcome the opponent on the matchday.â??We are approaching this game very, very seriously. We are not leaving any

Nigeriaâ??s Super Eagles advanced to the final of the African Playoffs for the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Friday after a commanding 4-1 victory over Gabon in extra time.The encounter, held at the Stade Prince Moulay Hassan in Rabat, saw Nigeria dominate the first half, creating several clear chances.Victor Osimhen came closest with a powerful header that was brilliantly saved by Gabon goalkeeper Loyce Mbabe.Gabon appealed for a penalty later in the half after a shirt-pulling incident

Hearts of Oak forward Mawuli Wayo has assured supporters that players are determined to secure victory in their next Ghana Premier League match against Swedru All Blacks.The Phobians will travel to Swedru this weekend to honour their Week 10 fixture against All Blacks.Speaking in a pre-match interview, Mawuli Wayo indicated that Hearts of Oak have learned from the defeat to Asante Kotoko in their last outing and are now ready to return to winning ways in the game against Swedru

Hearts of Oak head coach Didi Dramani has indicated that his team has moved on from their defeat to Asante Kotoko last Sunday. The Phobians hosted the Porcupine Warriors last weekend in a Week 9 encounter of the 2025/26 Ghana Premier League season.In the game played at Accra Sports Stadium, Hearts of Oak suffered a 1-0 defeat and missed out on all three points.Speaking in a pre-match interview ahead of his teamâ??s next league match against Swedru All Blacks, Didi Dramani stated

Ivory Coast legend Solomon Kalou believes South Africa could emerge as one of the surprise packages at the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.Bafana Bafana, who finished third in the last edition, have been drawn in Group B alongside seven-time champions Egypt, Angola, and Zimbabwe. Their opening match will be against Egypt on December 26, 2025.â??I think South Africa is coming back. They are doing very well. They have qualified for the World Cup; the Bafana Bafana are

Former Ghana coach Chris Hughton believes Otto Addo will use the upcoming international friendlies to strike the right balance within his squad as the Black Stars prepare for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.Ghana will face Japan on Friday and South Korea on Tuesday in two fixtures expected to test the team tactically and physically. Otto Addo has named an almost second-string squad for the matches, with key players such as Jordan Ayew, Mohammed Kudus, Inaki Williams, and Thomas Partey all

Djibouti football reached a major milestone on Thursday with the launch of the FIFA Talent Academy in the capital, Djibouti City. The academy, part of FIFAâ??s Talent Development Scheme (TDS), aims to give young players genuine opportunities to progress while boosting the competitiveness of menâ??s and womenâ??s football globally.Djibouti becomes the second African country after Mauritania, and the 42nd worldwide, to benefit from the programme. FIFA President Gianni Infantino

Ghana Premier League side Aduana Football Club have announced the appointment of Lawrence Mawulorm as the new assistant coach to deputise head coach Cioaba Aristica.â??Aduana Football Club is delighted to announce Lawrence Mawulorm as our new Assistant Coach. Welcome to the Ogya family,â? the club said in a notice on Facebook on Thursday.The appointment comes after the Dormaa-based club parted ways with former assistant coach W.O. Tandoh a few days ago.According to the club,

Ghana defender Gideon Mensah has praised the competitive environment fostered within the Black Stars squad, saying it ensures that every player must earn their place for the 2026 FIFA World Cup."He said everybodyâ??s going to get their fair chance. We have very good players in Ghana, Africa, and Europe. Qualifying with the team doesnâ??t really guarantee you a spot at the World Cup. You have to prove that you can be there," Mensah explained.According to the Auxerre

Auxerre defender Gideon Mensah has expressed pride and excitement after playing a key role in the Black Starsâ?? qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the USA, Canada, and Mexico.Mensah was influential throughout the qualifiers, missing only the final group match against Comoros in Accra, and contributed a couple of assists that helped Ghana secure their spot at next yearâ??s tournament. This marks a consecutive World Cup appearance for Mensah, following his participation

Ghana head coach Otto Addo has expressed uncertainty over whether goalkeeper Benjamin Asare will feature in Fridayâ??s Kirin Challenge Cup friendly against Japan.â??Benjamin Asare is very healthy. Due to the time difference and long travel, we have to see how he feels and see whether he can play,â? Addo said on Thursday.The Hearts of Oak shot-stopper joined the Black Stars camp later than most of the squad but is expected to take part in the teamâ??s final training

Ghana head coach Otto Addo expressed optimism as the Black Stars prepare to face Japan in their Kirin Challenge Cup friendly at the Toyota Stadium in Aichi on Friday."We are very, very pleased to be here. This is not our first time; we know the Japanese Federation has a very, very strong team," Addo said.He praised the organisation of the trip and the smooth preparation so far, adding that the match will be challenging but winnable."I think so far everything went

Ghana head coach Otto Addo has explained the reasons behind defender Mohammed Salisuâ??s late arrival to the Black Stars camp in Japan ahead of their upcoming friendlies against Japan and South Korea.Speaking on Thursday, Addo said the AS Monaco defender missed the initial part of the camp due to an injury sustained after his last match in France, which required treatment before joining the squad.â??Salisu had suffered an injury after his last match in France, so he was getting

Ghana head coach Otto Addo says Japanâ??s remarkable progress since their last meeting with the Black Stars in 2022 highlights the growing strength of Asian football.The two sides last met three years ago, when Japan defeated Ghana 4â??1 in a friendly as part of preparations for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. On Friday, they meet again in the Kirin Challenge Cup at the Toyota Stadium in Aichi, with kickoff scheduled for 10:20 a.m. Ghana time (7:20 p.m. local time). The

Ghana head coach Otto Addo has acknowledged the strength and tactical discipline of Japan as the Black Stars prepare to face the Asian side in an international friendly at the Toyota Stadium in Aichi on Friday.Speaking ahead of the match, Addo described Japan as a well-organised team capable of adapting their play in different phases of the game.â??Yeah, I think they still have a variety in the same system, so they can stay in the low block, where they look like defending the

Black Stars coach Otto Addo believes his squad proved at the 2022 World Cup that they can compete with top teams on their best days.Ghana will face Japan at Toyota Stadium on Friday, November 14, in the Kirin Cup, with kick-off set for 10:20 a.m., as part of preparations for the 2026 World Cup.The Black Starsâ?? only victory at Qatar 2022 came in a 3-2 win over South Korea, while defeats to Portugal and Uruguay ended their campaign.Speaking ahead of the Japan clash, Addo acknowledged

Black Stars coach Otto Addo, on behalf of his players, has extended condolences to the families of victims of the tragic El-Wak stampede in Accra.Speaking ahead of Fridayâ??s Kirin Cup clash against Japan at Toyota Stadium, Addo said: "We had a serious matter in Accra, where six people died, and the Black Stars surely first of all want to send out our deepest condolences and sympathy to the families, and friends of those who died, and we pray for those who are still in hospital."It's