Ghana, a footballing nation in turmoil after another AFCON failure The Athletic

football ghana

The influence of European clubs on Ghanaian football has been significant, especially since the late 1990s. Various European football academies have been established in Ghana, offering young athletes opportunities for professional training and development. For more insight into Ghana’s development of youth sports, explore the section on ghana universities. Sports and Recreation Minister Kofi Adams is urging the 2026 World Cup host nations to relax entry requirements for fans hoping to travel for the global showpiece.The tournament, to… Former Black Stars forward Augustine Arhinful has expressed optimism that the senior national team can beat England.Ghana has been paired alongside the Three Lions alongside Panama, and Croatia in… Thomas Tuchel will likely be quite happy with how the World Cup 2026 Group Stage draw played out.

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Additionally, Hearts of Oak has been successful in the Ghana FA Cup, claiming victory 11 times throughout the competition’s history. The Ghana Football Association (GFA) is a significant institution in the landscape of sports in Ghana. The establishment of the GFA marked the beginning of organized football in Ghana, with Cape Coast and Accra being the first colonial cities in sub-Saharan Africa to host formal leagues (Ghana Football Association). For further details on Ghana’s international presence in football, see the ghana sports page. Ghana’s Black Galaxies coach, Kassim Mingle, has named a 20-man squad for the international friendly against South Africa’s Bafana Bafana on Tuesday, 16 December 2025.The fixture will act as… Even the ones who were paid to be here by the country’s football association were disgruntled.

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He has only played once since but was selected against Cape Verde in the opening group game. Suddenly, he was playing as a No 10, which isn’t his natural position, as a replacement for Mohammed Kudus, the team’s best player, who was injured. One of the oldest clubs in Ghana, Great Olympics FC, has had its share of successes as well. While football remains the predominant sport in Ghana, there is significant potential for growth in other athletic disciplines such as basketball, swimming, tennis, rugby, and cycling.

  • This table outlines the condition and investment needs of various sporting facilities in Ghana, underscoring the urgency for action.
  • Former Black Stars forward Augustine Arhinful has expressed optimism that the senior national team can beat England.Ghana has been paired alongside the Three Lions alongside Panama, and Croatia in…
  • The team made history in 2010 by becoming the third African nation to reach the quarter-finals of the FIFA World Cup.
  • They come from all over the world and most of them haven’t played together for more than six to 12 months.
  • The U-17 national team has clinched the FIFA U-17 World Cup title twice, while the U-20 team reached the finals on two occasions.
  • Ghana’s Black Galaxies coach, Kassim Mingle, has named a 20-man squad for the international friendly against South Africa’s Bafana Bafana on Tuesday, 16 December 2025.The fixture will act as…
  • Thomas Tuchel will likely be quite happy with how the World Cup 2026 Group Stage draw played out.
  • Each club has its unique history and dedicated fan base, contributing to the vibrant football culture in Ghana.

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It was happy to spend money on an advertising campaign but not the infrastructure that mattered. The squad isn’t without talent but it lacks cohesion and cultural understanding of one another. They come from all over the world and most of them haven’t played together for more than six to 12 months. As a golden generation of Essien, Muntari and Appiah aged out of the side, a steady decline began. The 2015 AFCON final — in which Ghana were defeated by Ivory Coast on penalties — represents the last time the nation could call themselves one of the strongest in the continent. The success at the World Cup in South Africa had been eight years in the making — those in the squad had featured in tournaments together, including the 2004 Olympics and 2006 World Cup.

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The Ghana Premier League finaly shook off its goal-shy tag this weekend with a blitz aided largely by Aduana Stars and new boys Karela. Two of the Ghana Premier League’s unbeaten streaks were ended during the midweek games, but there’s no change at the top of the standings. With trust eroding, the representatives of some players who have been approached to play for Ghana say their clients are reluctant.

  • It has been convention for these fans to be flown into tournaments to create an atmosphere inside the stadiums through music and dance.
  • By partnering with local talent, they contribute significantly to the growth of the sport in the country while enhancing the abilities of aspiring players.
  • Normally, their transport and accommodation are taken care of and they have the option to be fed every day or given money to sort meals out themselves.
  • Ghana’s women are vital to the nation’s football narrative, and their continued success helps elevate the profile of ghana culture in the global arena.
  • The youth development programs have also gained prominence, leading to numerous successes in international youth competitions, which showcases Ghana’s commitment to nurturing talent.
  • Hull City midfielder Darko Gyabi says he remains open to representing Ghana at senior level as his international future continues to evolve.Born in England to Ghanaian parents, Gyabi has…

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By addressing the maintenance of sporting facilities and investing in non-football sports, Ghana can move toward creating a more inclusive and thriving sports environment. This multi-faceted approach would not only fortify the foundation of athletics but also open up new opportunities for success on both national and international stages. Emphasizing sustainable development plans and financial assistance for these sports could help elevate them into the limelight, similar to the success experienced by the national football team. If Ghana prioritizes these efforts, the country could witness a broadening sporting culture that inspires a new generation of athletes and enhances national pride through diverse athletic achievements (LinkedIn). These players have not only gained recognition in the local leagues but have also made their marks internationally, bringing pride to Ghana.

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Their commitment to excellence continues to shape Ghana’s standing in the global football community. After drawing with Mozambique in Ebimpe, some Ghanaian journalists were in tears at the state of their country’s football team as they tried to access the ground floor of the stadium to interview players. Aduana Stars FC made history by winning the Ghana Premier League at their first attempt in 2010, making them the ninth club to achieve this feat. They later secured another league title in 2017 and are currently recognized as the fifth most successful side in Ghanaian football history (Ghana Soccer Net).

Team Leaders

From the Black Stars to youth teams and women’s football, Ghana has made significant contributions to the sport globally. The grassroots of Ghanaian football can be traced back to the early 20th century when the sport was embraced by local communities. Since then, football has evolved into a fundamental aspect of Ghanaian culture, with a considerable portion of the population participating in or supporting the sport. The youth development programs have also gained prominence, leading to numerous successes in international youth competitions, which showcases Ghana’s commitment to nurturing talent. Fans of the national team have questioned the construction of Ghana’s squads and starting line-ups. Richard Ofori was Ghana’s goalkeeper for all three group games despite being the third choice for his club side Orlando Pirates.

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football ghana

Greater investment and a more targeted developmental strategy for these sports could yield remarkable results over the next several decades. With the right encouragement and resources, sports beyond football in Ghana can flourish, contributing to a richer sporting culture. As the nation continues to recognize the importance of a diversified athletic landscape, the future looks promising for sports as a whole.

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It has been convention for these fans to be flown into tournaments to create an atmosphere inside the stadiums through music and dance. These clubs represent the heart of Ghana football and continue to shape the landscape of the sport in the country. Each club has its unique history and dedicated fan base, contributing to the vibrant football culture in Ghana. One of the most pressing challenges in Ghanaian sports is the inadequate maintenance of public sporting facilities. Many of these venues are in a state that has been described as extremely grim, impacting the effectiveness of training and competition. Without proper upkeep, these facilities deter athletes and hinder developments within all sporting realms.

  • Addressing these issues can lead to a brighter future for various athletic disciplines in the country.
  • The existence of these academies showcases the international recognition of Ghana’s sporting potential, creating pathways for players to advance to higher levels of competition.
  • From the Black Stars to youth teams and women’s football, Ghana has made significant contributions to the sport globally.
  • He found out about this development after opening a letter from the GFA slipped underneath his hotel room door in the middle of the night.
  • It was Ofori who needlessly gave away a corner in the dying moments against Mozambique that Ghana then conceded from to draw the game and ultimately knock them out of the tournament.

Those with sympathetic minds can see this is not his fault, but he has faced lots of criticism. Ransford Yeboah-Konigsdorffer, who plays for Hamburg in the second tier of German football, is seen as a symbol of a confused culture. They saw a team that understood what it was supposed to do tactically, while there was room for individual expression within that framework. Essien, Sulley Muntari and Stephen Appiah had all progressed through the youth levels in Ghana, graduating to the senior setup at roughly the same time. Regarding the team itself, there has been a breakdown in trust at almost every level, with one bizarre incident involving Ghanaian journalists summing up the tension.

Nevertheless, the growing interest in sports such as basketball, swimming, tennis, rugby, and cycling fun Accra Hearts of Oak S.C. provides an opportunity for diversification in the sporting realm. European clubs like Ajax and Feyenoord have set up academies that not only focus on football training but also emphasize educational programs. This holistic approach has nurtured young talents, helping them develop both their athletic and academic capabilities. Other notable academies include Right to Dream, Kumasi Sports Academy, Unistar Soccer Academy, and Mandela Soccer Academy.

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The current focus on football should not diminish the importance of fostering alternative sports, which can also unite communities and promote healthier lifestyles. Events like the Accra Milo Marathon for athletics and the Legon Sharks Swimming Invitational are steps forward in broadening the sporting landscape. However, there is much work that remains to be done in order to support non-football sports effectively. Ghana is often categorized as a “sporting nation,” with an overwhelming 95% of sports activities centering around football (LinkedIn).

football ghana

Things looked pretty ominous when Croatia were the first side to join the Three Lions in Group L. That fixture is a repeat of the World Cup semi-final from 2018 when Luka Modric’s side came out victorious. The final day of the Ghana Premier League season was a fitting end to what had been a dramatic and chaotic campaign. The new Ghana Premier League season is facing it’s first fixture challenge after a league game was rescheduled to make way for a church service. It has been the most chaotic month in Ghana football and, ominously for clubs, officials and fans, there seems to be no immediate end in sight. Ghana live scores, players, season schedule and today’s results are available on Sofascore.

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It is essential for the government and relevant stakeholders to prioritize the renovation and management of sports facilities to create conducive environments for athletes to thrive. These developments underscore the GFA’s pivotal role in shaping the trajectory of football in Ghana and its impact on the global stage. For more about the cultural significance of Ghana, explore our articles on ghana culture and ghana tourism. Additionally, Ghana became the first African country to win the U-20 World Cup in 2009, defeating Brazil in the final (Ghana Football Association). Ghana international Mohammed Kudus scored his first UEFA Champions League goal for Tottenham Hotspur on Tuesday night, helping the team secure a 3-0 victory over Slavia Prague.The attacking midfielder… Now in its fifth consecutive season, the SPORTY LALIGA MVP recognises the deep wealth of African talent across LALIGA, which has a long and storied connection to African football dating back to the 1940s and beyond.

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And to top it all off, as of Monday evening, the supporters were still waiting for their money. Sign up for a FREE NewsNow account and get our email alert of the day’s top stories from the UK and around the world. Otto Addo is currently in Madrid meeting with Spain-based players as part of efforts to… Ghana have been drawn in Group L for the upcoming tournament, alongside England, Panama, and…

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The build-up to what is supposed to be an engaging weekend of football in the Ghana Premier League is being undermined by accusations of matchfixing. It’s been a long time coming, but finally the Ghana Premier League has returned after a long legal battle and several postponements. Ghana will approach FIFA for special dispensation to play Premier League games during the World Cup, according to Kwesi Nyantakyi.