Ghana delivered a remarkable performance to thrash Central African Republic 5-0 in their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier at the Stade d’Honneur in Meknes, Morocco, on Wednesday.
Otto Addo named a side with Benjamin Asare, Mohammed Salisu, Caleb Yirenkyi, Gideon Mensah, and Alexander Djiku forming the backline. Kwasi Sibo and Thomas Partey partnered in midfield, while Mohammed Kudus played behind an attacking trio of Antoine Semenyo, Abdul Fatawu Issahaku, and Jordan Ayew.
The match saw the Black Stars dominate from the start, with key contributions from several players. Mohammed Salisu shot Ghana into the lead in the 20th minute after he got on the end of a Mohammed Kudus corner kick. Back from recess, the Black Stars doubled the lead in the 52nd minute through Thomas Partey, who scored an absolute beauty from a Jordan Ayew assist.
Alexander Djiku made it 3-0 in the 69th minute, with Jordan Ayew netting the fourth goal in the 71st minute. With three minutes remaining, Kamaldeen Sulemana sealed the win with the fifth goal in the 87th minute, assisted by Joseph Paintsil.
This victory puts Ghana in a strong position to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Canada, Mexico, and the USA. The Black Stars currently lead Group I with 22 points, three points ahead of second-placed Madagascar.
Ghana will wrap up the qualifiers against Comoros at the Accra Sports Stadium on Sunday, October 12, 2025.
Heart of Lions remain top with 10 points, closely followed by Medeama on nine. Hohoe United and Young Apostles continue to impress, while giants Asante Kotoko and Hearts of Oak still search for consistency early in the season.
Asante Kotoko 0-0 Heart of Lions
Asante Kotoko’s long-awaited return to the Baba Yara Sports Stadium ended in frustration as they were held to a goalless draw by league leaders Heart of Lions on Sunday.
Playing at their iconic home ground for the first time in months, the Porcupine Warriors were eager to mark the occasion with victory. However, Bashir Hayford’s well-drilled Lions demonstrated the resilience and tactical discipline that have made them the surprise pacesetters of the season, securing a valuable point to remain unbeaten after four matches.
The match produced few clear-cut chances. Kotoko striker Albert Amoah came closest to breaking the deadlock with a spectacular bicycle kick in the 26th minute that rattled the crossbar to the dismay of the home fans. Despite Kotoko’s six attempts compared to Lions’ four, their lack of composure in the final third proved costly.
Coach Karim Zito, who was celebrating his birthday, will have hoped for a better result but will take encouragement from his side’s effort. Kotoko now turn their attention to their outstanding fixture against Bibiani GoldStars before facing Hearts of Oak and Basake Holy Stars as they build momentum ahead of their CAF Confederation Cup clash with Wydad Casablanca.
Heart of Lions, meanwhile, maintain top spot on the Premier League table, one point ahead of Medeama, and will next host Berekum Chelsea in Kpando.
Hohoe United 4-1 Karela United
Hohoe United handed Karela United their first defeat of the campaign with a commanding 4-1 win at the Hohoe Sports Stadium on Sunday.
William Oduro opened the scoring in the 19th minute after capitalizing on a defensive error, before captain Usman Sufianu doubled the lead in the 35th minute. Karela reduced the deficit through Bless Ege’s penalty on 75 minutes, but Sufianu restored the two-goal cushion soon after, completing his brace. Sena Ati sealed the emphatic victory in the 88th minute.
Karela will aim to bounce back when they host Dreams FC, while Hohoe travel to face Nations FC next.
Dreams FC 1-1 Vision FC
John Antwi marked his return to Dreams FC with a goal in their 1-1 draw against Vision FC at the Tuba Astro Turf.
Vision took the lead in first-half stoppage time through Daniel Yemoh, but Antwi levelled the score from the spot in the 71st minute, rescuing Dreams’ first point of the season. Despite their spirited performance, the “Still Believe” side remain without a win and will face Karela United next.
Vision FC, who were denied a second straight win, will return home to take on Eleven Wonders.
Medeama 2-1 Nations FC
Medeama SC returned to winning ways with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Nations FC at the TnA Stadium in Tarkwa.
Emmanuel Owusu gave Medeama the lead in the first half after a well-worked move, but Nations equalised midway through the second period. With the game finely poised, Salim Adams struck the decisive goal in the 83rd minute to seal all three points for the former champions.
Despite enjoying less possession (47% to 53%), Medeama made better use of their chances, registering eight shots to Nations’ nine, and showed more threat from set pieces, earning nine corners. The win lifts Medeama to second place, just one point behind leaders Heart of Lions.
Eleven Wonders 0-1 Young Apostles
Richmond Opoku scored his fourth goal of the season to hand Young Apostles a dramatic 1-0 victory over Eleven Wonders at the Swedru Sports Stadium.
The substitute struck in the 87th minute to seal all three points after a balanced contest where both sides created few clear chances. The win piles pressure on the winless newcomers, while Young Apostles continue their impressive start to the campaign.
Berekum Chelsea 2-0 Basake Holy Stars
Berekum Chelsea finally got off the mark with a 2-0 win over Basake Holy Stars at the Golden City Park.
Prince Anane opened the scoring in the 42nd minute following sustained pressure, before Haruna Shaibu doubled the advantage just after the restart. The Blues dominated throughout, looking sharp and cohesive both in defence and attack.
The victory offers a much-needed confidence boost for Chelsea, who next face table-toppers Heart of Lions in Kpando. Basake Holy Stars, still chasing their first win, will meet champions Bibiani GoldStars in their next outing.
Kenpong football Academy made light work of their opponents Club Brugge U-18 by defeating them 4-1. This is a clear indication that the Ghanaian outfit is growing in character and it is a matter of time that suitors would be queuing from all the world for the services of these young guys.
A feisty encounter was constantly played on the edge and it boiled over in the entire 90 minutes. Brugge thought to be the best in Belgium would be the first to admit that they had been stretched beyond their limits, the Ghanaians knowing what was at stake put up such a spectacular performance worthy of international fixture hence the impressive victory. The side will round up the trip by playing against KV Mechelen on Tuesday September 2, 2025
Having chalked this victory they are expected to put up another strong showing against the Europeans and will be not carried away by the results against Brugge.
The team was led by its founder and president, Mr Kennedy Agyapong (Kenpong), 21 players, and head Coach J.E. Sarpong
Black Stars gaffer Otto Addo is brimming with confidence that the 24-man squad selected for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Central Africa Republic and Comoros will deliver success.
Coach Otto Addo has maintained most of the players who featured against Chad and Mali in his recent squad.
Key players like Captain Jordan Ayew, Thomas Partey, Joseph Paintsil, Mohammed Kudus, Antoinne Semenyo, Inaki Williams and Alexander Djiku who secured the vital victory against Mali in Accra are all in the team.
Spain based midfield gem Kwasi Sibo has also been maintained. He was instrumental in his debut against Mali and won the praises of football loving Ghanaians with his strength and accurate passes
Left winger Abdul Fatawu Issahaku missed the previous games on fitness reasons. He has joined his colleagues this time round.
The offensive midfield workaholic has been in great shape for Leicester City in the English Championship scoring some goals.
His return will certainly add great value to the Black Stars attack as they take on Central Africa Republic on Wednesday, 8th October, 2025 in Morocco.
It will be followed with a decisive game against Comoros on Sunday, 12th October, 2025 at the Accra Sports Stadium.
The Black Stars are currently leading Group I with 19 points followed by Madagascar (16 points), Comoros (15 points), Mali (12 points), CAR (5 points) and Chad (1 point).
The FIFA Disciplinary Committee has dealt a huge blow to South Africa’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign after sanctioning the South African Football Association (SAFA) for fielding an ineligible player.
Midfielder Teboho Mokoena was fielded in the qualifier against Lesotho on 21 March 2025, a match that South Africa won on the pitch, but FIFA has now ruled the result a 3-0 forfeit in favour of Lesotho.
According to FIFA, SAFA breached Article 19 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code (FDC) and Article 14 of the Preliminary Competition Regulations, leading to the disciplinary action.
In addition to losing the three points, SAFA has been slapped with a fine of CHF 10,000, while Mokoena himself has received an official warning.
The decision dramatically reshapes Group C of the African qualifiers. Benin now lead with 14 points and a superior goal difference (+4), while South Africa drops to second on 14 points (+3). Nigeria (11 points), Rwanda (11 points), and Lesotho (9 points) all remain firmly in contention for qualification, with just a few matches left to play.
SAFA has been informed of the ruling and retains the right to appeal before the FIFA Appeal Committee. However, the forfeiture stands unless overturned.
This ruling could prove decisive in one of the tightest groups of the African qualifiers as the road to the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the USA, Canada, and Mexico intensifies.
Hearts of Oak secured their first victory of the Premier League campaign with a hard-fought 1–0 away win over Dreams FC on Monday, ending a six-game winless run against the side.
Midfielder Hussein Mohammed struck the decisive goal in the 13th minute at the Nii Adjei Kraku Sports Complex in Tema New Town, calmly finishing to give the Phobians an early lead.
The visitors showed renewed determination after last weekend’s frustrating goalless draw with newly promoted Hohoe United.
Dreams, seeking a response following their opening-day defeat to Heart of Lions, grew into the contest after conceding and dominated possession for long spells. However, Hearts’ disciplined back line, marshalled superbly throughout the afternoon, kept the home side at bay.
Head coach Mas-Ud Didi Dramani will take encouragement from his team’s defensive organisation and resilience as they absorbed sustained pressure to preserve their narrow advantage. The victory not only snapped Hearts’ six-match winless streak against Dreams but also handed the hosts their first home defeat since December 2024, when they lost to Asante Kotoko.
With the result, Hearts of Oak climb to four points from their opening two matches, while Dreams remain without a point after back-to-back defeats.
Midfield anchor Raphael Amponsah, instrumental in shielding the defence and dictating play, was deservedly named Man of the Match.
Reigning Ghana Premier League champions, Bibiani Gold Stars, have parted company with head coach, Stephen Frimpong Manso.
This was after the Miners 2-0 first-leg defeat to Algerian giants JS Kabylie in the CAF Champions League preliminary round the Accra Sports Stadium last Saturday.
Manso, a former Kotoko defender, took charge of Gold Stars two seasons ago and guided them to an historic maiden league title last season.
He began the current campaign on a bright note, following a 2-1 win over Bechem United on Matchday 1.
However, the momentum faltered against JS Kabylie, leaving the club with a mountain to climb in the return leg in Algeria this weekend.
Manso also led the side to lift the GHALCA Top 4 Cup before the start of the 2025/26 football season.
Goldstars are expected to name a replacement in the coming days.
Asante Kotoko secured a slim advantage in the CAF Confederation Cup after edging Nigerian side Kwara United 4-3 in a pulsating first-leg preliminary round encounter at the Accra Sports Stadium on Sunday.
The Porcupine Warriors began brightly and took the lead through Emmanuel Antwi, who finished emphatically from an Albert Amoah cross.
But defensive lapses allowed Johnmark Aule to restore parity for the visitors midway through the half.
Kotoko regained their advantage three minutes before the break when Albert Amoah volleyed home Patrick Asiedu’s teasing delivery.
Yet Kwara responded instantly, Aule completing his brace with a fine finish to send the tie into halftime at 2-2.
Just after the restart, defender Joseph Ablorh rose highest to head home from Amidu Acquah’s cross and restore Kotoko’s lead.
The home side looked to have put daylight between themselves and their opponents when Amoah converted a penalty after Walid Fuseini Neymar was fouled inside the area, making it 4-2.
Kwara, however, refused to back down and clawed one back in the 88th minute through Shola Abdulraheem, who reacted quickest to a rebound.
Kotoko pressed for a late insurance goal in stoppage time but were denied, leaving the tie delicately balanced ahead of the return leg in Ilorin next week.
The Ghanaian giants will need to sharpen their defence if they are to progress, as Kwara have shown enough quality to cause problems at home.
Ghanaian champions Bibiani GoldStars’ CAF Champions League dream hangs by a thread after a 2-0 home defeat to Algerian giants JS Kabylie in the first leg of their preliminary round tie at the Accra Sports Stadium on Saturday.
The debutants struggled to break down the experienced visitors, lacking the sharpness and composure needed in the final third. Several half-chances went begging, while Kabylie were clinical when it mattered. The Algerians opened the scoring courtesy of Mehdi Merghem midway through the first half and doubled their advantage in the second with a well-worked move that ended with the ball being walked into the net
Even with Bibiani GoldStars management waiving gate fees for most stands and charging only VIP, the turnout was disappointingly low. The sparse crowd offered little atmosphere, allowing Kabylie to dictate the tempo without pressure.
GoldStars now face a daunting task in the return leg at the Hocine Aït Ahmed Stadium in Tizi Ouzou on Saturday, September 27. They will need to produce something extraordinary to overturn the deficit against a side with far greater pedigree in African club football.
In a stunning display of attacking prowess, Heart of Lions delivered a statement performance on Saturday, overpowering their opponents with a resounding 4-1 victory at the Nii Adjei Kraku II Sports Complex. The match was a masterclass in offensive efficiency, leaving no doubt about the team’s current form and ambition for the season. From the first whistle, the Lions exhibited a level of cohesion and intent that their hosts struggled to contain, setting the stage for a memorable afternoon for the travelling supporters.
The outcome of the match was effectively decided in a devastating two-minute spell midway through the first half. The deadlock was broken in the 23rd minute by the lively Paul Atta, who found the back of the net to give the visitors a deserved lead. Before the home side could even regroup, their deficit was doubled just moments later. In the 25th minute, Freeman capitalized on the momentum, slotting home a second goal to send the Lions into a commanding early lead and silence the home crowd.
Despite the two-goal cushion, Heart of Lions maintained their discipline and control throughout the second half. Any hopes of a dramatic comeback from the home side were briefly ignited when Kofi Asamoah managed to pull one back in the 69th minute. However, the goal proved to be nothing more than a consolation, as the Lions’ defense swiftly shut down any further threats, demonstrating a resilience that matched their attacking flair.
Any lingering suspense was extinguished in the closing stages of the game. As the clock ticked towards full time, legendary Ghanaian striker Ishmael Addo, entering the fray as a substitute, rolled back the years with a classic poacher’s goal in the 86th minute. This decisive strike not only secured the three points but also served as a poignant moment for fans of the domestic game. The scoring was capped in emphatic fashion deep into stoppage time by Kojo Kuma, who put the final exclamation point on a 4-1 rout.
This dominant victory is no isolated incident but rather a continuation of a formidable start to the campaign. On matchday one, the Lions secured a hard-fought 1-0 win against Dreams FC. When combined with this latest triumph, the statistics paint a picture of a team in peak condition: a perfect six points from two matches, five goals scored, and only one conceded. This powerful opening suggests a squad with a potent blend of a stout defense and a multi-faceted attack.
As the league table begins to take shape, Heart of Lions have firmly positioned themselves as a team to watch. Scoring five goals in two matches is a testament to their firepower, while consecutive clean sheets until the final whistle in this game highlight their defensive solidity. With momentum firmly on their side, the Lions are not just winning; they are doing so with a style and confidence that marks them as serious contenders early in the season.
HOHOE UNITED 1-1 YOUNG APOSTLES The Hohoe Sports Stadium witnessed a historic chapter in Ghanaian football on Saturday, as Hohoe United hosted their first-ever Ghana Premier League home fixture. The matchday two clash against Young Apostles was more than just a game; it was a celebration of a community’s arrival on the nation’s top-flight stage, culminating in a hard-fought 1-1 draw that saw both sides share the points.
The home side electrified the packed stadium shortly after the halftime break. Just two minutes into the second half, Abass Ganiu carved his name into the club’s history books, firing home to score Hohoe United’s inaugural Premier League goal on home turf. The landmark 47th-minute strike sent the passionate local fans into a state of delirium and seemed to set the stage for a perfect storybook ending.
However, the visiting Young Apostles had other plans. Demonstrating impressive resilience, they weathered the storm and found their equalizer in the 74th minute. Substitute Opoku emerged as the impact player for the Apostles, coming off the bench to cancel out Ganiu’s historic goal and silence the home crowd, ensuring his side would not leave empty-handed.
While the final whistle brought with it a sense of slight deflation for the home supporters who had hoped for a victory, the day ultimately belonged to history. The result may reflect mixed emotions, but nothing can erase the significance of the occasion—a day when Hohoe United truly arrived in the Ghana Premier League, claiming their first home point and a moment their fans will never forget.
