The Ghana Premier League (GPL) is back for the 2025/26 season, promising one of the most competitive campaigns yet. Clubs across the country have augmented their technical teams and recruited a blend of youth and experience as they aim to improve their squads and challenge for honours.
Only two of the 18 GPL clubs have appointed foreign coaches: Swedru All Blacks hired Egyptian Ahmed Fati, while Aduana FC have retained Romanian Cioba Arista.
Ten clubs have maintained their coaches, including Abdul Karim Zito (Asante Kotoko), Frimpong Manso (Gold Stars), Nurudeen Amadu (Karela United), Nana Agyemang (Vision FC), Ibrahim Tanko (Medeama SC), Samuel Boadu (Berekum Chelsea), Christopher Ennin (Samartex), Bashir Hayford (Heart of Lions), and Kasim Mingle Ocansey (Nations FC).
Hearts of Oak, Eleven Wonders, Basake Holy Stars, Swedru All Blacks, Hohoe United, Dreams FC, Bechem United, and Young Apostles have all appointed new coaches as they seek to refresh their technical directions.
Mas-Ud Didi Dramani, Bashir Hayford, Samuel Boadu, Augustine Evans Adotey, and Frimpong Manso have all won the Ghana Premier League title in the past.
Here is the list of the Coaches for the 2025-2026 Ghana Premier League season:
Bechem United: Stephen Desmond Issah Botchway
Aduana FC: Aristică Cioabă
Accra Hearts of Oak: Mas-Ud Didi Dramani
Asante Kotoko: Abdul Karim Zito
Berekum Chelsea: Samuel Boadu
Bibiani Gold Stars: Stephen Frimpong Manso
Hohoe United: Tijani Abdul Rahim Bashiru
Dreams FC: Winfred Dormon
FC Samartex: Christopher Ennin
Nations FC: Kassim Ocansey Mingle
Medeama SC: Ibrahim Tanko
Techiman Eleven Wonders: Nii Odartey Lamptey
Kpando Heart of Lions: Bashir Hayford
Young Apostles: Abu Abdul Hanan
Vision FC: Kweku Agyeman
Karela United: Nurudeen Amadu
Swedru All Blacks FC: Ahmed Ibrahim Fati
Basake Holy Stars FC: Evans Adotey
With major signings, tactical shake-ups, and heightened ambitions across the board, the 2025/26 Ghana Premier League season is shaping up to be one of the most thrilling campaigns in recent memory.
The new season will commence on Friday, September 12, 2025, as Hearts of Oak will welcome newcomers Hohoe United FC in Accra.
Ghana secured a crucial win over Mali in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, held at the Accra Sports Stadium on Monday, September 8, 2025. The match was a nail-biting encounter, with both teams creating scoring opportunities, but it was Alexander Djiku who stole the show with a decisive goal in the 49th minute, assisted by Jordan Ayew.
The match got off to a lively start, with Jonas Adjetey earning a yellow card in the 26th minute for a foul.
The Malians pushed hard for an equalizer but were unable to breach the Ghanaian defense, marshalled by Djiku, Mohammed Salisu and Jonas Adjetey. Thomas Partey paired with Kwasi Sibo in midfield with Mohammed Kudus and Jordan Ayew and Antoine Semenyo operating in a front three-role
As the game drew to a close, Ghana made strategic substitutions, with Joseph Paintsil and Iñaki Williams replacing Mohammed Kudus and Jordan Ayew in the 80th minute. Kamaldeen Sulemana also came on for Antoine Semenyo in the 72nd minute.
Mali, on the other hand, made several attempts to find the back of the net, but their efforts were thwarted.
Mali made substitutions, with Massire Sylla and Amadou Dante replacing Falaye Doucouré and Dorgeles Nene in the 58th and 81st minutes, but they had too little do pick as Ghana held firm.
The win sees Ghana maintain their lead in the qualifiers with 19 points, while Mali will look to regroup and push for qualification in the remaining matches.
Ghana will play away to the Central African Republic before wrapping up with a home game against Comoros in October as the Black Stars seek their fifth FIFA World Cup appearance.
The Ghana Football Association (GFA), in collaboration with Wilsad Support Ltd, is proud to announce the launch of a syndicated Ghana Premier League (GPL) live commentary radio broadcast service. The coverage will be delivered through GhSportsLive and aired across a network of partner radio stations nationwide.
This strategic initiative is designed to bring the GPL closer to millions of passionate football fans across the country, ensuring greater access to the thrills, drama, and excitement of the nation’s flagship football competition.
Listeners can look forward to high-quality, professional live commentary of top GPL matches every match day, along with real-time updates from all match centres across Ghana. The service also aims to promote inclusivity by making the GPL accessible to fans in both urban and rural communities, regardless of proximity to match venues.
Speaking on the initiative, GFA President Kurt Edwin Simeon-Okraku noted:
“This partnership with Wilsad Support Ltd is another important step in our ongoing efforts to bring Ghana football to every corner of the country. By offering regulated, professional live radio commentary through our partners, we are deepening engagement with fans and enhancing the visibility of the GPL.”
CEO of Wilsad Support Ltd, Wilson Arthur, added:
“We are excited to partner with the GFA on this historic project. Our goal is to ensure that every fan, no matter where they are in Ghana, can enjoy the excitement of the GPL in real time. Football belongs to the people, and this service will make the game even more accessible.”
The GFA and Wilsad Support Ltd invite all fans, media, and stakeholders to tune in and enjoy the launch of the service with the commencement of the 2025/26 GPL season.
The Presbyterian Church of Ghana has appointed former Kotoko Express Editor, Mr. Jerome Otchere, as its new Public Relations Officer (PRO), replacing Rev. Ebenezer K. Owusu Ahenkan, who is being sent on missions abroad.
The appointment was announced by the Clerk of the General Assembly, Rev. Dr. Godwin Nii Noi Odonkor, during the 25th General Assembly at Kwahu-Nkwatia. Mr. Otchere brings over 20 years of experience in journalism, media, communications, and public relations.
A ministerial trainee at the PCG’s Ramseyer Training Centre, Abetifi, he is also a PhD student in Media and Communications at UniMAC. He serves at Covenant Congregation, Dzorwulu, and is known as host of Sports Time with Jerome on PCGTV.
He holds a master’s degree in Organisational Leadership and Governance from the University of Ghana Business School, Legon, Accra, and another master’s degree in Journalism from UniMAC, formerly known as the Ghana Institute of Journalism.
He earned his first degree in Journalism from Jayee University College, Accra (affiliated with the University of Education, Winneba). He is also a member of the Institute of Public Relations (IPR), Ghana.
Besides being a credible sports pundit on major radio and television networks in and outside Ghana, Mr. Otchere worked for the official mouthpiece of Asante Kotoko Sporting Club, the Kotoko Express, for 15 years.
He was also a member of Dreams FC’s communications team and served briefly as the Chief Executive Officer of Kenpong Football Academy.
Mr. Otchere has played, and continues to play, active media, communications, and public relations roles at the Presbyterian Church of Ghana, Covenant Congregation, Dzorwulu, where he worships.
He also serves on subcommittees of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana Cancer Centre and the Kutunse Projects.
Mr. Otchere, a committed member of the Covenant Congregation in the Dzorwulu District.
He is married to a pharmacist, Dr. Josephine Prah Otchere, and they have four children.
MTN Ghana has sealed a landmark sponsorship agreement with the Ghana Football Association (GFA), becoming the headline sponsor for all four of the country’s national football teams—the Black Stars, Black Queens, Black Satellites, Black Starlets and the Elite Under-19 Championship for the next two years.
The partnership, valued at $2 million, was officially announced on Thursday, August 14, 2025, at a colourful ceremony held at the MTN House in Accra. The deal will run until August 2027 and aims to provide vital financial and logistical support to aid the teams’ development, training and preparations for upcoming competitions.
MTN Ghana Chief Executive Officer Stephen Blewett expressed pride in backing what he called “the country’s biggest brand—the Black Stars, alongside our other national teams.”
“At MTN, we believe in Ghana — in the talent of its youth, in the unmatched power of sports to connect people, inspire hope ,and in football’s unique ability to tell a nation’s story to the world,” Blewett said.
He traced MTN’s enduring relationship with Ghanaian football to the company’s sponsorship of the MTN FA Cup, which began in the 2010–11 season.
“For over a decade, we have been privileged to walk alongside Ghanaian football as the headline sponsor of the MTN FA Cup. Together with the GFA, we have revived one of Ghana’s most historic competitions, creating a stage for young players to dream, to work, and to shine,” he noted, highlighting the tournament’s growth into one of the country’s most competitive events, featuring 18 Premier League sides, 48 Division One League teams, and 44 Division Two clubs.
Blewett emphasised that MTN’s commitment extends far beyond one competition.
“We have stood with Ghanaian football through landmark moments—from mobilising supporters for the Black Stars’ first FIFA World Cup in 2006, rallying fans for subsequent tournaments, sponsoring supporters to cheer the team at multiple AFCON tournaments, including last year’s in Côte d’Ivoire. MTN has always stood behind Ghana’s national pride,” he said.
Announcing the expanded partnership, Blewett declared: “I am proud to announce that MTN will be the headline sponsor for all four national teams — the Black Stars, the Black Queens, the Black Satellites and the Black Starlets — for the next two years. This is more than a sponsorship. It is about national pride, youth empowerment, gender inclusion, and building a sustainable future for football in this country.
“What excites us most is that this partnership is broader and more inclusive than anything we have done before. By embracing all national teams , male and female, junior and senior ,we are affirming that every Ghanaian player deserves the opportunity to shine.
“With the 2026 World Cup on the horizon, we are reminded of one truth: Ghana has never lifted that trophy. But that is not a scar — it is a spark. It is the fire that drives us to work harder, train longer and dream bigger. At MTN Ghana, we want to see Ghana win the World Cup. That is our dream, our mission, and our commitment.”
Blewett concluded with a rallying call to all stakeholders of the game.
“Through our renewed partnership with the Ghana Football Association, we are determined to give our national teams every possible advantage — the resources, the preparation, the exposure and the unwavering support needed to go all the way. We may not have held the World Cup yet, but with unity, preparation, and the belief of 33 million Ghanaians, we can change that. And when Ghana lifts that trophy, it will not just be a football victory — it will be the victory of a nation and a continent that refused to stop believing.”
GFA President Kurt Okraku hailed the agreement as a “timely boost” that will strengthen the teams’ competitiveness on both continental and global fronts.
The national teams already have key targets in sight. The Black Queens, fresh from winning bronze at the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco, are aiming for success at the next WAFCON and qualification for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
Meanwhile, the Black Stars, having missed out on the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, are focused on securing a spot at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the USA, Mexico and Canada.
This renewed corporate backing marks an important chapter for the Ghana Football Association as it continues to attract support for both domestic competitions and national teams.
The Ghana Football Association (GFA) has voted decisively to extend the presidential term limit from two to three terms, paving the way for Kurt Okraku to seek re-election for an additional term.
The landmark decision was made during the GFA’s 31st Ordinary Congress, held in Prampram on Tuesday, where an overwhelming majority of members backed the proposal. Out of 123 votes cast, 114 (91%) supported the motion, while only six members voted against it, and three abstained.
The amendment means Okraku, who was first elected in 2019 and re-elected in 2023, can now contest for a third term in the next GFA elections. The move has been seen as a strong endorsement of his leadership, with supporters arguing that continuity will benefit Ghanaian football’s development. Critics, however, have raised concerns over the potential for prolonged tenures to undermine democratic transitions within football governance. Nevertheless, the resounding approval suggests widespread confidence in the current administration.
The Congress also addressed other key footballing issues, but the term extension dominated discussions, marking a historic shift in the GFA’s electoral framework. As the dust settles, all eyes will now be on Okraku’s next steps—and whether he will indeed pursue a third term when the time comes.
Asante Kotoko will head to Cape Coast for the second phase of their pre-season with 26 players, the club has confirmed.
The Porcupine Warriors kicked off their preparation for the upcoming campaign last week ahead of the 2025/26 football season in Kumasi.
The playing body has been preparing intensively for the upcoming season and will now conclude its pre-season in the Central Region.
The travelling squad is made of three(3) goalkeepers, ten(10) defenders, five (5) midfielders, four (4) and four(4) strikers.
Kotoko have been dealt a double blow ahead of the second phase of our pre-season preparations in Cape Coast, as wingers Peter Amidu Acquah and Elvis Kyei Baffour have both been ruled out for six weeks with ankle injuries.
Medical assessments conducted by the club’s medical team confirmed that the duo will likely miss the start of the new season.
After wrapping up their pre-season, Kotoko will head to Accra for the 2025 GHALCA Top 4 tournament, which has been scheduled for August 20-24 at the Accra Sports Stadium.
The Reds, as part of their pre-season games, have already beaten South African giants Kaizer Chiefs in the Toyota Cup in Durban. These games form part of the club’s plans to fine-tune its squad ahead of its CAF Confederation Cup campaign and the domestic campaign.
The Reds on Saturday were paired with Nigeria’s Kwara United in the first preliminary round of the 2025/26 CAF Confederation Cup competition.
Ghana’s sole representative in this season’s CAF Champions League has been paired with last season’s runner-up of the Algerian Ligue Professionnelle 1 in the first preliminary stage of the CAF inter-club competition.
Bibiani Goldstars will be beginning their debut CAF Champions League campaign with a crunchy encounter against Algerian giants JS Kabylie.
The reigning Ghanaian champions learnt their opponent in the first preliminary stage of the CAF Champions League at the draw held in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, on Saturday morning. The winner of the tie will face either East End Lions of Sierra Leone or Tunisian outfit US Monastir in the second round of qualification of the CAF Champions League.
Bibiani Goldstars will be participating in the CAF Champions League for the first time in their history after winning the 2024-25 Ghana Premier League.
However, JS Kabylie are regarded as a regular participant in the competition, having won it on two occasions – 1981 and 1990 – and they are yet to reach the final since winning the title 35 years ago. Bibiani Goldstars will host the Algerian side at the Accra Sports Stadium before they set off to Algeria for the reverse leg fixture.
The preliminary round first-leg matches will be played between September 19 and 21, with the return legs scheduled for September 26 and 28.
Ghanaian giants Asante Kotoko will open their 2025/26 CAF Confederation Cup campaign with a clash against Nigerian side Kwara United in the first preliminary round of the competition.
The draw, held earlier today in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, has set the stage for an exciting start for the Reds’ African venture.
The first leg will be played in Kumasi between 19–21 September 2025, with the return leg scheduled for 26–28 September 2025 in Nigeria.
The club that will secure victory over the two-legged tie will set up for a highly anticipated clash with Moroccan giants and recent FIFA Club World Cup participants, Wydad Athletic Club, in the next round.
Kwara United, popularly known as the Harmony Boys, are based in Ilorin, the capital of Kwara State in western Nigeria. They play their home matches at the 18,000-capacity Kwara State Stadium and Founded in 1974.
Should Kotoko progress, their next opponents are familiar faces on the African stage, Wydad Athletic Club of Morocco.
The Casablanca-based side are one of Africa’s most successful clubs, boasting three CAF Champions League titles, an African Cup Winners’ Cup title, and several Moroccan league triumphs. Wydad appeared at the FIFA Club World Cup just last month and remain a formidable force on the continent.
Kotoko and Wydad share a notable piece of history, having met in the 2002 African Cup Winners’ Cup final, a contest narrowly won by the Moroccans on away goals.
CAF CONFEDERATION CUP STRUCTURE AND KEY DATES
The 2025/26 CAF Confederation Cup begins with two preliminary rounds before the playoff stage and the lucrative group phase:1. First Preliminary Round – 64 teams compete home and away, with Aggregate winners advancing.
Second Preliminary Round – 32 winners progress to face higher-ranked Clubs entering at this stage.
Group Stage – 16 teams divided into four groups of four, playing in a Round-robin format (home and away). Top two teams in each group Progress to the quarter-finals.
CAF schedules matches over a three-day weekend window, with home-and- Away ties determined by the draw. Away goals apply if aggregate scores are Level, followed by a penalty shootout if necessary, extra time is not played in The preliminary rounds.
Accra Hearts of Oak have confirmed the promotion of Daniel Kodie from their youth side, Auroras FC, to the senior team’s technical set-up ahead of the new football season. Kodie will serve as the Assistant Welfare Manager to Henry Martey, marking another important chapter in his journey with the club.
Kodie joined the club initially as a promising footballer, but his career on the pitch was sadly cut short due to injury. The club fully funded his surgery in South Africa. Undeterred, his passion for the game and love for the club saw him take on a new role behind the scenes.
He was reassigned to Auroras FC, the club’s youth team, where he served diligently as an Assistant Welfare Manager. Beyond his welfare duties, Kodie was actively involved in supporting the technical team, often lending his football knowledge and tactical insights to the development of young players.
His promotion to the senior team is a testament to his unwavering commitment, discipline, and deep understanding of the club’s values. As he steps into his new role with the senior side, Daniel Kodie will be expected to bring the same energy and dedication that have characterized his journey so far.
Hearts of Oak fans will no doubt welcome this move, as it reflects the club’s commitment to building from within and rewarding loyalty and hard work. Kodie’s presence in the senior team setup promises to strengthen the support system around the players for the coming season.
