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Dreams FC midfielder McCarthy Ofori completes move to Albanian side FK Bylis

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Ghanaian midfielder McCarthy Ofori has officially joined Albanian Super League side FK Bylis in a four-year deal, leaving Dreams FC in a deal that marks a significant milestone in his career.

The talented 19-year-old midfielder, known for his exceptional skill and work rate, has been a key player for Dreams FC, helping the team achieve impressive results in the Ghanaian Premier League. His outstanding performances caught the attention of FK Bylis, who swooped in to secure his services.

A statement from the club said on Thursday.

“It’s official! Ghana’s U-20 player wears red and white…FK Bylis Mallakastër formalizes the deal and introduces the talented player from Ghana, McCarthy Ofori, born on March 3, 2005 (19 years old).”

“He will wear the red and white shirt for the next 4 years, as our club has reached an agreement with Ghanaian Super League team Dreams FC.”

“Ofori, who plays as a defender and midfielder (no. 6), also represents Ghana’s U-20 team, where he has played 6 matches.”

“The club welcomes the 19-year-old Ghanaian McCarthy Ofori to our big family and looks forward to his contributions this season in the red-and-white colors.”

Ofori’s move to FK Bylis is a historic one, as he becomes one of the few Ghanaian players to join a club in the Albanian Super League. This transfer not only highlights Ofori’s talent but also opens doors for other Ghanaian players to explore opportunities in European leagues.

The Ghana U20 midfielder expressed his excitement about the move, saying, “I’m thrilled to join FK Bylis and take on this new challenge. I’m grateful to Dreams FC for the opportunity to develop my skills, and I’m eager to make a meaningful contribution to my new team.”

McCarthy was part of the Black Satellites team that won the 2023 African Games in Ghana early this year.

FK Bylis, founded in 1972, is a prominent club in Albanian football, with a strong reputation for developing young talent. Ofori’s addition to the squad is expected to bolster the team’s midfield, bringing creativity, energy, and a winning mentality.

As Ofori embarks on this new chapter in his career, Ghanaian football fans will be watching with pride, eager to see him shine on the European stage.

FC Barcelona close to signing Ghanaian youngster David Oduro

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Spanish powerhouse FC Barcelona is on the verge of securing the services of Accra Lions youngster David Oduro, according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano.

The 18-year-old left-back will join the famous La Masia Academy, with hopes of earning a permanent deal next summer.

Oduro’s switch to Barcelona is historic, as he becomes the first player ever to join the Catalans directly from Ghana.

According to the report, Barcelona has reached an agreement with the Ghanaian teen after a successful trial.

Besides Barcelona, Oduro has had trials with several clubs, including English Premier League side Chelsea and Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich.

Real Sociedad and Shakhtar Donetsk had also shown interest before the deal was struck with Barcelona.

The talented left-footed player has yet to finish a full Ghana Premier League season with Accra Lions but caught the attention of these big teams with his talent.

Otto Addo names Black Stars squad for 2025 Afcon qualifiers against Angola & Niger; check out full list

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Otto Addo names Black Stars squad for 2025 Afcon qualifiers against Angola & Niger; check out full list

Black Stars head coach Otto Addo has revealed his 26-man squad for the upcoming 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Angola and Niger, scheduled for early next month.

The senior men’s national team last gathered in June, securing back-to-back victories against Mali and the Central African Republic in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

The players are expected to arrive by the end of this week or early next week to begin preparations for the next AFCON, with the qualifiers set to take place over the next three international windows.

Coach Otto Addo’s selection features no major surprises, with key players such as Thomas Partey, Kudus Mohammed, Jordan Ayew, Lawrence Ati-Zigi, and Abdul Fatawu Issahaku all retained.

Inaki Williams and Majeed Ashimeru return to the squad after missing the previous matches, while Asante Kotoko goalkeeper Frederick Asare remains the only home-based player included.

Captain Andre Ayew might miss out again as he is still searching for a new club.

The Black Stars will begin their 2025 AFCON qualifying campaign against Angola on Thursday, September 5, at the Baba Yara Stadium, followed by a match against Niger four days later.

OFFICIAL: Asante Kotoko announce the signing of Wisdom Fernando

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Asante Kotoko is pleased to announce the signing of Fernando Wisdom Bassey on a free transfer. 

The 22-year-old versatile midfielder has committed to a three-year contract, keeping him at the club until 2027.

Bassey will inherit the number seven shirt from the departing Bernard Somuah.

In his first interview with the club’s media, the Nigerian winger expressed his enthusiasm, saying, “I am well aware of the stature of Asante Kotoko and its significance to the supporters. The club has a rich history on the continent, and representing them is a great honor, especially given the shared cultural ties between Ghana and Nigeria.

“Asante Kotoko is based in Kumasi, a city known for its deep passion for football. The enthusiasm here is unmatched, particularly when Kotoko or the Black Stars play, as seen during the World Cup play-off against Nigeria. I’m thrilled that everything has been finalized, and I look forward to helping my new teammates achieve our goals for the season.”

Bassey spent six seasons with Akwa United, playing a pivotal role in their successful 2021 league-winning campaign with his impressive attacking prowess. 

The nimble-footed midfielder brings a wealth of experience, having made seventy-six appearances during his time with both Akwa United and Sporting Lagos.

“We are very excited to welcome Fernando to the club. The negotiations proceeded smoothly, and he joins us as an exciting prospect. We are confident that with him, we can achieve our objectives for the season,” stated IMC Chair Nana Apinkra Akwasi Awua during Bassey’s unveiling.

Asante Kotoko sign Nigerian forward Wisdom Fernando

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Asante Kotoko have completed the signing of Nigerian forward Wisdom Fernando on a three-year deal.

The former Akwa United player has been brought in to replace Bernard Somuah, who has been farmed out on loan to Spanish side Celta Fortuna.

Fernando’s registration was finalized on the last day of the transfer window on Sunday, August 25, 2024.

He will join the team in Cape Coast, where the Porcupine Warriors are based for pre-season for the upcoming campaign.

The 22-year-old winger joins Kotoko on a free transfer after his loan spell at Sporting Lagos came to an end after the 2023-24 season, and also, his contract with Akwa expired.

Fernando has seven goals and eight assists in 76 appearances in the Nigerian Professional Football League across seven seasons, playing for Akwa and Sporting.

He won the Nigeria Premier Football League title in the 2020-21 season with Akwa, with his impressive performances playing a crucial role in the triumph.

Fernando becomes the fifth foreign player to sign for the Ghanaian giants this transfer window after Sudanese duo Esmat Abdulhamid, AbdoelRahman Yoouef Yagoub, Congolese defender Samba O’Neil and Guinean goalkeeper Mohamed Camara.

Source: Ghanasoccernet

OFFICIAL: Kotoko youngster Bernard Somuah joins Spanish side Celta Vigo

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Asante Kotoko have announced the loan transfer of Bernard Sarpong Somuah to Spanish LaLiga side Celta Vigo for the 2024/25 season.

The agreement, which will see the promising winger feature for the reserves team – RC Celta Fortuna – in the Primera Federación, includes an option for Celta Vigo to make the deal permanent at the end of the loan period.

Somuah, 18, has made a significant impact since joining the Ghanaian giants, scoring two goals and providing two assists in 16 matches last season in the 2023/24 Ghana Premier League. His impressive performance in the previous season with Afigya Liberty, where he netted 22 goals, further highlights his potential.

“We are incredibly proud of Bernard’s journey and what this move represents for him and Asante Kotoko. He has shown tremendous growth and resilience, and this opportunity with Celta Vigo is a well-deserved next step in his career,” said Nana Apinkra Akwasi Awua, head of the IMC at Asante Kotoko.

Head coach Dr. Prosper Narteh also commented on the transfer, stating, “We are all thrilled for Bernard as he takes this important step in his career. While we will miss his contributions, we have confidence in our squad’s depth and will look within to fill the void.”

Somuah is expected to arrive in Spain shortly to complete the necessary administrative processes for his transfer.

Asante Kotoko expressed gratitude for Somuah’s commitment and optimism that this move will benefit both the player and the club.

Celta Vigo also welcomed the young winger, anticipating his contributions to the reserve team’s ambitions in the upcoming season.

Ashantigold supporters beg GFA to lift year-long ban on the club

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AshantiGold fans have urged the Ghana Football Association (GFA) to lift the indefinite suspension on their club, eager for the team to return to action.

The Miners were suspended for engaging with officials who are serving long-term bans from Ghana football.

Fans travelled from Obuasi to Prampram, where football delegates gathered for the Ordinary Congress to usher in the new season.

They held placards pleading with the GFA to lift the suspension, allowing the third most successful club in Ghana’s history to return to the field.

AshantiGold’s suspension followed a match-fixing scandal with Inter Allies, which led to their demotion to the Division Two League.

Over 20 players were initially banned, a decision later overturned by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

However, former club president Dr Kwaku Frimpong and vice-president Emmanuel Frimpong were handed long-term bans.

The club’s attempts to challenge the decision in the High Court and CAS were unsuccessful. The legal battle, led by the banned officials, resulted in their suspension by the GFA Executive Council.

The GFA stated that AshantiGold’s continued dealings with the banned officials “constitute a serious violation of both GFA Statutes and FIFA Statutes.”

Kwaku Frimpong and Emmanuel Frimpong were banned for 10 and 8 years, respectively, by the GFA Disciplinary Committee for engaging in match manipulation.

These decisions were upheld by the GFA Appeals Committee, and the officials did not appeal to CAS within the required timeframe.

As a result of the suspension, AshantiGold lost their membership and have not played football for over a year, leading to the deterioration of the Obuasi Len Clay Stadium.

The fans, who knelt in their appeal, expressed their desire to see football return to Obuasi and indicated the club’s willingness to start fresh in the Division Two League.

https://x.com/Bill_Eshun/status/1828358449656185315

Founded over four decades ago, AshantiGold have won the Ghana Premier League four times, one FA Cup, and were African Champions League runners-up in 1997.

By Enoch Fiifi Forson

2024/25 CAF CL: Samartex sets up epic clash against Raja Casablanca after victory over Victoria United

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Samartex have moved on to the final qualifying round of the CAF Champions League following a 1-0 win against Victoria United on Sunday in Accra.

This victory, coupled with their earlier 1-0 win in the first leg in Cameroon, gave the Ghanaian champions a 2-0 aggregate win.

Isaac Afful emerged as the key player in the second leg, scoring with a powerful left-footed shot that sealed the victory and thwarted any comeback attempt by Victoria United.

With this vital result, Samartex have advanced to the final qualifying stage, where they will face Moroccan heavyweights Raja Casablanca.

Raja Casablanca reached this round after a decisive win over ASGNN of Niger, underlining their strong presence in the competition.

As Samartex gear up to face Raja, they are aiming to make their first appearance in the tournament’s group stage, a feat Raja Casablanca has achieved multiple times.

The upcoming match will determine which team progresses to the group stage, often called the “money zone” due to its prestige and financial incentives.

2024/25 CAF CL: FC Samartex subdue Victoria United to reach group stage playoffs

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Ghana Premier League champions Samartex have advanced to the next stage of the 2024/25 CAF Champions League qualifiers after securing a narrow victory over Victoria United.

The Timber Giants triumphed 1-0 at the Accra Sports Stadium on Sunday, with Isaac Afful’s first-half strike proving decisive.

This win, combined with their 1-0 victory in Cameroon last week, saw Samartex progress with a 2-0 aggregate scoreline.

Nurudeen Amadu’s side will now prepare to face Moroccan giants Raja Club Athletic in the second round of qualifiers, set to take place between 13 and 22 September.

@Footyghana

2024/25 CAF CC: Nsoatreman secure 5-0 aggregate triumph over Elect-Sport to progress to second round

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Nsoatreman FC secured their place in the second preliminary round of the 2024/25 Caf Confederation Cup with a 2-0 away victory over Chad’s Elect-Sport on Saturday, completing a 5-0 aggregate triumph.

Playing at the Stade Ahmadou Ahidjo in Yaoundé, Cameroon, the Ghanaian side took control early on when Walid Neymar Fuseini found the back of the net within the first 30 minutes.

The goal set the tone for the visitors, who had already established a comfortable lead from the first leg.

Stephen Diyou doubled Nsoatreman’s advantage late in the match, scoring in the 81st minute to seal the 2-0 victory and confirm their dominance across both legs of the tie.

With this victory, Nsoatreman FC now advances to the second preliminary round, where they will face the winner of the matchup between Algeria’s Constantine FC and Rwanda’s Police FC.

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