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Nigeria beat 10-man Ghana in international friendly

Ghana suffered a 2-1 defeat to Nigeria in their first friendly game of the March international break on Friday afternoon.

The game, which was played in Marrakesh, saw the Super Eagles end their long unbeaten run against the Black Stars across all competitions.

Rangers forward Cyriel Dessers scored the opening goal for Nigeria in the 38th minute of the game after they were awarded a penalty.

George Finidi’s side took the one-goal lead into the break and looked the better side for the whole of the first 45 minutes.

Otto Addo made changes to his set-up upon the return from recess with Tariq Lamptey and Ebenezer Annan making their way onto the pitch.

Jerome Opoku was shown a straight red card just 11 minutes into the second half.

The Black Stars created decent changes that could have led to the equaliser but fluffed their finishes.

Then Nigeria took hold of theirs in the 84th minute with Alex Iwobi unselfishly laying the ball to Atalanta forward Ademola Lookman who made no mistake from close range to double the Super Eagles’ lead.

Antoine Semenyo won a late penalty for Ghana which was eventually converted by Jordan Ayew but that was all the Ghanaians could get as the game ended 2-1.

The result marks defeat for Otto Addo in his first game since returning as head coach of the side.

Ghana will now turn attention to their next game against Uganda on March 26.

Ghana and Nigeria renew rivalry in Marrakech Friday – Preview

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Arch-rivals Ghana and Nigeria will renew rivalry in an international friendly at Grande de Stade Marrakech in Morocco on Friday, March 22, 2024 forty-one days after the Africa Cup of Nations in Cote D’Ivoire.

The two West African football giants will be meeting for the first time since the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 play-off in March 2022 when Ghana advanced to the World Cup after a 1-1 draw against Nigeria in Abuja and a goalless draw at the Baba Yara Sports stadium. Both countries suffered heartbreak at the recent Africa Cup of Nations, albeit at various stages of the tournament.

The Super Eagles lost the final to hosts Cote D’Ivoire, while the Black Stars exited at the group stage – leading to the departure of Chris Hughton and the appointment of former Ghana star Otto Addo on a long term contract.

Nigeria have also made a change in the technical department by hiring former midfielder Finidi George in place of the departed Jose Peseiro.

Ghana coach Otto Addo is on a mission to rebuild the squad after recent disappointments in two Africa Cup of Nations tournaments in Cameroon and Cote D’Ivoire as well as in Qatar where the Black Stars exited the World Cup at the group stage.

The team in Morocco is without some key players but Otto Addo has other options to fall on. Youngsters, Francis Abu, Forson Amankwaa, Ebenezer Annan, Tariq Lamptey, Osman Ibrahim and Jerome Opoku have all been drafted in to fight for a place in the team as part of the reconstruction exercise.

Regardless of some key absentees, the likes of Andre Ayew, Jordan Ayew, Abdul Samed Salis, Antoine Semenyo, Abdul Fatawu Issahaku Denis Odoi, Osman Bukari Baba Iddisu and Alidu Seidu are all available for selection.

Team news

Nigeria have been dealt a blow with Victor Osimhen having been ruled out with an inflammation of an old injury. Also set to miss the game are Taiwo Awoniyi, Tyronne Awonyi and Gabriel Osho.

Ghana are also without Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey, Joseph Painstil, Inaki Williams, Mohammed Kudus, Daniel Amartey and Alexander Djiku as they look to build up their fitness with their clubs for various injuries.

Head to head (h2h) history

Nigeria wins: 11

Draws: 20

Ghana wins: 22

The friendly international is set for 16:00Hes Kick Off on Friday, March 22, 2024 at Grande de Stade Marrakech in Morocco

Credit: GFA

African Games: Fans should expect an exciting final against Uganda – Coach Desmond Ofei

Black Satellites Head Coach Desmond Ofei has called on football fans to throng the  Accra Sports Stadium as the team takes on Uganda in what promises to be an exciting final of the African Games Men’s football competition.

The Black Satellites who won 1-0 over Senegal in the semis, are poised to end the competition on a high by beating Uganda in the final for Gold in the competition.

Speaking at the pre- match press conference on Thursday, Coach Ofei stated that Ghana  respects the impressive performance of Uganda in the tournament, the Black Satellites have what it takes to emerge victorious in Friday’s final match.

“The boys are in good spirits and we have been ready from the start of the tournament.”

“We had to work really hard to get to the final but a final is a final. We’ve done all our home work and the final will be exciting for everybody especially the fans.”

“Ghanaians are very proud and respectful people and that must also reflect in our football as well because football is entertainment.”

“For us to entertain we have to keep control on the ball and over the game. Ad thats our DNA we have to control the ball and have a good build up instead of long balls to find the space that we want”

“The boys will showcase something special in the final. We are ready, i’m excited and i hope the fans are also excited.”

“We have to respect the opponent and Uganda is a good footballing side full of incredible talents especially in the attacking phase. We are not going to change anything. We know their strengths and their weaknesses. “

“We have a team that can adapt to any playing style. We are happy with our squad and we can face Uganda anyway they come, Coach Desmond Ofei said at the pre- match Press conference.

The Ghana U20 trainer also thanked his back room staff for their support in preparing the team for the tournament.

“I want to thank my incredible technical team and supporting staff behind the players. With the likes of Nii Odartey Lamptey, Salifu Fatawu, Isaac Amoako and the medical team. It will not be my victory but a victory for the boys and the staff that support the boys daily”, he stated.

On the game-plan, the Ghana trainer said his team has enough quality to adapt to any strategy that the Ugandans will deploy.

“I see football differently and i call it action and reaction. How you approach a game will demand a reaction from the opponent. Its obvious that our wingers are very efficient and thats because they are good players. We have our own game plan and how we want the game to develop so that the wingers can be more efficient”.

“Even the best coaches depend on the quality of their players. I have to applaud the boys, theyve been listening and they have been growing. They have been working really hard. We will give everything for the nation. We will fight and i think it time that we win a title for Ghanaians. It will be a fantastic start for the boys because i think they deserve it”

“We are expecting a full stadium filled with love. A final should be a festival and we will bring the party to the pitch and hopefully the fans will join us. We love them and we want to make them happy. We will do our best to create an incredible night of football on Friday”.

The final match of the men’s competition will kick off at 8:00pm on Friday, March 22 at the Accra Sports Stadium.

Ghana beat Nigeria to clinch 2023 African Games Women’s Football Competition

Ghana came from behind to edge holders, Nigeria 2:1 to win Gold in the African Games Women’s competition at the Cape Coast Sports Stadium on Thursday.

Nigerian were off to a bright start as they dominated play from the early minutes of the first half tempting Afi Amenyeku on several occasions.

The Falconets got the lead through Nijdeka in the 23rd minute after a howler from Afi Amenyeku gifted them a 1-0 cushioning.

Back from recess, the Black Princesses pushed for the equalizer and their efforts paid off in the 78th minute when Tracey Twum scored from a Comfort Yeboah cross.

The game ended 1:1 in regulation time and needed to go into extra minutes.

Mukarama Abdulai scored the winner in the 98th minute after receiving a pass from Mafia Nyame to give the Black Princesses a 2-1 lead.

With the resolute defence of Ghana, the team held on to the lead to win the game 2:1in front of a partisan crowd in Cape Coast.

The result won Ghana Gold in the Women’s football Competition in the 13th African Games.

Asante Kotoko goalkeeper Frederick Asare earns debut Black Stars call-up for Nigeria, Uganda friendlies

Asante Kotoko goalkeeper Frederick Asare has been handed his maiden call up to the Ghana national team ahead of the international friendlies against Nigeria and Uganda next week.

Ghana coach Otto Addo has invited the Asante Kotoko goalkeeper following his outstanding performance in the ongoing Ghana Premier League.

Asare stands out as the sole domestically-based player among the four goalkeepers selected by Coach Otto Addo for the upcoming fixtures.

The Black Stars are scheduled to confront Nigeria, the finalists of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, on March 22, followed by a match against Uganda four days later in Marrakech, Morocco.

These matches mark the first appearances for the senior national team since the disappointing Africa Cup of Nations campaign in Ivory Coast, which resulted in the dismissal of Chris Hughton as the head coach of the Black Stars.

READ MORE: Otto Addo names squad for Nigeria, Uganda friendlies

Otto Addo names squad for Nigeria, Uganda friendlies

Bolivia based David Akologo, Nordsjaellands Ibrahim Osman, France based Nathaniel Adjei, and Diomande Mohammed of Rangers of Scotland have been named in Ghana’s 26-man squad for this month’s international friendly against Nigeria and Uganda.

The quartet and Asante Kotoko’s Frederick Asare have earned their debut call ups following exceptional performances with their respective clubs.

The friendly games scheduled for Marrakech,
Morocco marks the beginning of the new era under Otto Addo.

Brighton and Hove Albion right back Tariq Lamptey is back in the squad after recovering from an injury that ruled him out of the Africa Cup of Nations.

Left back, Patrick Kpozo, winger Abdul Fatawu Issahaku, and midfielder Edmund Addo have also made a return to the team.

Captain Andre Ayew, forward Jordan Ayew, Mohammed Kudus, Osman Bukari, Samed Abdul Samed, and Elisha Owusu have been named in the squad.

Ghana will take on Nigeria on Friday, March 22, before facing Uganda four days later.

Otto Addo names John Painstil, Fatawu Dauda and Lauman as his assistants

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Lauman, a UEFA pro-License holder, previously played in Cyprus, Germany, and Vietnam. In coaching, he has had stints with Standard Liege, VfL Bochum, and Barnsley in the English championship.

Also, in the backroom, staff are former Ghana players John Painstil and Fatawu Dauda.

John Painstil played for Fulham, West Ham United, and Kaizer Chiefs of South Africa before hanging his boots after featuring in two FIFA World Cup tournaments for Ghana.

The former Berekum Arsenal and Liberty Professionals player is a Ghana legend of 89 caps, a former captain and a member of the squad that won Bronze in the 2008 Africa Cup of Nations.

John was a former assistant coach at Kaizer Chiefs and a CAF Licence B holder.

Fatawu Dauda, a former goalkeeper of Voradep, Okwahu United, AshantiGold and Orlando Pirates, represented Ghana 23 times and featured in the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

The Ghana Football Association shall provide the necessary support to the newly formed technical team to ensure their success, having in mind that there will be some good moments and bad moments in this new era.

We strongly believe that with the right level of support, our collective future looks bright.

The GFA is, therefore, calling on Ghanaians to exercise patience and offer the team their full backing as we embark on this rebuilding process.

GFA re-appoint Otto Addo as Black Stars coach

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The Executive Council of the Ghana Football Association has approved the decision of the five-member Black Stars Head Coach search committee to name Otto Addo as the next coach of Ghana.

This follows a long but decisive emergency meeting of the executive Council Council on Thursday, March 14,2024.

The Council was presented with the report of the search committee led by Vice President Mark Addo for further deliberations.

Consequently, the Ghana Football Association has reached an agreement with Bundesliga giants Borussia Dortmund for Otto Addo to be released to take up the job.

Otto Addo will be offered a 34-month contract with an option for a further 24-months.

“Otto was exceptional in the interview process and was rated highly by the search committee, hence the decision,” President Simeon-Okraku told ghanafa.org

“There were some brilliant individuals among the coaches who applied for the job, so the committee took the pain to interview a chunk of them to pick their thoughts on their intentions to transform the team within a short period of time due to our peculiar situation”

“The Commiittee was overly satisfied with Otto’s performance for which reason he was recommended to the Executive Council for approval,” President Simeon-Okraku added.

Otto will be allowed by Borussia Dortmund to join Ghana for the March international window, after which he will travel back to the club to officially hand over and take up the job permanently in May this year.

Coach Desmond Ofei names Black Satellites final squad for 13th African Games Men’s Football Competition

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Head Coach Desmond Ofei has named the 20-man squad who will have honour to represent Ghana at the 13th African Games Accra 2023 Men’s Football Competition.

Centre back Asamoah Kuffour is the captain of the National U20 team for the competition which will be held in Accra from March 8-23, 2024.

The squad is made up of three goalkeepers, six defenders, five midfielders, three wingers and three strikers.

Ghana will kickstart the competition on Friday, March 8, 2024 against Congo before taking on Gambia in their second Group A game on March 12, 2024.

The Black Satellites will face Benin in the last group match on March 15, 2024.

All three group matches will be played at the Accra Sports Stadium.

See the full squad below:

FC Barcelona hand Accra Lions teenager David Oduro trials at La Masia

Spanish football giants Barcelona have offered trials to highly rated Ghanaian left- back David Oduro.

The gifted 17 year is currently in the books of Ghana Premier League outfit Accra Lions; where he joined from Desideros FC just two seasons ago.

The big opportunity does not come entirely as a surprise as it is believed that Barcelona have been closely monitoring Oduro who was judged the best defender in the KGL Ghana U-17 Championship in 2022.

The Spanish club had to wait for Oduro who was initially set to sign for English Premiership side Chelsea in January.

However, following successful trials in London, Oduro’s manager Yussif Worjoor Abubakar and CMG Sports agent Anthony Acheampong received a call from the Catalan giants who offered a once in a lifetime opportunity to the player in spain.

After further consultations, a chance at a shot with Barcelona was deemed too good to turn down by the player’s management.

Oduro who just arrived in Spain, will be assessed whilst training with Barca’s junior side at La Masia.

The trials which was kept on the quiet until the arrival of the Ghanaian, is expected to be concluded by next week.

Oduro was upbeat about his big opportunity ahead of his first training session at La Masia.

“It is every player’s dream to play for a big club like Barcelona and I am no different. Once I’m here I will do my best and see what happens.”

Source Yaw Ampofo Ankrah