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GFA reveals reasons behind Sulemana and Abdul Mumin’s withdrawal from Ghana squad for 2026 World Cup qualifier against Madagascar

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The Ghana Football Association’s (GFA) head of communications, Henry Asante Twum, has shed light on the absence of Abdul Mumin and Kamaldeen Sulemana from the Black Stars for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Madagascar and Comoros.

Coach Chris Hughton initially included Kamaldeen Sulemana and Abdul Mumin in the 25-man roster last Thursday. However, Abdul Fatawu Issahaku of Leicester and Nurudeen Abdulai of Medeama have since taken their places.

Henry Asante Twum clarified the coaching staff’s reasoning, shedding light on the unanticipated adjustment.

“At any point when you make a call-up, you need to speak to the player you need to speak to their clubs when the player gives you a green light the club doesn’t have the power to stop you unless in an extreme circumstance that the player is injured,” he told Peace FM.

“Kamaldeen after the World Cup has played only two games for us and he had a long injury layoff he is now back and picking up after talking to the technical team the player feels he will need some time to pick up his form then he can avail himself for national duties.

“With Mumin since we exited the 2021 Afcon group stage he hasn’t gotten closer to the team he has recently signed for Rayo Vallecano and now getting game time so he also says he will need some time to put himself together,”

The Black Stars will play Madagascar at the Kumasi Baba Yara Stadium on Friday, November 17, and later travel to Moroni to face Comoros.

SaD NEWS: Zimbabwean goalkeeping icon George ‘Zikeeper’ Chigova dead

Former Zimbabwean goalkeeper George Chigova, nicknamed “Zikeeper,” has tragically passed away at 32.

Having suffered a heart attack in July, interrupting his career, he recently returned to training before collapsing.

His untimely death closely follows the passing of former national team player and head coach Rahman Gumbo.

Chigova, known for his commanding presence in goal, played for Dynamos, Polokwane City, and SuperSport United.

SuperSport coach Gavin Hunt’s initial medical update four months ago indicated a serious condition for the big stopper.

Starting at Gunners, Chigova moved to Dynamos before joining SuperSport in 2014.

He later played for Polokwane City before returning to Pretoria in 2020.

The goalkeeper, who represented Zimbabwe 30 times, including at the African Cup of Nations, leaves behind a legacy in the football community.

Source:Ghanasoccernet

Hearts Of Oak appoint Abdul Bashiru as acting head coach

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The Board of Accra Hearts of Oak has appointed the club’s assistant coach, Abdul Rahim Bashiru, as the acting head coach. His appointment takes immediate effect.

This follows the mutual termination of the contract between the Phobians and the Dutchman trainer, Martinus Koopman

Ahead of his appointment, Coach Bashiru had a very fruitful discussion with the management and thanked them for reposing confidence in him and promised to work for the betterment of the team.

The management reassured Abdul Rahim Bashiru of their maximum support.

Coach Bashiru’s first assignment will be against Accra Lions next Tuesday, 21st November, 2023. The match day-11 will be played at the Accra Sports Stadium

Hearts Of Oak sack head coach Martin Koopman

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Ghanaian football powerhouse, Hearts of Oak have sacked head coach Martin Koopman after just ten matches.

Koopman has been fired following the club’s abysmal performance in the ongoing league season.

The Dutch trainer was appointed Hearts of Oak head coach prior to the commencement of the league season but has been sacked after three months.

The Phobians have had a sloppy start to the season, languishing at the 11th position on the league table with just twelve points after ten matches, winning two matches with six draws and two defeats.

Under the tutelage of Martin Koopman, Hearts of Oak have recorded just a victory in the last seven matches, a situation tht has forced the leadership of the club to part ways with him.

In the meantime, assistant gaffer Abdul Bashiru has been elevated to takeover the mantle on the interim.

Read statement below;

Sourc:getsportsgh

Black Stars touch down in Kumasi for 2026 World Cup qualifier against Madagascar

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Black Stars touch down in Kumasi – Train at Baba Yara lateBlack Stars touch down in Kumasi – Train at Baba Yara later

The Black Stars have arrived in Kumasi and set to train at Baba Yara Sports stadium later on Tuesday in readiness for the FIFA World Cup qualifier against Madagascar.

The team opened camp on Monday and moved to the Ashanti regional capital Tuesday morning.

Twenty-four players are currently in camp – as the team aims for a good start to the qualification process.

Goalkeeper Lawrence Ati-Zigi is the only absentee as he is expected to join the squad on Wednesday.

Chris Hughton’s side will hold three training sessions in Kumasi before taking on Madagascar on Friday, November 17,2023.

Ghana will later travel to Moroni to take on Comoros on Tuesday, November 21,2023.

The players will m camp include:

Richard Ofori, Joseph Wollacott, Alidu Seidu, Denis Odoi, Gideon Mensah, Abdul Fatawu Hamid, Daniel Amartey, Kasim Nuhu, Nicholas Opoku, Nurudeen Abdulai, Baba Idrissu, Majeed Ashimeru, Abdul Samed Salis, Edmund Addo, Mohammed Kudus, Andre Ayew, Osman Bukari, Joseph Painstil, Ernest Nuamah, Jordan Ayew, Abdul Fatawu Issahaku, Inaki Williams, Antoine Semenyo, Jonathan Sowah

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Medeama’s Nurudeen Abdulai, Abdul Fatawu Issahaku handed late Black Stars call-ups for 2026 World Cup qualifier against Madagascar

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Medeama SC defender Nurudeen Abdulai and Abdul Fatawu Issahaku have been handed late call ups for Ghana’s 2026 World Cup qualifier against Madagascar on Friday.

Nurudeen will replace Abdul Mumin whereas Fatawu Issahaku will take the place of KamalDeen Sulemana in the squad for the double header

The pair have joined the team to prepare for the double header.

According to the GFA, the duo who were mentioned in Chris Hughton’s 25-man squad will not be able to take part in the two games although no reason was given in the statement from the Association.

The Black Stars opened camp in Accra on Monday, November 13,2023 ahead of the two FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Madagascar and Comoros.

The squad begins training at the Accra Sports stadium Tuesday evening before moving to Kumasi on Wednesday to wrap up their preparations for the first game.

Andre Ayew, Jordan, Ashimeru and others report to Black Stars camp ahead of 2026 World Cup qualifier against Madagascar

Le Havre’s newest addition, Andre Ayew, has reported to the Black Stars’ camp ahead of of Ghana’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying match against Madagascar.

After missing Ghana’s friendlies against Mexico and the United States during the October international break, the captain of the Black Stars is making a comeback to the national squad.

Andre Ayew arrived at camp on Monday night as one of the 25 players invited by Coach Chris Hughton for the first round of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

In honour of the late Black Stars striker Raphael Dwamena, the players donned black when the captain and his younger brother Jordan Ayew arrived.

Other players who joined the camp of the Black Stars on Monday night include Inaki Williams, Joseph Wollacott, and Bournemouth forward Antoine Semenyo.

In total, 15 players have been able to report to camp at the time this report was put together.

They include:

Joseph Paintsil, Baba Iddrisu, Denis Odoi, Abdul Fatawu Hamidu, Nicholas Opoku, Osman Bukari, Majeed Ashimeru, Jordan Ayew, Edmund Addo, Andre Ayew, Jonathan Sowah, Gideon Mensah, Inaki Williams, Antoine Semenyo, Joseph Wollacott

Black Stars start training today, move to Kumasi Wednesday; check Ghana’s full schedule for 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Madagascar and Comoros

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The Black Stars opened camp in Accra on Monday, November 13,2023 ahead of the two FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Madagascar and Comoros.

The squad begins training at the Accra Sports stadium Tuesday evening before moving to Kumasi on Wednesday to wrap up their preparations for the first game.

Ghana will square off with Madagascar in the first game at the Baba Yara Sports stadium on Friday, November 17 before traveling to Moroni for the second game against Comoros on Tuesday, November 21,2023.

Find the full team schedule in the attached file:

Samuel Aboabire, Alhaji Abu-Hassan pick two remaining slots on Executive Council

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Samuel Aboabire and Alhaji Abu-Hassan Mahamadu have been elected onto the GFA Executive Council.

Samuel Aboabire, Chairman of the Greater Accra Regional Football Association and Abu-Hassan Mahamadu, Chairman of the Northern Regional Football Association polled 6 votes each to beat their competitors for the two remaining slots on the Executive Council. Linford Asamoah Boadu and Alhaji Salifu Zida received four votes each in the election.

The addition of the two Regional Chairmen, Samuel Aboabire and Alhaji Abu-Hassan Mahamadu will complete the 12 membership of the GFA Executive Council in accordance with Article 37(1) of the GFA Statutes 2019.

The Executive Council is constituted as follows:

  1. One President elected by GFA Congress
  2. Five representatives from Premier League Clubs
  3. Three representatives from Division One League Clubs
  4. One woman from Women’s Premier League Clubs
  5. Two from the 10 RFA Chairmen

André Ayew signs for Ligue 1 side Le Havre

Ghana captain André Ayew is poised to mark his return to Ligue 1 after agreeing a deal with Le Havre AC.

The 33-year-old, who has been a free agent since concluding his brief stint with Premier League side Nottingham Forest in the summer, is rejoining the French top-flight after an eight-year hiatus since leaving Olympique Marseille.

Le Havre AC is scheduled to officially unveil Ayew as their new player on Saturday evening, just ahead of their Ligue 1 clash against AS Monaco at the Stade Océane.

Sources indicate that the deal has been finalized, with the official confirmation pending.

Les Ciel et Marine, currently positioned seventh in Ligue 1 after their promotion from Ligue 2, anticipate Ayew’s contribution to bolster their campaign.

The forward, with 47 goals in 182 Ligue 1 matches during his previous tenure, brings a wealth of experience to Le Havre.

In a symbolic return to France, André Ayew will grace the Stade Océane this evening for the Monaco encounter, presenting himself to the Norman public.

Turning 34 in December, Ayew’s arrival is anticipated to inject additional skill and depth into Le Havre’s already impressive performance this season.

He faces competition for a starting position from Lille OSC loanee Mohamed Bayo.

This transfer development comes barely 48 hours after André Ayew’s quite criticized inclusion in the Black Stars’ squad for the 2026 Fifa World Cup qualifying games against Madagascar and Comoros this month.