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Black Queens get new Head Coach

Swedish Football Coach, Kim Lars Björkegren, has been appointed new Head Coach of the Senior National Female team, the Black Queens.

He replaces erstwhile Coach, Nora Hauptle, whose contract with the GFA expired at the end of December 2024.

Kim Lars Björkegren started out as a footballer and played for his community club in Ljungsbro, later featuring for Allsvenska Åtvidabergs FF (Swedish First Division club at the time).

An injury he sustained at the age of 22 put an end to his football career and he chose to pursue a career in Coaching.

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In a career covering 18 years, Kim, now a UEFA License A Coach, has gained significant experience and success coaching in Sweden and other countries. Kim’s successes include his winning the Cyprus top Women’s league with Apollon Ladies as well as the Damallsvenskan (Swedish Women’s top league) with Linkopings FC. In the 2020-2021 season, he was adjudged the Coach of the season in Cyprus.

Kim holds the joint record with the renowned Sven Goran Eriksson as being the second Swedish manager to win two domestic titles in two different countries.

Kim Björkegren worked with the Finland Women’s National Team as a Scout and Analyst.

He has also coached Beijing BG Phoenix in the Chinese Super League (placing third in both the Chinese Women’s FA Cup and Super Cup in 2018) and has worked as Technical Director of Manila Digger FC of the Philippines. Kim also coached a number of male teams at various levels of the Swedish Football League system.

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Most recently, Kim has been manager of Racing Louisville in the National Women’s Soccer League of the United States of America [USA].

Kim’s philosophy of football is to play possessive attacking, purposeful and entertaining football, utilizing the skills of his players in the best possible way, thus making him a flexible and adaptable Coach.

He places a lot of emphasis on discipline, team organization, hard work, teamwork, dynamism and flexibility. This philosophy merges well with Ghana’s football philosophy.

With his coaching experience in Women’s Football, coupled with a background in Education and Sports Psychology, Kim Björkegren is viewed by the GFA as the ideal choice to take over the coaching reins of the Black Queens and lead them to greater heights.

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GFA COMMUNICATIONS

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Football fraternity commiserate with family of late Wilberforce Mfum

The Ghana Football Association wishes to express its deepest condolences to the families of late Ghana legend Wilberforce Mfum.

The GFA received with shock the news of the demise of the former Swedru All Blacks, Asante Kotoko, and Black Stars player on Sunday, May 11, 2025.

 Affectionately called ‘the Bulldozer’ due to his immense strength and clinical finishing during his days at Asante Kotoko and the Black Stars, Mfum was a household name during his playing days, and his legacies in Ghana Football will forever be written in gold.

He was a member of the 1963 Africa Cup of Nations-winning squad, scoring Ghana’s first goal in the tournament and netting twice in the final to help Ghana win their first continental title.

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 Noted for his scintillating goal-scoring prowess, he scored 20 goals in 26 appearances for Ghana and shone in the 1964 Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan.

Wilberforce Mfum was a standout performer for Swedru All Blacks and Asante Kotoko before taking his talent overseas to play for Baltimore Bays, Ukrainian SC, Ukrainian Nationals, and New York Cosmos in the United States of America.

 He leaves behind a lasting legacy as a trailblazer and a respected figure in the history of Ghana Football.

The thoughts and prayers of the GFA and the entire football fraternity are with his family at this difficult time. May his soul Rest In Perfect Peace.

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Ghana vs Egypt – Quarterfinal Thriller at the TotalEnergies U-20 Africa Cup of Nations

In a pulsating quarterfinal clash between Ghana and Egypt at the TotalEnergies U-20 Africa Cup of Nations, the young Pharaohs edged the gallant Black Satellites 5-4 on penalties after a 2-2 draw in regulation and extra time.

Ghana controlled the early exchanges, nearly capitalizing on a second-minute chance. Egypt responded with a wasted freekick in the 6th minute, setting the tone for a tightly contested opening.

 Both teams showed flashes of attacking threat, but the first 15 minutes remained cagey, with Egypt committing multiple fouls to disrupt Ghana’s rhythm. 

Ghana’s Phenyin-Denis Marfo received a yellow card in the 15th minute, followed by Egypt picking up their own caution three minutes later.

A costly error by the Satellites’ defence in the 19th minute gifted Egypt the opener, scored by Mohammed Sherif after a lengthy VAR check confirmed the goal. Just eight minutes later, a defensive mix-up allowed Sherif to double Egypt’s lead.

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Despite the setback, Ghana pressed forward, with Aziz Issah firing over the bar from a 36th-minute freekick and a header from a goalmouth scramble cleared off the line in the 43rd minute. Their persistence paid off when Issah rifled in a long-range strike in the first minute of first half added time to halve the deficit.

The Satellites began the second half with renewed energy. A series of chances followed — DaCosta and Denis both coming close — and Egypt had to make several defensive adjustments through substitutions. Jerry Afriyie missed two promising headers, and Aziz Issah continued to test the Egyptian goalkeeper.

As Ghana mounted pressure, tempers flared; an Egyptian official was red carded in the 77th minute. 

The Satellites appealed for a penalty in the 85th minute, but VAR ruled against them. Lord Afrifa, in midfield, and Joseph Opoku, on the left flank, were very influential throughout the 90 minutes of regulation time. 

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Ghana’s resilience paid off in stoppage time: after a long VAR check, the Satellites were awarded a penalty and Hakim converted the spot kick to level the match at 2-2.

Ghana dominated extra time, despite going a man down when Essel was red carded in the 2nd minute of the second period. Aseako made a crucial save from the resulting freekick, and the team battled on bravely. Aidoo and Aziz Issah had chances, while Musibau headed over in the dying moments of the first period.

Despite their numerical disadvantage, Ghana still created chances but could not find the winner. Egypt replaced their goalkeeper just before the end of extra time, perhaps anticipating the shootout.

In the shootout, Ghana scored through Aziz, Denis, Opoku, and Musibau — but DaCosta’s miss proved decisive. Egypt converted all five of their kicks, sealing a dramatic victory and booking their place in the semifinals.

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Final Score: Egypt 2 (5) – 2 (4) Ghana (after penalties)

A valiant fightback by the Satellites ended in an undesired outcome, but their spirit and determination shone throughout, and they exit the tournament with heads held high.

Hakim Abdul Sulemana won the Player of the match award.

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