Sports
CHAN qualifiers: Galaxies aim to kick out Nigeria
Ghana’s Black Galaxies will cross swords with Nigeria Super Eagles B team in the first leg final qualifier of the Championship of African Nations (CHAN) at the Cape Coast Sports Stadium tomorrow.
The double-legged much-heralded affair is expected to be contested fiercely with the return encounter slated for the Moshood Abiola Stadium in Abuja, September 2.
Coach Annor Walker and his charges landed in Ghana from Austria on Thursday, having spent nearly a week in Austria as part of preparations to psyche the team up to deliver.
As part of their tour in Austria, the Galaxies suffered a 1-2 defeat to World Cup hosts Qatar in a four-nation tournament with Hearts of Oak forward, Daniel Barnieh Afriyie registering the consolation goal.
Ghana is poised to continue with their fine form in the qualification round, having crushed opponents Benin 4-0 on aggregate to set up the Nigerian clash.
With no injury concerns, skipper Gladson Awako remains optimistic Ghana will sail through to make up for missing out on the last three editions – 2016, 2018 and 2020, despite a perceived stern Nigerian opposition.
“We are not done yet. We will continue to do what we are supposed to do and give Nigeria a tough competition.
“Everyone knows how Ghana and Nigeria games are. We have to prepare well so that we can beat them to progress to CHAN,” Awako added.
Blended with youthful names like Suraj Seidu of Hearts of Oak, Evans Osei-Owusu of Tema Youth and Karela United’s Augustine Randolph and other experienced players of Mohammed Alhassan and Konadu Yiadom of Hearts Of Oak, Umar Bashiru of Karela United, the Galaxies should be able to make their hard work count.
Aggregate winner of the double hurdle books a place in Algeria for the competition, next year.
Sports
Otto Addo names 23-man squad for Chad and Madagascar 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers
Black Stars head coach Otto Addo has named a 23-man squad for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Chad and Madagascar.
The team, led by captain Jordan Ayew includes three home-based players: Benjamin Asare of Accra Hearts of Oak, Kamaradini Mamudu of Medeama SC and Razak Simpson of Nations FC.
Deputy captain and Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey returns to the squad after missing four of the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers last year. With over 50 appearances for Ghana since his debut in June 2016, Partey brings valuable experience to the team.
Other notable inclusions are Kamal Deen Sulemana of Southampton FC and Jerry Afriyie of CD Lugo. Sulemana has regained full fitness after a lengthy injury layoff, while Afriyie retains his spot after impressing in the match against Niger in November last year.
Belgium-based Christopher Bonsu Baah, who plays for Genk, has also received an invitation. The left-footed right-winger, capable of playing as an attacking midfielder, began his career with Accra Shooting Stars before joining Norwegian side Sarpsborg 08 and later Genk in July 2023.
The team will assemble on Monday, March 17, 2025, and train for four days before hosting Chad at the Accra Sports Stadium on Friday, March 21, 2025. The Black Stars will then travel to Morocco to face Madagascar in another Group I match on Monday, March 24, 2025.
Ghana are currently second in Group I with nine points from four matches after securing three wins and one defeat, leveling them with Comoros.
Ghana’s qualifying campaign began with a 1-0 win over Madagascar, followed by a loss to Comoros. They bounced back with consecutive victories over Mali and the Central African Republic in June last year to keep their chances of qualification intact.
Below is the full Squad:
Sports
Twelve players left out of Black Stars squad due to injury
Twelve players could not make the Black Stars squad for the FIFA World Cup qualifiers due to injuries.
They include Alidu Seidu, Tariq Lamptey, Brandon Thomas Asante, Abdul Mumin, Joseph Aidoo, Abdul Manaf Nuruudeen, Abdul Fatawu Issahaku, Baba Idrissu, Ibrahim Sulemana, Daniel Kofi Kyereh, Majeed Ashimeru, and Joseph Painstil.
The injury details are as follows:
Alidu Seidu (Anterior Cruciate Ligament – Rehab), Tariq Lamptey (Ankle Ligament Injury), Brandon Thomas Asante (Muscle Tear), Abdul Mumin (Anterior Crucial Ligament), Joseph Aidoo (Muscle), Abdul Manaf Nurudeen (Ankle), Abdul Fatawu Issahaku (Anterior Cruciate Ligament – Recovering), Baba Idrissu (Recovering), Ibrahim Sulemana (Adductor Tendonitis), Daniel Kofi Kyereh (Knee), Majeed Ashimeru (Rebuilding from injury – Needs time to fully recover), Joseph Painstil (Quadriceps)
