Sports

Didier Deschamps to resign as France Manager after 2026 World Cup

Didier Deschamps announces today that he will leave the France manager’s job after the 2026 World Cup, closing a great era in the nation’s football history.

Deschamps took on the role in 2012 after Laurent Blanc resigned and led them to victory at the 2018 World Cup, also reaching the final in 2022 and at the 2016 Euros.

The 56-year-old will leave ahead of the 2026 World Cup in the USA, Canada, and Mexico if they fail to qualify, and after it if they do make it.

‘I’m not here to make an announcement but it will be 2026. I’ve been here since 2012, I’m scheduled until 2026, the next World Cup. It will stop there because it has to stop there at some point. In my head, it’s very clear,’ he says in a snippet of an interview with TF1 and LCI, which will be released in full on Wednesday afternoon.

‘I did my time with the same desire, the same passion to keep the French team at the highest level.

‘We never want it to end when it’s a beautiful thing. Afterwards, we have to know how to say stop. There is life after. I don’t know what it will be but it will be very good too. It’s going to be 14 years, that’s a long time too.

He led France to the 2018 World Cup trophy and has also reached two other major finals
Despite his success, he has not always been universally loved by fans who believe he could have made more of France’s attacking talents

Despite his success, he has not always been universally loved by fans who believe he could have made more of France’s attacking talents

‘I’m not here for the records, especially for the demands. The most important thing is that the French team remains at the top where it has been for many years.’

Zinedine Zidane is the heavy favourite to replace him, according to ESPN. He was Deschamps’ team-mates in their 1998 World Cup triumph and led Real Madrid to three consecutive Champions League titles as a manager between 2016 and 2018. Zidane has been out of work since his second Madrid dugout stint ended in 2021.

Despite being arguably their most successful manager ever, Deschamps has not been universally loved by Les Bleus fans due to his conservative style of play.

Nevertheless, his tournament success and 64.2 per cent win rate place him in the pantheon of great international managers.

They have reached the semi-finals of four of the six major tournaments that he has overseen and might have won the 2022 World Cup were it not for the brilliance of Lionel Messi.

He is only the third man to win the World Cup as a player and a manager after Mario Zagallo, Pele’s old team-mate and manager for Brazil, and Germany’s Franz Beckenbauer.

L’Equipe reports that Deschamps made up his mind several months ago, with his contract expiring in 2026.

For a man of such a gilded trophy cabinet, Deschamps cuts a relatively understated figure and is seldom talked about in the same breath as other top coaches.

Zinedine Zidane has been named as the ‘heavy favourite’ to replace the 56-year-old boss

He will leave after the 2026 World Cup, or before if France fail to qualify for the tournament
Hugo Lloris, who captained France under him, described him as an ‘inspiration to the players’

Hugo Lloris, who captained France under him, described him as an ‘inspiration to the players’

He managed Monaco, Juventus, and Marseille before taking up the France post and had success with all three.

One of his greatest achievements was leading Monaco to the 2003-04 Champions League final with a counter-attacking style, helping players such as Patrice Evra and Emmanuel Adebayor to make their names.

In 2006 he took charge of former side Juventus, who had been relegated to Serie B after the Calciopoli scandal, and led them back to the top flight in his only season in charge.

He then took up the reins at Marseille, another of his former clubs where he had won the Champions League as a player, and delivered them the Ligue 1 championship in 2009-10, the only time they have won it since 1995.

France have occasionally been associated with high-profile tournament self-combustion, crashing out of the group stages in the 2002 and 2010 World Cups, but he has at least made the knockout stages in every competition.

Hugo Lloris served as captain of the France national team under Deschamps and said of his boss: ‘He has of course tremendous experience as a player and a coach at the international level.

‘He is calm and collected and transmits that to the players.

‘He is an inspiration to the players. We have a great relationship between players and coach and it is not a coincidence he has been a coach for such a long time.’

Sports

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.

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.

Sports

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.

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.

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.

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.