Sports
My worst injuries happened with the Black Stars – Essien
Former Ghana international Michael Essien says he holds no grudges against the country, even though he sustained his worst injuries while playing for the Black Stars.
Essien represented Ghana at two World Cups, including the country’s maiden appearance in 2006, and led Ghana to a third-place finish at the AFCON on home soil in 2008.
It is widely believed the former Chelsea midfielder could have done more for his country but for injuries.
The first of such injuries was against Senegal in London, in August 2007.
Essien would sustain another, and perhaps the most significant of the injuries he suffered while playing for Ghana.
Then, as a 25-year-old, Essien felt a pop in his knee during the international friendly played in September 2008.
Further tests showed he had ruptured an anterior cruciate ligament, ruling him out of action for the duration of the group stage of the UEFA Champions League.
”(I suffered) my first injury while I was playing for the Black Stars, agianst Libya. That was when I damaged my knee badly. I mean, it happens. If there are no injuries, maybe others will not get opportunities so it is part of it,” Essien told Joy Sports editor, Fentuo Tahiru Fentuo in an exclusive chat at the Nordsjaelland training base.
Two years after the career threatening injury, Essien would suffer another one, this time, at the Africa Cup of Nations in Angola. Essien suffered what was initially thought to be the latest in recurring hamstring problem, in training.
Scans on Essien’s left leg in Luanda later indicated that he had suffered a partially torn medial collateral ligament in his knee and damage to his meniscus.
”Most of my bad injuries happened when I was playing for the Black Stars but who cares, it happens. I do not hold any grudges or anything. I was just unlucky and injuries are part of the game so we just have to deal with it. You know, I have no regrets. I think I had quite a decent career and I always look into the positive side of every situation.” he said.
Essien scored nine times in fifty-nine appearances for Ghana between 2002 and 2014.
Source: Myjoyonline.com
Sports
Kurt E.S Okraku elected CAF Executive Committee member
The President of the Ghana Football Association (GFA), Kurt Edwin Simeon-Okraku, has been successfully elected as a member of the Executive Committee (EXCO) of the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
The four-year term runs from 2025-2029.
The President, who was elected uncontested, joins the 24-member committee of the powerful body of the continent’s governing body.
Kurt Okraku’s election to the CAF Executive Committee comes as recognition of his remarkable leadership at the Football Association, where he has worked to rejuvenate Ghanaian football since taking office in 2019.
His efforts to enhance transparency, promote grassroots football, women’s football and focus on youth development have been well noted within the African football community.
With Ghana’s strong footballing tradition and legacy, the presence of the GFA boss on the CAF EXCO is seen as an opportunity to advance the interests of the country and help promote football development across Africa.
Mr. Okraku’s role will give Ghana a stronger voice in the decision-making processes that shape the future of football on the continent.
President Simeon-Okraku becomes the sixth Ghanaian to serve on the CAF Executive Committee in a list that includes Ohene Djan, Kobina Hagan, Nana Fredua Mensah, Samuel Okyere, and Kwesi Nyantakyi.
Sports
GFA concludes training of Club Safety and Security Officers and Regional Sports Security Officers
The Ghana Football Association (GFA) has successfully concluded its training program for Club Safety and Security Officers (CSSOs) and Regional Sports Security Officers (RSSOs).
This comprehensive training, which took place from March 7 to March 10, 2025, aimed to throw more light on the enhance safety and security measures across Ghanaian football.
The training was conducted zonally, covering all 86 elite clubs and 16 regions. Participants were divided into three zones, with Zone 2 covering the Ashanti, Western, Western North, and Central Regions, and Zones 1 and 3 covering the remaining regions.
The training modules included:
Challenges of Safety and Security in Ghana: Identifying and addressing key safety and security concerns in Ghanaian football.
Roles of the Club Safety and Security Officer (CSSO) and collaboration with Regional Safety and Security Officers (RSSO): Defining the roles and responsibilities of CSSOs and RSSOs, and promoting effective collaboration between them.
Club Safety and Security Officer Checklist: Providing a comprehensive checklist for CSSOs to ensure that all safety and security protocols are in place.
Introduction to the Enhanced Safety and Security Protocols 2025: Introducing new safety and security protocols aimed at improving safety and security at match venues.
Practicum and scenario session: Providing hands-on training and scenario-based exercises to prepare participants for real-world safety and security challenges.
The training workshop was led by DCOP Lydia Donkor, Chairperson of the Security Committee. Others included Capt (Rtd) Nick Owusu, Vice Chairman of the Safety Committee, Julius Ben Emunah, Head of Competitions, John Ansah, Felix Bewu and Emmanuel Osei, members of the Safety and Security Committee.
This training is part of the GFA’s enhanced approach to ensuring improved safety and security at match venues across all competitions.
