Sports
Players to watch as EPL kicks off
Even in this condensed summer between seasons, the impacts of new signings are going to be the main talking points of the opening weekend of the Premier League campaign.
The vast majority of the top-flight sides in England take to the field once again on September 12 – just seven weeks after the 2019-20 season came to a close.
Several Premier League sides have been busy in the transfer market, which closes on on October 5. These are some of the new buys likely to light up the first weekend of the top-flight.
Rodrigo – Leeds United
Position: Forward
Price: £27million
First match: Liverpool (A), September 12
Leeds United’s tie away at Liverpool today will be a momentous day for the supporters as they will watch their team in the top-flight for the first time in 16 years.
Nobody knows what to expect from Marcelo Bielsa’s side this season, their opening game at Anfield will give a strong indication whether Leeds are here to challenge the big boys or provoke modest expectations amongst their fans.
Eberechi Eze – Crystal Palace
Position: Attacking midfielder
Price: £17million
First match: Southampton (H), September 12
He may only be 22-years-old, but there is a lot of expectation on the shoulders of Eberechi Eze at Selhurst Park this season.
The former QPR man lit up the Championship with some impressive displays last season, which earned him a £17million to Roy Hodgson’s side.
Palace will be hoping that Eze will be a regular on the Eagles’ scoresheet whilst also helping to provide key passes to other attacking talents such as Wilfried Zaha and Jordan Ayew – starting in his first home match against Southampton today.
Timo Werner – Chelsea
Position: Striker
Price: £47.5million
First match: Brighton (A), September 14
The 24-year-old scored 34 goals in 45 matches in all competitions for RB Leipzig last season and the pacy, clinical forward will be looking to get off to the perfect Premier League start against Brighton on Monday night.
Werner found the net just minutes into Chelsea’s pre-season tie against Brighton in August and could do the same at the Amex on the opening weekend.
Matheus Pereira – West Bromwich Albion
Position: Attacking midfielder
Price: £9million
First match: Leicester City (H), September 13
West Bromwich Albion supporters all know about what Matheus Pereira can bring to the team, but Premier League fans have yet to seen him play.
The silky midfielder was a bright light in the Baggies side that won promotion to the top-flight last term through the automatic promotion spots.
Willian – Arsenal
Position: Winger/Attacking Midfielder
Price: Free
First match: Fulham (A), September 12
Brazilian winger Willian made the shock switch across London to Arsenal after turning down a lucrative new contract at Chelsea.
While the 32-year-old was regularly used as a winger at Stamford Bridge, Gunners boss Mikel Arteta has hinted that Willian could be used in a more attacking midfield role in north London.
The Brazilian will return to west London for his first Premier League match in the red and white of Arsenal against Fulham and will be looking to get off to a positive start.
Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg – Tottenham Hotspur
Position: Midfielder
Price: £25million
First match: Everton (H), September 13
Spurs have been needing a reshuffle in midfield for some time and ex-Southampton captain Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg is hoping to be the breath of fresh air Jose Mourinho needs in the middle of the park.
The Danish midfielder is expected to be the ball-winning option out of the midfield three in order to compliment the likes of Giovani Lo Celso and Dele Alli going forward. Hojbjerg can break up play while also play simple yet effective passes going ahead.
Thiago Silva – Chelsea
Position: Centre-back
Price: Free
First match: Brighton (A), September 14
The 35-year-old may be hitting the twilight of his career but he will provide the leadership and defensive astuteness that Lampard’s side desperately lacked last season.
Fresh off the back of an impressive Champions League final performance, Silva’s prospective debut against Brighton should not be too difficult a test.
Mohammed Salisu – Southampton
Position: Centre-back
Price: £11million
First match: Crystal Palace (A), September 12
Young defender Mohammed Salisu had an impressive season at Real Valladolid last term, now he’s getting a try at some top-flight action in England.
The 21-year-old is expected to be the reliable defensive option in Ralph Hasenhuttl’s relentless attacking team and his displays will be crucial in determining his how far the Saints improve from last term.
Jeff Hendrick – Newcastle United
Position: Midfielder
Price: Free
First match: West Ham (A), September 12
The 28-year-old is an excellent ball carrier and could be the all-important link which connects the Magpies’ midfield to their forward line.
With Newcastle facing a West Ham side who are yet to make any transfers this summer, this is an opportunity for Hendrick and Newcastle to start the season on the front foot.
Players to watch as EPL kicks off
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.
