News Guide Africa

Category: Sports

  • SWAG 50th Anniversary Committee Courts Support from Goldbod CEO Sammy Gyamfi

    SWAG 50th Anniversary Committee Courts Support from Goldbod CEO Sammy Gyamfi

    As preparations gather momentum for the 50th Sports Writers Association of Ghana (SWAG) Awards, the Planning Committee has paid a courtesy call on Lawyer Sammy Gyamfi, Chief Executive Officer of Goldbod, to seek collaboration and support for the upcoming Golden Jubilee celebration.

     

    The visit, held in Accra, was part of the Committee’s stakeholder engagement and sponsorship mobilization drive ahead of the grand awards ceremony scheduled for Saturday, 15th November 2025. The delegation was jointly led by the Chairman of the Planning Committee, Hon. Dickson Kyere-Duah, and the President of SWAG, Kwabena Yeboah.

     

    During the meeting, the delegation formally introduced the 50th Anniversary Awards programme to the Goldbod CEO and explored potential partnership opportunities aimed at ensuring a successful organization of the prestigious event.

     

    Mr. Sammy Gyamfi warmly welcomed the SWAG team and commended the Association for its long-standing contribution to the promotion of sports and professional sports journalism in Ghana. He pledged Goldbod’s readiness to support worthy initiatives that uplift Ghanaian talent and promote unity through sports.

     

    He remarked that Goldbod remains committed to supporting programmes “that celebrate Ghanaian achievement, especially in sports, which acts as a unifying force for national cohesion and youth empowerment.”

     

    The Planning Committee expressed its appreciation to Goldbod for the warm reception and assured continued engagement with the company and other corporate organizations to make the 50th Anniversary edition of the SWAG Awards a memorable success.

     

    Other members of the SWAG delegation included Charles Kwadwo Ntim and Kwadwo Baah Agyeman, both members of the Planning Committee.

     

    The SWAG Awards, recognized as Ghana’s longest-running national awards scheme, continues to honour excellence in sports while promoting the values of dedication, discipline, and patriotism among athletes and sports administrators nationwide.

  • Ablakwa pledges visa support for fans as Black Stars book 2026 World Cup ticket

    Ablakwa pledges visa support for fans as Black Stars book 2026 World Cup ticket

    Minister of Foreign Affairs, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has extended warm congratulations to the Black Stars following their emphatic qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

    He has also promised to ensure that Ghanaian supporters gain fair and easy access to travel visas for the tournament.

    In a celebratory statement, Mr Ablakwa said the Foreign Ministry, under his leadership, would take advantage of Ghana’s strong diplomatic ties with the United States, Canada, and Mexico the joint hosts of the 2026 World Cup to secure favourable visa quotas for fans eager to support the team abroad.

    The Black Stars’ qualification sparked massive celebrations across the country, as jubilant supporters took to the streets and social media to hail the team’s effort. Many have praised head coach Otto Addo and his players for restoring confidence in the national side after a hard-fought qualifying campaign that reaffirmed Ghana’s standing as one of Africa’s football powerhouses.

    Mr Ablakwa’s assurance has further lifted the spirits of supporters, many of whom have in the past struggled to obtain visas for major international tournaments.

    “Ghanaians can be fully assured that the Foreign Ministry under my leadership shall leverage our improved cordial diplomatic relations with the United States, Canada, and Mexico to guarantee appreciable visa quotas for our globally acclaimed football fans,” Mr Ablakwa said.

    He expressed hope that the Black Stars’ return to football’s biggest stage would reignite a sense of pride and unity among Ghanaians. “Congratulations to the Black Stars on Ghana’s emphatic 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification. GHANA, here we come!” he added.

    Following the team’s qualification, FIFA President Gianni Infantino also shared a video message congratulating Ghana. Referring to the nation’s historic quarter-final feat in the 2010 World Cup, he expressed confidence that the Black Stars would once again make the nation proud on the global stage.

    Ghana booked their ticket to the 2026 World Cup after a hard-fought 1–0 win over Comoros at the Accra Sports Stadium on Sunday. A second-half strike from Mohammed Kudus sealed the victory and confirmed Ghana’s place at the top of their qualifying group.

    This marks Ghana’s fifth World Cup appearance, following previous outings in 2006, 2010, 2014, and 2022. The 2026 tournament will be co-hosted across 16 cities in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, and will feature an expanded roster of 48 teams for the first time in history.

     

     

  • Black Stars Shine Bright: Ghana secures fifth World Cup spot after thrilling win over Comoros

    Black Stars Shine Bright: Ghana secures fifth World Cup spot after thrilling win over Comoros

    The Black Stars of Ghana have done it again! After a thrilling 1-0 victory over Comoros at the Accra Sports Stadium on Sunday, October 12, Ghana secured its spot in the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

    This marks the country’s fifth appearance at the global showpiece, following previous qualifications in 2006, 2010, 2014, and 2022.

    The match was intense, with the Black Stars dominating possession and creating scoring opportunities.

    It was Mohammed Kudus who broke the deadlock in the 47th minute, tapping in a square pass from Thomas Partey to send the stadium into rapturous celebration.

    Ghana’s qualification campaign has been impressive, with the team finishing top of Group I with 25 points. They were led by Coach Otto Addo, who has instilled a winning mentality and unity in the team. The Black Stars’ consistency and resilience have paid off, and they will now look forward to making a deep run in the World Cup.

    The victory has sparked jubilant celebrations across the country, with fans taking to the streets to celebrate.

    Sports Minister Kofi Adams said Ghana’s qualification was effectively sealed after their 5-0 win over the Central African Republic, and Sunday’s match was just a formality.

    The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada, and will feature 48 teams, making it the largest World Cup in history. Ghana’s participation in the tournament is a testament to the country’s footballing prowess and its ability to compete on the global stage.

     

     

  • Alhaji Sinare celebrates UDS’s historic world universities football victory

    Alhaji Sinare celebrates UDS’s historic world universities football victory

    Ghana and Africa are basking in glory as the University for Development Studies (UDS) Football Team has pulled off a monumental sporting feat by defeating Brazil to become World Champions at the Universities World Cup in China.

    In a statement of jubilation, Ghana’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, H.E. Alhaji Said Sinare, described the victory as “monumental, phenomenal, and thunderous,” declaring that if Brazil sneezes football, then UDS has made Ghana own the lungs.

    According to him, the gallant UDS team has not only written their names in the golden annals of world football but also given the entire African continent a coronation of pride. “This is not just a win,” Alhaji Sinare emphasized, “it is a celestial victory, a continental coronation, and a divine endorsement of Africa’s unquenchable spirit.”

    The Ambassador took the opportunity to salute President John Dramani Mahama and his government for their visionary investments in education, youth development, and sports, stressing that such foresight has now borne historic fruit. Heh noted that the victory symbolizes how Ghana is no longer a spectator in the global arena but a trailblazer and record-breaker.

    Alhaji Sinare praised the UDS team for their indomitable courage, unyielding discipline, and audacious brilliance, pointing out that their effort has lifted the spirit of a nation and a continent. He affirmed: “Ayekoo, UDS! You are not just champions, you are conquerors, pacesetters, and the living testimony that Africa no dey carry last.”

  • Mahama’s 7-stadium plan shows true commitment to sports – Sports Minister

    Mahama’s 7-stadium plan shows true commitment to sports – Sports Minister

    Minister of Sports and Recreation, Kofi Adams, has said that the government’s decision to build seven new stadia across the country in 2026 is clear proof of the seriousness President John Dramani Mahama attaches to sports development in Ghana.

    Speaking on the Channel One Newsroom on Saturday, September 20, the Minister confirmed that the stadium projects will be fully reflected in the upcoming national budget.

    “We are initiating new sports stadia from next year, and that will be properly captured in the budget. It shows how seriously the president attaches to sports generally, and we are not just going to build pitches for soccer, but we will have a stadium that will have other facilities that will promote other sports,” Kofi Adams said.

    The President had earlier announced the government’s plan to build seven fit-for-purpose stadia, one in each of the new regions, during a courtesy call by Asante Kotoko and Bibiani Gold Stars football clubs at the Jubilee House on Saturday.

    “The Finance Minister is going to present the budget in November, and I was telling the Sports Minister and the Director-General of the National Sports Authority that next year we are going to build about seven brand new stadia,” President Mahama stated.

    “We want that every new region should have a stadium that is fit for purpose so that we can improve the playing conditions and make our football more competitive.”

    Minister Kofi Adams explained that the stadia will not only support football but also include infrastructure for other sporting disciplines, in line with Ghana’s goal of becoming a multi-sporting nation.

  • ‘You’ve made Africa proud’ – Veep hails UDS football team’s milestone

    ‘You’ve made Africa proud’ – Veep hails UDS football team’s milestone

    Vice President Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang has expressed Ghana’s strong support for the University for Development Studies (UDS) football team as they compete in the Universities World Football Tournament in Dalian, China.

    In a Facebook post, she congratulated the team for becoming the first African university to reach the quarterfinals of the international tournament.

    The UDS team has impressed so far, starting with a 2–1 win over the University of Sharjah from the United Arab Emirates, followed by a 4–1 victory against Spain’s Ramon Llull University to secure their place in the quarterfinals.

    “I warmly congratulate the University for Development Studies football team on their historic achievement at the Universities World Football Tournament in Dalian, China.

    “By becoming the first African university to reach the quarterfinals of this prestigious competition, you have made Ghana and the entire continent of Africa proud on the global stage.

    “The nation stands firmly behind you. Continue to play with courage, integrity, and passion. You have already made us proud, and we look forward to celebrating even greater victories with you,” she said.

  • Sports Ministry justifies removal of $5,000 bus fueling budget for Black Stars

    Sports Ministry justifies removal of $5,000 bus fueling budget for Black Stars

    The Public Relations Officer of the Ministry of Sports and Recreation, Tanko Bagbara, has provided further clarification on why a proposed $5,000 allocation for fueling the Black Stars’ team bus was scrapped from the budget for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Chad and Mali.

    During a press briefing on Tuesday, the sector minister announced that the line item had been taken out of the original budget presented by the Ghana Football Association (GFA).

    Explaining the decision in an interview with Connect 97.1FM, Mr. Bagbara said the ministry and the GFA had managed the issue efficiently by reassigning it under incidentals, but not at the same cost initially requested.

    “It was a budget line. The minister and FA managed to handle it well. It was added to the incidentals so it will be catered for but certainly not the tune of what they (the GFA) were requesting. In all of this, the ministry is embarking on a cost-cutting journey. The nation has other competing needs. That budget line was related to the Ghana vs Mali game,” he explained.

    The Black Stars’ initial budget for the two qualifiers was pegged at $1.24 million but has since been reviewed downward to $860,000 as part of government’s efforts to reduce expenditure.

    The ministry insists the revisions will not affect the team’s preparations or performance but will ensure judicious use of public funds at a time when national priorities extend beyond football.

  • Sports Minister scraps winning bonuses for Black Stars management committee

    Sports Minister scraps winning bonuses for Black Stars management committee

    The Minister of Sports and Recreation, Kofi Adams, has announced the cancellation of winning bonuses for members of the Black Stars Management Committee.

    Players of the national team will continue to receive $5,000 each as a winning bonus in the upcoming FIFA World Cup qualifiers, but the $10,000 package previously allocated to management members has been scrapped.

    Addressing a press briefing in Accra on Tuesday, September 2, Mr. Adams explained that although the budget for each game was initially set at $1 million, the Ministry has approved $1.3 million to cover two matches.

    He stressed that management members would now be entitled only to their per diems and not performance-related bonuses.

    “If for every win we are to pay a winning bonus, what happens if we do not win the number of games to qualify us for the tournament?” Mr. Adams questioned. “Under the previous arrangement, management team members received winning bonuses, but in the end, the team did not even qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations. The players earned nothing, yet managers walked away with bonuses. The president has made it clear: supervise and receive your per diem, but no winning bonus.”

     

  • Spanish Court Hands Carlo Ancelotti One-Year Prison Sentence for Tax Evasion

    Spanish Court Hands Carlo Ancelotti One-Year Prison Sentence for Tax Evasion

    Story by Lawrence Odoom/Phalonzy

    A Spanish court has sentenced Brazilian manager Carlo Ancelotti to a one-year prison term for tax evasion, but he is unlikely to serve time behind bars. Ancelotti, 66, was accused of failing to pay €1 million in taxes on his salary during his first stint as Real Madrid manager from 2013 to 2015.

    The court ruled that Ancelotti must pay a fine of €386,361.93. Despite the guilty verdict, Ancelotti will not serve his prison sentence due to Spanish law, which typically allows defendants without prior convictions to avoid jail time for non-violent crimes with sentences under two years.

    During his court appearance earlier this year, Ancelotti claimed he “never thought about committing fraud” and left the structuring of his salary to his financial advisors.

    “I thought it was quite normal because at that time all the players and the previous coach had done the same,” he explained. Ancelotti paid back the debt in full by December 2021.

    This case draws parallels with other high-profile tax evasion cases in Spain, including those of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, both of whom faced penalties for similar offenses.

    Ancelotti’s sentencing has sparked widespread discussion, given his prominent role in football as the current manager of Brazil.

  • Thomas Partey Charged with Rape and Sexual Assault In The UK

    Thomas Partey Charged with Rape and Sexual Assault In The UK

    Story by Phalonzy

    Ghanaian footballer Thomas Partey, a former Arsenal midfielder, has been slapped with five counts of rape and one count of sexual assault by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) in the United Kingdom.

    The alleged sexual offences transpired between 2021 and 2022, involving three women.

    According to the Metropolitan Police, the charges include two counts of rape relating to one woman, three counts of rape in connection to a second woman, and one count of sexual assault linked to a third woman.

    Partey’s contract with Arsenal ended recently, after playing with the team since 2020.

    Detective Superintendent Andy Furphy, who is leading the investigation, emphasized that providing support to the women who have come forward remains their top priority. He also encouraged anyone impacted by the case or with information to contact the police via email at CIT@met.police.uk.

    “We would ask anyone who has been impacted by this case, or anyone who has information, to speak with our team,” Det Supt Furphy said.

    Partey is scheduled to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, August 5, 2025. His lawyer, Jenny Wiltshire, has stated that he denies all charges and has cooperated fully with the police and CPS throughout their three-year investigation.

    “Thomas Partey denies all the charges against him. He has fully cooperated with the police and CPS throughout their three-year investigation. He now welcomes the opportunity to finally clear his name,” Wiltshire said.