Raphael Bannerman-Quartey, Author at Sahara Football

FIFA releases list for Ghanaian referees for 2026

Raphael Bannerman-Quartey — Tue, 30 Dec 2025 10:23:01 +0000

FIFA has officially unveiled the list of Ghanaian referees approved to officiate international matches for the 2026 calendar year, reaffirming Ghana’s strong representation on the global officiating stage.

The approved roster comprises 23 officials, made up of 10 Centre Referees, 10 Assistant Referees, one Futsal Referee, one Beach Soccer Referee, and one Video Assistant Referee (VAR).

Daniel Laryea tops the list as a Centre Referee and a VAR. The contingent also welcomes new assistant referee Richard Kwaku, while Portia Oppong earns recognition in the Beach Soccer category.

The full list of officials approved by FIFA is attached.

The post FIFA releases list for Ghanaian referees for 2026 first appeared on Sahara Football.

Week 16 Review : Kotoko win as Aduana stumble away to Young Apostles

Raphael Bannerman-Quartey — Tue, 30 Dec 2025 09:29:03 +0000

Kotoko thrashed Bechem United without trace by six unanswered goals in game week sixteen of the Ghana Premier League at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium.

Hamza Issah’s solitary strike was the difference between Hearts of Oak and Samartex at the University of Ghana Sports Stadium.

Meanwhile, Hearts of Lions fell to Medeama SC ‘s Kingsley Braye’s second-half strike as they picked all three points at Kpando Sports Stadium.

GPL WEEK 16

Hearts of Oak 1-0 Samartex

[H.Issah]

Vision 1-0 Nations

[S.Agetey]

Hearts of Lions 0-1 Medema

[K.Braye]

Young Apostles 2-2 Aduana Stars

[R.Opoku, S.Prempeh – Gyamfi, Sidibe]

Swedru All Blacks 1-1 Karela United

[S.Nereba – M.Abubakar]

HolyStars 2-0 Hohoe United

[P.Tweneboah, S.Simba]

GoldStars 3-2 Dreams FC

[b.Baah 2x,E.Agyei – R.Salifu 2x]

Kotoko 6-0 Bechem United

[M.Donzo 2x, Gyau, Jackson, Ampiah(og), K.Opoku]

Berekum Chelsea 3-1 Eleven Wonders

[P.Anane, P.Musah, K.Badori – W.Danquah]

The post Week 16 Review : Kotoko win as Aduana stumble away to Young Apostles first appeared on Sahara Football.

AFCON 2025 : Nigeria, Senegal bag wins as Benin stumble

Raphael Bannerman-Quartey — Wed, 24 Dec 2025 08:58:00 +0000

The Super Eagles of Nigeria bagged their first win of the tournament at the expense of Tanzania at the Complexe sportif de Fès.

Semi Ajayi and Lookman’s goals were enough to unsettle the East African side, with Charles M’Mombwa’s consolation the take-home package for them.

A brace from Chelsea loanee, Nicholas Jackson, and a goal from Cherif Ndiaye helped Senegal to bask a win over Botswana at an almost packed 70,000 stadium at Stade Ibn Batouta.

The Carthage Eagles of Tunisia blew Uganda aside with cheeky ease with by three goals to one.

GAME 1

Nigeria 2-1 Tanzania

[Semi Ajayi, Lookman’s – Charles M’Mombwa]

Senegal 3-0 Botswana

[N.Jackson 2x, Cherif Ndiaye]

DR Congo 1-0 Benin

[Theo Bongonda]

Tunisia 3-1 Uganda

[Ellyes Skhiri, Elias Achouri 2x- Denis Omedi]

The post AFCON 2025 : Nigeria, Senegal bag wins as Benin stumble first appeared on Sahara Football.

AFCON 2025 : Morocco, South Africa stroll to win, Mali held

Raphael Bannerman-Quartey — Mon, 22 Dec 2025 20:03:49 +0000

Morocco began their quest for glory with a thumping display against Comoros .

At an almost fully packed 60,000 capacity stadium at Stade Prince Moulay Abdallah (Rabat), the host nation made a great start to the tournament.

Al Ain’s Soufiane Rahimi missed an 11th-minute penalty, failing to set the tone for the game.

The first half ended goalless between both sides.

Ten minutes after recess, ManUtd’s wing back Noussair Mazraoui’s well-drilled low cross into the box found Brahim Díaz tapping for the opener, sending the stadium into ruptures.

With a quarter of an hour to end proceedings, Ayoub El Kaabi was on hand to score from Salah-Eddine’s lofted pass with an acrobatic overhead kick that left the goalkeeper rooted and sealed the points.

South Africa beat Angola as Mali and Zambia shared the points.

GAME 1

Morocco 2-0 Comoros

[Brahim Díaz, Ayoub El Kaabi]

Mali 1-1 Zambia

[L.Sinayoko – P.Daka]

South Africa 2-1 Angola

[Oswin Appolis, L.Foster – Show]

Egypt 2- 1Zimbabwe

[O.Marmoush, M.Salah – P.Dube]

The post AFCON 2025 : Morocco, South Africa stroll to win, Mali held first appeared on Sahara Football.

Match Report – Nations FC 1-0 Young Apostles

Raphael Bannerman-Quartey — Mon, 22 Dec 2025 11:43:25 +0000

Emmanuel Annor’s first half strike for Nation FC was enough to beat Young Apostles.

The home team have endured a torrid campiagn so far in the league a big contrast to how they were inches away from clinching 2024/2025 Ghana Premier League.

Both teams threatned each other with several wave of attcks but it was the home team that got their noses infront.

Nations FC star boy, Emmanuel took the mantle up to expertedly convert from 12 yards for the opening goal of teh game.

They held on to pick a win at the expense of their opponents aiding them to 10th on the log.

Apostles will host table toppers Aduana Stars for their next match while Nations will down south against Vision FC.

The post Match Report – Nations FC 1-0 Young Apostles first appeared on Sahara Football.

AFCON to be held every four years starting 2028

Raphael Bannerman-Quartey — Sat, 20 Dec 2025 16:09:41 +0000

The President of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), Patrice Motsepe, has confirmed plans for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) to be staged every four years.

The announcement of the new schedule was made on Saturday, December 20, bringing an end to a long-standing tradition of the tournament being held every two years since 1968.

The changes to the format of the tournament will take effect after the 2027 edition, which will be staged in Eastern Africa.

The 2028 edition will follow, after which the four-year cycle will officially begin.

According to Motsepe, the change is part of a bold vision for the future of African football.

“We have the most exciting new structure for African football,” he said.

There’s a belief within the association that the new format will help improve the quality of the tournament, allow better preparation for host nations, and reduce scheduling pressure on players and clubs.

CAF has also unveiled plans for a new African Nations League, which will start from 2029.

The post AFCON to be held every four years starting 2028 first appeared on Sahara Football.

Derek Boateng against the inclusion of Hudson-Odoi and Eddie Nketiah to the BlackStars

Raphael Bannerman-Quartey — Fri, 19 Dec 2025 00:29:58 +0000

Former Black Stars midfielder Derek Boateng has strongly opposed the inclusion of Callum Hudson-Odoi and Eddie Nketiah in Ghana’s squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

According to the skillful midfielder, the team would not benefit from their presence; hence, it was not necessary to add them to the setup ahead of the global showpiece.

“They should not invite them. Hudson-Odoi and Nketiah, no,” Boateng said. “I don’t think it’s fair. It’s not fair for the rest of the players,” he told Sporty FM

Ghana will go head-to-head with Panama, England, and Croatia at the World Cup.

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Ghana to get $10.5 million from 2026 World Cup 2026

Raphael Bannerman-Quartey — Fri, 19 Dec 2025 00:20:08 +0000

Ghana is set to receive at least USD 10.5 million following its confirmed qualification for the FIFA World Cup 2026.

The Black Stars have qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup as one of 42 countries.

FIFA approved a huge sum of money for participating countries, which are set to bag home huge sums for their participation in the upcoming World Cup.

The Black Stars is due USD 9 million in participation prize money, alongside an additional USD 1.5 million allocated to cover team preparation costs.

Hopefully, when the funds hit the coffers of the Ghana Football Association, they will be used for the general good of football development in the country.

The Black Stars have been housed in group L alongside England, Croatia, and Panama and will be hoping to do better than their campaign in 2022, where they failed to qualify past the group stages.

The post Ghana to get $10.5 million from 2026 World Cup 2026 first appeared on Sahara Football.

Match Highlights : South Africa 0-1 Ghana

Raphael Bannerman-Quartey — Tue, 16 Dec 2025 16:18:59 +0000

The Black Galaxies of Ghana were beaten by South Africa at the Dobsonville Stadium in Soweto in an international friendly.

Orlando Piartes Sipho Mbule second half strike proved the match difference between the two powerhouses of Africa houses.

Heart of Lions goalkeeper Lawrence Osei was in post, serenaded by Kamaradini Mamudu(Medeama SC) , Isaac Afful (Samartex), Nations FC captain Razak Simpson and Heart of Lions skipper Ebenezer Abban.

In midfield, Etse Dogli (Karela )and Salim Adams from Medeama SC formed the doubled pivot in midfield. Prince Owusu and Suraj Seidu deployed as widemen, Nana Kusi Asante playing directly behind Emmanuel Annor.

MATCH HIGHLIGHTS :

The first half ended goalless with both teams creating a myriad of chances.

Orlando Piartes Sipho Mbule shot in the 57th minute flew past Lawrence Osei in post for Ghana.

There were several chances for Rudolf Mensah, Emmanuel Annor but they all failed to hit the back of the net.

Emmanuel Annor was a constant torn in the flesh of the South Africa defence all through the game.

The two teams used the game to fine tune their preparations for the African Cup qualifiers and others games.

The post Match Highlights : South Africa 0-1 Ghana first appeared on Sahara Football.

Int’l Friendly : South Africa 1-0 Ghana

Raphael Bannerman-Quartey — Tue, 16 Dec 2025 16:11:37 +0000

The Black Galaxies of Ghana lost the plot against South Africa at the Dobsonville Stadium in Soweto.

Head coach Kassim Mingle Ocansey deployed Heart of Lions goalkeeper Lawrence Osei, serenaded by Kamaradini Mamudu(Medeama SC) , Isaac Afful (Samartex), Nations FC captain Razak Simpson and Heart of Lions skipper Ebenezer Abban.

The first half ended goalless with both teams creating a myriad of chances.

Orlando Piartes Sipho Mbule shot in the 57th minute flew past Lawrence Osei in post for Ghana.

There were several chances for Rudolf Mensah, Emmanuel Annor but they all failed to hit the back of the net.

Emmanuel Annor was a constant torn in the flesh of the South Africa defence all through the game.

The two teams used the game to fine tune their preparations for the African Cup qualifiers and others games.

The post Int’l Friendly : South Africa 1-0 Ghana first appeared on Sahara Football.