Stars of Lakeside claimed victory in the Kozie Cares Champions League, defeating Mambass FC 1-0 in a thrilling final on Sunday, November 17, 2024, at the Agiringanor Astroturf.

Ghana’s Black Stars have long been a symbol of national pride, unity, and international recognition. 

However, their recent failure to qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in 2024, as well as the missed opportunity in 2004, has reignited national debates about the state of governance—not just in football but across the broader spectrum of Ghana’s development.

Former head coach of the Black Stars, Charles Kwabla Akonnor has given a candid assessment of the team’s player selection process, describing it as chaotic and often contentious.

Akonnor, who managed Ghana’s senior national team from 2020 to 2021, acknowledged that the process of calling up players to the Black Stars was often disorganized. 

Former Vice-President of the Ghana Football Association (GFA), George Afriyie, has held GFA President, Kurt Simeon-Okraku accountable for the Black Stars' failure to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). 

Speaking in an exclusive interview with Graphic Sports last Saturday, Afriyie accused Simeon-Okraku of poor leadership and alleged that the FA was being run with the mindset of managing a personal football club rather than a national institution.

Young talent, Jerry Afriyie, has etched his name in Ghanaian football history as the first player from the third-tier league to earn a call-up to the Black Stars in the modern era.

THE Ghana Black Stars will seek to restore some pride as they face Niger in their final Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier at the Accra Sports Stadium today.

With their hopes of qualifying for the tournament in Morocco next year extinguished, the match serves as an opportunity to end their disappointing campaign on a high note and provide home fans with something to cheer about.

Ghana’s failure to qualify for AFCON marks the first time since 2004 that the four-time African champions will miss the prestigious continental tournament. 

FORMER Vice-President of the Ghana Football Association (GFA), George Afriyie, has urged the local football governing body to evaluate the performance of Black Stars Coach, Otto Addo, and terminate his contract following the team’s failure to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

In an interview with Graphic Sports last Saturday, Afriyie stated that the AFCON qualification was a critical clause in Addo's contract, and the coach’s inability to meet this condition provided grounds for dismissal.

Accra Hearts of Oak extended their unbeaten away record and continued their resurgence in the Ghana Premier League with a 1-0 victory over Karela United yesterday at the Aliu Mahama Stadium.

An early strike from Hamza Issah, just three minutes into the match, proved to be the difference as the Phobians collected their third consecutive win in the ongoing campaign. The midfielder pounced on a defensive error to register his third goal of the season.

Youtuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul left a permanent stain on two-time heavyweight champion Mike Tyson's boxing legacy with a tedious points win in front of 70,000 frustrated fans in Texas - and millions watching the controversial bout on streaming powerhouse Netflix.

Tyson, as you might expect from a man aged 58 and having not competed professionally in 19 years, was a shadow of his old self.

Paul, 27, is a boxing novice but was too young and too athletic. He kept Tyson at range, landing jabs and accurate punches in an eight-round contest of two-minute rounds.

Asante Kotoko's woes were deepened yesterday as they suffered a 2-0 defeat to local rivals, Nations FC, at the Len Clay Stadium to mark their fourth consecutive loss in the Ghana Premier League. 

Dreams FC secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Vision FC in their Premier League encounter at the Nii Adjei Kraku II Sports Complex in Tema Newtown on Sunday, November 17. 

The win, their second consecutive victory following last week's triumph over Medeama SC, was sealed by substitute Abdul Razak Salifu’s late strike in the 85th minute.

THE Ghana Olympic Committee (GOC) has announced its intention to sever ties with the International Boxing Association (IBA), in compliance with a directive from the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

The move comes amid an ongoing standoff between the IOC and the IBA, which has led to the IBA being excluded from organising boxing events at the last two Olympic Games.

Speaking to Graphic Sports last Friday, the GOC President, Ben Nunoo Mensah, affirmed the committee's commitment to maintaining a healthy relationship with the IOC. 

GHANA'S Abubakar Mubarak suffered his first career defeat last Saturday evening following a controversial round nine stoppage loss to Namibia's Paulus Ndjolonimu in a WBO Africa super middleweight title fight in Windhoek.

The former Ghana middleweight champion gave an  account of his credentials against the much taller and bigger Ndjolonimu in front of a hostile crowd at the Windhoek Country Club and Casino but a flash knockdown in the ninth round proved his undoing as South African referee, Clifford Mbelu, counted him out in an unbelievable double quick time.

HOLY 'Jaw Breaker' Dorgbetor retained his IBF Continental Africa featherweight championship crown with a dominant unanimous points decision against Clement Aliou Loko of Benin last Saturday night in Accra.

The Black Stars will not feature at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco next year, following a disappointing qualifying campaign that ended with a draw against Angola. This result marked the end of Ghana’s 20-year streak of consecutive AFCON appearances.