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 Black Queens coach eyes team’s revival

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• Coach Lars

 New Black Queens Head Coach, Kim Lars Björkegren, says he will focus on building a formidable side to return to the top of African football soon.

The Black Queens, once a for­midable side on the continent and second to the Super Falcons of Nigeria in terms of ranking, have lost that place, and currently trail­ing behind the likes of Cameroun, South Africa, Zambia, Morocco and others.

But this is what the Swedish tactician is hoping to overturn and restore the Black Queens to their enviable position with his appoint­ment.

At his unveiling last Friday at the Secretariat of the Ghana Football Association (GFA), Coach Lars Björkegren said, “From afar, I see the potential here in Ghana to be huge, and I want the team to improve. From what I have seen right now in the first team, there is a good mix between the young and the experienced legs, which looks great for the future of the team.”

According to the tactician with 18 years’ experience, he has inher­ited a team that was ready to fight and win most of their games, and with a huge potential to become the best or among the best on the continent.

Hopefully, with the help of all, including players believing in themselves and their abilities, the Black Queens will gain a better ranking than their current FIFA world ranking of 66th and fifth CAF ranking in the not-too-distant future.

Coach Lars’ first assignment will be a Black Queens clash with the Atlas Lionesses of Morocco in an international friendly on Friday at the Pere Jego Stadium in Casablan­ca.

The 10-day tour of Morocco, which is part of the February FIFA window, serves as a crucial prepa­ration for the team ahead of the upcoming Women’s African Cup of Nations (WAFCON) tourna­ment in July.

“For this game, I want the play­ers to believe in themselves, be a little bit more aggressive both with and without the ball, press a little bit harder, and attack quicker while keeping Ghana’s football DNA, which is playing beautiful foot­ball. I will mix it to keep the good things that have been done so far but also add some new things that I think can help the team in the future.”

Björkegren has previously coached in Sweden, China, and the United States of America, and won the Swedish Damallsvenskan with Linköpings FC and the Cyprus Women’s League with Apollon Ladies.

Meanwhile, he has named his first squad of 23 players who left Accra on Sunday for the Morocco tour.

They include goalkeepers: Cynthia Fiindib Konlan, Kerrie McCarthy, and Safiatu Salifu.

Defenders: Anasthesia Achiaa, Justice Tweneboaa, Adama Al­hassan, Sherifatu Sumaila, Susan A. Duah, Portia Boakye, Comfort Yeboah, and Nina Norshie.

Midfielders: Jennifer Cudjoe, Grace Asantewaa, Azumah Bugre, Jacqueline Owusu, Evelyn Badu, and Stella Nyamekye.

Strikers: Doris Boaduwaa, Gifty Assifuah, Mary Amponsaho, Princess D. Marfo, Josephine A. K. Bonsu, and Princella Adubea.

 BY RAYMOND ACKUMEY

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FA releases final 2024-25 Ghana Premier League table

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• Kurt Okraku - GFA President

The curtains came down on the thrilling 2024-25 Premier League season on Sun­day, with Bibiani GoldStars clinching their first-ever league title.

After a challenging 2023-24 cam­paign that saw them flirting with relegation, Heart of Lions mount­ed a stunning resurgence to claim a second-place finish this season.

Joining them in the top four were Asante Kotoko and Accra Hearts of Oak, with Kotoko edg­ing their archrivals to third place based on the head-to-head rule, as stipulated in Article 7(4) of the Premier League regulations.

The Porcupine Warriors secured a 1-0 victory over Hearts in Kuma­si and held their rivals to a goalless draw in Accra, giving them the advantage in the direct encoun­ters and ultimately determining their superior position on the final league table.

Dreams FC achieved their highest-ever league finish, securing sixth place. Their final surge saw them overtake former champions, FC Samartex 1996, Medeama SC, and Aduana FC.

The season ended in disap­pointment for Accra Lions, Legon Cities and Nsoatre­man FC, all of whom were relegated to the Access Bank Division One League.

Meanwhile the Ghana Football Association (GFA) president, Mr Kurt Okraku, sent a message of appreciation to the 18 clubs that participated in the 2024-25 Premier League season.

“To our new champions, Gold­Stars FC, congratulations on a well-deserved title. To those who fell short, I urge you to take pride in your journey and come back stronger,” he said in the statement.

“The statement also acknowl­edged the invaluable work of match officials, administrators, medical teams, grounds men, vol­unteers, and media partners, who are the backbone of the football ecosystem, for their invaluable con­tribution throughout the exciting campaign,” he stated.

“To our loyal supporters, your energy continues to breathe life into the league. You are the soul of Ghana football, and your love for the game remains our greatest source of inspiration,” Mr Okraku added.

He called for a sober reflection on a few unfortunate incidents that occurred at some match venues.

These moments, while regret­table, he emphasised, served as critical reminders of the work that still lies ahead in shaping a safer, more respectful football culture.

Moreover, he said the FA remains firmly committed to strengthening education at the club level and enhancing match day pro­tocols to ensure a more secure and inclusive environment for players, officials, and fans alike.

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Police Ladies set to represent Ghana in CAF Women’s Champions League qualifiers

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Malta Guinness Women’s Premier League champions Police Ladies will represent Ghana at the upcoming WAFU B CAF Women’s Champions League qualifiers.

The tournament is scheduled to take place in Cote d’Ivoire from Saturday, August 19 to Sunday, August 24, 2025.

This marks a significant opportunity for Police Ladies to showcase their skills, make Ghana proud and fight for the sole ticket for the TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Champions League.

They follow in the footsteps of Hasaacas Ladies and Ampem Darkoa Ladies, who have previously represented Ghana in the championship.

With their talent and determination, Police Ladies are poised to make a strong impression and bring glory to Ghanaian football.

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 Gold Stars to be crowned GPL champions Saturday

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Mr Kurt Okraku presenting the trophy to the skipper of Hohoe United while officials of the club watch on in adminiration

 Gold Stars on Sunday closed the chapter on what could be their finest football season ever, demolishing already rele­gated Accra Lions 4-0 to emerge champions of the 2024/25 Ghana Premier League (GPL).

The win confirmed the Timber giants as a new entity among GPL winners. They also drilled the final nail into the coffin of Accra Lions as they head to battle for a return to the elite stage of football from the Division One League (DOL).

On Saturday, a carnival atmo­sphere is anticipated around the precincts of Bibiani as they host Medeama in a coronation match at the Dun’s Park with kick-off set at 3pm.

A game between the two under normal circumstances would have produced a lot of fireworks as they chase the bragging rights for their emerging rivalry.

However, Saturday’s game would be one more for celebration as the hosts are crowned champions of the just ended season.

Expected to be in attendance are executive members of the Football Association led by its president, Mr Kurt Okraku, top officials of the club as well as officials from their sponsors.

A similar exercise is expected to take place at Swedru where local side, Swedru All Blacks, will be crowned champions of Zone Two of the Access Bank Division One League on Saturday.

They would take on Soccer Intellectuals in a game expected to thrill their audience and show their preparedness for life in the Premier League.

The Black Magicians, as they are known, secured the title with a game to spare, finishing with 66 points from 30 matches (21 wins, 3 draws, 6 losses).

Meanwhile, Hohoe United were officially crowned champions of the Access Bank DOL Zone 3 after a thrilling 2-1 victory over Home Stars in a coronation match last Saturday at the Hohoe Sports Complex.

All three goals were scored in a pulsating first half exchanges.

The triumph marks a historic milestone for Hohoe United, who have now secured promotion to the Premier League for the first time since their rebranding from Liberty Professionals.

This long-awaited qualifica­tion comes in their third attempt, following the club’s change of ownership and relocation from the capital to Hohoe.

In attendance were GFA presi­dent, Kurt Edwin Simeon-Okraku, Executive Council member Samuel Aboabire, club owner and former Member of Parliament for Hohoe, Mr John Peter Amewu, and revered traditional leader Togbega Gabusu VII.

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