Sports

Black Queens coach eyes team’s revival

Published

3 weeks ago

February 19, 2025

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

Sports

Kurt E.S Okraku elected CAF Executive Committee member

Published

3 days ago

March 12, 2025

Net News Ghana

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

Published

4 days ago

March 11, 2025

Net News Ghana

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.

Sports

Kurt Okraku, Mark Addo, Prosper Addo attend 14th CAF Extraordinary General Assembly in Cairo

Published

5 days ago

March 10, 2025

Net News Ghana

President Kurt Edwin Simeon-Okraku has led a three-man Ghanaian delegation to the 14th Extraordinary General Assembly of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) in Cairo, Egypt.

The President, who has arrived in Cairo, is being accompanied by Vice-President Mark Addo and General Secretary Prosper Harrison Addo Esq.

The GFA boss will CAF chair Zonal meeting of WAFU B on Monday morning as part of several engagements lined up prior to the Extraordinary General Assembly, scheduled for Wednesday March 12. In attendance will be CAF President, Dr. Patrice Motsepe and General Secretary Véron Mosengo-Omba.

GFA Vice-President Mark Addo and General Secretary Prosper Harrison Addo will also attend the zonal meeting.

After the CAF Zonal Union meetings, it will be followed by a friendly matches featuring CAF officials and African football legends this evening.

The CAF Executive Committee (EXCO) will hold a meeting to discuss progress and the future of African football on Tuesday March 11, 2025 before the Extraordinary General Assembly officially takes place on Wednesday March 12, 2025, which will be concluded with an official press conference in the afternoon by CAF President, Dr. Motsepe.

Key African football leaders, including presidents of CAF’s 54 Member Associations and its six Zonal Unions, as well as senior international football stakeholders, are attending the three-day event, starting today March 10, 2025.

The 14th CAF Extraordinary General Assembly will be held in Cairo on Wednesday, 12 March 2025, at the Marriott Mena House.

The event will start at 10h00 Cairo Time (08h00 GMT).