Ghana's Black Satellites completed their preparations for the 2026 WAFU B U-20 Championship with a 2-1 comeback victory over Semper Fi in a friendly match at the Accra Sports Stadium on Thursday.

After falling behind in the opening half, the Black Satellites responded with determination in the second period, producing an encouraging performance that earned them victory in their final warm-up fixture.

The match provided Maxwell Konadu and his technical team with one last opportunity to assess the squad under competitive conditions while fine-tuning the players' fitness and tactical organisation ahead of the regional tournament.

The occasion was further boosted by the presence of Ghana Football Association (GFA) president Kurt Edwin Simeon-Okraku, who attended the match and met the players after the final whistle.

The GFA boss, after the match, encouraged the team to represent Ghana with pride and urged them to give their best as they prepare for another important qualification campaign.

The Black Satellites are scheduled to travel to Yamoussoukro on Friday for the start of the WAFU B U-20 Championship.

Ghana have been drawn into a challenging Group B, where they will begin their campaign against regional rivals Nigeria before facing Burkina Faso and Togo in what is considered one of the tournament's toughest groups.

The competition also serves as the qualifying tournament for the 2027 TotalEnergies CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations in Ghana.

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The Group of Copenhagen, an independent international network that monitors sports manipulation under the Council of Europe's Macolin Convention, flagged several incidents during the tournament.

Among the irregularities were the red card shown to South Africa's Themba Zwane in the 84th minute of the opening match against Mexico, over $4.8 million (£3.6m) being placed on Spain not to defeat Cape Verde before their 0-0 draw, and a three-and-a-half-minute VAR delay that ruled out Ferran Torres' goal for Spain against Saudi Arabia.

The report also highlighted a market opened by prediction platform Polymarket on July 2 asking, "Will Folarin Balogun play against Belgium?" – the same day the US forward was sent off against Bosnia and Herzegovina. No similar markets were opened for any of the other 14 players shown red cards during the tournament.

FIFA's Integrity Task Force, which included experts from the FBI and Interpol, concluded on Tuesday that "no suspicious betting activity or indications of match manipulation in connection with any fixture" had been identified across the tournament's 104 matches. The governing body confirmed it had found no evidence that sports betting influenced any World Cup matches.

However, the Group of Copenhagen's findings, released just one day later, present a direct challenge to FIFA's position. The group, which is an independent member of FIFA's Integrity Task Force, said it has sent a formal request for written explanation to FIFA regarding the Balogun case.

Christian Kalb, a gambling industry expert who has worked with the Group of Copenhagen, told The Athletic that the yellow alerts do not necessarily confirm match manipulation, noting that "the volume of betting at the World Cup is enormous, and every match represents billions of pounds, which makes drawing definitive conclusions difficult".

The Council of Europe has released a summary of the findings, though the full report has not yet been published. The investigation is ongoing, with authorities examining whether any matches were deliberately manipulated for betting purposes.

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In an interview with Flashscore, De Sa revealed that head coach Carlos Queiroz had identified the opening fixture as the most important game of the group stage, even describing it as the team's "cup final."

"We always regarded the opening game against Panama as our cup final. In a group also containing England and Croatia, it was the game we felt we had to win to have a successful World Cup," De Sa said.

The win, secured by a late Caleb Yirenkyi strike, was not a classic performance, but it was exactly what the team needed.

"It was a gritty and determined one," De Sa recalled. "That result relieved some pressure and gave us the belief that we could qualify for the second round, which was our main objective."

The victory was particularly significant given the circumstances. De Sa and Queiroz had inherited a squad that had lost six consecutive matches, with morale at a low ebb. The preparation time was minimal, and injuries had robbed the team of key players, including both first-choice centre-backs and Mohammed Kudus.

Despite those challenges, the players delivered when it mattered most. De Sa praised their character and humility, noting that the victory over Panama proved to be the turning point.

"It was wonderful to experience how willing they were to work, learn and give 100% every day," he said.

Ghana went on to hold England to a goalless draw before exiting in the Round of 32 to Colombia. But for De Sa, the Panama win remained the defining moment – the result that transformed a struggling team into one that could compete on the world stage.

"Considering the players we had available and the limited preparation time, I felt it was a satisfactory performance overall," he concluded.

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"Their humility stood out. I would not say it surprised me, but it was wonderful to experience how willing they were to work, learn and give 100% every day," De Sa told Flashscore.

"That included players of massive stature who have already enjoyed great careers, as well as the younger players coming through. Sometimes the better the player, the better the personality."

De Sa and head coach Carlos Queiroz inherited a squad that had lost six consecutive matches, with morale at a low ebb. The preparation time was minimal, with De Sa embarking on a frantic four-week tour of Europe, visiting 24 cities to scout players as Queiroz recovered from a medical procedure.

Despite the challenges, including the loss of key players like Mohammed Kudus and both first-choice centre-backs, the squad's attitude never wavered.

"It was another great chapter in my career," De Sa reflected, describing his time with the Black Stars. Ghana ultimately progressed from the group stage before exiting in the Round of 32, a campaign De Sa deemed "satisfactory" given the circumstances.

For the South African coach, however, the lasting memory of the team was not just their performance, but their character.

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The battle for the inaugural 2026 X1 Division One League (DOL) Super Cup has taken shape after the group-stage draw paired eight of Ghana's top-performing Division One clubs ahead of the tournament in Obuasi.

Following a meeting involving the Ghana Football Association's competitions department, the DOL Super Cup Committee and representatives of the participating clubs, the teams were split into two groups of four for the competition, which will be staged at the Len Clay Stadium.

Group A features Debibi United FC, Port City FC, Cape Coast Ebusua Dwarfs FC and Attram De Visser FC, setting up several intriguing contests between established sides and ambitious challengers looking to build momentum before the new Division One League season.

Group B is equally competitive, with FC AshantiGold 04, Tamale City FC, Semper Fi FC and Nsuopon Fidelity FC battling for two places in the semi-finals after strong qualifying campaigns.

The Super Cup brings together the leading clubs from the three Division One League zones alongside the two best third-placed teams, offering an ideal opportunity for coaches to assess their squads and integrate new signings before the league campaign begins.

This year's edition also ushers in a new chapter through the Ghana Football Association's five-year partnership with X1 Energy Drink as headline sponsor.

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In an interview with Flashscore, De Sa opened up about the frantic preparation, the injury crisis, and the satisfaction of guiding the Black Stars past the group stage.

"It was another great chapter in my career," De Sa said.

When De Sa and Queiroz took over, Ghana had lost six consecutive matches. With only 10 days to work with the squad, De Sa embarked on a four-week scouting mission across Europe, visiting 24 cities.

"I visited about 24 cities in four weeks, which involved some crazy travelling," he revealed.

The selection process was complicated by injuries to key players, including both centre-backs and Mohammed Kudus.

"You could travel to another city to watch a player, take your seat in the stadium and then find that he was on the bench," De Sa added.

Ghana opened with a gritty 1-0 win over Panama, which De Sa described as the team's "cup final". They then held England to a goalless draw before falling to Croatia and Colombia.

"If VAR had not gone for coffee, we probably would have received a penalty. I think even Stevie Wonder would have given it," he joked about the England game.

Ghana exited in the Round of 32 after a 1-0 defeat to Colombia, but De Sa believes the campaign was a success.

"Considering the players we had available and the limited preparation time, I felt it was a satisfactory performance overall," he concluded.

The 54-year-old has been linked with the vacant Orlando Pirates head coach position, but his immediate future remains uncertain after gaining valuable World Cup experience with Ghana.

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According to a report in Bild, teams including Sunderland and Nottingham Forest have already informed Leverkusen of their desire to explore a transfer for the 22-year-old.

A move could happen quickly. The report suggests a departure before Leverkusen’s training camp begins on August 1 is entirely possible, provided an acceptable offer arrives. Bayer are said to be open to a sale in principle, as long as their valuation is met. Internally, the Bundesliga club are thought to be looking for around 25 million euros, more than double the 10 million they paid AZ Alkmaar to sign Poku last summer.

Poku initially made a promising impression in his debut campaign, but his role diminished as the season progressed. Towards the end of 2025/26 he was no longer a regular starter and often had to settle for appearances as a substitute, which may now make a high-value sale easier for all parties.

With Leverkusen’s squad evolving and new signings arriving, the club must decide whether to cash in on his potential or keep backing him to find consistency.

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Finance Minister, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, says Ghana’s economic recovery has been driven by a deliberate programme of reforms implemented by the Mahama administration since assuming office in January 2025.

Presenting the 2026 Mid-Year Budget Review in Parliament today, he said the reforms have strengthened public financial management, restored fiscal credibility, improved revenue mobilization, reduced fiscal risks, and reinforced macroeconomic stability.

“These reforms – fiscal correction, tax modernisation and complementary fiscal policies – have enabled government to achieve its targets,” he told Parliament.

Focus on Fiscal Discipline and Debt

Dr. Forson explained that the objective was to take control of public finances, introduce new expenditure discipline and place public debt on a sustainable path.

He added that the reforms helped eliminate wasteful spending that had weakened fiscal management over the years.

Key Results

According to the Minister, key achievements include a 5.5% reduction in primary expenditure, a 2.5% primary balance surplus and a debt-to-GDP ratio target of 4.45% achieved ahead of schedule.

On revenue, he said tax modernisation led to the abolishment of nuisance taxes and improved compliance, resulting in a 0.5% increase in non-oil tax revenue.

Macroeconomic Gains

Dr. Forson also noted that fiscal policy has helped stabilize inflation at 5.4% and improved GDP growth to 6.0% in 2025.

He assured Parliament that government remains committed to sustaining the reform agenda to protect gains made and support growth, jobs and economic transformation.

By Florence Adom Asamoah

In an interview with Flashscore, De Sa revealed the frantic preparation that went into Ghana's campaign. When he and Queiroz took over, the team had lost six consecutive matches.

"We had only about 10 days with the team. I visited about 24 cities in four weeks, which involved some crazy travelling," De Sa said.

The selection process was made even harder by injuries to key players, including both centre-backs, Mohammed Kudus and a midfielder.

"You could travel to another city to watch a player, take your seat in the stadium and then find that he was on the bench," he added.

Ghana opened with a 1-0 win over Panama, which De Sa described as the team's "cup final." They then held England to a goalless draw before falling to Croatia and Colombia.

*"We earned a draw and could perhaps have won the game. If VAR had not gone for coffee, we probably would have received a penalty. I think even Stevie Wonder would have given it," De Sa said.

Despite the 1-0 defeat to Colombia in the Round of 32, De Sa believes the campaign was a success.

"Considering the players we had available and the limited preparation time, I felt it was a satisfactory performance overall."

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The policy was launched in April 2026 and formed part of disclosures made by the Finance Minister, Cassiel Ato Forson during the 2026 Mid-Year Fiscal Policy Review in Parliament today.

Equipment And Logistics Deployed

According to the minster, the government has distributed more than 24,000 pieces of medical equipment to health facilities nationwide to strengthen diagnostic, emergency, maternal and neonatal care services.

To reach communities with poor road networks, the Ministry of Health he said, has also deployed motorbikes, tricycles and mobile outreach equipment aimed at improving healthcare delivery in hard-to-reach areas.

Expanded Screening and New Health Posts

Mr. Ato Forson further noted that community screening for hypertension, diabetes, cancers and other non-communicable diseases has been expanded.

“Government is also establishing health kiosks and container-based health posts, while upgrading existing primary healthcare facilities in selected districts,” he said.

The interventions are expected to bring basic health services closer to residents in rural and peri-urban communities who previously struggled to access care.

Policy Focus

The sector minister said the Free Primary Healthcare Policy is central to the government’s agenda of “Resetting for Growth, Jobs, and Economic

Transformation.”

The first phase focusing on 150 districts is expected to serve as the foundation for a nationwide rollout in subsequent years.

Health experts have welcomed the initial steps, but say sustained funding, staffing and maintenance of equipment will be critical to the policy’s success.

A Daily Guide Report

According to the Bank of Ghana, the new initiative dubbed ‘Monetary Policy Committee Educational Observership  Programme (MPC-EOP)’ forms part of  the bank’s commitment  to expose students of economics  and finance professionals  to the  rigorous  analytical processes that informs decisions  on the Monetary policy Rate and communication process.

The programme is also expected to help students and the general public move beyond learning   monetary policy solely through theory by allowing them to observe how economic evidence is assembled, analysed and discussed before the committee reaches a policy decision.

The students were first introduced to the country’s policy framework, the role of the Monetary Policy Committee beforeobserving the technical presentations that form the foundation of the committee’s deliberations.

Officials of Bank of Ghana also presented detailed assessments of Ghana’s macroeconomic conditions, inflation trends, global economic developments, the external sector, financial markets, agriculture among others.

The presentations demonstrated the depth of analysis that underpins monetary policy decisions and highlighted the wide range of economic indicators considered by the committee.

One of the students said that before participating in the programme, there had been a common misconception that the Governor alone decided the Monetary Policy Rate but said that assumption changed after observing the meetings.

“One misconception that has changed completely is the fact that every time we see the Governor on the news announcing the policy rate, we assumed he had made that decision on his own.What we have observed shows that the decision is the result of thorough analysis, careful discussion and contributions from many experts. It has given as an opportunity to practicalise what we are learning “

Speaking during the opening session of the 131st Monetary Policy Committee Meetings (MPC), Dr. Johnson Pandit Asiama described the initiative as an important step in the Bank’s commitment to transparency and public engagement.

“Monetary policy is most effective when it is understood, trusted, and supported by the public. Through this initiative, we seek to demystify the monetary policy process by providing students with practical exposure to the analytical work, technical discussions and communication processes that underpin the Committee’s decisions.”

“By opening aspects of that process to students, the Bank of Ghana is not only strengthening transparency, but also inspiring the next generation of economists to better understand the institution responsible for maintaining price stability and supporting the country’s economic development”.he added

Dr. Asiama said the programme forms part of the Bank’s broader efforts to strengthen policy credibility while building stronger linkages between academia and public policy institutions.

Following the MPC meetings Governor engaged the students and faculty members in a special post-MPC discussion toexplain the policy decision in simple, practical terms, providing a unique perspective on how central bank communication translates complex economic decisions in a manner that is easily   understood by the public.

Faculty members accompanying the students welcomed the initiative and described it as an important bridge between academic learning and public policy practice as it providedstudents with practical insights that complement classroom instruction while exposing them to the analytical discipline required in central banking.

The participants who commended the Bank of Ghana for the initiative appealed to the central bank to expand the programme to other tertiary Institutions across the country to promote economic literacy, strengthen understanding of monetary policy issues among potential economists, researchers among others.

By Ebenezer K. Amponsah

Presenting the 2026 Mid-Year Budget Review in Parliament on Thursday, July 23, Dr Forson said the expenditure formed part of government's approved spending to support Ghana's campaign at the global tournament.

"To support Ghana's participation in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, an amount of GH¢58 million has been paid," the Finance Minister told Parliament.

Dr Forson said the disclosure was made in the spirit of transparency and accountability, as government provided a breakdown of expenditure on key programmes and sectors approved under the 2026 Budget.

"In the spirit of transparency and accountability, allow me to lay before this House a clear account of some of the expenditure we have made so far in support of government programmes and sectors approved in the 2026 Budget," he added.

The Black Stars, under veteran Portuguese coach Carlos Queiroz, exceeded expectations at the tournament by advancing from the group stage for the first time since 2010 before exiting in the newly introduced Round of 32.

Ghana finished 24th overall at the expanded 48-team FIFA World Cup, marking the country's return to the global stage after qualifying for the tournament in North America.

The campaign included a historic goalless draw against England and a 1-0 victory over Panama, showcasing the team's potential under Queiroz's leadership.

With the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers on the horizon, the government's investment in the World Cup campaign is expected to provide a foundation for future success. The Black Stars will aim to build on their World Cup momentum as they prepare for upcoming international assignments.

The GH¢58 million expenditure covers various aspects of Ghana's participation, including team preparation, logistics, and operational costs during the tournament.

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Salim Musah has caught the eye during Werder Bremen’s summer training camp in Zell am Ziller, with head coach Daniel Thioune impressed by his performances.

The youngster’s strong showing has strengthened his case for increased playing time when the new Bundesliga season gets underway.

After Werder’s 2-0 friendly win over Japanese side Fagiano Okayama, Thioune singled out the 20-year-old striker for his impact off the bench.

“Salim is an exciting player. He came on against Okayama, immediately held the ball up, asserted himself and got into shooting positions,” the coach told local outlet Deichstube, highlighting Musah’s physical presence and confidence in the final third. Last season, the forward broke through late on, making eight Bundesliga appearances and scoring once, and Thioune now believes he is ready for a more consistent role.

“Compared to last season, Salim is closer to getting more Bundesliga minutes,” Thioune said, stressing that the youngster’s development is far from finished and that he expects Musah to be on the pitch more often in the future.

His transition from youth to senior football has been smoother than expected, particularly in duels with experienced, physically strong defenders, and he also showed more creativity and swagger against Okayama. Werder are still searching the market for a starting-calibre striker, meaning Musah will have to fight for his minutes, but his current trajectory is promising.

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Ragnar Ache is set to make his long-awaited return for FC Koln in their second pre-season friendly as he continues his recovery from injury.

The match will mark an important milestone for the striker as he works his way back to full fitness.

After a 5-0 opening win over Rheinsud Koln, the Billy Goats now face regional side SV Bergisch Gladbach 09 on Thursday evening, with Ache named in the starting XI.

The striker was deliberately rested for the first friendly as Koln manage his workload carefully following last season’s problems. This game is therefore seen as a controlled progression back towards full match fitness rather than a complete return to normal duty.

Head coach Rene Wagner has already moved to dampen expectations about Ache’s playing time, stressing that the forward will be eased in. “Reggie will be involved, but a bit shorter than the other players, around half an hour,” Wagner explained via Geissblog, underlining the club’s cautious plan for their key attacker.

The measured approach stems from Ache’s recent injury history. In the closing phase of last season he suffered a muscle fibre tear in his thigh, ruling him out of Koln’s final four Bundesliga matches. With that setback still fresh, the club are determined to bring him back step by step so he can build towards a top season without risking a relapse.

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Ghanaian youngster Joseph Opoku has expressed his readiness to give everything to his new club, Swansea City.

The exciting attacker signed for the English Championship side on Thursday, July 23, after agreeing a four-year deal.

Speaking in his first interview, Joseph Opoku assured supporters that he will fight to score a lot of goals and provide many assists for Swansea City.

"I hope to get a lot of goals and assists. I think I can help the team and I think the team can help me to get the best out of myself this season,” Opoku said as quoted by swanseacity.com.

In his interview, the Ghanaian described his move as a special moment in his career, indicating that he is ready for the next chapter of his career.

"It's such a special moment for me and my family. You play football for these moments, so I was so excited. I think I’m strong, powerful, a goalscorer and can get a lot of assists.

"I think as a player you have to challenge yourself. I think it will be tough, but we will find a way as a team,” he said.

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Doris Boaduwaa bagged a hat-trick on Thursday night as the Black Queens of Ghana defeated Malawi 4-0 in a friendly match ahead of the 2026 TotalEnergies Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON).

The encounter staged in Casablanca, Morocco, is the final friendly for the Queens before the start of WAFCON 2026 on Saturday, July 25.

On the matchday, the Black Queens had a bright start to the contest and equalised in the first 10 minutes.

Striker Doris Boaduwaa was presented with a chance in the 8^th minute and found the back of the net with a fine effort to give her side the lead.

She then netted her second of the day in the 37^th minute to take the game away from the Malawians before the halftime break.

Two minutes after recess, Boaduwaa was on hand for her third goal, completing a stunning hat-trick to inspire the Black Queens to a confidence-boosting victory in their final warm-up match.

The other Black Queens goal was a composed finish from Sharon Sampson in the 74^th minute after a good team move.

The win means Ghana heads to WAFCON 2026 without a defeat in their friendly matches. Before the Malawi match, Coach Kim Lars Bjorkogeren and his Queens had already defeated Ivory Coast and drawn goalless with Tanzania in their previous outings.

At WAFCON 2026, Ghana will compete in Group D alongside Cameroon, Mali, and Cape Verde.

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Hungarian top-flight club Ujpest FC have completed the signing of highly-rated Ghanaian youngster Prince Manu Balladom from Benab FC, adding another promising talent from Ghana to their ranks.

The 18-year-old, who was born in Sunyani on September 4, 2007, arrives at the Budapest-based club after an impressive rise through the ranks in Ghana and a brief development spell in Turkey.

Balladom made a name for himself with Benab during the 2024/25 Ghana Second Division campaign, where he produced remarkable numbers by scoring 19 goals in just 16 matches despite primarily operating as a centre-forward.

His performances earned him an opportunity to continue his development with Turkish side Goztepe's U20 team in 2025.

After returning to Benab earlier this summer, the talented youngster quickly attracted the attention of Ujpest, who have now secured his signature.

The Hungarian club believes Balladom possesses the qualities needed to make an impact in the future.

Standing at an imposing 194 centimetres, he combines his physical presence with pace, athleticism and technical ability.

Ujpest described him as an explosive player with excellent acceleration, confidence on the ball with both feet and a strong eye for goal, qualities that could make him a constant threat in the final third.

Although naturally deployed as a centre-forward, Balladom's versatility and physical attributes have made him one of Ghana's exciting young prospects.

He has already represented Ghana at U20 level, making two appearances for the Black Satellites.

His move to Ujpest represents another important step in his promising career and offers him the opportunity to continue his development in European football.

Balladom will now look to settle quickly in Hungary and fight for opportunities as he aims to establish himself at one of the country's most historic clubs while continuing his progress on the international stage with Ghana's youth national teams.

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