Theophilus Akugre Ghanaian assistant referee Theophilus Akugre has been appointed to officiate at the 2026 WAFU Zone B U20 Championship in Ivory Coast, adding another milestone to his growing refereeing career. …
… Algeria, Cape Verde, Democratic Republic of Congo, Egypt, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Morocco, Senegal and South Africa all progressed from their groups, while Tunisia were the only African side to exit in the group stage. …
Ghana’s informal cross-border trade with its three neighbouring countries (Togo, Burkina Faso, Ivory Coast) reached GH¢31 billion across the first three quarters of 2025, surpassing the GH¢20.1 billion recorded through formal trade channels over the same period. …
Below-average rainfall in Ivory Coast’s cocoa-growing regions helped dry the damp soil last week, but more sunny spells are needed to boost the September-to-February main crop, farmers said on Monday. …
… Letting vital leads slip also cost the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ivory Coast, and Senegal, who were 2-0 up with five minutes to go against Belgium but lost in extra time. …
… Norway had not competed at a World Cup since 1998, but have reached the final eight for the first time after finishing second in Group I before beating Ivory Coast and Brazil in the knockout stage. …
Ivorian cocoa traders, cooperatives and buying agents are struggling to use a new national traceability system introduced ahead of January 2027 EU rules banning imports of commodities grown on recently deforested land. The system requires all cocoa purchases from September 1, 2026 to use an electronic producer card, and problems with implementation could slow purchases and deliveries at the start of the 2026/27 season.
Ivorian cocoa traders, cooperatives and buying agents are struggling to use a new national traceability system introduced ahead of January 2027 EU rules banning imports of commodities grown on recently deforested land. The system requires all cocoa purchases from September 1, 2026 to use an electronic producer card, and problems with implementation could slow purchases and deliveries at the start of the 2026/27 season.
The Bono East Regional Minister Francis Owusu Antwi has inspected the ongoing Techiman 24-hour economy model market project and expressed satisfaction with the pace and quality of construction work, just over three months after contractors took over the site. He said the rehabilitation would improve businesses, spur socio-economic growth, create job opportunities, and attract investment to the region.
Former Black Stars forward Nii Odartey Lamptey has expressed disappointment with Ghana's performance under Portuguese coach Carlos Queiroz, saying the current team compares unfavourably to previous World Cup squads and noting that the Black Stars scored just two goals in four competitive matches.
Uber has shut down its operations in Nigeria and Uganda, citing a thorough business review. The move follows long-running complaints from Nigerian drivers about low app prices and high commission charges, as well as pressure from rival platforms; Uber says it remains committed to sub-Saharan Africa, where Egypt, Ghana, Kenya and South Africa are now its only operating markets.
The Accra Sports Stadium will not host competitive football matches until Ghana's 2027 AFCON qualifier against The Gambia on September 27, 2026, according to the National Sports Authority Director General. The closure allows renovation and maintenance works to meet Confederation of African Football standards, affecting clubs including Hearts of Oak who planned to use it as their home ground for the 2026/27 Ghana Premier League season.
The Accra Sports Stadium will remain closed for competitive football until Ghana's 2027 AFCON qualifier against The Gambia, the National Sports Authority director general has confirmed. Ghana Premier League clubs will need to find alternative venues for the upcoming 2026/27 season as the NSA works to ensure the facility meets CAF standards.
Ghana midfielder Thomas Partey picked up a knock for Al-Shabab that ruled him out of Sunday's 1-1 draw with Al Hazem. Ghana's technical team will monitor his recovery ahead of the September AFCON qualifiers against Ivory Coast and The Gambia.
Ghana Football Association President Kurt Okraku says the Black Stars will have a new head coach before the 2027 AFCON Qualifiers in September 2027, following Carlos Queiroz's departure. Okraku stated the replacement coach is "99% in place" and the parties are finalizing paperwork.
Ivory Coast's Coffee and Cocoa Council and exporters say a delayed 2026/27 main cocoa crop could cause congestion at Abidjan and San Pedro ports in November and December as shippers rush ahead of stricter European Union deforestation rules taking effect year-end. The delay is attributed to difficult weather, insufficient farm maintenance, and the strength of the mid-crop.
James Agalga, the incoming Majority Leader, has backed an early parliamentary probe into Ghana Gold Board operations, saying it will address concerns raised by the Minority. He said Parliament could use either an ad hoc committee or the Public Accounts Committee, and that key documents including an Auditor-General's report and IMF report already contain answers to questions about GoldBod.
Incoming Majority Leader James Agalga has defended the government's domestic gold purchase strategy, arguing that the Ghana Gold Board has played a key role in achieving economic gains in reserves, currency stability and inflation. Agalga said existing reports from the Auditor-General, IMF, and agreements between the Precious Minerals Marketing Company and Bank of Ghana already address questions raised by the Minority about the programme's operations and losses.
Ghanaian entrepreneur Adnan Saani, who reaches 2.7 million followers across social media platforms, has urged content creators to treat their work as a profession and invest in skills rather than chasing attention alone. He argues that social media only pays when matched with professional development, saying "attention is the door" but creators must build something of value behind it.
Nottingham Forest have completed the signing of Ivory Coast international Ousmane Diomande from Sporting for £34 million on a four-year contract. The 22-year-old centre-back, who has 15 caps for Ivory Coast and made 132 appearances for Sporting, is expected to fit into head coach Oliver Glasner's 3-5-2 system.
Black Stars forward Kamaldeen Sulemana suffered a second-degree tear to the medial collateral ligament in his left knee during Atalanta's pre-season friendly and is expected to miss the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers beginning in September.
Ghana's women's football team lost 2-1 to Malawi in a 2026 WAFCON quarterfinal, eliminating them from automatic qualification for the 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup. Head coach Kim Lars Björkegren described it as the most painful moment of his 20-year coaching career.
Algeria, Morocco, Cameroon and Malawi have qualified for the 2027 Women's World Cup in Brazil by reaching the semi-finals of the Women's Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco. Four quarter-final losers—Ghana, Ivory Coast, Nigeria and South Africa—can still qualify through intercontinental play-offs in November and December.
Real Madrid have signed 19-year-old Ivorian winger Yan Diomande from RB Leipzig for a fee worth up to £120m on a seven-year contract. If the full fee is paid, Diomande would become the fourth most expensive player in history and the most expensive African player.
Real Madrid have signed 19-year-old Yan Diomande from RB Leipzig on a seven-year contract. According to ESPN, Madrid will pay €125 million plus up to €15 million in bonuses, potentially making it a record transfer for the club.
Brazil winger Vinicius Jr has agreed a new six-year contract with Real Madrid keeping him at the club until 30 June 2032, ending speculation over a potential move to Arsenal.
Real Madrid have signed 19-year-old Ivory Coast winger Yan Diomande from RB Leipzig for a fee worth up to £120m on a seven-year contract. If the full amount is paid, Diomande would become the most expensive African player and the fourth most expensive player in history.
Medeama SC's Communications Director says the club is not scared of facing five-time CAF Champions League winners TP Mazembe in the preliminary round, with the first leg scheduled for September 4–6, 2026 at TnA Stadium. The Ghana Premier League champions aim to reach the group stage as a stepping stone to winning the competition for the first time.
Ghana's Supreme Court ruled that limiting political party primaries to delegates is unconstitutional, requiring parties to expand participation to all members in good standing. The ruling creates an opportunity to reform Ghana's political finance architecture and address the escalating cost of politics, with parties given one year to amend their constitutions.
COCOBOD projects a 16% decline in Ghana's cocoa production for the 2026–2027 season, citing El Niño conditions, excessive rain, the cocoa tree's natural bearing cycle, and disease. The Western and Western North regions, which account for more than half of Ghana's output, face additional pressure from swollen shoot disease, ageing farms, and illegal gold mining.
South Africa's Banyana Banyana were defeated 2-1 by Tanzania in their Group B opener at WAFCON Morocco 2026 in Casablanca on Monday, despite dominating play and missing several chances. The loss puts South Africa on the back foot ahead of matches against Ivory Coast and Burkina Faso, with the tournament serving as a qualifier for the 2027 Women's World Cup in Brazil.
The 19-year-old African winger Yan Diomande is signing with Real Madrid for more than £100m, making him a record sale for RB Leipzig, a record signing for Real Madrid, and the most expensive African player in history. His rise has been rapid — less than 18 months ago he was largely unknown before playing for Leganes and then Leipzig.
Real Madrid have reached agreement on personal terms with 19-year-old Ivory Coast international Yan Diomande after Paris Saint-Germain withdrew from negotiations. Real Madrid are expected to pay more than £100 million to secure the winger from RB Leipzig.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino told critics to "meditate, pray or watch a football match" instead of spreading criticism about his leadership and the World Cup. He claimed FIFA delivered the "greatest event on earth" and praised the 2026 tournament's safety and unity, including Iran's participation, contradicting accounts from Iran's head coach who said his team were the "most oppressed" at the World Cup.
RB Leipzig winger Yan Diomande, a 19-year-old Ivory Coast international, has agreed personal terms with Real Madrid after PSG withdrew their interest. Real will pay more than £100m for the player, whose contract is modelled on Jude Bellingham's terms with performance incentives.
An analysis argues that Ghana's 2,090 km land borders cannot be realistically patrolled by conventional means and must embrace drone technology for security, citing documented use of kamikaze drones by jihadist groups including JNIM and Islamic State affiliates across the Sahel and increasingly near Ghana's borders with Togo, Ivory Coast, and Benin.
Tophic Abdul Kadir, senior manager in charge of communications, has been appointed media officer for the 2026 WAFU Zone B U20 Championship in Ivory Coast from July 26 to August 10. This is his fourth media appointment at a WAFU Zone B flagship tournament.