Sports
Ghana Moves Up FIFA Rankings, Maintains Lead in World Cup Qualifying Group
Ghana’s Black Stars have moved up one spot in the latest FIFA World Rankings, rising from 76th to 75th after their September outings in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.
Otto Addo’s men secured a hard-fought 1-1 draw against Chad before edging Mali 1-0 at the Accra Sports Stadium. The results not only strengthened Ghana’s grip on top spot in Group I but also gave the team a slight boost on the global stage.
On the continent, however, the Black Stars’ position remains unchanged, with the four-time African champions still sitting 14th in Africa.
Coach Addo welcomed the progress but stressed the need for consistency. “The elephant in the room is always consistency, but we have shown resilience, and I believe we can improve further,” he said after the win over Mali.
Ghana currently lead Group I with 19 points from eight games, three clear of Madagascar in second place, while Comoros are third on 15 points. Mali, once tipped as Ghana’s main challengers, have slipped down the table with 12 points.
The Black Stars will complete their 2025 fixtures in October with back-to-back encounters against the Central African Republic and Comoros—matches that could prove decisive in their quest for a fifth World Cup appearance since their 2006 debut in Germany.
Globally, Spain returned to the summit of the FIFA rankings for the first time since 2014, replacing Argentina, who dropped to third after losing to Ecuador. France climbed to second, while England and Portugal rounded out the top five. Morocco remain Africa’s top-ranked side at 11th.
The next FIFA rankings will be published in October, with November’s release expected to influence seedings for the World Cup draw scheduled for December 5 in Washington.
Ghanaian International Brandon Thomas-Asante continued his fine form for Coventry City during their resounding victory over Swansea City in the English Championship on Saturday.
The Black Stars attacker saw 62 minutes of action as Coventry City romped to a commanding 3-0 away win in the Matchday 39 fixture at the Swansea.com Stadium.
Thomas-Asante shot Coventry City shot ahead with a smooth penalty kick in the 32nd minute.
Coventry City doubled the tally six minutes after Thomas-Asante’s goal when England international Matt Grimes scored in the 38th minute, making life difficult for Swansea City.
Thomas-Asante in Ghana squad for two friendlies
The visitors continued their onslaught when Japanese forward Tatsuhiro Sakamoto added a third goal before the break to effectively put the game beyond Swansea City.
Coventry City comfortably saw out the game to claim all three points and strengthen their position on top of the league standings with 80 points, nine points better than second placed Middlesbrough from 39 games.
Thomas-Asante has now scored 12 goals and four assists in 27 Championship appearances.
His contributions for Coventry City could pave a way for his inclusion into the Ghana squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
He made Otto Addo’s squad for Ghana’s two international friendlies against Austria and Germany this month
The CAF Appeal Board decided that in application of Article 84 of the Regulations of the CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), the Senegal National Team is declared to have forfeited the Final Match of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Morocco 2025 (“the Match”), with the result of the Match being recorded as 3–0 in favor of the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF).
The Confédération Africaine de Football (“CAF”) Appeal Board decided today that in application of Article 84 of the Regulations of the CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), the Senegal National Team is declared to have forfeited the Final Match of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Morocco 2025 (“the Match”), with the result of the Match being recorded as 3–0 in favor of the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF).
On the appeal by the FRMF regarding the application of Articles 82 and 84 of the Regulations of the CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), the CAF Appeal Board made the following rulings:
The appeal lodged by the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF) is declared admissible in form, and the appeal is upheld.
The CAF Disciplinary Board decision is set aside.
The CAF Appeal Board further finds that the conduct of the Senegal team falls within the scope of Articles 82 and 84 of the Regulations of the Africa Cup of Nations.
The protest lodged by the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF) is upheld.
It is declared that the Fédération Sénégalaise de Football (FSF), through the conduct of its team, infringed Article 82 of the Regulations of the Africa Cup of Nations.
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In application of Article 84 of the Regulations of the Africa Cup of Nations, the Senegal team is declared to have forfeited the match, with the result recorded as 3–0 in favor of the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF).
All other motions or prayers for relief are dismissed.”
The CAF Appeal Board also ruled that:
“The appeal lodged in respect of Mr. Ismaël Saibari (Player No. 11 of the Morocco National Team) is partially upheld.
The CAF Appeal Board confirms the finding that Mr. Ismaël Saibari (Player No. 11 of the Morocco National Team) committed misconduct in violation of Articles 82 and 83(1) of the CAF Disciplinary Code.
The sanction imposed on Mr. Ismaël Saibari (Player No. 11 of the Morocco National Team) is amended to a suspension of two (2) official CAF matches, of which one (1) match is suspended.
The fine of USD 100,000 imposed on Mr. Ismaël Saibari (Player No. 11 of the Morocco National Team) is set aside.
The appeal lodged in respect of the ball boys incident is partially upheld.
The CAF Appeal Board confirms the finding that the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF) is responsible for the conduct of the ball boys during the aforementioned match.
The fine imposed on the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF) in respect of the ball boys incident is reduced to USD 50,000.
The appeal lodged in respect of the interference around the OFR/VAR review area is dismissed.
The fine of USD 100,000 imposed on the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF) in respect of the interference around the OFR/VAR review area is confirmed.
The appeal lodged in respect of the laser incident is partially upheld.
The fine imposed on the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF) in respect of the laser incident is reduced to USD 10,000.
Sports
Coach Otto Addo announces Black Stars squad ahead of Austria, Germany International Friendlies
Otto Addo has named Ghana’s squad for this month’s international friendlies against Austria national football team and Germany national football team.
Ghana will be playing two friendlies as part of Preparations towards the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup in USA,Canada and Mexico.
Squad Breakdown
Goalkeepers:
Lawrence Ati-Zigi (St. Gallen)
Benjamin Asare (Accra Hearts of Oak)
Joseph Anang (St. Patrick’s Athletic)
Defenders:
Patrick Pfeiffer (SV Darmstadt)
Derrick Luckassen (Pafos FC)
Derrick Kohn (Union Berlin)
Jerome Opoku (Istanbul Basaksehir)
Caleb Yirenkyi (FC Nordsjaelland)
Kojo Oppoong Pepprah (OGC Nice)
Jonas Adjetey (VFL Wolfsburg)
Marvin Senaya (Auxerre)
Alexander Djiku (Spartak Moscow)
Gideon Mensah (Auxerre)
Midfielders:
Thomas Partey (Villarreal)
Elisha Owusu (Auxerre)
Ibrahim Sulemana (Cagliari)
Kwasi Sibo (Real Oviedo)
Forwards/Wingers:
Brandon Thomas Asante (Coventry City)
Jordan Ayew (Leicester City)
Prince Adu (Viktoria Plzen)
Christopher Bonsu Baah (Al Qadsiah)
Abdul Fatawu Issahaku (Leicester City)
Inaki Williams (Athletic Bilbao)
Antoine Semenyo (Manchester City)
Kamal Deen Sulemana (Atalanta)
Daniel Agyei (Kocalispor)
Exciting line-up with a mix of experienced stars like Thomas Partey and Jordan Ayew, plus young talents ready to make their mark.
Ghana found themselves in group L alongside Panama England and Croatia in the FIFA World Cup group.
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