Sports
Kotoko Set for Wydad Clash: ‘We’re Ready for Africa,’ Says Zito
Asante Kotoko head coach, Abdul Karim Zito, says his side is fully prepared to take on Moroccan giants Wydad Casablanca in the CAF Confederation Cup. The Porcupine Warriors will host Wydad at the Accra Sports Stadium on Sunday, October 19, 2025, for the first leg of their second preliminary round tie. The return fixture will take place a week later in Morocco.
The overall winner will progress to the group stage — a milestone Zito describes as the team’s minimum target this season.
“We are definitely ready. We’ll put finishing touches to our preparations tomorrow,” Zito told Joy Sports.
“We’ve studied Wydad’s game carefully and implemented what I want the players to do on Sunday. Everyone is focused and ready.”
Kotoko enter this clash in high spirits after eliminating Kwara United of Nigeria in the previous round, winning 4–3 in Ghana and 1–0 away in Abeokuta.
Zito believes that a win in Accra will set the tone for qualification.
“If we beat Wydad here, it means I have another game to plan for in Morocco,” he said.
“The goal is to avoid conceding there, just like we did against Kwara. Our main target is to reach the group stage — that’s what we’re working for.”
The coach emphasized the importance of winning the home leg, using a passionate message to motivate his players.
> “It’s very important to win in Accra,” he said. “I told them, ‘You will not see Africa until you are in Africa.’ I reminded them how Dreams FC made it to the CAF Confederation Cup semi-finals and now all those players have moved on. This is their moment to showcase their talent and make people believe in them.”
Asante Kotoko will be counting on the home crowd’s support when the game kicks off at 3:00 p.m. GMT.
Sports
Coach Salifu praise GFA Boss Kurt Okraku for improving coaching development in Ghana
Head coach of Ghana’s national U-15 team Fatawu Salifu has praised Kurt Okraku for initiatives aimed at strengthening coaching development in the country.
Salifu believes the leadership of the Ghana Football Association has placed strong focus on improving the education and training of coaches at different levels of the game.
He explained that several programmes have been introduced to give coaches more opportunities to upgrade their knowledge and skills.
According to him, these initiatives are helping trainers better guide young footballers across the country.
Salifu noted that in the past many coaches struggled due to a lack of mentorship and limited access to proper training.
However, he believes recent efforts by the football governing body are gradually changing that situation.
The coach pointed to workshops and continuous learning programmes as key steps toward building a more professional coaching environment.
Sports
GFA Boss Kurt Okraku meets Black Queens to appeal for calmness in Camp
Following the events in the Middle East, President Kurt Edwin Simeon-Okraku has met with the Black Queens to appeal for calm. He assured the team that the GFA has, over the last 24 to 48 hours, engaged with all stakeholders, including Ghana’s mission in the United Arab Emirates, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and our Security Advisors, in its quest to find the right solution to the problem.
Meanwhile, Ghana’s Foreign Minister, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa (Hon.), and Sports and Recreation Minister, Kofi Adams (Hon.), have both called to offer the nation’s support to the team during this period.
The GFA respectfully asks everyone to be calm as we monitor the situation. We will keep our stakeholders updated should there be further developments.
The Black Queens have been in the United Arab Emirates for the past week to prepare for the forthcoming Women’s Africa Cup of Nations.
According to reports kpdonline.com is gathering, the team is likely to redraw from the ongoing Pink Ladies Cup following, Tension in the Middle East.
Credit: Ghana FA Communication
Sports
“We are considering to play high profile Friendlies ahead of the World Cup – Sports Minister
Ghana’s Minister of Sports and Recreation, Kofi Adams, has confirmed that Ghana is considering of adding another high profile Friendly game as part of preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
“We are not going there to just go and participate, our intention is to stay there till the last day, reason why we have augmented the technical team, we are in talks to have another high profile Friendly in the coming weeks, talks are ongoing and it will be confirmed soon” Adams told Citi Sports,
The Ghana Football Association (GFA) has added five new faces to the technical team, including French coach Alain Ravera as assistant coach, and performance coach Dwayne Peasah Paa Kwesi.
These appointments aim to enhance Ghana’s competitiveness in the tournament, co-hosted by the USA, Canada, and Mexico.
Ghana has been drawn in Group L alongside Panama, England, and Croatia, and will look to break their best World Cup record, reaching the quarter-finals in South Africa 2010.
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