Accra, October 2, 2026 — Ghana’s Parliamentary Select Committee on Youth and Sports is preparing to engage the Ghana Football Association (GFA) and the Ministry of Sports and Recreation over the Black Stars’ difficult start to the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign.

Committee Chairman Ernest Henry Norgbey said the committee intends to invite the two institutions to explain what is behind the national team’s recent performances. He said the committee has not yet conducted its own investigation but wants to establish what is happening within Ghana football.

Parliament to Seek Answers Over Black Stars’ Struggles Ghana’s Parliamentary Select Committee on Youth and Sports is preparing to engage football authorities over the Black Stars’ recent results.

Back-to-back defeats raise questions

The planned parliamentary engagement follows Ghana’s opening two defeats in Group C of the 2027 AFCON qualifiers.

The Black Stars lost 2–0 to Côte d’Ivoire in Bouaké before suffering a 4–2 defeat to The Gambia in Accra, despite taking a two-goal lead in the second match. The results left Ghana without a point from its opening two fixtures.

The results have renewed discussion about the technical management of the team, player selection, preparations and the wider administration of Ghana football.

Norgbey told Akoma FM that the committee wants the GFA and the Sports Minister to provide explanations on the situation.

“We plan to invite the GFA, the Minister, purposely and specifically to interrogate what actually is happening to Ghana football, especially when it comes to the Black Stars.”

Black Stars Face Fresh Questions After Difficult AFCON Start. Ghana’s national team has lost its opening two matches of the 2027 AFCON qualifying campaign.

Parliament committee has investigative mandate

The parliamentary committee’s role extends beyond discussing the Black Stars’ performances. According to Parliament’s official description, the Select Committee on Youth and Sports is responsible for matters relating to youth and sports and has authority to investigate and inquire into the activities and administration of ministries, departments and agencies under its mandate.

The committee is therefore expected to use the engagement to seek information from the institutions involved in the management and oversight of Ghana football.

GFA Leadership Set for Parliamentary Engagement. The Ghana Football Association is expected to provide explanations about the national team’s recent performances.

Restructuring discussion enters the debate

Norgbey has also raised the possibility of major restructuring within Ghana football, including the prospect of government intervention in the GFA.

However, he clarified that he was not making an immediate call for the dissolution of the GFA. His position, as reported, is that the committee should first understand the circumstances surrounding the Black Stars before considering possible measures.

The comments have come amid broader calls for greater scrutiny of Ghana football. The Sports Writers Association of Ghana has separately called on GFA leadership to address what it described as declining fortunes in Ghana football.

GFA and Ministry expected to face questions

The forthcoming engagement could place the focus on several areas, including national-team preparation, technical management, player selection, football development and the relationship between the GFA and the Sports Ministry.

The GFA and Sports Ministry have previously worked together on Black Stars programmes. In May 2026, the two institutions jointly participated in a national thanksgiving service following Ghana’s qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The parliamentary discussions will now take place against a markedly different backdrop, with the Black Stars facing questions about their start to the 2027 AFCON qualifying campaign.

For the moment, the committee has indicated that its priority is to obtain explanations and establish the facts before determining what further action may be appropriate.

October 2, 2026 | Football

Lionel Messi has expanded his involvement in Spanish football by completing the acquisition of CD Eldense, making the Spanish second-tier club his second football investment in the country this year.

The announcement was made by Eldense on October 1, with the club describing the takeover as the beginning of a new chapter in its more than 100-year history. The transaction remains subject to the required authorisation from Spain’s Higher Sports Council (CSD).

From Barcelona star to club owner

The acquisition adds another dimension to Messi’s relationship with Spanish football. The Argentine spent the majority of his European playing career at Barcelona before moving to Paris Saint-Germain and later Inter Miami.

In April 2026, Messi acquired Spanish lower-league club UE Cornellà, which competes several levels below Eldense. The purchase of Eldense therefore represents his move into ownership of a professional club competing in Spain’s second division.

Messi agreed to acquire the shares held by Colombian investment group TH Soluciones Group S.A.S., which had been Eldense’s majority shareholder. Financial details of the transaction have not been publicly disclosed.

Eldense enters a new era

Founded in 1921, CD Eldense is based in Elda in Spain’s Alicante province. The club has described Messi’s arrival as part of a long-term project aimed at developing its sporting, institutional and social structures.

The club said the objective is to strengthen its position in professional football while maintaining its local identity and connection with supporters.

Eldense currently competes in LaLiga Hypermotion, Spain’s second tier. Its opening seven league matches of the 2026–27 campaign produced one victory, two draws and four defeats, leaving the club in 19th position in the 22-team division at the time of the announcement.

Regulatory approval still required

Although Eldense has officially announced Messi as its new owner, the transaction is not completely free of regulatory requirements.

The club stated that the acquisition remains subject to the mandatory authorisation of Spain’s Higher Sports Council under the country’s Sports Law. The regulatory issue is particularly relevant because Messi already owns another Spanish football club, Cornellà.

For now, the takeover gives Messi a growing presence in Spanish club football, with interests spanning both the professional and lower tiers of the country’s football pyramid.

What comes next for Eldense?

The immediate focus will be on the club’s sporting campaign and the implementation of the new ownership’s plans.

Eldense has said its new project is intended to promote long-term sporting, institutional and social development. The club’s next scheduled league fixture is against Real Oviedo on October 2 at the Nuevo Pepico Amat.

Messi’s second Spanish club investment therefore begins with a mixture of new ownership ambitions, regulatory requirements and the challenge of competing in Spain’s second division.

Accra, Ghana — October 2, 2026

Yaw Ampofo Ankrah is no longer serving as Director-General of Ghana’s National Sports Authority (NSA), following a government decision that comes as an investigation continues into allegations surrounding an alleged visa facilitation arrangement linked to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Reports on October 1 said President John Dramani Mahama had asked Ampofo Ankrah to step aside. The Ghana News Agency subsequently reported that he had been relieved of his duties, while MyJoyOnline described the decision as a suspension.

Professor Emmanuel Osei Sarpong has been appointed Acting Director-General of the NSA. He is an Associate Professor of Physical Education and Sports at the University of Education, Winneba.

Visa allegations trigger investigation

The leadership change comes against the backdrop of allegations concerning payments reportedly collected from people seeking assistance with travel and visa arrangements connected to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

According to reports, the amount involved was approximately US$623,000, while some prospective travellers were allegedly charged as much as US$8,000.

The allegations prompted an investigation by Ghanaian law-enforcement authorities, with Ampofo Ankrah and others connected to the matter reportedly questioned by investigators. Ampofo Ankrah has denied the allegations.

The allegations remain allegations and have not, by themselves, established criminal wrongdoing.

NSA denies authorising visa operation

The National Sports Authority has rejected suggestions that it officially operated or authorised a visa facilitation service for people travelling to the World Cup.

In a statement reported by the Ghana News Agency, the NSA said its legal team was cooperating with the police investigation and maintained that the authority had not authorised the collection of money for visa-related services.

The authority’s position is significant because one of the central questions in the investigation is whether any official NSA structure or personnel authorised or participated in the alleged arrangement.

Ampofo Ankrah maintains his position

Ampofo Ankrah has previously denied knowledge of an arrangement involving the collection of money from prospective World Cup travellers.

Following his removal, he also spoke publicly about the decision, saying he was disappointed that he had not been given an opportunity to fully explain his side of the matter.

His lawyer has separately disputed reports that the case is being handled by the Bureau of National Investigations, saying the matter is being investigated by the Economic Crime Unit at Ghana Police Service Headquarters.

New leadership takes over

Professor Emmanuel Osei Sarpong now assumes the acting leadership of the NSA as the authority faces questions over its administration and the handling of the visa-related allegations.

The change also follows President Mahama’s earlier decision in September to dissolve the NSA’s governing board. GNA reported that a new board is expected to be constituted.

For the moment, the focus remains on the ongoing investigation and the questions surrounding the alleged payments, who received them, what services were promised, and whether any public institution or officials were involved.

The investigation will ultimately have to establish the facts behind the allegations.

Accra, Ghana – October 2, 2026

Carlos Queiroz has ended his latest spell as head coach of Ghana’s senior national team after the Portuguese coach and the Ghana Football Association (GFA) mutually agreed to terminate his contract.

The decision follows Ghana’s difficult opening to the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign, with the Black Stars suffering consecutive defeats to Côte d’Ivoire and Gambia. Ghana lost 2–0 away to Côte d’Ivoire before a 4–2 home defeat against Gambia at the Accra Sports Stadium.

In a farewell statement, Queiroz thanked the GFA, his technical team, the players and Ghanaian supporters for their backing during his time in charge.

“I leave with respect, gratitude and pride.”

Queiroz said he had arrived with the intention of helping build a stronger future for the Black Stars and supporting the development of Ghanaian talent. He added that the circumstances surrounding the team, together with recent performances, contributed to the decision to bring the working relationship to an end.

A brief but eventful Ghana tenure

Queiroz’s 2026 tenure came in two separate spells. He initially took charge in April and led Ghana at the 2026 FIFA World Cup before leaving the position after the tournament. He was subsequently brought back before the latest AFCON qualifying matches.

At the World Cup, Ghana recorded a 1–0 victory over Panama and drew 0–0 with England before losing 2–1 to Croatia. The Black Stars then exited the tournament following a 1–0 defeat to Colombia in the Round of 32.

The subsequent AFCON qualifying defeats, however, brought renewed pressure around the team.

Queiroz praises Black Stars players

Despite his departure, Queiroz used his farewell message to defend the Ghana squad and encourage supporters to continue backing the players.

He thanked the team for representing Ghana and said the players had shown commitment while carrying the expectations of supporters.

The former coach also argued that the squad possesses significant talent and potential, while stressing the importance of unity, support and an appropriate working environment.

GFA begins search for a new coach

Queiroz’s departure leaves the GFA with the task of finding another head coach as Ghana prepares for the remaining matches in its 2027 AFCON qualifying campaign.

The GFA confirmed that the separation was reached by mutual agreement and said the decision was taken following discussions between both parties.

For Ghana, attention now turns to the next phase of the Black Stars’ campaign and the appointment of a new technical leader.

Queiroz ended his farewell message by placing Ghanaian football above his personal departure, thanking supporters for their warmth and expressing his continued respect for the country.