By Angel No Lie | KPD Online | September 30, 2026

Black Stars head coach Carlos Queiroz says he would be willing to resign if his departure would genuinely help resolve Ghana’s football problems, but he does not believe his resignation alone would address the wider challenges facing the country’s football.

Carlos Queiroz faces questions over his future as Ghana coach

Queiroz made the comments after Ghana suffered a 4–2 defeat to The Gambia at the Accra Sports Stadium in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers. The result came after Ghana surrendered a two-goal advantage and left the Black Stars without a point from their opening two Group C matches.

Responding to questions about his future after the defeat, Queiroz said: “If my resignation will be the solution for Ghana football, I’d be the first one to resign.” He added that the decision over his position should be left to the Ghana Football Association.

The Portuguese coach was brought back by the GFA in September after initially leaving the position following Ghana’s 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign. The GFA said his continuation followed consultations with the Ministry of Sports and Recreation.

Carlos Queiroz faces questions over his future as Ghana coach

Pressure grows after consecutive defeats

Ghana began the 2027 AFCON qualifying campaign with a 2–0 defeat to Côte d’Ivoire in Bouaké before suffering the 4–2 loss to The Gambia in Accra. The Black Stars are therefore yet to record a point in Group C, which also includes Somalia.

The latest result has intensified questions surrounding the team’s coaching setup and preparations for the remaining qualifiers.

Queiroz, however, has maintained that removing the coach should not automatically be viewed as a solution to Ghana’s broader football difficulties.

His comments come less than a month after the GFA confirmed that he would continue as Black Stars coach. The decision followed his World Cup campaign, during which Ghana reached the Round of 32 before losing 1–0 to Colombia.

Queiroz watches on as Ghana’s AFCON campaign faces early pressure

A difficult AFCON qualification campaign

Ghana missed the 2025 AFCON and is now attempting to secure qualification for the 2027 tournament, which will be hosted by Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania.

Before the qualifying campaign began, Queiroz described the AFCON as an important step toward rebuilding the Black Stars and preparing the team for the 2030 World Cup.

The immediate challenge is now to recover points in the remaining Group C fixtures while the GFA considers the team’s performance and the coach’s position.

For now, Queiroz has left the decision over his future with the federation, while insisting that his departure should not be presented as the sole answer to Ghana’s football problems.

By KPD News Online | September 30, 2026

Morocco have cancelled their planned international friendly against Ghana, which had been scheduled for October 4, 2026, at the Grand Stade de Tanger in Tangier.

The cancellation comes shortly after Ghana’s disappointing start to the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign, including a 4–2 defeat to The Gambia in Accra on September 29. The result followed Ghana’s earlier defeat to Côte d’Ivoire in Bouaké.

Black Stars face another setback after Morocco friendly is cancelled

The Ghana Football Association has confirmed that the friendly will no longer take place. However, the GFA has not publicly stated the reason for the cancellation. Henry Asante, the association’s communications director, confirmed to Moroccan outlet Hesport that Ghana had informed the Royal Moroccan Football Federation that the match was cancelled and thanked the Moroccan side for its understanding.

Reports published before the formal confirmation had linked the cancellation to an internal dispute involving outstanding financial payments to Ghana players. Those reports also suggested that some players were unwilling to travel to Morocco. The claim has not been publicly confirmed by the GFA, which has declined to give details on the reason for the cancellation.

Morocco’s Atlas Lions prepare for another international challenge

The Morocco friendly had originally been included in Ghana’s international window after the Black Stars’ AFCON qualifiers against Côte d’Ivoire and The Gambia. CAF had confirmed the October 4 fixture as part of Ghana’s schedule, with Carlos Queiroz expected to use the match to assess his squad against one of Africa’s leading national teams.

For Morocco, the cancellation means the Atlas Lions will now have to consider alternative arrangements for the October international window. Morocco had already begun its own 2027 AFCON qualifying campaign, with the team scheduled to face Gabon and Lesotho during the opening rounds.

Carlos Queiroz faces fresh questions after Ghana’s AFCON qualifying defeats

Ghana’s immediate attention now turns to the consequences of the difficult opening round of AFCON qualifying. The Black Stars have suffered defeats against both Côte d’Ivoire and The Gambia, leaving the team facing pressure to recover in the remaining matches of the qualification campaign.

Coach Carlos Queiroz had previously acknowledged concerns over player availability and squad continuity, saying frequent changes had made it difficult to establish a settled national-team core.

The cancellation therefore removes what was expected to be another competitive test for Queiroz as he continues rebuilding the Black Stars squad.

By Angel No Lie | KPD Online | Sports | 28 September 2026

Asante Kotoko have ended their association with South African coach Eric Tinkler, with the club confirming that he has been released from his contract with immediate effect.

The announcement came on Monday, 28 September 2026, one day after Kotoko suffered a 2–0 home defeat to Aduana FC at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium in a Ghana Premier League Matchday 4 fixture.

Tinkler’s Kotoko chapter ends after four league matches

Tinkler leaves after four league matches

Tinkler was appointed Kotoko’s head coach in July 2026 as the club prepared for the 2026/27 campaign. The club’s announcement at the time highlighted his CAF A Licence, more than three decades of elite football experience and previous work with clubs including Orlando Pirates, SuperSport United, Cape Town City and Maritzburg United.

His tenure at Kotoko lasted only four league matches. According to 3News, his record consisted of one victory, two draws and one defeat.

His first league victory came against Heart of Lions on 13 September, when Kotoko won 2–1.

Asante Kotoko players at Baba Yara Sports Stadium

Club cites personal reasons

Reports on the club’s statement say Tinkler requested to be released from his duties for personal reasons. The Board of Directors said discussions were held in an attempt to prevent the separation, but both sides ultimately agreed to respect his decision.

The departure therefore follows a relatively short coaching period rather than an announcement that he had been dismissed specifically because of Sunday’s defeat.

The Porcupine Warriors face another coaching transition

What happens next?

Kotoko are now faced with a coaching transition early in the new Ghana Premier League season.

The club has indicated that its technical structure will continue working toward the team’s sporting objectives while plans for the next phase of the coaching setup are developed.

Kotoko’s next league fixture is against Karela United, with the match scheduled for Thursday at Baba Yara Stadium. Tinkler will not be on the touchline for that game.

A short chapter comes to an end

Tinkler arrived in Kumasi with substantial experience in South African and continental football. At the time of his appointment, Kotoko described him as a coach with extensive top-flight experience and a distinguished playing career, while Tinkler said he was looking forward to building a team capable of competing domestically and internationally.

Less than three months later, that project has ended.

The immediate focus for Asante Kotoko will now be maintaining continuity within the team while the club determines its next coaching arrangement.

By Angel No Lie | KPD Online | September 28, 2026

UYO, Nigeria — Nigeria’s Super Eagles began their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying campaign with a 2–1 comeback victory over Madagascar at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo on Friday.

Madagascar took an early lead, but Nigeria recovered through debutant George Ilenikhena just before half-time before another debutant, Moses Usor, completed the turnaround in the second half.

Madagascar strike first

Nigeria started the match looking to control possession and create early opportunities, but Madagascar produced the opening goal in the 16th minute.

Ehsan Kari headed Madagascar ahead after the visitors worked a short-corner routine and created space inside the Nigerian penalty area. The goal forced the hosts to chase the game in front of their home supporters.

Nigeria appeared to have equalised earlier through Alex Iwobi, but the effort was ruled out after Akor Adams was penalised for a foul on Madagascar goalkeeper Geordan Dupire.

Ilenikhena restores parity

Nigeria eventually found its breakthrough in first-half stoppage time.

George Ilenikhena, making his senior international debut, connected with a pass from Alex Iwobi before finding the net to make it 1–1 at the interval.

The equaliser changed the atmosphere inside the stadium and gave Nigeria a renewed opportunity to take control of the match after a difficult opening period.

Usor completes the comeback

Nigeria continued to apply pressure after the restart and eventually moved in front in the 65th minute.

Moses Usor, another player making his Nigeria debut, received the ball on the right, drove forward and cut inside before firing a low shot into the net.

The goal put Nigeria ahead 2–1 and completed the comeback.

Three points for Chelle’s side

The victory gives Nigeria three points from their opening Group L fixture.

Head coach Éric Chelle subsequently explained that Nigeria had to adjust its approach after Madagascar adopted a compact defensive shape, making it difficult for the Super Eagles to penetrate through the centre.

The result also came with Nigeria missing striker Victor Osimhen, who was unavailable because of injury.

Madagascar’s defeat means Nigeria avoided dropping points at home in the opening match of a qualifying campaign that includes Guinea-Bissau and Tanzania in Group L. Guinea-Bissau began its campaign with a 2–0 victory over Tanzania.

Next challenge: Guinea-Bissau

Nigeria’s qualifying campaign continues on Tuesday, September 29, when the Super Eagles travel to face Guinea-Bissau.

Guinea-Bissau also collected three points in its opening fixture, making the upcoming encounter an important early Group L meeting.

For Nigeria, the comeback in Uyo provides a winning beginning to the road toward AFCON 2027, but the team will now have to carry that momentum into an away fixture against a Guinea-Bissau side that also started its campaign with a victory.

By Angel No Lie | KPD Online | September 28, 2026

LONDON — England manager Thomas Tuchel has acknowledged that Manchester City’s latest financial-rule verdict may have been discussed by players connected to the club, but he rejected the suggestion that the controversy was a factor in England’s 3-2 defeat by Spain at Wembley.

The match came only a day after Manchester City were found guilty of breaking the majority of the Premier League financial rules brought against them. The timing immediately raised questions about whether the verdict had affected the concentration of City-linked players in the England squad.

Thomas Tuchel watches from the England touchline during the defeat to Spain

Costly mistakes at Wembley

England produced an attacking performance that at times troubled the European and world champions, but defensive errors proved decisive.

Marc Guehi was dispossessed by Lamine Yamal near the England penalty area, allowing the Spain forward to open the scoring. England recovered through goals from Anthony Gordon and Harry Kane before Spain eventually turned the game around.

Nico O’Reilly, another Manchester City player, subsequently made an error deep inside England’s half that contributed to Spain’s equaliser.

Former City midfielder Rodri, now with Barcelona, was also involved in a crucial incident when his challenge on Jude Bellingham resulted in an England penalty. Kane struck the crossbar from the spot. Spain later completed the comeback.

Nico O’Reilly under pressure during England’s Nations League clash with Spain

What happened with Manchester City?

The Premier League’s long-running case against City concerns more than 100 alleged breaches covering areas including financial reporting, player and manager remuneration, profitability and sustainability rules, and cooperation with the league’s investigation.

An independent panel has now found the club guilty on almost all of the charges, according to reporting by the Guardian and BBC Sport. Manchester City has maintained its position that the process is ongoing and is expected to appeal.

Potential sanctions have yet to be announced. Reported possibilities under the Premier League’s rules include financial penalties and sporting sanctions, although the eventual punishment will depend on the formal process.

Lamine Yamal capitalises on Marc Guehi’s mistake at Wembley

Harry Kane’s missed penalty proves costly for England

The timing makes the story difficult to ignore

There is an obvious coincidence in the sequence of events: the verdict became public on Friday, England played Spain on Saturday, and several players with Manchester City connections were involved in incidents that contributed to the defeat.

That does not, by itself, establish that the legal controversy caused the mistakes.

Guehi, O’Reilly and Rodri were playing an exceptionally high-pressure international match against Spain, while Kane’s missed penalty and Spain’s attacking quality were also significant elements of the result. Tuchel himself pointed to areas England could improve rather than attributing the defeat to the City situation.

The defeat therefore leaves two separate questions: how England respond tactically to Spain’s performance, and how Manchester City’s players deal with the continuing consequences of the club’s financial case.

Thomas Tuchel prepares England for the next Nations League challenge

England players react after Spain’s 3-2 victory at Wembley

Manchester City faces the consequences of the Premier League financial verdict

England turn attention to Nations League campaign

Tuchel now has to prepare England for the next matches in the Nations League. The focus will be on correcting the defensive mistakes that contributed to the Spain defeat while retaining the attacking qualities England displayed at Wembley.

For the Manchester City-linked players, meanwhile, the situation remains complicated by the unresolved consequences of the Premier League verdict.

Whether the financial case affected England’s performance cannot be established from the match alone. What is clear is that the timing of the verdict, the errors made by several players with City connections and England’s defeat created a storyline that will continue to attract scrutiny.