Ghana Sports News

The latest Ghana sports news: the Black Stars, the Ghana Premier League, boxing, athletics, and the stories fans are following. Curated from Ghana's leading newsrooms and updated through the day, newest first.

Highlights from the Sports World: Gabriel Jesus Shines, Ghanaian Referees Recognized, and AFCON Controversy
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Highlights from the Sports World: Gabriel Jesus Shines, Ghanaian Referees Recognized, and AFCON Controversy

In recent sports news, Gabriel Jesus starred in Arsenal's 3-1 victory over Inter Milan in the UEFA Champions League, scoring twice and marking a triumphant return after an 11-month injury layoff. His performance not only secured Arsenal's place in the Champions League last 16 but also ended a 10-game goal drought in the competition. Manager Mikel Arteta praised Jesus for his significant contributions alongside fellow forward Viktor Gyokeres, who also found the net. With this match, Jesus has now scored 26 goals in 53 Champions League appearances, solidifying his status among elite Brazilian scorers. In another notable development, twenty-three Ghanaian referees have been awarded FIFA badges for the 2026 football season, reflecting Ghana’s growing influence in international officiating. The Ghana Football Association (GFA) presented the badges at a ceremony in Accra, which included 10 Centre Referees, 10 Assistant Referees, one Futsal Referee, one Beach Soccer Referee, and one Video Assistant Referee. Daniel Nii Laryea was highlighted for his dual recognition in both centre and VAR roles. GFA officials emphasized the importance of maintaining high standards and integrity as these referees prepare to represent Ghana on the international stage. Conversely, the sports world faced controversy as Algerian influencer Raouf Belkacemi was sentenced to three months in prison for urinating in the stands during the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Rabat. The incident, which sparked public outrage, led to his arrest for violating public decency laws. Belkacemi remains in custody with the right to appeal, and he received a consular visit from the Algerian Consul General while detained. This incident highlights ongoing discussions about public behavior at sporting events and the legal repercussions that can follow.

AFCON 2025 Highlights: Controversies, Final Showdown, and Referee Recognition
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AFCON 2025 Highlights: Controversies, Final Showdown, and Referee Recognition

The Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025 has been a stage for both thrilling football and notable controversies. In a recent incident, Algerian influencer Raouf Belkacemi was sentenced to three months in prison for public indecency after urinating in the stands during Algeria's match against the Democratic Republic of Congo. This act, filmed and shared online, sparked outrage and highlighted the importance of maintaining public decency in sports venues. As the tournament progresses, the focus shifts to the final match where Morocco will face Senegal at Stade Prince Moulay Abdellah. Morocco, aiming to end a 49-year title drought, last won the tournament in 1976, while Senegal, the defending champions, seeks to reinforce its status as Africa's football elite after winning in 2021. Both teams have demonstrated resilience and skill throughout the tournament, making this final a highly anticipated clash. In the backdrop of these events, Ray Quarcoo, a Goodwill Sports Ambassador, has called for improved officiating standards across African sports. He pointed out the decline in officiating quality, particularly during AFCON, urging CAF and FIFA to take measures against poor officiating practices that undermine player and fan confidence. Additionally, 23 Ghanaian referees have been awarded FIFA badges for the 2026 football season, recognizing their potential to officiate international matches. This achievement underscores the importance of maintaining high standards in officiating, as emphasized by GFA officials during the award ceremony. The recognition of these referees comes at a crucial time when the integrity of officiating is under scrutiny in African sports.