Malawi put up a spirited performance on Tuesday night to produce one of the biggest upsets in Women's Africa Cup of Nations history, beating defending champions Nigeria 3-2 in their Group C opener.

Led upfront by the Chawinga sisters, the Scorchers overturned the odds at Al Madina Stadium in Rabat to hand the Super Falcons their first-ever WAFCON defeat against a debutant nation.

Temwa Chawinga scored twice, while sister Tabita Chawinga also found the net to inspire Malawi to the delightful victory.

On the matchday, Nigeria enjoyed the largest share of possession during a goalless first half but struggled to break down the Malawi defense.

After the break, Malawi looked more promising and even had a goal disallowed for offside before their eventual breakthrough in the 73^rd minute when Temwa Chawinga finished confidently after being picked out by Ireen Khumalo.

Malawi then doubled their advantage just six minutes later as Tabita Chawinga converted Sabina Thom's pass to leave the defending champions on the brink of defeat.

Nigeria pulled one back in the second minute of stoppage time when captain Rasheedat Ajibade calmly converted a penalty to reduce the deficit.

However, Temwa Chawinga showed composure and class for her second goal a few minutes later to restore her side's two-goal cushion.

Although Uchenna Kanu scored deep into stoppage time to make it 3-2, Nigeria could not complete the comeback and suffered a rare defeat at the end of the 90 minutes.

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Ghana Women's Premier League left-back Hellen Kutsanedzi has completed a move to Tanzanian giants Simba Queens, signing a two-year contract with the club.

The Epiphany Warriors defender makes the switch to East Africa in a deal brokered by AgentVES, marking a significant step in her career as she joins one of the continent's most prominent women's football clubs.

Kutsanedzi has been a key figure for Epiphany Warriors in the Ghana Women's Premier League, featuring prominently for the Southern Zone side. Her performances at left-back have drawn attention, with the defender registering goals and consistent displays for her former club.

Simba Queens, one of Tanzania's top women's football sides, have been active in strengthening their squad as they compete for domestic honours and seek to make an impact on the continental stage. The capture of the Ghanaian left-back adds defensive quality and experience to their ranks.

The transfer was facilitated by AgentVES, who negotiated the two-year agreement that takes Kutsanedzi to East Africa.

The move represents another Ghanaian talent heading to the Tanzanian Women's Premier League, which has increasingly become a destination for players seeking new challenges and exposure.

Kutsanedzi will now look to establish herself at her new club and make an immediate impact as Simba Queens pursue their season objectives.

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Former Asante Kotoko striker Abdul Fatawu Safiu is on the verge of a return to Ghanaian football, with newly promoted Ghana Premier League side Debibi United closing in on his signature.

The 32-year-old forward trained with the club on Tuesday, and a deal is expected to be finalised if ongoing contract negotiations are successfully concluded. For a club making its top-flight debut, landing a player of Safiu's experience would represent a major statement of intent.

Safiu's career has been hampered by serious injury issues in recent years. A knee ligament tear derailed his anticipated return to Asante Kotoko earlier this year, leading to the termination of his contract after medical assessments revealed the extent of the problem. He subsequently underwent successful surgery and has been working towards a full recovery.

Before those setbacks, Safiu was one of Ghana's most feared strikers. He famously top-scored in the 2019 NC Special Competition with 10 goals and earned the Home-Based Player of the Year award at the 2019 Ghana Football Awards.

His 13 goals in 16 appearances during his first Kotoko spell showcased his clinical instincts and continental experience.

The move fits Debibi United's aggressive recruitment strategy as they prepare for life in the top flight. The newly promoted side has already strengthened other areas of the pitch, including the signing of centre-back Kwame Paul from Hohoe United.

For Safiu, the move represents an opportunity to revive his career and prove his long-term fitness. Debibi United offers him a platform to silence critics and demonstrate that his scoring instincts remain intact.

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Bibiani GoldStars have secured the long-term future of their prized goalkeeper Emmanuel Kobi, with the shot-stopper signing a two-year contract extension that will keep him at the club until 2028.

The deal, confirmed exclusively, represents a significant vote of confidence in the 23-year-old custodian, who has been a cornerstone of the Miners' recent success.

His previous contract was set to expire in June 2026, making the extension a timely move by the club to retain one of their key assets.

Kobi has established himself as one of the most reliable goalkeepers in the Ghana Premier League. His performances have not gone unnoticed, earning him the Goalkeeper of the Month award for February, where he kept two clean sheets and conceded just one goal in three victories.

He has also been a consistent nominee for monthly awards, underlining his status as one of the league's top shot-stoppers.

The decision to extend Kobi's contract is part of GoldStars' broader ambition to build a formidable squad capable of competing on multiple fronts. The club strengthened their goalkeeping department with the arrival of Kwadwo Osei Bonsu as a backup, signalling their intent to maintain high standards and competition for places.

The new deal, which runs until 2028, ensures that GoldStars' long-term plans include a proven and talented goalkeeper at their core as they prepare for future domestic and continental challenges.

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Former Meshakhte Tkibuli midfielder Emmanuel Fobi is in advanced talks to join Ghana Premier League champions Medeama SC, with a deal expected to be finalised later this week.

The 21-year-old Ghanaian midfielder has already begun training with the Tarkwa-based club as negotiations progress positively.

Fobi previously featured in Georgia's Erovnuli Liga 2 for Meshakhte Tkibuli, where he made 24 appearances and scored 4 goals during the 2025 season.

The Mauve and Yellows have been active in the transfer market as they prepare for the upcoming season, which includes defending their league title and competing in the CAF Champions League.

Fobi would join a growing list of new arrivals, including midfielder Etse Dogli and attacker Dominic Amponsah.

Should the deal be completed, Fobi is expected to add quality and depth to Medeama's midfield as the club builds a competitive squad capable of challenging on both domestic and continental fronts.

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The Black Queens of Ghana are all set for their clash against Cape Verde at the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) after completing their final training session.

The team led by head coach Kim Lars Bjorkegren has been in Morocco in the last few weeks, finalising their preparations for the tournament.

During that period, the team played three friendly matches, recording wins against Ivory Coast and Mali, and drawing against Tanzania.

With the tournament starting last Sunday, the Black Queens will open their campaign against Cape Verde on Wednesday, July 29, in a Group D clash.

Kim Lars Bjorkegren and his ladies looked sharp and forced in their final training session and will head into the contest full of confidence.

?????: Finishing touches, hello Cape Verde???????? #ShineBlackQueens? #MoreThanAble ????????#TotalEnergiesWAFCON26 pic.twitter.com/l8ojqRkL8B

— Ghana Women National Teams ???????? (@GhanaWNT) July 28, 2026

A win will boost the team’s chances of advancing from the knockout stage. According to the coach, his side aims to go all the way to win the tournament.

“We have three targets. The first is to qualify from the group stage. The second, which is very important, is to reach the semi-finals because that will qualify us for the World Cup. If we achieve that, then we have to go all the way and win WAFCON,” he said in a pre-match interview.

Ghana’s opening match against Cape Verde on Wednesday will kick off at the Moulay Rachid Stadium at 17:00GMT.

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Transfer journalist Ben Jacobs has poured cold water on recent reports linking Ghana midfielder Caleb Yirenkyi with a move to either Chelsea or Strasbourg.

Taking to social media, Jacobs stated that BlueCo—the ownership group behind both clubs—is **not** looking to sign the 20-year-old from FC Nordsjælland this summer, despite strong speculation.

The clarification comes after a flurry of reports suggested Strasbourg had emerged as a leading destination for Yirenkyi, with the player potentially using the Ligue 1 side as a stepping stone before a future move to Chelsea under BlueCo's multi-club model.

Nordsjælland's sporting director had even admitted a sale was a realistic possibility, with the club reportedly holding out for a fee in the region of €25-30 million.

However, according to Jacobs, neither Chelsea nor Strasbourg has registered formal interest in the Ghana international.

Yirenkyi enjoyed a breakout 2025/26 season with the Danish Superliga side, registering two goals and six assists in 34 appearances across all competitions. He was named FC Nordsjælland's Player of the Year and further enhanced his reputation with impressive performances for Ghana at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The versatile midfielder, who can operate in central midfield, right-back, and centre-back, remains under contract with Nordsjælland until 2030 and continues to attract wider interest following his rapid development.

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The setback came to light during Lens’ Como Cup win over Crystal Palace, just days after he had already been forced off against Sporting Charleroi.

The 22-year-old had hoped to use pre-season to build rhythm and confidence, especially after missing stretches of last season through fitness issues. Instead, he is now facing another frustrating pause at exactly the wrong time, when new automatisms were supposed to be forming in the back line.

Lens have not yet issued a detailed official timeline, but the latest update makes it clear that the club will have to manage without him for part of the summer build-up. That is a real concern for the coaching staff, who are still trying to settle their defensive structure before the new campaign starts.

For Baidoo, the priority now is recovery and avoiding any further complications. For Lens, the focus shifts to finding short-term solutions while waiting for one of their young defenders to return to full fitness.

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According to the police, the operation was carried out on Monday, 27 July 2026, at around 5:30 p.m. by the Northern Regional Special Operations Team, known as Red Maria, as part of the Command’s ongoing anti-narcotics efforts in the region.

How the arrests unfolded

Police say the first suspect, identified as Godwin Yamegi, 32, was arrested with two parcels of the suspected substance. Under interrogation, he named Seth Amekuse, 33, as his alleged supplier. Acting on that information, the team traced Amekuse to his residence, also at Katariga, where a search of his room recovered a further 168 parcels — bringing the total haul to 170 parcels.

Both men remain in police custody assisting investigations. The police statement indicates they will be arraigned once investigations conclude, though no charges have yet been filed and none were specified in the statement.

Status of evidence.

The recovered items have been described by police only as “suspected” Indian hemp; they have been handed to the Regional Drugs Law Enforcement Unit (RDLEU) for further investigation and forensic processing. Their composition has not yet been independently confirmed by laboratory analysis, according to the information provided.

Police appeal

The Command used the statement to renew its call for public cooperation, encouraging residents to report drug-related and other criminal activity at their nearest police station, and reiterated its stated commitment to pursuing individuals involved in drug trafficking and distribution in the region.

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Addressing the graduation ceremony of Hoffnung Academy at Okwenya-Somanya in the Yilo Krobo Municipality, the MCE expressed concern over what he described as the growing misconception among some young people that academic excellence, political advancement and professional success could only be attained through spiritual manipulation.

He cautioned the students against embracing such beliefs, insisting that they were misleading and could divert them from the values of diligence and perseverance that underpin lasting success.

“I am a politician and let me tell you this, let no one deceive you that you need extra power before you succeed. It is a falsehood. God is the ultimate,” Akumatey Addo declared to loud applause.

According to the MCE, every remarkable achievement begins with a dream or vision, but translating that vision into reality requires determination, sacrifice and an unwavering commitment to one’s goals.

He noted that the path to success is rarely smooth, as individuals often encounter setbacks, criticism, and discouragement, sometimes even from family members and close associates. However, he encouraged the graduating students not to allow such obstacles to derail their aspirations.

Akumatey Addo urged the pupils to remain steadfast in their academic pursuits, obey their parents and teachers, and cultivate virtues such as honesty, humility and respect, which he said would serve as the foundation for responsible adulthood.

He assured them that with faith in God, dedication to their studies and a strong moral character, they would be well positioned to excel in their chosen careers and make meaningful contributions to national development.

The MCE also congratulated the graduating class for successfully completing another important stage of their educational journey and encouraged them to approach the next phase of their lives with confidence and determination.

He further commended the management, teaching, and non-teaching staff of Hoffnung Academy for their unwavering commitment to providing quality education and nurturing children to become disciplined, responsible and productive citizens.

Akumatey Addo observed that the role of educational institutions extends beyond academic instruction, noting that schools must also shape the moral character and leadership qualities of young people if Ghana is to produce a generation capable of driving sustainable national development.

The colorful graduation ceremony brought together parents, guardians, traditional leaders, education stakeholders, and invited guests, who joined the school community to celebrate the achievements of the graduating students and reaffirm their commitment to supporting quality education in the municipality.

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Ghana’s Minister for Sports and Recreation, Kofi Adams, has rallied behind the Black Queens ahead of their opening match at the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) on Wednesday.

The Queens are set to lock horns with their Group D opponent tomorrow in what promises to be a tricky fixture.

In a message to the Black Queens ahead of the Cape Verde match, Kofi Adams encouraged the players to give their best and make Ghana proud.

"Go out there and make Ghana proud,” the Sports Minister said.

Meanwhile, head coach Kim Lars Bjorkegren has assured Ghanaians that the Queens are ready to fight for the country.

He is confident that the team has what it takes to win the WAFCON this year.

“We have three targets. The first is to qualify from the group stage. The second, which is very important, is to reach the semi-finals because that will qualify us for the World Cup. If we achieve that, then we have to go all the way and win WAFCON,” he said in a pre-match interview.

Ghana’s opening match against Cape Verde on Wednesday will kick off at the Moulay Rachid Stadium at 17:00GMT.

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Ghana midfielder Abu Francis made his long-awaited return to the pitch over the weekend, playing his first competitive minutes since November 2025 in Toulouse's friendly victory over Rodez.

The 25-year-old had been sidelined for 253 days after suffering a devastating double fracture to his tibia and fibula during Ghana's friendly against Japan on November 14, 2025.

The horrific injury, which occurred when he attempted to block a shot from Ao Tanaka, left his foot twisted backwards and required immediate surgery in Japan.

Francis entered the match at the start of the second half against Rodez, playing the full 45 minutes in a defensive midfield role alongside Mario Sauer. While he naturally lacked some rhythm after such a long absence, Toulouse coach Jens Berthel Askou was encouraged by what he saw.

Francis had been recalled to the Toulouse squad late last season but did not feature in matches against Lyon and Nantes. The friendly against Rodez marked his first real test, and the club now views him almost as a new signing after barely seeing his potential following his €2 million move from Cercle Brugge in summer 2025 .

Though he missed the 2026 World Cup – which Toulouse had initially ruled him out of just days after the injury – the midfielder now looks ready to build towards the new season.

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