‘Don’t expect much’: Kwadwo Asamoah issues sobering World Cup warning

Former Ghana international Kwadwo Asamoah has urged the nation to temper its expectations ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America.

The Black Stars are set to make their fifth appearance at the global showpiece following a gruelling qualification campaign that saw them finish at the summit of Group I, amassing 25 points from 10 matches. tbzikra.com

Ghana Secures Fifth FIFA World Cup Berth

In the buildup to the tournament, Ghana appointed veteran Portuguese tactician Carlos Queiroz to succeed Otto Addo. Asamoah believes the former Real Madrid and Iran manager faces a monumental task in a very limited timeframe.

“From my experience, building a cohesive team requires significant time. Even with our current national setup, I don’t think we have a settled starting eleven. Back in the day, you could easily name seven players who were guaranteed to start,” Asamoah told 3Sports.

“Now, it feels like a completely new team with a different squad for every window. With another new coach coming in just months before the World Cup, the challenge is immense.

“It won’t be easy for him, especially since the players he requires for the tournament are currently occupied with their respective clubs. The only window he will have to work with the entire squad will be a mere two-week preparation period just before the World Cup kicks off.

“Honestly, I am not expecting a great deal, though I am certainly hoping for the best. Ghana has historically been a favourite at the World Cup due to our past performances, but the current reality is different.”

The Case for Local Talent by Kwadwo Asamoah

Amidst growing public calls for the inclusion of home-based players in the final squad, Kwadwo Asamoah threw his weight behind the sentiment.

“If we can properly consider and develop our domestic divisions, we can definitely source talent from the local leagues to represent the nation. Given the current state of the Black Stars and our overall football development, I believe Ghana should be able to integrate more local players into the national team setup.”

A Legacy in Italy

Asamoah famously shared the pitch with legendary figures such as Andrea Pirlo, Giorgio Chiellini, and Gianluigi Buffon during his illustrious stint in the Italian Serie A with Juventus. He reflects on those years as a distinct honour.

“It was a privilege to play alongside icons like Buffon, Pirlo, and Chiellini. It was an incredible experience for me. Juventus became a family to me, as did Udinese, Inter, and Cagliari.”

Asamoah’s journey to the top began when he moved to Italy at age 19 from Ghana’s Liberty Professionals, initially joining Bellinzona with a loan spell at Torino before signing permanently with Udinese.

He joined the Italian giants, Juventus, four years later, where he enjoyed a trophy-laden six-season spell, clinching six consecutive Serie A titles and four successive Coppa Italia trophies. The 74-cap Ghana veteran later moved to Inter Milan for two seasons before eventually drawing the curtains on his decorated career at Cagliari.

For the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Ghana has been drawn into a challenging Group L alongside England, Croatia, and Panama. The tournament will be co-hosted by Mexico, Canada, and the USA.

Junior Springboks head coach Kevin Foote has made several rotational changes to his matchday squad ahead of South Africa’s second-round U20 Rugby Championship encounter against Australia at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Sunday, 3 May.

The highly anticipated clash kicks off at 16:10 and will be broadcast live on SuperSport, following the earlier fixture between New Zealand and Argentina at 14:00.

New Zealand vs Argentina

South Africa vs Australia

Tickets, from only R35, are still available.

After an impressive opening-round performance against Argentina, Foote has opted for a handful of tactical adjustments.

In the forward pack, Wasi Vyambwera replaces Thomas Beling at blindside flanker as the only starting change among the forwards.

The backline sees Khuthadzo Rasivhaga come in on the left wing for Lindsey Jansen, while Akahluwa Boqwana takes over at fullback in place of Alzeadon Felix.

On the bench, Luan van der Berg replaces injured Kai Pratt, Gert Kemp slots in as loose forward cover for Risima Khosa, and Jade Muller fills the outside back reserve role.

Areas requiring improvement

Foote said the team used the week to review their victory over Argentina while identifying areas requiring improvement.

“We had a really good review of our performance against Argentina and, while we are very pleased with the result and the way the players performed on defence and attack for long periods of the match, there are obviously aspects of our game that need improvement,” said Foote.

“Our focus is playing the full 80 minutes and ensuring that we stay on our game model to meet what will be a huge challenge against an Australian side that is well coached and who boasts strong skill sets across the park.”

The Junior Boks will once again enjoy home support in Gqeberha after more than 10,000 spectators attended last week’s opening round.

Electric atmosphere

Foote praised the passionate Eastern Cape crowd and expects another electric atmosphere.

“The support we received against Argentina last week was absolutely fantastic, and we are excited to be playing in front of the passionate Eastern Cape rugby fans once again,” he said.

Australia enters the fixture after showcasing their attacking capabilities against New Zealand, setting up what promises to be a fierce contest between two rugby powerhouses.

With momentum on their side and home support behind them, the Junior Springboks will be aiming to secure another statement victory in their championship campaign.

Junior Springboks team to face Australia

15 ⁠Akahluwa Boqwana, 14 ⁠Jack Benade, 13 ⁠Samuel Badenhorst, 12 ⁠Ethan Adams, 11⁠ Khuthadzo Rasivhaga, 10 ⁠Yaqeen Ahmed, 9 ⁠Hendré Schoeman, 8⁠ Kebotile Maake, 7⁠ Wasi Vyambwera, 6 ⁠Luke Canon, 5 ⁠Riley Norton (captain), 4⁠ Heinrich Theron, 3 ⁠Danie Kruger, 2 ⁠Liam van Wyk, 1 Rambo Kubheka

Replacements: 16 ⁠Mahle Sithole, 17 ⁠Oliver Reid, 18 Luan van der Berg, 19 ⁠JD Hattingh, 20 ⁠Gert Kemp, 21 ⁠Jayden Brits, 22 ⁠Vusi Moyo, 23 ⁠Jade Muller

An Orlando Pirates star may be heading for the exit door as his contract winds down, with his agent already searching for a new club.

The Buccaneers are preparing for a decisive upcoming transfer window, with changes expected across the squad.

Meanwhile, speculation regarding the future of defender Bandile Shandu has seemingly been settled.

His agent, Mike Makaab, has confirmed that they have begun exploring options elsewhere.

ORLANDO PIRATES DEFENDER SET TO DEPART?

Bandile Shandu is set to leave Orlando Pirates at the end of the season.

Limited game time has shaped the decision, leaving both player and camp dissatisfied.

“Bandile Shandu, as you know, his contract is coming to an end at the end of the season, and he hasn’t been playing,” Makaab told FARPost.

Makaab then made the situation clear.

“So, I can tell you that Shandu is unlikely to stay with Pirates when his contract comes to an end, and we are looking for other opportunities.”

Shandu now looks poised to become the first confirmed departure from Orlando Pirates in the upcoming window.

The defender carries an estimated market value of €450 000 (R8.8 million), according to Transfermarkt.

Note: This figure serves as a guideline based on form, age, and market trends. The final transfer fee depends on negotiations, the player’s role at a new club, and the agreement reached between the player, his agent, and the interested team.

MOVEMENT OUT OF MAYFAIR IS INEVITABLE

No deals have been finalised yet, but activity is building.

Further exits could follow.

Tshegofatso Mabasa is also expected to move on when his contract expires.

The striker is currently on loan at Stellenbosch FC and reportedly has no plans to extend his stay with Orlando Pirates.

As reported by The South African, interest is already emerging, with Kaizer Chiefs among the clubs linked to his services.

Arrivé cet été à l’Olympique Lyonais, Pavel Sulc s’est parfaitement adapté dans le Rhône. L’international tchèque a déjà scoré à 11 reprises et a rapporté 11 points à son club grâce à plusieurs de ses réalisations. En match de clôture de la 32e journée de Ligue 1, l’Olympique Lyonnais (3e) accueille le Stade Rennais (5e) à 18h45 GMT au Groupama Stadium. Les Gones pourront compter sur leur attaquant international tchèque, Pavel Sulc, revenu contre Auxerre après avoir manqué 5 matchs entre la 24e et la 30e journée. Sulc, trois fois avec l’OL, seul buteur d’un match Le joueur de 25 ans, auteur de 11 buts en 24 matchs, a donné plusieurs points, 11, à son équipe en marquant des buts décisifs cette saison. Par trois fois, Sulc a marqué l’unique but de la rencontre donnant trois poins aux Gones, contre Marseille (3e journée), Le Havre (16e journée) et à Nantes (21e journée). Par ailleurs, il a inscrit un doublé sur le terrain du Paris FC pour un score final de 3-3 (10e journée) et permis à son club d’assurer la victoire à Monaco (3-1, 17e journée) en marquant un doublé.

L’article Ligue 1 (J32) – Lyon : 11 buts et 11 points glanés… Pavel Sulc en feu avant Rennes est apparu en premier sur AfricaFootUnited.

En Guinée, le principal parti d’opposition retire sa candidature aux élections législatives et communales. Abdoulaye Yéro Baldé, arrivé deuxième lors de la précédente élection présidentielle dénonce de nombreuses irrégularités dans le processus électoral. Ce scrutin doit permettre d’élire les 147 membres de l’Assemblée nationale ainsi que 342 maires. Précisions de Malick Diakité, correspondant de France 24 en Guinée.