Debibi United President and Chief Executive Officer Alexander Ababio has strongly criticised Bibiani Gold Stars head coach Petros Koukouras following the Greek trainer’s controversial comments about the condition of Debibi Presby Park.

Ababio described the coach’s remarks as reckless, unreasonable and unprofessional after Koukouras likened the playing surface to a cassava plantation rather than a football pitch.

Debibi United Players Celebrate Team Unity

The disagreement follows Gold Stars’ 1-0 defeat to Debibi United in their 2026/27 Ghana Premier League Matchday Seven encounter on Sunday, October 18.

Speaking after the match, Koukouras expressed frustration with the state of the playing surface, arguing that its condition made it difficult for his team to play its preferred style of football.

The Gold Stars coach said he did not consider the venue suitable for competitive football, adding that it appeared better suited for cassava cultivation.

His comments sparked a strong reaction from the Debibi United hierarchy, with Ababio questioning the appropriateness of the comparison.

In an interview with Nhyira FM, the Debibi United CEO fired back at the Greek coach, saying:

“If that’s how they grow cassava in his country [Greece], then I don’t know how they feed them.”

Ababio further urged Koukouras to concentrate on his coaching responsibilities rather than making what he considered inappropriate remarks about the club’s home ground.

Bibiani Gold Stars Players During a League Match

“He should think about his job and stop saying nonsense. It was a reckless and unreasonable statement,” he added.

The controversy has once again drawn attention to the condition of football pitches in Ghana, with playing surfaces remaining a major talking point among coaches, players and football supporters.

Despite the criticism, Debibi United will take encouragement from their important victory over the former Ghana Premier League champions.

Maxwell Agyemang scored shortly before half-time to secure all three points for the newly promoted side, ending their three-match winless run and lifting them out of the relegation zone.

Debibi United Squad Preparing for Competition

Ababio has also made it clear that the club’s immediate priority is to maintain its place in the country’s top-flight competition.

“Our target is to remain in the league despite our poor start to the season,” he said.

The exchange between the two football figures adds another chapter to the growing debate over infrastructure and playing conditions in the Ghana Premier League.

Asante Kotoko will be looking to strengthen their Ghana Premier League campaign when they welcome defending champions Medeama SC to the Baba Yara Sports Stadium on Sunday, November 1, in a highly anticipated Matchday Nine encounter.

The Porcupine Warriors head into the contest eager to return to winning ways after dropping points in a 1-1 draw against FC Ashanti Gold ’04 at the Len Clay Stadium last weekend.

The result leaves Kotoko eighth on the league table with 12 points from eight matches, putting additional pressure on the Kumasi-based giants to produce a positive result against the league leaders.

Kotoko have recorded two victories, one draw and two defeats in their last five league matches, scoring nine goals and conceding the same number. Their inconsistency has highlighted the need for improved performances as the competition gathers momentum.

However, the former Ghanaian champions will take confidence from their home record. All three of their league victories this season have come at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium.

Their recent home record against Medeama also offers encouragement, with Kotoko winning three, drawing one and losing two of their last six league meetings against the Tarkwa-based side at the venue since the 2020/21 season.

Medeama, meanwhile, arrive in Kumasi determined to protect their position at the top of the table and strengthen their title ambitions.

The defending champions have collected 17 points from eight matches and have won four of their last five league outings. Their attacking strength has been particularly impressive, with 14 goals scored and seven conceded during that period.

They responded to their first defeat of the campaign against FC Samartex with a narrow 1-0 victory over Aduana FC, demonstrating their ability to recover from setbacks.

Despite their impressive overall form, Medeama have experienced some difficulties away from home. They have managed just one victory, two draws and one defeat in four away league matches this season.

Sunday’s fixture will therefore provide an important examination of their ability to maintain their momentum against one of the country’s most successful clubs.

A crucial battle for both sides

The encounter presents different objectives for the two teams. Kotoko need maximum points to close the five-point gap separating them from the league leaders, while Medeama will be looking to consolidate their position at the summit.

Kotoko’s home advantage and historical record against Medeama at Baba Yara could prove important, but the visitors’ attacking form makes them a serious threat.

With both clubs having plenty to play for, the Matchday Nine encounter is expected to attract significant attention from Ghanaian football supporters.

The match is scheduled for Sunday, November 1, 2026, at 3:00 pm GMT at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi.

Match information

• Competition: Ghana Premier League 2026/27

• Matchday: 9

• Fixture: Asante Kotoko vs Medeama SC

• Date: Sunday, November 1, 2026

• Kick-off: 3:00 pm GMT

• Venue: Baba Yara Sports Stadium, Kumasi

The 2026/27 Gold Fields Women’s Premier League enters its second round of matches with several intriguing fixtures scheduled across the Northern and Southern Zones.

Among the notable encounters are the Southern Zone meeting between Oak Ladies and FC Samartex Ladies, and the Northern Zone clash involving Prisons Ladies and Fosu Royal Ladies.

Oak Ladies were scheduled to welcome FC Samartex Ladies at the Hearts Complex in Kpobiman on Friday, October 30, as both teams looked to secure their first victory of the campaign.

The two sides entered the encounter following opening-day draws. Oak Ladies shared the points with newcomers Rootz Sistaz after a 1-1 result, while Samartex Ladies played out a goalless draw against Epiphany Warriors.

Both teams therefore had an opportunity to turn their promising opening performances into a winning result and gain valuable momentum early in the season.

Meanwhile, attention in the Northern Zone turns to Penkwase Astro Turf, where Prisons Ladies are scheduled to host Fosu Royal Ladies on Saturday, October 31.

Fosu Royal Ladies head into the encounter with confidence after beginning their campaign with a narrow 1-0 victory over Ashanti Ladies.

Safiatu Mahamud emerged as the match winner, scoring a dramatic 90th-minute goal to hand Fosu Royal all three points in their season opener.

The visitors will now look to build on that performance and maintain their winning momentum against a Prisons Ladies side determined to claim its first victory.

Prisons Ladies began their campaign with a 1-1 away draw against Tamale Super Ladies. Abigail Tutuwa scored a late equaliser to rescue a valuable point for her team after Rahama Azimpaga Mohammed had put the hosts ahead.

Playing at home for the first time this season, Prisons Ladies will be eager to turn that draw into a victory. However, Fosu Royal’s confidence and attacking threat could make the contest a difficult challenge.

The two fixtures form part of an important Matchday Two programme as clubs across both zones seek to establish themselves in the early stages of the competition.

With the season still in its infancy, positive results this weekend could provide an important boost to the ambitions of the participating teams.

Ghana’s National Under-15 boys’ team have concluded their campaign at the inaugural FIFA U-15 World Cup and Festival in Azerbaijan with an emphatic 4-0 victory over Colombia, delivering a strong finish to an impressive international tournament.

The young Ghanaian side, known as the Black Comets, produced a dominant performance in their final match to bounce back from a heavy defeat to Brazil in the ranking play-offs.

Ghana’s victory over Colombia secured seventh place in the overall standings, capping a campaign in which the team recorded eight wins in 10 matches and scored 44 goals.

Ghana Respond After Setbacks

The Black Comets entered the final match determined to finish their campaign on a positive note after suffering disappointment in the latter stages of the competition.

Ghana’s hopes of progressing further were ended by Paraguay in the quarter-finals after a 2-2 draw in regulation time, followed by a 7-6 defeat in the penalty shoot-out.

The team subsequently suffered a 7-1 loss to Brazil in the play-offs for fifth to eighth place.

However, the young Ghanaians responded impressively against Colombia, producing a four-goal performance to bring their participation in the tournament to a successful conclusion.

An Impressive Tournament Record

Despite the setbacks in the knockout and ranking stages, Ghana demonstrated considerable attacking strength throughout the competition.

The team won all five of its group-stage matches, scoring 27 goals and conceding just three.

They continued their progress with a 2-1 victory over Korea Republic in the Round of 32 before defeating Mexico 5-2 to reach the quarter-finals.

Shamsudeen Sulemana emerged as one of Ghana’s standout players, scoring four goals in the win over Mexico. Abdul Aziz Issah also made significant contributions, scoring important goals during the tournament, including against Korea Republic, Mexico and Colombia.

A Positive Sign for Ghana’s Youth Football

Ghana’s seventh-place finish, eight victories and 44 goals provide encouraging indicators of the team’s potential and attacking quality.

The tournament also offered the young players valuable experience against international opposition, exposing them to different playing styles and the demands of competitive football.

Although Ghana fell short of reaching the semi-finals, the commanding victory over Colombia ensured that the team left Azerbaijan with renewed confidence and a positive result to build on.

The performance will offer encouragement to Ghanaian football supporters as the country continues to develop the next generation of national team players.

*Source note: This report is independently written from publicly reported tournament results and campaign statistics. *

CAF President Patrice Motsepe has defended the decision to retain the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) on a two-year cycle, explaining why the continental football competition will follow a revised calendar featuring editions in 2031 and 2033.

CAF president Patrice Motsepe explains the decision to retain the two-year tournament cycle.

Motsepe’s comments follow a unanimous decision by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Executive Committee to reverse its earlier plan to move AFCON from its traditional two-year schedule to a four-year cycle.

The governing body announced the reversal on Thursday, October 29, 2026, following concerns about the financial sustainability and long-term development prospects of the proposed Africa Nations League.

CAF has reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining the Africa Cup of Nations as a major continental competition.

According to Motsepe, CAF’s decision was guided by the need to protect African football, its 54 member associations and African players competing for clubs outside the continent.

He explained that the proposed Africa Nations League would require several years before it could generate the financial resources needed to make CAF competitions more competitive and financially sustainable.

The CAF president said maintaining AFCON as a biennial competition would provide greater opportunities to support football development and generate resources for national associations across the continent.

Why AFCON will move to 2031 and 2033

Under the revised calendar, the next AFCON will take place in 2027, jointly hosted by Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda.

Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda are preparing to jointly host the next edition.

The following edition is scheduled for 2028, with subsequent tournaments planned for 2031 and 2033.

Motsepe explained that the decision to skip 2030 is connected to the FIFA World Cup scheduled for that year. CAF intends to avoid holding its major national-team final tournaments during a World Cup year, in keeping with established international football scheduling practices.

The revised calendar therefore accommodates the global football schedule while preserving AFCON’s traditional importance in African football.

2027 tournament remains a priority

Motsepe also expressed confidence in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda’s ability to successfully organise the 2027 competition.

The three East African nations will jointly host the tournament, which is expected to bring together national teams from across the continent.

Beyond the sporting competition, Motsepe described AFCON as an important platform for celebrating Africa’s cultures, traditions and diversity while bringing together people from the continent and the African diaspora.

The decision represents a significant change in CAF’s competition strategy after months of discussions about the future structure of African international football.

For now, the governing body has reaffirmed its commitment to the biennial AFCON format, with the 2027, 2028, 2031 and 2033 editions forming the next stages of its revised tournament calendar.