Ghana head into the clash on the back of successive victories over Chad and Madagascar in the previous round, results that propelled them to the top of Group I with 15 points. Another win on Thursday would further cement their chances of booking a ticket to next year’s World Cup in the USA, Canada, and Mexico.

For Chad, the campaign has been one to forget. Les Sao have lost all six of their matches without collecting a single point. They have scored just once and conceded 15 goals. Their last outing in March—a narrow 1-0 defeat to Comoros—showed some defensive resilience, but an attack that has fired blanks in five of six qualifiers remains their biggest concern.

Head coach Raoul Savoy will once again rely on striker Marius Mouandilmadji, captain Ezechiel N’Douassel, and midfielder Ahmat Abderamane to inspire his side, though Chad’s defensive frailties—averaging 2.5 goals conceded per game—suggest they may be more focused on damage limitation than an upset.

Ghana, by contrast, boast one of the most potent attacking lines in the group, having scored 15 goals in six games. With Mohammed Kudus pulling the strings, Thomas Partey marshalling the midfield, and Jordan Ayew in fine scoring form, Otto Addo’s side look well-equipped to continue their momentum.

Addo’s 24-man squad combines experience with youth, featuring established stars like Partey, Kudus, Ayew, and Inaki Williams, alongside the returning Tariq Lamptey, Union Berlin’s Derrick Arthur Kohn, and FC Nordsjaelland’s Caleb Yirenkyi. Chad’s 24-man squad leans heavily on defensive options such as Ebenezer Ngardial and Yves Allarabaye, while Haroun Tchaouna and Amine Hiver are expected to carry their attacking hopes.

Form Guide

• Chad (WCQ – Africa): L L L L L L

• Chad (all competitions): D L L L D L

• Ghana (WCQ – Africa): W L W W W W

• Ghana (all competitions): D L W W L W

Probable Lineups

• Chad: Mbaynassem; Allarabaye, Noubara, Daikreo, Khamis; Damba, Thiam, Tchaouna, Youssouf, Adam; N’Douassel

• Ghana: Benjamin Asare; Gideon Mensah, Mohammed Salisu, Jerome Opoku, Tariq Lamptey; Salis Samed, Thomas Partey; Antoine Semenyo, Mohammed Kudus, Jordan Ayew; Inaki Williams

Prediction
Chad may aim to frustrate Ghana at home, but the gulf in quality is undeniable. With Kudus, Partey, and Ayew all fit, the Black Stars should have little trouble extending their winning run.

Chad 0–3 Ghana

His comments follow remarks by the Minister of Sports and Recreation, Kofi Adams, who, during a press conference on Tuesday, September 2, announced the cancellation of winning bonuses for the Management Committee while outlining the senior national team’s budget ahead of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Chad and Mali.

Speaking to Oyerepa FM, Oduro Sarfo refuted the minister’s claims, stressing that committee members are compensated solely through per diems.

“The Management Committee members have never been paid winning bonuses,” Oduro Sarfo said.

“The only thing they ever receive are per diems, so I really don’t understand why anyone would suddenly want to create a phantom issue about bonuses for Management Committee members,” he added.

Ghana will face Chad in Matchday 7 of the qualifiers on Thursday, September 4, at the Stade Olympique Maréchal Idriss Déby Itno in N’Djamena, before hosting Mali on Monday, September 8, at the Accra Sports Stadium for Matchday 8.

READ ALSO

• Government’s budget cut won’t affect Black Stars’ performance – Kofi Adams
• 2026 WCQ: No budget for fans or media – Kofi Adams

Audio below:

READ ALSO

• 2026 WCQ: No budget for fans or media – Kofi Adams
• 2026 WCQ: GFA presented $2m budget for Chad and Mali games…

Audio below:

READ ALSO

• 2026 WCQ: GFA presented $2m budget for Chad and Mali games…
• I wasn’t pushed to release Black Stars budget – Kofi Adams

• 2026 WCQ: Sports Minister announces ticket prices for Black Stars v…
• 22 Black Stars players arrive in Chad ahead of World Cup…

Both players were included in coach Otto Addo’s squad for the double-header against Chad and Mali but did not travel with the team to N’Djamena on Tuesday.

According to the GFA, Paintsil arrived in Accra on Wednesday after missing his connecting flight from New York due to a delayed departure from Los Angeles. Djiku, on the other hand, is in Moscow finalizing a contract move and is expected to arrive in Accra on Friday.

As a result, 22 players are currently with the team in Chad for Thursday’s game at the Stade Olympique Maréchal Idriss Déby Itno.

Both Paintsil and Djiku are expected to be available for Ghana’s Matchday 8 fixture against Mali on Monday, September 8, at the Accra Sports Stadium.

The Black Stars currently top Group I with 15 points as they aim to secure a fifth World Cup appearance.

READ ALSO

• 22 Black Stars players arrive in Chad ahead of World Cup…
• 2026 WCQ: Sports Minister announces ticket prices for Black Stars v…

The announcement follows the government’s decision to slash the Ghana Football Association’s (GFA) proposed $2 million budget to $1.3 million for the Matchday 7 and 8 fixtures against Chad and Mali. The briefing was made on Tuesday, September 2.

Speaking on Adom FM’s morning show Dwaso Nsem the following day, Mr. Adams, who is also the Member of Parliament for Buem, explained that the cuts were part of the government’s policy to eliminate certain expenditures.

“The Ghana Football Association (GFA) presented an estimated budget of $2 million for the games, but government approved $1.3 million for the games,” he said.

“We had a meeting months ago when I took office, and I told the GFA that there are some things that government cannot pay again, and that includes the winning bonus for Black Stars Management Committee members and other items. That is exactly what we have done as a ministry and as a government,” he added.

Mr. Adams further emphasized: “I don’t believe that the decision to cut down the budget presented by the Ghana Football Association (GFA) will affect the performance of the team. These are professional players, so there is no need to be worried.”

The Black Stars are set to travel to Bamako to face Mali on Thursday, September 4, before returning home to host the Eagles at the Accra Sports Stadium on Monday, September 8.

Ghana currently tops Group I with 15 points from six matches in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign.

READ ALSO

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• 2026 WCQ: Govt cut down winning bonus for Black Stars technical…
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This disclosure comes after a press briefing on Tuesday, September 2, where the minister confirmed that the government had reduced the allocation for the fixtures scheduled this month.

Ghana are currently in Chad for their Matchday 7 clash on Thursday, September 4, before hosting Mali at the Accra Sports Stadium on Monday, September 8, for Matchday 8.

Speaking on Adom FM’s Dwaso Nsem on Wednesday, September 3, the Buem MP explained that the budget was trimmed down to $1.3 million.

“The Ghana Football Association (GFA) presented an estimated budget of $2 million for the games, but government approved $1.3 million for the games,” he said.

He explained that the decision followed earlier discussions with the GFA about cutting costs on certain allowances.

“We had a meeting in February when I took office, and I told the GFA that there are some things government cannot pay again — such as the winning bonus for Black Stars Management Committee members and other things. That is exactly what we have done as a ministry and as a government,” he added.

Minister Adams stressed that the budget cut would not affect the team’s output.

“I don’t believe that the decision to cut down the budget presented by the GFA will affect the performance of the team. These are professional players, and so there is no need to be worried,” he assured.

The Black Stars currently top Group I with 15 points from six matches, leaving them in a strong position in their quest for a place at the 2026 World Cup.

READ ALSO

• 2026 WCQ: Sports Ministry approves $860,000 budget for Black Stars game…
• 2026 WCQ: Govt cut down winning bonus for Black Stars technical…

Addressing the media on Tuesday, September 2, Mr. Adams outlined the details of the approved budget for Ghana’s upcoming matches against Chad and Mali.

Among the key adjustments were the cancellation of winning bonuses for Management Committee members, the removal of funds initially allocated for fuelling the Black Stars’ team bus, and a 50 per cent reduction in winning bonuses for the head coach, his assistants, and the players.

Speaking on Adom FMs morning show Dwaso Nsem, the minister explained the timing of the disclosure, stressing that it was done at the appropriate moment.

“Nothing pushed me to release the Black Stars budget. I indicated that I would put the budget out when it is ready, and it was made ready on September 1, so we released it on Tuesday, September 2,” he said.

“I don’t act on anyone’s push; we act when we have to act. If you are a leader and you act based on being pushed, then you are not a leader. As a leader, you do things at the right time and not based on what people say or what people want you to do, and that is what I have always done. I am happy that we did it yesterday, and I am happy with the way we did it.”

Meanwhile, on the field, the Black Stars will travel to N’Djamena to face Chad in Matchday 7 on Thursday, September 4, before returning to host Mali at the Accra Sports Stadium on Monday, September 8.

READ ALSO

• Sports Ministry cancels winning bonuses for Black Stars Management Committee members
• 2026 WCQ: Govt cut down winning bonus for Black Stars technical…

In a statement issued on Wednesday, September 2, 2025, the GFA said it would provide “comprehensive clarifications” to the Minister’s remarks, but only after the national team completes its immediate assignments against Chad and Mali.

“As the custodian of Ghana football, the GFA will, in due course, provide clarifications to the issues raised,” the statement noted.

For now, the Association has called for unity and focus as the Black Stars prepare for their double-header — first against Chad on Thursday, September 4, at 1:00 p.m., and then against Mali on Monday, September 8, at 7:00 p.m.

“The Black Stars require the unflinching support of all Ghanaians as they prepare to navigate these important encounters. The unity and commitment of our supporters have always been the team’s greatest strength, and we urge the nation to keep this spirit alive,” it added.

The GFA also expressed gratitude to the public for their patience and backing, assuring that a full response to the Ministry’s statements will be delivered after the Mali fixture.

“Once the match against Mali is concluded, the GFA will make its comprehensive remarks regarding the Ministry’s statements. We extend our sincere appreciation to all Ghanaians for their understanding and their continued support for the Black Stars and all our national teams,” the statement concluded.

READ ALSO

• 2026 WCQ: Govt cut down winning bonus for Black Stars technical…
• 2026 WCQ: Sports Ministry approves $860,000 budget for Black Stars game…

In this special feature, we break down must-watch fixtures that could reshape group standings, spotlight the continental contenders battling for supremacy, and highlight the African stars to watch as they carry the hopes of their nations.

With powerhouse teams like Morocco, Nigeria, and South Africa in action, and rising challengers such as Namibia and Zambia pushing for playoff spots, the qualifiers are more than just matches — they’re moments of national pride, personal redemption, and continental ambition. From Deon Hotto’s leadership to Marshall Munetsi’s midfield mastery and Antoine Semenyo’s attacking flair, Africa’s finest are ready to shine. Whether it’s in Rabat, Bloemfontein, or Ndola, the continent’s football story is being written, and you’re invited to witness every kick, tackle, and goal live on SuperSport.

Key Fixtures to Watch

Namibia v Malawi: Friday 5 September, 15:00 – LIVE on SuperSport PSL, SuperSport Africa 2 and SuperSport Maximo 3

Namibia and Malawi clash in a crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier on 5 September in Francistown, Botswana. In Group H, dominated by Tunisia, the ‘hosts’ have a great chance at claiming second spot and advancing to the intercontinental playoff phase. Namibia will rely on their pace and experience to break down Malawi’s organised defence. The Flames, known for their discipline and resilience, will look to frustrate the Brave Warriors and hit on the counter. With World Cup hopes on the line, this encounter promises intensity, tactical battles, and potential fireworks.

Nigeria v Rwanda: Saturday 6 September, 18:00 – LIVE on SuperSport PSL, SuperSport Africa and SuperSport Maximo 3

Nigeria face Rwanda in a must-win 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier on 6 September in Uyo, as they aim to eat into the Group C lead of South Africa. The Super Eagles have endured a shaky start to their campaign and can’t afford further slip-ups. With attacking talent like Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman, Nigeria will look to dominate possession and break down a defensively disciplined Rwandan side. Rwanda, however, have shown resilience in the group and won’t be easy to break. For Nigeria, only three points will do if they are to revive their qualification hopes and challenge for top spot.

Zambia v Morocco: Monday 8 September, 15:00 – LIVE on SuperSport PSL, SuperSport Africa and SuperSport Maximo 2

Zambia host Group E leaders Morocco in a high-stakes 2026 World Cup qualifier on 8 September in Ndola. Morocco have been dominant and look set to finish top, but Zambia still has a shot at second place and a playoff spot – if they can pull off an upset. The Chipolopolo will need a disciplined performance, with players like Patson Daka expected to lead the charge. Morocco, packed with experience and quality, remain favourites, but the home crowd could inspire Zambia. It’s a must-win for the hosts and a potential decider in the race for a playoff lifeline in Group E.

Ghana v Mali: Monday 8 September, 21:00 – LIVE on SuperSport PSL and SuperSport Africa

Ghana takes on Mali in a crucial Group I showdown on 8 September in Accra, with both sides eyeing a place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Ghana sits top of the group, but the margins are tight, and any slip-up could prove costly. The Black Stars will rely on home support and attacking talent like Mohammed Kudus and Antoine Semenyo to break down a determined Mali side. Mali, still chasing a historic first-ever World Cup qualification, bring physicality and flair, making them dangerous opponents. With high stakes and little room for error, this clash could shape the groups outcome.

South Africa v Nigeria: Tuesday 9 September, 18:00 – LIVE on SuperSport PSL, SuperSport La Liga and SuperSport Africa

South Africa host Nigeria in a blockbuster World Cup qualifier on 9 September in Bloemfontein, with major implications for Group C. Bafana Bafana currently lead the group and will be confident on home soil, but Nigeria could arrive with renewed momentum if they beat Rwanda earlier in the week. A Super Eagles victory would blow the race wide open and reignite their push for top spot. With stars like Percy Tau for South Africa and Victor Osimhen for Nigeria, fans can expect a fiery contest full of quality and tension. This could be the defining clash of the group.

Continental Contenders & Group Dynamics

• Ivory Coast, led by the dynamic Bazoumana Toure, are chasing Group F supremacy, while Egypt and Tunisia continue their dominant runs in Groups A and H respectively.
• South Africa and Nigeria are locked in a tense Group C battle, with their head-to-head clash potentially deciding the group winner.
• Ghana, Cameroon, and Cape Verde are all in tight races, with every point crucial in their respective groups.

African Stars to Watch

Deon Hotto (Namibia)

·Born: 29 October 1990 in Swakopmund, Namibia

·Nationality: Namibian

·Position: Winger, wingback, midfielder

·Senior club career: Blue Boys (Namibia, 2011); Africa Stars (Namibia, 2012 – 2014); Golden Arrows (South Africa, 2014 – 2016); Bloemfontein Celtic (South Africa, 2016 – 2018); Bidvest Wits (South Africa, 2018 – 2020); Orlando Pirates (South Africa, 2020 – present)

·Senior international debut: 5 June 2013, Malawi 0-0 Namibia, World Cup Qualifier

·Senior international stats: 65 appearances, 10 goals

Catch Hotto in the following matches on Friday 5 September, 15:00: Namibia v Malawi – LIVE on SuperSport PSL, SuperSport Africa 2 and SuperSport Maximo 3 & Tuesday 9 September, 15:00: Namibia v Sao Tome & Principe – LIVE on SuperSport Football, SuperSport Africa 2

Marshall Munetsi (Zimbabwe)

·Born: 22 June 1996 in Harare, Zimbabwe

·Nationality: Zimbabwean

·Position: Midfielder, defender

·Senior club career: Ubuntu Cape Town (South Africa, 2015 – 2016); Baroka FC (South Africa, 2016 – 2017); Orlando Pirates (South Africa, 2017 – 2019); Stade de Reims (France, 2019 – 2025); Wolverhampton Wanderers (England, 2025 – present)

·Senior international debut: 21 March 2018, Zambia 0-0 Zimbabwe, International Friendly

·Senior international stats: 23 appearances, 1 goal

Catch Munetsi in the following matches on Friday 5 September, 18:00: Benin v Zimbabwe – LIVE on SuperSport Action and SuperSport GOtv Football & Tuesday 9 September, 15:00: Zimbabwe v Rwanda – LIVE on SuperSport PSL, SuperSport GOtv Football and SuperSport Maximo 360

Antoine Semenyo (Ghana)

·Born: 7 January 2000 in London, England

·Nationality: Ghanaian

·Position: Winger

·Senior club career: Bristol City (England, 2018 – 2023); Bath City (England, 2018, loan); Newport County (England, 2018 – 2019, loan); Sunderland (England, 2020, loan); AFC Bournemouth (England, 2023 – present)

·Senior international debut: 1 June 2022, Ghana 3-0 Madagascar, AFCON Qualifier

·Senior international stats: 27 appearances, 3 goals

Catch Semenyo in the following matches on Thursday 4 September, 15:00: Chad v Ghana – LIVE on SuperSport PSL, SuperSport Africa and SuperSport Maximo 360 & Monday 8 September, 21:00: Ghana v Mali – LIVE on SuperSport PSL and SuperSport Africa

Africa’s Moment of Truth

As the qualifiers unfold, Africa’s football narrative is being written in real time with every goal, save, and tactical shift shaping the road to North America. The continent’s stars are shining, the rivalries are fierce, and the stakes couldn’t be higher. Whether it’s Morocco’s march, Nigeria’s redemption, or Namibia’s rise, the next chapter promises unforgettable moments.

This Season, IT’S ON – Only on SuperSport.

FIFA World Cup Qualifiers – Africa, Matchday 7

Thursday 4 September

·15:00: Chad v Ghana – LIVE on SuperSport PSL, SuperSport Africa and SuperSport Maximo 360

·18:00: Angola v Libya – LIVE on SuperSport PSL, SuperSport Africa and SuperSport Maximo 360

·21:00: Cameroon v Eswatini – LIVE on SuperSport Action and SuperSport Africa 2

·21:00: Algeria v Botswana – LIVE on SuperSport PSL, SuperSport Africa and SuperSport Maximo 360

Friday 5 September

·15:00: Kenya v Gambia – LIVE on SuperSport Football, SuperSport Africa and SuperSport Maximo 360

·15:00: Namibia v Malawi – LIVE on SuperSport PSL, SuperSport Africa 2 and SuperSport Maximo 3

·18:00: Congo v Tanzania – LIVE on SuperSport Africa 2 and SuperSport Maximo 2

·18:00: Uganda v Mozambique – LIVE on SuperSport Football, SuperSport Africa, SuperSport Maximo 1 and SuperSport Maximo 360

·18:00: Benin v Zimbabwe – LIVE on SuperSport Action and SuperSport GOtv Football

·18:00: Lesotho v South Africa – LIVE on SuperSport PSL, SuperSport La Liga, SuperSport Action Africa and SuperSport Maximo 3

·21:00: Egypt v Ethiopia – LIVE on SuperSport PSL and SuperSport Africa

Saturday 6 September

·18:00: Nigeria v Rwanda – LIVE on SuperSport PSL, SuperSport Africa and SuperSport Maximo 3

FIFA World Cup Qualifiers – Africa, Matchday 8

Monday 8 September

·15:00: Tanzania v Niger – LIVE on SuperSport La Liga, SuperSport Africa 2 and SuperSport Maximo 3

·15:00: Zambia v Morocco – LIVE on SuperSport PSL, SuperSport Africa and SuperSport Maximo 2

·15:00: Mozambique v Botswana – LIVE on SuperSport Football, SuperSport Maximo 1 and SuperSport Maximo 360

·18:00: Malawi v Liberia – LIVE on SuperSport PSL, SuperSport Africa 2 and SuperSport Maximo 3

·18:00: Uganda v Somalia – LIVE on SuperSport Football, SuperSport Africa and SuperSport Maximo 360

·21:00: Libya v Eswatini – LIVE on SuperSport La Liga and SuperSport Africa 2

·21:00: Ghana v Mali – LIVE on SuperSport PSL and SuperSport Africa

Tuesday 9 September

·15:00: Kenya v Seychelles – LIVE on SuperSport La Liga and SuperSport Africa

·15:00: Zimbabwe v Rwanda – LIVE on SuperSport PSL, SuperSport GOtv Football and SuperSport Maximo 360

·15:00: Namibia v Sao Tome & Principe – LIVE on SuperSport Football, SuperSport Africa 2 and SuperSport Maximo 3

·15:00: Sierra Leone v Ethiopia – LIVE on SuperSport La Liga

·18:00: South Africa v Nigeria – LIVE on SuperSport PSL, SuperSport La Liga and SuperSport Africa

·21:00: Angola v Mauritius – LIVE on SuperSport PSL, SuperSport Africa and SuperSport Maximo 360·21:00: Benin v Lesotho – LIVE on SuperSport Africa 2

Otto Addo’s side will face Les Sao on Thursday, September 4, at the Stade Olympique Maréchal Idriss Déby Itno.

The squad landed in the Chadian capital on Wednesday, where they were warmly received by officials from the Ghana Embassy and a small gathering of local supporters. The team is set to hold its final training session at the stadium later today.

The 22-man squad includes: Antoine Semenyo, Elisha Owusu, Ibrahim Osman, Kamal Deen Sulemana, Jerry Afriyie, Joseph Anang, Christopher Bonsu Baah, Benjamin Asare, Jonas Adjetey, Ibrahim Sulemana, Jordan Ayew, Gideon Mensah, Abdul Salis Samed, Mohammed Salisu, Tariq Lamptey, Mohammed Kudus, Lawrence Ati-Zigi, Thomas Partey, Inaki Williams, Derrick Kohn, Jerome Opoku, and Caleb Yirenkyi.

They are accompanied by the technical team, led by head coach Otto Addo, and members of the Black Stars Management Committee.

After the encounter with Chad, the Black Stars will return to Accra on Friday to prepare for their Matchday 8 fixture against Mali at the Accra Sports Stadium on Monday, September 8.

Ghana, who have qualified for four previous World Cups, currently top Group I with 15 points, three ahead of Comoros.

READ ALSO

• 2026 WCQ: Sports Ministry approves $860,000 budget for Black Stars game…
• Gov’t cuts Black Stars World Cup qualifier budget by over $730,000

The Black Stars are set to face Chad and Mali in their Matchday 7 and 8 fixtures.

Otto Addo’s squad departed Accra on Tuesday, September 2, for N’Djamena, where they will play Chad at the Stade Olympique Maréchal Idriss Déby Itno on Thursday, September 4.

Speaking to the press ahead of the qualifiers on Tuesday, Mr. Adams, who also serves as the Member of Parliament for the Buem Constituency, confirmed the ticketing arrangements for the much-anticipated home encounter with Mali.

“This is a high-profile game that we can make money from just like it is done everywhere, and these prices will take care of the VVIP section as well,” he explained.

The announced prices are as follows:

• VVIP: GHC1,000
• VIP: GHC500
• VIP Wings: GHC300
• VIP Lower: GHC200
• Centre Line: GHC50
• Goal Post Stand: GHC30

Ghana will host Mali at the Accra Sports Stadium on Monday, September 8, for their Matchday 8 clash.

READ ALSO

• 2026 WCQ: Sports Ministry approves $860,000 budget for Black Stars game in Chad

Sports Minister Kofi Adams announced the adjustment during a press briefing in Accra on Tuesday, September 2, ahead of Ghana’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Chad.

He explained that the budget briefing formed part of President John Mahama’s directive to promote transparency and accountability in national team expenditure.

According to the Minister, a total of $1.3 million has been approved to cover the double-header against Chad and Mali.

Out of this, $841,290 has been earmarked for the away fixture in N’Djamena against Chad, while $436,600 has been allocated for the home clash with Mali at the Accra Sports Stadium.

The Black Stars’ budget has faced criticism in recent years over the large sums committed to the team’s operations.

Ghana will face Chad on Thursday, September 4, before returning to Accra to host Mali on Monday, September 8.

READ ALSO

• Gov’t cuts Black Stars World Cup qualifier budget by over $730,000
• 2026 WCQ: Sports Ministry approves $860,000 budget for Black Stars game in Chad

Addressing the media on Tuesday ahead of Ghana’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Chad, Mr. Adams disclosed that committee members previously received $10,000 for each victory.

That practice, he explained, has now been scrapped to ensure fairness and accountability in state spending.

“Black Stars Management Committee members were on $10,000 as a winning bonus, while players were on $5,000. Previous administrations were paying winning bonuses to the Management Committee members of the national teams,” he said.

“The Sports Ministry has decided not to pay winning bonuses to the management team members of the national teams. Per diem for each Black Stars player is $150, while technical team members receive $200,” Adams added.

The current Management Committee is chaired by Dr. Randy Abbey, with former Black Stars captain Stephen Appiah serving as vice chairman.

Other members include Samuel Aboabire, Chairman of the Greater Accra Regional Football Association; Moses Parker, President of Medeama SC; and Richard Nsenkyire, President of FC Samartex 1996.

Mr. Adams also revealed that a budget of $860,000 has been approved for the Black Stars’ away fixture against Chad on Thursday, September 8.

READ ALSO

• Gov’t cuts Black Stars World Cup qualifier budget by over $730,000

Addressing the press in Accra on Tuesday, Mr. Adams said the arrangement was aimed at motivating the staff while promoting accountability in the use of public funds.

“The Black Stars technical team members are paid half of the winning bonuses given to players,” he said.

“If the team qualifies for a major tournament, the remaining 50% will be paid. If they fail, they forfeit the money,” he added.

The announcement comes as the Black Stars departed Ghana earlier today, September 2, for N’Djamena, where they will face Chad in a 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying match at the Stade Olympique Maréchal Idriss Déby Itno on September 4.

The team will then return to Accra to host Mali at the Accra Sports Stadium on September 8.

READ ALSO

• Gov’t cuts Black Stars World Cup qualifier budget by over $730,000

The announcement comes months after Adams faced criticism for delays in releasing funds for the Matchday 5 and 6 qualifiers against Chad and Madagascar in March.

Speaking at a press briefing on Tuesday, September 2, the Minister explained that his administration carefully reviews all budget submissions before granting approval, trimming excess costs in the process.

“The estimate submitted for Match Day 7 was over $1 million,” he said.

“After review, the Ministry approved about $860k. The ticket for players and officials we have a flat unit for all players and officials, but some spend more, while others spend less.

“The flat amount was $6,000 per ticket for all 28 players and officials. Flight tickets presented to the Sports Ministry are always higher than what is required. The Ministry, since I took over, has reviewed and even used alternative means to buy the tickets,” Mr Adams added.

The Black Stars, led by head coach Otto Addo, departed Accra earlier today for N’Djamena. The crucial qualifier will be played on Thursday, September 4, at the Stade Olympique Maréchal Idriss Déby Itno.

Ghana will then return home to face Mali at the Accra Sports Stadium on September 8.

Speaking at a press briefing in Accra on Tuesday, Sports Minister Kofi Adams stated that the government approved a final budget of $1,320,490 to cover Matchday 7 against Chad on September 4, 2025, and Matchday 8 against Mali on September 8, 2025. This represents a substantial reduction from the Ghana Football Association’s (GFA) initial proposal of $2,053,240, yielding total savings of $732,750.

The budget approval process involved four stages: submission of estimates by the GFA, review and adjustment by the Ministry to align with government fiscal policy, vetting by the Presidency, and final clearance by the Ministry of Finance.

Key cuts included reducing player bonuses from $10,000 to $5,000 per win, trimming coaches’ and management bonuses, rationalising travel and transport expenses, and lowering imprests and facility fees. For example, the GFA’s home game budget at Accra Sports Stadium was reduced from $814,150 to $463,600, saving $350,550.

Minister Adams said the exercise demonstrates the government’s commitment to accountability and prudent use of public funds. “Across both match windows, we have realised total savings of $732,750. This shows government’s resolve to protect taxpayers while ensuring the essentials required for the Black Stars to perform are fully funded,” he stated.

He commended the GFA for cooperating with the review process and praised players for accepting revised bonus arrangements in line with Ghana’s economic realities. “The Ministry will continue to work with the GFA to align national team expenditure with the realities of Ghana’s economy,” he added.

Source: AdomOnline

• 2026 WCQ: Appiah confident Black Stars can secure World Cup spot

• 2026 WCQ: Black Stars are ready for Chad, Mali games – Appiah

• Black Stars set to depart for N’Djamena ahead of World Cup qualifier against Chad

Fourth seed Fritz applied constant pressure to Djokovic’s serve, but the Serb fended off numerous break points and a hostile crowd en route to a 6-3 7-5 3-6 6-4 win.

Djokovic said he thought he was “lucky” at times, adding: “It was an incredibly close match, it was really anybody’s match.”

“I think for most of the second and third sets he was the better player.”

Djokovic now must overcome second seed Alcaraz if he is to reach the final and continue his pursuit of a record 25th Grand Slam singles title.

The Spaniard – 16 years Djokovic’s junior – earned his spot in the last four earlier on Tuesday when he raced to a 6-4 6-2 6-4 victory over Czech Jiri Lehecka.

The remaining men’s singles quarter-finals take place in New York on Wednesday, eighth seed Alex de Minaur facing Canada’s Felix Auger-Aliassime before world number one Jannik Sinner takes on fellow Italian Lorenzo Musetti.

Alcaraz, together with Sinner, has become a dominant force of men’s tennis after the dominant era of Djokovic, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal.

With Federer and Nadal both retired, Djokovic is the only active member remaining from the iconic trio, and time is not on his side as he chases the 25th major that would take him clear of Australia’s Margaret Court.

But against Fritz, he showcased some of the resilience that has often defined his outstanding career.

Djokovic got off to a fast start as he broke Fritz’s opening service game on the way to a 3-0 lead, and – after missing a set point at 5-2 – the Serb fended off a Fritz fightback, saving five break points before eventually serving out the opener.

Fritz continued to threaten in the second set, but he grew increasingly frustrated as he squandered opportunities before Djokovic pounced to go 4-3 up.

But, just as Djokovic was serving for a two-set lead, the Californian finally converted his first break point – at the 11th time of asking.

However, he dropped three double faults and an unforced error in the next game and Djokovic then made no mistake in closing out the set.

The atmosphere became somewhat hostile in the third set, when Djokovic complained to the umpire about spectators shouting out during his serve.

Sensing his irritation, some of the crowd started jeering the four-time winner, while their cheers for home hope Fritz grew even louder as the 27-year-old took advantage of the disruption to break for a 4-1 lead.

Djokovic regained his composure to work his way through the fourth set and he struck the decisive blow at 5-4, with a double fault from Fritz sealing his place in the last four after a gruelling three hours and 24 minutes.

“That last game was nerve-wracking, honestly tough one for Taylor to finish with a double fault, he didn’t deserve that,” Djokovic added.

“In many of my service games I was just trying to stay alive, fight for every ball.

“In this kind of match, key points decide the winner.”

‘I’m here to entertain’ – Alcaraz

Image source: Getty Images

Image caption: Carlos Alcaraz has won 59 matches in 2025

Alcaraz has defeated Djokovic in two Wimbledon finals, but Djokovic has been triumphant in their last two meetings – including at last summer’s Olympic final.

The five-time Grand Slam winner said he is “here to entertain” after his brilliant 6-4 6-2 6-4 display against Lehecka.

He displayed a laser-like focus throughout the match, but also found time for some showmanship during the victory as he thrilled the crowd with his astonishing repertoire of shot-making.

“Sometimes I play a shot that I should not play in that moment but it’s the way I love playing tennis,” Alcaraz, 22, told Sky Sports.

“I want to play solid, play well and play smart but at the same time when I have the opportunity to play a great shot – or a hot shot, let’s say – why not?

“I’m here to entertain the people, myself and the team.”

It is the third time Alcaraz, who won the US Open in 2022, has reached the semi-finals in New York.

He has reached the last four of a Grand Slam without dropping a set for the first time in his career – and is the youngest man to do so since Rafael Nadal at the 2008 French Open.

World number one Sabalenka was set to play unseeded Czech Vondrousova in Tuesday’s night session in New York.

But the 2023 Wimbledon champion, whose career has been decimated by injuries, pulled out less than two hours before they were due to take to the court.

“So sorry for Marketa after all she’s been through,” Sabalenka wrote on social media.

“She has been playing amazing tennis and I know how badly this must hurt for her.”

Vondrousova had a pre-match practice session but stopped it early, hunching over at the baseline before being consoled by her team.

The world number 60 was later seen with heavy strapping on her left leg as she walked through the Flushing Meadows players’ area.

“I tried my best to take to the court today but, after consultation with the tournament doctor, I decided not to risk aggravating the injury,” Vondrousova said in a statement.

“I appreciate all the support and apologise to the fans who were looking forward to the match.”

American fourth seed Pegula swept Barbora Krejcikova aside 6-3 6-3 to advance to the last four for the second year in a row.

Czech Krejcikova, a two-time Grand Slam singles champion, represented a dangerous opponent after recovering from a set down and saving eight match points against Taylor Townsend in the previous round.

But an impressive Pegula, who is yet to drop a set here, suffered no such scares in a serene performance.

“I feel really comfortable. It’s crazy to feel this comfortable on the biggest court in the world with the craziest crowd and the best players,” she said.

“Ten years ago I never thought I’d be good at this – but I guess I am.”

‘Solid’ Pegula makes light work of Krejcikova

Image source: Getty Images

Image caption: Jessica Pegula was runner-up to Aryna Sabalenka at the 2024 US Open

Pegula arrived in New York in poor form, winning just two matches in her previous four tournaments and losing in the first week of a major four times in six appearances.

While she brushed away the cobwebs with routine wins over Mayar Sharif, Anna Blinkova, Victoria Azarenka and Ann Li, the quarter-finals presented a different challenge.

Pegula has previously struggled at this stage – last year’s run to the US Open final was her first success in the last eight of a Grand Slam singles draw after six defeats.

But Pegula was unruffled by her 1-6 record, capitalising on a slow start from Krejcikova to race into a 3-0 lead, including breaking to love in the second game.

She dominated the baseline exchanges, hitting deep groundstrokes to trap her opponent at the back of the court and regularly attacked the net to keep her opponent off balance.

Although Krejcikova pulled it back to 4-3, she was left to rue a poor serving performance, with a double fault at 40-30 opening the door for Pegula to break again in the eighth game and then close out the set.

Krejcikova’s serving struggles – winning just 28% of points on her second serve in the opener – continued and a pair of double faults at the start of the second set gifted Pegula an early break.

Pegula was not without her own service wobbles, throwing away a double break lead in the sixth game as Krejcikova sniffed another unlikely comeback.

But she maintained her composure and, a seventh double fault of the afternoon from Krejcikova brought up match point – which Pegula seized at the first attempt.

“I think I’ve been playing some really good tennis. I’ve been playing really solid and having good starts,” Pegula said.

“She had a couple of really good returns when I was serving at 4-1 and we all saw what she did against Taylor, so I’m happy that we’re done.”

Following an extended campaign which began in November 2023 and ends in October, four rounds of preliminaries are left to play.

Only the nine group winners are guaranteed a spot at the finals next year, with the four best-placed runners-up entering play-offs in November for a second chance to qualify via an intercontinental route.

Several other nations could join the Pharaohs and Atlas Lions in reaching the United States, Mexico and Canada with two games to spare, depending on results.

Cape Verde, Comoros and civil war-torn Sudan are still in the hunt for historic qualifications, while Nigeria are in danger of an early elimination.

BBC Sport Africa runs down the situation in all nine groups, and the key matches to look out for, as sides from across the continent look to join the 13 countries already set for the expanded 48-team finals.

Group A – Egypt in command

Egypt hold a five-point lead over Burkina Faso, and the West Africans know they will have to triumph when they host Mohamed Salah and company on Tuesday.

Before that, the North Africans welcome Ethiopia and the Stallions take on Djibouti.

Maximum points this month will be enough for record seven-time continental champions Egypt to secure just their third World Cup qualification.

Group B – Trio in contention

Image source: Confederation of African Football

Image caption: Sudan tuned up for the World Cup qualifiers by reaching the semi-finals of the African Nations Championship in East Africa last month

Just a point separates leaders DR Congo, Senegal and Sudan in a three-way tussle for top spot, with the West Africans and the Sudanese still unbeaten.

Senegal have what could be a defining two fixtures, as the Teranga Lions host Sudan on Friday (19:00 GMT) and then travel to Kinshasa to face the Congolese on Tuesday.

The Leopards could extend their lead at the summit to three points if they triumph away against South Sudan on Friday and then their two closest rivals draw.

Sudan’s bid for a maiden World Cup finals appearance has drawn headlines while conflict continues in the country, with Kwesi Appiah’s side also having to travel to Togo this month.

Group C – Too close to call

Image source: BBC Sport

Image caption: South Africa hold a five-point lead in Group C after six rounds of the 10-match campaign…

South Africa hold a five-point lead and Nigeria are languishing a point further back in fourth place, but Group C comes with a caveat.

World governing body Fifa is yet to rule on Bafana Bafana fielding an ineligible player in their victory over Lesotho in March – and should a 3-0 victory be awarded to the minnows then the group would be blow wide open.

Regardless of that case, Nigeria must secure maximum points or face missing successive editions of the World Cup finals.

Eric Chelle’s Super Eagles host Rwanda on Saturday (16:00 GMT) and then travel to Bloemfontein for a crunch meeting with South Africa on Tuesday.

Rwanda and Benin could still edge themselves into top spot.

Group D – Blue Sharks aim to down Indomitable Lions

Image source: Getty Images

Image caption: Cape Verde will be absent from the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, but coach Bubista could deliver a first World Cup qualification

Further surprises are in the offing as Cape Verde sit a point ahead of Cameroon, with the two sides meeting in Praia on Tuesday.

The Indomitable Lions have appeared at eight editions of the World Cup – the most among African nations – but may need maximum points from their game with the Blue Sharks to extend that record.

Before that, the islanders go to Mauritius and the Central Africans face an away game against Eswatini.

Libya and Angola could capitalise on any slip-ups.

Group E – Atlas Lions cruising

After becoming the first African nation to reach the World Cup semi-finals at Qatar 2022, Morocco are poised to become the continent’s first qualifiers for the 2026 finals.

Should closest challengers Tanzania fail to win away against Congo-Brazzaville on Friday then the Atlas Lions would book their berth with all three points at home against Niger later the same day.

Even if Tanzania, who begin the window six points adrift of the North Africans, do triumph, then Morocco could then get the points they require from their trip to Zambia on Monday.

Walid Regragui’s men are the only side in African qualifying with a 100% record, having won five of five.

Group F – Two-way tussle

Image source: Getty Images

Image caption: LA FC striker Denis Bouanga has netted five goals in qualifying for Gabon, making him the joint second-highest goalscorer

Ivory Coast and Gabon are separated by just one point, with the Elephants – still unbeaten and yet to concede a goal – sitting atop the table.

The Gabonese can leapfrog the current continental champions with victory against Seychelles on Wednesday (13:00 GMT), with the Ivorians hosting Burundi two days later.

The key game will come on Tuesday when Gabon host the West Africans in Franceville.

The Panthers will be keen to capitalise on home advantage, while Ivory Coast are aiming to return to the finals for the first time since 2014.

Group G – Algeria on home stretch

Algeria are three points ahead of Mozambique, but the north Africans have a vastly superior goal difference to everyone else in their group.

Les Verts entertain third-placed Botswana on Thursday before a trip to Guinea on Monday.

Mozambique travel to Uganda and then host Botswana, with every point vital in the race for a potential play-off spot.

Group H – Carthage Eagles lead way

Image source: Getty Images

Image caption: A Fifa ruling on the eligibility of Emilio Nsue has had a major impact on standings in Group H

Tunisia, also unbeaten and yet to concede, hold a four-point advantage over Namibia.

Those two sides will meet in October but the North Africans could be out of sight before then after a home game against Liberia and a trip to Equatorial Guinea.

Namibia realistically need maximum points from away games against Malawi and already eliminated Sao Tome e Principe to stay in contention.

All that could change if the Equatoguineans manage to successfully appeal against Fifa’s decision to impose two forfeits after fielding Emilio Nsue in what were originally 1-0 victories over Namibia and Liberia.

In a remarkable case, the striker was ruled ineligible despite playing his whole career for the National Thunder – and is now back appearing for the national side again after a successful appeal.

Juan Micha’s side would be three points behind Tunisia if they can overturn the sanction of two forfeits.

Group I – Comoros and Mali chase Black Stars

Image source: Getty Images

Image caption: Five goals from influential captain Jordan Ayew have helped Ghana to the summit of Group I

Ghana are sitting pretty after establishing a three-point lead at the summit, and travel to already eliminated Chad in their first game this month.

Comoros are the closest challengers to the Black Stars, with top seeds Mali in the last chance saloon after a sluggish start to their campaign.

The Eagles host the Indian Ocean islanders on Thursday, and then face a West African derby in Accra on Monday.

If results go their way, the Ghanaians could qualify on home soil with two games to spare – and put their failure to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations behind them.

The ceremony was attended by key sports officials, including Sports and Recreation Minister Kofi Adams, National Sports Authority (NSA) Director Yaw Ampofo Ankrah, Ghana Football Association (GFA) President Kurt Okraku, and representatives from Accra Hearts of Oak and Great Olympics.

The second edition of the Democracy Cup is scheduled for September 5 at the University of Ghana Sports Stadium, where Accra Hearts of Oak will face Accra Great Olympics.

Launched in 2024, the Democracy Cup is a parliamentary initiative aimed at promoting civic engagement and national unity through football. The inaugural edition, held on July 17, 2024, saw Kumasi Asante Kotoko defeat Hearts of Oak 2-1 to lift the first-ever trophy.

Now a key fixture on Ghana’s football calendar, the Democracy Cup celebrates the country’s democratic achievements while highlighting the unifying power of sport.

According to the GFA, the winner of the 2025 edition will earn the opportunity to compete in a three-team tournament in the United States in May 2026.

The Black Stars will aim to strengthen their position in the qualifiers when they face Chad and Mali in Matchday 7 and 8 fixtures.

Speaking to the media after the team’s first training session at the Accra Sports Stadium on Monday, the former Ghana captain said he is confident in the squad’s readiness and believes the team is well-placed to reach the tournament in the USA, Canada, and Mexico.

“Talking to them, they are ready to play the two games, and we all know that we have two crucial games that will determine our chances for the World Cup,” he said. “We believe that the guys will make it.”

Ghana will travel to N’Djamena to face Chad on Thursday, September 4, before returning home to host Mali at the Accra Sports Stadium on Monday, September 8.

The team is scheduled to hold its final training session in Accra today ahead of their departure.

Currently, Ghana leads Group I with 15 points from six matches, three points clear of Comoros and five ahead of Madagascar, as they pursue a fifth appearance at the FIFA World Cup.

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• 2026 WCQ: Black Stars are ready for Chad, Mali games – Appiah

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• 2026 WCQ: I hope we win against Chad – Otto Addo
• 2026 WCQ: Ghana in strong position to qualify – Coach Otto…

The 32-year-old was originally scheduled to appear before London’s Old Bailey on Monday, September 2, but the case has now been rescheduled and transferred to Southwark Crown Court.

Partey faces five counts of rape involving two women, as well as an additional charge of sexual assault against a third woman.

The alleged incidents reportedly occurred between 2021 and 2022 during his time at Arsenal. The charges were filed just four days after his contract with the Premier League club expired at the end of June.

Despite the legal proceedings, Partey has joined the Black Stars’ training camp in Accra ahead of Ghana’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Chad and Mali. He reported to camp on Tuesday, September 2, and is expected to feature in both matches.

Ghana will travel to N’Djamena to face Chad on Thursday, September 4, before returning to Accra to host Mali on Monday, September 8. Now a player for Spanish side Villarreal after leaving Arsenal, the former Atlético Madrid midfielder is set to play a key role as the Black Stars aim to secure qualification for their fifth World Cup.

Ghana currently tops Group I with 15 points from six matches.

READ ALSO

• Yaw Preko urges support for Thomas Partey ahead of World Cup qualifiers
• Thomas Partey granted conditional bail over rape charges

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• 2026 WCQ: I hope we win against Chad – Otto Addo
• 2026 WCQ: Black Stars hold first training with 12 players ahead…

Switzerland defender Manuel Akanji also completed a move away from City before the transfer deadline, joining Inter Milan on a season-long loan.

City have agreed to pay £26m for Donnarumma, who has joined them on a five-year deal with the option of a further year.

The 26-year-old had become surplus to requirements at Ligue 1 and Champions League winners PSG following the signing of Lucas Chevalier from Lille.

The former AC Milan keeper has already made 412 club appearances and also played 74 times for Italy, helping them beat England in the Euro 2020 final.

He is the seventh new player and second goalkeeper to sign for City this summer after James Trafford arrived from Burnley.

“To have signed for Manchester City is such a special and proud moment for me,” said Donnarumma.

“I am joining a squad packed with world-class talent and a team led by one of the greatest managers in the history of football in Pep Guardiola. This is a club every player in world football would love to join.

“I have admired watching Manchester City for many years – so to now be able to play for the club is a huge honour and a privilege.”

Image source: Getty Images

Image caption: Ederson was greeted by Fenerbahce fans as he arrived in Istanbul on Monday to complete his move

Ederson leaves the Blues after eight years in which he helped them win six Premier League titles and the Champions League.

Turkish side Fenerbahce agreed to pay £12.1m for the 32-year-old, who made 372 appearances across all competitions for City after a £35m move from Benfica in 2017.

Ederson also won the FA Cup twice with City and helped manager Pep Guardiola’s team claim the Treble in 2022-23.

Akanji was also a key player in that remarkable season of success after joining City from Borussia Dortmund in 2022. He started the 2023 Champions League final, which was against the 30-year-old’s new team Inter.

There is no doubt Ederson will be remembered as one of City’s greatest goalkeepers, and he departs as a tough act to follow.

“I leave Manchester City incredibly proud of what we have achieved together, and I am honoured to have worn the shirt so many times,” Ederson said.

“Under Pep, we have won dominated the Premier League and conquered Europe. It has been amazing.”​​​​​​​

Image source: Getty Images

Image caption: Ederson was a Champions League winner in 2023 with Manchester City

Ederson added: “I arrived in Manchester eight years ago full of hope, but I could not have predicted such a beautiful time together.

“Playing for City has been the most special time of my life and I will always be a fan of this special club.

“I’m going with my wife and children, but I’m leaving a big family here, Cityzens. Once a Blue, always a Blue.”

Not only did Ederson claim 122 clean sheets from 276 Premier League appearances, but he also registered seven assists in the competition.

Former Liverpool player Bruce Grobbelaar is the only other keeper to have won six English top-flight titles.

“The fact no goalkeeper has ever won more Premier League titles says everything you need to know about his quality and consistency in a City shirt,” said City’s director of football Hugo Viana.

“He has been a huge figure in all our successes over recent years, and his skills and bravery have been crucial in helping City play the beautiful football we have seen. He has truly cemented his place in the history of Manchester City.”

A total of £2.73bn had been spent by 31 August, but big-money deadline day deals – headlined by Alexander Isak’s move from Newcastle to Liverpool for a British record £125m – pushed the total to £3.087bn.

The spending was significantly more than last summer, when the outlay by top-flight teams was £1.96bn.

The league’s record had been the £2.36bn spend in the summer 2023 window.

The total this year is more than was spent by Bundesliga, La Liga, Ligue 1 and Serie A clubs combined.

What were the major deadline day deals?

Deadline day was quiet for the most part, with the major deals not announced until after the window shut at 19:00 BST, although moves could still be completed two hours after that if deal sheets were submitted in time.

Isak’s move was confirmed at 21:30 BST, although an expected move for England defender Marc Guehi failed to happen in the end as Crystal Palace would not sanction the transfer as they faced difficulties in bringing in a replacement for their captain.

Following confirmation of Swedish striker Isak’s departure, Newcastle then announced the £55m arrival of Yoane Wissa from Brentford.

Other notable deals included Fulham completing a club-record £34.6m deal to sign Shakhtar Donetsk’s Brazilian winger Kevin.

Manchester United brought in Belgian goalkeeper Senne Lammens from Royal Antwerp for an initial £18.1m, while Red Devils forward Jadon Sancho completed a season-long loan move to Aston Villa, who also signed Liverpool midfielder Harvey Elliott on loan with a buy option.

Tottenham Hotspur took Paris St-Germain striker Randal Kolo Muani on a season-long loan deal, while Arsenal brought in defender Piero Hincapie from Bayer Leverkusen on loan.

Newly promoted Sunderland continued their summer of spending as they brought in Ajax forwards Brian Brobbey and Bertrand Traore, as well as RB Leipzig defender Lutsharel Geertruida on a season-long loan.

Who were the biggest spenders?

All Premier League clubs’ spending

Having barely dipped their toes in the transfer market in Arne Slot’s first summer in charge last year, Liverpool have gone in the completely opposite direction this time.

The swoop for Isak took their summer spending to £415m – setting a new record for the amount spent by a single club in a single window.

The previous record was set by Chelsea in the summer of 2023 (£400m).

Not only is this more than any other European club, but almost as much as the total spent in other European leagues.

“A humongous flex by Liverpool,” former Manchester City goalkeeper Joe Hart said on BBC Radio 5 Live’s Monday Night Club.

“The moves and the money they have spent is phenomenal and they have brought in some brilliant players.”

Chelsea and Arsenal also made major moves as they looked to bolster their squad to help challenge more closely for the title, spending £285m and £255m respectively.

But the Blues were good at selling players too, as £288m of sales made for a net profit of £3m, whereas Arsenal were the opposite and managed just £9m in sales for a net spend of £246m.

While Isak’s move was one between Premier League clubs, many of the major deals this summer have involved signings from Europe.

Liverpool, for example, brought in Florian Wirtz from Bayer Leverkusen for £116m, Hugo Ekitike from Eintracht Frankfurt for £79m, full-back Jeremie Frimpong from Bayer Leverkusen for £29.5m, keeper Giorgi Mamardashvili from Valencia for £29m and Giovanni Leoni from Parma for £26m.

In other headline deals, Arsenal spent a combined £114.5m on bringing in striker Viktor Gyokeres from Sporting and midfielder Martin Zubimendi from Real Sociedad, while Manchester United signed striker Benjamin Sesko from RB Leipzig for £73.7m.

Premier League clubs buying players from the European leagues will have contributed to the Bundesliga, La Liga and Ligue 1 finishing the window with a net profit of more than £400m between them.

“We are reaching a situation where the Premier League spending is so far ahead of the others and is so essential to the transfer market ecosystem, that the remaining ‘big five’ competitions are becoming feeder leagues,” said Paul MacDonald of FootballTransfers.com.

“La Liga, Serie A, Bundesliga and Ligue 1 all spent this summer, but it was money they had already generated from sales.

“Put simply there is the ‘Big One’ – the Premier League is such a behemoth it should no longer really be categorised with the other leagues in Europe.”

Promoted clubs pay out to boost survival fight

For the past two seasons, all three teams who have come up from the Championship have immediately gone back down.

So with the challenge to stay in the Premier League getting harder, all three newly promoted clubs have taken action to change that outcome.

Sunderland, back in the top flight after an eight-year absence, have spent more than half of the other Premier League clubs.

Their total of £162m was the eighth-most, even surpassing Manchester City’s spend of £152m – although Pep Guardiola’s side had yet to confirm a proposed deal for Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma on Monday night.

“In the last couple of years the promoted clubs have gone straight back down,” said former Premier League striker Chris Sutton.

“I’m astonished by Sunderland’s spending, but they have given themselves an opportunity of staying up.”

Both Burnley and Leeds have also spent around £100m in the window to try to ensure they are best equipped for survival – that’s more than Aston Villa, Brentford, Crystal Palace and Fulham.

The Sweden striker joined the Merseyside club on deadline day on Monday for a British record transfer fee of £125m after a drawn out transfer saga.

Isak scored in Newcastle’s 2-1 win over Liverpool in the Carabao Cup final in March as the club won their first domestic trophy in 70 years.

However, in the summer he said he wanted to leave the Magpies and has not played for them this season.

Newcastle issued a terse 37-word statement on their website to announce that Isak had made the move to Anfield, but the 25-year-old offered a more heartfelt reflection on his time on Tyneside.

“I want to express my gratitude to my team-mates, the staff, and above all, the city of Newcastle and all the amazing supporters for the three unforgettable years we shared together,” Isak said in a post on his Instagram account.

“Together, we have written history and brought the club to the place where it truly belongs.

“It has been an honour to be part of the journey, from reaching the Champions League to winning the first trophy in over 70 years. Forever grateful. Thank you, Newcastle.”

How the Isak move developed

Isak joined Newcastle in a £60m move from La Liga side Real Sociedad in 2022 and scored 27 goals in 42 appearances across all competitions last season.

He helped the Magpies win the Carabao Cup in March and they went on to qualify for the Champions League by finishing fifth in the Premier League.

Earlier this summer, Isak was left out of the Magpies’ squad for their pre-season tour of Asia with what the club described as a “minor thigh injury”, while it was understood he wanted to explore a move away.

He then trained alone at his former club Sociedad before Liverpool’s initial bid for him was knocked back by Newcastle.

Amid continued speculation about his future, Isak released a statement in which he said promises had been “broken” by Newcastle and that their “relationship can’t continue”.

Newcastle said “no commitment had ever been made by a club official that Alex can leave Newcastle United this summer”.

However, a move has now happened after Isak remained on the sidelines and missed their opening three league games, which included a 3-2 defeat by Liverpool at St James’ Park.

The plan to aim for the Premier League title in 2028, the 150th anniversary of the club that started life as Newton Heath and turned into Manchester United, was first outlined by chief executive Omar Berrada to staff in September 2024.

Berrada doubled down on the aim in June this year in an interview with the respected United We Stand fanzine, stating: “Why not aim for it?”

The overall strategy of building for a better future was behind the decision taken less than 12 hours before the transfer window closed.

United told Lammens to board a private jet and fly to Manchester, rather than ask Aston Villa’s Emiliano Martinez to head up the M6 to complete the move he had hoped would happen virtually since last season ended.

Sources say the dilemma was straightforward.

Firstly, United know significant improvement is required this season after the debacle 2024-25 became. But ‘Project 150’ is the bigger plan Berrada and the club ownership are striving to achieve.

United are respectful of Martinez. They accept the Argentina international is proven in the Premier League.

He has played at the highest levels of the game and won the World Cup. He is not mistake free by any means though and made more errors leading to shots last season (6) than United’s Andre Onana (4).

But Martinez has the personality to deal with that at a time when even head coach Ruben Amorim says: “It is hard to be a Manchester United goalkeeper in this moment.”

Lammens is at the other end of the experience scale. The 6ft 4in stopper has 93 appearances to his name, only 52 of which have come in the Belgian Pro League.

His single outing in the Champions League came in Royal Antwerp’s 2-0 defeat by Porto in November 2023. He was picked for the Belgium senior squad for the first time in March and has yet to win a full cap.

However, United’s data analysis, something minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe has been determined to significantly improve, pointed at someone who warranted closer attention.

Club sources say that in key metrics, such as claimed crosses, shot stopping, preventing goals from rebounds and mistakes, or rather the lack of them, Lammens rates exceptionally highly.

They also say Lammens made more saves than any other goalkeeper in Europe’s top 10 leagues and made the most ‘progressive’ passes for any goalkeeper under the age of 23.

In the statement confirming his arrival, director of football Jason Wilcox said Lammens was the subject of “significant interest from a number of clubs”.

Crucially, when United reach Berrada’s ‘Project 150’ point, Lammens will be 26 and should be moving into his prime. Martinez will be 35.

It could be argued the Old Trafford hierarchy faced a similar dilemma with another Aston Villa player, Ollie Watkins, and Benjamin Sesko. They went for Sesko.

The clear difference is United had already signed two ‘oven ready’ Premier League players in Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo for the attacking area they prioritised going into the summer.

Once the flurry of deals put together over the final few days of the window began to take shape, and having assessed the mistakes made by Altay Bayindir and Andre Onana in the preceding games, they decided to make a further addition to their goalkeeping roster at the expense of strengthening their midfield.

Lammens was not a new name on United’s radar. They were first linked with him last season and spoke to Royal Antwerp earlier in the summer.

The Belgian was keen to make the move from that point. It was the middle of last week when negotiations began between the clubs again and the deal was put in place that was activated on Monday morning.

United know there is a risk attached.

While United could still offload either Onana or Bayindir – clubs in the Netherlands, Belgium, Switzerland, Greece, Turkey and Saudi Arabia among others can still sign players until their respective deadlines close – the specifics remain unknown around who will be Amorim’s first-choice goalkeeper.

Aside from the data, Lammens has strong recommendations.

Thibaut Courtois, one of Belgium’s greatest keepers, rates him highly. So too Simon Mignolet, a former team-mate at Club Brugge.

“His shot stopping is his biggest quality,” says HLN.BE’s Royal Antwerp reporter Axel Brisart.

“He made some great saves and has great reflexes on the line.

“He is very proactive and likes to come for the ball. He has great feet and his passing is a really big weapon for any team looking to put some tempo into their play.”

Sesko has been eased into life at Old Trafford with a couple of substitute appearances in the Premier League to go with his 90-minute outing at Grimsby in the EFL Cup that left him with severe cramp at the final whistle.

Amorim cannot do the same with Lammens. Because of that shock defeat at Blundell Park, United will not play a cup match until January.

Their next game is at Manchester City on 14 September. Is it conceivable Amorim could give a debut to someone so inexperienced in such a big game?

World number one Sinner needed only one hour and 21 minutes – the second-quickest win in the men’s singles this year – to achieve a 6-1 6-1 6-1 victory against Kazakhstan’s Bublik.

Within minutes of his defeat, 23rd seed Bublik wrote ‘AI’ in a comment on the US Open’s Instagram post about the result – reiterating the description he made about Sinner going into Monday’s fourth-round match.

Bublik is one of only two men to beat Sinner this season, but the 24-year-old Italian ensured there was no chance of a repeat with a ruthless performance in New York.

“We had some tough battles this year, but we know each other’s game really well,” said Sinner, who has already won the Australian Open and Wimbledon titles this year.

“He had a tough match [in the third round], five sets, finishing late and he didn’t serve as well as he usually does. Overall I’m very happy.”

Four-time major champion Sinner, who extended his winning streak at hard-court Grand Slam tournaments to 25 matches, took eight of his 17 break opportunities.

Going into the match, Bublik had won all 55 of his service games in the tournament.

Bublik spoke about the importance of holding serve early in the match but, having completed victory over American hopeful Tommy Paul shortly after 1:15am local time on Sunday morning, he instantly looked out of sorts.

Losing serve in the first game – down to sloppy groundstrokes and a double fault on break point – set the tone.

After Sinner seized control, his athleticism soaked up the drop-shots and underarm serves thrown his way by the unpredictable Bublik.

There was also no let-up in the ferocity of the top seed’s groundstrokes.

Bublik could not handle the pace being thrown at him, before his double fault on Sinner’s first match point summed up a difficult evening.

In the face of such adversity, Bublik still managed to play with a smile on his face and shared a joke at the net with Sinner following his heavy defeat.

“You’re so good, this is insane. I’m not bad,” the 28-year-old said.

Perhaps the only consolation for Bublik was avoiding being at the wrong end of the fastest beating of the tournament.

Surviving three break points to hold serve for 4-1 in the final set helped him slightly prolong the match, taking it past the one hour and 20 minutes which Czech 21st seed Tomas Machac took to beat Italy’s Luca Nardi in the first round.

Sinner goes on to face 10th seed Lorenzo Musetti in an all-Italian quarter-final.

Anisimova to face Swiatek after another one-sided match

Image source: Getty Images

Image caption: Amanda Anisimova had never previously gone past the US Open third round

Following Sinner’s win, Wimbledon runner-up Amanda Anisimova continued the day’s theme of one-sided victories by brushing aside Brazil’s Beatriz Haddad Maia.

American eighth seed Anisimova won 6-0 6-3 to wrap up a short night session lasting less than four hours on Arthur Ashe Stadium.

Seven of the eight singles matches played on Monday ended in straight-set wins.

Anisimova, 24, needed only one hour and 15 minutes as she carried a career-best run at her home major into the quarter-finals.

There she will face second seed Iga Swiatek, less than two months after the Polish player thrashed Anisimova 6-0 6-0 in the Wimbledon final.

“Who would’ve thought we’d meet again so soon?” Anisimova said.

“I’m super excited. It’s going to be a great match… I hope, this time.”

The Canadian, 25, dominated the Russian 7-5 6-3 6-4 to progress to the last eight at Flushing Meadows for the first time since 2021, when he reached the semi-finals.

Rublev had been the favourite before the match, given he had beaten Auger-Aliassime in seven of the pair’s previous eight matches.

But Auger-Aliassime, who won the US Open junior title in 2016, overpowered Rublev, hitting 42 winners to the Russian’s 22 and losing his serve just once.

The Canadian’s dominance irked Rublev, who smashed his racquet at the end of the second set and appeared frustrated as the match slipped away.

“I’ve played good in the past against Andrey, but I kept my cool and remained calm and poised to finish the match – that was the key,” said Auger-Aliassime.

“Today was my first time playing on Arthur Ashe in a few years but it feels even better than the first time.

“The first time at 21, I was on my way up. I’ve had a few setbacks, injuries and struggles with confidence, so to come back the second time to the quarter-finals, it feels much better and more deserved.

“I’m soaking up every moment here.”

The 25th seed’s reward for victory is a quarter-final match against eighth seed De Minaur, who was too strong for Swiss qualifier Leandro Riedi in a 6-3 6-2 6-1 success.

‘No holding back’ for De Minaur in last eight

De Minaur needed just one hour and 33 minutes to reach the quarter-finals, although the Australian eighth seed was far from flawless against the world number 435.

Breaks apiece early in the first set suggested the crowd on Louis Armstrong Stadium were about to enjoy a close contest, but Riedi’s all-or-nothing aggressive game proved his downfall.

The 23-year-old faced seven break points in the first set alone, allowing De Minaur to sweep up in 32 minutes.

De Minaur set out his stall for the second set by breaking from 0-40 down and winning five straight games before Riedi enjoyed a brief resurgence.

The Australian made just 55% of his first serves in the second set, but felt little pressure as Riedi made 15 unforced errors.

Riedi did remarkably well to reach the last 16 after two separate operations at the end of last year, but a leg issue began to hamper him in the final set and his service game fell apart.

“I’ve always thought that the first job is to get there and give myself the opportunity,” said De Minaur, who has never been beyond the last eight of a major.

“This is my sixth quarter-final so I’ve got some experience. I know what to expect and the mindset going forward is going to be going for it. There’s no holding back.”

Later on Louis Armstrong Stadium, 10th seed Lorenzo Musetti beat Jaume Munar 6-3 6-0 6-1 to reach the quarter-finals at Flushing Meadows for the first time in his career – with a potential last-eight tie with compatriot Jannik Sinner to come.

Italian Musetti broke early in the first set and never looked back, hitting 12 winners compared to Munar’s three.

A visibly under-the-weather Munar failed to win a game in the second set, managing just five of the 29 points played.

The Spaniard perked up a little as he held to stop Musetti winning 10 straight games, and then should have broken but spurned three break points, with Musetti’s defensive game remaining impenetrable.

He will now face either top seed Sinner, the defending US Open champion, or 23rd seed Alexander Bublik in the last eight – they meet in the opening match of the night session.

Japan’s Osaka, who gave birth to daughter Shai in 2023, knocked out American third seed Gauff with a 6-3 6-2 win to reach the New York quarter-finals.

Gauff, 21, came into her home Grand Slam clouded by uncertainty in her game and it showed in a subdued performance.

Former world number one Osaka played patiently to draw mistakes out of her opponent, whose forehand was particularly unable to cope with the scrutiny.

Osaka, seeded 23rd, broke into a coy-but-satisfied smile before clapping Gauff, who made a hasty exit, off the court.

Afterwards, Gauff said: “I am not going to let this crush me.”

Four-time Grand Slam champion Osaka’s victory moved her into the last eight of a major for the first time since she won the 2021 Australian Open.

It was also her biggest win by ranking since beating then-world number one Ashleigh Barty at the China Open in 2019.

“Coco is one of the best players in the world. I have the most fun when I play against the best players. I always see it as a challenge. I like challenges,” said Osaka, before adding: “These are the moments that I play tennis for.”

Osaka will face Karolina Muchova in the last eight after the Czech 11th seed beat Ukraine’s Marta Kostyuk.

How Osaka preyed on Gauff’s troubles

Two of the sport’s most high-profile stars meeting again in New York felt like the first real ‘popcorn’ match of the tournament.

Ultimately, it ended up lacking entertainment as Osaka, 27, earned a one-sided win, but emphasised the strides she has made over recent months.

A more measured approach to her powerful baseline game reaped rewards against 2023 champion Gauff.

Osaka smartly asked questions of the clearly-uncertain American, whose forehand breaking down in the rallies was the telling factor in a match lasting little over an hour.

Days before her home Grand Slam, Gauff made a bold move to reshuffle her team in a bid to stem the flow of double faults.

Grip specialist Matt Daly paid the price as in came biomechanics expert Gavin MacMillan, who helped rival Aryna Sabalenka overcome her serving yips.

The drastic measure brought increased scrutiny at what is already a high-pressure tournament – and the added toll clearly affected Gauff.

Looking frustrated throughout the tournament, her unease was evident from the start against Osaka.

Image source: Getty Images

Image caption: Gauff has not reached a quarter-final in the five tournaments she has played since winning her second major at the French Open in June

This manifested through her forehand – another area where she has struggled to find consistency over the years – while her serve held up well.

Eleven unforced errors from the forehand took the first set away from her. Framing a return from that wing also proved pivotal in the second set.

The mishit brought up two more break opportunities for Osaka at 3-2, with Gauff’s more-reliable backhand letting her down on the first point indicated the pressure she was feeling.

For much of the match, it felt like a virtually-capacity 25,000 crowd were slightly conflicted in their support of two hugely popular players.

Gauff led the home challenge in terms of seeding and superstar status, but Osaka – despite representing Japan – grew up in the Queens borough of New York City where the tournament is held.

Both women have also endeared themselves to fans by eloquently using their voices to shine light on social issues including racism.

Sensing the younger player needed them more, the crowd tried to rally Gauff as she stared at defeat, but she was unable to recover and exited at the fourth-round stage for the second straight year.

“I felt so discombobulated on the court, because I was serving well but not returning well. The last two years, everybody can agree that’s like a weird thought,” said Gauff.

“I think there’s a lot of positives to take from this tournament and I’m trying to be positive.

“I promise you that, I don’t feel that way right now, but I am not going to let this crush me.”

Swiatek books extra practice after powering through

Elsewhere on Monday, Wimbledon champion Iga Swiatek extended her winning run at Grand Slams to 11 matches with a 6-3 6-1 demolition of Russian 13th seed Ekaterina Alexandrova.

The Polish second seed wrapped up victory in just 64 minutes in a one-sided affair.

Such was the speed and ease of the victory that Swiatek immediately picked up her phone to text her coach and arrange a practice session.

“I asked him to book 10 minutes of a practice court if it’s possible,” she said in her on-court interview.

Targeting a second US Open title and second Grand Slam of the season, Swiatek has now reached the last eight or better at all four majors in the same season for the first time.

The six-time major winner will meet American Amanda Anisimova in the quarter-final, in a repeat of July’s Wimbledon final when Swiatek thrashed the eighth seed 6-0 6-0.

Anisimova brushed aside Brazilian 18th seed Beatriz Haddad Maia 6-0 6-3 in Monday’s evening session.

The team officially opened camp in Accra, with the squad training together for the first time. The team will complete a final session on Tuesday, September 2, before departing for N’Djamena.

Among the players who featured in Monday’s session were Antoine Semenyo, Elisha Owusu, Ibrahim Osman, Kamaldeen Sulemana, Jerry Afriyie, Joseph Anang, Christopher Bonsu Baah, Benjamin Asare, Jonas Adjetey, Ibrahim Sulemana, Jordan Ayew, and Gideon Mensah.

The remaining players are expected to join camp by Monday night, while winger Joseph Paintsil is scheduled to link up with the group on Tuesday morning.

Ghana will face Chad on Thursday, September 4, before returning home to host Mali at the Accra Sports Stadium on Monday, September 8, 2025.

The Black Stars currently top Group I with 15 points from six matches, positioning them strongly in their bid to qualify for a fifth FIFA World Cup.

The two sides are set to face off on Thursday, September 4, at the Stade Olympique Maréchal Idriss Déby Itno in N’Djamena for Matchday 7 of the qualifiers.

Speaking ahead of the fixture, Addo, 47, expressed confidence in his team’s ability to claim all three points.

“The next focus is the Chad game, and I hope that we can win,” he said.

Following the trip to Chad, Ghana will return to Accra to host Mali on Monday, September 8, for Matchday 8.

The squad is scheduled to hold training sessions at the Accra Sports Stadium today and tomorrow morning before departing for N’Djamena.

Ghana currently sits atop Group I with 15 points from six matches, positioning the Black Stars strongly in their bid for a fifth World Cup appearance.

They will round off their qualifying campaign in October against the Central African Republic and Comoros.

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Ghana currently sits atop Group I with 15 points after six qualifying matches. The four-time African champions will regroup for their Matchday 7 and 8 qualifiers against Chad and Mali.

Speaking ahead of the games, Addo acknowledged the team’s favourable position but cautioned against complacency.

“We are in a good situation, and I hope that we can do everything to qualify. We have to take it step by step; we can’t make a mistake,” he said.

“A lot of people are talking about the World Cup already, but it’s still a long way,” added the 47-year-old coach.

Ghana will travel to N’Djamena to face Chad at the Stade Olympique Maréchal Idriss Déby Itno on Thursday, September 4, before returning home to host Mali at the Accra Sports Stadium on Monday, September 8.

The Black Stars are scheduled to train at the Accra Sports Stadium today and tomorrow morning before departing for Chad.

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Bayern will pay an initial £14.3m to take the 24-year-old on loan for the rest of the 2025-26 season.

Personal terms are already in place for a future five-year permanent contract for Jackson, whose deal with Bayern was in doubt after Chelsea instructed him to return when Liam Delap was injured in Saturday’s Premier League win over Fulham.

The Senegal forward joined Chelsea from £32m from Villarreal in 2023 and scored 30 goals in 81 matches.

“I’m really happy to now be part of this great club,” said Jackson. “Bayern is one of the best clubs in the world.

“Everyone knows the names of the legends who’ve played here and knows that this club stands for the greatest success.

“I’ve got big goals and dreams here and will give my all to help Bayern win further titles.”

Jackson had been an automatic starter for Chelsea until his red card at St James’s Park in April – his second dismissal of the season – which left the club without a striker as they were competing for a place in the Champions League.

He was then sent off within four minutes of coming on as a second-half substitute in the 3-1 group-stage defeat by Flamengo at the Club World Cup, Fifa’s expanded competition which Chelsea ultimately won. Strikers Delap and Joao Pedro arrived to replace him during the tournament.

Multiple sources with knowledge of the situation said Jackson ultimately lost the trust of manager Enzo Maresca and some of the hierarchy at Stamford Bridge, prompting him to seek a move.

It was a shift in mood as Maresca said earlier in April that the frontman was his “perfect number nine” and wanted “a copy of Nico” rather than to replace him.

Jackson could face Chelsea on September 17 (20:00 BST) in Munich as Uefa rules allow loanees to face their parent clubs in the Champions League.

Lammens, 23, who is yet to win a senior cap for his country, arrives at Old Trafford on a five-year contract.

“I am extremely proud to be joining Manchester United. It is a real dream come true,” said Lammens.

“The past few years have been an amazing journey, it’s now ended in an incredible destination and hopefully the beginning of something special.”

Lammens has made 64 appearances for Royal Antwerp and helped them win the Belgian Super Cup in 2023.

He was named in the Belgium national team squad for the first time in March.

Newcastle sources claim the deal could be worth as much as £130m with add-ons.

Sweden international Isak, 25, had a medical on Monday before signing a six-year contract.

Isak, who will wear the number nine shirt with the Reds, told the Liverpool website: “This is the next step for me in my career. I’m super happy that I’ve been given this chance and I’m very motivated to do something well with it.

“I want to create history. I want to win trophies. That’s ultimately the biggest motivation for me.

“This is the perfect place for me to grow even further and to take my game to the next level and help the team as well.”

Liverpool had an original £110m offer for Isak rejected in August but have now landed their first-choice target of the summer.

The protracted saga came to an end on the final day of the transfer window, with the Reds announcing the deal at 21:30 BST, two and a half hours after the window closed.

It follows Newcastle having signed Germany international striker Nick Woltemade from Stuttgart last week and Brentford forward Yoane Wissa in a £50m deal on Monday

However, Liverpool failed to complete a £35m deal to sign England defender Marc Guehi from Crystal Palace. The 25-year-old had a medical with the Reds, but Palace’s failure to sign a replacement meant the deal collapsed.

Newcastle’s blunt 37-word statement announcing deal

Isak scored in Newcastle’s 2-1 win over Liverpool in the Carabao Cup final in March as the club won their first domestic trophy in 70 years.

However, he said he wanted to leave the club earlier in the summer and has not played for them in this campaign.

When announcing the deal, Newcastle issued a terse 37-word statement on the club website.

The statement said: “Newcastle United can announce the sale of striker Alexander Isak to Liverpool for a significant British record transfer fee.

“The Sweden international joined the Magpies from Real Sociedad in 2022 and made 109 appearances in all competitions.”

A deal was agreed to sell Guehi to the Merseyside club for a fee of £35 million, plus a 10 percent sell-on clause.

The 25-year-old was given permission to complete the formalities of his move, and had started undergoing a medical, in London on Monday, before signing what would have been a five-year contract with the Premier League champions.

But sources have now confirmed to BBC Sport that the deal is off.

Palace were refusing to sanction the transfer as they faced difficulties in sorting a replacement – with target Igor Julio opting for a move to West Ham.

They completed two signings on deadline day.

Toulouse centre-back Jaydee Canvot joined on a four-year deal while Christantus Uche arrived on a seson-long loan from Getafe.

Palace wanted two defensive replacements before sanctioning Guehi’s exit.

It was a busy deadline day for Liverpool, who also agreed a British record £125m deal with Newcastle for striker Alexander Isak.

Guehi captained Palace to a 3-0 win at Aston Villa on Sunday, scoring a spectacular second goal.

Speaking after the match, he did not discuss his future.

“All I know is when you score goals like that it is always down to team performance,” he said. “People will try to single out the goal but that was a clear team performance tonight.”

Guehi had been a key target for Liverpool this summer after Jarrell Quansah left Anfield for Bayer Leverkusen.

There have also been concerns about the solidity of a Liverpool’s defence that conceded six goals in their first three games of the season.

They lost the Community Shield on penalties to Palace – who Guehi captained at Wembley – and gave up two-goal leads in the Premier League to Bournemouth and Newcastle before fighting back to win.

What next for Guehi?

Guehi will now return to Crystal Palace, where he has performed a key role in the start of the club’s season, despite speculation about his future.

He has played 90 minutes in all six of Palace’s games across three competitions including the Community Shield win, and the Conference League as the Eagles returned to Europe.

They qualified for Europe by beating Manchester City in the FA Cup final – the club’s first major trophy, lifted by Guehi – and are competing in this season’s Conference League.

But his long-term future remains uncertain, as he is in the final year of his contract and has told Palace he does not want to extend it.

Guehi has broken into the England squad since joining Palace from Chelsea in 2021, and was key for the Three Lions in their run to the Euro 2024 final.

The Porcupine Warriors failed to win a single match in the competition, sparking discontent among supporters, some of whom have already called for Zito’s dismissal.

However, the coach insists he is focused on his work and not distracted by outside pressure.

“I am not worried about the criticisms from fans and the media because I am the head coach and know what went wrong during the GHALCA Top 4 tournament,” Zito told Asempa FM’s Ultimate Sports Show.

“It is not about saying what you don’t know, but rather understanding the situation. I don’t care about what the fans and the media say about me because the worst that could happen is for the club to sack me, and I am not concerned about that. Myself, together with the players, are always aiming to do our best,” he added.

Zito, who succeeded Prosper Narteh Ogum late last season, has already guided Kotoko to four domestic trophies: the FA Cup, President’s Cup, Toyota Cup, and Champion of Champions.

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Speaking on Asempa FM’s Ultimate Sports Show, Asante Twum listed the early arrivals as Antoine Semenyo, Elisha Owusu, Salis Abdul Samed, Ibrahim Osman, Joseph Annan, Benjamin Asare, Ibrahim Sulemana, Mohammed Salisu, Jonas Adejey, Christopher Bonsu Baah, Caleb Yirenkye, Jerry Afriyie, Lawrence Ati-Zigi, and Tariq Lamptey.

He added that the remaining squad members, including captain Thomas Partey, are expected to join later this evening ahead of the first full training session on Tuesday.

Ghana will face Chad on Thursday, September 4, at the Stade Olympique Maréchal Idriss Déby Itno in N’Djamena before returning home to host Mali at the Accra Sports Stadium on Monday, September 8.

The Black Stars will hold training sessions at the Accra Sports Stadium today and tomorrow morning before departing for N’Djamena.

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Ghana will first travel to N’Djamena to face Chad on September 4 at the Stade Olympique Maréchal Idriss Déby Itno, before hosting Mali at the Accra Sports Stadium on September 8 for Matchday 7 and 8 fixtures of the qualifiers.

Speaking to Asempa FM’s Ultimate Sports Show, Zito expressed confidence in the team’s chances of reaching the World Cup. He stressed the importance of focusing on qualification after the team’s early exit from the Africa Cup of Nations.

“The aim is to qualify for the World Cup because, for now, the AFCON is gone, and the team must approach these games with a winning mentality. I believe they will get the needed results,” Zito said.

“Black Stars is for us, and we will all be happy when the team qualifies. I strongly believe the team will make it to the World Cup, but they must win these games,” he added.

The Black Stars officially opened camp in Accra on September 1 as preparations begin for the crucial double-header.

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The deal is reportedly worth £6 million, including potential add-ons. Lamptey will don the number 48 jersey and is expected to serve as a backup to Brazilian defender Dodo.

The 23-year-old’s 2024/25 season at Brighton was hampered by recurring injuries, limiting him to just 15 appearances. Despite this, he contributed two goals and several assists.

Lamptey was not included in Brighton’s matchday squads for the season opener fixtures against Fulham, Everton, and Oxford United, indicating the club’s intention to offload him this summer.

Since joining Brighton from Chelsea in 2020, Lamptey made 104 appearances, scoring three goals and showcasing his versatility on the flank.

He is now set to link up with his Black Stars teammates for Ghana’s upcoming Matchday 7 and 8 fixtures of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Chad and Mali later this month.

]]> https://www.adomonline.com/2026-wcq-black-stars-open-camp-today-ahead-of-chad-and-mali-games/ Mon, 01 Sep 2025 07:14:20 +0000 https://www.adomonline.com/?p=2573300 The Black Stars of Ghana will officially open camp in Accra today ahead of their Matchday 7 and 8 fixtures in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

Ghana is set to face Chad at the Stade Olympique Maréchal Idriss Déby Itno on Thursday, September 4, before returning home to host Mali at the Accra Sports Stadium on Monday, September 8, 2025.

The team’s first training session takes place today, September 1, at the Accra Sports Stadium and will be open to both the media and fans. Tuesday’s session, however, will be held behind closed doors before the squad departs for N’Djamena later that evening.

Head coach Otto Addo has named a 24-man squad for the fixtures, with Union Berlin left-back Derrick Arthur Köhn receiving his first call-up. Key players including Jordan Ayew, Antoine Semenyo, and Elisha Owusu have already arrived in Accra for camp.

After six games, Ghana sits at the top of Group I with 15 points — three clear of Comoros and five ahead of Madagascar — as they push for a fifth FIFA World Cup appearance.

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Ten Hag, 55, was only appointed by the German club in the summer having been sacked by United in October.

“Nobody wanted to take this step,” Leverkusen managing director Simon Rolfes told the club website.

“However, the past few weeks have shown that building a new and successful team with this set-up is not feasible.”

Leverkusen have earned one point from their first two Bundesliga games.

After losing 2-1 at home to Hoffenheim on the opening weekend of the season, they drew 3-3 at 10-man Werder Bremen on Saturday, having led 2-0 and 3-1.

Ten Hag signed a two-year contract to succeed Xabi Alonso as head coach in May after the Spaniard, who led Leverkusen to a league and cup double in 2023-24, was appointed Real Madrid boss.

“A parting of ways at this early stage of the season is painful, but we felt it was necessary,” said Leverkusen CEO Fernando Carro.

“We remain committed to achieving our goals for the season – and to do that, we need the best possible conditions at all levels and across the entire first team.”

Kotoko are set to face Nigerian side Kwara United in the preliminary round later this month.

In recent seasons, the Kumasi-based club has struggled to make an impact on the continental stage despite enjoying domestic success.

Appiah, who also serves as head coach of the Sudan national team, acknowledged the challenge ahead but remained optimistic about Kotoko’s chances.

“I mean, for some time now, Asante Kotoko has not been themselves. As a matter of fact, the king himself is now involved. And for that reason, everyone around is trying to help make sure Kotoko does well, especially this year,” Appiah told Pulse Ghana.

“For that reason, I believe that Kotoko is going to give a good account of themselves, but I actually don’t believe in the idea that we will be better than Kwara or that Kwara will be better than Kotoko.

“The important thing is making sure you go out there and give the best. And I think it will be a tough game, but I also see that Kotoko will try and give a good account of themselves,” he added.

The first leg of the tie will be played in Kumasi between September 19 and 21, with the return leg scheduled for Nigeria from September 26 to 28.

The winner will advance to face Moroccan giants Wydad Casablanca in the next round.

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The Porcupine Warriors endured a poor run in the 2025 GHALCA Top 4 tournament, losing all three matches against Bibiani GoldStars, Heart of Lions, and Hearts of Oak.

However, Kotoko bounced back in style on Sunday at the DUNs Park, edging out Premier League champions Bibiani GoldStars 1-0 to claim the trophy, with Musa Hamzata scoring the decisive second-half goal.

Reflecting on their struggles in the Top 4, Zito attributed the dip in form to the team’s congested schedule, which denied his players the needed recovery period.

“I told you before, the GHALCA Tournament, the timing was very bad for us, not for the other clubs. Because when you look at our schedules, immediately after the league, we played the FA, we played the President Cup, and then we travelled. All this while, other clubs were resting,” he explained.

He added that Kotoko were still in the early stages of pre-season during the Top 4, a factor that contributed to errors and slow play.

“So, we were in the basic phase of the pre-season or complex phase of the pre-season when we started playing matches. Definitely, I wasn’t expecting something too good from my boys. If you look at the goals conceded, you will see that the majority came from minor mistakes by defenders or set-pieces. It tells you that not all the clubs were ready. But against Hearts of Oak, you could see that my boys were now picking up.”

Despite the early setbacks, Zito maintained confidence in his team, a belief that was rewarded with the Champion of Champions victory.

“I told them, look, I trust you, I know what you can do. We can go and win the Champion of Champions here. And there’s one thing I kept on saying, you can’t beat Zito twice. For that, I am sure.”

The win also serves as a morale booster for Kotoko ahead of the upcoming domestic season and CAF interclub competitions. Bibiani GoldStars will face Algeria’s JS Kabylie, while Kotoko prepare for a clash against Nigeria’s Kwara United in the preliminary round.

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Arsenal were beaten 1-0 by Liverpool on Sunday as Dominik Szoboszlai scored a stunning free-kick.

When asked on The Wayne Rooney Show if he thought it was now or never for Arsenal, Rooney said: “Maybe not for Arsenal, but I think for Arteta, possibly.

“I think they’ve allowed him to bring a lot of players in, spend a lot of money. I imagine the board and certainly the fans will be expecting him to win the league. So I think it could be a big year for him.”

But the former England and Manchester United forward thinks Liverpool remain the favourites to win the Premier league this season.

“[Liverpool] are a very good team,” Rooney said. “They’ve got the know-how and the knowledge of winning the league twice over the last few years. It’s a sign of a good team when you’re winning games.”

Rooney added that he thought Arsenal should have shown more bravery at Anfield rather than setting up for games “to not lose them”.

“If they were just a little bit braver and went and actually took the game a bit more to Liverpool, I think they can go and win that,” he said.

“I think that’s a real chance missed for Arsenal today. But then I think Liverpool have done what champions do – they stayed in the game.”

The former England captain was speaking on his new podcast, The Wayne Rooney Show, which airs twice weekly on BBC Sounds, YouTube and iPlayer.

‘I hated going to Anfield’

Liverpool-born Rooney, who began his career at Everton, said he “hated” going to Anfield when he played for Manchester United as “the thought of losing the game was just horrible”.

“Obviously you’re thinking if you win, how good it’s going to feel. And the same when we played Chelsea in the Champions League final – you win it, the feeling you get is incredible. But the thought of losing, at Anfield, emotionally it just got to me quite a lot of times,” he said.

Rooney added that winning against Liverpool was always “such a good feeling”.

“I was an Everton fan, didn’t like Liverpool from that. Then I went to United, didn’t like Liverpool from that. So beating Liverpool was such a good feeling,” he said.

“I think we could have got them in the [2008] Champions League final. It was Liverpool-Chelsea in the semi-final, so I was so glad it wasn’t Liverpool in the final. Liverpool in the Champions League final would have been too much, I think, for me.”

Rooney remembers his Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson telling him he would not play him at Goodison Park or Anfield.

“Alex Ferguson said many times he’s not playing me at Goodison or Anfield. He could see it in me. He knew, emotionally, going back to those two grounds – especially Anfield – was tough for me.”