Twenty-three Ghanaian referees have been awarded FIFA badges for the 2026 football season, marking another significant milestone for Ghana’s growing influence in international officiating.
The Ghana Football Association (GFA) formally presented the badges at a brief but symbolic ceremony held at the GFA Headquarters in Accra on Tuesday, January 21, 2025.
The approved contingent reflects Ghana’s expanding footprint across multiple disciplines of the game, comprising 10 Centre Referees, 10 Assistant Referees, one Futsal Referee, one Beach Soccer Referee and one Video Assistant Referee (VAR).
Leading the list is experienced official Daniel Nii Laryea, who received dual recognition as both a Centre Referee and a Video Assistant Referee, underlining his consistency and high standing within African and global refereeing circles. The list also features new assistant referee Richard Kwaku, alongside Portia Oppong, who makes history as Ghana’s Beach Soccer referee on the FIFA-approved roster.
FIFA badges are awarded annually to the highest-ranked referees from each member association, following a rigorous evaluation process. In Ghana, officials are first assessed by the GFA’s Classification and Assessment Committee based on their performances in the previous year and results in FIFA-mandated fitness and technical tests. Nominations are then forwarded to FIFA for final approval, with the world governing body reserving the right to reject any nominee who fails to meet its strict medical, fitness and performance standards.
Speaking at the ceremony, GFA Vice-President Mark Addo congratulated the officials and urged them to uphold the highest standards as ambassadors of Ghanaian football on the global stage.
Chairperson of the GFA Referees Committee, Christine Enyonam Zigah, echoed the call for excellence, reminding the officials of the responsibility that comes with wearing the FIFA badge.
“You have gone through a rigorous process to be selected, and you must justify the confidence reposed in you by FIFA. You have a duty to maintain the highest standards both at home and abroad. I wish you all the very best,” she noted.
The FIFA badge, which remains the property of FIFA, entitles the officials to officiate international matches from January 2026 to December 2026, with continued inclusion in future years dependent strictly on performance and adherence to FIFA regulations.
The ceremony was also attended by GFA General Secretary Prosper Harrison Addo, members of the Referees Appointment Committee including W. Okine and Head of Referees Alex Kotey, who joined in presenting the badges to the officials.
Vice-President of the Football Association, Mark Addo, has urged Ghanaian referees to set their sights on the highest levels of global officiating after 23 match officials were awarded FIFA badges for the 2026 season.
Speaking at a brief but symbolic ceremony at the GFA headquarters on Tuesday, January 21, where the badges were formally presented, Mark Addo congratulated the officials on their achievement and challenged them to embrace the responsibility that comes with FIFA recognition.
“I want to congratulate all of you for how far you’ve come and urge you to keep your heads high,” he said.
“There is a lot of expectation on you, and you must continue to work hard to maintain the standards required.”
The Vice-President further encouraged the referees to pursue excellence beyond the domestic scene, stressing that professionalism, integrity and perception are critical on the international stage.
The FIFA-approved contingent for 2026 comprises 10 Centre Referees, 10 Assistant Referees, one Futsal Referee, one Beach Soccer Referee and one Video Assistant Referee (VAR), highlighting Ghana’s expanding footprint across multiple disciplines of football.
Leading the group is seasoned official Daniel Nii Laryea, who earned dual recognition as both a Centre Referee and a Video Assistant Referee, underlining his consistency and stature within African and global officiating circles.
Former Black Stars striker Asamoah Gyan has revealed that the greatest pressure he felt while representing Ghana did not come against football’s heavyweights, but rather in matches against lower-ranked opponents where expectations were sky-high.
Widely regarded as one of Ghana’s greatest footballers, Gyan rose to international prominence at the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany, where his goals helped announce him on the global stage.
He would go on to carve out a remarkable international career, becoming Africa’s all-time top scorer at the World Cup and Ghana’s leading goalscorer of all time.
Speaking in a recent interview with former England and Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand, the ex-Sunderland, Al Ain and Shanghai SIPG striker explained that while wearing the national colours always came with responsibility, the psychological burden was heavier in games Ghana were expected to win.
“There was always pressure playing for Ghana,” Gyan said. “Where I felt it most was playing against the minnows, but no disrespect to them.
“Playing against teams that we were ahead of them statistically, when we go into such games they have nothing to lose, but we have something to lose. That is when I really felt the pressure. But playing against the top teams, I didn’t feel it as much.”
The former captain officially retired from professional football in June 2023, closing the chapter on a storied career that left an indelible mark on Ghanaian and African football.
Algerian influencer Raouf Belkacemi has been sentenced to three months in prison and fined 500 dirhams ($136) after filming himself urinating in the stands of Prince Moulay El Hassan Stadium in Rabat during the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
The Rabat First Instance Court issued the verdict on Monday, and Belkacemi remains in custody at El Arjate prison, about 20 kilometers south of the capital, with the right to appeal still available.
The incident occurred during Algeria’s Round of 16 match against the Democratic Republic of Congo. Belkacemi recorded the act and posted the footage on social media, where it quickly went viral, sparking outrage among fans and authorities alike.
The charges included violations of public decency and public order, reflecting the severity of his actions in a public sporting venue.
Following the video’s circulation, Moroccan authorities arrested Belkacemi and placed him in custody before presenting him to the courts.
The case highlights the legal boundaries governing behavior in stadiums, where celebrations and passions are expected to remain within socially and legally acceptable limits.
Belkacemi received a consular visit from Algerian Consul General Abdelhamid Abdaoui as part of standard procedures for nationals detained abroad.
Galatasaray host Atletico Madridin fascinating battle
Rams Park will play host to a fascinating Champions League battle on Wednesday night, as Galatasaray welcome Atletico Madrid in the league phase of the competition.
The Turkish side are 18th in the overall table, three points behind eighth-placed Atletico, demonstrating the importance of the clash on matchday seven.
Galatasaray have never beaten Atletico, drawing one and losing three of the four previous meetings between the two sides in the European Cup.
The Turkish giants are, therefore, chasing some history on Wednesday night, but their results have been a mixed bag in the Champions League this season, winning three and losing three of their six matches.
Galatasaray will finish their league stage against Manchester City on January 28, and successive defeats could potentially see them drop outside of the playoffs.
Victor Osimhen helped Nigeria finish third at the Africa Cup of Nations on Sunday night, and the striker is expected to be available for selection here, while Leroy Sane is also set to be a notable starter in the final third of the field.
This is a really interesting match, and we are expecting it to be tight on Wednesday. Cases can be made for either to win it, but both could be forced to accept a share of the spoils.
Both harbouring hopes of automatic qualification to the Champions League’s last 16, Marseille and Liverpool collide at the Orange Velodrome this evening in the league phase.
Marseille are searching for a third straight win in Europe’s premier tournament, while the Reds have some domestic wrongs to right in midweek.
Hugo Ekitike, Liverpool
Marseille have fought fire with fire successfully for much of the 2025-26 campaign, and that was again the case on matchday six, where a Mason Greenwood double helped the Ligue 1 title outsiders prevail 3-2 against Belgian upstarts Union Saint-Gilloise.
De Zerbi’s men have also taken down Newcastle United and PSV Eindhoven in this year’s tournament, but Sporting Lisbon, Atalanta BC and Real Madrid have all got the better of Les Olympiens, who sit 12th and three points off the automatic last-16 spots.
Now seeking three straight UCL wins for the first time since 2010-11, Marseille reunite with Liverpool for the first time since the 2008-09 league phase, where the Reds prevailed 2-1 on the road before a 1-0 home success under Rafael Benitez.
Liverpool’s trip to Marseille comes four days after Mohamed Salah completed his Africa Cup of Nations campaign, but at the time of writing, there is still no knowing whether the 33-year-old will make his long-awaited comeback on Wednesday night.
Three players who definitely will not be at Slot’s disposal are Conor Bradley (knee), Giovanni Leoni (knee) and Alexander Isak (leg), but the visitors are otherwise in strong shape for matchday seven.
Slot’s men will, therefore, not be short of openings at the Orange Velodrome, but given the hosts’ strength in depth up front, Liverpool may have to accept another draw at the end of an end-to-end goal-fest.
Credit: sportsmole.co.uk
Barca aim to secure top-eight spot against Slavia Prague
Barcelona will be aiming to boost their hopes of a securing a top-eight spot in the Champions League table when they tackle Slavia Prague on Wednesday night.
Raphinha, Barcelona
The Catalan outfit are currently 15th in the league stage, two points off eighth-placed Atletico Madrid, while a struggling Slavia outfit are down in 33rd spot in the table.
Slavia Prague have not played a competitive match in over a month due to the break in their domestic campaign, with the team’s last non-friendly taking place on December 13 – a 4-3 success over Jablonec in Czech Republic’s top division.
The Red and Whites have only won two of their 16 European games against Spanish sides, losing seven times in the process, while they suffered a 2-1 defeat to Barcelona when the pair met in the Czech Republic in the group stage of the 2019-20 Champions League.
Barcelona, meanwhile, have a record of three wins, one draw and two defeats from their six matches in this season’s Champions League, with 10 points leaving them 15th in the table, two points off the top eight, so this is a vital match for Hansi Flick‘s side.
The La Liga champions will finish their league stage campaign against Copenhagen on January 28, and two wins would put the team in an excellent position to finish in the top eight.
Slavia Prague have found it difficult in the Champions League this season, and we are finding it tough to predict an upset here; Barcelona will be desperate to bounce back from their league defeat on Sunday, and we can see a routine success for the La Liga champions.
Credit: sportsmole.co.uk
Chelsea and Pafos FC clash at Stamford Bridge
Competing in their fourth different tournament in the space of four games, Chelsea host Pafos FC in Wednesday’s Champions League league-phase clash at Stamford Bridge.
Pedro Neto, Chelsea
The Blues lie two points off the automatic last-16 places with two games to go, while the Cypriot side are still fighting for their right to enter the playoffs.
The Chelsea firsts do not stop for newly-appointed head coach Liam Rosenior, who is about to experience his Champions League debut with the Blues shortly after EFL Cup, FA Cup and Premier League baptisms.
Before Enzo Maresca’s astonishing exit, the now-unemployed Italian oversaw an indifferent three wins, one draw and two defeats from Chelsea’s opening six league-phase games, the most recent being a gut-wrenching 2-1 loss away to Atalanta BC on matchday six.
Having also dropped points against Bayern Munich and Qarabag in this season’s tournament, the Blues reside outside the coveted top eight positions in 13th spot, but such is the tight nature of the standings that they are just three points off third-placed Paris Saint-Germain.
Furthermore, all of the Blues’ European aberrations this term have come on the road; they have bested Barcelona, Ajax and Benfica on home soil and are now unbeaten in 17 UEFA group stage/league phase games at Stamford Bridge.
Pafos have held their own against some revered European names this term, but the Chelsea challenge will surely prove one step too far for the Cypriots.
A member of the National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) task force has been shot during an anti-galamsey operation in the Bono Region, while one armed assailant was killed in an exchange of gunfire.
The incident, which occurred on Tuesday, January 20, 2026, in a bush along the Subinkurom–Kyeremasu stretch in the Dormaa Central Municipality, was contained in a statement issued by NAIMOS.
According to a statement issued by the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, the task force was conducting a routine operation when it came under attack by armed individuals concealed in the bushes. Upon spotting the officers, the assailants opened fire, leading to an exchange of gunfire.
During the confrontation, one NAIMOS officer sustained a gunshot wound to the thigh and was rushed to the St. Matthew Catholic Hospital at Ampenkuro, where he is currently receiving treatment and responding positively.
The statement further disclosed that one of the attackers was shot during the exchange and was pronounced dead on arrival at the same hospital. The deceased was identified as Abuu Ibrahim.
NAIMOS condemned the attack and assured the public that the incident would not derail its mandate to combat illegal mining activities across the country.
“Despite persistent attacks and disruptions, NAIMOS remains resolute in fighting the scourge of illegal mining,” the statement said, while urging continued public and stakeholder support for its operations.
Security agencies are expected to carry out further investigations into the incident.
Renowned Ghanaian gospel musician Yaw Sarpong has reportedly passed away.The veteran gospel artiste is said to have died on Tuesday, January 20, 2026, at the Emena Hospital in Kumasi, where he had been receiving medical care, according to sources close to his family.
Yaw Sarpong was a towering figure in Ghana’s gospel music landscape and is best known as the long-time leader of the Asomafour Gospel Band. Through the group, he produced several timeless gospel songs that played a significant role in shaping contemporary gospel music in the country.
Over the years, his dedication to ministry through music earned him widespread admiration within the Christian community and the broader music industry. Many younger gospel musicians have openly acknowledged his influence on their careers and musical development.
Yaw Sarpong’s legacy, marked by spiritual depth, musical excellence, and mentorship, continues to resonate across generations of gospel music lovers in Ghana.
Suspect Fatao Mohammed, also known as “Motorway,” in police custody.
The Ghana Police Service, through the Inspector-General of Police’s Special Operations Unit (SOA), has arrested three persons believed to be behind the Adabraka gold robbery.
The arrests were carried out on Tuesday in the Ashaiman District following months of sustained surveillance and intelligence-led operations aimed at identifying and apprehending suspects connected to the robbery.
Nashiru Abubakari, also known as “Soldier,” in police custody to assist with investigations.
Police have identified the suspects as Nashiru Abubakari, also known as “Soldiar,” Fatao Mohammed, popularly called “Motorway,” and a third suspect known only as “50Cent.”
According to police sources, the operation was the culmination of meticulous intelligence gathering, close monitoring, and targeted tactical action designed to dismantle the criminal network responsible for the violent robbery at Adabraka.
Investigations are ongoing to trace and arrest other accomplices believed to be at large, while efforts are also underway to retrieve exhibits linked to the crime. The suspects are currently in police custody and are expected to be processed for court in accordance with the law.
Suspect known as “50 Cent” assisting the police with investigations.
The Ghana Police Service has reaffirmed its commitment to combating organised crime and ensuring public safety, and has urged members of the public to continue supporting law enforcement agencies with credible information.
The Minister for the Interior has renewed the curfew imposed on Nkwanta Township and its surrounding communities in the Nkwanta South Municipality of the Oti Region, as part of ongoing efforts to restore calm and maintain public order.
The renewal, effected by Executive Instrument on the advice of the Oti Regional Security Council, takes effect from Monday, January 19, 2026, and restricts movement between 10:00 pm and 5:00 am.
In a statement announcing the decision, Government urged chiefs, opinion leaders, youth, and residents of the area to exercise restraint amid the challenges confronting the municipality and to adopt non-violent means in addressing their concerns to ensure lasting peace.
As part of heightened security measures, authorities have also imposed a total ban on the possession of arms, ammunition, and offensive weapons within Nkwanta Township and its environs.
Security agencies have been directed to arrest and prosecute any individual found in possession of such prohibited items.
The curfew renewal follows persistent security concerns in the area, with Government reiterating its commitment to safeguarding lives and property while working with local leadership to stabilize the situation.
Former Vice President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, has debunked claims that he is an alien in the party, saying he cannot be said to be a stranger after 17 years of membership.
Speaking to delegates of Asawase constituency in Kumasi recently, he emphasised that in five instances in 2008, 2012, 2016, 2020 and 2024, he had embarked on election campaign for the party, as a running mate and presidential candidate in 2024.
“How can l be an alien after 8 years as a running mate and 8 years as Vice President,” he queried.
The flagbearer hopeful also said he fought for the party in court and at public lectures to silence party critics and pleaded with the delegates to give him the nod to lead the party to power to form a government promising that he will work for the unity of party after the Presidential primary, in readiness to contest the 2028 elections.
He mentioned some policies and interventions he contributed in government as the Ghana Card; Zongo Development Fund, One Constituency, One Ambulance; Gold for Oil; Agenda 111 and Electric buses.
Dr. Bawumia said the implementation of mobile money interoperability enhanced the mobile money market and helped to create about 800,000 jobs having increased mobile money agents from 107,000 to 900,000.
He stressed that governance is about ideas and policies that impact lives and that he was ready to use same to turn the fortunes of the country round if he is given the mandate to enable him consolidate on ideas and policies he initiated as a Vice President.
The flagbearer hopeful also promised to reorganise party structures at various levels to cater for the welfare of delegates and party members for which a Database Welfare system will be created to address their needs including scholarships, education and employment.
He explained that while the Presidency is mandated to cater for the general Ghanaian populace, the proposed Database Welfare system will singularly address the needs of party members.
Dr. Bawumia said Electoral Area Coordinators will be in charge of the Database Welfare Systems, which will be subjected to periodic review every quarter.
The Former Vice President also reiterated his vow as earlier published by The Chronicle to empower constituency executives to handle 3,000 out of the over 7,000 appointments made by the presidency.
Each of the 276 constituencies will be encouraged to make 10 appointments to complement that of the Presidency, he assured. According to him, the move will ensure the involvement and inclusiveness and create a sense of belonging of the grassroots in making appointments.
The former flagbearer of the party said this concession is besides the local executives making recommendations for local level appointments at the MMDAs.
