Michael Osei, a former player and coach for Asante Kotoko, passed away on November 15, 2024, at the age of 53 in London. He had been battling health issues, reportedly related to a heart condition in recent months. Osei was well-known in Ghanaian football for his contributions both on and off the pitch.

Osei began his career at Okwawu United before moving to Asante Kotoko, where he made a significant impact. His performances led to a move to Europe where he played for Bundesliga clubs like Eintracht Frankfurt and Mainz 05.  After retiring as a player, Osei transitioned into coaching. He managed several Ghanaian clubs including New Edubiase United, Liberty Professionals, and Bibiani Gold Stars.

He also served as an assistant coach for Ghana’s U23 national team, the Black Meteors, for five years until the technical team was dissolved in 2023. Before his health declined, Osei managed Bibiani Gold Stars in the 2022/23 Ghana Premier League season, where he led the team to a notable fifth-place finish.

The Ghana Football Association, Asante Kotoko, and numerous fans and colleagues have expressed their deep sorrow over his passing, highlighting his legacy in Ghanaian football. His death marks a significant loss for the football community in Ghana.

David Coote, a Premier League referee, has been suspended with immediate effect by the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) following the circulation of a video on social media.

This video allegedly shows Coote making derogatory remarks about Liverpool Football Club and their former manager, Jurgen Klopp. Here are the key points from the situation:

The video in question appears to show Coote using expletives to describe Liverpool as “s***” and Jurgen Klopp with offensive language, specifically calling him “arrogant” and using a derogatory term. This has led to widespread attention and controversy.

The footage seems to date back to the 2020-21 season, referencing a game where Coote was involved, possibly as a fourth official, and his comments were in response to a question about a Liverpool match he officiated.

The PGMOL has confirmed Coote’s suspension and announced that they will conduct a full investigation. They have stated that no further comments will be made until the investigation concludes.

Coote has been involved in controversial decisions in the past, including VAR duties in matches where Liverpool felt they were wronged by referee decisions, adding context to the current situation.

This suspension comes into effect immediately, and while the investigation is ongoing, Coote will not be available for selection as a referee or VAR in Premier League games. The focus now is on the investigation’s outcome, which will determine the next steps in Coote’s career and any further actions by PGMOL or the FA.

The Ghanaian national football team, known as the Black Stars, are currently facing a challenging situation in their quest for qualification to the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

Eight players have withdrawn from the Black Stars squad for the upcoming qualifiers against Angola and Niger. Notable among them are Iñaki Williams, Alexander Djiku, Tariq Lamptey, Ibrahim Osman, Jonas Adjetey, Antoine Semenyo, and Jerome Opoku, mostly due to injuries. Joseph Paintsil has also withdrawn for personal reasons.

Ghana, having not won any of their first four qualifiers, is under pressure. Their campaign has been marred by a 1-0 loss to Angola, a 1-1 draw with Niger, and disappointing results against Sudan (0-0 away, 2-0 loss at home). This leaves them with only two points, placing them third in Group F, behind Angola and Sudan.

The team’s performance has been inconsistent, with no wins in the qualifiers so far. This poor form follows their struggles in recent AFCON tournaments where they’ve experienced early exits, contributing to a narrative of decline from their once dominant status in African football.

Coach Otto Addo has been under scrutiny due to these results. Despite some initial successes, like qualifying for the 2022 World Cup, the team’s inability to score and defensive lapses have been highlighted, especially in their loss to Sudan where they failed to capitalize on their chances.

There’s considerable frustration among fans and in media circles regarding the team’s performance. Calls for a strategic overhaul, better youth development, and possibly a change in coaching staff have been noted, with some suggesting that the Ghana Football Association might need to reassess their approach if Ghana fails to qualify.

Ghana needs to win their remaining matches against Angola and Niger to have any chance of qualifying. They must also hope for favorable results from other matches in their group. The team is set to open camp in Accra to prepare for these crucial fixtures, but with key players missing, the task is daunting.

The situation underscores a pivotal moment for Ghanaian football, where the outcome of these qualifiers could significantly influence the future direction of the national team’s management and strategy.