Nii Ayitey Brown

An online petition seeking justice for the late Ransford Owusu Ansah, a 16-year-old footballer who was allegedly subjected to years of sexual abuse by his coach, Ibrahim Anyass, at Saino Soccer Academy, has garnered over one thousand four hundred (1,400) signatures.

<a target="_self" class="editor-link" href="https://www.change.org/p/justice-for-ransford-demand-action-against-a-sexual-predator?source_location=topics_page">The petition, initiated by Gifty Saah Osei on Change.org</a> on Thursday, 7 November, calls on the Ghana Police Service to arrest and prosecute the suspect. It also urges the Ministry of Youth and Sports to revoke all coaching licences held by Anyass.

The campaign has gained significant traction online, with the hashtag #JusticeForRansford trending on X (formerly Twitter) as social media users demand accountability and reforms to protect young athletes.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">Hello everyone please help us raise our voice. Justice must be served <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/justiceforRansford?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#justiceforRansford</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/justiceforjoana?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#justiceforjoana</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/ksheldonstudios?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ksheldonstudios</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/kwadwosheldon?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@kwadwosheldon</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/SIKAOFFICIAL1?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SIKAOFFICIAL1</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/wode_maya?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@wode_maya</a> <a href="https://t.co/aj4a8OpCp0">pic.twitter.com/aj4a8OpCp0</a>&mdash; BiG ElViS (@yourboy_elvis) <a href="https://twitter.com/yourboy_elvis/status/1986349108123107681?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 6, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

According to the petition, Ransford’s ordeal began after he joined the academy, where he was allegedly subjected to prolonged abuse by his coach. The repeated trauma reportedly affected his health and emotional wellbeing, leading to his hospitalisation at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital earlier in 2025. Tragically, he passed away after months of battling the consequences of the alleged abuse.

Ransford’s mother has publicly recounted her son’s suffering, appealing to authorities to ensure justice is served. Despite widespread media coverage and growing public outrage, Ibrahim Anyass reportedly remains free and continues to work with young footballers.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">Bro this made me sad <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/JusticeForRansford?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#JusticeForRansford</a> <a href="https://t.co/7hXPqoE1nm">pic.twitter.com/7hXPqoE1nm</a>&mdash; TWO TERTY (@TwoTerty_) <a href="https://twitter.com/TwoTerty_/status/1986724487862338039?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 7, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Anyass is, however, expected to report to the Police CID Headquarters on Friday, 7 November 2025, as investigations continue. The case has reignited national debate on child protection in sports and the accountability of those entrusted with young athletes’ welfare.

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The petition makes the following key demands:

<ul><li>The Attorney-General and Minister for Justice should prosecute Anyass and anyone who enabled or covered up his actions.</li><li>The Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection should provide psychosocial and legal support for Ransford’s family and other victims of abuse in sports.</li><li>The Inspector-General of Police should ensure Anyass’s immediate arrest and a transparent investigation.</li><li>The Minister for Youth and Sports should suspend the operations of Saino Soccer Academy until investigations are concluded.</li><li>The Ghana Football Association should impose a lifetime coaching ban on Anyass and enforce stronger child-protection policies across football academies.</li></ul>

Over 1,400 sign petition demanding justice for late Ransford allegedly sodomised by his coach

Former Hearts of Oak midfielder Ibrahim Salifu has earned his first call-up to the Benin national team, marking a major switch in his international football allegiance.

The 25-year-old attacking midfielder has been included in Gernot Rohr’s squad for an upcoming international friendly against Burkina Faso later this month. The invitation marks an important milestone in his career, as he joins a Benin side that recently qualified for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). The Squirrels will compete in Group D alongside DR Congo, Senegal, and Botswana.

Salifu, who was born in Abofour in the Offinso Municipality of Ghana’s Ashanti Region, previously received a call-up to the Ghana national team (Black Stars) in 2021 under then-head coach CK Akonnor. He was part of a 32-man squad of locally based players selected to face South Africa and São Tomé and Príncipe in AFCON qualifying matches, although he did not make his debut for Ghana.

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His decision to represent Benin stems from his paternal lineage, as his father hails from the country. This eligibility has enabled him to complete a nationality switch, paving the way for him to don the Benin national colours at the international level.

Ex-Hearts of Oak star ditches Black Stars dream for Benin call-up

Salifu began his professional career with Techiman Eleven Wonders between 2018 and 2021, where he made 31 appearances and scored three (3) goals. He later joined Accra Hearts of Oak from 2021 to 2024, making 90 appearances and scoring eight (8) goals. His contributions were instrumental in Hearts of Oak’s domestic success, including league and FA Cup triumphs.

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He currently plays as an attacking midfielder for KF Drita in the Kosovo Superleague, where his creativity and vision continue to attract attention from football enthusiasts across Africa.

Ex-Hearts of Oak star ditches Black Stars dream for Benin, earns first call-up

The Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) has confirmed the deaths of seven (7) family members following a suspected arson attack at Akyempim in the Upper Denkyira East Municipality of the Central Region.

In a statement issued on 5 November 2025, signed by the Central Regional Public Relations Officer, Abdul Wasiu Hudu, the GNFS disclosed that the Dunkwa-On-Offin Fire Station received a distress call at 1:04 a.m. and promptly responded to a blaze involving a four-bedroom house numbered AA/5259/7534.

Firefighters arrived at 1:20 a.m. to find one of the bedrooms completely engulfed in flames and padlocked.

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Despite their swift response, firefighters were unable to rescue the victims as the inferno had already consumed the locked room. The blaze was eventually contained at 1:32 a.m., preventing it from spreading to the remaining rooms.

The victims comprised five (5) children aged between one (1) and fifteen (15) years, and two (2) adults believed to be their mother and eldest sister. All perished in the locked bedroom.

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Preliminary investigations suggest that the fire was deliberately set by the husband of the deceased woman. The statement read:

<blockquote>Preliminary investigations indicate that the husband of the deceased woman allegedly set the bedroom, where the seven victims were sleeping, on fire and padlocked it from the outside before fleeing to a nearby bush, where he is believed to have taken his own life.</blockquote>

The statement further noted that the charred bodies of the victims have been handed over to the Ghana Police Service at Atekyim for further investigation.

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The GNFS extended its condolences to the bereaved family and urged the public to remain alert and fire-safety conscious. The Service reaffirmed its commitment to protecting lives and property and pledged to continue its efforts to ensure public safety.

Family of 7, including 5 children, killed in suspected arson attack at Dunkwa Akyempim

Barcelona travel to Belgium to face Club Brugge KV in the UEFA Champions League at the Jan Breydel Stadion, seeking back-to-back wins to steady their European campaign. Despite a recent uptick in form, the Catalan giants are still trying to find consistency after a mixed start to the season.

Barça responded to their El Clásico defeat on 26 October 2025 with a 3-1 La Liga win over Elche, a result that helped ease pressure but did little to close the five-point gap at the top of the table. In the Champions League league phase, they sit behind the top-eight threshold, despite winning two of their opening three matches.

Historically, Barcelona are strong at this stage of the competition, having won eight of their last ten league-phase fixtures. They have also taken victory in each of their last four Champions League away matches, including a 2-1 win against Newcastle on matchday one. A win in Brugge would see them open a UCL campaign with consecutive away victories for the first time since 2020/21.

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Club Brugge, meanwhile, enter this fixture with renewed domestic confidence. They have won six of their last eight competitive matches and recently defeated Dender 2-1 to extend their winning streak to three games. However, their Champions League form has been less encouraging, suffering back-to-back defeats, including a heavy 4-0 loss to Bayern Munich on matchday two.

The Belgian side will need a disciplined and compact performance to contain Barcelona’s attacking threats and avoid being overrun in midfield.

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Tension at Barcelona as two top players clash

<ul><li>Total meetings: 2</li></ul>

<ul><li>Barcelona wins: 2</li></ul>

<ul><li>Club Brugge wins: 0</li></ul>

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Barcelona (4-3-3): Szczęsny; Koundé, Cubarsí, Eric García, Balde; Casado, Frenkie de Jong, Fermín López; Lamine Yamal, Ferran Torres, Rashford.

Club Brugge (4-2-3-1): Jackers; Sabbe, Ordóñez, Mechele, Seys; Stanković, Onyedika; Forbs, Vanaken, Tzolis; Tresoldi.

Club Brugge have momentum domestically but have struggled under European intensity. Barcelona, despite their inconsistencies, tend to step up in European away fixtures and possess superior attacking quality.

Prediction: Club Brugge 1–3 Barcelona

Champions League: Club Brugge vs Barcelona – Preview, H2H, Line-ups & Prediction | Photo via beIN

Champions League: Club Brugge vs Barcelona – Preview, H2H, Line-ups & Prediction

Cristiano Ronaldo has reignited the long-running debate over football’s greatest of all time (GOAT) after declaring once again that he is better than Lionel Messi.

Speaking in an interview with British journalist Piers Morgan during the first half of Cristiano Ronaldo Uncensored, which aired on Tuesday, 4 November 2025, the Portuguese forward, who currently plays for Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia, was asked directly about his long-time rival.

“Is Messi better than me? I disagree, I don’t want to be humble,” Ronaldo stated confidently, reaffirming his belief in his superiority.

Over the past seventeen (17) years, Ronaldo and Messi have built one of football’s most iconic rivalries, competing head-to-head for the Ballon d’Or and dividing global opinion over who truly deserves the GOAT title. Ronaldo reaffirmed his self-proclaimed status as the best footballer of all time, a title he has long aspired to.

Despite the rivalry, the Portuguese legend has often expressed admiration for Messi, describing him as a remarkable player and revealing in previous interviews that they maintain a cordial relationship. He has even said he would like to share dinner with Messi someday.

Ronaldo breaks silence on 1,000 goals speculation: ‘I’m not chasing 1,000’

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During the interview, Ronaldo also hinted that retirement might not be far off, saying, “I think I will retire soon. It will be tough, probably I will cry, but I’ve prepared my future since I was twenty-seven (27) years old.”

As his illustrious career nears its twilight, Ronaldo has his sights set on one last historic milestone: scoring 1,000 career goals. Having netted in his most recent match for Al Nassr, he now stands at 952 professional goals, just forty-eight (48) away from achieving what no footballer has ever done.

Cristiano Ronaldo named ‘greatest player of all time’ over Lionel Messi

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The GOAT debate between Ronaldo and Messi has dominated football discourse for more than a decade. Fans and analysts continue to compare Ronaldo’s athleticism, goal-scoring prowess, and five (5) UEFA Champions League titles with Messi’s creative brilliance, record eight (8) Ballon d’Or awards, and crowning achievement of leading Argentina to victory at the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

Cristiano Ronaldo sets unprecedented record Messi can never break

‘I don’t want to be humble’ – Ronaldo reignites GOAT debate with comment on Messi

The Minister for Youth and Sports, Kofi Adams, has announced plans by his ministry to introduce an electronic ticketing system at the country’s sports stadiums in a bid to promote transparency and curb revenue leakages.

Appearing before the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) on Tuesday, 4th November 2025, to answer questions on infractions cited in the Auditor-General’s report, the Minister explained that the move is directed at addressing concerns about fake ticket printing and poor revenue accountability at sports facilities.

<blockquote>There are a number of steps that we’re also introducing when we improve networking, which we haven’t completely done yet</blockquote>

<blockquote>Ticketing to our stadia facility games will no longer be 100 percent manual, where someone can print something else other than the real ticket at the stadium, but less is presented when it comes to the money.</blockquote>

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According to him, the introduction of the e-ticketing system will ensure that all financial transactions related to sporting events are transparent and traceable.

<blockquote>We want to do some e-ticketing that brings about a lot more transparency</blockquote>

The Minister further emphasised that funds generated from the e-ticketing system would be subjected to strict financial management procedures.

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<blockquote>When the money gets into the coffers, its use must follow the standard accounting procedures and the financial regulations act that exists in this country, so you can’t just take and spend anyhow</blockquote>

Hon. Adams also revealed that spending thresholds would be observed to ensure proper oversight. “Where the threshold is way above the National Sports Authority (NSA), the ministry will have to come in and give the necessary approval,” he added.

He further disclosed that the ministry would soon inaugurate the board of the National Sports Authority to enhance accountability and proper governance within the sports sector.

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<blockquote>Very soon also, we will inaugurate the board for the NSA, and they will also perform their appropriate duty. We will see to it that they perform what they are supposed to do</blockquote>

The move is part of the ministry’s broader digital transformation agenda aimed at modernising Ghana’s sports administration.

Minister for Youth and Sports, Kofi Adams

Sports Ministry to roll out E-Ticketing system to boost transparency at stadiums

The Ghana Football Association (GFA) has announced plans to organise a testimonial match in honour of Ghana’s all-time top scorer and former national team captain, Asamoah Gyan, affectionately known as “Baby Jet”.

The announcement was made in a statement from the GFA’s Communications Department dated Tuesday, November 4, 2025. The event aims to celebrate Gyan’s extraordinary contribution to Ghanaian football and his remarkable achievements with the Black Stars since his debut in 2003.

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<blockquote>Through his dazzling performances, leadership, and charisma, Asamoah Gyan has left an indelible mark on Ghanaian and African football. The upcoming testimonial promises to be a memorable occasion to honour his legendary achievements and celebrate a career that inspired millions across the continent.</blockquote>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">🚨GFA has announced plans to organize a testimonial match in honour of legendary Ghanaian striker and former <a href="https://twitter.com/GhanaBlackstars?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@GhanaBlackstars</a> captain, <a href="https://twitter.com/ASAMOAH_GYAN3?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ASAMOAH_GYAN3</a>, to celebrate his illustrious career and immense contribution to Ghanaian football.<a href="https://t.co/11r4bNa8AI">https://t.co/11r4bNa8AI</a>&mdash; 🇬🇭 Ghana Football Association (@ghanafaofficial) <a href="https://twitter.com/ghanafaofficial/status/1985640979131457705?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 4, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Although the date and venue for the event are yet to be confirmed, the GFA noted that it is working closely with Gyan to finalise arrangements, and further details will be announced in due course.

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Gyan’s illustrious international career spanned sixteen (16) years, during which he scored fifty-one (51) goals in one hundred and nine (109) appearances for the Black Stars. He made his debut for Ghana at age seventeen (17), scoring against Somalia on 19 November 2003 in the 90th minute.

He remains Africa’s top scorer in FIFA World Cup history, having netted six (6) goals across three tournaments: Germany 2006, South Africa 2010, and Brazil 2014.

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Gyan began his professional career with Liberty Professionals in Ghana before joining Udinese in Italy. He later featured for Modena, Rennes, and Sunderland, as well as clubs in the UAE, China, and Turkey, including Al Ain, Al Ahli, Shanghai SIPG, and Kayserispor. He concluded his career with Legon Cities FC in 2021.

The upcoming testimonial is expected to be a fitting tribute to Gyan’s enduring legacy, celebrating his impact on Ghanaian football and his role as a source of inspiration for the next generation of Black Stars players.

GFA to finally honour Asamoah Gyan with testimonial match 2 years after retirement

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