FootXtra – Football News & Updates FootXtra brings you the latest football news, live updates, match previews, transfer stories, and in-depth analysis from leagues and tournaments around the world. Stay connected to the beautiful game every day.

The South Korean Ambassador to Ghana, His Excellency Park Kyongsig, says football continues to hold its place as the most popular sport in South Korea even as the country expands its interest in a variety of other sporting disciplines.He made the point in an exclusive interview with Channel One Sports ahead of Tuesday’s international friendly between Ghana and South Korea.Ghana face South Korea on November 18 at the Seoul World Cup Stadium, four days after losing 2-0 to Japan in an earlier friendly that saw midfielder Francis Abu suffer a double leg fracture.Ambassador Park noted that while South Korea has broadened its sporting culture, football still sits firmly at the top."Before, soccer was maybe the only sport we could enjoy, but nowadays our people are participating in swimming, table tennis and golf," he said to Channel One TV."Diversification and first-hand experience in different sports have become important in Korea, but football remains the most popular."South Korea and Ghana last met at the 2022 FIFA World Cup, where the Black Stars recorded a 3-2 victory in one of the tournament’s standout group-stage matches. Ghana, however, exited at the group stage, while South Korea reached the...

Black Stars winger Kamaldeen Sulemana says he is looking forward to Tuesdays international friendly against South Korea, confident that Ghana have the quality to compete strongly and aim for a win.Speaking to the media ahead of the match in Seoul, Sulemana described the fixture as a difficult one, but one the team is ready to approach with belief.I think it is going to be a good match. It is going to be a tough game for us. But I also think we can beat them, he said.The Atalanta midfielder featured in the 2022 World Cup meeting between the two sides, when Ghana defeated South Korea 3-2 in one of the tournaments most entertaining matches. Reflecting on the upcoming clash, he noted that the hosts remain a strong side with quality throughout their squad.We know their strength. We know they have good players from the back all the way to the front, Sulemana said. I think we have the quality to beat them. We are going to try to do that.He added that the team is eager to show what they can do on the international stage.We are very excited to be here. It is an opportunity for each and every one of us to show the world what we are capable of, he stated.The friendly will be played at the Seoul World Cup Stadium on Tuesday, November 18, with kickoff at 8pm local time, 11am Ghana time.

Lazio midfielder Fisayo Dele-Bashiru has lived through a stop-start season.

With the 4-1 defeat to Norway on Sunday evening, any remaining hope of Italy qualifying for next year’s World Cup automatically was extinguished.

Antoine Semenyo is one of the most sought-after players going into the January transfer window. 

Coach Nana Yaw Amankwah is pleased with how his players are improving after Bibiani Gold Stars earned an important 1-0 win over Karela United on Sunday at Dun’s Park.The champions needed a strong response, and they delivered in front of their home fans.Speaking to Goldstars TV, he shared his thoughts on the progress of the team: “The boys are now picking very well especially with the different strategy we are doing. They are doing very very well you could see there is no pressure on the team. All the supporters are happy with what the boys are play.”It was Sanou Razak who made the difference, calmly finishing in the 38th minute to secure the victory. After taking the lead, Gold Stars controlled the match, kept their discipline, and allowed Karela very few chances to find an equalizer.The win lifts the Miners back into the top four as they continue their title defence. Coach Amankwah believes his side is heading in the right direction and wants them to keep pushing. Their next test is a week 11 clash with Nations FC, a game that could further boost their position in the league.

Soccer Football - World Cup - UEFA Qualifiers - Group A - Slovakia v Germany - National Football Stadium, Bratislava, Slovakia - September 4, 2025 Germany players pose for a team group photo before the match REUTERS/David W Cerny

Coach Nana Yaw Amankwah played down concerns but admitted that the weather was not on their side in their latest Ghana Premier League match.After watching his Bibiani Gold Stars secure a tough 1-0 win over Karela United at Dun’s Park, he shared how the late downpour made things complicated for his players."Some how about ten minutes to the end of the game the rain poured heavily that is one of the factors that affected us," he explained after the match, speaking to Goldstars TV. His words showed a coach who understands both the joy of victory and the challenges that come with it.Gold Stars needed a strong performance to bounce back, and they delivered. Sanou Razak scored the winning goal in the 38th minute, calmly placing the ball past the goalkeeper to give the Miners the advantage. After that, it became a game of control and discipline. The champions defended well and kept Karela United from finding a way back.With this result, Gold Stars are back in the top four and full of hope again. They will now prepare for a big Week 11 clash against Nations FC, aiming to push themselves further in their title...

Swedru All Blacks Public Relations Officer Nat Ofosu has dismissed rumours that head coach Ahmed Ibrahim Fakhri is set to leave the club, insisting management remains fully committed to the Egyptian.Fakhri has come under growing pressure following a difficult start to the season, with some fans calling for his dismissal. All Blacks have managed only two wins from their opening 10 matches, collecting eight points and falling into the relegation zone.Responding to the speculation, Ofosu made it clear that the coach continues to enjoy the full trust of the club’s hierarchy."All Blacks currently has a coach, and the coach is Ahmed Ibrahim Fakhri. He is under contract and has the full backing of management as we work to steady the season," he said.He admitted that supporters have every reason to be concerned but assured them that efforts are being made to address the team’s shortcomings, particularly in attack."Our supporters are the heart of the club, and they have every right to express their concerns. Yes, we know our goal-scoring has to improve, and we are working on it," he said.

Bibiani Gold Stars coach Nana Yaw Amankwah was the face of relief and determination after guiding his team to a much-needed win at Duns Park.He knew how important this game was, especially after what happened last season. Speaking to Goldstars TV, he made his message clear:Once it is a league that is what I will say it is very difficult because last season they came and they surprised us due to that I will say there is tension between us. Gold Stars also wanted to redeem their image as champions by God's grace we dominated the game all through all the departments, he shared.His side put in a strong shift to secure a 1-0 win over Karela United on Sunday. Forward Sanou Razak delivered the crucial moment in the 38th minute, finishing calmly and giving the home fans something to cheer about again.After taking the lead, Gold Stars controlled the tempo and kept Karela from finding any clear chance to equalize. It was not flashy, but it was exactly what they needed.Now sitting back in the top four, Amankwah and his men are hoping to keep this momentum when they face Nations FC in week 11, aiming to push higher as they defend their title.

Quick take: Big picture: the update fits broader trends across the league with schedule pressure and tight tables. Supporters will watch for clarity from training ground reports and official briefings. We’ll keep an eye on confirmed details as the story develops from official sources.

South Korea captain Son Heung-min says he is not thinking about their 3-2 defeat to Ghana at the 2022 World Cup ahead of Tuesday's international friendly in Seoul.The Black Stars will be aiming for another win, having edged South Korea in a thrilling clash in Qatar three years ago. The match is scheduled for the Seoul World Cup Stadium, with kickoff at 11:00 am Ghana time.Speaking ahead of the friendly, Son said, “I don’t think much about the loss to Ghana three years ago. I’m only thinking about the upcoming World Cup.” He added that the squad is in high spirits and focused on training, noting, “The players are in a good mood and are training hard.”Tuesday’s friendly provides South Korea with an opportunity to test combinations and fine-tune tactics ahead of the 2026 World Cup. The draw for the tournament will take place on December 5, and Ghana and South Korea could potentially be drawn in the same group.

Nana Yaw Amankwah was proud of how Bibiani Gold Stars handled their match on Sunday.The champions earned a 1-0 win over Karela United at Dun’s Park in Bibiani, a result that pushed them back into the top four.After the match, he shared his thoughts on Goldstars TV. “For the game we dominated the game from the blast of the whistle we were very focused and very determined to carry the day. And by God's grace we were able to carry the day,” he told the club’s media.Gold Stars started strong and their pressure paid off in the 38th minute when Sanou Razak finished calmly to give the Miners the lead. They stayed disciplined throughout, reducing Karela United’s threats and keeping control.Amankwah’s players showed great belief and worked hard to secure the points. The win is a big boost as they prepare for a week 11 match against Nations FC. Another victory could push them higher up the table as they continue their title defence

Italian sports minister Andrea Abodi is confident an agreement will be reached to grant Gennaro Gattuso a short training camp in early February, but stresses that Serie A fixtures will not be shifted to make it happen.

Black Stars held their final training session on Monday ahead of Tuesday’s international friendly against South Korea at the Seoul World Cup Stadium.Nineteen players trained under head coach Otto Addo and his technical team, preparing for a crucial match following last Friday’s 2-0 loss to Japan.The squad has been hit hard by injuries, with Francis Abu, Antoine Semenyo, and Mohammed Salisu ruled out. Key players Mohammed Kudus, Thomas Partey, and captain Jordan Ayew also did not travel, leaving Addo to rely on the players available in Seoul.Despite these absences, the team is focused on putting in a strong performance against South Korea. Both matches on the Asia tour are part of the Black Stars’ preparation for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Mexico, Canada, and the United States, giving the squad a chance to build cohesion and fine-tune their approach ahead of next year’s tournament.Addo is counting on the remaining players to step up and deliver a competitive showing, looking to bounce back after the defeat to Japan and gain momentum for the World Cup qualifiers.