Until Sunday, December 28, 2025, Mozambique had never tasted victory at the TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations. Sixteen matches, spread across decades, had passed without a single celebratory dance. 

That long wait finally came to an end at the Grand Stade d’Agadir, where the Mambas stunned Gabon 3–2 to write one of the most emotional chapters in their football history.

The result was historic on two fronts: it marked Mozambique’s first-ever AFCON victory and sealed their maiden qualification to the knockout stages, in what is only their sixth appearance at the continental showpiece.

“I still don’t have the words to explain this feeling,” said Reinildo Mandava, one of the most experienced figures in the squad. “I can’t find the right words to explain what I am feeling, and what everyone in the team is feeling. I am proud of myself, proud of the team, and proud of what the coach has done with this group.”

The 31-year-old defender, who has represented Mozambique for 12 years since making his senior debut in 2013, knows better than most what this breakthrough means. And the emotion, he insists, stretches far beyond the dressing room.

“Everyone at home is happy. The mood is very positive, and everyone I speak to is excited for us,” he added.

For Mozambique, this triumph is the reward for years of perseverance and heartbreak. From their AFCON debut in 1986, when an eight-team tournament ended with three defeats and seven goals conceded, to decades of near misses, progress had often felt painfully out of reach.

Their current head coach, Chiquinho Conde, knows that journey intimately. A 20-year-old midfielder in the 1986 squad, he returned as a player in 1996 and later captained the side in 1998, enduring campaigns that yielded little reward.

Now, as head coach, Conde has finally achieved what eluded him as a player.

“I was part of this team for many years and we lost all the time,” he told CAFOnline, a broad smile spreading across his face. “It was discouraging and heartbreaking because we always put in so much effort but never got the result. To achieve this now, with this new generation, means everything to me.”

Conde’s impact has been built patiently. Appointed four years ago, he introduced a clear structure and long-term project aimed at transforming Mozambican football.

“We created a model and adapted it to the qualities of our players,” he explained. “We identified our weaknesses, especially defensively, and started by changing the mindset. It was difficult at first, but we kept working, and the players began to believe.”

His approach was meticulous. A pool of 50 players was tracked in a database, forming the backbone of a disciplined selection process—one that did not escape criticism.

“It wasn’t easy,” Conde admitted. “But I selected players I believed in, and the important thing was that they believed in me. We worked with strict principles. If someone didn’t accept them, they had to leave. My way is structure, hard work, and discipline.”

The reward for that conviction is now tangible. That solitary win over Gabon has transformed belief across the squad and the nation watching from home.

“This is special for us,” Conde said. “Our people needed this. They go through a lot, and we have a responsibility to make them happy. Football does that. These players are now stars—they have taken their place in Mozambique’s history.”

Reinildo echoed his coach’s sentiments, dedicating the moment to the nation.

“This is for the people of Mozambique,” he said. “They supported us even when we weren’t winning. Now, they deserve this joy.”

With belief soaring, expectations have risen too. Mozambique will turn their attention to the Round of 16, where a blockbuster meeting against Nigeria awaits on Monday night, and a possible stab at another piece of history.

“For our country, football is everything,” Conde concluded. “We will do everything possible to keep making our people and our nation proud.”

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DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.

Vice President Professor Naana Jane Opoku Agyemang has told tertiary students that ambition without moral values poses a greater threat to Ghana than lack of ambition itself. She spoke on Saturday at the 2026 Pentecost Students and Associates (PENSA) Ghana Gospel and Power Conference held at Gomoa Fetteh.

The Vice President addressed thousands of young people gathered across five conference centers, emphasizing that leadership formation begins long before anyone receives formal titles or positions. She pointed to everyday campus activities as critical training grounds for character development.

“Leadership is taking shape in how you handle group work, who you include or exclude, and how you use influence,” Professor Opoku Agyemang stated. She urged students to recognize the significance of seemingly minor responsibilities, arguing that fairness and empathy must guide all actions.

The Vice President directly challenged the notion that ambition itself represents a danger. She described ambitious, capable young people as essential for national progress, but cautioned against pursuing success without ethical foundations.

“Ambition itself is not the danger. Ghana needs ambitious, capable young people. The danger lies in ambition disconnected from values,” she explained. Her remarks came amid growing concerns about examination malpractices and academic dishonesty in Ghanaian educational institutions.

Professor Opoku Agyemang stressed that university life tests students with exhaustion, confusion, and doubt. She framed these challenges not as obstacles but as essential preparation for excellence. The Vice President warned that academic pressure should never justify cutting corners or dishonest behavior.

“Your academic journey will test you with exhaustion, confusion, and doubt. Some courses push you beyond your comfort zone, and some assessments challenge your confidence. These moments are not interruptions to excellence; they are its training ground,” she said.

She addressed academic dishonesty as a systemic problem with far-reaching consequences. According to the Vice President, shortcuts taken during academic life often carry into professional careers, undermining institutional integrity.

“A system shows its values in what it declares and what it allows. Academic dishonesty is not a minor mistake; it is an early warning sign,” Professor Opoku Agyemang explained. She urged students to see academic excellence as a discipline rather than a performance.

The Vice President specifically addressed young women in attendance, acknowledging the uneven expectations and unfair standards they often face. She encouraged them not to compromise their beliefs or intellectual capacity for acceptance or conformity.

“Leadership does not require you to trade your beliefs for acceptance or excellence for conformity. Ghana requires your full intellect, judgment, and resolve,” she stated.

Professor Opoku Agyemang called on students to transform knowledge into practical applications. She urged them to convert ideas into enterprises and research into solutions that address real societal challenges.

The Vice President emphasized that resilience results from disciplined action and purposeful learning rather than accident or luck. She framed national development as a shared responsibility requiring patience, diligence, and accountability.

“The Ghana we all desire will not assemble itself. It will be built patiently, diligently, and responsibly. My prayer is that your contributions to this effort will be celebrated,” Professor Opoku Agyemang concluded.

The conference drew 13,500 participants across five centers, including Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, University for Development Studies in Tamale, University of Mines and Technology in Tarkwa, and the Pentecost Convention Centre at Gomoa Fetteh. The event ran from January 2 to 5 under the theme “The Church Unleashed to Transform Society Through the Gospel and the Power of the Holy Spirit.”

The conference was officially opened by Apostle Dr. Ebenezer Hagan, Director of the Youth Ministry for the Church of Pentecost. He expressed gratitude on behalf of nearly two million young people in the church, describing the gathering as a sacred meeting where lives are shaped and destinies aligned.

PENSA International operates as a ministry of the Church of Pentecost, empowering participants to channel their talents toward advancing Ghanaian communities. The organization connects professionals with expertise in specific fields to voluntarily offer services in different locations.

Professor Opoku Agyemang brings extensive experience in education and leadership to her advocacy for academic integrity. She served as the first female Vice Chancellor of a public university in Ghana, leading the University of Cape Coast from 2008 to 2012. She also served as Minister for Education from 2013 to 2017 under President John Dramani Mahama.

The Vice President holds a Bachelor of Education with honors in English and French from the University of Cape Coast, a Diploma in Advanced Studies in French from the University of Dakar, and master’s and doctorate degrees from York University in Toronto. She has been a two-time Fulbright scholar and is a Life Fellow of the Commonwealth of Learning.

Her academic work focuses on literature with emphasis on women from Ghana, oral literature in Ghana and Africa, and communication issues in the African diaspora. She presented at the 200th Anniversary of the Abolition of Slavery at United Nations Headquarters in New York City in March 2007.

The annual PENSA Ghana Conference has become a major gathering for Pentecostal students and young adults across Ghana. The conferences offer opportunities for faith enrichment, leadership development, academic growth, and networking among young church members.

The Pentecost Convention Centre, located on 250 acres at Gomoa Fetteh in the Central Region, was inaugurated in May 2013. The facility includes the Joseph Egyir Paintsil Auditorium, which seats 5,000 people.

Drawing on biblical principles, conference ministers addressed real-world challenges including academic pressures, relationship issues, and career navigation. Participants were encouraged to carry the transformative message beyond the venue into their campuses, communities, and spheres of influence.

The Justice for All Programme held a special session on January 3 at the Kumasi Central Prison, resulting in the resolution of several long-pending pre-trial cases.

The session, presided over by Her Ladyship Justice Afia Serwaah Asare-Botwe (JA), saw a total of 41 pre-trial cases presented or filed before the court. Of these, 15 bail applications were granted, offering temporary relief to detainees awaiting trial. Additionally, 4 pre-trial prisoners were discharged, allowing them to regain their freedom after prolonged detention.

In a compassionate response to mental health needs within the prison system, one individual was referred for psychiatric treatment, underscoring the programme’s holistic approach to justice and rehabilitation. Furthermore, 3 cases were dismissed or struck out, bringing closure to matters that had lingered without resolution.

Addressing the media after the session, Her Ladyship Justice Asare-Botwe emphasized the importance of the Justice for All Programme in upholding constitutional rights and reducing overcrowding in correctional facilities.

“Today’s exercise is not just about numbers; it is about restoring dignity, ensuring fairness, and giving people a chance to be heard,” she stated. “The Judiciary remains committed to working with all stakeholders to enhance access to justice for every Ghanaian.”

On behalf of the Officer-In-Charge and Regional Commander, the Second in Command of the Kumasi Central Prison, Assistant Director of Prisons (ADP) Courage Atsem appreciated the efforts of the Judiciary Service and the Chief Justice for their immense role via the Justice for All Programme in decongesting the biggest facility in the Ashanti region.

The Justice for All Programme, which started in 2007 holds periodic court sittings within prison premises, aims to fast-track the trial of remand prisoners and address case backlogs. Today’s outcomes in Kumasi reflect continued efforts to align Ghana’s justice system with principles of equity and human rights.

Civil society organization, Perfector Of Sentiments Foundation and legal aid providers were also on hand to offer support, highlighting the collaborative spirit driving prison reform and legal empowerment in the region.

DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.

DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.

Sammy Gyamfi is the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Gold Board

Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod), Sammy Gyamfi, has dismissed allegations that his institution recorded losses under the Gold-for-Reserves programme, revealing a substantial financial surplus for 2025 instead.

During his appearance on Newsfile on Saturday, January 3, Gyamfi refuted reports of a US$214 million deficit as completely inaccurate.

He disclosed that GoldBod generated over GH¢960 million in revenue last year against expenditures under GH¢120 million, according to preliminary unaudited management accounts.

He clarified that as a public entity, GoldBod does not aim for profits but surpluses, projecting a cautious figure of GH¢700–800 million for 2025.

He confirmed compliance with legal requirements through quarterly financial disclosures, with a full external audit by the Auditor-General due by Q1 2026.

“Has GoldBod incurred losses? Absolutely not. Despite not being a commercial profit-driven entity, we’ve posted no deficits. Revenue reached GH¢960 million-plus, while spending stayed below GH¢120 million; these are unaudited figures,” he stated.

He further rejected assertions that GoldBod shifted losses to the Bank of Ghana, calling the claim nonsensical.

Gyamfi explained the programme originated as a Bank of Ghana initiative in 2022, fully funded by the central bank, with all transactions recorded in its accounts.

Noting GoldBod’s establishment in April 2025 amid an inherited inefficient structure requiring overhaul, he said legal directives mandated continuity of the Gold-for-Reserves scheme during the transition.

Gyamfi questioned why pre-existing programme losses were being pinned on GoldBod, insisting they have meticulously accounted for every cedi from BoG, delivered equivalent gold value, and collected only authorised agency fees.