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From Chelsea Legend to Future Black Stars Coach? Michael Essien Is Quietly Building an Impressive Coaching Career

Former Black Stars midfielder Michael Essien is steadily making a name for himself in coaching, with many believing he has the potential to one day lead Ghana’s senior national team.

The Chelsea icon currently serves as an assistant coach at Danish side FC Nordsjælland, where he has been part of the technical team since hanging up his boots in 2020.

In his role, Essien has played an important part in nurturing young talents, including players developed through Ghana’s renowned Right to Dream Academy.

His progress has not gone unnoticed, as FC Nordsjælland rewarded him with a contract extension in June 2025 that will keep him at the club until 2027.

With valuable experience continuing to grow at club level, Essien is laying a solid foundation for a promising coaching career—one that could eventually see him take charge of the Black Stars in the future.

FC Barcelona president Joan Laporta had glowing words for young Ghanaian midfielder Aziz Issah after being approached by a Ghanaian supporter during a chance meeting on a street in the United States.

When asked about the former Dreams FC talent, Laporta revealed that although Aziz was initially signed to strengthen Barcelona’s reserve side, the youngster is now expected to train and work alongside the club’s senior team.

“I know Aziz. We signed him for the second team, but now he’ll be part of the first-team environment. He’s a very good guy,” Laporta said.

The Ghanaian fan, who introduced himself as being from Alaba, Kumasi, jokingly told the Barcelona president that he would continue sending more gifted Ghanaian footballers to the Catalan giants. Laporta welcomed the remark with a big smile, clearly amused by the exchange.

🇬🇭 Black Stars winger Ernest Nuamah returned to his Asafo and Dabiesoaba community to thank residents for their unwavering support after they displayed his photo throughout the neighbourhood ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

🇬🇭 Ghanaian defender Terry Yegbe celebrated the first trophy of his Polish career after helping L**h Poznań secure a 3-1 victory over Górnik to win the Polish Super Cup on Thursday.

Yegbe, who joined L**h Poznań from FC Metz on a permanent transfer in late June, is a former Vision FC player.

From Roaring Cheers to Healing Hands: The Inspiring Second Life of Former Black Stars player Ablade Morgan

There was a time when Ablade Morgan thrilled football fans with his tireless performances, proudly wearing the colours of Accra Hearts of Oak and earning recognition with Ghana’s national team. Alongside stars such as Asamoah Gyan, John Paintsil, John Mensah and Baffour Gyan, he lived the dream that many young footballers only imagine.

But when the cheers faded and his playing days came to an end, Morgan chose a path few expected.

Instead of remaining in football, former player embraced an entirely new calling—one dedicated to improving lives through traditional medicine.

After training and practising, he became a licensed and certified herbal doctor, transforming his passion for helping others into a profession.

Today, Morgan is the founder of HensMorgan Herbal Centre and the herbal brand HensMorgan Kaka Herbal Medicine, where he focuses on producing oral care and other herbal health products. His products have also received approval from Ghana’s Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) after undergoing the required testing.

His remarkable journey has taken him from making crucial tackles on the football pitch to providing herbal healthcare solutions for people in need. It is a transition that has made him one of the few former Ghanaian footballers to successfully build a career in herbal medicine after retirement.

Ablade Morgan’s story is a powerful reminder that life after football can be just as meaningful as life on the pitch.

His legacy is no longer defined only by the matches he played, but also by the lives he now seeks to touch through healing and entrepreneurship.