Former Ghana head coach Otto Addo has been appointed to an elite 11-member Technical Study Group by FIFA for the upcoming FIFA World Cup, Africa Top Sports reports.

Notably, Addo stands as the only African coach named in the newly-constituted panel, underlining both his individual pedigree and the growing recognition of African coaching expertise on the global stage.

The ex-Black Stars boss will join a panel of respected football minds tasked with closely monitoring all 104 matches at the tournament.

Their responsibility will extend beyond observation, focusing on identifying emerging tactical patterns, technical evolutions, and physical demands shaping the modern game at the highest level.

Addo’s inclusion reflects his reputation as a thoughtful and progressive football mind, built through his coaching experience with Ghana and his work in European football.

His insights are expected to contribute to FIFA’s broader objective of advancing the sport through detailed analysis and knowledge sharing.

The Technical Study Group’s findings will ultimately inform coaching education, player development frameworks, and strategic trends worldwide, placing Addo at the heart of football’s ongoing evolution on the global stage.

Barcelona’s manager, Hansi Flick has dismissed claims that Real Madrid performs better without Kylian Mbappe, asserting that the French forward is the finest striker globally.

Mbappe, aged 27, is in the process of recovering from a hamstring injury, while Los Blancos secured a 2-0 victory against Espanyol during his absence.

He resumed first-team training last week but was not fit enough to play against Flick’s squad in a La Liga match at Camp Nou.

Flick was questioned about whether Los Merengues exhibit greater cohesion in the absence of the 2018 FIFA World Cup winner.

He responded via Goal, “Real Madrid plays better without Mbappe? He is one of the best players in the world, please. He is incredibly gifted on the pitch.

“He is dangerous in every situation. In front of goal, he is the best in the world. He is dangerous both inside and outside the penalty area.”

Mbappe has been exceptional this season, despite 45 million fans reportedly signing a petition to see him leave the club.

He has netted 41 goals in 41 appearances across all competitions for Alvaro Arbeloa’s team, contributing six assists as well.

In total, Mbappe has made a remarkable contribution of 85 goals and 11 assists in just 100 appearances for the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu side thus far.

Chiamaka Nnadozie has celebrated Brighton’s FA Cup semi-final victory over Liverpool.

Brighton came from two goals down to secure a thrilling 3-2 victory over Liverpool at the BrewDog Stadium on Sunday.

Liverpool got their goals through Denise O’Sullivan and Beata Olsson.

Manuela Vanegas and Madison Haley scored for Brighton.

With the game heading into extra time, Nadine Noordam scored in stoppage time to complete the comeback.

Nnadozie expressed satisfaction with his team’s performance in the game.

“We are going to Wembley. Straight into the FA Cup finals. Super proud of this team. I give God the glory,” Nnadozie wrote on X.

The 25-year-old kept clean sheets in her previous two Women’s FA Cup appearances for Brighton.

The Seagulls will face Manchester City in the final at Wembley Stadium.