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Tag: Sports

  • I want to win AFCON and the World Cup for Ghana – Kurt Okraku

    I want to win AFCON and the World Cup for Ghana – Kurt Okraku

    The Ghana Football Association (GFA) President, Kurt Okraku, has revealed that his administration wants to bring home trophies for the nation.

    He expressed his hope that Ghana will be able to win both the World Cup and the African Cup of Nations before he steps down from office.

    Speaking to the media earlier yesterday in Kumasi, Mr. Okraku discussed the Black Stars’ dismal showing in the ongoing 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) competition.

    The senior national team, which had hoped to win their fifth continental championship, was eliminated in the group stage again after placing third with two points.

    Mr. Okraku declared that, in spite of the criticism, he is determined to see to it that the Black Stars, under his direction as the GFA president, win the Mundial and the AFCON.
    “I want to win the AFCON I want to win the World Cup I want to win every competition Ghana finds itself,” he said.

    “This is the collective belief and mindset of my fellow Executive Council members.

    “My goal is to establish the Ghanaman Soccer Centre of Excellence as a world-class institution and to position it extremely well,” he continued.

    Under Mr. Okraku’s leadership, the Black Stars have finished the last two AFCON tournaments in the group stage after losing all two of their games in Cameroon and Ivory Coast.

  • Chelsea, Newcastle United pay tribute to ex-Ghana star Christian Atsu (Photos+Videos)

    Chelsea, Newcastle United pay tribute to ex-Ghana star Christian Atsu (Photos+Videos)

    It has been a year since the terrible demise of Ghanaian football player Christian Atsu, who perished in the terrible earthquake that struck Turkey on February 6, 2023.

    Atsu was one of the thousands of people killed in the devastating earthquake, a tragedy that left many shocked and heartbroken.

    After Atsu was first reported missing, a comprehensive search was conducted. Regretfully, his corpse was eventually found under a heap of rubble.

    Following his passing, many football stars paid their respects, causing the football community to descend into mourning.

    His outstanding play on the pitch, which included significant goals for both his club and his country, earned him a reputation.

    However, it was off the playing field where his generosity and kind heart demonstrated his exceptional character.

    Atsu improved the community by leveraging his social status to his advantage through charitable endeavours.

    The teams that honoured him and paid tribute on social media were Newcastle United, Chelsea, and Ghana Black Stars.

    Together with honouring Atsu’s life and achievements, they included images of him playing.

    Atsu’s legacy serves as a constant reminder to all of us to treat people with kindness, compassion, and dedication.

  • I didn’t authorize the closure of the Accra Sports Stadium – Sports Minister

    I didn’t authorize the closure of the Accra Sports Stadium – Sports Minister

    The Minister of Youth and Sports, Mustapha Ussif, has disclaimed any responsibility for the National Sports Authority’s choice to lease the Accra Sports Stadium for musical performances.

    He said that he had not given the NSA permission to use the location for concerts in December of last year instead of football games.

    The Minister denied having any influence over the decision while testifying before the Public Accounts Committee on Monday, February 5.

    “Our sporting facilities are primarily for us to use for talent development and competitions, both national and international,” he stated.

    “No, I did not [give my approval for the sports stadium’s December closure]. I did call Peter Twumasi to inquire, and I am aware that the stadium was closed. I was really worried about the pitch.

    “My main concern is how much we are getting from these social events that we are giving these facilities to, even though the NSA is the authority having the powers to manage all the sporting facilities for us and to ensure they are in good shape once we have a major tournament coming up—the Africa Games—and the Premiership is still going on.”

    He claims that he requested that the stadium’s use for such events be discontinued in a conversation with Peter Twumasi.

    “I have discussed this with the Director General, and I think that going forward, this should not be done because, in the end, whatever you get from these social events might not be enough to sustain the pitch,” he continued.

    While the Ghana Premier League was still in play, the National Sports Authority closed the stadium for social events during the celebrations.

    Ghanaians took offence when Hearts of Oak, Accra Lions, and Great Olympics requested to relocate their home games from the stadium because it was unavailable.

  • Samuel Eto’o resigns as Cameroon FA prez, but Executive Committee rejects offer

    Samuel Eto’o resigns as Cameroon FA prez, but Executive Committee rejects offer

    Executive Committee Samuel Eto’o’s request to resign as the association’s president has been denied by the Cameroonian Football Association’s membership.

    Following Cameroon’s elimination from the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), Eto’o submitted his resignation letter. In the round of 16, Nigeria defeated the Indomitable Lions.

    In December 2021, the former Cameroon international assumed the role of Fecafoot president.

    However, his reign has not been smooth sailing, with some controversial moments over the last two and a half years.

    Eto’o resigned after a disastrous AFCON competition, in which Rigobert Song’s team narrowly avoided elimination from the group stages following an exciting victory over Gambia, only to lose 2-0 to Nigeria in the final 16.

    Throughout the tournament, the former striker was clearly present. Eto’o even broke down in tears when Cameroon made it to the knockout stages, but his stress level escalated after they were eliminated.

    Fecafoot, however, stated in a statement released on Monday that Eto’o’s resignation had been turned down.

    On Monday, February 5, at the Yaounde Hilton Hotel, the Cameroon Football Federation’s Executive Committee convened, according to the statement.

    “The primary objective of the agenda was to assess the senior men’s national team’s performance in the Ivory Coast during the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations”

    “At the beginning of the meeting, the President of the Cameroon Football Federation, Mr Eto’o Fils Samuel, tendered his resignation to the members of the federal executive organ, inviting them to do likewise in good faith.

    “At the end of discussions and subsequent deliberations, the members of the Executive Committee decided to maintain their current mandates and thus unanimously rejected the President’s resignation.

    “Thereby renewing their confidence in him to continue with the same spirit of reconstruction and development of Cameroon football at all levels as envisaged in his plan adopted by the elective General Assembly of December 11, 2021.”

    Cameroon was unable to advance past the group stage of the 2022 FIFA World Cup and was eliminated in the round of 16 of the AFCON 2023 while under Eto’o’s leadership.

  • Liverpool’s Jurgen Klopp to depart at the end of the season

    Liverpool’s Jurgen Klopp to depart at the end of the season

    Following Liverpool’s 3-0 Premier League loss to Brighton, Jurgen Klopp expressed regret to the departing Liverpool supporters at the Amex Stadium.

    He has communicated this decision to the club’s owners. The 56-year-old had only signed a contract extension that would last until 2026 early in 2022.

    In a club-released YouTube video on Friday, Klopp said, “I can understand that it is a shock for a lot of people in this moment, when you hear it for the first time, but obviously I can explain it – or at least try to explain it.”

    “I adore this team, the staff, the city, our supporters, and everything about this club.” I adore everything. But the fact that I am still going with this choice demonstrates to you my conviction that it is the right one for me to make,” Klopp said.

    “I am, if I may put it this way, becoming increasingly lethargic. Naturally, I have no issues at all right now. I have known for a while that I will eventually need to make an announcement, but for now, everything is fine. “I am aware that I am not capable of performing the job repeatedly,” Klopp says in the video, outlining his reasons for leaving.

    The news has shocked Liverpool supporters greatly. After taking over the team in 2015, Klopp helped the then-crisis-ridden team return to its previous level of play and, through his achievements and demeanour, won over many Merseysiders.

    Among his many accomplishments with Liverpool are the FA Cup (21/22), the English Championship (2019/2020), and the Champions League (2018/2019).

    In addition to Klopp, Vitor Matos, the elite development coach, and assistant coaches Pepijn Lijnders and Peter Krawietz will also be leaving Liverpool at the end of the current campaign. It appears Lijnders hopes to become a coach in the near future.

  • Thomas Partey and his partner welcome a baby girl [Photos]

    Thomas Partey and his partner welcome a baby girl [Photos]

    Ghanaian midfielder, Thomas Partey is a father, welcomes a beautiful baby girl 

    The Arsenal midfield player, Thomas Party and his girlfriend Janine Mackson welcomed a baby girl into their family.

    Janine shared a picture of her growing baby bump to announce her pregnancy earlier in September 2023.

    She revealed the baby’s birth on her Instagram page on Tuesday, January 23, posting a photo of the infant in a cot with her and Partey’s hands extended to it.

    She wrote, “The biggest blessing,” as the photo’s caption. The news was reposted by Partey on his Instagram story.

    Additionally, Janine posted a photo of herself cuddling her child. She expressed her gratitude for the love and support she had received thus far after the announcement in another post.

  • “It is a great honour to represent my country” – Muhammad Kudus

    “It is a great honour to represent my country” – Muhammad Kudus

    Being chosen to represent one’s nation in an international competition is frequently regarded as the high point of an athlete’s career.

    Talented football player Mohammed Kudus, who feels that donning the national colours is not only a duty but also a unique privilege, aptly embodies this sentiment.

    Athletics The AFCON kicks off today, January 13.
    Ghanaian football sensation Mohammed Kudus is aware of the significant influence of wearing the uniform for his country. He stressed in a recent interview that serving his country is about more than just personal achievements.

    He thinks it is a privilege that goes beyond individual accomplishments, bearing the weight of pride in the country and the ability to motivate millions.

    He feels that the privilege carries with it an obligation to uplift society and motivate upcoming sports generations.

    “For me to be a part of the national squad is a huge privilege for me and my family and it comes with a huge responsibility representing over 30 million people who are inspired by you”

    “I am fully committed to it and I always do my best when I’m in the shirt. Ghanaians should keep supporting and praying for us and we will do our best in the tournament”.

  • Fatawu Issahaku to miss three games after being sent off against Coventry

    Fatawu Issahaku to miss three games after being sent off against Coventry

    Three games will be missed by Fatawu Issahaku, who was sent off against Coventry.

    Fatawu Issahaku is set to face a temporary setback as he is slated to miss three upcoming matches after he was sent off during a recent game against Coventry, this means he will get an automatic three-game ban.

    This means that Fatawu Issahaku will miss three important games due to a mandatory suspension.

    The player’s suspension presents an additional challenge for the team and himself, given his noteworthy contributions on the pitch, particularly in forthcoming matches where his skills would have been advantageous.

    The next match he will be available for, barring an appeal, is on Wednesday, February 13, two days following the AFCON2023 final, against Sheffield.

    He will be watching every game on the couch, choosing to forego a possible national call-up in favour of an opportunity at redemption.

  • VIDEO: Kudus scores as West Ham secures top spot in Europa League Group A with win over Freiburg

    VIDEO: Kudus scores as West Ham secures top spot in Europa League Group A with win over Freiburg

    West Ham secured a direct qualification to the Europa League last 16 after a dominant 2-0 victory against Freiburg at London Stadium, ensuring they finished atop Group A.

    Mohammed Kudus broke the deadlock in the 14th minute, followed by Edson Alvarez’s strike just before half-time, sealing the win for the Hammers. The victory was crucial as both teams started the match with 12 points, vying for the top position in the group.

    Kudus, who has now scored three goals in five Europa League matches, demonstrated his prowess, contributing significantly to West Ham’s Group A triumph. The former Ajax star has also found the net three times in the English Premier League and once in the Carabao Cup against Arsenal.

    Kudus left the pitch in the 88th minute, substituted by Ivorian winger Maxwel Cornet, as West Ham shifts its focus to the upcoming Premier League clash against Wolves on Sunday.

    David Moyes’ team rebounded after a 5-0 defeat in the Premier League last weekend to secure a seeded position in the knockout stages and avoid a play-off.

    The hosts, eager for a 10th successive home win in Europe, came close to an early lead when Lucas Paqueta hit the Freiburg crossbar in the fifth minute. Kudus played a key role in West Ham’s opening goal, showcasing his skill with a well-timed run and finish past goalkeeper Noah Atubolu.

    Despite calls for offside and handball, VAR confirmed the goal, and Alvarez extended the lead with a composed finish just before half-time.

    Although Jarrod Bowen had a goal ruled out for offside, West Ham remained in control, with Freiburg struggling to pose a significant threat. Ritsu Doan tested Lukasz Fabianski, but West Ham continued to dominate.

    In the second half, Freiburg showed more resilience, with Doan forcing a save from Fabianski. However, West Ham maintained their ascendancy, with Czech full-back Vladimir Coufal providing a cut-back cross to Bowen, whose effort went over the bar.

    Despite Freiburg’s attempts, West Ham secured the victory, solidifying their position at the top of Group A in the Europa League. The Round of 16 awaits for David Moyes’ confident side.”