A viral video capturing Nigerians celebrating their national football team’s triumph over South Africa in theAfrica Cup of Nations(AFCON) has taken social media by storm.
In the footage, jubilant Super Eagles supporters can be seen teasing their rivals by dousing themselves with liquid while chanting along to the popular track “Water” by South African artist Tyla.
The timing of the revelry coincides with Tyla’s recent Grammy win for Best African Music Performance, a victory that has stung some disappointed Nigerians who have vowed retaliation in the upcoming Afcon semi-final match.
Across both nations, the trending hashtag #NGARSA has sparked playful banter as fans exchange light-hearted jibes.
Among the topics of jest, Nigerians have cheekily asserted the superiority of their jollof rice over South Africa’s Bobotie, a traditional spicy mince-meat dish.
Yet, the primary focus of the banter remains on music, with Nigerians championing the distinctiveness of Afrobeats and suggesting that South Africans stick to their signature Amapiano genre—a fusion of hip-hop, soul, and slowed-down house music.
Popular Nigerian pastor Jimmy Odukoya has also joined the jesting by commending Bafana Bafana for their performance despite their defeat, but telling the South African players, “You need water.”
He added, “If it’s any consolation, it’s Grammy water.”
Prosper Harrison Addo, the General Secretary of theGhana Football Association (GFA), addressed concerns regarding the association’s interaction with the media during tournaments, clarifying that certain restrictions are imposed to adhere to tournament regulations and avoid potential fines.
Speaking at a press conference held in Kumasi, Addo refuted claims suggesting that the GFA has been uncooperative or unfriendly towards the media since its inception.
He emphasised that under the leadership of Kurt Okraku, the GFA has maintained a positive and collaborative relationship with media outlets.
Addo highlighted that the current administration, led by Kurt Okraku, has actively engaged with the media and welcomed their input, noting that several media professionals serve on the GFA’s Executive Council—an unprecedented move aimed at fostering transparency and inclusivity within the association.
“This FA has been more media-friendly than ever! Myself, the President, and more media persons serve on the exco than ever; they are all media persons,” he said.
“If you look at the work we do with the GPL, WGPL, and all our products, we have engaged the media a lot, and a lot more are working closely with the FA. The concept of media officers is all part of the cohesion between the FA and the media.”
Addressing claims that the FA restricts the media from having access to the team, he said the GFA’s actions are not deliberate and that they are only to enforce the laws of tournaments.
“Now to zero in on the Black Stars, when we go to tournaments, there are rules. Take the World Cup for instance. There are rules and if they’re broken, we pay dearly for them.
“This GFA is media friendly and our door is always open to engage the media. We have to organise it within the confines of the competition rules.Also and more importantly, the FA would have to create an environment conducive for coaches and players to thrive at tournaments.”
Ghana Football Association (GFA) has appointed Prof. Joseph Kwame Mintah as its new Technical Director, succeeding Bernhard Lippert, the former German technical director whose contract expired in 2023.
Prof. Mintah brings a wealth of experience to the role, having previously served as the GFA’s Director of Coaching Education and as the psychologist for the Black Stars national team.
His impressive academic credentials include a doctorate degree in Education with a specialization in Sport Psychology, as well as a Master of Arts degree in Physical Education from the University of Northern Iowa, USA.
Prof. Mintah also holds an Elite CAF Instructors “A” Licence Certificate from the Confederation of African Football (CAF), further highlighting his expertise in the field.
In addition to his administrative roles, Prof. Mintah has practical coaching experience, having served as an Interim Assistant Coach for the Ghana Black Stars during the 2014 AFCON Qualifiers and as head coach of the Cape Coast Mysterious Dwarfs in the Ghana Premier League from 2010 to 2014.
Outside of football, Prof. Mintah is a distinguished academic, currently serving as the Dean of the Faculty of Science and Technology Education at the University of Cape Coast, Ghana.
His passion for the sport dates back to his playing days, where he represented various clubs, including Mysterious Dwarfs FC, Venomous Vipers FC, Diamond Stars FC, and Hafiz Stars FC, in addition to his tenure with the University of Cape Coast men’s soccer team from 1986 to 1990.
General Secretary of theGhana Football Association (GFA), Prosper Harrison Addo, has revealed that former Black Stars head coach James Kwasi Appiah has been offered a different role in the process of appointing a new Black Stars coach.
Despite his extensive experience, Kwesi Appiah was not included in the Ghana Football Association’s search committee tasked with finding the next Black Stars coach, sparking concerns about the committee’s composition.
Harrison Addo clarified that Kwasi Appiah will still have a say in the decision-making process after the search committee submits their recommendations.
Furthermore, Harrison Addo explained that Kwesi Appiah’s involvement in the decision-making process is due to his position as an executive council member of the FA.
“The committee working to select the coach will submit their report to the executive council,” he revealed during the GFA’s press conference on Wednesday, February 7, 2024.
“As a member of the GFA EXCO, Kwasi Appiah will bepart of the deliberations and decision-making before we announce a new coach,” he added.
GFA’s search committee comprises notable figures including Mark Addo, the vice president of the GFA; legal practitioner Kojo Addae Mensah, Group CEO of Databank Group; professor Joseph Kwame Mintah, Director of Coaching Education of the GFA; Ghana football legend Opoku Nti; and William Caesar Kartey, Chief Director of the Ministry of Youth and Sport.
They were tasked with submitting their report to the GFA by February 2, 2024.
The vacancy for the Black Stars head coach position arose following the dismissal of Chris Hughton.
Hughton’s departure came after a dismal performance at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, where the team failed to secure a single victory and exited the group stage with only two points.
In light of the team’s disappointing showing and the ambition to clinch an AFCON title, the GFA emphasised in a statement the need for a “proven winner” to helm the team.
Additionally, qualities sought in the new coach include demonstrated ability in team reconstruction, organisation, and nurturing young talent, as well as being a disciplinarian and possessing strong leadership and tactical skills.
According to Kingston, Gyan has not fully recovered from the hurt of being replaced as captain, a position he believes was taken from him against his will.
He emphasised that Gyan’s lingering anguish becomes evident whenever he discusses the circumstances surrounding the loss of the armband.
“Look at someone like Asamoah Gyan; Dede Ayew got the captaincy by force so if you are speaking to Asamoah now, he is not happy,” he told Graphic Sports.
Before the 2019 AFCON tournament, former Black Stars head coach Kwesi Appiah appointed Asamoah Gyan as the general captain while officially designating Andre Dede Ayew as the team’s captain.
Defending his decision, which faced criticism, especially after Ghana’s early elimination from the tournament, Kwesi Appiah asserted that he believed he made the correct choice.
“It is about doing the right thing. I couldn’t have stripped Gyan of the captaincy and given it to Christian Atsu (or any junior player). Whoever deserves to take over, you give it to him,” he told Dan Kwaku Yeboah TV on YouTube.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K49cRj09fpo
Laryea Kingston, too, experienced disappointment when he was omitted from Ghana’s squads for the 2006 and 2010 World Cup tournaments, ultimately retiring from international football without ever participating in the prestigious event.
Reflecting on his past, he admitted that he harboured resentment towards the team for some time but has since found a way to move on.
“Myself, what they did to me for so many years, I never supported the Black Stars but just recently I sat down and said, It’s over; let me focus, he said.
Laryea Kingston’s name has emerged as one of the recommendedcandidates for the vacant Black Stars coaching position. Many observers see the former Hearts of Oak player as being on a promising trajectory in his coaching career and believe he has the potential to excel in the role.
Former Minister of Youth and Sports, Dr. Ahmed Mustapha, passed away on Wednesday, February 7, 2024, according to reports from the Herald newspaper.
He succumbed to a long-term illness that he had been battling for several months.
At the age of 63, Dr. Ahmed Mustapha served as Ghana’s sports minister for a brief period in 2015, stepping into the role following the resignation of Mahama Ayariga amidst controversy over the budget for the Africa Cup of Nations tournament.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EIfk4ic4ELA
Before his tenure as Sports Minister, Dr. Ahmed Mustapha served as a Member of Parliament for the Ayawaso East Constituency from 2001 to 2013 under the National Democratic Congress (NDC).
Additionally, The Herald provided further insights into his background, noting that he was a retired military officer and a dentist who worked at the 37 Military Hospital. He also established and operated a dental clinic in Maamobi, Accra.
Ghana international attacker Princella Adubea has moved to Israeli club Hapoel Raanana Women FC. The Black Queens attacker left Israeli champions FC Kiryat Gat after two seasons.
Hapoel Raanana Women FC’s official statement reads: “The national champion’s scoring pioneer, Kiryat Gat, joins the club on the last day of the transfer window.
Adobea, a player of the Ghana national team, is recovering from an injury and is soon returning to the fields, this time in Ra’anana’s uniform.”
She represented Ghana at the U20 level in the 2016 and 2018 World Cups before making her mark at Sporting de Huelva.
Adubea made her move to Racing Féminas in July 2020 from Sporting de Huelva, where she amassed 32 appearances and scored four goals during her time there.
During her stint at Huelva, the talented footballer showcased her skills by netting eight goals in 20 matches in the Primera Division Femenina.
The 25-year-old made the leap from Ghana to Spain in 2020 to join Huelva after clinching the top scorer title in the Ghana Women’s Premier League for two consecutive seasons.
Her outstanding performances didn’t go unnoticed, as she was honoured with the SWAG Female Footballer of the Yearaward in 2016 and 2017. Additionally, Adubea was recognised as the Foreign-Based Female Footballer of the Year at the 48th Annual SWAG Awards.
Ademola Lookman Olajade Alade Aylola Lookman, the Nigerian winger currently plying his trade with Serie A outfit Atalanta, was born on October 20, 1997, in Wandsworth, Greater London, to Nigerian parents.
His educational journey led him to St. Thomas the Apostle College in Peckham, where he excelled with top grades at GCSE.
Lookman’s professional football journey kicked off in 2015 when he made his senior debut with Charlton Athletic in the Championship, initially playing as a forward.
His talent caught the eye of Everton, and he joined the club in January 2017, primarily operating as a winger. Despite representing England at various youth levels, Lookman switched allegiances to Nigeria in 2022.
Nicknamed “Ademola Lookman,” he has emerged as a standout performer for Nigeria in the Africa Cup of Nations, overshadowing even star striker Victor Osimhen.
Lookman’s heroics in the knockout stage, including a brace against Cameroon and a crucial goal against Angola, have propelled Nigeria to the semi-finals.
While Osimhen, the reigning African footballer of the year, has struggled to find the net in the tournament due to an abdominal injury, Lookman has stepped up admirably. With Osimhen’s availability uncertain for the upcoming clash against South Africa, Nigeria will rely heavily on Lookman’s goal-scoring prowess.
Much scrutiny has been placed on Osimhen’s goal drought and the tactical approach of coach Jose Peseiro. However, Lookman’s stellar performances have provided a ray of hope for Nigerian fans, demonstrating his ability to deliver on the big stage.
“I have chosen another strategy. The players believe in it — don’t concede goals because we will score at least one,” Peseiro said in one press briefing in Abidjan.
His team’s recent defensive solidity, marked by four consecutive clean sheets leading up to the semi-finals, is attributed to a tactical shift to a three-man central defense.
However, the standout performer at present is 26-year-old Lookman, who has emerged as the game-changer, making him indispensable to coach Peseiro’s plans.
This is particularly impressive considering Nigeria’s attacking options, which include AC Milan’s Samuel Chukwueze, Kelechi Iheanacho, and the experienced Ahmed Musa, all waiting for their chance on the bench.
Lookman’s rise to prominence may have been unforeseen, especially given the depth of talent in Nigeria’s attack. However, an injury to Victor Boniface prior to the AFCON opened the door for Lookman to seize his opportunity.
Despite individual contributions, there’s a collective sense within the Nigerian squad, with each player fully committed to the team’s goal of securing a fourth Africa Cup of Nations title for the nation with the highest population on the continent.
“We are behind each other. We don’t take anything for granted. I think that shows in our work ethic, how we fight for each other, how we defend, how we attack,” Lookman said after collecting the award for man of the match against Cameroon.
Although he wasn’t included in the Nigerian squad that exited theprevious AFCON in the last 16 in Cameroon in 2022, that year marked significant changes in Lookman’s career trajectory.
Even before that tournament, the Nigeria Football Federation had been pursuing the London-born Lookman to switch allegiance, despite his previous representation of England at youth levels, a path previously taken by players like Alex Iwobi and Victor Moses.
Finally, Lookman made his debut in a crucial World Cup qualifying play-off against Ghana in March 2022, and since then, there has been no turning back for him.
“Both of my parents are Nigerian and my two older sisters were also born in Nigeria. So I was the only one out of us to be born here,” he told British newspaper The Guardian in 2021.
Lookman’s journey began at Charlton Athletic, but he soon found himself in the Premier League with Everton, where he was part of the England team that clinched victory in the Under-20 World Cup in 2017, alongside notable players like Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Dominic Solanke, and Fikayo Tomori.
After Everton, Lookman ventured to RB Leipzig, Fulham, and Leicester City before finding his footing on the international stage, coinciding with a period of peak form in his club career.
His move to Italy to join Atalanta in August 2022 proved pivotal, as he swiftly adapted and made an impact, netting 15 goals in his debut season.
This campaign, Lookman has already added seven more goals to his tally, with his performances benefiting from the guidance of coach Gian Piero Gasperini at one of Serie A’s top clubs, solidifying his place in the Nigerian national team.
“I definitely have a defensive role, to help the team within the structure, but that defensive role also allows me to attack,” Lookman told The Times in an interview last year of his club manager.
“Italian football is known for structure… They’re so drilled on structure here.”
From Bergamo to Bouake, where Peseiro’s well-drilled team faceSouth Africa as Lookman aims to take a step closer to adding the AFCON title with Nigeria to that Under-20 World Cup winner’s medal he picked up in the colours of England.
The impressive performance of Ademola Lookman for the Nigerian national team has become a major topic of conversation as they prepare for the semi-final match against South Africa on Wednesday, February 7, 2024.
Lookman’s contribution has been significant, with three goals scored during the knockout stages. His brace against Cameroon secured a 2-0 victory for the team, while his lone strike eliminated Angola from the tournament being held in Ivory Coast.
However, Lookman’s journey to represent Nigeria wasn’t without obstacles. Despite being born to Nigerian parents in Wandsworth, Greater London, he initially played for England at the youth level.
He featured in 31 games for England from U-19 to U-21, including being part of the U20 World Cup-winning team in 2016.
Yet, five years later, he made the decision to switch nationalities to Nigeria, where he now boasts 17 caps with five goals and four assists.
The discussions regarding Lookman’s switch to Nigeria began in 2018, prompting England’s coach, Gareth Southgate, to express his efforts to dissuade him from playing for the Super Eagles.
However, Lookman’s allegiance now lies with Nigeria, and his impactful performances on the field reflect his commitment to representing his heritage on the international stage.
Southgate said: “I know every country is quite aggressive in their recruiting and I know they have always had an interest in him, but he is playing and has been in our squads, the 20s and 21s.”
“So in terms of encouragement through game time, we are doing as much as we possibly can,” the coach said after Lookman’s impressive loan spell at RB Leipzig in 2018.”
Lookman has now become an integral part of the senior national team of Nigeria and he is hoping to win the AFCON for the team for the first time since ten years ago.
An X user, formerly on Twitter, with the user name HIGHLIFE lives ON@GyapKay has called for the inculcation of Ghanaian folk songs in our choral music as he gush over a video that emerged showcasing a group of talented individuals performing these local songs against the backdrop of vibrant Kente cloth.
In a tweet, @ GyapKay bemoaned how “choral music has been boxed into mostly religious settings,” however, highlighting how these vibrant melodies come to life, weaving a tapestry of sound that pays homage toGhana’s cultural heritage.
The ‘Bonwire-Kente’ song has an Asante setting, composed by an Anlo, Ephraim Amu and sung(partly narrated) in crisp Akuapem, as in, trofi-trofi. Choral music has been boxed into mostly religious settings.But imagine having a show like this with folk songs and other compositions. pic.twitter.com/qs3j2qPWjW
He believes an adoption of these folk songs will offer glimpses into significant events, legends, or rituals that define the cultural identity of the community.
“But imagine having a show like this with folk songs and other compositions,” he mentioned in his tweet.
Former Director of Communications and Spokesperson of Dr. Bawumia, now a member of Alan Kyerematen’s Movement for Change (MFC), Buabeng Asamoah, says he has grown more handsome and nice since he parted ways with the New Patriotic Party (NPP).
His comments was in response to how life has been since his separation from the incumbent government during an interview on Kasapa FM on February 7, 2024, during an appearance on the Accra-based radio station.
“People say I look nicer after leaving NPP. That’s what everybody is saying. Whoever I meet says the same. I’m looking nicer,” he said as he burst into a loud laughter.
Responding to whether his membership in the NPP had an impact on his person, even to the extent of it affecting his looks, he admitted that “it is a huge task for one to give himself to serve others in leadership.
Because a leader is expected to lead his followers to see their aspirations come to fruition, however, once the guiding principles of the leader in leading his followers are frustrated along the line, it becomes a challenge.”
Consequently, he went on to defend the guiding principles of his new party, i.e., Alan Kyeremanten’s Movement for Change, which he claims has given him peace and a good sleep, as the MFC is a representation of the appropriate guiding principles to lead the good people of Ghana to the best.
Meanwhile, Buabeng Asamoah was stripped of his membership in the NPP on November 20, 2023, following his public endorsement of Alan Kwadwo Kyerematen, who had resigned from the NPP in September 2023 to form a new movement called Movement for Change (MFC) and run as an independent presidential candidate.
The NPP’s General Secretary, Justin Kodua Frimpong, released a statement announcing that Boabeng Asamoah, along with three other MFC supporters—Hopeson Adorye, Nana Ohene Ntow, and Boniface Abubakar Saddique—had automatically forfeited their membership of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in accordance with the party’s constitution.
According to the NPP’s constitution,any member who aligns with a candidate outside of the party’s chosen nominee is deemed to have renounced their membership.
Ghana Football Association (GFA) president Kurt Okraku criticised sports journalists for jeering at the Black Stars players following their elimination from the 2023 African Cup of Nations tournament in Ivory Coast.
Several journalists were seen booing the Black Stars after their disappointing group-stage exit from the 2023 AFCON.
The Black Stars squandered a two-goal lead and settled for a 2-2 draw against Mozambique.
Addressing the press during the GFA’s meeting in Kumasi, Kurt Okraku acknowledged the pain of Ghana’s early exit from the AFCON but emphasised that it was inappropriate for journalists to boo the tea
“I share the pain of every Ghanaian on the back of our poor performance by our Black Stars at the AFCON. I also share in the pain of colleague journalists whose lifespan was cut short due to our early exit. But I do not share in the act of booing our players,” Kurt Okraku said at Meet the Press in Kumasi.
He clarified that CAF has initiated an investigation to penalise the GFA for the journalists‘ insubordination and emphasised the importance of preventing such actions from reoccurring in the future.
“As journalists, we have been trained to support and report on our national team. I pray and hope that this singular act will never be repeated.
“That act has now activated CAF to find ways of imposing fines on Ghana. It was a bad one!! And like I said here, the period between our exit and now has seen a lot of sober reflection. If we behave well, we know! If we don’t behave better, we know!! Don’t let us put Ghana in a bad light.”
Saddick Adams, one of the organisers of the ‘Fix Ghana Football’ demonstration scheduled for Wednesday, February 14, 2024, discovered that his access to the GFA’s Twitter account had been restricted on Wednesday, February 7, 2024.
In a social media post, Saddick sought clarification from the President and Communications Director of the GFA regarding the block.
In response to Saddick’s inquiry, Prosper Harrison Addo apologised to the journalist and explained that the block was made in error. He assured Saddick that the issue was promptly rectified after being brought to the attention of the GFA.
“Dear @SaddickAdams, my brother. This was an error and was corrected immediately when it came to our attention. Apologies for this mishap, my brother. Talk to you immediately after meeting the press,” Prosper Harrison Addo stated on X.
Dear @SaddickAdams, my brother. This was an error and was corrected immediately it came to our attention. Apologies for this mishap, my brother. Talk to you immediately after the Meet The Press https://t.co/ughbuKcrvZ
Saddick Adams is among a group of esteemed journalists deeply troubled by the ongoing decline in Ghanaian football. They seek answers from theGhana Football Association (GFA), National Sports Authority, and Ministry of Youth and Sports through a planned protest.
The Ghana Police Service has granted them permission to carry out the protest on Valentine’s Day, February 14, 2024.
The group comprises prominent figures such as Countryman Songo, Odi Ahenkan Kwame Yeboah, Veronica Commey, and Dan Kwaku Yeboah, among others.
Nigeria High Commission in South Africa has issued a statement cautioningNigerians residing in the country to exercise restraint in their celebrations in the event of a victory for the Super Eagles over the Bafana Bafana in the 2023 African Cup of Nations.
In the statement, the High Commission urged Nigerians to avoid provoking South Africans should they emerge victorious in their match scheduled for Wednesday, February 7, 2023.
They advised Nigerians to be mindful of their actions and words, especially in public places where they watch the game.
Additionally, the High Commission emphasised the importance of maintaining a reputation for good behaviour and urged Nigerians to report any instances of provocation to the relevant authorities.
The cautionary statement was deemed necessary due to an apparent online uproar initiated by some South African citizens ahead of the semi-final clash.
Saddick Adams, the head of sports at Angel Broadcasting Network in Accra, has been blocked by the official Twitter account of the Ghana Football Association (GFA).
Saddick, who is one of the organisers of the ‘Fix Ghana Football’ demonstration scheduled for Wednesday, February 14, 2024, brought this development to light.
In a post on Wednesday, February 7, 2024, Saddick sought clarification from the President and Communications Director of the GFA regarding the blocking.
He emphasised that he has never resorted to using abusive language towards the FA in his campaign for accountability and the revitalization of Ghanaian football. Therefore, he expressed confusion over the decision to block him.
Saddick Adams also sarcastically thanked the manager of the GFA’s Twitter account for the action taken.
Dear my brothers @kurtokraku and @MistarHAT I have never used any offensive words or abused or even tagged GFA on this space. I follow this handle to access information. Whoever is in charge of the handle that has blocked me, thank you very much.”.
As mentioned earlier, Saddick Adams is among the prominent sports journalists leading demonstrations to express their frustration over the state of Ghana football.
This group of respected journalists is deeply concerned about the continual decline of Ghanaian football and aims to use the protest as a platform to demand accountability from the Ghana Football Association (GFA), the National Sports Authority, and Ministry of Youth and Sports.
They have obtained permission from the Ghana Police Service to conduct the protest on Valentine’s Day, February 14, 2024.
Notable figures within the group include Countryman Songo, Odi Ahenkan Kwame Yeboah, Veronica Commey, and Dan Kwaku Yeboah, among others.
Arsenal has made a significant addition to their UEFA Champions League squad list for the upcoming last-16 encounter against FC Porto, with midfielder Thomas Partey included.
The Gunners are preparing to face Porto in Portugal on February 21, followed by the second leg at the Emirates Stadium the following month.
Partey’s return to the squad is a major boost for Arsenal, as the midfielder has been sidelined due to injury since October 2023.
Other injured players listed include Jurrien Timber, Gabriel Jesus, and Fabio Vieira.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is optimistic about Partey’s potential impact in the latter part of the season, aiming to make up for lost time after missing a substantial portion of the campaign.
The Gunners’ Champions League squad features notable names such as Aaron Ramsdale, Ben White, Gabriel Magalhaes, Martin Odegaard, and Bukayo Saka, among others.
Partey’s inclusion adds depth and experience to the squad as they navigate through the knockout stages of the competition.
Marcus Rashford has been cautioned that he must demonstrate unwavering support for Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag or consider departing from the club.
Rashford’s absence from training the day after being captured in a nightclub in Belfast, reportedly after a tequila-fueled outing in Northern Ireland with a former teammate, caused embarrassment for United.
Despite bouncing back with a goal in the subsequent game against Wolves and delivering a strong performance against Aston Villa, former United winger Lee Sharpe has expressed apprehension. Sharpe believes that Rashford’s recent actions may indicate a lack of full support for Ten Hag.
“We know he likes to point to his head when celebrating and I think that’s where all the answers lie—does he love the club enough and want to play there enough?” Sharpe told Lucky Block. “He needs to want to help his team and try and reach those levels of last season; if he isn’t, then he may have had his head turned.
“Is he perhaps unhappy with the manager or the way that the club is being run? There may be something on the inside that we don’t know about that is making him that 4-5% unhappier at the club, in which case he needs to leave and be replaced by someone who is 100% behind the team and the manager. Only Marcus Rashford can really answer that question.”
Even prior to his controversial night out in Belfast, Rashford had faced widespread criticism for his significant decline in performances this season, especially considering his career-best tally of 30 goals in the previous term.
This campaign, he has only managed to score five goals, with his conduct drawing scrutiny after he was spotted at a nightclub following Manchester United’s disappointing 3-0 loss to Manchester City in October.
However, Rashford’s recent improvement in form has boosted United’s chances of securing a top-four finish and qualifying for the Champions League.They face a significant challenge on Sunday against Aston Villa, who currently sit fourth in the Premier League standings.
Brighton and Hove Albion, a team in the English Premier League, have finalised the acquisition of Ghanaian talent Ibrahim Osman from FC Nordsjaelland.
According to The Athletic reporter David Ornstein, Brighton has paid a transfer fee of €19.5 million for the 19-year-old player.
Osman has successfully undergone medical examinations, but he will officially join the Seagulls in the summer.
“Brighton & Hove Albion reach a full agreement with Nordsjaelland to sign coveted attacker Ibrahim Osman. #FCNordsjaelland have accepted a bid worth about €19.5 million from #BHAFC. 19-year-old Ghanaian has completed medicals ahead of his summer move.”
Osman Ibrahim came close to sealing a transfer to West Ham United, but unfortunately, the deal fell through. There were reports of interest from Arsenal in the winger, with attempts to hijack the deal, but they couldn’t finalise it before the deadline day.
As a graduate of the Right to Dream academy, Osman is poised to become the latest talent to join the English Premier League, following in the footsteps ofMohammed Kudus and Simon Adingra.
So far this season, Osman has amassed goals and 5 assists in 24 appearances across all competitions for Nordjaelland.
NBA superstar LeBron James believes that Lionel Messi’s arrival in the MLS has brought about a “game-changing” impact throughout the USA.
James ensured his presence at Messi’s Miami debut against Cruz Azul in the League Cup back in July 2023. Witnessing Messi’s brilliant free-kick goal in the final minute of injury time, securing a memorable win for the Herons, James enjoyed a wonderful time in the stands.
Following the match, the basketball legend approached Messi and warmly welcomed the record Ballon d’Or winner to the United States.
Since Messi’s arrival, the Lakers player has shown a keen interest in soccer and emphasised that the presence of the 2022 World Cup winner will play a pivotal role in inspiring the next generation of fans to embrace the sport.
“Seeing Messi, the GOAT of soccer, honour the MLS with his presence is a total game-changer for us,” he said in a conversation with Dave McMenamin of ESPN.
“His arrival not only elevates the league but also inspires a new generation of football fans in our country. It takes unparalleled dedication, work ethic and talent to achieve what Messi has, and I have nothing but respect and admiration for him. I wish him all the best.”
Despite Lionel Messi’s widespread admiration and respect from millions of fans worldwide, he faced criticism from disappointed supporters in the Far East after missing Inter Miami’s friendly match in Hong Kong on Sunday.
The legendary player, currently on a jet-setting international tour, attributed his absence to “bad luck” caused by an injury. While Messi has moved on to Japan for the team’s next assignment, he remains uncertain about his fitness for the upcoming match against Vissel Kobe on Wednesday.
This friendly encounter marks the final leg of their extensive tour, which has taken them from El Salvador to Japan via the Middle East.
Upon their return to the US, they are scheduled to play another friendly against Messi’s first club, Newell’s Old Boys, before kicking off their 2024 MLS campaign with a home match against Real Salt Lake on February 21st.
Balotelli, who played under Mourinho during the early stages of his career at Inter, believes that De Rossi will excel as a coach at Roma.
He stated that a change in management always brings a fresh wave of “enthusiasm” to the dressing room.
Speaking to TVPlay, the Adana Demirspor striker said: “I believe that the change of coach always brings enthusiasm to the team; then it must be said that Roma played three easy games. I think De Rossi can do well as a coach; I was convinced that he would have this type of career.”
Since De Rossi took over from Mourinho, there has been a noticeable improvement at Giallorossi.
Under the Italian’s leadership, the Serie A team has secured victories in all of their last three games, propelling them to fifth place in the league standings.
Mourinho’s dismissal came in January following a 3-1 defeat to AC Milan, which left Roma struggling in ninth place.
Roma’s next match will be against league leaders Inter on Saturday in acrucial Serie A encounter. Inter currently lead the table with 57 points, a significant 19 points ahead of Roma.
Belgian coach Tom Saintfiet has reportedly thrown his hat into the ring for the vacant head coach position with the Black Stars.
According to a report from SportsWorldgahan, the former technical director of the Nigeria Super Eagles is eager to take on the role of leading the Black Stars.
Saintfiet’s recent success with The Gambia has made him a highly recommended candidate for the position.
With extensive experience in African football, he has managed six different countries since his first coaching role in Africa in 2008.
Among the nations he has managed are Malawi, Namibia, Ethiopia, Togo, Zimbabwe, and The Gambia. Additionally, he has coached South African side Free State Stars and Tanzanian giants Young Africans.
Notably, his achievements with The Gambia, including qualifying them for their first AFCON in 2021 and guiding them to their best-ever finish in the quarter-finals, have garnered attention from top countries across the continent.
Saintfiet, aged 50, played a significant role in laying the foundation for Gambian football during his six-year tenure.
However, he stepped down from his position in 2023 following The Gambia’s failure to advance from the group stage at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.
Former Ghana assistant coachGeorge Boateng has expressed interest in the vacant head coach position following Chris Hughton’s departure, as reported by Ghanasoccernet.
Boateng, who served as assistant coach under the last two Ghanaian head coaches, believes he is well-equipped to lead the team.
Despite facing competition from over 600 other coaches, Boateng remains confident in his abilities, citing his extensive experience and deep understanding of the team’s dynamics.
Having previously worked alongside Otto Addo and Chris Hughton, Boateng brings valuable experience to the table.
Despite Ghana’s disappointing performance at AFCON 2023, Boateng remains positive about his chances.
Ghana Football Association set a deadline of February 2, 2024, for applications, with a five-member committee currently reviewing submissions and conducting interviews to select thenext head coach.
Nigerian football star Victor Osimhen has been given the green light to participate in the Africa Cup of Nations semi-final match against South Africa.
Reported by PoojaMedias, a Nigerian photojournalist covering the Super Eagles and AFCON, Osimhen, who was previously sidelined due to an abdominal issue, has been declared fit and is en route to join the team in Bouake.
Although the Super Eagles had earlier confirmed Osimhen’s setback, they have yet to officially announce his medical clearance.
Initially, the player remained under medical supervision in Abidjan after being diagnosed with abdominal pain, causing him to miss the team’s journey to Bouake on Monday, February 5, 2024.
Despite the lack of goals, Victor Osimhen has played a crucial role for the Super Eagles, contributing significantly throughout the tournament.
Nigeria aims to secure their first AFCON victory since 2013, which also marks their last appearance in the final.
The highly anticipated semi-final against South Africa is slated for Wednesday, February 7, 2024, with a 17:00 GMT kick-off time.
President of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), Albert Kwabena Dwumfuor, has claimed to have received a personal threat from Farouk Aliu Mahama, theMember of Parliament for Yendi Constituency.
Dwumfuor reported that he received a text message from the MP on Tuesday, February 6, 2024, which he interpreted as a personal threat.
“This morning, I woke up to Farouk Mahama’s message around five in the morning. He sent me a message: ‘Good morning. My lawyers are working to sue the journalist and all those involved for defamation. Rest my case. The name of the game is evidence, not just allegations,” the president told a press conference on Tuesday.
Dwumfuor’s disclosure follows a journalist’s accusation of physical assault by the Yendi MP during a tumultuous New Patriotic Party parliamentary primary in Yendi.
Dwumfuor emphasised that he perceives the MP’s message as a personal threat and intends to address it accordingly.
“We want to let him know that, as journalists, we don’t dwell on assumptions and suspicions. We only base our decisions on facts and evidence and I see this as a personal threat. Because if you want to go to court, go to court.
“Why sent me a personal message? You have no business sending me a message. So if Honourable Farouk is listening, I see it as a personal threat and I will deal with it as such. We are ready to meet him in court and wherever he wants to take the matter,” he said.
Farouk Aliu Mahama, who has refuted the accusation of assault, has threatened to pursue legal recourse against the journalist.
However, during a press conference on Tuesday, the President of the GJA issued a 10-day ultimatum to the Ghana Police Service and the New Patriotic Party.
He emphasised that if no action is taken against the MP within this timeframe,the GJA and its affiliated organisations, including the Ghana Independent Broadcasters Association (GIBA), the Private Newspaper Publishers Association of Ghana (PRINPAG), and the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA), will consider their next steps.
“We are giving the NPP, regional and national, and the Ghana Police Service ten (10) days ultimatum each to hear from them. They should arrest the perpetrators. If they fail, we shall advise ourselves. The NPP leadership at the national and regional levels must seek justice for our colleague, Mohammed Amin Alabira, by sanctioning the MP and his hoodlums appropriately.
“The Ghana Police Service should speed up investigations into the case and arraign the perpetrators before court to face the full rigours of the law for their distasteful conduct. This time, the policemen and women were witnesses to the incident as it happened.
“We are giving the NPP, regional and national, and the Ghana Police Service ten (10) days ultimatum each to hear from them. They should arrest the perpetrators. If they fail, we shall advise ourselves,” the association said.
Before the High Court in Accra, the 18-year-old teenager, charged alongside a 15-year-old juvenile in the Kasoa ritual murder case, has declared, “I do not know anything about the death ofIshmael Mensah Abdallah.“
The duo faces charges of conspiracy and murder concerning 10-year-old Ishmael Mensah Abdallah, in proceedings overseen by Justice Lydia Osei Marfo.
While the 15-year-old juvenile (1st accused) has confessed to the offence, stating, “We committed the crime together,” the 18-year-old defendant (2nd accused) has refuted the allegations.
On Tuesday, February 6, 2024, during the ongoing trial following the conclusion of the first accused’s case, the 18-year-old (2nd Accused) presented his defence in court. Led by his counsel to provide Evidence-in-Chief, he refuted the 15-year-old juvenile’s assertion that they had planned Ishmael’s death.
“When the first accused spent the night in my house, we did not plan the death of Ishmael,” he told the Court on Tuesday, February 6, 2024.
“On Friday, (April 2, 2021), when the first accused came to my house, I asked him where he was coming from and he told me that he went to work with his father around Suhum, near Nsawam.
“I asked him where his father was and he told me that his father had left earlier for the house,” he narrated to the Court.
He added, “I also asked him if he had been home and he told me that when he went home, he saw that the door had been locked so he decided to spend the night in my house because I was home alone that day.”
“When he spent the night in my house, we did not discuss anything in relation to going to any place and on that day, he (15-year-old) did not speak to anyone on the phone when he was in my house,” he told the jury.
“I told him that the coming Monday (April 5, 2021), I would want to visit my hometown. He told me he’d like to come along with me to my home town because he had heard that there’s a lot of black magic there.
“The first accused (15-year-old juvenile) also told me that he had won a lottery and that he had GHc500 on his phone that day.
“I told him that I was feeling sleepy and I wanted to go to sleep. I turned off the light and we both slept,” he told the court.
Unfortunate April 3
Asked by his counsel to tell the court what happened the next day, the 2nd Accused offered explanation.
“My lady on Saturday, April 3, 2021, when I and the first accused woke up, I told him to wash his face and start heading home since his father might be looking for him.
“After he freshened up, he left. The first accused left my house at about 5 to 6 a.m.
“I went to brush my teeth and that is when my grandfather asked me to warm the food so I and my siblings can eat.
“ I said I was fine; he proceeded to tell me that he had some work to do and would like me to assist him in doing that. I asked him where his son, the 1st accused, was and he told me that the 1st accused wasn’t feeling well, so he could not assist him.
“I asked his (1st accused) father if he was aware that his son slept over in my house on Friday,” but he said, “The first accused father told me that his son did not tell him that but rather he told him that he slept in an uncompleted building close to their house.”.
The case has been adjourned to February 8, 2024 for continuation.
Senior Analyst for Sub-Saharan Africa at Fitch Solutions and spokesperson for Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, Dr Gideon Boako, has defended Bawumia’s competence, asserting his suitability to become the next president of Ghana in the 2024 elections.
Highlighting various accomplishments of the vice president since taking office, Dr. Boako challenged critics who label the vice president as all talk and no action to identify a single promise he made in opposition that he has not fulfilled since assuming office.
Speaking on Peace FM’s Kokrokoo morning show with host Kwame Sefa Kaye, Dr. Boako emphasised that everything Dr. Bawumia extensively lectured on while in opposition has been realised.
And these interventions, he said, have alleviated the burdens of middle-class men like himself.
He said, “Bawumia’s interventions since assuming the vice presidency have alleviated some of our burdens. These are the issues he extensively lectured on while we were in opposition. However, today, there is little to show for it.
I challenge anyone to dispute that while we were in opposition, Bawumia made numerous promises, and none have come to fruition.I want to be challenged, but there is not a single person to do so because everything Bawumia said, he has accomplished.”
Citing some achievements of Dr Bawumia and its impact on the Ghanaian economy, Dr Baako mentioned that “For instance, he introduced the Ghana Card system, which has simplified borrower tracking for banks. Banks can now easily identify and trace borrowers, leading to reduced interest rates as a result of mitigated borrowing risks.”
Ghana Health Service (GHS) has announced plans to launch a vaccination campaign by the end of the year, targeting pre-adolescents aged 9 to 14 across the country.
The Service made this known in an article titled “GHS to vaccinate young girls against cervical cancer.”
“Because we have already done a pilot, which was to learn lessons, we will roll out a nationwide vaccination, and our focus is usually on young people before they start their sexual debut. So by the end of the year, we should have started the vaccination,” the article read.
The aim of this initiative is to reduce the prevalence of the human papillomavirus (HPV) among women in Ghana.
Ghana experienced a higher-than-average incidence rate of cervical cancer among women, with 31.9 cases per 100,000 women in 2018. This figure is more than double the global average of 13.1 cases per 100,000 women.
Additionally, the mortality rate associated with cervical cancer in Ghana during the same year was 19.6 deaths per 100,000 women. This rate is nearly three times higher than the global average mortality rate of 6.9 deaths per 100,000 women.
In light of this, GHS is set to embark on a two-day nationwide vaccination among youngsters.
Programmes Manager for the Expanded Programme on Immunisation at the Ghana Health Service, Dr. Kwame Amponsah-Achiano, highlighted the importance of administering the two-dose vaccine to each child.
“While we were doing the piloting, we had to give three doses, then it came to two, and now we are talking of one, but the one dose is also premised on the fact that we need to have a well-established screening, but we are likely to do two doses because that is the best card put forward,” he said.
According to the ICO/IARC Information Centre on HPV and Cancer, Ghana has a significant population of women at risk of cervical cancer. Every year, thousands of women are diagnosed with cervical cancer, and many succumb to the disease. Cervical cancer ranks as the second most common cancer among women in Ghana, particularly affecting those aged 15 to 44.
While data on HPV burden in the general population of Ghana is not yet available, statistics from Western Africa, to which Ghana belongs, indicate that a significant proportion of women may carry cervical HPV 16/18 infection, which is associated with a high risk of cervical cancer.
This comes after the association, on January 18, 2024, issued a 14-day ultimatum to the government to settle the debt or face their protest.
NAIS, which plays a crucial role in supplying school uniforms, house dresses, and school clothes to senior high schools across Ghana, is reportedly owed two years of arrears by the government.
However, the government has yet to settle the arrears.
Consequently, the public relations officer for the association, Emmanuel Ayivor, mentioned in a media appearance that they will communicate the date for the picketing in due course.
“If we don’t hear anything from the government after the 14-day ultimatum, we will picket, and we are proposing to picket on February 26, which is the last Monday of the month. We will sit there until they pay us.
We will converge at the Makola market and let the mothers know that the government is refusing to pay us for the uniforms that their children are wearing. What the government is doing is collapsing our business,” he stated.
Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) has issued a warning to the public regarding unauthorised payment authorization prompts appearing on their phones.
These prompts, which may appear randomly, falsely claim that customers owe a debt to ECG and request payment authorization.
During an interview on Peace FM’s Kokrokoo morning show with Kwame Sefa Kaye on January 5, 2024, the Managing Director of the Electricity Company of Ghana, Mr Samuel Dubik Mahama, called on the vigilance of the general public against some fraudulent persons who have ‘adopted’ MTN services to defraud innocent customers.
“I urge the general public to remain vigilant, as fraudulent individuals have been exploiting MTN services to send unauthorised payment authorization prompts to people’s phones, falsely claiming to settle debts owed to ECG.
It’s crucial to note that this is not how ECG operates, and we do not engage in such practices. Please stay alert, as some individuals have already fallen victim to these schemes and suffered as a result”, he said while addressing the grievances of some listeners as Sefa Kaye read it out to him.
The only reason you should approve such prompts on your phone is when you initiate such a payment process on your phone, Mr Mahama added.
The search for a new coach by the Ghana Football Association (GFA) for theGhana national team, the Black Stars, continues after the dismissal of Chris Hughton.
The Ghana Football Association (GFA) has scheduled a press conference for Wednesday in Kumasi to discuss matters related to the national team and the sport in general.
Anticipation is high as the FA addresses the selection of the next coach, with over 600 applications received.
With the next international assignment approaching in March, the FA is expected to shed light on the technical leadership of the Black Stars.
To aid in the selection process, the GFA has formed a committee led by Vice President Mark Addo.
The committee aims to appoint a coach who embodies a winning mentality, aligns with Ghana’s football philosophy, and resonates with the national team’s ethos.
Among the applicants are notable figures such as former Bayern Munich coach Felix Magath, ex-West Ham coach Nikola Jurcevic, and former Black Stars assistant coach Maxwell Konadu.
Other applicants include former Bibiani Goldstars coach Michael Osei.
Ghana Football Association (GFA) is reportedly considering appointing Mauritania’s head coach, Amir Abdou, as the next head coach of the Black Stars.
According to AfricaSoccer.com, the Ghana Football Association has offered a tempting salary of $45,000 to persuade Abdou to take up the coaching role for the Black Stars.
Currently, Abdou earns a monthly salary of $35,000 with the Mauritanian Football Federation (MFF), and his contract is set to expire in March 2024.
However, Abdou is considering not extending his contract with the Mauritanian Federation due to concerns over high wage costs in the country.
Reports also indicate that the Mauritanian Federation is exploring the possibility of appointing Spanish trainer Aritz Lopez Garay as a potential replacement if Abdou decides to leave his current position.
Abdou achieved notable success with Mauritania, leading them to their best-ever AFCON campaign, where they reached the Round of 16 for the first time and secured a historic victory over Algeria.
Previously, he guided Comoros in their maiden AFCON appearance in 2021, defeating Ghana in the group stage before exiting in the Round of 16.
The Ghana Football Association sees Abdou as a suitable replacement for Chris Hughton, who led Ghana to the knockout stage of the group at the 2023 AFCON.
In the meantime, the GFA has established a five-member committee tasked with selecting a coach within the next two weeks.
Mauricio Pochettino is reported to have recently had a “private” conversation with Thiago Silva regarding his wifeIsabelle’s contentious social media post.
This discussion followed Chelsea’s disappointing 4-2 loss to Wolves, which left them in 11th place in the Premier League standings.
The defeat intensified the scrutiny on Pochettino, and Isabelle’s post seemed to hint at the possibility of his dismissal.
She wrote, “It’s time to change. If you wait any longer, it will be too late.”
Pochettino has spoken to Thiago Silva about the controversial post, as he revealed to reporters at a press conference on Tuesday: “He came today to talk with me. I am not going to talk the way we were talking. The important thing is that he came and wanted to talk with me. He knows me after more than 10 years, who I am, and that we are a very strong coaching staff in the way we operate. Of course, he came to talk. We talked. It was private. And that’s it.’
With his current contract at Stamford Bridge scheduled to expire in the summer, Brazilian defender Thiago Silva’s future has also been a topic of great discussion.
The 39-year-old has openly admitted that retirement could be on the cards when his Chelsea career comes to an end, but he is in no rush to make a final decision at this stage. “We know [my career] is almost over, but it’s not the end yet, so pick the right time,” Thiago Silva said last month. “I’m still able to maintain a good performance. My numbers are good. This gives me the peace of mind to continue. Now, the future belongs to God. Let’s finish well here, in this and those four months and see what has to happen going forward. But I’m super relaxed about that.”
Chelsea is gearing up for an FA Cup fourth-round replay against Aston Villa scheduled for Wednesday night. Pochettino is counting on his team to bounce back to winning form ahead of their upcoming Premier League fixture against Crystal Palace on February 12th, following the replay.
Osimhen, who plays for Napoli, was absent from the Nigerian team’s trip to Bouake, Ivory Coast, on Monday, February 5, 2024, ahead of their game against South Africa.
In a statement, the team confirmed that Osimhen stayed behind because he complained of an abdominal issue.
They added that his condition would be closely monitored to determine his availability for the game scheduled for Wednesday, February 7, 2024.
“Victor Osimhen will not join us on this trip as a result of abdominal discomfort. Team medics confirmed that he has been placed under close watch, with a member of the medical team staying behind in Abidjan with him.
“If cleared by tomorrow [Tuesday] morning, he will join the rest of the squad before 5 p.m.,” a statement from the Super Eagles official account on X said.
The loss of Osimhen will be felt deeply by the Super Eagles, as the African Player of the Year has been the driving force behind Nigeria’s incisive attack during the tournament.
Christiana Atsu Twasam, the twin sister of the late Black Stars player Christian Atsu, has announced plans for the establishment of the Christian Atsu Memorial Foundation.
The launch is set for March 2024, although the specific date has not been finalised. The foundation aims to honour Atsu’s legacy and perpetuate his philanthropic efforts, which endeared him to many beyond his achievements in football.
“We’ll launch the Christian Atsu Memorial Foundation in March to continue his charity work,” she told the Athletic.
Christiana confirmed that she had fronted her brother’s school project, which he was building for the less privileged before his passing.
“I have the baton to continue his work, but it’s not easy. I have to heal first,” says Christiana.
Regarding how she is holding up the loss, Christiana says his brother’s death has hit her harder than losing her mom and dad.
“I know grieving has five stages, but I don’t know where I am at the moment. Sometimes I’m in denial, sometimes acceptance; it fluctuates and I feel like I’m not progressing. I’ve lost my mom and my dad, but Christian’s leaving has had more impact on me than anything.
She added that on her birthday, which also happens to be Christian’s birthday, she changed scenery to escape her grief but she ended up breaking down.
“I went to Chester. But I broke down there. He was not there.”
Christian Atsu passed away following a tragic earthquake in Turkey. The former Black Stars player was trapped under the rubble for about three days before he was found lifeless on February 8, 2023.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe, the owner of Ineos and Britain’s wealthiest individual, is reportedly keen on transforming Old Trafford into the “Wembley of the North.”
His ambitious plans are currently being formulated at Manchester United.
Ratcliffe has recently acquired a 25 percent stake in the club, valued at £1 billion ($1.3 billion), pending approval from the Premier League.
Upon receiving clearance, approximately £237 million ($298 million) will be allocated for the redevelopment of Old Trafford. However, United’s aspirations extend beyond mere refurbishment.
The goal is to establish a state-of-the-art venue that competes with the renowned 90,000-seat stadium, the home of English football, located in north London.
Sources close to Ratcliffe have told The Telegraph: “He feels the club needs an absolute state-of-the-art, knock-it-out-of-the-park, ‘wow’ ‘stadium. And we feel there’s a strong argument for the country having a top-class major venue in the North—a Wembley of the North.”
Ratcliffe is said to be “broadly opposed” to theidea of United having to relocate, although he believes support among fans could be secured if that becomes the only logical option. Land immediately surrounding Old Trafford, which United have called home for 114 years, could be acquired and developed. Sources added: “The spiritual home is important. We think the fans would be quite happy to accept a brand new stadium if we stayed where we are.”
United may have to consider the construction of a brand new venue, as Chris Lee, the managing director of Populous, the architectural design firm tasked with overseeing the project, has already told The Telegraph that a rebuild “may well turn out to be the most cost-effective solution.”. He added, “The building is reaching the end of its natural life; the cabling, the electricity supplies, everything is nearing its sell-by date.”
The redevelopment of Old Trafford is estimated to require a minimum investment of £800 million ($1 billion), whereas constructing a new stadium would incur costs ranging between £1.5 billion and £2 billion ($2.5 billion).
Discussions have already taken place with the Mayor of Greater Manchester and local council leaders regarding forthcoming initiatives. The objective is to establish an innovative venue that integrates sports, entertainment, and community facilities, with the vision of creating a pioneering hub for various activities.
Pep Guardiola praised Phil Foden as an “exceptional” player after his hat trick helped Manchester City win 3-1 against Brentford in London. Guardiola said Foden is always reliable.
Initially, City faced a tough challenge from Brentford, with Neal Maupay scoring for the home team in the 21st minute. However, City’s goalkeeper, Mark Flekken, made several important saves to keep them in the game.
Just before half-time, Foden scored to level the game for City. In the second half, he scored two more goals to complete his hat trick and secure the victory for City.
With this win, City closed the gap with league leaders Liverpool to just two points. They have played one less game than Liverpool.
“We needed it [Foden’s performance] today,” Guardiola told a news conference. “I think Phil is playing the most [influential] season for the team in terms of goals and assists. How he played simple, how he can be more aggressive. He has the pleasure of scoring goals and the threat when he’s close to their box. Always, he is there.
“So he’s an exceptional, exceptional player. He is [young] and already has more than 250 games for City; that shows the impact he has had since he arrived.”
Foden’s hat trick was the second that he has scored in the Premier League, his first coming against Manchester United on October 2, 2022.
“I don’t know his limits,” Guardiola said. “He will decide. For him, football is the most important thing in his life. Of course, aside from his family and kids, it is the most important thing.
“It depends on him, but he enjoys it a lot. He loves to play football. When you see players like him playing in the street when you are a little boy, you have this sense of amateurism [in the way he plays].”
This was the first time in over five months that Guardiola could put both Kevin De Bruyne and Erling Haaland in the starting lineup. De Bruyne had been working on getting back to full fitness after having hamstring surgery.
Meanwhile, Haaland made his first league start since December 6 after healing from a foot injury. However, he didn’t score in his comeback match.
“I cannot imagine one striker all around the world playing against Brentford surrounded by six players in the space of two, three metres distance, something like that. It’s uncomfortable,” Guardiola said.
“I cannot imagine that even the best, best strikers in the world could survive in there. But being there helps the players in the second position to be more involved and [creates] more chances to score a goal.
“So thanks to Erling being there, Julian [Alvarez] and Kevin and Phil have more spaces. Without him, it would be more difficult. So he helped us a lot today.”
Brentford were the only team to beat City both home and away in the Premier League last season.
“They’re so difficult [to play against],” Guardiola said. They’re an incredible team. Set pieces, corners, free kicks, throw-ins—I’v never seen a team better than this one.”
Towards the end of the match, there was an incident between City defender Kyle Walker and Brentford forward Maupay, which led to a short stoppage in play as the right-back spoke to referee Jarred Gillett.
Both Guardiola and Brenford boss Thomas Frank declined to elaborate on the incident when asked by reporters after the match.
Man Utd are focusing on players who are nearing the end of their contracts this summer as part of their rebuilding efforts under new minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe, a source has informed ESPN.
Despite concerns about potentially breaching profit and sustainability rules, United are poised to spend in the upcoming summer transfer window.
The club bolstered its financial position in January by offloading several players, including Donny van de Beek and Jadon Sancho, from Old Trafford.
Additionally, a number of young players, such as Facundo Pellistri, Hannibal Mejbri, and Álvaro Fernández, departed the club, while on-loan defender Sergio Reguilón had his loan spell cut short.
Despite considering the January window a success, sources indicate that finances are still “tight” at the club. Therefore, targeting players whose contracts are expiring is seen as a prudent approach to managing expenditures in the summer.
This strategy was underscored by Mason Mount’s attractiveness as a potential signing last summer, with United being informed during negotiations that he would not be renewing his contract with Chelsea.
Chelsea opted to facilitate Mason Mount’s departure rather than risk losing the England midfielder for free a year later.
Ahead of this summer, Manchester United are exploring similar deals with players like Joshua Kimmich, Jonathan David, and Khephren Thuram, all of whom are set to be out of contract in 2025.
In addition to United, Manchester City and several other clubs have shown interest in German international Joshua Kimmich, whose contract with Bayern Munich will enter its final year at the end of the season.
Meanwhile, Bayern defender Alphonso Davies is also poised to enter the final year of his contract in the summer. Sources indicate that Real Madrid is his preferred destination should he opt to leave the Allianz Arena.
INEOS and its team, led by Sir Jim Ratcliffe, are looking to appoint a new director of football in the coming weeks, but preparations for the summer transfer window have already begun.Confirmation of Ratcliffe’s 25% stake in the club is expected by mid-February.
One year after the tragic events in Turkey that sadly led to his passing, the wife, sister, and agent of the late Ghanaian footballer, Christian Atsu, have shared their experiences of coping with the loss of their beloved.
Christiana Twasam, Nana Sechere, and Marie Claire-Rupio, Christian Atsu’s surviving spouse, spoke to The Athletic, based in the UK, revealing the challenges they faced following his demise and how they have been dealing with the void left by his absence.
Christiana Twasam recounted the emotional turmoil caused by the uncertainty surrounding his disappearance and eventual death, highlighting the family’s relentless efforts to locate him.
“When I got there, I was devastated because I thought no one was going to survive in that building,” says Christiana, recalling the sight of the collapsed Renaissance Residence five-star block where Christian was. Hatayspor’s sporting director, Taner Savut, was also in the wreckage.
“We would call out his name,” says Christiana. “The rescuers would alert us if they sensed a life, then bring out the body and you’d be asked to verify if it was someone you knew. It broke my heart when you saw a body bag coming—i was going to be your own relative or not,” she says. “We were like a family around the fire in the evening. When someone verified their relative and broke down, it reminded you that one day you would too.”
Nana Sechere, the agent of Christian Atsu, spoke about a few moments when they received some hope that they were going to find him, hopefully alive.
“I spotted a shoe that looked very muchlike Christian’s through the legs of one of the search teams,” says Nana. “He threw it over to me and it was one of his Yeezy trainers. We found the other one from the pair soon after, and it told us we were looking in the right place.”
Following days of searching through the rubble in hopes of finding their loved one, known primarily for his charitable endeavours, the family received devastating news. While they were sleeping in tents and cars at night, a call came through confirming that a body had been found. Tragically, it turned out to be Atsu’s.
“Two officials took us to a body bag lying on the floor,” he says. “We had seen so many that even before they were opened, (we knew they) weren’t the right shape or size for Christian. But I could tell by the shape of it that it was Christian. We saw him and we broke down.”
It has been a year since the disappearance of Christian Atsu was announced following an earthquake in Turkey. The former Black Stars player was trapped under the rubble for about three days before he was found lifeless on February 8, 2023.
Marie-Claire Rupio, the wife of the late Black Stars player Christian Atsu, revealed to UK outlet The Athletic that she still sends WhatsApp messages to her deceased husband.
She admitted to questioning Atsu at times about why he is no longer alive and also mentioned messaging him when their children inquired about him.
Rupio, who is Portuguese, expressed that she does not have a specific coping mechanism and emphasised the mental challenges she faces, stating that she simply tries to navigate through each day.
“When people say, ‘How are you coping?’ I don’t cope. I just survive every day,” says Claire. “Mentally, you’re fine for a few days, maybe a week, but then lots of emotion comes.
“Sometimes I message Christian on WhatsApp; I just need to let it out,” she says. “‘Why are you not here?’ or maybe one of the kids needs him.”
Narrating how she received the news of her husband’s passing, she said Atsu’s agent, Nana Sechere, informed her at 3 a.m. while sobbing.
“It was around 3 am on Saturday, and when I saw Nana’s name come up on my phone.
“I picked up and he was just crying. He said, ‘I’m so sorry’, and he couldn’t say anything more.”
It has been a year since Christian Atsu passed away tragically due to an earthquake in Turkey. The former Black Stars player was trapped under rubble for approximately three days before rescuers found him lifeless on February 8, 2023. I knew: this is it.”
Claire was left traumatised and could not figure out how to tell the kids about their father’s passing on the spot.
“I needed to figure out how I was going to tell my kids that their dad was gone. It was terrible; there was so much going through my mind.”
She could not tell the kids right away, but she had to take them out for practice during the day and asked the coaches not to show signs that Atsu had passed.
“One of the coaches just came up to me and gave me a hug, but I told him just to be normal, as I hadn’t told them yet. They were awaiting good news when I sat them down and then I looked at them.
“I told them, ‘They have found your dad, but he didn’t make it’. It’s something I wish no parent had to do. It was heartbreaking; he was everything to them. Losing anyone is difficult, but we couldn’t even say goodbye.”
It has been a year since Christian Atsu passed away tragically due to an earthquake in Turkey. The former Black Stars player was trapped under rubble for approximately three days before rescuers found him lifeless on February 8, 2023.
Former Ghanaian footballer Laryea Kingston has expressed his eagerness to take on the position of the next coach for the Black Stars if presented with the chance.
Following the dismissal of Chris Hughton and his coaching staff due to Ghana’s disappointing performance at the 2023 African Cup of Nations, the coaching role for the Black Stars became available.
In an interview with Graphic Sports, Laryea Kingston conveyed his belief in his capabilities to lead the Black Stars.
He highlighted his vast experience and deep understanding of the prerequisites for achieving success at the international level.
Laryea Kingston said, “Of course, I will accept and do it easy. I know the level at which I am now,” highlighting his readiness to become the next Black Stars coach.
Laryea Kingston, who currently serves as the Assistant Coach of the Black Starlets, accumulated 42 appearances for the Black Stars, during which he scored six goals.
A businessman, Bernard Oduro Takyi, has been remanded into police custody by an Accra Circuit Court on allegations of defrauding two individuals of $27,000 with the promise of securing USA visas for them.
Takyi is accused of fabricating embarkation and disembarkation stamps from Singapore, South Africa, Mauritius, and Turkey in the passports of the two complainants.
Additionally, he is alleged to have forged a letter from the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA), introducing one of the complainants, Gabriel Kwame Ntim, as a strategic partner for investors interested in real estate under Ghana’s industrialization policy.
In the case of the second complainant, Prince Kofi Osei, Takyi purportedly forged a KMA letter presenting him as a “Metro Climate Management Officer.”
Takyi faces charges of defrauding with false pretences and forgery of official documents.
Despite pleading not guilty, the prosecution, led by Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Maxwell Oppong, opposed bail.
The court, under the jurisdiction of Samule Bright Acquah, has adjourned the case to February 12, 2024.
According to the prosecution’s case, the complainants, Gabriel Kwame Ntim and Prince Kofi Osei, work as mechanics and personnel at the Electricity Company of Ghana, respectively.
While Ntim resides in Kumasi, Osei lives in Accra, and the accused, Takyi, resides in Gbawe.
In 2023, the complainants informed Takyi of their intention to travel to the United States.
Takyi allegedly assured them of securing visas within three months from the Regional USA Embassy in Ghana, provided they paid certain fees.
Consequently, Ntim and Osei paid $13,000 and $14,000 on April 19, 2023, and May 31, 2023, respectively.
Takyi then took the complainants’ passports and “forged entry and exist stamps of Singapore, Mauritius, Turkey, and South Africa without their consent.”
Again, the prosecution said Takyi forged the KMA letter, introducing Ntim as “Strategic Partnership for both local and External Investor” who was keen on investing in the real estate sector in the ongoing IDIF.
In the case of Osei, the accused person introduced him as a “Metro Climate Change Management Officer.”
Prosecutions said Takyi submitted their (complainants) documents to the Regional USA Embassy in Madagascar.
According to Sam George, a brand new pickup truck owned by the NSA mysteriously disappeared after being parked in an unconventional location, deviating from its usual parking spot.
He further mentioned that the vehicle was uninsured, adding to the unusual circumstances surrounding its disappearance. Additionally, Sam George raised concerns about ongoing illegal activities within the NSA.
“You know, there is the issue of the NSA vehicle that is outstanding. Just listen to the chronology of the events and draw your conclusion. The NSA always parks its vehicles in Kumasi at the Sports Hotel, which is part of the Kumasi Sports Stadium. Very close to it.
“The new director comes in, and a brand new pickup is bought. He gets to Kumasi with his driver and says, I don’t want you to park at the Sports Hotel. Go and park at a new hotel. The vehicle is parked at the new hotel; that very night, there is a robbery at the hotel and the only thing that is stolen is the pickup.”
“You are seeing theft. You are seeing blatant lies; you are seeing misappropriation of state funds. How do we continue like this? And the clear disrespect and undermining of his sector minister is mind-boggling. “Except someone is sitting somewhere and maybe the Jubilee House is backing what the sports Director General is doing; you can’t see this happening in any institution,” he lamented.
Earlier in the day, during a session of the Public Accounts Committee, Sam George engaged in a heated exchange with Professor Twumasi, the Director-General of theNational Sports Authority (NSA), and the NSA’s accountant.
The disagreement stemmed from allegations of mishandling funds received by the NSA during the Christmas period.
Sam George, a committee member, expressed bewilderment after the NSA’s accountant confirmed that a portion of the funds had been deposited into the Kumasi account. This revelation prompted Sam George to press the accountant for explanations.
The accountant explained that “Partly was lodged in Accra and the other in Kumasi. The invoices we issued to these two…”. He then gave a long pause that prompted a reaction from Sam George.
Sam George quizzed again ‘”Do you have an answer for the committee?” and the accountant replied, “Yes, Mr Chairman.” Sam George then asked him to proceed and give the reasons behind the decision to lodge some payment in Accra and in Kumasi.
The accountant then referred the question to the Director-General which prompted a response from Sam George who asked “But you are the accountant, lodgements are made to you so why is the Director-General of the NSA supposed to explain what your role is? Is it because he directed?
The accountant responded, “It’s because he is the spending officer.” Sam George was not satisfied with the response and pushed further “Lodgements of the cheques are different from the disbursement of the cheques so on whose order or authority did you lodge cheques made for Accra Sports Stadium into the Kumasi account”.
The accountant replied “The Director-General”.
The exchange between Sam George and the accountant dragged on until the accountant admitted that Professor Twumasi instructed him to deposit the money in the Kumasi account.
Sam George then turned his attention to the NSA boss, but Professor Twumasi appeared to struggle to address the concerns effectively.
This prompted James Klutse Avedzi to step in and take over the questioning. Despite Avedzi’s intervention, Professor Twumasi continued to have difficulty providing clear answers.
Avedzi, visibly displeased with the NSA’s response, announced that the committee would propose a forensic audit of the NSA’s accounts to the Auditor-General.
Member of Parliament for Ningo-Prampram, Samuel George, and the chairman of the Public Accounts Committee of Parliament, and James Klutse Avedzi, during a parliamentary committee hearing on Monday, February 5, 2024, grilled Professor Peter Twumasi, the Director-General of the National Sports Authority (NSA), and the NSA’s chief accountant over the handling of funds received during the Christmas festivities
Sam George revealed that the NSA had collected GH₵250,000 for renting out facilities at the Accra Sports Stadium during the Christmas period.
However, instead of depositing the entire amount into the NSA’s main account, where payments are typically lodged, some funds were lodged in the Kumasi account.
During the committee hearing, Sam George, a member of the committee, was puzzled to learn from the NSA’s accountant that a portion of the funds had been lodged in the Kumasi account.
He demanded clarification from the accountant regarding this unusual discrepancy.
The accountant explained that “Partly was lodged in Accra and the other in Kumasi. The invoices we issued to these two”. He then gave a long pause that prompted a reaction from Sam George.
Sam George quizzed again, ‘”Do you have an answer for the committee?” and the accountant replied, “Yes, Mr Chairman.” Sam George then asked him to proceed and give the reasons behind the decision to lodge some payments in Accra and Kumasi.
The accountant then referred the question to the Director-General, which prompted a response from Sam George, who asked, “But you are the accountant; lodgements are made to you so why is the Director-General of the NSA supposed to explain what your role is? Is it because he directed?
The accountant responded, “It’s because he is the spending officer.” Sam George was not satisfied with the response and pushed further: “Lodgements of the cheques are different from the disbursement of the cheques so on whose order or authority did you lodge cheques made for Accra Sports Stadium into the Kumasi account?”.
The accountant replied, “The Director-General.”.
The exchange between Sam George and the accountant continued for a while until the accountant admitted that Professor Twumasi instructed him to deposit the money in the Kumasi account.
Sam George thenredirected his inquiries to Professor Twumasi, but he struggled to provide coherent answers. As a result, James Klutse Avedzi intervened and took over the questioning.
Despite Avedzi’s efforts to clarify the situation, Professor Twumasi still appeared uncertain in his responses. Dissatisfied with the NSA’s handling of the matter, Avedzi announced that the committee would recommend a forensic audit of the NSA’s accounts to the Auditor-General.
“I want to make a recommendation that will be put in the report. Listening to what is happening here, I think the place is in a mess,” said Dr. Avedzi.
Watch how Sam George, PAC Chairman, grilled NSA boss and accountant over lodgement of ‘Chrismas monies’
Roberto Donadoni, an Italian coach, has shown interest in taking over as the next coach of Ghana’s national team, the Black Stars.
The coaching position for the Black Stars became available after Chris Hughton and his technical team were dismissed following Ghana’s poor performance at the 2023 African Cup of Nations.
Reports indicate that Donadoni, who has previously coached the Italy national team and managed nine other clubs, is interested in leading the Black Stars.
Donadoni’s coaching career began in 2001, and he reached a career high when he was appointed as the head coach of the Italy national team.
During his tenure, Italy made it to the quarterfinals of Euro 2008, where they were defeated by eventual champion Spain in a penalty shootout.
The Ghana Football Association (GFA) has tasked a committee with finding a successor within three weeks, with applications accepted until February 2, 2024.
GFA has set specific criteria, including a minimum of 15 years of coaching experience, for candidates vying for the Black Stars’ head coach position.
This trend, driven by strong investor demand, which reached 58 percent oversubscription last week, is positive news for the government as it lowers its borrowing costs.
During the auction, yields notably decreased across the board. The 91-day and 182-day bills fell to 28.30 percent (-0.29 percent) and 30.79 percent (-0.3 percent), respectively, while the 364-day yield saw the largest drop, closing at 31.40 percent (-0.4 percent).
The auction aimed to raise GH¢2.86 billion but received bids worth GH¢4.53 billion for short-term bills.
All bids were accepted, covering the current debt of GH¢2.67 billion, resulting in a coverage ratio of 1.70x.
Market analysis by Apakan Securities suggests that investors are hedging against reinvestment risk amid falling yields.
There was a notable shift towards the 364-day bill, indicating increased demand for longer-term securities, although the 91-day bill remains the most preferred option.
Investors are strategically seeking opportunities to secure higher returns amidst declining T-bill rates, as evidenced by the surge in oversubscription in recent weeks.
Apakan Securities emphasises that this trend highlights investors’ deliberate efforts to maximise returns despite the decreasing rates.
Investors are taking proactive steps to make the most of current market conditions and secure good returns. This trend of increased interest in T-bills is expected to continue as yields keep falling, according to Databank.
Last month, the Treasury raised GH¢22.06 billion, exceeding its target by about 35 percent compared to the previous month. Databank expects this trend to continue in February 2024, driven by an estimated cash coupon payment of about GH¢4.3 billion on new bonds.
Yields are predicted to decrease further, following the trend of lower inflation rates and a 100 basis points cut in the key monetary policy rate during the January 2024 Monetary Policy Committee meeting.
This week, the Treasury aims to raise GH¢4.59 billion to pay off maturing debt totaling GH¢4.23 billion. Despite being the highest target size in nine weeks, strong market demand suggests the Treasury is likely to meet its target in the upcoming auction, with further decreases in yields expected.
Databank forecasts that over 50 percent of the GH¢61.9 billion budget deficit in 2024 will be covered through T-bills. The estimated issuance of T-bills for the fiscal year is expected to reach around GH¢180 billion, marking a significant 21 percent increase compared to the previous year.
Data from 2023 shows the growing importance of T-bills in financing deficits, with the average weekly refinancing obligation increasing from GH¢1.17 billion in 2022 to GH¢2.26 billion in 2023.
At the same time, the average weekly uptake rose from GH¢1.52 billion in 2022 to GH¢2.87 billion in 2023, highlighting the crucial role of T-bills due to limited access to external capital markets and zero financing from the central bank.
Secondary market
Despite a 100bps cut in the MPC rate, activity in the bond market saw a marginal decline of 1.89 percent week-on-week. The new bonds recorded a total trading volume of GH¢1.59billion, with February 2028 (CPN: 8.50 percent) being the most actively traded and accounting for approximately 60 percent of the total volumes.
Interest was also observed in Feb-2036 (CPN: 9.70 percent) and Feb-2037 (CPN: 9.85 percent), settling at 15.55 percent and 23.47 percent respectively last week. Moving forward, market activity is expected to pick up in the secondary market over the coming week.
In a meeting held on Monday, former Barcelona striker Samuel Eto’o submitted his resignation to the Cameroon FA Executive Committee.
He urged them to follow suit and resign as well.
However, the committee rejected his request and expressed their confidence in his leadership to continue as president.
This decision came in the wake of the Indomitable Lions’ disappointing exit from the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, where they suffered a 2-0 defeat to Nigeria in the round of 16.
Since assuming the role of Cameroon FA President, Eto’o has faced mounting pressure, with various controversies emerging during his tenure.
Read the full statement from the Cameroon FA Executive Committee below:
A meeting of the Executive Committee of the Cameroon Football Federation was held this Monday, February 5th, at the Hilton Hotel in Yaoundé.
The agenda focused on assessing the performance of the men’s national team at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Côte d’Ivoire.
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 executive body, urging them to do the same with a clear conscience.
Following discussions and subsequent deliberation, the members of the Executive Committee decided to continue their current mandates.
Unanimously, they rejected the resignation of the President of the Cameroon Football Federation, expressing renewed confidence in him to carry on the work of rebuilding and developing Cameroonian football from the grassroots to the top, as outlined in his acclaimed project during the elective General Assembly on December 11, 2021.
A fatal accident occurred during rush hour on the evening of Monday, February 5, 2024, on theAmasaman-Nsawam road.
The accident involved a tanker and a mini-passenger bus (trotro).
Reports indicate that the tanker ran over the trotro, resulting in a tragic incident where all passengers onboard the trotro are feared dead.
Gory visuals from the scene of the accident show the bodies of the deceased scattered across the road, with eyewitnesses grieving over the situation.
Videos also depict officers of the Motor Transport and Traffic Department of the Ghana Police Service present at the scene.
The accident took place around the China Mall stretch of Amasaman-Nsawam Road.
JUST IN: Many feared dead after a fuel tanker allegedly run over a commercial mini bus(Trotro) at the China Mall stretch of the Amasaman-Nsawam highway. Akan "Ayra Starr" pic.twitter.com/6c4sBaE5t7
This Amasaman road is very dangerous. You can barely see a thing on the road. We contract companies who do not care about Ghanaian lives. How many lives these roads go take before we take road safety serious in this country? pic.twitter.com/KHgJkbKnml
Advocates believe there is a pool of talented coaches within Ghana capable of leading the Black Stars.
When the coaching vacancy was announced, several Ghanaian coaches, including Maxwell Konadu, expressed their interest in the position. Maxwell Konadu, a former Asante Kotoko coach, applied for the job last week, aspiring to fulfil his dream of coaching the national team.
Konadu previously served as an assistant to Kwasi Appiah in 2012 and worked with him during the 2013 AFCON in South Africa and the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil.
Following Kwasi Appiah’s dismissal in September 2014, Konadu took over as the Black Stars’ acting coach, successfully guiding the team to qualify for the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations.
He later served as Avram Grant’s assistant until Grant’s termination after the 2017 AFCON.
Coach Kwasi Appiah’s reappointment as head coach saw Konadu continue as part of the coaching staff alongside Ibrahim Tanko.
Additionally, Konadu was a member of Milovan Rajevac’s technical team during the 2021 AFCON, where the team exited at the group stage.
Michael Osei
The former Asante Kotoko player has confirmed that he has applied for the Black Stars, as he believes that his time is now.
“Yes, I have applied for the job because I believe that with everything I’ve learned, I am capable of coaching the squad.
“Looking at the team, there are a number of young players like Majeed Ashimeru, Enerst Nuamah, Osman Bukari, and many of the current players who I have coached at the U23 level alongside coach Ibrahim Tanko.
“I’ve been coaching in Ghana for about 12 years, totalling nearly 15 years of coaching experience. Ghana is also my home country, so I understand the culture, have the expertise, and believe now is the time to coach the squad and I’m always a winner.”
Michael Osei, who has previously managed clubssuch as Asante Kotoko and Liberty Professionals and served as an assistant at FSV Frankfurt II, submitted his application for the coaching position.
His most recent coaching role was with Bibiani Goldstars. The deadline for submitting applications, which was set for February 2, 2024, has now passed.
Ghana Football Association (GFA) has granted approval for the J.A. Kufuor Cup match between Asante Kotoko and Nsoatreman FC scheduled for Sunday, February 18, 2024.
This match, organized by the John A. Kufuor (JAK) Foundation, is intended to honor the profound legacy of the former President.
In a letter signed by General Secretary Mr. Prosper Harrison Addo, the GFA expressed its support for the event as part of the activities marking the 85th birthday celebration of former President Kufuor.
“The GFA is pleased to inform you that approval has been granted to The John A. Kufuor Foundation to organise a football match dubbed ‘Kufuor Cup’ between Asante Kotoko and Nsoatreman FC.
“We wish to support the match with match balls and also provide the match officials.
“We are assured that the two premier league teams shall abide by all the relevant GFA regulations to ensure a successful match and bring a befitting honour to His Excellency.”
GFA expressed appreciation for the substantial influence formerPresident Kufuor has exerted on football in the nation and expressed joy in being affiliated with the match.
England and Arsenal’s rightwinger, Bukayo Saka, presented an Arsenal jersey to Nigerian Afrobeat superstar Wizkid after Arsenal’s 3-1 win against Liverpool on February 4, 2024.
Saka, of Nigerian descent, scored the opening goal by capitalising on a scuffed chance from Kai Havertz.
Despite a temporary leveller with a Gabriel Magalhães own goal, Alisson’s errors, including a miscommunication with Virgil Van Dijk, allowed Martinelli and Leandro Trossard to secure victory for Arsenal.
