The image, shared by Ghanaian politician Gabby Otchere-Darko, captured a moment with the Chelsea legend, who is serving as an ambassador and pundit for the 2023 AFCON hosted in Ivory Coast.
Despite the Ivory Coast team’s challenging journey, including a comeback in the quarterfinal, they secured a semi-final spot.
The next match against DR Congo is scheduled for Wednesday, February 7, 2024, at the Olympic Stadium of Ebimpé.
Ghanaian business mogul Osei Kwame Despite, along with his brother Ofori Sarpong, was photographed with Ivorian football legend Didier Drogba during a flight.
The image, shared by Ghanaian politician Gabby Otchere-Darko, captured a moment with the Chelsea legend, who is serving as an ambassador and pundit for the 2023 AFCON hosted in Ivory Coast.
“Sometimes you need a lot of luck and, of course, pure determination,” says Ivorian football legend, Didier Drogba, after Côte d’Ivoire’s meteoric rise from near elimination at the group stages to AFCON semi finalists. pic.twitter.com/SLCfEh0QBu
Ivory Coast faced a precarious situation in the group stage but progressed to the knockout stage as one of the four third-best-place teams. In the round of 16, they overcame defending champion Senegal on penalties, securing a spot in the quarterfinals.
Despite playing with 10 men for most of the quarterfinal, they managed a late equaliser to force extra time and secured a 120th-minute winner, winning the game 2-1.
A Spanish court has rejected Dani Alves’ request for more time to prepare for his trial over allegations of sexually assaulting a woman in Barcelona in 2022.
The former footballer, arrested in January last year, faces a nine-year prison term and damages of 150,000 euros.
Alves initially denied any encounter with the woman, later stating it was consensual.
The trial commenced at the Provincial Court of Barcelona, where Alves argued he faced trial by media. The public prosecutor accuses him of forcing sex without a condom.
🔴 Las frases más destacadas de la defensa de Alves y de la abogada de la víctima
🗨️ "Alves tiene un saldo negativo de 20.000 euros" 🗨️ "Mi representado no ha tenido un proceso con todas las garantías" 🗨️ "Parece que la defensa quiere que existan privilegios para el denunciado" pic.twitter.com/Pb2xMMKEgq
His mother, accompanied by one of his brothers, blew kisses and made a heart-shaped sign with her hands as Alves, handcuffed and escorted by police officers, entered the room.
The three-judge panel denied a request by Alves’ lawyer, Ines Guardiola for the trial to be suspended on the basis that he was not given enough time to prepare for his first police interview after his arrest and had suffered a parallel trial by the media.
Sexual assault is a dominant political theme in Spain, even more so after the alleged non-consensual kiss that then Spanish Football Federation chief Luis Rubiales planted on the lips of Jenni Hermoso after the team’s World Cup triumph last August.
Alves’ trial is one of Spain’s highest-profile since a 2022 law from the socialist-led government made consent a key factor in sexual assault cases and increased the minimum jail time for such assaults involving violence.
The law was prompted by the 2016 gang-rape of a teenager during the San Fermin bull-running festival after the five men were originally convicted by a lower court of sexual abuse, sparking mass protests. The country’s top court subsequently ruled they were guilty of rape.
The case triggered national soul-searching on the topic, which continues to this day as gender violence rates remain high.
In Spain, a claim of rape is now investigated under the general accusation of sexual assault, with rape as an aggravating factor.
The Alves trial is expected to last three days.
The alleged victim testified on Monday in a closed-doors session. She talked from behind a screen, with her voice distorted to protect her identity.
Alves has won more than 40 trophies for Brazil and clubs including Barcelona, Sevilla, Juventus and Paris Saint-Germain. Following his arrest, he was fired by Mexico’s Pumas UNAM.
Le Parisien and ESPN reported on Saturday that Kylian Mbappe, the captain of France (25), will join La Liga giants Real Madrid when his contract with Paris St Germain concludes at the end of the season.
Mbappe had declared last year that he would not extend his contract with the Ligue 1 side beyond the 2023–24 campaign, paving the way for a free transfer to another club.
According to sources, the striker is expected to announce a pre-contract agreement with the 14-time European champions next week.
In September 2023, media reports indicated thatMbappe would forgo loyalty bonuses of up to 100 million euros ($107.84 million) to depart PSG as a free agent.
Kylian Mbappe, Vini Jr and Jude Bellingham in the same squad 🤯 🔥
Despite the closure of the transfer window last week, the impending move ofKylian Mbappe (25) to Real Madrid remains a focal point in French football news.
With just six months left on his contract at Paris Saint-Germain, the prolific striker has yet to decide his next destination after the conclusion of his current deal at the end of June, marking his transition to a free agent.
While both ESPN and Le Parisien reported on Saturday, citing undisclosed sources, that Mbappe would join Real Madrid, a source from PSG informed AFP on Sunday that there has been no change in the longstanding deadlock.
He has “not informed the club of any decision,” said the source, despite there being an agreement that PSG president Nasser al-Khelaifi will be the first to know when his decision is made.
Mbappe last spoke on the issue in cryptic terms in early January.
“I haven’t made my decision; I haven’t made my choice. But we have an agreement with the president (Al-Khelaifi), which means that all parties are protected,” he told French television.
Kylian Mbappe, the France captain and prolific striker, is yet to make a decision about his next move as his contract with Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) approaches its conclusion.
While reports from ESPN and Le Parisien suggest a potential move to Real Madrid, sources within PSG deny any change in the ongoing deadlock. Mbappe, currently earning around 70 million euros annually, is engaged in negotiations with Real Madrid over salary terms.
PSG is striving to retain talented forwards, especially after the departures of Lionel Messi and Neymar.If Mbappe joins Madrid, he will join a lineup featuring Jude Bellingham, Rodrygo, and Vinicius.
Lionel Messi fans expressed frustration as the Argentine soccer star did not participate in a Hong Kong exhibition game, despite a sellout crowd of 40,000 fans who had paid to watch him play.
The match took place between a team of Hong Kong players and Inter Miami, the Major League Soccer club Messi joined in the previous year.
Despite the disappointment, Inter Miami won the match 4-1, and videos from Hong Kong Stadium showed fans chanting “Refund!” and booing during David Beckham’s address to the crowd after the game.
The Hong Kong government, which has been trying to win the world back to the increasingly isolated Chinese territory, said it was “deeply disappointed” by Messi’s absence from the match and threatened to reduce the 16 million Hong Kong dollars ($2 million) in sponsorship it had provided.
Tatler Asia, a luxury media brand and the game’s commercial partner, announced on Monday that it would retract its funding request from the government.
The public’s disappointment with the match is a setback for Hong Kong officials attempting to revitalise the international financial hub. In recent years, Hong Kong’s reputation has suffered due to a government crackdown on dissent and stringent Covid-19 restrictions.
If the Hong Kong government wants to “make Hong Kong a big city with big events, how could they let this happen?” Gong said. Speaking to reporters on Sunday after the match, Inter Miami head coach Gerardo Martino acknowledged fans’ disappointment but said he didn’t want to risk worsening the injuries of Messi, 36, and his teammate Luis Suárez of Uruguay, 37, who also sat out the game.
Inter Miami embarked on a global exhibition tour in preparation for its upcoming regular season, set to commence on February 21.
Lionel Messi and his teammates arrived in Hong Kong on Friday after participating in a game in Saudi Arabia. Following the exhibition match in Hong Kong, the team is scheduled to play again in Japan on Wednesday. Fans from mainland China and various parts of Asia attended the event, eager to witness Messi’s performance, marking his return to Hong Kong after a hiatus since 2014.
Egypt’s football governing body, theEgyptian Football Association (EFA), announced the dismissal of Portuguese coach Rui Vitoria on Sunday, just a week after Egypt’s disappointing exit from the Africa Cup of Nations in the Ivory Coast.
Despite Vitoria’s contract originally slated to continue until the 2026 World Cup, the lacklustre Cup of Nations performance, culminating in a penalty shootout loss to the Democratic Republic of Congo after a 1-1 draw, led to an early end to his tenure.
The EFA revealed that Vitoria and his entire coaching staff have been relieved of their duties. Mohamed Youssef, former coach of Al Ahly and the architect behind their African Champions League triumph in 2013, will assume an interim role.
“The association will also study the CVs of (some) foreign coaches,” the EFA added in a statement.
Vitoria assumed the role of Egypt’s head coach in 2022, taking charge of a team grappling with a significant decline in form following their previous journey to the Cup of Nations final in Cameroon.
The initial phase of his tenure showed promise, witnessing an improved offensive performance and securing a comfortable spot in the Cup of Nations finals in the Ivory Coast. Additionally, Egypt won their first two matches in the World Cup qualifiers.
However, their performance in the Ivory Coast was inconsistent, advancing to the last 16 with three consecutive 2-2 draws before D.R. Congo eliminated them from contention for an eighth Cup of Nations title.
Vitoria joins the ranks of coaching casualties in the tournament, alongside Djamel Belmadi of Algeria, Tom Saintfiet of Gambia, Chris Hughton of Ghana, Jalel Kadri of Tunisia, Adel Amrouche of Tanzania, and Jean-Louis Gasset of Ivory Coast.
Former Barcelona and Brazil footballer Dani Alves is set to go on trial in Barcelona on Monday regarding allegations of sexually assaulting a woman in a nightclub bathroom in 2022.
The ex-full-back, who has been in prison since his arrest in January last year, initially denied any encounter with the woman, whom he claimed not to know.
Alves later admitted to consensual sex, stating that he initially denied it to protect his marriage.
The trial of Dani Alves in Barcelona starts today.
The case, drawing attention due to Alves’ profile, unfolds against the backdrop of heightened awareness of sexual assault issues in Spain.
The Spanish public prosecutor is seeking a nine-year prison term and damages of 150,000 euros ($163,215.00) for the woman. The trial, expected to last three days, will include testimony from Alves, the alleged victim, and around 30 other individuals.
The alleged victim’s identity will be protected from voice and image distortion during the trial recording.
Alves, known for his success withBarcelona and Brazil, was terminated by Mexico’s Pumas UNAM following his arrest.
In preparation for the European Championship, England is scheduled to host friendly matches against Iceland and Bosnia & Herzegovina in June, as announced by the English FA on Monday.
The match against Bosnia & Herzegovina is set for June 3rd at St James’ Park, marking England’s first game at Newcastle United’s home ground since 2005.
Following that, the Euro 2020 finalists will play against Iceland at Wembley Stadium on June 7th. Both matches are scheduled to kick off at 7.45 p.m. local time.
Wembley will also host England’s friendlies against Brazil and Belgium on March 23rd and 26th.
“Both opponents in June are sure to provide stiff competition and play an important part in our preparation for the tournament,” England manager Gareth Southgate said in a statement.
Commencing their Euro 2024 campaign on June 16th, England finds itself in Group C alongside Slovenia, Denmark, and Serbia.
2026 World Cup final is set to take place at the MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, the home of the NFL’s New York Giants and New York Jets, as announcedby FIFA on Sunday.
The global showcase, co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada, will feature a 48-team tournament culminating in the final on July 19th at the open-air stadium with a capacity of 82,500.
MetLife Stadium previously hosted the Copa America Centenario final in 2016, where Chile secured victory over Lionel Messi’s Argentina in a penalty shootout.
The tournament will kick off at Mexico City’s Estadio Azteca on June 11th, making Mexico the first nation to host the World Cup for the third time.
Estadio Azteca previously hosted the World Cup finals in 1970 and 1986, witnessing memorable moments such as Pele’s Brazil defeating Italy 4-1 and Diego Maradona’s Argentina beating West Germany 3-2.
Maradona’s iconic ‘Hand of God’ goal and the ‘Goal of the Century’ were also scored at the same venue during the 1986 quarterfinals against England.
Canada, hosting its first World Cup games, will commence its matches on June 12th in Toronto at the home of the city’s MLS team.
Meanwhile, the opening game in the United States will be held in Los Angeles at the home of the NFL’s Rams.
Liverpool’s typically reliable defensive duo, Virgil van Dijk (32) and Alisson (31), experienced a defensive breakdown against Arsenal on Sunday that resembled scenes from an amateur match.
However, manager Jurgen Klopp refrained from assigning blame. In the 67th minute, Van Dijk hesitated under pressure from Arsenal’s Gabriel Martinelli, failing to handle a long ball forward.
Subsequently, goalkeeper Alisson rushed out but failed to make contact with the ball, allowing Martinelli an easy tap-in, resulting in a score of 2-1.
This turn of events deflated Klopp’s league-leading team, and Leandro Trossard’s stoppage-time goal sealed their second league defeat of the season.
“We were growing more into the game in the second half; we had our moments and then we conceded that goal,” Klopp said. “That doesn’t help. It just shows the boys are human beings.
“Today we were really human.”
Lacklustre Liverpool were nowhere near their best and their lead has now been cut to two points, while champions Manchester City are five points behind with two games in hand.
“In general, we can admit that Arsenal deserve the three points,” Klopp said. “The circumstances were a bit strange.
“They scored goals and were many parts better than us. We have to play better football; that’s clear.”
Van Dijk, usually a colossus for Klopp, held up his hand and took full responsibility for his part in Martinelli’s goal.
“Obviously, these things don’t happen too often in my career, but I will recover from them,” he said.
“It is a physical game and I am not looking for excuses. I should have made a better decision; it hurts for me.”
Arsenal secured an early lead courtesy of Bukayo Saka and displayed dominance, but their momentum was dampened just before halftime when Gabriel’s own goal handed Liverpool an equaliser.
However, Arsenal bounced back in the second half, capitalising on defensive errors from Liverpool.
This victory marked Arsenal’s third consecutive league win, placing Mikel Arteta’s team firmly back in contention in the title race. A defeat would have left them trailing by eight points, but their resilience has kept them in the mix for the title.
“It gives us momentum—three wins in a row—and the way we have done it we are back on it—really excited,” Arteta said.
“It was a huge game that was going to dictate where we are and where we’re going to be. What the players produced was phenomenal.”
Real Madrid suffered a setback as winger Vinicius Jr was forced out of the starting lineup against Atletico Madrid due to an injury picked up during the warm-up.
The unexpected change led to confusion among fans at the Santiago Bernabeu, with Brahim Diaz stepping in and promptly scoring the opening goal within 20 minutes.
Although Vinicius was on the bench, coach Carlo Ancelotti opted not to bring him on in the second half. Despite an early lead, Real Madrid was held to a draw by Atletico Madrid with an equaliser from Marcos Llorente in stoppage time.
Real Madrid supporters hope Vinicius will have a swift recovery, considering his importance to the team after returning from injury.
The Brazilian forward, who scored a hat-trick in Real’s 4-1 Super Cup final victory over Barcelona, is crucial for Ancelotti’s squad.
With an eye on the La Liga title, Real Madrid faces a tough challenge against Girona in a potential title decider next Saturday.
Although Real is leading the La Liga race, Girona, the surprise package of the season, is determined to put up a strong fight, with only two points currently separating the two teams at the top.
The Ghanaian is expected to leave the Gunners at the end of the current season, primarily attributed to his persistent injuries and resulting unavailability.
Thomas Partey, who became the most expensive Ghanaian footballer after joining Arsenal in the summer of 2020 for a transfer fee of £45 million, has faced challenges with injuries throughout his time at the club.
These persistent injuries have limited his playing time for Arsenal below the anticipated level.
In the ongoing 2023–2024 Premier League season, Partey has not featured for Arsenal since contributing to the match-winning goal against Manchester City on October 8, 2023.
Having played just four games for Arsenal in this season, his return to action remains uncertain after suffering another setback, as confirmed by Mikel Arteta in January 2024.
The potential and capable replacement for the departed coach, Chris Hughton, has been a subject of discussion, with former Ghana midfielder Michael Essien’s name prominently featured.
Currently serving as an assistant coach at FC Nordsjaelland, Essien’s candidature has been advocated, including support from individuals like Charles Taylor who make a case for his appointment.
“No local coach can handle the team but some people can help us. Michael Essien, for instance, is one of the people who can help us. The players on the Black Stars will help him. If you add Laryea to the team, it will help us.
“If the likes of Michael Essien, Laryea Kingston and Stephen Appiah have the wherewithal to lead the team, then they should be given the job. They are the guys who can handle the team. If we appoint these guys, you will see the improvement in Ghanaian football, he said.
Michael Essien’s potential role as the coach for the Black Stars has been previously discussed, and this information was revealed by Nigerian journalist Lolade Adewuyi. Adewuyi disclosed Essien’s position during an engagement with him in Denmark while travelling to cover the UEFA Champions League game between Napoli and AC Milan in 2023.
“On my way to Naples, I had a long layover in Denmark, where I met a legend of the game, Michael Essien,” Adewuyi tweeted, accompanied by a photo of himself with Essien.
“He’s now a coach at FC Nordsjaelland in the Danish Superliga. He recentlygot his UEFA A and UEFA Elite Youth Coach licences. Future Black Stars coach? He said he was not interested.”
The 40-year-old Chelsea legend has UEFA A and UEFA Elite Youth A licences.
Ghana’s aspirations of securing French coach Herve Renard as the head coach for the Black Stars have faced a significant setback, with reports indicating that Renard has reached an agreement with Egypt.
Multiple credible sources suggest that Renard is on the brink of being appointed as the next head coach of Egypt.
According to these reports, Renard, currently in charge of the French women’s team, has verbally committed to the Egyptian Football Association to assume the coaching role after the 2024 Olympic Games.
During the Olympics, he is set to lead France’s women’s national team.
Renard’s name has been prominently featured in Ghanaian media since the coaching vacancy arose on January 24, 2024.
Following Chris Hughton’s dismissal, who led Ghana in the 2023 AFCON, where they failed to secure a single victory, the search for a new coach has been underway.
The Black Stars’ disappointing performance in the AFCON included a 2-1 defeat to Cape Verde in the opening game and 2-2 draws with Egypt and Mozambique in the subsequent group matches.
With just two points and a goal deficit, Ghana experienced another early exit from the AFCON, mirroring their fate in the 2021 edition.
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has addressed Erling Haaland’s situation in response to recent reports linking the Norwegian striker with a move to Real Madrid.
Last week, Spanish reports indicated that the 23-year-old was dissatisfied with his life in Manchester and was considering a departure in the summer, with links to Los Blancos emerging.
Guardiola swiftly dismissed these rumours, asserting that they were an attempt to unsettle the striker. When asked again about Haaland’s situation, the Catalan manager reiterated his stance.
Talking to the media, Guardiola said [via Yahoo Sports]: “For one report, for one journalist or one Twitter account, one Instagram account, do you think they are going to change something that is going to happen? It’s not going to happen. It’s going to happen when Erling decides to extend the contract or not, when the club decides to extend a contract or not, or when we have potential offers to him or not. If someone wants Erling, it’s easy. Call Man City and ask. It’s what we do when we want to sign someone. It’s not more complicated than that.”
When asked if the club wanted Haaland to stay, Guardiola said, “What do you think? That we don’t want Erling to stay here for one decade. We want him—for a long, long time—at this club. For a long time. We are in love with him; we want him.”
Yet Guardiola admitted that he does not know what the future will bring.
“I don’t have information. He arrived last season and the impact was incredible,” he said. “The beginning of this season, the numbers were really good too. He’s had two months of injuries. What happens in the future? Honestly, I don’t know. We are happy to have him, and hopefully he’s happy to be with us. That is what we know. And the rest? I don’t know.”
City is poised to commence new contract negotiations with Haaland, who played a pivotal role in the club’s Treble-winning season last year, scoring 53 goals.
Despite being sidelined for the past two months due to injury, the 23-year-old has sustained his exceptional performance this season, currently sharing the top spot in the Premier League scoring charts with Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah.
Haaland recently made a highly anticipatedcomeback for Manchester City in the match against Burnley last week. His full return to action is expected today, as the city faces Brentford away from home.
Although Saka, who scored the opening goal, was substituted late in the game due to an injury, Arteta expressed optimism and doesn’t anticipate a prolonged absence for the England star.
In contrast, Arteta expressed more concern about Oleksandr Zinchenko, the full-back, who appeared to worsen a pre-existing calf issue during the match against Liverpool.
Speaking after the game, Arteta appeared optimistic about Saka, as he told reporters: “He should be fine. He got a kick, I think, on the ankle or on the back of his foot, but he should be fine.”
On Zinchenko, the Arsenal boss seemed a lot more uncertain. “With Alex (Zinchenko), we don’t know,” Arteta added. “He had this feeling in his calf again and we had to take him off.”
Arteta’s initial assessment follows a familiar trend for both players. Saka’s dynamic runs often result in minor injuries, but it rarely hinder the 22-year-old from taking the field for his club.
On the other hand, Zinchenko has faced several challenges since his move to north London from Manchester City, experiencing three separate periods on the sidelines due to calf problems. Arteta is optimistic that this recent issue for Zinchenko is a minor one.
Following the significant victory on Sunday,Arsenal’s upcoming schedule provides some relief, with only one game per week to prepare for in the next two weeks.
With a full six days before the next match against West Ham at the London Stadium next Sunday, there is ample time for the players to recover from any bumps and bruises.
The accusation claims that Bellingham directed an offensive remark at Manchester United loanee Mason Greenwood during Thursday’s match.
In the game, the England international midfielder played a role as Real Madrid secured a 2-0 victory over their city rivals, elevating them to the top of the table.
The alleged comment, in which Bellingham referred to Greenwood as a “rapist,” reportedly occurred after a contentious tackle near the touchline.
Cadena SER reported the incident to La Liga’s delegate after the match, raising the possibility of disciplinary action against Bellingham.
Former La Liga match official Iturralde Gonzalez told Cadena SER of what could happen from here: “You can be sanctioned if you really say that, but if Getafe wants to defend its player, what it can do is take the case to the Competition Committee.
The League will do what it has to do, but they can appear at the Competition Committee with those images and accuse him of what he said.”
Greenwood, who had faced accusations of attempted rape, assault, and coercive control, saw these charges dropped in February 2023.
Currently on a season-long loan at Getafe for the 2023–24 campaign, his parent club, Manchester United, is expected to determine his long-term future in the upcoming summer transfer window.
A demonstration against the Ghana Football Association (GFA) and the Ministry of Youth and Sports, addressing concerns about the declining standards of football in Ghana is scheduled to take place on Wednesday, February 20.
Songo, a sports critic made this known when he announced that his side had gotten approval from the Ghana Police Service to stage the protest.
“Finally, finally Ghana, we have gotten police approval. The dress code is black, and on Wednesday, February 20, 2024. We are thronging the streets at exactly 9 a.m. #SaveGhanafootball. Our football teams are collapsing; we have failed. Under 17, under 20, local football , National team and Ghana football are all failing,” he said in a video shared by Adom News.
This protest comes after Ghana’s early exit from the 2023 African Cup of Nations tournament happening in Ivory Coast.
Although Mbappe can engage in pre-contract negotiations with any club as his PSG contract nears its final six months, he has opted to postpone such decisions until the conclusion of the Ligue 1 season.
Despite reports in the Spanish media suggesting that the 25-year-old is leaning towards not extending his stay at the club, he has yet to finalise his next destination.
Notably, Mbappe risks forfeiting an €80 million loyalty bonus if he chooses to leave PSG for free, following a settlement agreement reached in the summer amid previous uncertainties about his departure.
Enrique denies speaking to Mbappe Head coach Luis Enrique, speaking during his press conference ahead of tomorrow’s league game against RC Strasbourg, was asked if he knew the news surrounding the player.
“Kylian didn’t tell me anything so far,” he said.
🔴🔵 Luis Enrique on Kylian Mbappé to decide his future soon: “Kylian didn’t tell me anything so far”. pic.twitter.com/0UizJxq3Fj
The ongoing transfer saga involving Mbappe, Real Madrid, and PSG has extended for two years. Despite multiple instances where it seemed the France captain would depart, he chose to stay each time.
However, the speculation is set to come to a conclusion in the upcoming transfer window. Adding to the anticipation, the Spanish giants heightened fan suspense by releasing a 20-second video on their social media channels, hinting at a significant announcement scheduled for tomorrow, February 2, 2024.
Lyon has placed blame onWest Ham for the breakdown of Said Benrahma’s anticipated deadline-day loan move from the London Stadium to the French club.
The winger appeared poised to join Ligue 1 after a loan agreement with an obligation to buy was reached between the two teams.
Despite Benrahma’s travel to Lyon on Thursday to finalise the transfer, it collapsed at the last minute, with the French club accusing West Ham of not completing the required administrative tasks on their end.
In a fiery statement, Lyon said: “Olympique Lyonnais were delighted to welcome Said Benrahma to Lyon this Thursday to finalise his transfer from West Ham. As the evening commenced, Olympique Lyonnais diligently entered all the necessary administrative data on the dedicated FIFA platform.
However, West Ham failed to initiate any technical procedures on their end, despite numerous reminders from Olympique Lyonnais and continuous mutual telephone communication.
“In the absence of this reciprocal action on the part of the English club and following this incomprehensible behaviour, raising questions, the international transfer certificate could not be requested before closing time.
“Olympique Lyonnais deeply regrets this situation and this decision, demonstrating a profound lack of respect on the part of West Ham towards the Institution and the player. The club reserves the right to undertake all appropriate procedures necessary to validate the transaction at a later date and to hold West Ham responsible if necessary.”
Benrahma’s proposed loan was not the only West Ham exit to go to the wire on deadline day, with confusion also surrounding Pablo Fornals’ proposed £7 million ($9m) move to Real Betis.
The Spanish side’s CEO, Ramon Alarcon, told 101 TV: “There is a last-minute incident with Fornals that we believe is a computer incident that we have been working on to be able to fix it.
“Betis gave all the documents in a timely manner and West Ham seems to have had a problem with their computer tool, not only in the case of Betis but in others, and we hope that it will be resolved in the next few days, tomorrow or the day after. We are optimistic but cautious.” With the midfielder already registered on La Liga’s website, the confirmation of the transfer seems imminent. Lyon has indicated its intention to appeal to FIFA, pushing for the completion of Benrahma’s move.
The expected confirmation of Fornals’ departure could leave the West Ham squad somewhat depleted. However, a loan addition, KalvinPhillips from Manchester City, has been secured to bolster the team.
Barcelona president Joan Laporta mentioned on Friday that a European Super League initiative could kick off as early as next season, expressing indifference towards English clubs’ participation.
In 2021, Barcelona and Real Madrid initiated a Super League project, but it swiftly disintegrated due to fan and institutional backlash, leading other clubs to withdraw.
In December, the European Union’s Court of Justice ruled that FIFA and UEFA had violated competition law by obstructing the breakaway league.
Following this, A22 Sports Management, the promoters of the Super League, promptly outlined plans for a new 64-team tournament, positioning it to rival or potentially replace UEFA’s Champions League.
“The Super League could start next season, or it will be in 2025–26, and if not, I will rethink everything,” Laporta told RAC1 radio station. Six Premier League clubs were part of the initial proposal but pulled out and have shown no intention of returning. “I don’t care if the English teams join,” added Laporta.
“They already have their Super League, the Premier League.”
“The European Cup started in 1955 with very few clubs and later became the top competition in Europe,” said Laporta.
“I imagine a first phase like this, and (more clubs) then integrating.”
The Barcelona president has proposed potential participants for the European Super League alongside Real Madrid, such as Inter Milan, AC Milan, Roma, and Napoli from Italy.
Joan Laporta also mentioned Portuguese clubs Porto, Sporting Lisbon, and Benfica, along with Dutch teams Ajax, Feyenoord, and PSV Eindhoven.
Additionally, French side Marseille and Belgian outfits Club Brugge and Anderlecht were listed. However, both Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain, prominent teams in Germany and France, respectively, have criticised and distanced themselves from the Super League project, declaring non-involvement.
The European Super League has been suggested as a solution for financially struggling clubs to enhance their economic stability.
“The Super League means that you’re putting 100 million euros ($109 million) on the table for a club just for competing in the competition, at least, and you don’t even get that for winning theChampions League,” said Laporta.
Reports suggest that Xavi, Barcelona’s coach, vehemently opposed the potential sale of Ronald Araujo to Bayern Munich during the January transfer window, even going as far as threatening to resign if the deal was sanctioned.
Bayern had expressed a strong interest in acquiring Araujo for €80 million (£69m/$88m), with Thomas Tuchel expressing admiration for the talented center-back.
Facing resistance from Xavi, Bayern shifted their focus to a more cost-effective solution, securing Eric Dier from Tottenham Hotspur on a six-month loan with an option for an additional full season.
Despite Tuchel’s efforts, Araujo, reportedly convinced by a call from the Bayern manager, remained committed to Barcelona, and Xavi’s determination prevented the sale.
The pursuit of Dier by Bayern showcased the influence of Harry Kane, who advocated for his teammate in discussions with Tuchel.
Dier has made two Bundesliga appearances for Bayern since joining on loan and aims to maintain his place against Borussia Monchengladbach on Saturday.
In the midst of this, Xavi, resolute in retaining his squad’s key players, focuses on guiding Barcelona to victory against Alaves in an upcoming away fixture, aiming to narrow the 10-point gap with leagueleaders Real Madrid.
While Pep Guardiola remains eternally linked with Barcelona due to his significant association with the club, Joan Laporta, the club’s president, does not envision Guardiola returning to Camp Nou in 2024 as the successor to Xavi.
With Xavi set to step down as head coach this summer after facing challenges in maintaining consistent performances and results during the 2023–24 season, Barcelona is on the hunt for a new manager.
Several names have surfaced as potential candidates, including Jose Mourinho and Hansi Flick, but Guardiola stands out as a popular choice among the demanding fanbase.
Despite Guardiola’s historical ties with Barcelona, his return to the club in 2024 seems unlikely, according to Laporta.
He is, however, tied to a deal at Premier League giants Manchester City through to 2025 and Laporta has told RAC1 when asked if there is any chance of the Catalan native retracing steps to his spiritual home: “He has a contract with Manchester City and he respects contracts. I speak often with him and I know what the club thinks about him.”
Barcelona will not be rushing their next appointment, with Xavi set to see the season out even if major silverware proves elusive. Laporta added, “I want Xavi to continue until the end of the season. If he continues until the end, it’s up to him. I’m not going to sack him, no matter what. He doesn’t deserve it. He deserves that we trust him. We are not throwing in the towel in the league; in the Champions League, we face Napoli, but Xavi is very motivated. I have no doubts about Xavi and the motivation and commitment of the players. Xavi is honest and if the formula doesn’t work, he would say so.”
As it stands, Barcelona holds the fourth position in La Liga, trailing Clasico rivals Real Madrid by a significant 10 points at the summit. With three domestic games on the horizon, commencing with an away match against Alaves on Saturday, their focus now turns to the upcoming Champions League last-16 clash againstSerie A giants Napoli, scheduled for February 21.
Jesse Lingard, the former Manchester United player, may finally end his football hiatus with a potential move to South Korea.
According to Sky Sports, the English international is close to finalising a deal with FC Seoul, encompassing a two-year contract with an option for a third year.
The report suggests that FC Seoul emerged as the most compelling option for Lingard.
Since departing Nottingham Forest last summer after the expiration of his contract, Lingard has been linked with various teams, including reports of interest from Al-Shabab.
Despite actively training on his own and a month-long stint with Saudi Arabian side Al-Ettifaq, he remained without a signed deal.
Lingard even offered himself to Barcelona, but the La Liga champions declined.
With over 230 appearances for Manchester United and a successful loan spell at West Ham, Lingard, 31, boasts a substantial football career.
Although he represented England 32 times at the senior level, his recent stint at Forest, where he started 12 of 17 Premier League matches, was less impressive, leading to his departure last season.
As Lingard strives to revive his career,a potential move to Asia awaits if he can secure a deal with the South Korean capital club, FC Seoul.
On Thursday, Eredivisie club Vitesse officially announced the completion of the loan transfer for 20-year-old United States international Paxten Aaronson.
The midfielder, who joined Bundesliga side Eintracht Frankfurt in January 2022 from the Philadelphia Union for a fee of around €4 million ($4.3m), will be on loan to Vitesse until the end of the season.
Aaronson has contributed to Frankfurt’s campaign this season with seven appearances in the Bundesliga and a total of 14 across various competitions.
“Paxten is a versatile player who can be of great value to Vitesse. In addition to the clubs he has played for, he has also gained experience as a [youth] international for the United States,” Vitesse technical director Benjamin Schmedes said in a club statement.
“It is nice that Eintracht Frankfurt gives him the opportunity to develop in Arnhem and we of course wish him the best of luck.”
The New Jersey native has struggled for game time at Frankfurt this season; he’s made just one start in the Bundesliga and his last league appearance came at the start of December.
“I hope to make the necessary minutes so important to the team. The club, the city, the people—it feels good to be here! We are going to fight together for Vitesse,” Aaronson said.
Currently positioned at the bottom of the Eredivisie, Vitesse aims to bolster their attacking prowess with the addition of Paxten Aaronson.
The 20-year-old United States international,on loan from Eintracht Frankfurt, is expected to immediately join their squad for the upcoming Sunday match at home against the Go Ahead Eagles.
Contrary to reports, senior players of Nigeria’s national football team have refuted claims of a bonus dispute ahead of their quarterfinal clash against Angola in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
The Super Eagles, known for past bonus-related controversies, have not received any tournament bonuses despite the approved funding by Nigerian President Bola Tinubu.
While Nigerian media has hinted at a possible rift within the team, with certain senior players reportedly discontented with captain Ahmed Musa, both William Troost-Ekong and Kenneth Omeruo, who have captained during the tournament, have denied any confrontations.
“The report is a joke,” Omeruo told ESPN. “Musa showed us at lunch and we laughed about it. There is no issue here in camp. We are focused on our game tomorrow, believing that our money will be paid.
“This squad is not the one to fight over money; otherwise, you would have heard that we refused to go to training even before the tournament.”
NFF General Secretary Mohammed Sanusi said the federation is working closely with the Central Bank of Nigeria to expedite the payments.
“The NFF is grateful to the CBN for the way and manner in which they have continued to expedite action on payment requests that we have sent to them with regards to this competition,” Sanusi said.
“We have not experienced any delays or complications in processes at the CBN this time, and we give kudos to them for their diligence and great sense of duty.”
In adherence to their pre-tournament agreement with the NFF, the Super Eagles are set to receive incremental qualification bonuses for each round they advance in the tournament.
Additionally, they will be entitled to graduated match-by-match bonuses, reflecting their progress throughout the competition. This marks a departure from past practices, where payments were solely made on a match-by-match basis.
Spain forward Joselu scored twice to giveReal Madrid a 2-0 win at local rivals Getafe on Thursday, propelling them back to the LaLiga summit, two points ahead of surprise package Girona.
Madrid had a game in hand after their match against Getafe was postponed due to the Spanish Super Cup and they did not waste the opportunity to reclaim the top spot with a solid performance.
They dominated from the start and Joselu netted a towering header from Dani Carvajal’s cross in the 14th minute to put the visitors ahead.
He had a great chance to extend Madrid’s lead in the 38th minute, but his shot was saved one-handed by goalkeeper David Soria.
Already missing regulars including goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois and defenders David Alaba and Éder Militão, Real manager Carlo Ancelotti suffered another setback when centre back Antonio Rüdiger did not return after the break due to a leg injury.
Mason Greenwood almost levelled for Getafe in the 51st minute when his strike from the edge of the box hit the post.
Joselu extended Madrid’s lead five minutes later, slotting home a low strike assisted by a fine pass from Vinicius Junior.
He could have completed his hat-trick when he burst through following a quick counter-attack, but he tried to set up Vinicius, who chipped the ball straight at Soria from close range.
Soria made fine saves from Federico Valverde and Vinicius and Getafe could have reduced the deficit after Borja Mayoral took advantage of a mistake, but Real goalkeeper Andriy Lunin made a brilliant save to deflect his point-blank strike on to the post.
Madrid are now 10 clear of Atletico Madrid and Barcelona. The leaders host Atletico on Sunday and Girona six days later in games that will be crucial in the LaLiga title run-in.
Joselu, the Spain forward, showcased a standout performance for Real Madrid, securing a 2-0 victory against local rivals Getafe on Thursday. This win propelled Real Madrid back to the summit of La Liga, holding a two-point lead over the surprise contender, Girona.
Real Madrid, benefiting from a rescheduled match due to the Spanish Super Cup, seized the opportunity to reclaim the top spot with a commanding display against Getafe. From the outset, they demonstrated dominance, and Joselu opened the scoring in the 14th minute with a towering header from Dani Carvajal’s precise cross.
Despite missing key players such as Thibaut Courtois, David Alaba, and Éder Militão, Real Madrid faced another setback as center back Antonio Rüdiger did not return for the second half due to a leg injury.
Getafe’s Mason Greenwood came close to levelling the score in the 51st minute, hitting the post with a strike from the edge of the box. However, Joselu extended Real Madrid’s lead five minutes later, calmly slotting home a low strike with an assist from Vinicius Junior.
Joselu had opportunities to complete a hat-trick, notably during a quick counter-attack, but his attempt to set up Vinicius was thwarted by Getafe’s goalkeeper, David Soria. Soria made crucial saves from Federico Valverde and Vinicius, while Getafe’s Borja Mayoral had a chance to narrow the deficit, only to be denied by a brilliant save from Real Madrid’s goalkeeper, Andriy Lunin.
With this victory, Real Madrid now sits ten points clear of Atletico Madrid and Barcelona. Their upcoming matches against Atletico on Sunday and Girona six days later are pivotal in the La Liga title race.
“If we win the next two games, we will have six more points and that will be good,” Ancelotti told a press conference. “Let’s hope we can count on Rudiger [for Sunday’s derby]. I think he can recover. We have two days to try to get him back; it’s a strong blow to the thigh.”
The specific financial terms of the deal were not revealed, but sources informed ESPN that Fulham will provide a loan fee of £4 million ($5.1 million) for the 22-year-old.
Additionally, one source mentioned that the loan fee would be eliminated if the Albanian international achieves 10 starts for Fulham.
“I’m very excited that we’ve reached an agreement to bring Armando Broja to Fulham on loan until the end of the season.
He’s a young and talented striker who is happy and motivated to join our squad,” Fulham CEO Tony Khan said in a club statement.
Broja has played 19 games for Chelsea this season, scoring his only Premier League goal against Fulham in October and another in the FA Cup third-round match against Preston North End last month.
Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino mentioned last month that the striker would play a crucial role for his team in the absence of Nicolas Jackson, who was away with the Senegal squad at the Africa Cup of Nations.
While Broja was part of the Chelsea squad that lost 4-1 to Liverpool on Wednesday, he didn’t get a chance to play.
The 22-year-old’s addition will be beneficial for Fulham, which has struggled to score with only 28 goals in 22 Premier League games.
The whole technical team of the Black Stars had to leave after a disappointing performance at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast.
The Ghana Football Association (GFA) is now looking for a new coach and has set February 2, 2024, as the deadline for coaches to submit their applications.
Local reports suggest that the Serbian coach has applied for the position, wanting to have a second chance with the national team.
Goran Stevanovic managed the Black Stars from 2011 to 2012, leading them to the semifinals of the continental competition.
At 57 years old, he has experience managing various clubs, including Cukaricki Partizan and Qingdao Jonoon.
Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has revealed a significant mistake in how Ghana’s participation in the AFCON tournament in Ivory Coast was handled.
Surprisingly, the $8.5 million budget for the event was not approved by Parliament before the national team took part.
Ghana’s disappointing exit from the AFCON, not making it past the group stage for the second time, is now coupled with the discovery that proper parliamentary procedures were not followed.
It seems both the Sports Ministry and the Ghana Football Association (GFA) didn’t fulfil their duty to go before Parliament to explain and defend the budget, as required by law.
Mr. Ablakwa, speaking on Luv FM, pointed out the strange behaviour of the Sports Ministry and the GFA. He mentioned that their hesitance to present the budget raised suspicions among members of Parliament.
According to him, their reasons were weak, and attempts to get information about the allocated funds for AFCON were met with resistance.
Ghanaian youngster Charles Sagoe Jr expresses his eagerness to contribute to Swansea City’s success by leveraging his explosive playing style.
Swansea City has finalised the loan acquisition of the 19-year-old forward from Arsenal, a deal that extends throughout the 2023/24 season.
Charles Sagoe Jr is expected to enhance the offensive options available to head coach Luke Williams, offering a dynamic combination of width and speed in the attacking areas.
Having debuted for Arsenal in a Carabao Cup encounter against Brentford earlier this season, Sagoe Jr. arrives at the Swansea.com Stadium with a promising track record.
“When I had that conversation with the manager, it put a smile on my face. I just want to help us win as many games as possible and help us climb the table,” he said.
After making his debut for the Gunners in a Carabao Cup match against Brentford earlier this season, Sagoe Jr. brings a promising track record to the Swansea.com Stadium.
Originally linked with Fulham, he made the switch to Arsenal in 2015 and has been a notable presence in the EFL Trophy, showcasing his talents for their under-21 side in recent seasons.
A consortium of sports journalists has obtained approval from the Ghana Police Service to stage a demonstration against the Ghana Football Association (GFA) and the Ministry of Youth and Sports, addressing concerns about the declining standards of football in Ghana.
Citi Sports has verified that the Ghana Police Service will issue an official statement at 14:00 GMT today, revealing details about the demonstration route.
Among the prominent members of the group are esteemed sports journalists Veronica Commey, Saddick Adams, and Patrick Osei Agyemang.
Commey expressed her frustrations regarding the deteriorating state of Ghanaian football during a segment on Citi FM’s Sports Panorama.
Scheduled for Wednesday, February 14, the demonstration aims to voice discontent over the current state of football in Ghana and is set to transpire in the capital, Accra.
According to Saddick Adams, the event is “a peaceful walk to present a petition” that the passion of thenation—football—is dying and that “there is no hate” but a “positive anger” to change the state of affairs.
The planned demonstration comes on the heels of Ghana’s first-round exit from the 2023 AFCON in Cote d’Ivoire, which had the Black Stars fail to win a game in three outings.
Dede Ayew reacts to Ghana’s 2-2 draw with Mozambique
For the second consecutive AFCON edition, Ghana has been eliminated in the group stage.
The 2021 AFCON marked the nadir of Ghana’s performance in the history of the competition, securing just a single point.
Mohammed Kudus made a comeback for West Ham in their English Premier League encounter against AFC Bournemouth, resulting in a 1-1 draw at the London Stadium on February 1, 2024.
AFC Bournemouth secured an early lead with Dominic Solanke scoring in the third minute.
However, West Ham leveled the score through James War-Prowse’s penalty in the 61st minute, which was orchestrated by Kudus.
His forward run was obstructed by a Bournemouth defender, initially overlooked by the referee. Following a Video Assistant Referee review, a penalty was awarded and expertly converted.
In the post-game press conference, West Ham manager David Moyes acknowledged Kudus’ recent participation with Ghana’s Black Stars at the 2023 AFCON in Cote d’Ivoire, citing it as a contributing factor to Kudus’ slower start in the game after returning from the continental championship.
Moyes said, “We didn’t find any rhythm to it at all. Even Mo coming back from the Africa Cup of Nations, it took a bit of time for him to find his level. He got us a penalty kick later on.”
Kudus played the full 90 minutes against Bournemouth in his first start after returning fromthe 2023 AFCON, where he had an impactful performance for Ghana despite their early exit from the competition.
Renowned Kenyan lawyer and committed Pan-Africanist, Patrick Lumumba, recently revisited the events surrounding the abrupt cancellation of a programme he was slated to speak at in Accra earlier this year.
During an interview on African Streams, a prominent Kenyan channel, on January 22, Lumumba detailed the unexpected turn of events, sharing how he and fellow participants received the news of the highly anticipated event being cancelled by the government at the last minute.
“It was unfortunate because I know that we were invited by the New Dawn Foundation,” he said before stating the prowess of their host, Nana Kwame Bediako, alias Cheddar, in the Pan-African space.
“This is an individual we work with in the pan-African space and Bediako, who invited us, is quite a serious entrepreneur in many areas of real estate and you can see what he wants,” he added.
When questioned about the potential motivation behind the government’s decision, Lumumba suggested that it might stem from apprehension regarding the well-known stances he and the other participants hold on current political developments, particularly within the West African subregion.
“Barely two hours later, we were driving to the place when we received a letter that the government was going to use the same space and they never used it anyway. So, it was a clever way of cancelling the thing. It is sad that we do not allow ideas to germinate.
“The government must have known about it. While people have been talking about coups, we have said these are revolutions that are in their early days. I am sure when they looked at us, some would have said these are dangerous individuals who must not be allowed to share this dangerous information,” he added.
WHY GHANA FEARS PAN-AFRICANISTS
What happens when you try to hold a pan-African convention on Kwame Nkrumah square in Ghana’s capital on Constitution Day? Simple answer, it gets cancelled by the government two hours before it’s due to start, over claims there’s been a double… pic.twitter.com/t45zyYdbcn
English player with Ghanaian roots,Kobbie Mainoo, expressed joy after scoring his first goal for Manchester United in the FA Cup.
In an exciting FA Cup match on Sunday, Kobbie Mainoo demonstrated his goal-scoring skills by scoring his first-ever senior goal for Manchester United.
The Red Devils fought hard for a 4-2 victory against Newport County from League Two, advancing to the fifth round.
After the intense match with six goals, Mainoo shared his thoughts on achieving this significant milestone during a post-match interview with MUTV.
The 18-year-old said, “It’s a big point in my career. Obviously, coming in and scoring my first goal. I’ve been dreaming of this moment for a long time. It’s been amazing.”
Reacting to the significance of the cup victory, Mainoo said, “Every cup win is important; it’s the next step to the final goal, which is winning a trophy. So it’s very important.”
Mianoo, who has represented England in youth-level competitions, is still qualified to play for theGhana national team.
With the need to replace Chris Hughton, Ghana is considering Saintfiet, who is also being pursued by Cameroon, Algeria, and Tunisia.
Ghana would have to compete with these football powerhouses to secure Saintfiet’s appointment as their manager.
The 50-year-old coach brings extensive experience in African football, having managed six countries since his first coaching role on the continent in 2008.
Saintfiet has previously managed Malawi, Namibia, Ethiopia, Togo, Zimbabwe, and The Gambia.
In addition to national teams, he has also coached South African side Free State Stars and Tanzanian giants Young Africans.
His notable success with The Gambia, including qualifying for their first AFCON in 2021 and achieving their best finish by reaching the quarterfinals, has garnered interest from top countries in Africa.
After stepping down from his role in 2023 following the group stage exit at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, Saintfiet remains a sought-after coach in the African football landscape.
Chelsea needs to believe in themselves more if they want to improve their poor performance in away games, according to manager Mauricio Pochettino (51).
After the 4-1 loss to Liverpool at Anfield on Wednesday, Pochettino emphasised the importance of trust and confidence.
Despite spending over 400 million pounds ($506 million) last season, Chelsea has struggled in away matches, losing five of their last six Premier League games.
While they have been successful at Stamford Bridge, Pochettino acknowledges that closing the gap will take time.
“It’s (because of) part of our personality and character. We need to be more confident in ourselves,” Pochettino said about the disparity in home and away forms.
“We need confidence and trust. We need to have the capacity to have the same performance we have at home when we play away from home. It’s a matter of time.
“We were competing against a team that is on the top and of course, it’s good for us to feel that we need to improve.”
Chelsea will meet Liverpool again on February 25 in the League Cup final at Wembley and Pochettino hopes the neutral venue might make a difference.
“For sure we are going to be at Wembley, and it isgoing to be different at a neutral place. Of course, that is always different,” he added.
The Super Cup is the curtain-raiser for the Brazilian season and pits together the Brazilian Serie A winners and the Copa do Brasil champions.
League champions Palmeiras will take on Cup winners São Paulo in Sunday’s Super Cup in Belo Horizonte.
Often referred to as “O Rei” (The King), Pele scored 77 goals for Brazil in 92 appearances and is widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time.
The three-time World Cup winner died at the age of 82 in 2022.
“Pele deserves all the tributes,” CBF president Ednaldo Rodrigues said.
“His legacy will always be revered by the CBF. The Supercopa Rei is a way of giving even more importance to the competition…The idea of calling the competition Supercopa Rei is within the context of utmost importance for the CBF, which is to preserve the memory of Brazilian football and ensure that new generations do not lose the reference of the great football idols, in this case, the greatest reference of all time.
Pep Guardiola has mentioned Julian Alvarez as already among the best players globally after scoring twice in Manchester City’s 3-1 victory over Burnley.
Álvarez, who celebrated his 24th birthday on Wednesday, increased his season goal tally to 15 with a first-half double at the Etihad Stadium.
Despite his relatively short career, the forward has already secured the Premier League title, Champions League, and World Cup. Guardiola believes that Álvarez has firmly established himself as one of the world’s top players.
“For his age, for the numbers in the Premier League, and for what he gives to the team, he is unbelievable,” Guardiola said.
“He’s a world champion, playing alongside [Leo] Messi, [Ángel] Di María and Enzo Fernández. If you are not good you cannot play in that team. He can play in three different positions and he has an incredible sense of urgency to run. He’s really good.”
Álvarez’s performance was one of several positive aspects for Guardiola, who gave Kevin De Bruyne his first start since the season’s opening day.
With the victory secured in the second half, the City manager also brought on Erling Haaland for his first appearance in two months after recovering from a foot injury.
“If it was 7-0 at halftime, he would have played more minutes,” said Guardiola.
“If it was 0-0 maybe he wouldn’t have played a minute. I saw him sharp, the feeling that he was there.
“He didn’t have clear chances but he had three or four when the control from Jérémy [Doku] didn’t see him but he can score with his quality.
“It has been really good without him for the last two months but with him we are a better team and we are really pleased that he is back.”
A22 Sports Management, established to assist in creating the European Super League, publicly released a letter on Wednesday addressed to UEFA.
In the letter, A22 requests an immediate halt to what they describe as anticompetitive behaviour.
The decision to share the letter on the social media platform X came after A22 claimed that UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin had mischaracterized a previous letter demanding UEFA’s compliance with EU rules and court rulings.
Ceferin made these comments at the Spobis sports business congress in Hamburg on Wednesday.
In the letter sent on Tuesday, A22 accuses UEFA of engaging in anticompetitive behaviour since April 2021.
This allegedly includes damaging A22’s reputation and threatening European clubs to dissuade them from considering projects involving A22.
Despite a December ruling by the European Court of Justice stating that UEFA and FIFA violated EU law by obstructing the formation of a Super League, A22 claims that UEFA has persisted in anticompetitive actions.
“Consequently, we hereby demand that UEFA and its executives, with immediate effect, a) cease and desist from any form of anticompetitive action against A22, its business initiatives, its partners and its directors,” the letter said.
African footballers are now earning salaries on par with players from other parts of the world, reflecting a growing recognition of their talents in the contemporary game.
Several African footballers have secured spots among the top 20 highest earners globally, setting a positive example for the future and reshaping the perception of African talent.
In light of this, let’s examine the five highest-earning African footballers.
Mohammed Salah
Mohamed Salah needed just over six minutes to score his hat-trick against Rangers
The list is led by Egypt and Liverpool winger, who earns an annual income of $53 million. Of this amount, $35 million comes from on-field activities, while an additional $18 million is earned off the field through brand influencing.
Sadio Mane
Sadio Mane has had a tough first season in Germany after struggling with fitness and form for Bayern Munich. Photo by Odd Andersen
Source: Getty Images
Sadio Mane, the winger for Al Nassr and Senegal, comes in second on the list with $48 million earned on the pitch. He also makes $4 million off the pitch, bringing his total yearly earnings to $52 million.
Riyad Mahrez
Riyad Mahrez of Manchester City
Algeria skipper and Al Ahli forward, Riyad Mahrez is the third-highest earner on the list. He earns a total of $32 million yearly – $30 million on the field and $2 million off the field.
Kalidou Koulibaly
Chelsea recruited highly-rated defender Kalidou Koulibaly this summer
Senegal’s captain and Al Hilal defender, Kalidou Koulibaly, comes next on the list with an annual income of $26 million. He makes this amount through his on-field earnings, along with an additional $0.05 million off the field.
Achraf Hakimi
Achraf Hakimi
Morocco’s PSG star, Achraf Hakimi, is the last player on the list, earning $20 million annually. His on-field earnings are $15 million, and he adds another $5 million off the field.
This comes after some journalists were seen wearing their national team jerseys and vocally supporting their teams during games, loudly celebrating any goals or victories, dancing shirtless or performing in the media work spaces after their team’s win, fighting , attacking, or insulting other journalists or players from different countries.
These acts are quite unprofessional, as AIPS stated in a statement.
“Being a journalist means behaving properly and, above all, exercising restraint. Certain behaviours are simply unworthy of a profession as noble as journalism,” a section of the statement read.
The AIPS also stressed that sports journalists cannot act as supporters, saying, “Even if the journalist is not a UFO (Unidentified Flying Object), he cannot be considered a supporter. This is why AIPS Africa invites colleagues to be reasonable and to work in compliance with the rules of ethics and professional conduct.”
The tournament has received widespread praise for the competitive games, quality of play, effective coaching, and successful use of the Video Assistant Referee (VAR).
Jurgen Klopp has praised Conor Bradley for his outstanding performance against Chelsea and shared that a Liverpool staff member spotted his talent.
The young player, who graduated from the Reds academy, scored his first Liverpool goal in a remarkable 4-1 victory over Chelsea on Wednesday evening.
The 20-year-old played a crucial role, contributing two assists to set up goals for Diogo Jota and Dominik Szoboszlai. Bradley received a standing ovation from the enthusiastic crowd when he was substituted in the second half.
Speaking in his post-match press conference, Klopp was questioned about his knowledge of Bradley’s ability and said, “What a great night, what an atmosphere, what a football game; it was a screamer. Yeah, I knew it for a while because in the left ear is Pep Lijnders and in the right ear is Vitor Matos. I remember Pep sat in my office and saying, ‘I’d put both hands in fire for him!’ I loved him from the first day; I didn’t need a lot of convincing.
“The thing is, Conor showed up extremely well in pre-season and did extremely well at Bolton [on loan]. Comes back, looks top in pre-season, wow, and then is out for five months [or] four months, [with] these kinds of issues that only young people have, but thank God then time can sort it out. At our age, it would not get better but in that age group, it gets better.
“He is incredible. The fans were already singing his name. He is flying and rightly so. He is working hard and he is a great footballer. People said in the summer we needed another right-back but we were very positive about Conor.”
Conor Bradley is experiencing his dream at Anfield and has been a standout performer for Klopp recently. He made a significant impact during the 5-2 victory against Norwich in the FA Cup, providing two assists, and also contributed to another goal in his league debut against Bournemouth on January 21.
Bradley’s exceptional form as a right-back may prompt Klopp to utilise Trent Alexander-Arnold more in midfield. However, the full-back will face a tough challenge when he travels to the Emirates to face fellow title contender Arsenal this Sunday in a highly anticipated Premier League match.
UK’s Minister of State for Development and Africa, Andrew Mitchell, expressed happiness about Ghana’s successful review of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) bailout program.
He is pleased with the disbursement of a second tranche of US$600 million, seeing it as a sign of resilience and progress in steering the economy back to a path of growth despite challenges.
During a meeting with Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia as part of the 9th UK-Ghana Business Council in Accra, Mr. Mitchell praised Ghana’s efforts. He also encouraged the government to closely follow the conditions outlined in the IMF program.
“The UK-GBC is the foundation of our economic trade and investment partnership with Ghana. Since its establishment in 2018, we’ve witnessed a commendable boost in trade, investment and the forging of stronger partnerships, laying a robust foundation for growth,” he said.
Acknowledging the difficulties faced by Ghana’s government in adhering to the conditions of the IMF programme, he conveyed the UK’s support for the programme’s reforms, saying: “We understand it has not been easy, which is why we are backing you to stick with the conditions of the IMF programme this year. By doing so, Ghana can continue to alleviate the economic pressures its citizens face.”.
He mentioned various ways the British government can contribute to economic growth, citing the longstanding partnership between the central banks, tax authorities, and statistical agencies of both countries.
Mr. Mitchell also revealed that the UK is currently developing a new program to aid Ghana’s long-term economic and financial stability. As part of this collaboration, officials from both countries have already been in discussions.
In the UK’s recent roadmap for international development white paper, he highlighted the importance of modern equal partnerships that extend beyond aid to bring about mutual benefits.
“Here in Ghana, with these partnerships and the UK-GBC, I believe we are ahead of others.
“The economic context of our discussions has been challenging over the last few years. But let me assure you that Britain will continue to support Ghana. We will deepen mutual trade and investment opportunities, creating more jobs and prosperity,” he added.
He further said the value of trade between the two countries currently stands at £2.1 billion, representing a £647million increase compared to the previous year.
For his part, Vice President Dr. Bawumia acknowledged the growing cooperation in mutually beneficial areas of trade and investment between Ghana and the UK.
He envisioned that the 9th UK-GBC meeting would further enhance bilateral and economic relations as well as strengthen strategic partnerships in various areas. “A platform such as this aims at boosting economic and commercial relations between our two countries and is most encouraging,” he added.
Given these circumstances, he is optimistic about the future of trade relations between the two countries. He mentioned significant improvements in various areas of cooperation, such as agro-processing, garments and textiles, pharmaceuticals, roads, and airport infrastructure, since the inception of the UK-Ghana Business Council.
Dr. Bawumia acknowledged the support received through UK-GBC in identifying new investment opportunities and assisting the country’s economic recovery plan.
He emphasised that Ghana remains an attractive business destination in Africa for foreign direct investment (FDI). With the AfricanContinental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) now in effect, trade activities are expected to increase, contributing to economic growth, with Ghana serving as the gateway to a population of 1.3 billion Africans.
Despite economic challenges, he stated that Ghana’s positive growth projections can facilitate the expansion of trade and investment activities with strategic partners.
Therefore, he anticipates that UK businesses and the investor community can capitalise on Ghana’s favourable environment and foundation to enhance the momentum of such exchanges.
David Moyes is optimistic that Kalvin Phillips can achieve success similar to Jesse Lingard at West Ham.
The Manchester City player, who has only played for 89 minutes in the Premier League this season, recently joined The Hammers on loan.
Manager David Moyes is now hopeful that Phillips will rediscover his previous good form and contribute to the club in the remaining matches of the 2023–24 campaign.
Speaking to reporters, Moyes said, “His pedigree over the years has made me feel like he’s a player I’d like to have at the club. For some time, he’s been a mainstay of the England national team. He’s someone who has been a really good player. The move to the city hasn’t worked as well as he would have liked.”
He added, “This time a couple of years ago, we got Jesse Lingard; he really helped us. I’m hoping Kalvin can have a similar impact as Jesse had. Everybody has something to prove. Jesse had something to prove and Kalvin has as well. There is a big competition at the end of the season, where he’ll be hoping to be in good form.
“We’re talking about a boy with really good character. I heard Pep Guardiola’s comments about him and I would agree with those, having had him here for a week now. We want to see his footballing ability now. I think he’s got a chance now to get himself back on track. We’ve brought in another England international to our squad and that’s a big plus.”
Lingard joined West Ham on loan from Manchester United in the second half of the 2020–21 season. During his six-month stint at the club, the winger played in 16 Premier League matches, scoring nine goals and providing five assists.
West Ham finished sixth in the league that season.The former England international is currently not associated with any club, having been a free agent since leaving Nottingham Forest at the end of the 2022/23 season.
Moyes’ team, which hasn’t won in their last four games in all competitions, will be playing their next Premier League match against Bournemouth on Thursday.
Everton Under-21s have completed the signing of promising Ghanaian attacker Kingsford Boakye Yiadom.
The talented 19-year-old winger has signed a two-and-a-half-year contract with the English Premier League side.
The deal is expected to run until the end of June 2026, pending the approval of a work permit.
“Kingsford Boakye has joined #EFCU21 on a two-and-a-half-year deal until the end of June 2026, subject to a work permit,” a statement from the club said.
Boakye, who started his soccer journey with MSK Zilina Africa, showed his skills and moved up the ranks before joining AC Milan last year.
After becoming a part of Everton as a free agent, the young Ghanaian has proven to be a skilled attacker, showcasing his abilities during his time at Zilina.
Importantly, Boakye adds flexibility to his game by being good on both the left and right wings.
His signing is an exciting new addition to Everton’s Under-21 squad, demonstrating the club’s dedicationto developing young talent.
The position of head coach for theGhanaBlack Stars has been vacant for a week after the dismissal of Irish manager Chris Hughton.
The Ghana Football Association (GFA) is now accepting applications, and reports suggest that among the applicants is former German footballer Jurgen Kholer.
Jurgen Kholer is seen as a leading candidate to succeed Chris Hughton as the Black Stars’ head coach. Kholer had an illustrious playing career, featuring for top European clubs Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund, and Juventus.
He notably played a key role in Germany’s 1990 World Cup victory, contributing to their defense.
After retiring as a player in 2002, Kholer transitioned to coaching. Starting with the Germany U-21 national team, he has accumulated 17 years of coaching experience.
Despite his successful playing career, his coaching journey has included managing clubs like MSV Duisburg, Aalen, Bonner, EGC Wirges, Hauenstein, Alfter, Viktoria Koln U-19, and Viktoria Koln (caretaker).
While Ivory Coast expressed interest in hiring him in 2006, Kholer declined the offer.
Despite his coaching experience, he has not securedany trophies and has been without a coaching position since 2019.
A team of sports journalists, including Songo and Obama, has received permission from the police toorganise a protest addressing the challenges currently faced by Ghanaian football.
Saddick Obama, a member of the group, informed the media on January 31, 2024, that they were content with the support received from the police following a meeting at the regional command earlier that day.
“The police wish they could join because we all love football; we don’t have a fight with anyone or hatred towards anyone. The agreed timelines and conditions are favourable.
“It is a simple march to present a petition to the authorities; this is about a common passion that we want to protect,” he explained.
Per reports, other journalists participating in the march include Countryman Songo, Veronica Commey, and Charles Osei Assibey.
The march follows the disappointing performance of the Black Stars at the 2023 African Cup of Nations, where they exited in the first round with only two points in a group that included Cape Verde, Egypt, and Mozambique.
Ghana Football Association (GFA) has faced criticism for forming a committee to select the next Black Stars coach after firing Chris Hughton.
Journalists have urged the government to intervene and stop the GFA’s decision, emphasising the need for comprehensive reforms to address fundamental issues in football administration in the country.
Security and safety analyst Dr. Adam Bonaa expresses that he expected the loss experienced by retired Commissioner of Police George Alex Mensah in the recent parliamentary primaries of the New Patriotic Party.
Dr. Bonaa states that COP Alex Mensah’s behaviour and words in the leaked tape, where he sought the removal of the current Inspector-General of the Ghana Police Service, indicate that he is not suitable for the role of a parliamentarian.
“I am not surprised by the results at all. I am not surprised in the sense that anyone who followed the leaked tape and the kind of things he said—every level-headed person—will shy away from electing such a person to represent him or her as a Member of Parliament.
“I want to believe that the people of Bekwai are wise enough to ensure that such a person does not represent them in the august house of parliament, so I am not surprised,” he stated.
Regarding COP Alex Mensah’s political future, Dr. Bonaa argues that the statements made by the senior officer during his appearance before the parliamentary committee investigating the leaked tape and its subsequent developments clearly suggest the conclusion of his political aspirations.
“Going by the leaked committee report and going by the sittings of the committee, obviously he confirmed that he said all the things that were captured on the leaked tape.
“He confirmed it was him and he also confirmed one way or another that he had been doing partisan politics while he was still in office. All these things and some lies that were told under oath, if you put these things together, you know that such a person is likely to be cited for perjury and you and I know that himself and the other senior officers who were captured conspiring to remove their IGP and destabilise this country is treasonable if the report indicts them,” he stated.
“I want to believe that if the report comes out and they are culpable, they are obviously going to face criminal charges once they are indicted.
“So as for his political career, I don’t want to go there. He couldn’t win a parliamentary primary. So, as far as I am concerned, his political career is over,” he said
COP George Alex Mensah lost the New Patriotic Party’s primary in the Bekwai constituency to his rival, Ralph Poku-Adusei. He garnered only 245 votes, while Poku-Adusei secured victory with 662 votes.
The other candidates, Henry Opoku Ware and Kingsley Opoku Agyemang, received 30 and 1 vote, respectively. The total votes cast were 938.
The defeat follows the leak of a tape featuring COP Alex Mensah, Superintendent George Asare, and Superintendent Emmanuel Gyebi seeking support from the NPP’s former Northern Regional Chairman, Bugri Naabu, to remove IGP Dr. George Akuffo Dampare.
In their efforts, they portrayed themselves as dedicated NPP members committed to ensuring the party stays in power in December 2024 at any cost.
In 2019, five businessmen were arrested at Kotoka International Airport for attempting to bring in 2,200 grams of cocaine. Recently, they were found guilty and collectively received a total sentence of 60 years in prison.
The individuals convicted include Frank Asante (First Accused), Kweku Antwi (2nd Accused, who managed to escape after jumping bail), Alhassan Iddrisu (3rd Accused), Clifford Boakye (4th Accused), and Isaac Kwakye (5th Accused).
Their convictions were based on three charges: conspiracy to commit a crime, specifically possession of narcotics; importation of narcotic drugs; and possession of narcotic drugs. The High Court in Accra, presided over by Justice Lydia Osei Marfo, delivered the verdict after a thorough trial.
Justice Osei Marfo then imposeda minimum sentence of 10 years each on all the convicts under the old Narcotics Control Law PNDC Law 236, which has since been updated by Act 1019.
“I have listened to Counsel on both sides and I have looked at the old (PNDC Law 236) and the new law Act 1019). And I am satisfied that, (under) the old law, the punishment of the offenses for which they have been charged is lesser in severity than the new law in the same offense,” Justice Marfo said.
She explained that, “anybody that is convicted for the offences of possession and importation of Narcotics drug is sentenced to a minimum of 10 years in prison.”
While, “the new law, however, in respect of the same offence comes with same minimum of 10 years (jail term) and some heavy fines and the two go together.”
Justice Marfo also mentioned that the Court is mindful of the constitutional provisions outlined in Article 19(6) of the Constitution. She stated, “I cannot impose punishment stipulated under the new law.”
Before pronouncing the sentence, the Court also considered the factors presented by the defense lawyers in mitigation and evaluated the behavior of the convicts.
“I have considered the conduct of the accused persons except (A2) during their bail and attendance in court during the trial although some were coming from Kumasi, always were present and where they could genuinely not be present in Court, they asked permission from the court,” the Court said.
Considering the information above, the court has sentenced all five individuals to a minimum of 10 years in prison for charges related to conspiracy to commit a crime, specifically possession of narcotics.
Among them, Asante (First Accused) and Kweku Antwi (2nd Accused, who is currently on the run after jumping bail) received separate 10-year sentences for the importation of narcotic drugs.
The court specified that the four individuals present in court—Frank Asante (First Accused), Alhassan Iddrisu (3rd Accused), Clifford Boakye (4th Accused), and Isaac Kwakye (5th Accused) – will serve their sentences concurrently. However, Kweku Antwi (2nd Accused), who escaped bail, will serve his punishment consecutively upon being apprehended.
As per EIB Network Legal Affairs Correspondent, Murtala Inusah, the four individuals will each serve a 10-year sentence, while Antwi will face a 20-year sentence for evading bail.
Brief facts
Information gathered by the Intelligence Unit of the Narcotic Control Board (NACOB) revealed that Frank Asante, the 1st Accused, along with his associates, had been importing and dealing in narcotics from Brazil and other countries.
The intelligence team conducted surveillance on Frank Asante and his accomplices, monitoring their travels and activities. In March 2019, they observed Frank Asante arriving from Brazil at Kotoka International Airport, where he was picked up by the 3rd accused, Alhassan Iddrisu.
In May 2019, the team noted Frank Asante’s arrival from Brazil, where he was met by Alhassan Iddrisu, Clifford Aboagye, and Isaac Kiakye at the airport. They drove to a location in Achimota Mile 7, where Frank Asante handed over a backpack from his travel bag to Alhassan Iddrisu.
On July 13, 2019, Frank Asante and the 2nd accused, Kweku Antwi, arrived on an Ethiopian Airline from Brazil to Ghana. The 2nd accused was hired by the 1st accused to transport narcotics, and both had bags with suspected narcotic drugs.
During arrival formalities, two black backpacks with suspected narcotics were found in the 2nd accused’s bags. The 3rd accused was seen pushing a trolley with the luggage of the 1st accused after disembarkation.
The 1st, 2nd, and 3rd accused, along with the 4th and 5th accused, were arrested at Kotoka International Airport before leaving and taken to NACOB headquarters for further investigations.
“The two black backpacks retrieved from the travelling bags of the 2nd accused was cut open in the presence of all the accused persons.
“Whitish substances wrapped in foil was discovered in a false compartment of each of the backpacks.
“The substances which were field tested proved positive for cocaine. A subsequent search at the residences of the 3rd accused person at Race Course and New Fadama, Accra, disclosed 4 similar backpacks, 2 of which had their bottoms ripped off, weighing scales suspected to be used to weigh the narcotic substances, a test tube, different passports and gallons containing liquid substances.
“A similar gallon also containing liquid substance was retrieved from the vehicle of the 3rd accused person at the time of arrest.
“The whitish substances and the gallons containing the liquid substances were forwarded to the Ghana Standards Authority (GSA) for analytical examination.
“The report from the GSA indicated that the substances from the 2 backpacks retrieved from the travelling bags of the 2nd accused tested positive for cocaine with an 82.5 percentage purity and a net weight of 2,200.0 grams.
“Two of the gallons containing the liguid substances were identified as alcohol and a 3rd gallon tested positive for an organophosphorus pesticide,” it stated.
