Spanish forward of Ghanaian descent, Nico Williams, is reportedly attracting interest from both Liverpool and Arsenal.
The two English Premier League powerhouses, looking to strengthen their squads, are said to be making preparations for a potential transfer move for the talented youngster.
Despite Athletic Club’s desire to retain him, Nico Williams, who has been in impressive form this season with five goals and eight assists, is being targeted by clubs seeking to bolster their attacking options.
The player’s future could hinge on the right offer, with bothLiverpool and Arsenal eyeing his services.
The former Leeds United player joins the Hammers on loan from English champions Manchester City.
Sharing his delight after sealing the move after a frustrating 18 months at City, Phillips revealed that he is excited to play alongside Ghana’s Mohammed Kudus at the London club.
Phillips also extolled the qualities in the West Ham team as he prepared for his debut.
“I’m just so excited to get going. I know the quality of the environment I’m coming into. You look at players like Lucas Paquetá and Mohammed Kudus, and the whole squad in truth, and it’s not hard to get excited,” he said.
Kudus has been one of West Ham’s best signings in recent times after a blistering start to life in England.
The Ghana international has netted ten goals across all competitions for the London outfit since joining from Ajax in the summer transfer widow.
Kudus, who was at the Africa Cup of Nations in Cote d’Ivoire, is expected to join his teammates after Ghana suffered early AFCON elimination
Confederation of African Football (CAF) has subjected Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen to random drug tests twice during the ongoingAfrica Cup of Nations (AFCON).
Osimhen played a crucial role in Nigeria’s 1-0 victory over the hosts, Cote d’Ivoire, during the group stages, earning the team a penalty after being fouled in the box.
In the last-16 clash against the Indomitable Lions, the Napoli striker delivered a powerful performance as Nigeria secured a 2-0 win. Osimhen assisted the first goal scored by Ademola Lookman and posed a continuous threat to the Cameroonian team before being substituted late in the game.
According to reports from DAILY POST, the current CAF Player of the Year underwent drug testing before the matches against Cote d’Ivoire and Cameroon.
“(He was) tested against Cote d’Ivoire and Cameroon. That is twice in four games,” a source said.
25-year-old striker scored his sole goal of the tournament in the 1-1 draw against Equatorial Guinea in the initial group fixtures.
Nevertheless, Osimhen is anticipated to be the primary attacking force for the three-time champions in the upcoming quarterfinal against Angola on Friday.
Former Asante Kotoko CEO Nana Yaw Amponsah has assumed the role of president at FC Petrocub in Moldova, signifying a significant step in his football administrative career.
This appointment comes after the formalisation of a partnership agreement, succeeding Mikhail Usatîi in the position.
Petrocub, established in 1994 and nicknamed The White-Blacks or The Hincesti Lions, competes in the Moldovan Super Liga, playing home matches at the Municipal Stadium in Hincesti.
In the previous season, they achieved a commendable second place in the eight-club league, with Marius Iosipoi emerging as the third-highest goalscorer.
Notably, Nana Yaw Amponsah’s impact is already evident, as former Kotoko goalkeeper Razak Abalora made a move to Petrocub from Sheriff Tiraspol, indicating a strategic influence on player transfers.
At present, Petrocub holds the second position in the Moldovan league standings with 28 points, trailing six points behind league leader Sheriff.
Amponsah’s entry into the Moldovan football scene adds an intriguing chapter to his career, and his expertise is expected to shape the future trajectoryof FC Petrocub.
FIFA World Cup winner and German football legend Jurgen Kholer has expressed interest in the vacant coaching position for the Black Stars.
Following the Ghana Football Association’s (GFA) decision to dismiss Chris Hughton as the head coach of the national men’s team after their exit from the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast, the Black Stars are currently without a coach.
Ghana failed to progress from Group B, which included Cape Verde, Egypt, and Mozambique, leading to Hughton’s dismissal.
The GFA is seeking a coach with 15 years of coaching experience in either national team or club football, emphasising a proven track record of success.
Kholer, according to sources in Germany, has officially applied for the position and submitted his curriculum vitae for consideration.
At 58, Kholer is currently unattached after leaving his last role as FC Viktoria Köln manager. He holds a UEFA Pro Licence certificate and began his coaching career in 2003 after retiring from professional football in 2002.
Throughout his coaching career, Kholer has managed the German U21 team, served as the Director of Football for Bayern Leverkusen, managed MSV Duisburg, and held positions at vfR Aalen, among other clubs.
As a player, Kholer had an illustrious career, playing for renowned clubs like Juventus, Borussia Dortmund, and Bayern Munich.
With over 15 years of coaching experience, he fits the criteria set by the Ghana Football Association, bringing a proven track record in team reconstruction, talent development, and discipline.
Kholer earned the nickname “Football God” due to his qualities as a center-back during his playing days. He was a member of the German 1990 FIFA World Cup-winning team and played a pivotal role in the team’s success.
The manager showcased his skills this season with a strong comeback, reclaiming the top spot in the Premier League.
Despite the surprising nature of his decision, Klopp acknowledged that it might be a shock to many.
Regardless of whether he achieves victory this year or not, his decision is commendable, recognising the well-being of both himself and the club.
Jurgen Klopp
This perspective was recently shared by a Scottish pundit who has witnessed Liverpool’s transformation from a trophyless period to triumph.
The club had been without a Premier League trophy since its inception in 1992 until Klopp led them to victory in 2020. However, even the best have their limits, and Klopp is no exception.
Soccer can take a toll on even the most accomplished individuals. Pep Guardiola, for instance, recently criticised FIFA and UEFA for their congested schedules.
In contrast, Klopp’s decision to address his burnout in a different way has been praised by former Chelsea player Craig Burley.
Speaking to ESPN FC, Burley said, “I think it’s admirable.” “And I totally understand that it’s constant these days. And I think we’ve been preaching about schedules for players. But it’s not just the players; it’s the managers and the support staff.”
Since joining Liverpool in October 2015, Jurgen Klopp, the German manager, has faced the challenge of building strategies with limited resources.
Unlike other big six clubs, Klopp had to work with a modest squad and lacked the financial flexibility to make significant investments. In fact, he is recognised for having the lowest net spend among his rivals, amounting to approximately $322.8 million.
Despite these financial constraints, the 56-year-old manager successfully recruited key players like Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah, who played crucial roles in Liverpool’s title-winning campaign.
Klopp, who envisioned achieving a league title upon his arrival, acknowledges that sustaining this success for more than nine years has become overwhelming for him, leading to his decision to step down.
Last season’s disappointment one of the main reasons for Klopp’s exit
Last season was one of the worst in Klopp’s tenure at Merseyside. Liverpool finished 5th in the Premier League. This meant that they could not qualify for the UEFA Champions League for the first time since Jurgen Klopp joined. Hence, rebuilding this season might have added to the energy depletion that Klopp was talking about.
Klopp recently said, “I realised that my resources are not endless. I preferred to give absolutely everything to this season and then have a break or to stop.”
Hence, Burley has acknowledged and empathised with the German talisman.
Barcelona is reportedly closely monitoring six players at the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2024 in Ivory Coast, with a particular interest in a Chelsea target.
As per Gabriel Sans of Mundo Deportivo, Barcelona’s scouts are actively present at the tournament, identifying six players for the club’s attention.
Among them is 21-year-old midfielder Pape Matar Sarr from Senegal, who currently plays for Tottenham Hotspur. Despite having a long-term contract with Spurs until 2030, his standout performances at AFCON have captured Barcelona’s interest.
Another player under consideration is 20-year-old Ghanaian forward Ernest Nuamah, who is currently on loan at Olympique Lyon from RWD Molenbeek.
While his limited playtime at AFCON might affect Barcelona’s interest, his commendable form at the club, contributing seven goals across 21 games this season, is noteworthy.
Yankuba Minteh, a 19-year-old attacker from Gambia on loan at Feyenoord from Newcastle United, has also attracted Barcelona’s attention. Despite not scoring at AFCON, his promising performances, including four goals and two assists in 18 matches across competitions, make him a prospect for the Catalan club.
Ivorian defender Ousmane Diomande, a target for various top clubs like Chelsea and Newcastle United, is unsurprisingly on Barcelona’s radar. The 20-year-old, a regular at Sporting CP, has displayed impressive performances for the host nation at AFCON.
Barcelona is also eyeing 21-year-old winger Dango Ouattara from Burkina Faso, who plays for Bournemouth in the Premier League. Excelling as a full-back, he showcases versatility by playing in advanced attacking roles for Burkina Faso.
Lastly, Nigerian defensive midfielder Raphael Onyedika has garnered praise from Barcelona’s scouts at AFCON. The Club Brugge talent, with 32 appearances for his club this season, could be poised for a move to larger clubs if he continues to meet expectations.
Mauricio Pochettino jokingly suggested that Cole Palmer should be called Lionel Messi and came to the defense of the Chelsea player after he missed some significant opportunities against Aston Villa.
In the FA Cup fourth-round match on Friday night, Chelsea faced a 0-0 draw with Aston Villa, leading to a replay in early February. Despite a strong performance, Chelsea missed several notable chances, particularly by Palmer and Noni Madueke.
Nevertheless, Manager Pochettino supported Palmer by playfully comparing him to Messi and also shared insights into the former Manchester City player’s optimal position.
When asked about Palmer’s failure to score against Villa, the Argentine said, “No, I think he cannot score in every single game. If he did, we should maybe not call him Cole Palmer; we should call him maybe Leo [Messi]. No, it is not about his position, and his potential is massive. It’s just that sometimes you score or not. Sometimes you have better nights but he is doing well.
“He is a player who can play in different positions and you can see and feel that we never talk about his performances because he is always doing really good. It’s just that sometimes he scores or doesn’t score, but he always finds amazing chances in the game.”
Setting aside the Messi comparisons, Palmer has emerged as arguably Chelsea’s standout player this season following his £42.5 million ($54 million) transfer from City last summer.
The 21-year-old has impressively contributed 11 goals and seven assists this term.
Despite Chelsea’s scrutiny over their high-profile transfers, the English international has been a bright spot at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea is optimistic that Palmer maintains his scoring form as they face Premier League leaders Liverpool on Wednesday, followed by a home match against Wolves four days later.
After a series of attempts, the Red and Black sides have successfully reached an agreement to acquire the Ghanaian defender during the current transfer window.
Clermont Foot had initially rejected three offers from Rennais before both parties came to terms on a deal.
Having showcased his skills with fellow Ligue 1 club, Clermont Foot, the Black Stars defender is anticipated to play a significant role for his new team.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c7TeJnLeGYc
Seidu’s transfer to Rennais is reportedly for a fee of 11 million Euros, along with additional bonuses.
The official unveiling is expected to take place after the conclusion of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast.
Seidu, part of the Black Stars squad that faced challenges in the ongoing 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Ivory Coast, exited the championship in the group stage without securing a victory.
Despite the team’s performance, the 23-year-old Ghanaian defender has been exceptional in the current campaign for Clermont Foot, making 14 appearances and contributing one assist for the club.
Lawyer Ace Ankomah (Esq.) has reportedly withdrawn from the five-member committee responsible for finding the next coach for the Black Stars.
Initially appointed as the vice chairman of the committee, with GFA Vice President Mark Addo as the chairperson, Ace Ankomah (Esq.) decided to step back from his role.
The committee comprises the Director of Coaching Education at the GFA, Professor Joseph Kwame Mintah, Ghana football legend Opoku Nti, and William Caesar Kartey, Chief Director of the Ministry of Youth and Sports.
The establishment of this committee followed the dismissal of Chris Hughton as the Black Stars coach on January 23, 2024.
BREAK: I’m informed that Lawyer Ace Ankomah has declined to serve on the Committee to search for a new Black Stars coach.
I have personally called on the President of Ghana to dissolve that Committee, halt the search and instruct his minister and the GFA to first, render and… pic.twitter.com/wdVIC8tnvl
As per sports journalist Saddick Adams, the law lecturer has declined the invitation to serve on the committee. In a post on X, Adams stated, “I’m informed that Lawyer Ace Ankomah has declined to serve on the committee to search for a new Black Stars coach.”
“I have personally called on the President of Ghana to dissolve that committee, halt the search and instruct his minister and the GFA to first render an apology to the people of Ghana.
“Submit technical and management reports and their budget and investigate the causes of the disaster in Abidjan.
“Good that Lawyer Ace has been honourable enough to decline. The other members must decline their interest.
“The chairman of that committee himself is not fit for purpose. Aluta Continua.”
Starting on February 1, 2024, the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) has introduced a new system for customers applying for various services, such as new service, separate metre, and additional load.
According to a statement released by the ECG, all service applications must now be submitted exclusively through the ECG Mobile App.
The transition to a paperless system means that prospective customers need to utilise the ECG Mobile App, follow the prompts, and upload the necessary documents for the processing of service requests.
Communication regarding the status of customer requests will be conveyed through the provided contact telephone numbers.
This revelation was made during a post-match press conference following Barcelona’s 5-3 loss to Villarreal at the Montjuic Stadium on Saturday.
Despite Barcelona overcoming a two-goal deficit and momentarily leading 3-2, they eventually conceded an equaliser near full time. Villarreal then scored twice more, significantly diminishing Barcelona’s chances of retaining their La Liga title.
According to RAC1, president Joan Laporta convened a meeting with the sporting department after the final whistle to “analyse” the situation.
Xavi was subsequently called to meet Laporta and eventually appeared for his post-match press conference about an hour and a half after the defeat, which left Barcelona trailing bitter rival Real Madrid by 10 points in the league standings.
“Before you ask me the pertinent questions, I want to announce that from June 30, I will not continue as Barca coach,” Xavi revealed.
“We’ve been talking about it with Laporta and with the sporting area, and as a Culer, I think the club needs a change of dynamic,” the legendary midfielder explained.
“As a Culer, thinking about the club and the players, I think they will be freed up and calmer. Thinking as a club man, I think the best thing to do is to leave on June 30.
“That said, I’ll give it my all the remaining four months. I think we can have a good season and hopefully the dynamic will change,” Xavi insisted.
“I love the president very much, both him and [Vice President] Rafa [Yuste], Alejandro, and [Sporting Director] Deco,” Xavi went on.
“Their confidence until today was full but it’s time. I’m not moved by economic situations; I’m moved by the heart and I think it’s the best situation for the club.
“I don’t want to be a problem. We played a totally unfortunate game and it’s time for a change of direction for the players, who don’t deserve it.
“It was a blow to see how they beat you in a match that you had come back from. I don’t remember a match as cruel as today’s in my career,” Xavi claimed.
“We need a change of course for the good of the club and this will de-escalate the situation surrounding Barca,” he suggested.
This surprising turn of events coincides with reports from Cadena SER suggesting that Thiago Motta is being considered as a potential successor to Xavi, who has held the coaching position since November 2021.
While it seems that the German coach is leaning towards taking a sabbatical, having previously stepped down from the managerial role at Liverpool in the summer, there is speculation about Jurgen Klopp being Laporta’s ideal choice, as SPORT highlighted before the weekend.
Ghana Football Association (GFA) has officially announced the deadline for applicants interested in the vacant coaching position for the Black Stars.
As per the recent FA statement, candidates looking to be considered for the role have until 11:59 PM on February 2, 2024, to submit their applications.
Following the dismissal of Chris Hughton after the Black Stars’ early exit from the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), the GFA Executive Committee has formed a five-member panel. This panel is responsible for recommending a new coach within a three-week timeframe.
The Committee is not restricting its search to only those who apply; it has the authority to actively explore and consider suitable coaches, even those who haven’t formally applied.
Prospective coaches interested in taking on the responsibility of leading the Black Stars are encouraged to submit their applications. This includes a curriculum vitae or resume and a mission statement, which should be sent to the Search Committee via email at recruitment@ghanafa.org before the specified deadline.
JOB DESCRIPTION – HEAD COACH
The appointed Head Coach will have the overarching responsibility for managing the Senior Men’s National Team. This includes tasks such as player selection, tactical planning for both training sessions and games, and overseeing the overall performance of the Black Stars.
In addition to the day-to-day management, the Head Coach will play a crucial role in providing general technical direction and supervision for the Black Stars. A key aspect of the role involves enhancing the capabilities of the Technical Team associated with the national squad.
The Head Coach is expected to stay abreast of the latest developments and innovations in football tactics and development. Keeping up with the evolving landscape of the sport is essential for effective leadership.
Having a football philosophy that aligns with or complements the GFA’s DNA is a prerequisite for the Head Coach. This ensures a cohesive approach and shared values within the coaching staff.
Collaboration with the Technical Directorate is imperative, specifically in identifying and nurturing young talents for national teams. The Head Coach should actively contribute to the development of emerging players.
Scouting new talent for the national team is a crucial aspect of the role, requiring the ability to travel, both domestically and internationally, to assess player performances.
Beyond on-field responsibilities, the Head Coach is expected to engage with the media. This includes activities such as squad announcements and participating in pre-match and post-match interviews. Effective communication with the media is essential for transparency and public relations.
QUALIFICATIONS
The ideal candidate for the Head Coach position should have a demonstrated history of success in coaching premier Men’s National Teams or at the Club level.
Qualifications include holding the highest football license globally and possessing a minimum of 15 years of extensive experience in football.
A proven track record in successfully rebuilding teams, along with expertise in organizing and developing young talents, is a crucial requirement for the role.
Kwame Governs Agbodza, the Minority Chief Whip in Parliament and Member of Parliament for Adaklu, has raised concerns about the Electoral Commission’s decision to eliminate the use of indelible ink in the upcoming 2024 general elections.
He expressed scepticism and found it suspicious that the same ink was employed in the New Patriotic Party (NPP) parliamentary primaries held on Saturday, January 27, 2024.
Agbodza suggested that the EC’s proposal to abandon indelible ink, which is crucial for preventing multiple votes, might be a strategy to manipulate the elections in favour of the ruling party.
In light of this, he has vowed to keep the Commission in check and not allow it “throw our country into chaos”
“Jean Mensah is using INDELIBLE INK for the NPP internal elections. Why is it necessary to do this for the NPP elections but not necessary for the NATIONAL ELECTIONS? She will NEVER be allowed to throw our country into chaos .2024 ELECTIONS WILL HAPPEN WITH INDELIBLE INK AT ALL COSTS,” his X post read.
In a recent press conference, the Electoral Commission (EC) announced that the use of indelible ink would no longer be necessary during elections.
The commission indicated that they have implemented a biometric authentication system to replace indelible ink, which is a semi-permanent dye traditionally applied to a voter’s finger, to prevent double voting.
Former Deputy Minister for Roads and Highways, Isaac Adjei Mensah, has advised Ghanaians not to anticipate new road projects this year under the Akufo-Addo administration.
He explained that the government’s primary focus is to utilise the International Monetary Fund (IMF) bailout to effectively stabilise the country’s economy, which has been struggling for at least two years.
This statement comes in the wake of the approval of a second tranche of US$600 million as part of Ghana’s bailout package from the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
While Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta has indicated that the funds will be used for various programs outlined in the 2024 Budget, the Ranking Member on the Roads and Highways Committee of Parliament contends that the budgetary allocation for roads is not noteworthy.
“The roads sector is very bad yet this government lacks maintenance culture and is unable to fix the roads the erstwhile NDC government left behind,” the MP for Wassa East said on Dwaboase programme on TV XYZ.
The legislator went on to say the government has failed to maintain existing roads, which has led to most highways deteriorating across the country.
“This government has received more revenue than any government in the history of this country but if you as President Akufo-Addo to tell you what his administration has done with the huge funds and loans, he would not be able to tell you,” he added.
To him, the government is not willing to rehabilitate roads anytime soon, adding that “the IMF fundswill be pumped into the economy but not roads.”
“If the government does not misuse the IMF cash, the economy can be stabilised, but speaking of roads, all major flagship projects have been suspended,” he stated.
Cameroon coach Rigobert Song (47) has refuted claims of a renewed conflict with goalkeeper Andre Onana (27), who was excluded from their recent match at the Africa Cup of Nations finals and might face a spot on the bench again for the upcoming last-16 tie against Nigeria.
Onana had previously left the Cameroon squad during the World Cup finals in Qatar due to a dispute with Song but returned to the team in September to contribute to their qualification for the tournament in Ivory Coast.
Although Onana was allowed to miss Cameroon’s first match to play for Manchester United, he participated in the second group game against Senegal, conceding three goals, and was subsequently benched for the last group match against Gambia on Tuesday.
“I have no problem with my goalkeepers. They are all competitive and ready to respond when they need to play. There is no controversy. They get along very well,” Song told a press conference on Friday, without saying whether Onana might be restored to the goal for the last-16 game on Saturday.
Song said defence would be all-important against Nigeria, whose powerful attack is led by African Footballer of the Year Victor Osimhen.
“We have already conceded six goals and tomorrow we will find the formula to not concede,” added Song.
“We will try to put Nigeria in difficulty and fight to continue in the competition. I know what needs to be done so that we do everything possible tomorrow toobtain a positive result.”
Kwame Governs Agbodza, the Minority Chief Whip in Parliament and Member of Parliament for Adaklu, has raised concerns about the Electoral Commission’s decision to eliminate the use of indelible ink in the upcoming 2024 general elections.
He expressed scepticism and found it suspicious that the same ink was employed in the New Patriotic Party (NPP) parliamentary primaries held on Saturday, January 27, 2024.
Agbodza suggested that the EC’s proposal to abandon indelible ink, which is crucial for preventing multiple votes, might be a strategy to manipulate the elections in favour of the ruling party.
“Jean Mensah is using INDELIBLE INK for the NPP internal elections. Why is it necessary to do this for the NPP elections but not necessary for the NATIONAL ELECTIONS? She will NEVER be allowed to throw our country into chaos .2024 ELECTIONS WILL HAPPEN WITH INDELIBLE INK AT ALL COSTS,” his X post read.
In a recent press conference, the Electoral Commission (EC) announced that the use of indelible ink would no longer be necessary during elections.
The commission indicated that they have implemented a biometric authentication system to replace indelible ink, which is a semi-permanent dye traditionally applied to a voter’s finger, to prevent double voting.
Lydia Seyram Alhassan, the current Member of Parliament for Ayawaso West Wuogon, has conveyed her optimism about securing the seat for the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the upcoming 2024 elections.
She underscored that achieving this goal is contingent upon unity and collaboration among party members.
“One person cannot do it alone and that is why the polling stations [Electoral College] were expanded,” she said.
On Friday, January 26, Lydia Seyram Alhassan was unanimously declared the NPP parliamentary candidate, as she was the sole candidate following the disqualification of Samuel Owusu Amankwa, who intended to challenge her for the position.
The acclamation ceremony occurred at the Presbyterian Church of Ghana in Shiashie and was attended by various party officials, including Greater Accra Region Chairman Divine Otoo Agorhom and Regional Organiser Prince Obeng.
Otoo Agorhom urged for unity and encouraged the disqualified candidate and his supporters to unite for the common goal.
“We need all of them. This is not a victory for Maa Lydia alone,” he said.
The acclamation was supervised by two officials of the Electoral Commission of Ghana (EC).
Based on the results, Lydia Seyram Alhassan will face NDC’s John Dumelo again in the race to become the MP for Ayawaso West Wuogon in what is expected to be another hotspot election in December 2024.
Unverified information suggests that COP George Alex Mensah has been unsuccessful in his attempt to secure the New Patriotic Party (NPP) nomination for the Bekwai constituency in the Ashanti Region.
According to reports from TV3, the former senior police official has not emerged successful in his bid.
It is important to note that the incumbent Member of Parliament and First Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Joseph Osei Owusu, was backing the former police official’s candidature.
Daniel Nii Lai Parker, the Greater Accra Regional Secretary of theNew Patriotic Party (NPP), has denied allegations made by parliamentary candidate Roni Kwesi Nicol, who accused Ursula Owusu-Ekufful, his opponent, of violating party rules.
Nicol asserted that supporters of Mrs. Owusu-Ekufful were reportedly gathering some delegates while preventing others from participating in the accreditation process. In response, Mr. Parker dismissed these claims as unfounded and without merit.
“Yesterday [Friday], for instance, I met all the aspirants. I met the constituency executives and I gave them a warning that there should be no camping. If you are making big allegations like this, I am expecting that you support your allegations with evidence. If someone is talking about camping, the question is, where are they being camped?” he stressed.
Mr Parker explained that under the party’s rules, certain officials are permitted to observe the primary elections and cannot be barred from doing so.
According to him, there was never any discussion about preventing party officials from observing the primary.
“That is why you will see some former officers coming to observe. So he has no case at all. He is talking about Christian home that people are being camped in. The Christian home is our meeting ground. That is where we do meet.”
“There is no camping in Ablekuma West. I met all of them yesterday [Friday] and I gave a strong signal even to the Minister of Communication that I will not entertain any camping, so these are serious fabrications.”
However, one delegate from Mr Nicol’s team claimed that the incumbent MP for Ablekuma West was bribing delegates and preventing them from casting their votes.
“She should stop what she is doing and allow the people to come and vote because when the time is up, no one will be permitted to vote again,” he said.
Background
Tension arose in the Ablekuma West constituency as followers of one of the candidates, Roni Kwesi Nicol, reported facing accreditation issues at the entrance. Roni’s supporters asserted that the incumbent MP and Minister for Communications and Digitalisation, Ursula Owusu-Ekufful, was the cause of the situation.
There were accusations that she played a role in the accreditation process at the Christian Home School, where her PA was allegedly distributing accreditation to delegates.
Ursula Owusu-Ekuful emerged victorious in the Ablekuma West seat during the ongoing NPP parliamentary primaries.
The polls in the constituency concluded on Saturday, January 27, 2024.
According to results reported by GhanaWeb’s Ishmael Batoma and announced by the Electoral Commission official at the constituency, the Minister of Communications and Digitalisation, Ursula Owusu-Ekuful, secured 812 out of the 1108 total votes cast.
Roni Kwesi Nicol, who contested against the incumbent MP, was unsuccessful in his bid.
Benzema, aged 36, departed the Bernabeu last summer after 14 years and joined Al Ittihad in the Saudi Pro League.
Despite winning the 2022 Ballon d’Or, Benzema is reportedly unhappy in the Gulf nation and desires a return to Europe.
Ancelotti dismissed claims that he discussed Benzema’s return with club president Florentino Perez, stating, “It’s a lie. We have not spoken about this with the club.”
Additionally, Ancelotti rejected Barcelona president Joan Laporta’s assertion that La Liga is “corrupted” and suggested Madrid benefits from favourable decisions by match officials.
Controversial VAR interventions in Madrid’s recent victory over Almería fueled the ongoing debate about the club’s in-house television channel broadcasting videos highlighting contentious refereeing decisions before each match.
“I don’t like to talk about controversies,” Ancelotti said. “Much has been said this week. La Liga is not corrupted.”
Ancelotti then referred to the Negreira case, which has Barça under scrutiny.
“Everyone knows what has happened in the last 20 years in Spanish football,” Ancelotti said. “We cannot divert attention. Spanish football has had a problem. Investigations are being carried out by the Spanish Civil Guard. We have to give them time and wait. “
Laporta is at the centre of the Negreira case.
He and Barça were charged with alleged corruption and bribery over payments the club made to the former vice president of the Spanish refereeing committee, Jose María Enriquez Negreira, between 2001 and 2018.
Laporta has said the payments were for “technical reports about referees” and has repeatedly denied the club has ever “bought referees or influence.”
Negreira is to testify as a defendant over the payments after a judge dismissed his dementia claim on Thursday, judicial sources confirmed to EFE.
Napoli owner Aurelio de Laurentiis said on Friday he “knew”Victor Osimhenwas likely to leave at the end of the season, adding that he expects the striker to join a team in the Premier League, Real Madrid, or Paris Saint-Germain.
De Laurentiis was asked by Italian media to comment after Osimhen hinted at a summer exit from Naples earlier this week, saying that he had made up his mind about his future but would only reveal his plans at the end of the season.
“We knew that since last summer,” De Laurentiis told reporters after a Serie A meeting on Friday. “That’s why the contract negotiations were so drawn out and amicable, but we knew perfectly well that he would go to Real Madrid, to PSG or to an English team.”
Premier League clubs are anticipated to compete for the signature of the striker.
According to the Manchester Evening News, the 25-year-old is among the transfer targets for Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag.
Additionally, Teamtalk suggests that Chelsea is poised to lead the race, as manager Mauricio Pochettino views the Nigeria international as his top priority in the summer transfer window.
Felix Magath, the former coach of Bayern Munich, has expressed his interest in the vacant Ghana job following the dismissal of Chris Hughton, as exclusively confirmed by Ghanasoccernet.com.
Hughton, an Irish-Ghanaian, was sacked after Ghana’s disappointing performance at the ongoing 2023Africa Cup of Nations, where they exited at the group stage in Cote d’Ivoire.
The four-time African champions had lacklustre performances in their three group games, culminating in their final game, where they surrendered a two-goal lead to draw 2-2 and exit the tournament.
In the aftermath of these poor performances, Hughton was relieved of his duties, and a search committee was promptly formed to find a replacement. Magath has now expressed his interest in the position, according to his agent Vukoja Josip.
“Felix Magath has a great interest in the Ghana national team,” Vukoja Josip told Ghanasoccernet in an exclusive conversation.
Magath, 70, has a wealth of experience and is a proven winner, meeting the requirements set by the Ghana FA for the committee searching for a new coach.
The German, having enjoyed a successful career as a footballer with three Bundesliga titles, a European Cup, a UEFA European Championship, and two World Cup silver medals, seamlessly transitioned into coaching.
His coaching journey has been equally remarkable, managing various clubs predominantly in Germany. Notably, he coached Bayern Munich for three years, securing two Bundesliga titles and two DFB-Pokals (German Cups).
Magath also clinched the Bundesliga with Wolfsburg and has been honoured as German Football Manager of the Year on three occasions.
With the Ghana Football Association (GFA) setting a three-week deadline for the search committee to find a suitable replacement for Hughton, Magath emerges as a formidable candidate, given his illustrious coaching career.
The Black Stars, seeking a fresh start, might benefit from Magath’s reputed no-nonsense coaching style to bring out the best in their talented players.
On January 26, 2024, the head of the New Force Movement posted on X, sharing a 24-second video featuring two shots of himself. In the initial frame, he highlights that his perspectives were altered using technology.
“eii Ghana ay3 hu oo! Artificial intelligence manipulation has the power to ignite our tense political climate and inflame the public.
“The Authorities should step in as this could happen to anyone, endangering relationships and reputations. Let us join forces to stop these incessant attacks.#TheNewForce, the voice of the people,” he captioned his post.
In the manipulated portion of the video, he is heard purportedly saying, “Mark it on the wall, Ghanaians. if NPP and their corrupt government take my name and image from the election ballot in 2024, I promise you this country will sink.”
eii Ghana ay3 hu oo! Artificial intelligence manipulation has the power to ignite our tense political climate and inflame the public. The Authorities should step in as this could happen to anyone, endangering relationships and reputations. Let us join forces to stop these… pic.twitter.com/Yz8iX8sS2o
That portion of the video has a “fake” label slapped across it.
“If we don’t get on our feet to turn our own resources and refine them into things that the world will also demand from us, our nations will benefit from it…,” he said in the other part, which reflects his original view as captured in an interview.
Political analysts have raised concerns about the possible repercussions of deliberate political disinformation and manipulation of information in the upcoming 2024 general elections.
Cheddar assumed his political role earlier this year byannouncing his presidential candidacy. However, he has voiced his frustrations regarding the obstacles he encounters, citing political intimidation and bureaucratic hurdles with the Electoral Commission.
On January 26, 2024, the head of the New Force Movement posted on X, sharing a 24-second video featuring two shots of himself. In the initial frame, he highlights that his perspectives were altered using technology.
“eii Ghana ay3 hu oo! Artificial intelligence manipulation has the power to ignite our tense political climate and inflame the public.
“The Authorities should step in as this could happen to anyone, endangering relationships and reputations. Let us join forces to stop these incessant attacks.#TheNewForce, the voice of the people,” he captioned his post.
In the manipulated portion of the video, he is heard purportedly saying, “Mark it on the wall, Ghanaians. if NPP and their corrupt government take my name and image from the election ballot in 2024, I promise you this country will sink.”
That portion of the video has a “fake” label slapped across it.
“If we don’t get on our feet to turn our own resources and refine them into things that the world will also demand from us, our nations will benefit from it…,” he said in the other part, which reflects his original view as captured in an interview.
Political analysts have raised concerns about the possible repercussions of deliberate political disinformation and manipulation of information in the upcoming 2024 general elections.
Cheddar assumed his political role earlier this year byannouncing his presidential candidacy. However, he has voiced his frustrations regarding the obstacles he encounters, citing political intimidation and bureaucratic hurdles with the Electoral Commission.
Former Ghana Football Association (GFA) President Kwesi Nyantakyi has raised concerns about the criteria established by the association for the selection of the next Black Stars head coach.
The GFA, under the leadership of a five-member committee headed by Vice President Mark Addo, has outlined specific criteria for the appointment of a new coach within a 21-day period, following the dismissal of Chris Hughton due to the team’s disappointing performance at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
One of the criteria stipulates that the potential coach must possess a minimum of 15 years of coaching experience.
However, Nyantakyi is sceptical about the effectiveness of this requirement, emphasising that extensive coaching experience does not always guarantee success.
“It doesn’t guarantee success to raise the bar too high to say a person must have a 15-year experience to coach the Black Stars,” Nyantakyi said in an interview with GTV Sports Plus.
Nyantakyi, who held the position of GFA President from 2005 to 2018, supervised numerous successful campaigns by the Black Stars during his tenure.
These achievements included qualifying for three FIFA World Cups (in 2006, 2010, and 2014) and reaching two AFCON finals.
He contends that factors such as passion, commitment, and a profound understanding of the game are equally crucial alongside coaching experience.
Despite expressing reservations about the set criteria, Nyantakyi maintains confidence that the task force will make the appropriate decisionfor the Black Stars.
The Black Stars were eliminated at the group stage of the 2023 edition, securing only two points out of a possible nine in a group that included Egypt, Cape Verde, and Mozambique.
Under Chris Hughton’s management, the team conceded six goals, with two goals conceded in each game, while managing to score five.
They finished third in the group, with Cape Verde taking the top spot, followed by Egypt.
In their crucial final game, where a win was necessary to advance, the Black Stars squandered a two-goal lead against Mozambique. The specific match results were as follows:
Ghana 1–2 Cape Verde
Ghana 2 – 2 Egypt
Ghana 2- 2 Mozambique
The Ghana Football Association (GFA) has faced criticism for proceeding with the search for a new coach after dismissing Chris Hughton following the AFCON elimination. View a compilation of the goals conceded in the video below.
All six goals the 🇬🇭Black Stars have conceded at this year's AFCON.
Agricultural Development Bank (ADB) and five other banks have obtained a court order to prevent the sale or transfer of assets belonging to PBC Limited, including its headquarters at Number 106 Olusegun Obasanjo Way, Dzorwulu Junction in Accra.
This legal action follows a judgement in favour of the six banks against PBC Limited.
The additional banks involved are Cal Bank, Bank of Africa, GCB, Universal Merchant Bank, and United Bank of Africa.
The attachment order, issued by Chief Justice Gertrude Torkonoo, comes as a response to PBC Limited’s alleged failure to meet its debt obligations to the banks, even after a favorable judgment was delivered in October 2023.
The court order explicitly prohibits any acquisition of interest in the specified property, as displayed on the walls of the PBC headquarters.
David Ofosu-Dorte, the Senior Partner at AB & David, contends that relying on spiritual prophecies for business strategy is not feasible.
Mr. Ofosu-Dorte, who practices forecasting, proposes that businesses should be strategized based on three conventional predictive factors. During an interview on The Point of View on Citi TV, he identified these factors as trends, history, and intuition.
While acknowledging the potential involvement of prophecies in business, he stressed that such predictions might be specific to or directed at individuals involved in business.
“There are prophecies that come to pass. I cannot speak to them. But you notice that those prophecies are about individuals, mainly. Most people make a claim to have spoken to God. I don’t make such a claim.”
“What it is is that I look at trends… There are three factors I use in my predictions. The first factor is the trend. And we watch trends a lot in all sectors. The second factor is history. History is a very important part of what may happen in the future. There’s a cycle in history and again at times, history guides us on how to depart from the mistakes that we made.
“The last one is intuition, and that intuition is based on our experience. What your collection of experiences is telling you is that of all the diverse events happening, this is perhapswhat you must focus on,” he stated.
He suggested that the recent development is just the beginning, and more disappointments may follow.
Dr. Apaak responded to the Office of the Special Prosecutor’s (OSP) decision to abandon the application confirming the freezing of Cecilia Dapaah’s money and bank accounts, as well as dropping a criminal trial for failure to declare assets.
The OSP stated that after seven months of investigation, the matter involves money laundering, and the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) is tasked with handling it.
Despite public disappointment in the OSP’s handling of the case, Dr. Apaak hinted that Cecilia Dapaah could be cleared and exonerated now that EOCO has taken over.
He referred to President Akufo-Addo’s earlier expression of confidence in her exoneration following her resignation amid allegations of stolen cash from her residence.
Dr. Apaak argued that the president’s statement was part of an orchestrated attempt to clear her name.
“Those disappointed with the way the OSP has handled the Cecilia Dapaah matter should get ready for further disappointment now that the matter has been transferred to EOCO.
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has designated John Kwaning Mbroh as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the National Pensions Regulatory Authority (NPRA), with his appointment taking effect from February 1, 2024. The current CEO, Hayford Atta Krufi, is retiring after serving in the position since 2017.
Kwaning Mbroh, with expertise in pension systems and administration, has been involved as the Coordinator of the Authority’s Risk-Based Supervision System (RBSS) deployment.
This initiative aims to strategically transition the Authority from a compliance-based to a risk-based approach, involving the development of manuals for business processes, RBSS framework, and the completion of a transitional RBS model.
The new CEO has actively participated in various local and international conferences on pensions, representing the Authority at the technical committee levels of organizations such as the International Organisation of Pension Supervisors (IOPS), the OECD Working Party on Private Pensions, the International Social Security Association (ISSA), and Ghana’s Financial Stability Council (FSC).
Before joining NPRA in 2018, Kwaning Mbroh served as a Lecturer at the Cape Coast Technical University, rising to the positions of Senior Lecturer, Head of the Department of Accountancy Studies, and Director of the Business Advisory Directorate from January 2006 to December 2017.
He also taught post-graduate first-year Accounting and Finance and final-year Corporate Finance at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Institute of Distance Learning. Additionally, between July 2002 and December 2005, he held the role of Accounts and Administrative Manager at Riverside Belvedere Management Company Limited, a property management company in Westminster, London.
Majority Leader in Parliament and Member of Parliament for Suame Constituency, Hon. Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, has indicated that the government is poised to finish the stalled Kumasi Airport project by May 2024.
Responding to assertions made by Former President John Dramani Mahama during his 24-hour economy walk in Kumasi that the present government had abandoned the Kumasi Airport initiative, Hon. Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu affirmed that the current NPP administration is dedicated to completing the project.
He mentioned that the project is scheduled to be finalized and inaugurated by May of this year.
“President Mahama accepts the fact that Kumasi Airport wasn’t 60% complete. Today, the Kumasi Airport is 90% complete. so you can’t say the government hasn’t done anything about it.” Hon. Osei Kyei-Mensah Bonsu told Kwame Tanko, the host of the show.
He additionally mentioned that the project is set to be inaugurated and put into operation by April or May 2024.
Phase II of the Kumasi Airport project commenced in 2018, incorporating the construction of a new terminal building designed to accommodate one million passengers annually, two boarding bridges, a road network, a perimeter fence, a substation, and a parking lot, among other facilities.
The estimated cost for Phase II expansion works on the second busiest airport in Ghana is £66,350,000.
The subsequent Phase III of the Kumasi Airport expansion initiative includes extending the existing runway pavement from 1,981 metres to 2,320 meters, establishing a new taxi link and two apron parking stands, constructing an Air Traffic Control Building, and a Fire station, among other features. The projected cost for this phase is estimated at £58,900,000
Napoli’s president and owner, Aurelio De Laurentiis, announced on Friday that Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen, currently with Napoli, will depart the club in the upcoming summer transfer window.
De Laurentiis mentioned thatOsimhen is likely to join either Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain, or an English club.
The statement comes in response to an interview Osimhen gave to CBS, where he indicated he had already decided on his next career move.
Despite signing a contract extension with Napoli in December, reports suggest the deal includes a release clause ranging from €120 million to €130 million.
Osimhen, who was Serie A’s top scorer last season, has been a key player for Napoli, contributing significantly to their league title win in the previous season.
De Laurentiis acknowledged the possibility of Osimhen’s departure and stated that preparations have been underway for such an event.
“We’ve known all this since last summer, which is also why negotiations for the extension of his contract, although friendly, took so long,” De Laurentiis said.
“We know he’s either going to Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain or an English club.” Osimhen, voted African Player of the Year last year, joined Napoli from Lille in 2020 and has scored 67 goals in 119 appearances in all competitions.
Napoli is undergoing a challenging season, currently occupying the ninth position in the league and being eliminated from the Italian Cup. Following the departure of coach Luciano Spalletti after the league title victory, Napoli’s president, Aurelio De Laurentiis, initially appointed Rudi Garcia as the new coach.
However, Garcia was dismissed in mid-November, and Walter Mazzarri took charge until the end of the season. De Laurentiis has ruled out the possibility of hiring Jose Mourinho as a future coach. Mourinho became available after his contract with Roma was terminated in mid-January.
“Mourinho at Napoli is not on the agenda,” De Laurentiis said.
Former President John Mahama has urged the Ghana Bar Association (GBA) to overcome perceived partisan affiliations and consistently advocate for the national interest, irrespective of the political party in power.
While addressing organised labour representatives in Kumasi, Mahama expressed concerns about the GBA’s apparent reticence on certain crucial issues under the current New Patriotic Party (NPP) administration.
He highlighted instances where the GBA’s silence appeared noteworthy, including alleged human rights violations and questionable government decisions.
Mahama emphasised that such silence undermines the Bar Association’s credibility and raises doubts about its commitment to ensuring justice and accountability for all Ghanaians.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NwenCVBKIQ4
“GBA spoke about perception. Well, what’s the reality? Does the GBA go to sleep when the NPP is in power and wake up when the NDC is in power? We will see. In 2025, we will see whether you will wake up. But it’s true. You know yourselves that it is true that when the NPP is in power, they do the most outrageous things and you are quiet.
“And yet, when NDC is in power, the least mistake and GBA has issued a press release. And you know it’s true. So the point is that the truth is one and the truth is the same under Rawlings; it is the same under Kufuor; it is the same under Mills; it is the same under John Mahama; it is the same under Akufo-Addo. The truth does not change.
“And so if you are concerned with people’s rights, you are concerned with protecting human rights and freedoms; you must be consistent under any administration, not only concerned under some administrations and not under other administrations,” Mahama stated.
Kylian Mbappé has reportedly received contract offers from both Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), as his current contract with PSG expires at the end of the season.
While Real Madrid is seeking a definitive answer from Mbappé to plan for the 2024–25 season, the player remains undecided about his future.
Madrid’s contract offer is said to be lower than previous attempts, but it would still make him the highest earner at the club.
Luis Enrique and Mbappe
The offer is also not significantly more than what other established stars in the squad, such as Vinícius Júnior and Jude Bellingham, earn.
Mbappé currently earns €37 million per season at PSG, and the club has offered the same salary in their new contract proposal.
Liverpool is also reportedly monitoring Mbappé’s contract situation, and while some players at Madrid are optimistic about his potential signing, there is a sense of caution based on past experiences.
Ghanaian actor Kwadwo Nkansah, also known as LilWin, has shared details about a conversation he had with some Black Stars players following the team’s exit from the African Cup of Nations (AFCON).
LilWin revealed that, according to the players, certain officials at the Ghana Football Association (GFA) compelled coach Chris Hughton to include players in the squad who did not merit their positions.
In his account, LilWin stated that the players informed him that some of the substitutions made by Chris Hughton were not of his own accord but were influenced by directives from higher authorities.
These decisions, pressured by external instructions, allegedly contributed to the team’s struggles and poor performance in the AFCON tournament.
“Some of the Black Stars players called me and told me that it was not their fault entirely for the poor performance. From the conversation, Ghanaians should rather be angry at the GFA, not the players or the coach. Orders from above forced Chris Hughton to name some players in the squad for the games, which was against his will.
“After the coach has named his squad, there will be calls and pressure from the top for him to include some players and he had to obey because they appointed him. It was part of the reasons why he made certain changes you wouldn’t understand,” he said in a video shared on his Instagram page.
LilWin further warned theGhana Football Association (GFA) to desist from interfering in the job of coaches to help the Black Stars thrive in tournaments.
“So we are telling the GFA to allow the coaches to work and stop the interference. If a player deserves to play in the first half, that’s fine; if not, they should stop the order from above to influence the coach’s decision. If this continues, then the Black Stars should be dissolved,” he added.
Ghanaian actor Kwadwo Nkansah, also known as LilWin, has shared details about a conversation he had with some Black Stars players following the team’s exit from the African Cup of Nations (AFCON).
LilWin revealed that, according to the players, certain officials at the Ghana Football Association (GFA) compelled coach Chris Hughton to include players in the squad who did not merit their positions.
In his account, LilWin stated that the players informed him that some of the substitutions made by Chris Hughton were not of his own accord but were influenced by directives from higher authorities.
These decisions, pressured by external instructions, allegedly contributed to the team’s struggles andpoor performance in the AFCON tournament.
Ivory Coast, as the host nation, was unable to secure the temporary services of Hervé Renard from the France women’s team for the remainder of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
Renard, who previously guided Ivory Coast to the Africa Cup title in 2015, was sought by the country’s soccer federation for another stint after the dismissal of Jean-Louis Gasset on Wednesday.
However, negotiations with the French federation for a potential loan deal for Renard faltered, failing to reach an agreement on Thursday.
“The negotiations did not finish favourably; it’s because it shouldn’t have been,” 55-year-old Renard told broadcaster Canal Plus. “I’d have loved it but fate chose otherwise.”
Ivory Coast faced a setback in their quest for automatic qualification to the knockout stage, suffering a 4-0 defeat to Equatorial Guinea in their final group match on Monday.
Despite this loss, they still had an opportunity to advance as one of the four best third-place finishers.
However, Ivory Coast secured their spot in the last 16 on Wednesday, following the dismissal of Gasset, thanks to Morocco’s victory over Zambia.
The interim coach, Emerse Faé, is expected to remain in charge for the upcoming match against defending champion Senegal in Yamoussoukro on Monday.
As of now, the Ivorian Football Federation has not made any public statements on the situation.
Hervé Renard, who is highly regarded in Ivory Coast for guiding the team to their second Africa Cup title, is remembered for achieving similar success with Zambia in 2012.
Renard, who is currently coaching the France women’s team, remains a popular figure in Ivory Coast.
United has appointed Berrada as their new CEO, concluding his nearly 10-year tenure at City. While United views this major appointment, following Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s involvement at Old Trafford, as a significant achievement, Guardiola emphasises that the move won’t inherently narrow the gap with City.
“Kevin De Bruyne is still in Man City,” said Guardiola.
“De Bruyne will play here. Erling Haaland will play here, so in the end, it’s not that simple like that. Maybe United thinks that with this person everything is going to change. Congratulations. I don’t know if this is going to happen.
“He [Berrada] is a lovely person, an incredible character, and an incredible professional.
“Yesterday I saw him; we hugged and I wished him all the best. Deeply, I wish him the best because he’s a fantastic person.
“But I don’t know if [by] doing this [clicking his fingers], everything is going to be sorted and it works. If it does happen, then, oh my god, they have to make a stand for Omar Berrada in the future because he’d deserve it.”
Berrada played a crucial role in City’s off-field framework, serving as the chief operating officer at the Etihad Stadium for four years. In 2020, he earned a promotion to the position of chief football operations officer at City Football Group.
His collaboration with chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak, director of football Txiki Begiristain, and CEO Ferran Soriano has been instrumental in City’s unparalleled success, highlighted by last season’s treble.
Guardiola admits Berrada will be missed but insists the club will “move on.”
“Obviously his knowledge goes to United; that’s the reality,” said Guardiola.
Pep Guardiola
“When you buy a player from another club, you buy the knowledge that this player has had in the past with other managers and team members. That is normal. In this club, these situations happen.
“The club will move forward. Maybe we’ll find a way to replace him and we’ll continue because the new guy is coming, maybe from here; Ferran and Khaldoon will decide.
“We will be well prepared; we will adapt, adjust and move forward. We learned a lot from Omar but he’s learned a lot from the club and now he’s gone to United.”
Jurgen Klopp has expressed uncertainty about taking on another managerial role following his unexpected decision to leave Liverpool on Friday.
However, he has clarified that he has no plans to manage a different club in England. Klopp, who has enjoyed 8½ successful years at Liverpool with seven major trophies, is currently leading his team’s pursuit of winning all four major trophies available in the ongoing campaign.
“If you ask me now if I will ever manage again,? I would say no.” Klopp said. “But you don’t know, obviously, as I’ve never had this situation. But I do know definitely I will never manage a different club in England than Liverpool. It is impossible.
“I will find something else to do. But I will not manage a club or country for at least a year.”
"I will never ever manage a different club in England than Liverpool" ❤️
Jurgen Klopp discusses his future after announcing he will leave Liverpool at the end of the season. pic.twitter.com/Tn7LAE8auG
At the age of 56, Klopp took over as Liverpool manager in 2015, bringing new life to a team that had been struggling against top English teams. He achieved significant success, winning the Champions League in 2019—his inaugural trophy with Liverpool—and securing the team’s first Premier League title in 2020.
The unexpected announcement of Klopp’s departure on Friday surprised the football community, especially considering that he had signed a contract extension in 2022, originally set to expire at the end of the 2025–26 season. Bayern Munich’s head coach, Thomas Tuchel, expressed his astonishment at Klopp’s decision to leave Liverpool during a news conference on Friday.
“I have to digest that first. … Kloppo is one of the very best coaches in the world; he has always managed to influence the clubs where he worked. It’s big news,” Tuchel said.
Last season marked Klopp’s most challenging period at Liverpool, as they ended fifth in the Premier League, failing to secure Champions League qualification. However, Liverpool has bounced back strongly this season, currently leading the Premier League table and still competing for success in the Europa League,FA Cup, and Carabao Cup.
Jurgen Klopp has expressed uncertainty about taking on another managerial role following his unexpected decision to leave Liverpool on Friday.
However, he has clarified that he has no plans to manage a different club in England. Klopp, who has enjoyed 8½ successful years at Liverpool with seven major trophies, is currently leading his team’s pursuit of winning all four major trophies available in the ongoing campaign.
“If you ask me now if I will ever manage again? I would say no.” Klopp said. “But you don’t know, obviously, as I’ve never had this situation. But I do know definitely I will never manage a different club in England than Liverpool. It is impossible.
“I will find something else to do. But I will not manage a club or country for at least a year.”
At the age of 56, Klopp took over as Liverpool manager in 2015, bringing new life to a team that had been struggling against top English teams. He achieved significant success, winning the Champions League in 2019—his inaugural trophy with Liverpool—and securing the team’s first Premier League title in 2020.
"I will never ever manage a different club in England than Liverpool" ❤️
Jurgen Klopp discusses his future after announcing he will leave Liverpool at the end of the season. pic.twitter.com/Tn7LAE8auG
The unexpected announcement of Klopp’s departure on Friday surprised the football community, especially considering that he had signed a contract extension in 2022, originally set to expire at the end of the 2025–26 season. Bayern Munich’s head coach, Thomas Tuchel, expressed his astonishment at Klopp’s decision to leave Liverpool during a news conference on Friday.
“I have to digest that first. … Kloppo is one of the very best coaches in the world; he has always managed to influence the clubs where he worked. It’s big news,” Tuchel said.
Last season marked Klopp’s most challenging period at Liverpool, as they ended fifth in the Premier League, failing to secure Champions League qualification. However, Liverpool has bounced back strongly this season, currently leading the Premier League table and still competing for success in the Europa League,FA Cup, and Carabao Cup.
Jurgen Klopp intends to rebuild Liverpool after a disappointing season
“I told the club already in November,” Klopp said. “I have to explain a little bit that maybe the job I do people see from the outside, I’m on the touchline and in training sessions and stuff like this, but the majority of all the things happen around these kinds of things. That means a season starts and you plan pretty much the next season already.
“When we sat there together talking about potential signings, the next summer camp and can we go wherever, the thought came up, ‘I am not sure I am here then anymore,’ and I was surprised myself by that. I obviously started thinking about it.
“It didn’t start [then], but of course last season was kind of a super difficult season and there were moments when at other clubs probably the decision would have been, ‘Come on, thank you very much for everything but probably we should split here or end it here.’ That didn’t happen here, obviously.
“For me, it was super, super, super important that I can help bring this team back onto the rails. It was all I was thinking about. When I realised pretty early that happened—it’s a really good team with massive potential, a super age group, super characters and all that—then I could start thinking about myself again and that was the outcome. It is not what I want to [do], it is just what I think is 100 percent right.”
The Reds (Liverpool) are reeling right now after their charismatic boss announced that he will walk away at the end of the season.
Jurgen Klopp saidof his decision to stand down as Liverpool manager at the end of the season, “I can understand that it’s a shock for a lot of people at this moment.” That’s probably the understatement of the century.
Friday morning’s announcement has taken the whole world of football by surprise. Nobody saw this coming. Not now, not with Klopp’s construction of a second great team at Anfield going better than anyone envisaged.
Despite overhauling their entire midfield last summer, Liverpool are top of the Premier League and still in contention to win three cup competitions.
Klopp says he’s “running out of energy,” and that is understandable, given just how much he’s invested in the club since taking over in 2015.
Klopp only ever wanted to make the people happy His love of Liverpool is very real; it’s been obvious from the moment he arrived at Anfield. He’s always just got it. In the very best traditions of the club, he’s only ever wanted to make the people happy.
So, it’s not in the least bit surprising that he’s worn out and that his renowned work ethic has taken a heavy toll on him.
There’s also no denying that there were times last season when he both looked and sounded exhausted. Results weren’t going his way but there was an unusual level of agitation about him, a surprising sensitivity to certain lines of questioning.
Amid all of this, it was pointed out that he’d never done more than seven years at his two previous clubs in Germany, prompting talk that history was repeating itself on Merseyside.
Evoking memories of the ‘champions of everything’
However, Klopp has appeared refreshed and reinvigorated since returning for pre-season, visibly relishing the task of putting Liverpool back on their perch after a trophy-less and trying 2023-24 campaign.
His renewed optimism and belief has been reflected in the fantastic performances of his team. Liverpool 2.0 haven’t just represented a serious upgrade on last season’s side; they have been evoking memories of the ‘champions of everything’.
And how many sides in history have ever better represented a manager on the field? At their best, Klopp’s Liverpool are industrious, passionate and absolutely relentless.
Problems behind the scenes?
That’s why this decision is so surprising. Klopp has looked like his old self this season. There have been no signs of fatigue or frustration.
Of course, there will be rumours that there’s more to his imminent departure than tiredness. There will inevitably be talk of dissatisfaction behind the scenes.
Several key figures have quit the club over the past couple of years and there has been constant chatter about the Fenway Sports Group’s alleged reluctancy to seriously back Klopp in the transfer market.
But Klopp says that this is “the truth”and that he was left with no option but to walk away at the end of the season. He’ll never walk alone, of course.
A Liverpool legend Klopp will go down as one of the greatest managers in the club’s history, a true Liverpool legend. He took a club in utter disarray and transformed it into one of the world’s best—and without state support.
There were, of course, big money-buys along the way but Klopp worked wonders with nearly every player that arrived at the club. So many signings went to a whole other level on his watch.
But there was more to it than that. Anfield adored Klopp because of his character and the fans will be forever indebted to and enamoured with a ridiculously charismatic manager whose tactical genius is matched only by the warmth of his personality.
‘Let’s now really go for it’ The void he will leave behind will be almost impossible to fill and there is a legitimate fear that everything he has built at Anfield will come crashing down after he’s gone.
He’s determined to go out on a a high of course. “Let’s now really go for it,” he implored, and there’s no doubt that that call will be heeded by his players and the fans.
But even he knows that Liverpool’s rivals are greeting this news with glee: “The outside world wants to use this decision; laugh about it.” And that’s spot on.
Opposition fans know full well that Klopp has been the key to Liverpool’s success over the past nine years.
The day Liverpool fans had been dreading For that very reason, he’s earned the right to bow out on his terms. And he’ll receive one emotional send-off after another as the season draws to an end.
He may also get the happy ending he deserves. He’s already set up at least one more Wembley outing, with Liverpool set to play Chelsea in the League Cup final next month.
But while Liverpool fans will savour the chance to express their gratitude to Klopp, they’ll also be feeling extremely anxious right now about what comes next.
Nothing lasts forever, of course. Klopp pointed out that Liverpool and its fans have been through, and come through, far worse. This dreaded day was always going to come eventually, he said.
It’s just that nobody thought it would arrive so soon. This isn’t just a shock for Liverpool supporters; it’s a disaster.
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Bernard Allotey Jacobs, a former NDC Central Regional Chairman, has called on the Ayew brothers to step down from representing the Black Stars.
Allotey Jacobs, discussing Ghana’s match against Mozambique that led to the Black Stars’ exit from the ongoing African Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Ivory Coast, expressed bewilderment over Ghana’s initial lead turning into a draw after Dede Ayew entered the game and facilitated Mozambique’s equaliser.
Dede Ayew conceded a penalty, converted by a Mozambican player, resulting in a 2-1 lead for the Black Stars.
However, Ghana’s goalkeeper, Richard Ofori, unintentionally conceded another goal by touching a ball that was on its way out, awarding Mozambique a goal-kick and levelling the score.
Commenting during Peace FM’s “Kokrokoo” discussion programme, Allotey Jacobs pleaded with soccer legend and father of the Ayews, Abedi Pele, to advise his sons.
“If I were Abedi Pele, I’d tell my children not to play the Black Stars again,” he said.
Allotey also cautioned Ghanaians against their incessant use of negative words onthe Black Stars, saying, “words are powerful. My advice to Ghanaians, in politics, in sports, and in religion: words are very, very powerful,” to wit, their choice of words could either make or break the Black Stars.
Former Ghanaian footballer Prince Tagoe has expressed concerns about the strained relationship between President Kurt Okraku and Wilfred Palmer, emphasising that it should not negatively impact Joseph Paintsil.
Tagoe believes that conflicts between the GFA President and certain football administrators are affecting players managed by those administrators.
Using Joseph Paintsil, under the guidance of Osei Kwaku Palmer, as an example, Tagoe points to Paintsil’s frustration, particularly during the Black Stars’ match against Mozambique, where he was substituted despite being a key player.
Tagoe suggests that Paintsil’s discomfort is a result of the ongoing issues between Palmer and Kurt Okraku.
“Those at the FA have decided to make some players feel uncomfortable at the national team just because they have problems with other management members who have players in the team,” he told Asempa FM, as monitored by FootballGhana.com.
“One example I can clearly make is Joseph Paintsil; which intelligent coach will take him off after he won the penalty? Kurt, if you have problems with Palmer, solve your issues and allow the player to play football.”
In their last Group B match, Ghana required avictory against Mozambique. However, they conceded two goals in injury time, leading to a 2-2 draw and their exit from the tournament.
Editor-in-Chief of the New Crusading Guide, Abdul Malik Kweku Baako, contends that the calls for dissolving the Ghana Football Association (GFA) following Ghana’s disappointing performance in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations are misguided.
Baako expressed this viewpoint during a panel discussion on Peace FM’s Kokrokoo program through a text message, stating that the dissolution of the GFA is “wrongheaded.”
There has been widespread demand for the government to take action against the GFA by disbanding the association and implementing measures for a complete overhaul of Ghanaian football.
Advocates of this proposal argue that the Black Stars’ dismal performance in Ivory Coast is indicative of the severe deterioration of Ghanaian football and necessitates more radical interventions.
These proponents reject the idea that Chris Hughton was solely responsible for the Black Stars’ poor showing and insist on a shake-up at the FA.
The Black Stars exited the tournament without a win, managing two draws and suffering a defeat in Group B. Their group-stage elimination from AFCON 2023 mirrors a similar fate in the 2021 edition.
Following the disastrous performance in Ivory Coast, the Ghana Football Association dismissed Chris Hughton, and a five-member committee was subsequently announced to search for the new Black Stars coach.
On January 25, 2024, the GFA unveiled the roadmap for appointing a new coach, with Vice President Mark Addo leading the search committee.
Legal practitioner and law lecturerAce Ankomah (Esq.) will serve as Vice Chairman, joined by Professor Joseph Kwame Mintah, Opoku Nti, and William Caesar Kartey as committee members.
The 28-year-old England international, who joined City from his childhood club Leeds in the summer of 2022 for £42 million ($53 million), enjoyed a successful debut season with the club, winning the Premier League, Champions League, and FA Cup as part of a Treble-winning team.
Despite his initial achievements, Phillips struggled to convince manager Pep Guardiola of his value, starting only two Premier League games in the 2022–23 season and accumulating a mere 89 minutes of top-flight football this season.
Now, he looks to rejuvenate his career under David Moyes at the London Stadium.
Phillips, who will wear the No. 11 shirt at his new club, has told West Ham’s official website of taking on a new challenge in the English capital: “I’m really pleased to be here. There’s always been a lot of speculation about me moving to West Ham, so I’m really excited to get going now. There’s so much to look forward to in the second half of the season for the club, and I can’t wait to be part of it.
“There’s an unbelievable group here and if I can come in and add the quality that I know I’m capable of, I’m sure we can give the West Ham fans plenty to be excited about between now and the end of the season.”
The agreement betweenWest Ham and Phillips does not incorporate an option for a permanent transfer, indicating that there are no plans for a permanent move at this juncture.
Nevertheless, Phillips has the opportunity to showcase his skills and will be determined to remain in consideration for a spot in Gareth Southgate’s squad for Euro 2024.
In a surprising announcement at Anfield, Jurgen Klopp has revealed that he will step down from his position as Liverpool manager at the conclusion of the current season.
Klopp, who assumed the managerial role in October 2015, succeeding Brendan Rodgers, has led Liverpool to victories in the Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup, Carabao Cup, UEFA Super Cup, and FIFA Club World Cup during his tenure on Merseyside.
Klopp has now revealed that he will be stepping down at the end of the 2023–24 campaign, telling Liverpool’s official website: “I can understand that it’s a shock for a lot of people in this moment when you hear it for the first time, but obviously I can explain it—or at least try to explain it.
Jurgen Klopp is convinced Mohamed Salah’s goalscoring form will return
I love absolutely everything about this club; I love everything about the city; I love everything about our supporters; I love the team; and I love the staff. I love everything. But that I still take this decision shows you that I am convinced it is the one I have to take. It is that I am, how can I say it, running out of energy?
Jürgen Klopp announce he will LEAVE Liverpool at the end of the season 😱
“I have no problem now; obviously, I knew it already for longer that I would have to announce it at some point, but I am absolutely fine now. I know that I cannot do the job again and again and again and again. After the years we had together after all the time we spent together and after all the things we went through together, the respect grew for you, the love grew for you and the least I owe you is the truth, and that is the truth.”
Klopp’s contract was due to run until the summer of 2026, but he added on informing the Reds of his decision to move on: “I told the club already in November. I have to explain a little bit that maybe the job I do people see from the outside, I’m on the touchline and in training sessions and stuff like this, but the majority of all the things happen around these kinds of things. That means a season starts and you plan pretty much the next season already. When we sat there together talking about potential signings, the next summer camp and can we go wherever, the thought came up, ‘I am not sure I am here then anymore’ and I was surprised myself by that.
“I obviously start thinking about it. It didn’t start [then], but of course last season was kind of a super-difficult season and there were moments when at other clubs probably the decision would have been, ‘Come on, thank you very much for everything but probably we should split here or end it here.’ That didn’t happen here, obviously. For me, it was super, super, super-important that I could help bring this team back onto the rails. It wasall I was thinking about. When I realised pretty early that happened—it’s a really good team with massive potential, a super age group, super characters and all that—then I could start thinking about myself again and that was the outcome. It is not what I want to do; it is just what I think is 100 percent right.”
Klopp has managed Liverpool for over 460 games, achieving an impressive win ratio of 60.7 percent. His successful tenure places him in esteemed company alongside managerial greats such as Bill Shankly and Bob Paisley at Anfield. Klopp has the potential to conclude his time with Liverpool with additional medals, as the class of 2024 is still competing for honours in the Premier League, Carabao Cup, FA Cup, and Europa League.
Ghana Football Association (GFA) has outlined a plan to appoint a new coach for the Black Stars and has formed a five-member search committee for this purpose.
The decision comes in the aftermath of Chris Hughton’s dismissal from the position on Tuesday, January 23, 2024, following Ghana’s disappointing performance at AFCON 2023.
The search committee, led by Vice President of the Ghana Football Association, Mark Addo, includes Legal Practitioner and former Ghana School of Law lecturer Ace Ankomah (Esq.) as Vice Chairman.
Professor Joseph Kwame Mintah, Director of Coaching Education at the GFA; Ghana football legend Opoku Nti, and William Caesar Kartey, Chief Director of the Ministry of Youth and Sports, also serve as members.
The GFA has assigned the search committee a three-week timeline to assess and recommend the next Black Stars coach to the Executive Council for approval.
Additionally, the GFA plans to publish a detailed job description for the head coach position of the Black Stars in the near future.
“However, an abbreviated version of the criteria for the selection of the next head coach are as follows:
The potential Head Coach should be a proven winner in coaching Top Men’s National Team or Club Football
Must have a football philosophy that aligns with or compliments our DNA
Must hold the highest football licence in the world with over 15 years of coaching experience
Proven track record in team reconstruction, organisation and development of young talent
Proven disciplinarian, tactician and leader skills.”
Sports Ministry to announce plan and roadmap for revival of Black Stars In a related development, the Ministry of Youth and Sports has bemoaned the Black Stars’ poor performance at the 2023 AFCON in Cote d’Ivoire.
In the statement, the Sports Ministry expressed massive disappointment over the Black Stars’ failure to progress from the group stage for the second consecutive AFCON edition.
The Black Stars lost 1-2 to Cape Verde and drew 2-2 with Egypt and Mozambique, respectively, ranking third in Group B with two points.
Following back-to-back exits from the AFCON, the Sports Ministry said there was a need to restructure Ghana’s football system, stating, “This points to the urgent need for a comprehensive diagnosis and restructuring of Ghana football.”
It thus assured that: “In the coming days, the Ministry, in consultation with national team stakeholders, will announce a strategic plan to identify the causes and the road map towards the revival of the Black Stars.
“We recognise the urgent necessity to address the underlying issues and are poised to embrace a holistic approach towards rebuilding and reviving our football. This is crucial and pertinent, not only for the Black Stars and the followers of Ghana football but also for every aspiring young Ghanaian footballer.”
Manchester City has finalized the acquisition of the highly regarded Argentina under-23 midfielder Claudio Echeverri from River Plate, as announced by the club on Thursday.
The 18-year-old has committed to a contract with the Premier League champions until June 2028.
However, he will continue his tenure at River Plate until next January before making the move to City.
According to sources cited by ESPN, the deal is valued at approximately £12.5 million ($15.9 million), with additional add-ons.
Echeverri, identified by sources as having attracted interest from Barcelona, served as the captain of Argentina during the under-17 World Cup last year. He played a pivotal role in their journey to the semifinals, where they faced a penalty shootout defeat against Germany.
Echeverri showcased his goal-scoring prowess in the U17 World Cup, netting five goals, including a hat trick against Brazil in the quarterfinal. He was recognised with the Bronze Ball award as the tournament’s third-highest scorer.
Having made his debut for River Plate in June of the previous year, Echeverri made an instant impact, providing an assist in a 3-1 victory over Instituto. In total, he has accumulated six first-team appearances for the Argentine giants.
The agreement City has reached for Echeverri mirrors the arrangement used for Julián Álvarez, who joined the Etihad from River Plate in January 2022.
Álvarez stayed in South America until the subsequent summer, making his Premier League debut in August 2022.
Since then, he has played a role in City’s victories in thePremier League, FA Cup, Champions League, Super Cup, and Club World Cup. Additionally, he was part of the Argentina squad that secured the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
