This comes after the association, on January 18, 2024, issued a 14-day ultimatum to the government to settle the debt or face their protest.
NAIS, which plays a crucial role in supplying school uniforms, house dresses, and school clothes to senior high schools across Ghana, is reportedly owed two years of arrears by the government.
However, the government has yet to settle the arrears.
Consequently, the public relations officer for the association, Emmanuel Ayivor, mentioned in a media appearance that they will communicate the date for the picketing in due course.
“If we don’t hear anything from the government after the 14-day ultimatum, we will picket, and we are proposing to picket on February 26, which is the last Monday of the month. We will sit there until they pay us.
We will converge at the Makola market and let the mothers know that the government is refusing to pay us for the uniforms that their children are wearing. What the government is doing is collapsing our business,” he stated.
Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) has issued a warning to the public regarding unauthorised payment authorization prompts appearing on their phones.
These prompts, which may appear randomly, falsely claim that customers owe a debt to ECG and request payment authorization.
During an interview on Peace FM’s Kokrokoo morning show with Kwame Sefa Kaye on January 5, 2024, the Managing Director of the Electricity Company of Ghana, Mr Samuel Dubik Mahama, called on the vigilance of the general public against some fraudulent persons who have ‘adopted’ MTN services to defraud innocent customers.
“I urge the general public to remain vigilant, as fraudulent individuals have been exploiting MTN services to send unauthorised payment authorization prompts to people’s phones, falsely claiming to settle debts owed to ECG.
It’s crucial to note that this is not how ECG operates, and we do not engage in such practices. Please stay alert, as some individuals have already fallen victim to these schemes and suffered as a result”, he said while addressing the grievances of some listeners as Sefa Kaye read it out to him.
The only reason you should approve such prompts on your phone is when you initiate such a payment process on your phone, Mr Mahama added.
The search for a new coach by the Ghana Football Association (GFA) for theGhana national team, the Black Stars, continues after the dismissal of Chris Hughton.
The Ghana Football Association (GFA) has scheduled a press conference for Wednesday in Kumasi to discuss matters related to the national team and the sport in general.
Anticipation is high as the FA addresses the selection of the next coach, with over 600 applications received.
With the next international assignment approaching in March, the FA is expected to shed light on the technical leadership of the Black Stars.
To aid in the selection process, the GFA has formed a committee led by Vice President Mark Addo.
The committee aims to appoint a coach who embodies a winning mentality, aligns with Ghana’s football philosophy, and resonates with the national team’s ethos.
Among the applicants are notable figures such as former Bayern Munich coach Felix Magath, ex-West Ham coach Nikola Jurcevic, and former Black Stars assistant coach Maxwell Konadu.
Other applicants include former Bibiani Goldstars coach Michael Osei.
Ghana Football Association (GFA) is reportedly considering appointing Mauritania’s head coach, Amir Abdou, as the next head coach of the Black Stars.
According to AfricaSoccer.com, the Ghana Football Association has offered a tempting salary of $45,000 to persuade Abdou to take up the coaching role for the Black Stars.
Currently, Abdou earns a monthly salary of $35,000 with the Mauritanian Football Federation (MFF), and his contract is set to expire in March 2024.
However, Abdou is considering not extending his contract with the Mauritanian Federation due to concerns over high wage costs in the country.
Reports also indicate that the Mauritanian Federation is exploring the possibility of appointing Spanish trainer Aritz Lopez Garay as a potential replacement if Abdou decides to leave his current position.
Abdou achieved notable success with Mauritania, leading them to their best-ever AFCON campaign, where they reached the Round of 16 for the first time and secured a historic victory over Algeria.
Previously, he guided Comoros in their maiden AFCON appearance in 2021, defeating Ghana in the group stage before exiting in the Round of 16.
The Ghana Football Association sees Abdou as a suitable replacement for Chris Hughton, who led Ghana to the knockout stage of the group at the 2023 AFCON.
In the meantime, the GFA has established a five-member committee tasked with selecting a coach within the next two weeks.
Mauricio Pochettino is reported to have recently had a “private” conversation with Thiago Silva regarding his wifeIsabelle’s contentious social media post.
This discussion followed Chelsea’s disappointing 4-2 loss to Wolves, which left them in 11th place in the Premier League standings.
The defeat intensified the scrutiny on Pochettino, and Isabelle’s post seemed to hint at the possibility of his dismissal.
She wrote, “It’s time to change. If you wait any longer, it will be too late.”
Pochettino has spoken to Thiago Silva about the controversial post, as he revealed to reporters at a press conference on Tuesday: “He came today to talk with me. I am not going to talk the way we were talking. The important thing is that he came and wanted to talk with me. He knows me after more than 10 years, who I am, and that we are a very strong coaching staff in the way we operate. Of course, he came to talk. We talked. It was private. And that’s it.’
With his current contract at Stamford Bridge scheduled to expire in the summer, Brazilian defender Thiago Silva’s future has also been a topic of great discussion.
The 39-year-old has openly admitted that retirement could be on the cards when his Chelsea career comes to an end, but he is in no rush to make a final decision at this stage. “We know [my career] is almost over, but it’s not the end yet, so pick the right time,” Thiago Silva said last month. “I’m still able to maintain a good performance. My numbers are good. This gives me the peace of mind to continue. Now, the future belongs to God. Let’s finish well here, in this and those four months and see what has to happen going forward. But I’m super relaxed about that.”
Chelsea is gearing up for an FA Cup fourth-round replay against Aston Villa scheduled for Wednesday night. Pochettino is counting on his team to bounce back to winning form ahead of their upcoming Premier League fixture against Crystal Palace on February 12th, following the replay.
Osimhen, who plays for Napoli, was absent from the Nigerian team’s trip to Bouake, Ivory Coast, on Monday, February 5, 2024, ahead of their game against South Africa.
In a statement, the team confirmed that Osimhen stayed behind because he complained of an abdominal issue.
They added that his condition would be closely monitored to determine his availability for the game scheduled for Wednesday, February 7, 2024.
“Victor Osimhen will not join us on this trip as a result of abdominal discomfort. Team medics confirmed that he has been placed under close watch, with a member of the medical team staying behind in Abidjan with him.
“If cleared by tomorrow [Tuesday] morning, he will join the rest of the squad before 5 p.m.,” a statement from the Super Eagles official account on X said.
The loss of Osimhen will be felt deeply by the Super Eagles, as the African Player of the Year has been the driving force behind Nigeria’s incisive attack during the tournament.
Christiana Atsu Twasam, the twin sister of the late Black Stars player Christian Atsu, has announced plans for the establishment of the Christian Atsu Memorial Foundation.
The launch is set for March 2024, although the specific date has not been finalised. The foundation aims to honour Atsu’s legacy and perpetuate his philanthropic efforts, which endeared him to many beyond his achievements in football.
“We’ll launch the Christian Atsu Memorial Foundation in March to continue his charity work,” she told the Athletic.
Christiana confirmed that she had fronted her brother’s school project, which he was building for the less privileged before his passing.
“I have the baton to continue his work, but it’s not easy. I have to heal first,” says Christiana.
Regarding how she is holding up the loss, Christiana says his brother’s death has hit her harder than losing her mom and dad.
“I know grieving has five stages, but I don’t know where I am at the moment. Sometimes I’m in denial, sometimes acceptance; it fluctuates and I feel like I’m not progressing. I’ve lost my mom and my dad, but Christian’s leaving has had more impact on me than anything.
She added that on her birthday, which also happens to be Christian’s birthday, she changed scenery to escape her grief but she ended up breaking down.
“I went to Chester. But I broke down there. He was not there.”
Christian Atsu passed away following a tragic earthquake in Turkey. The former Black Stars player was trapped under the rubble for about three days before he was found lifeless on February 8, 2023.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe, the owner of Ineos and Britain’s wealthiest individual, is reportedly keen on transforming Old Trafford into the “Wembley of the North.”
His ambitious plans are currently being formulated at Manchester United.
Ratcliffe has recently acquired a 25 percent stake in the club, valued at £1 billion ($1.3 billion), pending approval from the Premier League.
Upon receiving clearance, approximately £237 million ($298 million) will be allocated for the redevelopment of Old Trafford. However, United’s aspirations extend beyond mere refurbishment.
The goal is to establish a state-of-the-art venue that competes with the renowned 90,000-seat stadium, the home of English football, located in north London.
Sources close to Ratcliffe have told The Telegraph: “He feels the club needs an absolute state-of-the-art, knock-it-out-of-the-park, ‘wow’ ‘stadium. And we feel there’s a strong argument for the country having a top-class major venue in the North—a Wembley of the North.”
Ratcliffe is said to be “broadly opposed” to theidea of United having to relocate, although he believes support among fans could be secured if that becomes the only logical option. Land immediately surrounding Old Trafford, which United have called home for 114 years, could be acquired and developed. Sources added: “The spiritual home is important. We think the fans would be quite happy to accept a brand new stadium if we stayed where we are.”
United may have to consider the construction of a brand new venue, as Chris Lee, the managing director of Populous, the architectural design firm tasked with overseeing the project, has already told The Telegraph that a rebuild “may well turn out to be the most cost-effective solution.”. He added, “The building is reaching the end of its natural life; the cabling, the electricity supplies, everything is nearing its sell-by date.”
The redevelopment of Old Trafford is estimated to require a minimum investment of £800 million ($1 billion), whereas constructing a new stadium would incur costs ranging between £1.5 billion and £2 billion ($2.5 billion).
Discussions have already taken place with the Mayor of Greater Manchester and local council leaders regarding forthcoming initiatives. The objective is to establish an innovative venue that integrates sports, entertainment, and community facilities, with the vision of creating a pioneering hub for various activities.
Pep Guardiola praised Phil Foden as an “exceptional” player after his hat trick helped Manchester City win 3-1 against Brentford in London. Guardiola said Foden is always reliable.
Initially, City faced a tough challenge from Brentford, with Neal Maupay scoring for the home team in the 21st minute. However, City’s goalkeeper, Mark Flekken, made several important saves to keep them in the game.
Just before half-time, Foden scored to level the game for City. In the second half, he scored two more goals to complete his hat trick and secure the victory for City.
With this win, City closed the gap with league leaders Liverpool to just two points. They have played one less game than Liverpool.
“We needed it [Foden’s performance] today,” Guardiola told a news conference. “I think Phil is playing the most [influential] season for the team in terms of goals and assists. How he played simple, how he can be more aggressive. He has the pleasure of scoring goals and the threat when he’s close to their box. Always, he is there.
“So he’s an exceptional, exceptional player. He is [young] and already has more than 250 games for City; that shows the impact he has had since he arrived.”
Foden’s hat trick was the second that he has scored in the Premier League, his first coming against Manchester United on October 2, 2022.
“I don’t know his limits,” Guardiola said. “He will decide. For him, football is the most important thing in his life. Of course, aside from his family and kids, it is the most important thing.
“It depends on him, but he enjoys it a lot. He loves to play football. When you see players like him playing in the street when you are a little boy, you have this sense of amateurism [in the way he plays].”
This was the first time in over five months that Guardiola could put both Kevin De Bruyne and Erling Haaland in the starting lineup. De Bruyne had been working on getting back to full fitness after having hamstring surgery.
Meanwhile, Haaland made his first league start since December 6 after healing from a foot injury. However, he didn’t score in his comeback match.
“I cannot imagine one striker all around the world playing against Brentford surrounded by six players in the space of two, three metres distance, something like that. It’s uncomfortable,” Guardiola said.
“I cannot imagine that even the best, best strikers in the world could survive in there. But being there helps the players in the second position to be more involved and [creates] more chances to score a goal.
“So thanks to Erling being there, Julian [Alvarez] and Kevin and Phil have more spaces. Without him, it would be more difficult. So he helped us a lot today.”
Brentford were the only team to beat City both home and away in the Premier League last season.
“They’re so difficult [to play against],” Guardiola said. They’re an incredible team. Set pieces, corners, free kicks, throw-ins—I’v never seen a team better than this one.”
Towards the end of the match, there was an incident between City defender Kyle Walker and Brentford forward Maupay, which led to a short stoppage in play as the right-back spoke to referee Jarred Gillett.
Both Guardiola and Brenford boss Thomas Frank declined to elaborate on the incident when asked by reporters after the match.
Man Utd are focusing on players who are nearing the end of their contracts this summer as part of their rebuilding efforts under new minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe, a source has informed ESPN.
Despite concerns about potentially breaching profit and sustainability rules, United are poised to spend in the upcoming summer transfer window.
The club bolstered its financial position in January by offloading several players, including Donny van de Beek and Jadon Sancho, from Old Trafford.
Additionally, a number of young players, such as Facundo Pellistri, Hannibal Mejbri, and Álvaro Fernández, departed the club, while on-loan defender Sergio Reguilón had his loan spell cut short.
Despite considering the January window a success, sources indicate that finances are still “tight” at the club. Therefore, targeting players whose contracts are expiring is seen as a prudent approach to managing expenditures in the summer.
This strategy was underscored by Mason Mount’s attractiveness as a potential signing last summer, with United being informed during negotiations that he would not be renewing his contract with Chelsea.
Chelsea opted to facilitate Mason Mount’s departure rather than risk losing the England midfielder for free a year later.
Ahead of this summer, Manchester United are exploring similar deals with players like Joshua Kimmich, Jonathan David, and Khephren Thuram, all of whom are set to be out of contract in 2025.
In addition to United, Manchester City and several other clubs have shown interest in German international Joshua Kimmich, whose contract with Bayern Munich will enter its final year at the end of the season.
Meanwhile, Bayern defender Alphonso Davies is also poised to enter the final year of his contract in the summer. Sources indicate that Real Madrid is his preferred destination should he opt to leave the Allianz Arena.
INEOS and its team, led by Sir Jim Ratcliffe, are looking to appoint a new director of football in the coming weeks, but preparations for the summer transfer window have already begun.Confirmation of Ratcliffe’s 25% stake in the club is expected by mid-February.
One year after the tragic events in Turkey that sadly led to his passing, the wife, sister, and agent of the late Ghanaian footballer, Christian Atsu, have shared their experiences of coping with the loss of their beloved.
Christiana Twasam, Nana Sechere, and Marie Claire-Rupio, Christian Atsu’s surviving spouse, spoke to The Athletic, based in the UK, revealing the challenges they faced following his demise and how they have been dealing with the void left by his absence.
Christiana Twasam recounted the emotional turmoil caused by the uncertainty surrounding his disappearance and eventual death, highlighting the family’s relentless efforts to locate him.
“When I got there, I was devastated because I thought no one was going to survive in that building,” says Christiana, recalling the sight of the collapsed Renaissance Residence five-star block where Christian was. Hatayspor’s sporting director, Taner Savut, was also in the wreckage.
“We would call out his name,” says Christiana. “The rescuers would alert us if they sensed a life, then bring out the body and you’d be asked to verify if it was someone you knew. It broke my heart when you saw a body bag coming—i was going to be your own relative or not,” she says. “We were like a family around the fire in the evening. When someone verified their relative and broke down, it reminded you that one day you would too.”
Nana Sechere, the agent of Christian Atsu, spoke about a few moments when they received some hope that they were going to find him, hopefully alive.
“I spotted a shoe that looked very muchlike Christian’s through the legs of one of the search teams,” says Nana. “He threw it over to me and it was one of his Yeezy trainers. We found the other one from the pair soon after, and it told us we were looking in the right place.”
Following days of searching through the rubble in hopes of finding their loved one, known primarily for his charitable endeavours, the family received devastating news. While they were sleeping in tents and cars at night, a call came through confirming that a body had been found. Tragically, it turned out to be Atsu’s.
“Two officials took us to a body bag lying on the floor,” he says. “We had seen so many that even before they were opened, (we knew they) weren’t the right shape or size for Christian. But I could tell by the shape of it that it was Christian. We saw him and we broke down.”
It has been a year since the disappearance of Christian Atsu was announced following an earthquake in Turkey. The former Black Stars player was trapped under the rubble for about three days before he was found lifeless on February 8, 2023.
Marie-Claire Rupio, the wife of the late Black Stars player Christian Atsu, revealed to UK outlet The Athletic that she still sends WhatsApp messages to her deceased husband.
She admitted to questioning Atsu at times about why he is no longer alive and also mentioned messaging him when their children inquired about him.
Rupio, who is Portuguese, expressed that she does not have a specific coping mechanism and emphasised the mental challenges she faces, stating that she simply tries to navigate through each day.
“When people say, ‘How are you coping?’ I don’t cope. I just survive every day,” says Claire. “Mentally, you’re fine for a few days, maybe a week, but then lots of emotion comes.
“Sometimes I message Christian on WhatsApp; I just need to let it out,” she says. “‘Why are you not here?’ or maybe one of the kids needs him.”
Narrating how she received the news of her husband’s passing, she said Atsu’s agent, Nana Sechere, informed her at 3 a.m. while sobbing.
“It was around 3 am on Saturday, and when I saw Nana’s name come up on my phone.
“I picked up and he was just crying. He said, ‘I’m so sorry’, and he couldn’t say anything more.”
It has been a year since Christian Atsu passed away tragically due to an earthquake in Turkey. The former Black Stars player was trapped under rubble for approximately three days before rescuers found him lifeless on February 8, 2023. I knew: this is it.”
Claire was left traumatised and could not figure out how to tell the kids about their father’s passing on the spot.
“I needed to figure out how I was going to tell my kids that their dad was gone. It was terrible; there was so much going through my mind.”
She could not tell the kids right away, but she had to take them out for practice during the day and asked the coaches not to show signs that Atsu had passed.
“One of the coaches just came up to me and gave me a hug, but I told him just to be normal, as I hadn’t told them yet. They were awaiting good news when I sat them down and then I looked at them.
“I told them, ‘They have found your dad, but he didn’t make it’. It’s something I wish no parent had to do. It was heartbreaking; he was everything to them. Losing anyone is difficult, but we couldn’t even say goodbye.”
It has been a year since Christian Atsu passed away tragically due to an earthquake in Turkey. The former Black Stars player was trapped under rubble for approximately three days before rescuers found him lifeless on February 8, 2023.
Former Ghanaian footballer Laryea Kingston has expressed his eagerness to take on the position of the next coach for the Black Stars if presented with the chance.
Following the dismissal of Chris Hughton and his coaching staff due to Ghana’s disappointing performance at the 2023 African Cup of Nations, the coaching role for the Black Stars became available.
In an interview with Graphic Sports, Laryea Kingston conveyed his belief in his capabilities to lead the Black Stars.
He highlighted his vast experience and deep understanding of the prerequisites for achieving success at the international level.
Laryea Kingston said, “Of course, I will accept and do it easy. I know the level at which I am now,” highlighting his readiness to become the next Black Stars coach.
Laryea Kingston, who currently serves as the Assistant Coach of the Black Starlets, accumulated 42 appearances for the Black Stars, during which he scored six goals.
A businessman, Bernard Oduro Takyi, has been remanded into police custody by an Accra Circuit Court on allegations of defrauding two individuals of $27,000 with the promise of securing USA visas for them.
Takyi is accused of fabricating embarkation and disembarkation stamps from Singapore, South Africa, Mauritius, and Turkey in the passports of the two complainants.
Additionally, he is alleged to have forged a letter from the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA), introducing one of the complainants, Gabriel Kwame Ntim, as a strategic partner for investors interested in real estate under Ghana’s industrialization policy.
In the case of the second complainant, Prince Kofi Osei, Takyi purportedly forged a KMA letter presenting him as a “Metro Climate Management Officer.”
Takyi faces charges of defrauding with false pretences and forgery of official documents.
Despite pleading not guilty, the prosecution, led by Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Maxwell Oppong, opposed bail.
The court, under the jurisdiction of Samule Bright Acquah, has adjourned the case to February 12, 2024.
According to the prosecution’s case, the complainants, Gabriel Kwame Ntim and Prince Kofi Osei, work as mechanics and personnel at the Electricity Company of Ghana, respectively.
While Ntim resides in Kumasi, Osei lives in Accra, and the accused, Takyi, resides in Gbawe.
In 2023, the complainants informed Takyi of their intention to travel to the United States.
Takyi allegedly assured them of securing visas within three months from the Regional USA Embassy in Ghana, provided they paid certain fees.
Consequently, Ntim and Osei paid $13,000 and $14,000 on April 19, 2023, and May 31, 2023, respectively.
Takyi then took the complainants’ passports and “forged entry and exist stamps of Singapore, Mauritius, Turkey, and South Africa without their consent.”
Again, the prosecution said Takyi forged the KMA letter, introducing Ntim as “Strategic Partnership for both local and External Investor” who was keen on investing in the real estate sector in the ongoing IDIF.
In the case of Osei, the accused person introduced him as a “Metro Climate Change Management Officer.”
Prosecutions said Takyi submitted their (complainants) documents to the Regional USA Embassy in Madagascar.
According to Sam George, a brand new pickup truck owned by the NSA mysteriously disappeared after being parked in an unconventional location, deviating from its usual parking spot.
He further mentioned that the vehicle was uninsured, adding to the unusual circumstances surrounding its disappearance. Additionally, Sam George raised concerns about ongoing illegal activities within the NSA.
“You know, there is the issue of the NSA vehicle that is outstanding. Just listen to the chronology of the events and draw your conclusion. The NSA always parks its vehicles in Kumasi at the Sports Hotel, which is part of the Kumasi Sports Stadium. Very close to it.
“The new director comes in, and a brand new pickup is bought. He gets to Kumasi with his driver and says, I don’t want you to park at the Sports Hotel. Go and park at a new hotel. The vehicle is parked at the new hotel; that very night, there is a robbery at the hotel and the only thing that is stolen is the pickup.”
“You are seeing theft. You are seeing blatant lies; you are seeing misappropriation of state funds. How do we continue like this? And the clear disrespect and undermining of his sector minister is mind-boggling. “Except someone is sitting somewhere and maybe the Jubilee House is backing what the sports Director General is doing; you can’t see this happening in any institution,” he lamented.
Earlier in the day, during a session of the Public Accounts Committee, Sam George engaged in a heated exchange with Professor Twumasi, the Director-General of theNational Sports Authority (NSA), and the NSA’s accountant.
The disagreement stemmed from allegations of mishandling funds received by the NSA during the Christmas period.
Sam George, a committee member, expressed bewilderment after the NSA’s accountant confirmed that a portion of the funds had been deposited into the Kumasi account. This revelation prompted Sam George to press the accountant for explanations.
The accountant explained that “Partly was lodged in Accra and the other in Kumasi. The invoices we issued to these two…”. He then gave a long pause that prompted a reaction from Sam George.
Sam George quizzed again ‘”Do you have an answer for the committee?” and the accountant replied, “Yes, Mr Chairman.” Sam George then asked him to proceed and give the reasons behind the decision to lodge some payment in Accra and in Kumasi.
The accountant then referred the question to the Director-General which prompted a response from Sam George who asked “But you are the accountant, lodgements are made to you so why is the Director-General of the NSA supposed to explain what your role is? Is it because he directed?
The accountant responded, “It’s because he is the spending officer.” Sam George was not satisfied with the response and pushed further “Lodgements of the cheques are different from the disbursement of the cheques so on whose order or authority did you lodge cheques made for Accra Sports Stadium into the Kumasi account”.
The accountant replied “The Director-General”.
The exchange between Sam George and the accountant dragged on until the accountant admitted that Professor Twumasi instructed him to deposit the money in the Kumasi account.
Sam George then turned his attention to the NSA boss, but Professor Twumasi appeared to struggle to address the concerns effectively.
This prompted James Klutse Avedzi to step in and take over the questioning. Despite Avedzi’s intervention, Professor Twumasi continued to have difficulty providing clear answers.
Avedzi, visibly displeased with the NSA’s response, announced that the committee would propose a forensic audit of the NSA’s accounts to the Auditor-General.
Member of Parliament for Ningo-Prampram, Samuel George, and the chairman of the Public Accounts Committee of Parliament, and James Klutse Avedzi, during a parliamentary committee hearing on Monday, February 5, 2024, grilled Professor Peter Twumasi, the Director-General of the National Sports Authority (NSA), and the NSA’s chief accountant over the handling of funds received during the Christmas festivities
Sam George revealed that the NSA had collected GH₵250,000 for renting out facilities at the Accra Sports Stadium during the Christmas period.
However, instead of depositing the entire amount into the NSA’s main account, where payments are typically lodged, some funds were lodged in the Kumasi account.
During the committee hearing, Sam George, a member of the committee, was puzzled to learn from the NSA’s accountant that a portion of the funds had been lodged in the Kumasi account.
He demanded clarification from the accountant regarding this unusual discrepancy.
The accountant explained that “Partly was lodged in Accra and the other in Kumasi. The invoices we issued to these two”. He then gave a long pause that prompted a reaction from Sam George.
Sam George quizzed again, ‘”Do you have an answer for the committee?” and the accountant replied, “Yes, Mr Chairman.” Sam George then asked him to proceed and give the reasons behind the decision to lodge some payments in Accra and Kumasi.
The accountant then referred the question to the Director-General, which prompted a response from Sam George, who asked, “But you are the accountant; lodgements are made to you so why is the Director-General of the NSA supposed to explain what your role is? Is it because he directed?
The accountant responded, “It’s because he is the spending officer.” Sam George was not satisfied with the response and pushed further: “Lodgements of the cheques are different from the disbursement of the cheques so on whose order or authority did you lodge cheques made for Accra Sports Stadium into the Kumasi account?”.
The accountant replied, “The Director-General.”.
The exchange between Sam George and the accountant continued for a while until the accountant admitted that Professor Twumasi instructed him to deposit the money in the Kumasi account.
Sam George thenredirected his inquiries to Professor Twumasi, but he struggled to provide coherent answers. As a result, James Klutse Avedzi intervened and took over the questioning.
Despite Avedzi’s efforts to clarify the situation, Professor Twumasi still appeared uncertain in his responses. Dissatisfied with the NSA’s handling of the matter, Avedzi announced that the committee would recommend a forensic audit of the NSA’s accounts to the Auditor-General.
“I want to make a recommendation that will be put in the report. Listening to what is happening here, I think the place is in a mess,” said Dr. Avedzi.
Watch how Sam George, PAC Chairman, grilled NSA boss and accountant over lodgement of ‘Chrismas monies’
Roberto Donadoni, an Italian coach, has shown interest in taking over as the next coach of Ghana’s national team, the Black Stars.
The coaching position for the Black Stars became available after Chris Hughton and his technical team were dismissed following Ghana’s poor performance at the 2023 African Cup of Nations.
Reports indicate that Donadoni, who has previously coached the Italy national team and managed nine other clubs, is interested in leading the Black Stars.
Donadoni’s coaching career began in 2001, and he reached a career high when he was appointed as the head coach of the Italy national team.
During his tenure, Italy made it to the quarterfinals of Euro 2008, where they were defeated by eventual champion Spain in a penalty shootout.
The Ghana Football Association (GFA) has tasked a committee with finding a successor within three weeks, with applications accepted until February 2, 2024.
GFA has set specific criteria, including a minimum of 15 years of coaching experience, for candidates vying for the Black Stars’ head coach position.
This trend, driven by strong investor demand, which reached 58 percent oversubscription last week, is positive news for the government as it lowers its borrowing costs.
During the auction, yields notably decreased across the board. The 91-day and 182-day bills fell to 28.30 percent (-0.29 percent) and 30.79 percent (-0.3 percent), respectively, while the 364-day yield saw the largest drop, closing at 31.40 percent (-0.4 percent).
The auction aimed to raise GH¢2.86 billion but received bids worth GH¢4.53 billion for short-term bills.
All bids were accepted, covering the current debt of GH¢2.67 billion, resulting in a coverage ratio of 1.70x.
Market analysis by Apakan Securities suggests that investors are hedging against reinvestment risk amid falling yields.
There was a notable shift towards the 364-day bill, indicating increased demand for longer-term securities, although the 91-day bill remains the most preferred option.
Investors are strategically seeking opportunities to secure higher returns amidst declining T-bill rates, as evidenced by the surge in oversubscription in recent weeks.
Apakan Securities emphasises that this trend highlights investors’ deliberate efforts to maximise returns despite the decreasing rates.
Investors are taking proactive steps to make the most of current market conditions and secure good returns. This trend of increased interest in T-bills is expected to continue as yields keep falling, according to Databank.
Last month, the Treasury raised GH¢22.06 billion, exceeding its target by about 35 percent compared to the previous month. Databank expects this trend to continue in February 2024, driven by an estimated cash coupon payment of about GH¢4.3 billion on new bonds.
Yields are predicted to decrease further, following the trend of lower inflation rates and a 100 basis points cut in the key monetary policy rate during the January 2024 Monetary Policy Committee meeting.
This week, the Treasury aims to raise GH¢4.59 billion to pay off maturing debt totaling GH¢4.23 billion. Despite being the highest target size in nine weeks, strong market demand suggests the Treasury is likely to meet its target in the upcoming auction, with further decreases in yields expected.
Databank forecasts that over 50 percent of the GH¢61.9 billion budget deficit in 2024 will be covered through T-bills. The estimated issuance of T-bills for the fiscal year is expected to reach around GH¢180 billion, marking a significant 21 percent increase compared to the previous year.
Data from 2023 shows the growing importance of T-bills in financing deficits, with the average weekly refinancing obligation increasing from GH¢1.17 billion in 2022 to GH¢2.26 billion in 2023.
At the same time, the average weekly uptake rose from GH¢1.52 billion in 2022 to GH¢2.87 billion in 2023, highlighting the crucial role of T-bills due to limited access to external capital markets and zero financing from the central bank.
Secondary market
Despite a 100bps cut in the MPC rate, activity in the bond market saw a marginal decline of 1.89 percent week-on-week. The new bonds recorded a total trading volume of GH¢1.59billion, with February 2028 (CPN: 8.50 percent) being the most actively traded and accounting for approximately 60 percent of the total volumes.
Interest was also observed in Feb-2036 (CPN: 9.70 percent) and Feb-2037 (CPN: 9.85 percent), settling at 15.55 percent and 23.47 percent respectively last week. Moving forward, market activity is expected to pick up in the secondary market over the coming week.
In a meeting held on Monday, former Barcelona striker Samuel Eto’o submitted his resignation to the Cameroon FA Executive Committee.
He urged them to follow suit and resign as well.
However, the committee rejected his request and expressed their confidence in his leadership to continue as president.
This decision came in the wake of the Indomitable Lions’ disappointing exit from the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, where they suffered a 2-0 defeat to Nigeria in the round of 16.
Since assuming the role of Cameroon FA President, Eto’o has faced mounting pressure, with various controversies emerging during his tenure.
Read the full statement from the Cameroon FA Executive Committee below:
A meeting of the Executive Committee of the Cameroon Football Federation was held this Monday, February 5th, at the Hilton Hotel in Yaoundé.
The agenda focused on assessing the performance of the men’s national team at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Côte d’Ivoire.
At the beginning of the meeting, the President of the Cameroon Football Federation, Mr. Eto’o Fils Samuel, tendered his resignation to the members of the executive body, urging them to do the same with a clear conscience.
Following discussions and subsequent deliberation, the members of the Executive Committee decided to continue their current mandates.
Unanimously, they rejected the resignation of the President of the Cameroon Football Federation, expressing renewed confidence in him to carry on the work of rebuilding and developing Cameroonian football from the grassroots to the top, as outlined in his acclaimed project during the elective General Assembly on December 11, 2021.
A fatal accident occurred during rush hour on the evening of Monday, February 5, 2024, on theAmasaman-Nsawam road.
The accident involved a tanker and a mini-passenger bus (trotro).
Reports indicate that the tanker ran over the trotro, resulting in a tragic incident where all passengers onboard the trotro are feared dead.
Gory visuals from the scene of the accident show the bodies of the deceased scattered across the road, with eyewitnesses grieving over the situation.
Videos also depict officers of the Motor Transport and Traffic Department of the Ghana Police Service present at the scene.
The accident took place around the China Mall stretch of Amasaman-Nsawam Road.
JUST IN: Many feared dead after a fuel tanker allegedly run over a commercial mini bus(Trotro) at the China Mall stretch of the Amasaman-Nsawam highway. Akan "Ayra Starr" pic.twitter.com/6c4sBaE5t7
This Amasaman road is very dangerous. You can barely see a thing on the road. We contract companies who do not care about Ghanaian lives. How many lives these roads go take before we take road safety serious in this country? pic.twitter.com/KHgJkbKnml
Advocates believe there is a pool of talented coaches within Ghana capable of leading the Black Stars.
When the coaching vacancy was announced, several Ghanaian coaches, including Maxwell Konadu, expressed their interest in the position. Maxwell Konadu, a former Asante Kotoko coach, applied for the job last week, aspiring to fulfil his dream of coaching the national team.
Konadu previously served as an assistant to Kwasi Appiah in 2012 and worked with him during the 2013 AFCON in South Africa and the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil.
Following Kwasi Appiah’s dismissal in September 2014, Konadu took over as the Black Stars’ acting coach, successfully guiding the team to qualify for the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations.
He later served as Avram Grant’s assistant until Grant’s termination after the 2017 AFCON.
Coach Kwasi Appiah’s reappointment as head coach saw Konadu continue as part of the coaching staff alongside Ibrahim Tanko.
Additionally, Konadu was a member of Milovan Rajevac’s technical team during the 2021 AFCON, where the team exited at the group stage.
Michael Osei
The former Asante Kotoko player has confirmed that he has applied for the Black Stars, as he believes that his time is now.
“Yes, I have applied for the job because I believe that with everything I’ve learned, I am capable of coaching the squad.
“Looking at the team, there are a number of young players like Majeed Ashimeru, Enerst Nuamah, Osman Bukari, and many of the current players who I have coached at the U23 level alongside coach Ibrahim Tanko.
“I’ve been coaching in Ghana for about 12 years, totalling nearly 15 years of coaching experience. Ghana is also my home country, so I understand the culture, have the expertise, and believe now is the time to coach the squad and I’m always a winner.”
Michael Osei, who has previously managed clubssuch as Asante Kotoko and Liberty Professionals and served as an assistant at FSV Frankfurt II, submitted his application for the coaching position.
His most recent coaching role was with Bibiani Goldstars. The deadline for submitting applications, which was set for February 2, 2024, has now passed.
Ghana Football Association (GFA) has granted approval for the J.A. Kufuor Cup match between Asante Kotoko and Nsoatreman FC scheduled for Sunday, February 18, 2024.
This match, organized by the John A. Kufuor (JAK) Foundation, is intended to honor the profound legacy of the former President.
In a letter signed by General Secretary Mr. Prosper Harrison Addo, the GFA expressed its support for the event as part of the activities marking the 85th birthday celebration of former President Kufuor.
“The GFA is pleased to inform you that approval has been granted to The John A. Kufuor Foundation to organise a football match dubbed ‘Kufuor Cup’ between Asante Kotoko and Nsoatreman FC.
“We wish to support the match with match balls and also provide the match officials.
“We are assured that the two premier league teams shall abide by all the relevant GFA regulations to ensure a successful match and bring a befitting honour to His Excellency.”
GFA expressed appreciation for the substantial influence formerPresident Kufuor has exerted on football in the nation and expressed joy in being affiliated with the match.
England and Arsenal’s rightwinger, Bukayo Saka, presented an Arsenal jersey to Nigerian Afrobeat superstar Wizkid after Arsenal’s 3-1 win against Liverpool on February 4, 2024.
Saka, of Nigerian descent, scored the opening goal by capitalising on a scuffed chance from Kai Havertz.
Despite a temporary leveller with a Gabriel Magalhães own goal, Alisson’s errors, including a miscommunication with Virgil Van Dijk, allowed Martinelli and Leandro Trossard to secure victory for Arsenal.
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.”
