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.
DISCLAIMER: Independentghana.com will not be liable for any inaccuracies contained in this article. The views expressed in the article are solely those of the author’s and do not reflect those of The Independent Ghana
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.”
Construction on theNational Cathedral has recommenced following a prolonged suspension of several months.
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo initiated the project in 2017, envisioning it as a symbol of national unity and spirituality, with a targeted completion date set for 2024.
However, challenges such as insufficient funds, resignations from board of trustees members, and revelations by Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, led to the project’s halt in 2023.
A video shared by GHOne on X has now revealed the resumption of construction activities at the site.
Notably, the footage shows the foundation of the cathedral covered, with heavy trucks actively operating on the premises.
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.
This decision comes in response to a petition submitted by the Municipal Chief Executive for Akuapem South, Frank Aidoo.
Aidoo’s petition seeks permission to participate in the party’s parliamentary primary scheduled for Saturday, January 27, 2024. This request follows the withdrawal of the incumbent MP, O.B. Amoah, from the race.
Initially expressing his reluctance to seek a fourth term as MP for Akuapem South, O.B. Amoah later changed course and obtained nomination forms to contest for re-election.
In a statement, the NPP’s general secretary, Justin Kodua Frimpong, highlighted that the postponement aims to address the raised concerns and appealed for cooperation from party supporters.
Below is the party’s full statement.
The leadership of the New Patriotic Party has resolved to postpone the AKUAPEM SOUTH parliamentary primary, initially scheduled for Saturday, January 27, 2024.
This decision is in response to petitions received, accompanied by recommendations from both the constituency executive committee and the regional executive committee. The postponement aims to ensure comprehensive consultations and address raised concerns.
We continue to rely on your unflinching commitment and cooperation.
The former vice president of the refereeing committee in Spain, José María Enríquez Negreira, is now required to testify as a defendant concerning payments his companiesreceived from Barcelona.
This decision follows a judge’s dismissal of Negreira’s claim of dementia, with the judge, Joaquín Aguirre, ruling that although Negreira experiences some memory impairment, he remains mentally capable of appearing in court and potentially facing prosecution.
Negreira, who was previously a referee in the Spanish top flight, is scheduled to testify on Feb. 21.
Barcelona made payments exceeding €7 million ($7.3 million) to Negreira’s companies between 2001 and 2018 during his tenure as the vice president of the committee. Last March, Negreira, along with his son Javier Enríquez Romero, was charged with corruption related to these payments.
Other individuals charged in the case include former Barcelona presidents Sandro Rosell and Josep María Bartomeu, as well as former executives Oscar Grau and Albert Soler.
Bribery charges were added in September after the judge said Negreira “exercised public functions” as vice president of the committee, which equates him to a civil servant.
In October, current Barça president Joan Laporta was also charged with bribery when the judge ruled his first spell in charge, between 2003 and 2010, should not be time-barred.
Laporta has insisted the money was for “technical reports about referees” and, along with the club, has repeatedly denied ever “buying referees or influence.”
However, prosecutors have accused Rosell and Bartomeu of having an agreement with Negreira in which “he would carry out actions aimed at favouring Barca in the decision-making of the referees in the matches played by the club and thus in the results of the competitions.”
Rosell was Barca president from 2010 to 2014, before Bartomeu replaced him. After six years at the helm of the Catalan club, Bartomeu resigned in 2020, with Laporta elected as his replacement in 2021.
Pep Guardiola has implied that Aleksander Ceferin should exercise better judgement when making comments about Manchester City, especially after the UEFA president supported the initial ban imposed on the club from European competition in 2020.
The ban, related to what UEFA termed as “serious breaches” of Financial Fair Play regulations, was imposed in February 2020 but later overturned in June 2020 by the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
Ceferin, a former lawyer, maintains his belief in UEFA’s decision, expressing it in an interview with The Telegraph. These remarks coincide with City facing accusations from the Premier League regarding a potential breach of their own financial rules.
“As a lawyer that he is and president of UEFA, he should wait and after do whatever he wants,” said Guardiola when asked about Ceferin’s comments.
“He has to respect it and he has to wait. He has a lot of jobs to do at UEFA. A lawyer should respect the procedure and understand we have a right to defend ourselves.”
Meanwhile, Guardiola says he hopes Kalvin Phillips will get the game time “he deserves” at West Ham as his loan move to the London Stadium edges close.
Phillips is set to move until the end of the season after being restricted to just two Premier League starts in 18 months at City.
“The club tells me it’s still not done but he travelled [to London] to make a medical test, but it is not completely done,” Guardiola said. “It is going to be a loan for six months and hopefully he can play the minutes he deserves, which I couldn’t give to him.
“I wish him [well]. I said many times, an exceptional human being and a football player; otherwise, he wouldn’t be on the national team. Hopefully he can improve what it is.”
Guardiola is set to be without Erling Haaland for City’s trip to Tottenham in the FA Cup fourth round on Friday but John Stones is in line to return.
“He [Haaland] is on the verge of coming back,”said Guardiola. “Tomorrow [against Tottenham], he is not ready but he is close. Training camp was good; he trained some sessions; the last few days there he trained, but it is not perfect and we will wait a little bit more.”
Leah Williamson,the captain of the England national team, marked her comeback from a nine-month absence due to an ACL injury by playing her first competitive match on Wednesday.
The injury occurred in April, while she was playing for Arsenal. Following an extensive rehabilitation period, she made a second-half appearance as a substitute in Arsenal’s 6-0 victory over Reading in the Conti Cup.
Williamson, a versatile player for Arsenal, led the Lionesses to victory in Euro 2022.
Unfortunately, the injury prevented her from participating in the 2023 Women’s World Cup in Australia. Her return is expected to provide a significant boost to both Arsenal and the England national team.
In the match against Reading, Williamson entered the game in the 61st minute, replacing Jen Beattie. She contributed to Arsenal’s victory by providing an assist for Beth Mead.
Talking about her return to the pitch, Williamson told Sky Sports News: “It was lovely. You think a lot about how that moment’s going to be and that was perfect.
“I love playing football for Arsenal. Everyone knows how much I love the club; I’ll get emotional about it if I talk about it too much. I’m just happy to be back and try and help my team.”
England will play two friendlies in February and then start their Euros qualification campaign in April and Williamson hopes to be back in the Lionesses mix. She said, “I’ve missed playing for England so hopefully I can get myself back in contention and see what happens.”
UEFA’s Chief of Football, Zvonimir Boban, has announced his departure from the European football governing body in protest against President Aleksandar Ceferin’s endorsement of proposed changes to statutes.
These changes would potentially enable Ceferin to extend his term in office. Boban, the former AC Milan midfielder and Croatia captain, shared his decision in an open letter published on the Croatian website Telesport.
In the letter, he expressed regret and sadness about leaving UEFA.
Boban clarified that his departure is prompted by Ceferin’s support for a proposal aiming to modify UEFA’s rules, allowing him to seek re-election when his initial four-year term concludes in 2027.
Currently, UEFA’s regulations restrict the president and members of the Executive Committee from running for office more than three times or holding their positions for more than 12 years.
“Paradoxically, it was Ceferin who proposed and launched the package of reforms in 2017 that were supposed to protect UEFA and European football,” Boban said.
“His departure from these values and changes in the main reforms are difficult to understand, especially in this delicate football time. “If I were to accept such a difficult and wrong decision and turn my head, I would be going against the principles and general values in which I deeply believe.
“I am not playing any hero, and I know very well that many are of the same opinion—perhaps naive, but certainly correct.”
Barcelona coach Xavi Hernández expressed optimism about the club’s future, whether or not he remains in charge, following their 4-2 loss to Athletic Club in the Copa del Rey quarterfinal on Wednesday.
The defeat at San Mamés came on the heels of a 4-1 loss to Real Madrid in the Spanish Supercopa final just 10 days earlier, leaving Barcelona’s chances for silverware this season dependent on La Liga and the Champions League.
Despite the disappointment in the result, Xavi commended the team’s young players, highlighting the contributions of teenagers Lamine Yamal, Pau Cubarsí, Hector Fort, and Marc Guiu in the match against Bilbao.
“All coaches at big clubs depend on trophies, but I feel pride at how we competed against a great team until the end, especially the youngsters,” Xavi said in his postgame news conference.
“We’re playing with kids. The squad is small. This is what I mean when I say we are in construction. I think this is the start of something big. Whether I am here or not, Barça have a big future.
“There is a really good project, not in terms of me as a coach, but in terms of a really good generation coming through. Cubarsí, Fort, Lamine, Guiu and many more players … Fermín López.
“I think it’s the start of something big, but we have to work hard and we have to win. It’s about winning at Barça.”
Sam Kerr has reportedly reached a preliminary agreement on a new deal with Chelsea, indicating her intention to prolong her tenure at Stamford Bridge beyond the upcoming summer.
While Kerr’s existing contract with Chelsea is set to expire in the summer, sources suggest that the 30-year-old Australian has made a commitment to stay with the west London club, as reported by The Athletic.
However, Kerr is currently recovering from a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), a setback that will keep her off the field for the rest of the 2023–24 season.
Unfortunately, her prolonged injury means she is unlikely to feature in another match under manager Emma Hayes, who is set to depart Chelsea at the conclusion of the season to assume the role of head coach for the US Women’s National Team (USWNT).
“With the announcement (of Kerr’s injury, the focus for Sam right now is on rehab,” Hayes said when asked about Kerr’s contract situation earlier in January. “I’m sure when the time is right to discuss her future, that will come from Sam and the club, but Sam loves Chelsea and Chelsea loves Sam, so I think that’s the most important thing to say on that front.”
Since her transfer from the Chicago Red Stars to Chelsea in 2019, Sam Kerr has established herself as a highly productive goal-scorer, registering an impressive tally of 99 goals in 128 matches.
Her remarkable contributions have played a pivotal role in Chelsea’s success, with the team securing four Women’s Super League (WSL) titles, three FA Cups, and two League Cups during Kerr’s tenure in west London.
As Kerr focuses on her rehabilitation due to a recent injury, Chelsea is gearing up to resume their league campaign against Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday.
Currently, they sit at the top of the WSL standings, leading by three points over Manchester City.
Manchester United goalkeeper Andre Onana expressed his joy in celebrating Cameroon’s advancement in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), even though he was benched in the crucial match against The Gambia.
To the surprise of many, Cameroon’s coach Rigobert Song opted not to start Onana in the must-win AFCON group game, which Cameroon won 3-2 after coming back from a two-goal deficit, eliminating The Gambia and securing a spot in the knockout stages based on goals scored.
Onana Andre
Despite being on the bench, Onana joined his teammates in celebrating the victory, setting aside any disappointment about not playing.
In his absence, Onana’s cousin, Fabrice Ondoa, took the goalkeeper position against The Gambia and will be eager to maintain his place in what has proven to be a challenging tournament for the Manchester United goalkeeper.
Onana faced criticism for arriving late to the tournament, resulting in his being left out of the team’s opening match. He then made a crucial mistake in Cameroon’s defeat to Senegal before being benched against The Gambia.
Cameroon’s progression means that Onana will miss Manchester United’s FA Cup match against Newport County, providing Altay Bayindir with an opportunity to stake his claim at Old Trafford.
Cameroon is set to face Nigeria in the last 16 on Saturday, and it remains uncertain who Coach Song will select as the goalkeeper. Reports suggest that Onana was dropped due to an ongoing feud with Cameroon FA President Samuel Eto’o.
Meanwhile, Manchester United is scheduled to play against Newport on Sunday, where Bayindir is expected to make his first appearance since joining from Ankaragucu in the summer.
Spanish judge has suggested that the former president of the football federation, Luis Rubiales, be brought to trial in connection with the women’s World Cup kiss incident involving captain Jenni Hermoso.
The incident occurred during the presentation after Spain’s victory in Australia, where Mr. Rubiales grabbed Ms. Hermoso’s head and kissed her. While Ms. Hermoso stated that the kiss was “not consensual,”
Mr. Rubiales has denied this claim. The judge has determined that there is sufficient evidence for the case to proceed to trial.
During a hearing in Madrid, the judge described the kiss as “not consensual and… a unilateral and surprising initiative,” according to a statement from the court cited by the Reuters news agency.
Luis Rubiales kisses Jenni
Following the incident, Luis Rubiales resigned from his position as the president of Spain’s football federation. Mr. Rubiales had previously been charged by prosecutors with sexual assault and coercion in connection with the incident, and the potential penalties for such actions range from fines to four years of imprisonment.
The case has implicated several Spanish football executives, including Jenni Hermoso’s former coach, a former marketing manager, and the sports director of the men’s team. Jorge Vilda, Rubén Rivera, and Albert Luque are accused of allegedly pressuring Ms. Hermoso to publicly declare that the kiss had been consensual.
The judge in Madrid has determined that the trio should also face trial.
Legal representatives involved in the proceedings now have a 10-day window to formally request a trial before a court. Jenni Hermoso, Spain’s leading goal scorer, provided testimony before the court investigating her allegation, a process that lasted for more than two and a half hours in January.
According to Spanish media, she said the kiss was “unexpected and at no time consensual.”.
Jenni Hermoso said she “received threats” amid the controversy.
Jorge Vilda (right) is considered a close ally of Luis Rubiales (left)
A statement issued shortly after the final that was attributed to Ms Hermoso indicated the kiss had been consensual. But she later complained of being pressured by officials of the Spanish football federation to add her name to the statement.
The kiss took place during the medal ceremony in Sydney on August 20 last year, following Spain’s win over England.
Mr Rubiales has alwaysmaintained the kiss was a “consensual peck,” but in the wake of the incident, he was forced to resign as president of the Spanish football federation.
It set off a wave of global anger at sexism at the highest levels of women’s sport.
Manchester United is reportedly on high alert, as Real Madrid is considering parting ways with Vinicius Junior if they successfully secure the signing of Kylian Mbappe in the upcoming summer transfer window.
Sources suggest that Real Madrid has already made a decision to offload Vinicius should they manage to acquire the undecided Paris Saint-Germain forward.
With a recent midfield overhaul, Real Madrid aims to strengthen their attacking lineup with a global star.
President Florentino Perez reportedly sees Mbappe as the potential star player for the club starting next season, expressing doubts about Vinicius’s potential to become the face of Madrid.
Despite Vinicius signing a contract extension in October until 2027 and expressing his commitment to continue playing for Los Blancos until later returning to his childhood club Flamengo, the possibility of his departure looms.
Mbappe is reportedly seeking an annual salary of €70 million (£60 million or $76 million) along with a transfer bonus of €125 million (£107 million/$136 million) to make the move to the Spanish capital.
Real Madrid, however, is unwilling to break their wage structure and is prepared to offer him €35 million (£30 million/$38 million) annually, which would still make him the highest-paid athlete at the club.
Manchester United is closely monitoring the situation and is reportedly ready to offer £130 million ($165 million) for Vinicius Junior.
Madrid may be tempted to accept the offer as bringing Mbappe to Santiago Bernabeu could strain their finances, although the possibility of Mbappe staying at Parc des Princes has not been ruled out.
Ace Ghanaian journalist, Collins Atta Poku, has claimed that theGhana Football Association (GFA) almost sacked Chris Hughton after the Black Stars’ defeat to Cape Verde at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.
According to Atta Poku, who travelled with the team to Ivory Coast, the GFA officials allegedly held a long-hour meeting after the defeat and decided to axe the manager but had strong opposition from the government.
Giving an account of Sompa FM, he said the Irish manager was recommended by the government and thus the FA struggled to show him the exit door despite poor results.
“The Black Stars coach was sacked right after the game against Cape Verde. They held a meeting on Sunday night that entered into Monday. When it was communicated to government officials, they weren’t happy so they stopped it.
“Some radical GFA officials alleged that Gabby Otchere-Darko recommended the manager so they can’t sack him.”
Chris Hughton has eventually been sacked after steering the team to an embarrassing exit from the 2023 AFCON.
The Ghana Football Association officially announced the sacking of Chris Hughton and the entire technical team on Tuesday, January 23, 2024.
Ghana suffered yet another group-stage exit from the AFCON after failing to record a win, losing one and drawing two of their three games.
Following Ghana’s defeat to Cape Verde at the 2023Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), reports surfaced of an alleged attempt by a Black Stars supporter to assault the then-coach, Chris Hughton.
According to the information, the fan was reportedly apprehended by Ivorian police for trying to assault Chris Hughton at the team’s hotel after the 2-1 loss to Cape Verde on Sunday, January 14, 2023.
In the aftermath of Ghana’s disappointing performance in the international competition, two reputable journalists who were present in Ivory Coast for the tournament have shed more light on the incident.
Saddick Adams from Angel Broadcasting Network, reporting based on alleged information, claims that the individuals attempting to attack Chris Hughton are members of the security team of Kurt Okraku, the president of the Ghana Football Association.
Obama, as he is known, stated on Peace FM that if it weren’t for the swift intervention of some individuals present, the assailant would have physically confronted Chris Hughton.
“Kurt Okraku’s security, who is like a brother to me, is the one who did it. My biggest worry is that journalists were prevented from entering the Black Stars hotel. Ghana and Nigeria were in the same hotel but Nigeria opened its doors to us and allowed us to interact with and interview them.
“Our players were hoarded like bars of soap during coup time. It was that night that we heard that two members of Kurt Okraku’s security team were at the hotel’s lobby, hoping to attack Chris Hughton. But for the timely intervention of some person, he would have punched Kurt Okraku. They were arrested and handcuffed,” he said.
On Thursday, January 25, 2024, a day prior to Saddick Adams’ appearance on Peace FM, Collin Atta Poku identified the two individuals involved in the attack.
He asserted that one of the individuals was named Faisal, serving as the personal bodyguard for Kurt Okraku, and the other was Fatawu Mohammed, an assistant to Kurt Okraku and the owner of Avenor Stars, a football club in Accra.
Atta Poku alleges that these individuals are regularly seen in the company of Kurt Okraku and are consistent members of his team.
Late on Wednesday, January 24, 2023, several members of the senior national football team, the Black Stars, arrived in Accra from Ivory Coast after being eliminated from the ongoing African Cup of Nations (AFCON).
Online footage captured the arrival of notable players such as the Ayew brothers, Antoine Semenyo, and Gideon Mensah.
In the video shared by GhanaWeb, Andre Ayew graciously posed for photos with fans, while Jordan Ayew casually greeted onlookers, including his father, Abedi Pele, who was present at the airport to welcome his sons.
As of now, the Ghana Football Association has not released an official list detailing the number of players who returned home and those who departed for their respective bases from Ivory Coast.
One such player, forward Inaki Williams, flew back to Spain and notably contributed to his club’s victory over Barcelona in a cup match, scoring a goal after coming on as a substitute.
Abedi Pele personally welcomed his sons Andre Ayew and Jordan Ayew at KIA after the Black Stars Afcon poor show in Ivory Coast. pic.twitter.com/TZaHult68S
The Black Stars concluded the AFCON tournament with just two points, finishing behind group winners Cape Verde and second-placed Egypt, but ahead of Mozambique.
Criticism has been directed at specific players, as well as the leadership of the Ghana Football Association and the sports ministry.
Additionally, Coach Chris Hughton was dismissedby the FA on January 23, as it became evident that the team could not secure a spot in the knockout rounds as one of the best third-placed teams.
Athletic Bilbao’s striker, Inaki Williams, quickly made an impact for his club just hours after returning to Spain from the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), where he played for the Black Stars.
Despite Ghana’s early exit from the AFCON with just two points in the group stage, Williams showcased his resilience by scoring for Athletic Bilbao upon his return.
His challenging start in the first two AFCON matches led to his being benched for the final, making it a frustrating campaign for the striker.
In Athletic Bilbao’s quarter-final clash against Barcelona in the Copa del Rey, Williams, who initially started on the bench, entered the game in the 59th minute.
He made a significant impact by providing an assist to his younger brother, Nico Williams, and later scoring a crucial goal in the 105th minute. This helped Athletic Bilbao secure a 4-2 victory over Barcelona and advance to the semi-finals.
The goals for Athletic Club also came from Gorka Guruzeta and Oihan Sancet, while Robert Lewandowski and Lamine Yamal scored consolation goals for Barcelona.
Williams’ return to goal-scoring form added to his impressive season tally of 10 goals in all competitions.
The news of his performance quickly gained traction on social media,with Inaki Williams and related terms trending on platforms like Accra trends on X (formerly Twitter).
Argentina, the reigning World Cup champions, have purportedly agreed to engage in a friendly match against Ghana’s national team, the Black Stars.
According to reports emanating from Argentina, the match is scheduled to take place in China on a provisional date of March 26, 2024.
This friendly encounter is one of the two matches the World Champions have slated for the first international break of the year.
Prior to facing the Black Stars, Argentina is set to play against China. Notably, this marks the second meeting between Argentina and Ghana since their 2009 clash, which saw Argentina secure a 1-0 victory.
These matches serve as valuable preparation for the South American Champions as they gear up for the 2024 Copa America.
Currently holding both the Copa America and FIFA World Cup titles, Argentina is ranked as the top national team globally.
In contrast, Ghana holds the 61st position in the world rankings, reflecting their less-than-ideal performance in recent years, with no advancement beyond the group stage in their last three major tournaments.
The recent termination of Chris Hughton ashead coach of the Black Stars has sparked a flurry of speculations regarding the now-vacant position.
On January 23, 2024, the Ghana Football Association officially announced the dismissal of Chris Hughton following Ghana’s elimination from the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.
With the Black Stars set to resume play in March, there is a sense of urgency for the FA to swiftly secure a replacement to guide the national team.
Several potential candidates have been mentioned in discussions; let’s take a look at five prominent individuals whose names are circulating for the coaching role.
Michael Essien
The ex-Black Stars midfielder and Chelsea icon’s name is prominently featured in discussions, with many expressing confidence in his potential to guide the national team to success.
Currently associated with a youth team at FC Nordsjaelland in Denmark, Essien’s wealth of experience is seen by many as a compelling qualification for the coaching role.
Supporters of this idea argue that assembling a technical team composed of former footballers under the leadership of Michael Essien could pave the way for success for Ghana.
Herve Ren
As is the tradition, there is persistent speculation connecting the French coach to the vacant Black Stars position.
Renard, widely praised for his successful stints with Zambia, Ivory Coast, and Saudi Arabia, is once again strongly associated with the Black Stars.
The primary obstacle to securing Renard has been his substantial salary demands. Nevertheless, many advocate for both the government and the Football Association to pursue his appointment, emphasising the belief that he is the ideal candidate to guide Ghana to success, regardless of the associated costs.
Tom Saintfiet
The name of the Belgian technician has shot up to the top of the list following his considerable success with the Gambian national team.
He also qualified them for the 2023 edition, where they exited the group stages. He resigned afterwards and is now available on the market.
George Boateng
Prior to the appointment of Chris Hughton, George Boateng was heavily tipped to be a successor to Otto Addo but could not get the job as Hughton was believed to be a government plant.
George Boateng’s name has come up again as a possible replacement for Hughton.
The former Aston Villa youth coach has been with the team since 2021, serving in a deputy capacity.
Kwasi Appiah
The name of the former Black Stars coach is mentioned again as someone the Ghana Football Association to turn to.
The Sudan national team coach is reportedly a name being considered due to his rich experience with the national team, having coached them twice.
Kwasi Appiah’s experience with talented identification and World Cup qualifiers also make him a suitable candidate.
Jose Mourinho
Jose Mourinho has turned 60
The Portuguese coach finds himself available once more following his recent departure from AS Roma.
Jose Mourinho has openly shown his affinity for Ghana, particularly after a visit with Michael Essien. Speculation suggests that a compelling offer from the Ghana Football Association and GFA could potentially attract him.
Mourinho’s illustrious track record, including multiple UEFA Champions League, Premier League, and La Liga triumphs, speaks for itself and adds considerable weight to his candidature.
Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) has advised all CLOU customers to ensure they have sufficient credit, as the company plans to conduct emergency maintenance on the CLOU Prepayment Metering System’s server.
The maintenance is scheduled to take place from midnight on Thursday, January 25, to 10:00 a.m. on Friday, January 26, 2024.
Customers using remotes to operate their prepaid metres are considered CLOU customers.
ECG issued this notice on Tuesday, January 24, emphasising the importance of purchasing enough credit to cover their power needs during the maintenance period.
Areas such as Korle-Bu District, Ablekuma District, Nsawam District, Amasaman District, Bortianor District, Tema North and South Districts, Ashaiman District, Krobo District, Nungua District, Afienya District, Koforidua District and Kibi District are expected to be affected during the operation.
The statement added that “The inconvenience caused to affected customers is deeply regretted”.
Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) has clarified that the Value Added Tax (VAT) on residential electricity consumption above the lifeline category has not been implemented. In a statement dated January 22, 2024, the company urged all stakeholders to adhere to the previous payment model.
The proposed VAT on electricity consumption is intended to address debts owed to independent power producers, according to the government.
Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) has advised its members not to implement any fare increases until negotiations with the government on the proposed 20% fare hike are concluded.
This advice comes after a meeting between the union and the government failed to reach a resolution. Initially, the union had threatened a 60% fare increase but later agreed to a 20% increment.
Abass Moro, the Industrial Relations Officer of the Union, has urged transport operators to maintain their current fares while ongoing discussions with the government continue.
“We made our grievances known, and they also told us their side. Finally, we have to go back and have another meeting. We will use your medium to tell our people [drivers] that where we have got to, we are pleading that they should still maintain what we are taking for now until we come out very clearly.
“So that nobody will say drivers are taking advantage of them. It’s our business that we are trying to defend,” Mr Moro said on Citi News.
The Emissions Levy Bill, recently approved by Parliament, mandates an annual fee of GHC100 for owners of both petrol and diesel cars, effective January 2024.
The government presented this tax bill in Parliament with the aim of encouraging the adoption of environmentally friendly energy sources for vehicle propulsion.
This move aligns with the government’s commitment to fostering climate-friendly measures and mitigating carbon emissions. In light of these changes, the GPRTU has submitted a petition to the Speaker of Parliament, requesting a reassessment of the Emission Levy Bill.
Martial’s playing time this season has been limited, making only 19 appearances across all competitions, primarily due to an unspecified illness.
His last on-field contribution was as a substitute in United’s Premier League defeat to Bournemouth, where they lost 3-0 in December.
“Anthony Martial has completed successful surgery to address a groin complaint and will be out of action for about 10 weeks as he rehabilitates,” United said in a statement.
Manchester United faced significant injury challenges this season.
However, there is positive news on the team’s front, with midfielder Casemiro and defenders Lisandro Martinez and Luke Shaw returning to training after recovering from injuries.
Manager Erik ten Hag officially confirmed their return on January 12.
Currently positioned seventh in the League standings, United is trailing 16 points behind the league leaders, Liverpool.
Their upcoming challenge is against Newport County in the fourth round of the FA Cup, scheduled for Sunday.
🚨 @AnthonyMartial has completed successful surgery to address a groin complaint.
We wish Anthony a speedy recovery and look forward to his return ❤️#MUFC
Head of Sports at Pure FM, Bright Kankam Boadu, has provided a detailed breakdown of the potential financial benefits that Black Stars players, officials, and staff could have received if the team had advanced to the knockout phase of the ongoing 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Ivory Coast.
According to Kankam Boadu, a majority of the staff, deemed essential members of the team, would have been eligible for financial rewards had the Black Stars progressed to the round of sixteen.
Speaking on Pure FM, Kankam Boadu said, “If we had qualified, this useless team would have made $30,000 each as a player. Chris Hughton would have made $60,000.
“Team Doctor would have gotten $21,000 (70% of the players’ bonus). Ameenu Shadow would have gotten $21,000 and Ball Boy would have gotten $21,000.
Black Stars bowed out of the 2023 AFCON without securing a victory, managing two draws and suffering one defeat in Group B.
They began with a 2-1 loss to Cape Verde, followed by 2-2 draws against Egypt and Mozambique in their second and final group matches, respectively.
With only two points and a goal deficit, Ghana experienced back-to-back group-stage eliminationsfrom the AFCON, replicating their fate in the 2021 edition.
Following this disappointing performance in Ivory Coast, the Ghana Football Association has terminated Chris Hughton’s coaching tenure.
Last week, the president’s office announced that a medical check-up had revealed the presence of “cancerous cells.” Although no additional details about his condition were provided, the statement assured that President Geingob would continue to fulfil his presidential duties.
There have been increasing concerns about the president’s health, with reports suggesting that he acknowledged his frailty last year.
In a statement, the vice president of the governing Swapo party, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, said Mr Geingob was in “good spirits” and receiving “good medical attention.”.
She appealed to Namibians to allow the president and his family to focus on his recovery and healing process without engaging in speculation.
President Geingob underwent an aortic operation last year, and in 2014, he disclosed that he had successfully battled prostate cancer.
Namibia is scheduled to conduct presidential and parliamentary elections later this year.
Swapo, the ruling party since the country’s independence in 1990, has selected Mrs. Nandi-Ndaitwah as its presidential candidate.
Currently serving as Namibia’s deputy prime minister, she would become the nation’s first female president if she emerged victorious.
Their examination results, ranging between aggregates 16 and 31, ensure their progression to the next level of the academic ladder.
This group includes 26 juveniles from the Senior Correctional Centre in Accra, nine inmates from the Nsawam Medium Security Prisons, eight inmates from the Kumasi Central Prison, and four each from the Ankaful Maximum Security and Sunyani Central Prisons.
Among them, 13 juveniles have been discharged upon completing their terms, while the remaining 38 inmate Senior High School (SHS) freshmen are still serving their sentences. Currently, 13 juveniles remain in prison custody.
Juvenile inmates serve sentences ranging from a minimum of three months to a maximum of three years. In a statement issued by the Head of Media Relations of the Ghana Prisons Service, Deputy Superintendent of Prisons (DSP) Irene Pokuah Wiredu, it was highlighted that “the inmate students have, over the years, justified the investments made in their education.”
The schools
Upon further investigation, The Daily Graphic found that the juvenile inmates, including those who have been discharged, have been placed in various pre-tertiary institutions such as Mfantsipim Senior High School (SHS) in Cape Coast, Labone SHS, St Thomas Aquinas SHS, Accra Technical Training Centre, and Forces SHS, all located in Accra. Juvenile inmates serving sentences attend regular SHSs and are escorted to and from school by prison officers.
Adult inmates who took the BECE are pursuing General Arts or Business courses at SHSs within the Prisons Service premises, under the supervision of the Ghana Education Service. These students benefit from the Free SHS initiative, receiving free tuition, meals, and educational materials from the GES.
The statement highlighted theGhana Prisons Service’s commitment to its reformation and rehabilitation mandate, aligning with modern universal best practices. The introduction of formal education for inmates includes subjects like English, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies.
“Formal education gained its popularity in the prisons in 2007, with the support of the Centre for National Distance Learning and Open Schooling and the Ghana Education Trust Fund,” it added.
Director-General’s remarks The statement quoted the Director-General of Prisons, Isaac Kofi Egyir, as saying that “prisoner education is one of the surest and safest ways the service had prioritised over the years to reform inmates and provide them with better living upon their release.’’
“It is worthy to note that there is a drastic reduction in the rate of recidivism (the tendency of a convicted criminal to reoffend) for the prisoners who participated in prison education programmes, thereby reducing the recidivism rate in the prisons to the barest minimum,” Mr Egyir stated.
“For those who are serving lengthy sentences, prison education has had a profound and often life-changing benefit on them such as a substantial reduction in violence and disciplinary infractions, breaking down religious and ethnic barriers that sometimes created tension in prisons, significantly improving relations between officers and the inmates, and enhancing the inmates’ self-esteem,” the statement further quoted the Director-General of Prisons.
Other educational projects
Beyond basic school and SHS, the Prisons Service, in partnership with the University of Cape Coast and the Plan Volta Foundation, has introduced the University of Cape Coast Distance Learning Programme which provides tertiary education for prison inmates of the Nsawam Medium Security and Nsawam Female prisons who have excelled in their West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) over the years.
The educational programmes run by the service include University of Cape Coast Distance Programme, National Vocational Training Institute (NVTI)/ICT and Proficiency for Tradesmen, Energy Commission Training and CTVET Electrical Certification Programme.
These, the statement said, would soon be extended to the other prisons across the country.
Currently, it said, 162 prisoners had been enrolled in the College of Distance Education (University of Cape Coast) to study for a Bachelor of Education degree with specialisation in English Language and Social Studies or Mathematics and Science, and a Bachelor of Commerce with specialisation in Accounting and Management.
About eight juveniles, who successfully completed SHS while in detention at the Senior Correctional Centre between 2020 and 2022, are pursuing various programmes at the University of Science and Technology in Kumasi, the University of Energy and Natural Resources in Sunyani, the University of Professional Studies, Accra, and the Technical universities of Accra, Ho and Koforidua, among others.
Ghanaians were left enraged, heartbroken, and also disappointed after the Black Stars’ draw with Mozambique on Monday, January 22, 2024, at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium in Ebimpé, Côte d’Ivoire.
Till the 90th minute, Ghana was leading by two goals until Mozambique converted a penalty after Ghana’s captain, Andre Ayew, handled the ball in the box.
Reactions on social media show that Ghanaians were left even more devastated after Mozambique scored their second goal in the 94th minute, when Reinildo Mandava headed in a cross from the left wing by da Conceição Nangy, securing a late equaliser and leaving Ghana on the brink of an exit.
Amid the disappointment and hurt, Black Stars’ winger, Joseph Paintsil, has taken to X, formerly Twitter, to offer an apology to Ghanaians for the teams inability “to meet the expectations of Ghanaians.”
In a tweet, he said, ” Sincere apologies to the good people of Ghana. We are truly sorry for not meeting your expectations.Important lessons to take away from this unforgettable experience. Thank you for coming through with your support in our low moments.”
Sincere apologies to the good people of Ghana. We are truly sorry for not meeting your expectations.Important lessons to take away from this unforgettable experience.💔
Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) has taken legal action after excerpts of VAR audio from Real Madrid’s 3-2 victory over Almería were leaked.
Journalist Gerard Romero published conversations between referee Francisco.
José Hernández Maeso and VAR official Alejandro Hernández are discussing potential acts of aggression by Vinícius Júnior of Madrid and Almería’s Chumi.
Notably, none of these interactions resulted in Hernández Maeso reversing his initial on-field decisions or reviewing the incidents on the pitch-side monitor.
The leaked clips specifically cover instances when the screen was not utilised, unlike decisions related to Madrid’s first two goals and a disallowed Almería strike in the second half, which involved VAR review.
The RFEF had introduced a new initiative last month to release audio if the referee had been sent to the monitor.
“On Tuesday, we filed a report with the Guardia Civil [the Spanish police] after the publication of audios from the VAR system, which are of a completely private and professional scope, relating to the LaLiga match between Real Madrid and Almería,” the RFEF said in a statement.
“We have also opened an internal investigation and consider the aforementioned infraction extremely serious. We hope that a response will be found as soon as possible to clarify who is responsible.
“Meanwhile, all necessary measures will be taken to ensure the security of all RFEF communications.”
In the first conversation revealed by Romero, Hernández Maeso and Hernández Hernández assess an incident where Vinícius appears to make contact with Alejandro Pozo’s face using his elbow. However, they conclude that there is insufficient evidence to warrant VAR intervention.
In the second exchange, they scrutinise a clash between Chumi and Madrid’s Dani Ceballos, where Ceballos falls to the ground after the contact. Nonetheless, they decide to maintain the on-pitch decision of not awarding anything.
On both occasions, the referee was not summoned to the screen, in contrast to three other instances in the second half when Madrid rallied from a 2-0 deficit to secure a 3-2 victory.
After reviewing replays, Hernández Maeso awarded Madrid a penalty for handball, disallowed an Almería goal due to a foul by Dion Lopy on Jude Bellingham in the build-up, and allowed Vinícius’ equaliser, deeming the contact high enough to validate the goal. Initially, all three decisions were against Madrid.
Madrid ultimately clinched the win with a 99th-minute goal from Dani Carvajal, keeping them within one point of La Liga leaders Girona with a game in hand.
In December, the RFEF and LaLiga announced that conversations between referees and VAR would be publicly disclosed under a new agreement between the two organisations.
Consequently, discussions occurring during the review of incidents using the pitch-side monitor are made available to broadcasters after the conclusion of each day’s matches.
Host of the Onua Concert Party show on Onua TV, Aba Martins, popularlyknown as Ama Dhope, has shared a hilarious story of how she lost her job as a teacher twice in Ghana due to her bad pronunciation of some English words.
While telling her story of how she survived in China while she was furthering her education, Ama, during an interview on Berla Mundi’s “ The DayShow “on TV3, recounted her distress over common words that cost her two jobs in the Asian country.
According to her, she knew nobody in China during her stay there, but she “was able to manoeuvre her through” because she took on side jobs such as teaching English in some Chinese schools.
She recounts how she lost her first job over the mispronunciation of the lion, which took her out of what she anticipated to be another source of income for her survival.
She said, “In China, I knew nobody, but I was able to manoeuvre my way through because I was doing some side business; I was teaching English. Our phonetics here in Ghana are quite different from those in China.
Pronounciation of words like lion: where we were thought to pronounce it like “ly-yon,” in China it is pronounced LY” + “uhn. You won’t get it easy with mispronunciations.
After managing to get a second job, on another occasion, the comedy show host added, that
“I didn’t know that Thursday should be pronounced as thuhz-day; we were thought ‘Turz-day’ , not knowing it was a dentine.
I was there and the owner of the school walked to me and ordered me to pack my bags because what I was teaching the kids was deadly.
Same with my second school , there I lost my job again over the pronunciation of lion”.
Ama Dhope is a TV host on Onua TV, a Ghanaian television station owned by Media General.
She is the host of the Onua Concert Party show, a comedy and entertainment program that showcases local talents and celebrities.
José Mourinho has turned down an offer from Saudi Pro League club Al Shabab to take on the role of their new manager, according to a source from ESPN.
Domenico Tite, the sporting director of the club, engaged in talks with Jorge Mendes, Mourinho’s agent, immediately after the Portuguese coach was sacked by AS Roma last week.
Despite expressing his desire to manage in Saudi Arabia in the near future, Mourinho, who turns 61 on Friday, has opted against joining the SPL at this time.
While he has garnered interest from European clubs, the source mentioned that Mourinho is taking his time to decide on his next move.
Due to league regulations, he cannot manage another Italian club this season, making potential interest from clubs like Napoli a consideration for the next season.
Mourinho, who has faced dismissal in his last five coaching positions, including Chelsea, Real Madrid, Manchester United, Tottenham, and Roma, has indicated his preference to stay in Europe, but only for the right project.
Jose Mourinho shrug
Al Shabab, currently 11th in theSaudi Pro League, is eager to replace their embattled manager, Igor Biscan, having won just five of their 19 league games this season.
