TIG Post

Author: Abigail Ampofo

  • Osman Bukari speaks out after scoring against Man City in the UEFA Champions League opener

    Osman Bukari speaks out after scoring against Man City in the UEFA Champions League opener

    Osman Bukari has voiced his disappointment following Red Star Belgrade’s loss to European champions Manchester City in the opening match of the UEFA Champions League.

    The Ghanaian international scored a remarkable goal to open the scoring in an exhilarating match at the Etihad on Tuesday night, marking his first goal in the competition’s group stage.

    Nevertheless, a resilient comeback from the treble-winning Manchester City squad resulted in Red Star’s defeat as they returned to Serbia.

    “Unfortunately, not the results we wanted but we will come back stronger! Thank you all for the support!,” wrote Bukari on social media after the match.

    At the stroke of halftime, the 24-year-old provided the Serbian champions with a lead by skillfully beating the offside trap.

    In the early stages of the second half, City responded with a goal from Argentine forward Julian Alvarez.

    The 2022 World Cup winner gave Manchester City their first lead of the game at the hour mark, and Rodri secured the victory late in the match.

    Despite the defeat, Red Star Belgrade’s manager, Barak Bahar, expressed pride in Bukari and his fellow teammates for their commendable performance in England.

    “After the lead at halftime, I told the team that they had to keep playing, because I knew that Manchester City would press in the second half. They scored quickly in the second half but we were brave and kept fighting.

    “We tried to press, but we didn’t succeed because their ball moves incredibly. We fought, we can look in the mirror and I’m proud of the team. We will transfer this energy to the next game,” he said after the game, as quoted by crvenazvezdafk.com.

    As previously reported by Sports Brief, Bukari achieved his maiden goal in the UEFA Champions League group stage by opening the scoring during the match against Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium.

    The Ghanaian forward, who represents the Black Stars, found the net just before halftime after skillfully evading the offside trap to connect with a pass from Mirko Ivanic.

    Bukari played a pivotal role in Red Star Belgrade’s qualification for the group stage, delivering outstanding performances throughout the qualifiers.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C2A5o7AGkwY
  • Replacing David De Gea is not easy, but will do my best – Andre Onana

    Replacing David De Gea is not easy, but will do my best – Andre Onana

    Manchester United goalkeeper Andre Onana has acknowledged the challenges of stepping into the shoes of David de Gea, especially after a tough start to the season.

    In the English Premier League, the Cameroonian has already conceded 10 goals in five games, including three in a recent loss to Brighton and Hove Albion.

    Despite his difficulties, the 27-year-old accompanied the Red Devils to Germany for their UEFA Champions League opener against Bayern Munich in Group A on Wednesday.

    Onana started by expressing his delight at being a part of Manchester United and emphasising the unity within the team.

    “Replacing David [De Gea] is not something easy. I am trying to do my best,” he said at the pre-match press conference.

    The ex-Ajax Amsterdam goalkeeper maintains his confidence that the team will bounce back from their sluggish start, starting with the match in Munich.

    “Of course, the start of the season is not what we want. Better days will come, the situation will turn and I am very confident. I know everything will be alright,” he added.

    Onana arrived in the summer transfer window from Inter Milan after leading the Italian giants to the semi-final of the UEFA Champions League, as reported by Manchester United’s official website.

    Onana gets FIFA best goalkeeper nomination

    Sports Brief has previously reported on Morocco’s Yassine Bounou and Cameroon’s Onana being nominated for FIFA’s ‘best goalkeeper award’ after stellar years under review.

    The Africans excelled at both club and country and will battle with Real Madrid’s Thibaut Courtois, Barcelona’s Marc-Andre ter Stegen, and Ederson of Manchester City for the award.

    Onana, currently a member of Manchester United, guided Inter Milan to the Champions League final, while Bounou played a pivotal role as Morocco achieved a historic feat by reaching the semi-finals of the 2022 World Cup.

  • Galatasaray fans attempt to disrupt Copenhagen players but end up at the incorrect hotel

    Galatasaray fans attempt to disrupt Copenhagen players but end up at the incorrect hotel

    Several enthusiastic Galatasaray fans attempted to disrupt the sleep of Copenhagen players on Tuesday night by igniting a substantial quantity of fireworks near their hotel.

    However, there was a significant issue: they had mistakenly targeted the wrong hotel.

    To emphasise their ambition to disturb the travelling players’ sleep ahead of their Champions League clash, the Turkish supporters posted a video on social media platform ‘X’ (formerly Twitter) with the message: “Welcome to Hell, FC Copenhagen”.


    Daniel Rommedahl, Copenhagen’s director of football operations and international affairs, commented on the incident, noting that the Galatasaray fans had indeed arrived at the incorrect hotel.

    Rommedahl has further commented on the incident to Bold.dk: “We haven’t heard anything, and when I look at the video, I can clearly see that it’s definitely not (where we’re staying).”

    “It is 100 percent certain that it is not near. It’s also not our sponsor hotel or the hotel for the under-19 team, so whoever is staying there… God knows,” he added.

    Copenhagen will face Galatasaray on Wednesday evening at 18:45 CET in Istanbul.

  • You are bad, you hurt me – Messi’s remarks that almost forced ex PSG teammate Vitinha out of club

    You are bad, you hurt me – Messi’s remarks that almost forced ex PSG teammate Vitinha out of club

    Lionel Messi reportedly made a harsh comment about his former Paris Saint-Germain teammate Vitinha, which led to the midfielder’s desire to leave the club.

    In early 2023, Messi and Vitinha had an exchange of words during training, during which Messi directed a pointed criticism towards his fellow teammate.

    It took the persuasion of his compatriot Danilo Pereira to convince the Portuguese midfielder to remain with the team.

    According to a report from French newspaper L’Equipe, Messi told Vitinha: “Not only are you bad, but you’re also hurting me.”

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qTtafmiLeBE

    Vitinha had a challenging debut season in Paris after his transfer from Porto in July 2022. Despite being a regular starter under Christophe Galtier, he faced strong criticism from both fans and, apparently, teammates due to his inconsistent performances.

    Vitinha, who delivered a memorable performance against Dortmund in the Champions League on Tuesday, is scheduled to feature for PSG in their upcoming Ligue 1 match against Marseille this weekend.

    Meanwhile, Messi is set to make his return to the Inter Miami first team in their match against Toronto tonight.

  • Togbe Afede XIV, lands new position in World Trade Center Association board

    Togbe Afede XIV, lands new position in World Trade Center Association board

    Chairman of Hearts of Oak, Togbe Afede XIV, has been named a director on the board of the World Trade Centre Association.

    “Another achievement from our selfless and inspiring Board Chairman. Congratulations on your appointment to the board of the WORLD TRADE CENTRES ASSOCIATION as a DIRECTOR.

    Hearts of Oak congratulates you, sir”, a club statement reads.

    Togbe has held the position of Executive Chairman at the World Trade Centre in Accra and was elected as a member of the board of directors of the World Trade Centre in 2015.

    He established SAS Finance Group Ltd., which encompasses Strategic African Securities Ltd., a stock brokerage and corporate finance advisory firm, as well as SAS Investment Management Ltd., an asset management firm.

    The President of the Asogli Traditional Area also founded Strategic Initiatives Ltd (SIL), a portfolio and private equity investment firm, and played a key role in the founding of Sunon Asogli Power Ghana Ltd, Databank Financial Services, and Africa World Airlines Ltd.

    Notably, Togbe Afede is a co-pilot of the Embraer 145 aircraft for Africa World Airlines and piloted its inaugural landing at Ho Airport in April 2021.

  • Rubiales and his father reportedly exerted pressure on a Spain press officer to provide false testimony

    Rubiales and his father reportedly exerted pressure on a Spain press officer to provide false testimony

    Luis Rubiales reportedly exerted pressure on a press officer of the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) to claim that Jenni Hermoso had authorised statements absolving him of wrongdoing.

    Following the controversial kiss Rubiales gave Hermoso after Spain’s Women’s World Cup final victory against England, the RFEF released a statement asserting that the star player had given her consent to the then-RFEF president.

    According to El Confidencial, Rubiales and his father allegedly pressured the head of the Spain women’s team’s press office to provide written confirmation that Hermoso had indeed authorised the release of the statements that downplayed the controversy.

    It is claimed that this testimony from Patricia Perez, who heads the communications department, was subsequently used by the RFEF’s Integrity Department to issue a favourable ruling for Rubiales.

    Rubiales initially resisted calls to resign from his position and was suspended by FIFA for 90 days before eventually stepping down.

    Perez was reportedly summoned to a meeting that included Rubiales, his father, and other members of the RFEF and its Integrity Department.

    She is reported to have said that “since the press was asking about the kiss, it was proposed by the Communication Department to release some statements about it, and once approved by [Hermoso], they were sent to the media”.

    However, Hermoso had said on an Instagram Live after the final that she did not like Rubiales’ actions and later clarified in a statement of her own: “I feel obliged to report that Mr. Rubiales’ words explaining the unfortunate incident are categorically false and part of the manipulative culture that he himself has generated. The kiss was never consensual.”

    She criticised the RFEF once more, as well as the new coach, Montse Tome, for maintaining that they are safeguarding her by not including the star player in the national team’s lineup for this month.

  • Black Queens thump Rwanda in a 7-0 clash

    Black Queens thump Rwanda in a 7-0 clash

    In the 2024 CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) qualifiers, Ghana’s senior women’s national team, the Black Queens, secured a resounding 7-0 victory over Rwanda at the Kigali Pele Stadium.

    Under the guidance of Coach Nora Hauptle, the team wasted no time in opening the scoring, with Doris Boaduwaa heading in a corner kick in just the second minute of the game.

    Evelyn Badu, a striker for the team, went on to score the second goal and complete a brace in the 65th minute.

    Princella Adubea added to Ghana’s tally in the first half, while Alice Kusi contributed another goal after the halftime break, finding the net in the 53rd minute.

    Asathesia Achiaa also had a standout performance, scoring a double in the match, with her final goal being an unexpected surprise as her seemingly weak cross managed to beat the Rwandan goalkeeper, sealing the 7-0 victory.

    This match marked Ghana’s first game in the qualifiers as they launched their campaign for the 2024 Women’s AFCON Qualifiers.

    The Black Queens are set to host their Rwandan opponents in Accra on September 26, as part of the two-legged fixture that will determine which team advances to the next round.

    The winner of the Ghana-Rwanda matchup will then face the victor of the match between The Gambia and Namibia in the second round of the qualifiers.

    Notably, Ghana missed out on the previous edition of the tournament after a 2-1 aggregate loss to Nigeria over two legs.

    Under the guidance of Coach Nora Hauptle, the Black Queens are eager to secure qualification for the 2024 Women’s AFCON, which is set to be hosted in Morocco.

  • Michal Probierz now Poland national team manager

    Michal Probierz now Poland national team manager

    Michal Probierz (50) has taken over as the coach of Poland’s national team, as confirmed by the Polish Football Association (PZPN) on Wednesday.

    This change comes after Poland and Portuguese coach Fernando Santos (68) parted ways last week following their 2-0 loss to Albania, which significantly hampered their chances of qualifying for Euro 2024.

    “Michal Probierz has been appointed selector of the Polish national team. This is the best possible choice. I wish the new coach good luck,” PZPN President Cezary Kulesza said in a statement.


    Probierz has a successful track record, having secured the Polish Cup and Super Cup titles twice each with Jagiellonia Bialystok and Cracovia. He has been in charge of the national Under-21 side since July 2022.

    Probierz’s contract as the new manager will be effective until the conclusion of the qualifying period for the 2026 World Cup. Despite following in the footsteps of the high-profile appointment of Santos, Probierz acknowledged that his selection may not receive universal acclaim.

    “I know that I am in many cases a controversial person, for many my choice was not obvious,” the new manager told reporters at his presentation on Wednesday.

    “But I would like to thank the board for their support, it is important that people believe in me.

    “I coached many players who are in the squad today, such as Lukasz Skorupski. It’s not like I am a random coach, so I ask the fans to hold off on their assessments.”

    Former Poland Under-21 coach Michal Probierz will assume the managerial role for the upcoming round of qualifiers in October. Poland is scheduled to travel to the Faroe Islands and host Moldova during this period.

    While leading the Under-21 team, Probierz had an auspicious start to their qualification campaign for the 2025 European Championship, securing two victories in as many matches.

    However, he now faces the task of revitalizing the senior team’s performance.

    In Group E, Poland currently occupies the fourth position, having accumulated six points from five matches. They trail group leaders Albania by four points and are two points behind both the Czech Republic and Moldova, who are in second place.

    “We will give the coach all the tools needed. We believe that we will go to the European Championships,” PZPN President Kulesza said.

  • Guardiola says City is ‘in trouble’ as Silva joins lengthy injury list

    Guardiola says City is ‘in trouble’ as Silva joins lengthy injury list

    Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has expressed concern, stating that his team is facing a challenging situation following the injury to Portuguese midfielder Bernardo Silva (29).

    Silva, who recently extended his contract with City until 2026, had to leave the field before halftime during City’s 3-1 victory over Red Star Belgrade in their Champions League opening match on Tuesday.

    City is already dealing with the absence of crucial players like Kevin De Bruyne, John Stones, Jack Grealish, and Mateo Kovacic, all of whom are sidelined due to injuries.

    “He (Silva) didn’t say anything at the end,” Guardiola said.

    “I didn’t speak with the doctors, but apparently, for the next games, he won’t be able to play.”


    Premier League leaders Manchester City next host Nottingham Forest on Saturday, looking to make it six wins from six, but Guardiola is worried about the impact of having so many key players absent at the same time.

    “We are in trouble but I am not going to say, ‘Oh, we have a lot of injuries,’” he told reporters.

    “When we have five important players—really, really important players—injured. To sustain that for a long time will be difficult. But it is what it is.”

  • Mbappe for Ballon d’Or over Messi, Haaland – Achraf Hakimi

    Mbappe for Ballon d’Or over Messi, Haaland – Achraf Hakimi

    Achraf Hakimi believes that Kylian Mbappe “deserves” to claim the 2023 Ballon d’Or, placing him ahead of Lionel Messi and Erling Haaland.

    The Morocco international expressed his support for Mbappe to secure football’s most prestigious individual accolade for the first time.

    This endorsement comes in light of Mbappe’s exceptional performance in the early part of the season, notably contributing to PSG’s 2-0 triumph over Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League.

    Messi is currently leading the race to secure his record-extending eighth Ballon d’Or award, notably achieving success by winning the World Cup with Argentina in Qatar last year.

    Haaland is also a strong contender, having scored an impressive 56 goals during his debut season with Manchester City, leading them to a treble.

    Despite missing out on the World Cup title as France fell to Argentina in the 2023 final, Mbappe emerged as the tournament’s top scorer.

    Additionally, he netted an impressive 41 goals for PSG during the 2022–23 club season.

    Luis Enrique’s team is set to return to action on Sunday in a Ligue 1 match against Marseille.

  • Jesus acknowledges ‘secret’ role in Zinchenko’s Arsenal move

    Jesus acknowledges ‘secret’ role in Zinchenko’s Arsenal move

    Gabriel Jesus has revealed his “secret agent” role in convincing “his brother,” Oleksandr Zinchenko, to join Arsenal.


    Both players departed from Manchester City to join Arsenal last summer, with Jesus being the initial transfer. Following that, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta and technical director Edu visited Zinchenko’s residence to negotiate his transfer.


    Jesus told a news conference ahead of Arsenal’s Champions League game against PSV Eindhoven: “I was in Manchester, at home with my family and I was supposed to come to London the day after and come in by car.


    “Edu just texted me and said they were going to Zinny’s house; if I want to come to join them to talk with Zin, then I come by plane. So I say, ‘OK.’ I went there and talked with him. He was surprised.


    “If I helped a little bit and he took the decision to come, I am happy because I like him as a player, as a person. I treat him as a brother and I am very happy he came. He is playing good, playing every time and more than this, he is very happy, so I’m happy for him.


    “I just said ‘Zina, you have to take a decision like I did and I am happy with this.’ He was a little bit ‘I don’t know, I need to talk with my wife first’ but he took the decision [to come]. I think if you ask him, it was the right decision.”


    Pushed on how Zinchenko has described him as a “secret agent,” Jesus joked: “Yeah, he can give me some percent [of the money]!”

  • Balde extends contract with Barcelona

    Balde extends contract with Barcelona

    Following an impressive breakthrough season in 2022/23, Barcelona has moved swiftly to secure the future of one of their youth talents.

    Alejandro Balde has committed his future to FC Barcelona by agreeing to a new contract that binds him to the club until June 2028.

    The 19-year-old left-back’s fresh contract includes a staggering release clause of €1 billion.

    Balde, who has quickly risen to prominence, is set to formally sign the contract during a presentation scheduled for Thursday, where he will be joined by club president Joan Laporta.

    As per a club announcement, this event will take place at the Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper and is scheduled to commence at 13:15 (CEST).

    How has Balde done at Barca?

    https://www.youtube.com/shorts/mjUUa3eMHQo?feature=share

    The young talent began featuring in competitive matches for Barcelona’s senior squad in the 2021/22 season, making his debut against Bayern Munich in the Champions League in 2021.

    In recent seasons, Balde has consistently improved and established himself as the first-choice left-back in the 2022/23 season, ahead of seasoned veterans like Jordi Alba and Marcos Alonso.

    Balde’s fresh contract stands as a testament to his remarkable ascent through the ranks at Barcelona. After joining the club’s youth academy in 2011, he made swift progress to reach the first team.

    In total, Balde has accumulated 55 appearances for the Barcelona first team, contributing one goal and six assists. His performances have earned him praise from both fans and experts, and this new contract reflects the club’s confidence in his potential.

    With Balde’s future secured, Barcelona’s next focus will likely be securing the future of another young player, with Lamine Yamal reportedly high on their list of priorities.

  • Levy discloses clause for Harry Kane’s return

    Levy discloses clause for Harry Kane’s return

    Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy has officially acknowledged that the club holds an option to bring back striker Harry Kane as part of his transfer to Bayern Munich.

    Kane, aged 30, concluded his nearly two-decade-long association with Spurs this past summer by agreeing to a €120 million move to the Bundesliga champions.

    During a fan forum event on Tuesday, which was attended by various individuals, including head coach Ange Postecoglou, Levy was prompted to confirm the existence of this clause after initially avoiding the question from an audience member.

    In response, Levy stated, “Of course,” thereby acknowledging the possibility of Kane’s return to the club.

  • Barca, Betis tailing Lo Celso

    Barca, Betis tailing Lo Celso

    Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Giovani Lo Celso is reportedly considering a return to Real Betis, with Barcelona also expressing interest.

    Lo Celso, aged 27, initially joined Spurs from Betis in the summer of 2019, initially on loan, before the Premier League club exercised their option to make the move permanent.

    During his time at Spurs, the attacking midfielder made 84 appearances in various competitions, contributing nine goals, but he eventually lost his place in the squad.

    Over the past 18 months, the Argentina international has been on loan with Villarreal in La Liga, where he has made 51 appearances. However, this season, he has only played for 16 minutes with Spurs, as no club was willing to meet their €20 million valuation during the summer transfer window.

    According to reports, both Barcelona and Betis may revisit the possibility in January to check if Tottenham has reconsidered its asking price.

  • Arsenal, Chelsea, and Tottenham on standby for Toney

    Arsenal, Chelsea, and Tottenham on standby for Toney

    Premier League clubs are lining up to secure the services of Ivan Toney, with Brentford manager Thomas Frank acknowledging the possibility of the striker departing in January.

    Toney, aged 27, has returned to training this week after completing the initial part of an eight-month suspension for a breach of betting regulations. His eligibility to play will be reinstated on January 16, sparking what is expected to be a competitive pursuit of his signature.

    According to The Daily Mirror, Arsenal, Chelsea, and Tottenham Hotspur are all preparing offers for Toney, a player who netted 20 Premier League goals in the previous season and earned his England debut against Ukraine in March.

    Frank has hinted that it would require a substantial fee for Brentford to consider letting the player go, and the interest from multiple clubs is likely to drive up the transfer valuation. He argued that with midfielders like Declan Rice moving for £100 million, a striker of Toney’s calibre should command a similar price tag.

    The Daily Mirror suggests a transfer fee of at least £60 million, considering Toney will have just 18 months remaining on his current contract, whereas Rice was under a long-term agreement.

  • Tottenham chief warns James Maddison not to pull up at training in a ‘red car’

    Tottenham chief warns James Maddison not to pull up at training in a ‘red car’

    Maddison has had a promising beginning to his time in North London since his transfer from Leicester City over the summer.

    However, during a fans’ forum on Tuesday evening, Spurs chairman Levy humorously teased him about his car selection.


    The Tottenham chief said: “James needs to learn that he can’t come to the training ground in a red car. I’ve told him. He’ll learn.”


    England international Maddison is already looking like one of the bargain buys of the summer at £40m ($50m). The 26-year-old has recorded two goals and two assists in his first five Premier League appearances for Ange Postecoglou’s side, helping them rise to second in the table.


    Elsewhere, Levy was also questioned on a number of other topics at the club and labelled the appointments of Antonio Conte and Jose Mourinho as “mistakes” while also revealing that there was a buy-back clause inserted in Harry Kane’s contract when he joined Bayern Munich in the summer.


    Postecoglou will face his biggest test yet as Tottenham boss when his team travels to the Emirates Stadium on Sunday to face Arsenal in the first north London derby of the season.

  • You are well known in UK – Liverpool coach honoured to meet Akrobeto

    You are well known in UK – Liverpool coach honoured to meet Akrobeto

    Youth team coach from Liverpool, Steven Appleton, has openly expressed his deep fondness and admiration for the comedic talent and abilities of renowned Ghanaian actor Akwasi Boadi Akrobeto.

    Appleton, who is currently in Ghana for scouting purposes, holds Akrobeto in high regard and couldn’t contain his excitement when he had the opportunity to meet Akrobeto on his Real News show on UTV.

    When quizzed by Akrobeto if he had any knowledge of him and his show prior to appearing on it, Steven Appleton remarked, “You are very popular in the UK with your programme.

    “It’s an honour to meet you,”.

    Akrobeto has achieved international fame thanks to his unique and comical approach to presenting fixtures and results for major matches on his programme.

    The award-winning actor has consistently been featured on prominent international media platforms, showcasing his remarkable comedic skills.

    His videos have garnered attention from globally renowned footballers such as Daniel Sturridge and Rio Ferdinand, both of whom have confirmed themselves as big fans of his work.

    In August 2022, Rio Ferdinand, a Manchester United legend, shared how people were using Akrobeto’s videos to tease him following Manchester United’s 4-0 loss to Brentford.

    Ferdinand took to Twitter to reveal that individuals were sending him videos of Ghanaian comedian Akrobeto playfully mocking his former club.

    In 2021, Akrobeto became a viral sensation after appearing in a fixture announcement video for Russian club Spartak Moscow.

    The club utilised a humorous video featuring the comic actor to unveil the fixtures for the 2021/22 Russian Premier League season.

  • Complete destruction for Pogba, he should just retire – Emmanuel Petit advises after anti-doping charges

    Complete destruction for Pogba, he should just retire – Emmanuel Petit advises after anti-doping charges

    Complete destruction for Pogba, he should just retire Emmanuel Petit advises

    The 30-year-old midfielder from Juventus is currently undergoing solo training in Turin after receiving a precautionary suspension from the Anti-Doping Tribunal in Italy due to a positive test for testosterone.

    Pogba is awaiting the results of a counter-analysis scheduled for October 5, following the initial positive test in September.

    Reports from Gazzetta dello Sport indicate that Pogba is staying at a villa in Turin, which was previously inhabited by former Juventus star Cristiano Ronaldo, as he awaits the resolution of the situation.

    The French international has access to facilities including a pool, a gym, and an outdoor pitch to maintain his fitness.

    In the event that Pogba is not cleared after the second sample analysis, there may be a further investigation into the supplements he reportedly took under the guidance of an American doctor.

    If found guilty, Pogba could potentially face a football ban of up to four years.

    Speaking on Betway, former Arsenal player Petit advised Pogba to consider retirement if the worst-case scenario becomes a reality. Petit also opined that Pogba’s career has been on a downward trajectory since his departure from Manchester United in 2022.

    Petit said: “Paul Pogba should definitely retire if he is given a four-year ban. When you are suspended for that long, you can’t even come to the training ground. That leaves you going to the gym or the park with no teammates, no balls, and nothing. Four years for a 30-year-old player is a long time.

    Emmanuel-Petit

    “His time at Manchester United didn’t end well, and in France, we think he’s been a disaster since then. Forget football, forget money, it’s a disaster for him. He’s completely destroyed. He’s nothing like the Pogba we used to know. There’s no way he’ll be back in high-level football.”
    Pogba’s return to Juventus has been marred by a string of injuries, limiting his availability to just eight Serie A appearances over the last two seasons.

  • Ole Gunnar thinks Rashford’s presence part of Sancho’s Utd woes

    Ole Gunnar thinks Rashford’s presence part of Sancho’s Utd woes

    Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has suggested that Jadon Sancho’s struggles at Manchester United are a result of competition from Marcus Rashford, particularly on the left-wing.

    The former Manchester United manager believes that Sancho thrives when playing on the left but has had limited opportunities due to Rashford’s impressive goal-scoring performance, with Rashford being the top scorer for United in all competitions last season.

    Solskjaer, who signed Sancho from Borussia Dortmund in the summer of 2021, has also commented on the harsh criticism directed at Harry Maguire, expressing his belief that such criticism is unjust considering Maguire’s dedication and contributions to the club in recent years.

    “Yes, I wanted to sign him [Sancho]. Manchester United will never sign a player the manager doesn’t want,” Solskjaer told The Athletic. “That’s not the case everywhere. Jadon was put up as the No 1 target for the right wing by the scouts and when you look at his talent, I could see why.”Unfortunately, it has not worked out.

    “When he arrived, he had to go to hospital and that was a setback as he couldn’t start the first games. He’s immensely talented and we haven’t seen the best of him. I hope we do, but he prefers to play left wing… where Marcus plays.”

    He then went on to talk about the abuse of Maguire has faced, adding: “It’s a disgrace that he’s getting so much abuse. I feel sorry for him, but he’s a strong lad and I hope it turns for him. He raised our defence big time when he arrived and lifted the mood around the place.”

    Maguire and Sancho were acquired for a total transfer fee exceeding £153 million ($189 million). Both of these English internationals have faced challenges during their time at Old Trafford.

    Maguire was frequently linked with a potential departure during the summer transfer window, while Sancho was publicly embroiled in a disagreement with the current manager, Erik ten Hag, regarding his training commitment.

  • GFA moves its Elective Congress to October 5th

    GFA moves its Elective Congress to October 5th

    Ghana Football Association (GFA) has rescheduled its Elective Congress to take place on October 5, 2023.

    This change comes after the original date of September 27 in Tamale had to be adjusted, possibly due to a court injunction initiated by King Faisal.

    In accordance with Article 33 of the GFA Statutes 2019, the Executive Council of the Association has made the decision to move the Extraordinary Session of Congress to October 5, 2023.

    The Congress is scheduled to begin at 9:00 a.m. and will be conducted at the Global Dream Hotel in Tamale.

    The Official List of Candidates for the GFA Elections 2023 has already been released by the Elections Committee.

    The agenda for the Congress, in accordance with Article 33 of the GFA Statutes, includes:

    – Opening Prayer – Roll Call – Declaration of Congress compliance with the Statutes – Approval of the Agenda – Handing over of Congress to GFA Elections Committee – Announcement of Election Procedure by GFA Elections Committee – Election of GFA President – Election of Executive Council Member (1 Women’s Premier League Representative) – Election of Executive Council Members (3 Division One League Representatives) – Election of Executive Council Members (5 Premier League Representatives) – Swearing in of the President and the Executive Council Members – Brief speech by the elected President – Closing Prayer

  • Kurt Okraku can’t run unopposed, it’s not fair – Countryman Songo

    Kurt Okraku can’t run unopposed, it’s not fair – Countryman Songo

    Controversial sports journalist Patrick Osei Agyemang, also known as Countryman Songo, is advocating for the reinstatement of George Afriyie to the Ghana Football Association’s Presidential Elections.

    Afriyie, who aspired to become GFA President, was disqualified from the elections due to his failure to meet the required nomination criteria set by the GFA elections’ vetting committee.

    Despite appealing his disqualification to the Appeals Committee in hopes of reversing the decision, Afriyie’s appeal was ultimately rejected.

    As a result, with the current GFA president, Kurt Okraku, poised to run uncontested, Countryman Songo is calling on the vetting committee to reconsider their decision and allow George Afriyie to participate in the electoral competition.

    Songo stated, “How can the GFA president run unopposed? It’s not fair; there should be competition. Competition is vital in situations like this. No one should bypass the electoral process while others face injustice. We want Ghana football to thrive.”

    He pointed out that in the run-up to the 2016 General Election, Paa Kwesi Nduom, the former PPP flagbearer, encountered a comparable disqualification by the Electoral Commission.

    Nevertheless, the courts sided with him, permitting him to rectify mistakes in his nomination documents and participate in the elections.

    “Even during the general elections, Paa Kwesi Nduom was disqualified, and he took the matter to the appeals committee. The court ruled that he should be allowed to contest because if there is an error in his application forms, he needs more time to correct them. So why disqualify George Afriyie?” Songo questioned.

    Meanwhile, George Afriyie is reportedly planning to take the matter to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

  • Ole Gunnar speaks on Ronaldo’s exit from Man Utd

    Ole Gunnar speaks on Ronaldo’s exit from Man Utd

    Ronaldo made his return to Old Trafford in the summer of 2021, a remarkable comeback 12 years after he left for Real Madrid.

    His second stint began on a high note, with the Portuguese star scoring twice in his homecoming match against Newcastle.

    However, Manchester United’s performance gradually declined, leading to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s dismissal just four months into the 2021–22 season.

    The former United manager has since acknowledged that his choice to bring Ronaldo back was a regrettable decision, and he has offered insights into the circumstances that ultimately led to the unfortunate conclusion of his tenure.

    Speaking to The Athletic, Solskjaer said: “It was a decision that was very difficult to turn down and I felt we had to take it, but it turned out wrong.

    It felt so right when he signed and the fans felt that at that Newcastle game when Old Trafford was rocking (after Ronaldo scored twice in a 4-1 win). He was still one of the best goal scorers in the world, and he was looking strong.

    “When I looked at the fixtures, it was going to be a deciding period: Manchester City, Liverpool, Tottenham, and Leicester away. Then Chelsea and Arsenal, plus Champions League games Things went against us.

    “It started with Aston Villa at home (a 1-0 defeat) and a late penalty miss. When you have a group, you need everyone to pull in the same direction. When things didn’t go right, you could see certain players and egos come out. We beat Tottenham convincingly 3-0 away, but then we lost two games.”

    In his first season back at Manchester United, Ronaldo scored 24 goals and contributed three assists in 38 appearances. However, despite his efforts, the team recorded its lowest-ever Premier League points total.

    Subsequently, Erik ten Hag was brought in to replace Solskjaer, and during the early stages of the 2022–23 season, Ronaldo found himself sidelined.

    The Portuguese striker attracted controversy both on and off the field as he expressed frustration about his limited playing time. His situation escalated after a contentious interview with Piers Morgan, in which he criticised Ten Hag and his teammates. This eventually led to the termination of his contract by mutual agreement, and Ronaldo subsequently joined Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia, contributing to a trend of top European talent heading to the Middle East.

    Ten Hag’s team, which has won only twice in their first five Premier League matches, is set to face Bayern Munich in the Champions League on Wednesday. Meanwhile, Ronaldo will return to action in the Saudi Pro League for Al-Nassr against Al-Ahli Saudi on Friday.

  • Ex Black Stars coach Kwasi Appiah named as coach of Sudan

    Ex Black Stars coach Kwasi Appiah named as coach of Sudan

    Reports suggest that James Kwasi Appiah, the former coach of Ghana’s Black Stars, is on the verge of becoming the head coach of Sudan’s senior national team.

    While multiple media outlets in Kumasi have stated that Appiah has agreed to a three-year deal with the Sudanese team, sources close to the former Black Stars defender indicate that the deal is nearing completion but hasn’t been finalised yet.

    According to these sources, Kwasi Appiah has indeed agreed to the terms but wishes to complete his responsibilities with Kumasi Asante Kotoko before officially putting pen to paper.

    It’s reported that Appiah, who currently leads the Interim Management Committee of Kumasi Asante Kotoko, seeks the approval of Otumfuo Osei Tutu before giving the final nod for the Sudan coaching role.

    It’s worth noting that in August 2023, the Asantehene appointed Kwasi Appiah as the head of a three-member committee to oversee the affairs of Asante Kotoko temporarily.

    For the past month, Appiah, along with Emmanuel Dasoberi and Prosper Narteh Ogum, has been managing the club.

    Furthermore, Kwasi Appiah is also in the running for the Ghana Football Association election scheduled for October.

    James Kwesi Appiah, born on June 30, 1960, is a Ghanaian football coach and former player with a rich history in the sport. He managed Ghana’s national team between 2017 and 2019.

    As a player, Appiah was a left-back who played for Asante Kotoko from 1983 to 1993 and represented the Ghanaian national team between 1987 and 1992, even captaining the team.

    Appiah’s coaching career includes stints as Ghana’s U23 coach, where he guided the team to victory in the 2011 All-Africa Games. He took on the role of Head Coach of the Ghanaian national team in April 2012, a position he held until September 2014.

    During his tenure, he led Ghana to the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, becoming the first black African coach to achieve this feat.

    He returned as Ghana’s national team coach in April 2017, succeeding Avram Grant. Additionally, Appiah had experience coaching Sudanese club Al Khartoum in December 2014.

  • “Everything gets better with Gundo, he’s heaven sent” – Xavi heaps praise on Gundogan

    “Everything gets better with Gundo, he’s heaven sent” – Xavi heaps praise on Gundogan

    Barcelona’s manager, Xavi, praised the exceptional contribution of Ilkay Gundogan, describing the German midfielder’s impact as nothing short of miraculous.

    This accolade came after Gundogan provided an assist during Barcelona’s dominant 5-0 victory in their Champions League group stage debut against Royal Antwerp on Tuesday.

    Xavi went on to emphasise that signing Gundogan felt like a gift from the heavens.

    Speaking to reporters after the game, Xavi said: “When Gundo has the ball, everything gets better. As simple as that. He does everything well—absolutely everything.

    “If we play good is because of guys like him. His signing was heaven-sent, honestly. A superlative player, a total joy to watch.”

    While Ilkay Gundogan’s performance was noteworthy, it was somewhat overshadowed by Joao Felix’s exceptional showing.

    The Portuguese forward, who has been in scintillating form since his last-minute loan move from Atletico Madrid to Barcelona, scored twice against Antwerp and also contributed an assist for Robert Lewandowski’s goal.

    Barcelona’s next challenge in La Liga will be against Celta Vigo on Saturday.

  • Trevoh Chalobah’s personal trainer blames Chelsea’s injury woes on medical staff

    Trevoh Chalobah’s personal trainer blames Chelsea’s injury woes on medical staff

    Chelsea’s current injury crisis has come under scrutiny from Trevoh Chalobah’s personal trainer, Ed Hodge, who publicly expressed his frustration, describing the situation as an “absolute mess.”

    Hodge’s comments were shared through a now-deleted Twitter post that included what appeared to be a private Instagram conversation.

    Chelsea, who are in a rebuilding phase under Mauricio Pochettino, have experienced difficulties with injuries, including key players such as summer signings Moises Caicedo, Romeo Lavia, and Christopher Nkunku.

    Hodge seemingly attributed the high number of injuries to the medical staff, holding them responsible for the crisis.


    “Most of the injuries are because the players have been loading muscles time and time again without lengthening them simultaneously… then one lunge into a tackle, or a COD too rapidly and they’re injured,” he wrote.


    “Hardly any of them do reformer Pilates or terrain work (i.e. stair sprints & hill sprints to strengthen knee ligaments). It’s an absolute mess at the moment, bro.”


    Chalobah suffered a hamstring injury during training in August, sidelining him for a period. Nevertheless, Hodge disclosed that he is nearing the end of his recovery and may soon be ready to return.

     Chelsea will be back in action against Aston Villa on Sunday in the Premier League.

  • Neymar’s Al Hilal secures a draw with a late goal

    Neymar’s Al Hilal secures a draw with a late goal

    In Riyadh on Monday, Al Hilal managed to salvage a 1-1 draw with Uzbekistan’s Navbahor in the Asian Champions League, thanks to Ali Al-Bulaihi’s equaliser coming 10 minutes into stoppage time.

    This match marked Neymar’s first start for the Saudi Pro League side.

    The Saudi Arabia international defender, Al Bulaihi, rose to head in a cross from Brazilian winger Michael, cancelling out Toma Tabatadze’s earlier strike in the 52nd minute of the Group D encounter.

    It appeared that Samvel Babayan’s team was heading for an unlikely victory before Al Bulaihi’s late goal.

    Neymar, who arrived in Saudi Arabia with much fanfare over the summer, was in the starting lineup for the first time following his €90 million ($96 million) move from Paris Saint-Germain.

    However, he faced frustration throughout the match.

    The game looked destined to end in a defeat for Neymar and his team until Al Bulaihi’s header, which came during more than 14 minutes of injury time, finally ended Navbahor’s determined resistance against their expensively assembled opponents.

    In the Asian Champions League, only the group winners among the 40 participating teams are assured of progressing to the last 16.

    Currently, Al Hilal is trailing debutants Nassaji Mazandaran in the early group standings.

    The Iranians currently lead the group after securing a 2-0 victory over India’s Mumbai City in Pune, with goals from Ehsan Hosseini and Mohammad Reza Azadi in each half.

    Meanwhile, Saudi Pro League champions Al Ittihad had no difficulties in Group C, as they comfortably won 3-0 against AGMK from Uzbekistan, even though coach Nuno Espirito Santo did not include former Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema in the squad.

    Al Ittihad’s perfect start in Jeddah began with Haroune Camara’s 11th-minute goal after goalkeeper Botirali Ergashev’s save. Four minutes later, Romarinho doubled the lead with a composed close-range finish.

    The Brazilian then added a third from the penalty spot just before halftime, following a foul on Abderazzak Hamdallah in the area by Dilshodbek Akhmadaliev.

    Al-Ittihad now leads the table, as Air Force Club played out a 2-2 draw with Sepahan from Iran, with 19-year-old Ali Jassim scoring twice for the Iraqi side in Erbil.

    In addition, Nasaf Quarshi from Uzbekistan secured a late 1-0 win over Jordan’s Al-Faisaly to top Group B ahead of Qatar’s Al Sadd and Sharjah from the United Arab Emirates, who played out a goalless draw.

  • Jude Bellingham ready for ‘real’ Madrid debut in Champions League

    Jude Bellingham ready for ‘real’ Madrid debut in Champions League

    Jude Bellingham, aged 20, has made an incredible start to his tenure in the Spanish capital with Real Madrid. He scored on his debut and has continued this scoring streak in four of the five subsequent matches.

    The English midfielder has netted five goals in as many La Liga games, making a significant impact after his €103 million (£89 million) transfer from Borussia Dortmund this summer.

    Real Madrid has maintained a flawless record in its initial domestic matches this season. However, their true challenge begins with the commencement of the Champions League this week.

    In the highly anticipated competition, Bellingham, at 20 years old, is poised to make his “second” debut for Los Blancos against Union Berlin on Wednesday at the Santiago Bernabeu.

    Real Madrid places immense value on this tournament, having been defeated 4-0 by Manchester City in the second leg of last season’s semi-final, ultimately losing 5-1 on aggregate.

    The acquisition of Bellingham was, in part, a response to that humbling defeat.

    Madrid have started reducing minutes for their veteran players in midfield—Luka Modric and Toni Kroos—while allowing Bellingham, Eduardo Camavinga, Aurelien Tchouameni and Fede Valverde more opportunities.

    Bellingham adds to the tougher core of Madrid’s sport this season, shorn of Ballon d’Or winner Karim Benzema, who departed for a new adventure in Saudi Arabian football in the summer.

    Facing a Bundesliga side in Europe, Bellingham should feel comfortable, although it has become clear that he has already made himself at home.

    In his first appearance at the hallowed Bernabeu, the England international nearly blew the stadium’s new roof off with a last gasp 95th minute strike to earn Madrid a narrow win over Getafe in a derby on September 2.

    Jude Bellingham


    Wearing the No. 5 on his back in tribute to Zinedine Zidane, Bellingham has quickly become a fan favourite at Madrid.

    Celebrating his goals with his arms open wide, as if to share his joy with the supporters, he has instantly taken to him in a way that never happened with Welsh winger Gareth Bale.

    Bellingham has been serenaded with the chorus of the Beatles song “Hey Jude”, which he said was a special moment.

    “When they sang ‘Hey Jude’ at the end, I got goosebumps,” he told Real Madrid TV after the win over Getafe.

    “I just wanted to turn and stand still and listen to it while my legs were shaking.”

    Bellingham nodded to Spanish culture with a matador’s flag-waving gesture after dodging an attempted barge by a Getafe player.

    “Good players with personalities suffer a bit less than the others,” said Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti, when asked how Bellingham had clicked so quickly.

    “There’s no other reason. A player with personality, above all, more than quality, means that an important shirt like Real Madrid’s doesn’t weigh so much.”

    That personality was on display when he led England to the World Cup quarterfinals last year in Qatar at only 19.

    Thus far, Ancelotti has deployed Bellingham as a number 10, providing a strong physical presence in the area behind the nimble Brazilian duo of Rodrygo and Vinicius Junior, the latter of whom is currently injured.

    The only match in which he has not scored was Sunday’s 2-1 comeback victory over Real Sociedad, where he dropped deeper and got stuck in the midfield battle.


    “He had a consistent game, he didn’t get into the box until right at the end but he was involved throughout, working a lot,” said Ancelotti.

    Bellingham’s goals have replaced Benzema’s; he has played more like the French forward than Les Bleus icon Zidane since joining the club.

    Real Madrid were linked with Paris Saint-Germain striker Kylian Mbappe this summer, who has made it clear he is keen on joining Los Blancos.

    However, with Mbappe’s contract due to expire at the end of the season, it would have been a big and potentially unnecessary investment for Madrid, which they thought better of.

    Bellingham’s goals were the final nail in that coffin, as he showed he can make the difference in the opposition box in the attacking position Ancelotti has created for him.

    Perhaps Mbappe will arrive next summer, and perhaps a new coach will change Bellingham’s role once Ancelotti takes over the Brazilian national team, but in the short term, the current setup has suited coach and player just fine.

  • Stabbed Newcastle United fan in Milan now in stable condition

    Stabbed Newcastle United fan in Milan now in stable condition

    A 58-year-old Newcastle United supporter, who is a British national, is in stable condition at a hospital after being attacked by a group of hooded assailants in Milan on the eve of the team’s Champions League match against AC Milan, as reported by Italian police on Tuesday.

    The attack occurred in the Navigli district of the city, a popular canalside area known for its nightlife. The fan suffered stab wounds to the arm and back, with the back injury being the more severe.

    However, the victim is expected to be discharged from the Policlinco hospital within the next few hours, according to a police spokesperson.

    The incident took place while the victim was with a friend, and it involved a group of seven or eight individuals wearing hoods and concealing their faces.

    Newcastle United expressed their deep concern over the reports of the stabbing in a statement provided to the British media.

    “We are liaising with local authorities to understand the circumstances. Our thoughts are with the supporter and their family and we hope for a full and speedy recovery,” the statement added.

    Milan has not provided any comment on the matter.

    Newcastle is set to confront Milan, the seven-time European Cup winners, in Group F at the San Siro later on Tuesday. This marks the English side’s return to Europe’s premier club competition after an absence of 20 years.

  • Jenni Hermoso upset over Spain squad announcement, says ‘nothing has changed’

    Jenni Hermoso upset over Spain squad announcement, says ‘nothing has changed’

    Jenni Hermoso, aged 33, expressed her belief that the decision to include players who are participating in the Spanish women’s team boycott is evidence that “nothing has changed” within the country’s football federation (RFEF), even after the resignation of its president due to the Women’s World Cup kiss controversy.

    Despite the majority of Spain’s World Cup-winning squad being named on the roster for upcoming matches, the players have announced their intention to maintain their boycott.

    This boycott was initiated following an incident where Luis Rubiales, the former RFEF president, kissed Jenni Hermoso on the lips during the trophy presentation ceremony in Australia.

    If the players decline the call-up, they could potentially face fines of up to 30,000 euros and the suspension of their federation licence for a duration ranging from two to 15 years under Spain’s Sports Act.

    The RFEF did not provide an immediate response to a request for comment outside of regular business hours.

    In a statement released earlier on Monday, the federation expressed its belief in the necessity of “structural changes” and emphasized the need to identify those accountable for the behavior highlighted by the players.

    Montse Tome, who has taken over as the coach of the national team, indicated that Jenni Hermoso was omitted from the squad due to the significant media scrutiny she had endured over the past month.

    “We stand with Jenni. We believe that the best way to protect her is like this, but we are counting on Jenni,” Tome said.

    Hermoso asked who she needed protection from.

    “A claim was made today stating that the environment within the federation would be safe for my colleagues to rejoin yet at the press conference it was announced that they were not calling me as a means to protect me,” she said.

    “Protect me from what? And from whom?”

  • Ancelotti scores Man City as favourites to win Champions League

    Ancelotti scores Man City as favourites to win Champions League

    The 64-year-old manager of Real Madrid, Carlo Ancelotti, emphasised on Tuesday that his team never regards themselves as favourites to win the Champions League, despite their illustrious history in the competition.

    He pointed out that bookmakers are favouring the defending champions, Manchester City.

    Real Madrid, who secured their 14th European Cup victory in 2022 but were defeated by Manchester City in the semi-finals last season, are set to kick off their Group C campaign with a home match against Union Berlin on Wednesday.

    In addition to Union Berlin, they will also face Napoli, the Serie A champions, and Braga from Portugal during the group stage.

    “City are favourites because they have a squad that saw them win it last season and they haven’t changed much.

    “However, in the Champions League, like always, there are surprises at the end,” Ancelotti told reporters ahead of facing Union at the Bernabeu.

    “Real Madrid are a team that is going to fight until the end. We never think of ourselves as favourites, just as I think City don’t. They won it last year, they can win the Champions League.“

    Real may be taking on Champions League debutants Union, but Ancelotti stressed they would not take the Germans lightly.

    “They’re a new team in the Champions League but the fact they’re here means they’ve done very well. They’re well organised defensively, they’re solid and they play with intensity…,” he said.

    “The Champions League is a special competition for us. We’re going to treat tomorrow’s game as something special. We want to get off to a good start in the group stage and we’re playing at home.”

    The Italian added that Dani Carvajal (31) would be rested for Wednesday’s game, but said the right back would likely be available for their LaLiga clash at Atletico Madrid on Sunday.

    “Carvajal has a strain and we wanted to rest him to avoid problems,” Ancelotti said. “He feels good and we don’t think it’s anything serious, so hopefully he’ll be back soon.

    “As things stand today, he has a chance of playing on Sunday. The player’s general condition is pretty good. Lucas Vazquez (32) will play in place of Carvajal (against the Union).”

  • PSG’s Draxler completes move to Qatar’s Al-Ahli from

    PSG’s Draxler completes move to Qatar’s Al-Ahli from

    German midfielder Julian Draxler has completed a transfer from Paris St Germain to Qatari club Al-Ahli SC, signing a two-year contract, as confirmed by both clubs on Monday.

    Draxler, who previously played for Wolfsburg and Schalke 04 in the Bundesliga, joined PSG in 2017. During his six seasons with the Ligue 1 club, he made more than 190 appearances.

    However, he fell out of favour and spent the last season on loan with Portuguese side Benfica.

    PSG released a statement expressing their best wishes for Julian Draxler’s future career.

    Draxler, who has 58 international caps and seven goals for Germany, has not played for the national team since March of the previous year.

    He was part of the Germany squad that won the FIFA World Cup in 2014.

    Two of Draxler’s former teammates, Marco Verratti and Abdou Diallo, have also made moves to Qatar this season, both joining Al-Arabi.

    Currently, Al-Ahli holds the 11th position in the Qatar Stars League after suffering three consecutive defeats in their first three league matches.

  • Hazard declines Royal Union Saint-Gilloise offer

    Hazard declines Royal Union Saint-Gilloise offer

    Eden Hazard has declined an opportunity to join the Belgian Pro League team Royal Union Saint-Gilloise, according to Diario AS.

    The Belgian national has been without a club since he and Real Madrid mutually agreed to terminate his contract a year ahead of schedule this summer.

    A transfer to Royal Union Saint-Gilloise would have provided the former Chelsea standout with the chance to compete against his brothers, Thorgan and Kylian, who play for Anderlecht and RWDM, respectively, in the Belgium Pro League this season.

    However, it is reported that the 32-year-old is keen on continuing to reside in Madrid.

  • There’s a likelihood Ivan Toney could exit Brentford – Coach Frank

    There’s a likelihood Ivan Toney could exit Brentford – Coach Frank

    Brentford manager Thomas Frank has acknowledged the possibility of star striker Ivan Toney departing the club in January.

    The 27-year-old forward recently resumed training after serving the initial portion of his suspension for betting violations. However, he is still ineligible to play until January 16.

    Toney, who earned his first England cap earlier this year, netted 20 Premier League goals in the previous season, drawing attention from Chelsea and Manchester United.

    “I think every club in the world is a selling club except five or six clubs,” Frank told Sky Sports. “We are a selling club if the right price is there and I think it’s the right time for the players to go.

    “That’s not my decision, that would be down to [director of football] Phil [Giles] or [chairman] Matthew [Benham] in the end.

    “But I think if players have developed well with us and been on the journey, and they’ve proven good enough to go to the top clubs, then I think it’s the right thing, if we get the right price.

    “I understand why there are a lot of rumours out there about him [Toney]. For me, I think he’s one of the best strikers. As a No. 9, I don’t see many out there in the world who are better.

    “Imagine him in a top team. He could easily score 20, 25 goals. I think he’s composed, a good finisher, a top mentality, so I understand why clubs are looking at him.

    “But he’s a Brentford player now. And with today’s market and the prices for No. 6 position players, when we all know goal scorers and strikers are the most expensive ones, I guess that would be very expensive – unless it’s changed that you pay more for a No. 6 than a striker.”

  • Chelsea, Bayern keeping tabs on Ramsdale

    Chelsea, Bayern keeping tabs on Ramsdale

    Chelsea and Bayern Munich are reportedly keeping a close watch on the situation surrounding Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale, as indicated by the Daily Mail.

    Ramsdale’s future has become less certain after he was left out of the starting lineup for Arsenal’s 1-0 victory over Everton on Sunday, with new addition David Raya taking his place.

    Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has hinted at a potential rotation of goalkeepers and even substitutions during matches.

    Arteta’s comments imply that Ramsdale still holds significance at the Emirates, but other clubs are monitoring the 25-year-old’s situation, speculating that Raya could eventually surpass him in the pecking order at Arsenal.

    While Chelsea acquired Robert Sánchez and Djordje Petrovic during the summer, they remain open to bolstering their goalkeeper options.

    Bayern Munich, on the other hand, is in search of a successor for Manuel Neuer, with Sven Ulreich and recent signing Daniel Peretz as their primary alternatives.

    Ramsdale extended his contract with Arsenal for four more years in May and remains committed to the club. He will be hoping to regain his starting spot when Arsenal faces PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League on Wednesday.

  • Kane dismisses discussions about Manchester United’s interest

    Kane dismisses discussions about Manchester United’s interest

    Bayern Munich striker, Harry Kane expressed appreciation for the reported summer interest from Manchester United. However, he emphasised his delight in being with the Bundesliga club.

    Kane’s transfer to Munich took place during the summer, following several months of speculation linking him to a move to Old Trafford.

    In an upcoming Champions League clash, Bayern will be hosting Manchester United on Wednesday evening.

    Obviously, over the summer, I know there were some talks between a few clubs in the background, but Bayern were a team I was really interested in and excited by,” the England captain told a news conference ahead of the game.

    “There were not too many other discussions once they came in. It was between them and Tottenham to talk and then the deal got done.

    “My focus is on here. Manchester United are a great club, a really big club as well. I just decided to come here and am really happy I have.”

  • NPP Ashanti Region Communications officer resigns

    NPP Ashanti Region Communications officer resigns

    New Patriotic Party (NPP) communications officer for the Ashanti Region, Dennis Kwakwa, has officially announced his resignation from his dedicated role.

    In a letter addressed to the party, Dennis Kwakwa explained that his primary reason for resigning is the necessity to meet specific requirements to pursue other political aspirations.

    In the letter, Kwakwa expressed his profound gratitude for the opportunity given to him by the Regional Executive Body to contribute to the New Patriotic Party (NPP).

    He also conveyed his deep affection and respect for the work he had undertaken as the Communication Officer, recognising the importance of this role within the party.

    “Though I love and cherish working in such a role, it is a requirement I have to fulfil in order to pursue other political goals in my political career,” Kwakwa stated in the letter.

  • Nagelsmann accepts pay cut as he steps in as as Germany head coach

    Nagelsmann accepts pay cut as he steps in as as Germany head coach

    Julian Nagelsmann is reportedly on the verge of becoming Germany’s new head coach until Euro 2024, despite accepting a substantial reduction in his salary.

    The former Bayern Munich manager, who is still bound by his contract with the club despite being dismissed in March, is poised to assume the role of head coach for the German national team until Euro 2024, as reported by Bild.

    Bayern Munich will terminate Nagelsmann’s contract to facilitate his official appointment as the successor to Hansi Flick as Die Mannschaft’s new manager.

    According to the report, Nagelsmann will experience a significant salary reduction when he joins the national team, earning around €4 million from the German FA (DFB).

    This amount is considerably less than the €20 million he could have earned had he fulfilled his contract with Bayern until 2026.


    Nagelsmann and the DFB have already come to a preliminary agreement, and the remaining particulars of his contract will be ironed out in the coming days.

    His inaugural match at the helm of the German national team might take place in an international friendly against the USMNT on October 14.

  • ‘Never knew we have disposal jersey’ – NPP MP unimpressed about Kotoko’s new jersey

    ‘Never knew we have disposal jersey’ – NPP MP unimpressed about Kotoko’s new jersey

    Member of Parliament for Mpraeso Constituency, Davis Opoku Ansah, has joined the ranks of football enthusiasts unimpressed by the Kumasi Asante Kotoko jersey unveiled for the 2023–2024 Ghana Premier League season.

    The Porcupines debuted this jersey on Sunday, September 17, 2023, during their season opener against the Hearts of Lions.

    On various social media platforms, numerous Ghanaians who followed the game expressed their dissatisfaction with the jersey’s quality.

    They also criticised the club’s Interim Management Committee for entering into a partnership with a company that, in their opinion, produces jerseys of substandard quality.

    Taking to social media to register his disapproval of the jersey, Davis Opoku Mensah said “Never knew we had disposal jersey”.

    The uninspiring nature of the jersey may have had an unintended effect on the players, potentially robbing them of the inspiration needed to deliver a commendable performance in their season opener.

    At the Baba Yara Sports Stadium, Asante Kotoko faced off against Hearts of Lions, and to the dismay of their fans, the match ended in a draw.

    Nevertheless, Coach Dr. Prosper Narteh Ogum has called upon the fans to exercise patience and maintain their faith in the team. He expressed absolute confidence in the players’ ability to consistently perform at a level that will thrill the Porcupine family.

    While Asante Kotoko dropped points at home, their rivals, Hearts of Oak, suffered a late defeat in their opening match against Real Tamale United on Friday, September 15.

    A goalkeeper error by Richard Attah allowed RTU to secure their first win of the season at the Ali Mahama Sports Stadium.

  • Pep’s wins are quite obvious – Klopp on Pep’s longevity at Man City

    Pep’s wins are quite obvious – Klopp on Pep’s longevity at Man City

    Manager of Liverpool, Jurgen Klopp, attributes Pep Guardiola’s enduring success at Manchester City to his consistent winning record. He said Pep “wins everything”.

    These two highly regarded tacticians in the world of football have frequently clashed while leading two prominent Premier League clubs. Both managers have celebrated domestic league titles and relished victories in the Champions League.

    Klopp has held his position at Anfield since October 2015, while Guardiola assumed the managerial role at the Etihad Stadium in 2016. They are both committed to their current contracts for at least two more years, and fans can anticipate their ongoing pursuit of prestigious trophies both domestically and on the international stage.


    Liverpool manager Klopp has told TNT Sports when asked if he takes inspiration from long-serving greats of the game: “I never thought I will be one of them, so I forgot to look at them. It just happened. I’ve only had three clubs so each club has had a different story, a different starting point.

    “What everybody wants to see—the CEOs, the presidents of the club – is that their team is in good hands, that they see development, and that it goes in the right direction. For whatever reason—I don’t know exactly, I could deliver that somehow, and that’s why I was allowed to work longer in clubs. With Pep, it is easier to see, because he wins everything, so why would you send him on the road?”

    Klopp, who worked at Mainz and Borussia Dortmund before making his way to Merseyside, added: “I never compared myself with the real greats of the business who worked for nearly 20 years or longer in big clubs. I really think it’s only possible in big clubs, or you are a man of the club.

    “In Germany we have a similar story with Christian Streich [manager of SC Freiburg since 2011, and involved in coaching at the club since 1995]. Otherwise, it’s only possible in big clubs where you have success from time to time, because otherwise people want to have a change, and that’s their right.”


    Jurgen Klopp’s contract     with Liverpool is set to extend until the summer of 2026, marking over a decade of his tenure at Anfield. However, there are ongoing speculations linking him to the position of the German national team coach whenever that role becomes available. This talk has gained momentum following the recent dismissal of Hansi Flick, the former Bayern Munich manager, from the Die Mannschaft post.

  • GFA thrashes George Afriyie’s disqualification appeal

    GFA thrashes George Afriyie’s disqualification appeal

    George Afriyie’s bid for the 2023 Ghana Football Association (GFA) presidential elections has encountered a setback as his appeal against disqualification has been rejected.

    Earlier this month, Afriyie was disqualified by the Elections Committee for not meeting the criteria outlined in Article 13(2)(j) of the Ghana Football Association statutes for 2019.

    Additionally, he failed to secure the required support from fellow GFA members.

    While Afriyie did file an appeal, the Appeals Committee has upheld the initial decision, effectively barring him from participating in the upcoming election.

    In his appeal, dated September 8, 2023, George Kwasi Afriyie contested the Elections Committee’s decision to disqualify him as a candidate for the GFA presidency.

    The Appeals Committee conducted a thorough review, examining all pertinent documents, including Afriyie’s submissions, the Elections Committee’s ruling, video footage of Afriyie’s vetting, and interviews conducted by the Elections Committee.

    The primary question was whether George Kwasi Afriyie’s disqualification was justified.

    Afriyie argued that the Elections Committee had six members instead of the required five.

    However, the Appeals Committee clarified that the sixth individual mentioned by Afriyie was the GFA’s in-house lawyer, who played an administrative role and did not alter the panel’s composition.

    Furthermore, Afriyie claimed to have submitted six GFA member endorsements for his nomination, but the Appeals Committee found that he had provided only five valid endorsements, as per the standard nomination form, which allowed for a maximum of five endorsements.

    The Elections Committee’s decision to disqualify Afriyie hinged largely on an endorsement from Victory Club Warriors F/C, which was deemed invalid due to the signatory, Mr. Jeffery Asare, not being a director of the club or an authorised signatory officially registered with the GFA.

    Despite Afriyie’s arguments, the Appeals Committee upheld the Elections Committee’s verdict.

    Consequently, George Afriyie is no longer in contention for the GFA presidency in the forthcoming elections, leaving the incumbent President Kurt Okraku as the sole candidate.

  • Eddie Howe is not worried after breaking UEFA rules, says it is no big deal

    Eddie Howe is not worried after breaking UEFA rules, says it is no big deal

    Eddie Howe downplayed Newcastle’s delayed arrival in Milan, even though the club unintentionally violated UEFA rules.

    The Newcastle manager was originally set to hold a pre-match press conference at 7 p.m. local time on Monday ahead of their Champions League debut against AC Milan.

    However, the press conference was postponed and eventually took place at 9 p.m. at the San Siro stadium.

    Just before Newcastle’s scheduled flight to Italy was supposed to depart at 5 p.m., a sudden storm hit Milan, leading to the flight’s delay.

    Upon arriving at San Siro, Howe told reporters: “It’s just part and parcel of the job that we do. It’s not out of the normal that that can happen.

    This was a weather problem, but we’ve been in similar situations. It’s something we’re used to, although it’s a slightly later arrival time than we would have liked for the players. It’s no big deal, though.”


    After an absence of two decades, Newcastle United is making a comeback in the Champions League. Their opening match is set to take place on Tuesday, when they will go up against AC Milan. Additionally, Newcastle finds themselves in a group that includes Paris Saint-Germain and Borussia Dortmund.

  • Ex Kotoko player tells how he was receiving GH₵500 as monthly salary at Asante Kotoko

    Ex Kotoko player tells how he was receiving GH₵500 as monthly salary at Asante Kotoko

    Former Asante Kotoko player, Emmanuel Amoako Agyemang, has shared details about the financial difficulties he encountered during his time in the Ghana Premier League.

    In an interview with SVTV Africa, Amoako Agyemang disclosed that he was paid a modest monthly salary of GH₵500 during his tenure with Asante Kotoko in 2009.

    The former player explained that he had harboured dreams of playing abroad because he aspired to lead a more comfortable life.

    Agyemang elaborated that life in Ghana presented a range of challenges that motivated him to explore opportunities overseas.

    When an opportunity arose to play in Thailand with a promised monthly salary of $1000, he was inclined to accept it, despite his agent’s initial reservations about the offered salary being relatively low.

    Reflecting on this pivotal moment, Agyemang stated, “When I was in Ghana, I was earning ₵500 a month, but when I went to Thailand, I was being paid $1000 a month; this was in 2010. So, imagine being offered this money and asked which one to choose; I would definitely go for $1000.”

    He further explained the significant difference in earnings, highlighting that at the time, $1000 equated to GH₵3000 per month, a substantial increase on his GH₵500 compared to his Kotoko salary.

    Agyemang, who now resides in Germany, admitted that he even went as far as threatening to quit football if his agent didn’t allow him to sign the lucrative deal.

    “My agent said the $1000 was more but I told him to stop ranting because I was being paid ₵500 a month at Kotoko. Those days $1000 was ₵3000 a month so a big difference of ₵2500,” he said.

    Agyemang emphasised that players often migrate to clubs in other countries not because they prefer them, but because of the low wages in the Ghanaian league.

  • English FA overturns Kamaldeen Sulemana’s red card

    English FA overturns Kamaldeen Sulemana’s red card

    Ghanaian international Kamaldeen Sulemana has had the contentious red card he received in last Saturday’s Championship match rescinded by the English FA, following an appeal by Southampton.

    Sulemana, representing Southampton, was shown a straight red card in injury time on Saturday, September 16, after a challenge on James Justin.

    The Ghanaian winger, who had recently returned from a knee injury, was sent off during Southampton’s disappointing 4-1 home loss to Leicester City in the English Championship.

    With the winger now available for selection, Saints’ manager Russell Martin also provided updates on the availability of Jan Bednarek, who was absent from Friday’s match, and Flynn Downes, who was forced to leave the game after just 50 minutes.

    “Flynn Downes came off and is a bit doubtful for tomorrow. It’s not going to be a long one, but it’s touch and go for tomorrow.

    Jan Bednarek is back in the squad and we won our appeal with Kamaldeen, so Kamaldeen is in the squad, which is good news.”

    Sulemana will be part of the Southampton squad when they travel to face Ipswich Town on Tuesday, September 19 at the St Mary Stadium.

  • Man Utd’s injury problems escalate as Wan-Bissaka suffers several weeks ban

    Man Utd’s injury problems escalate as Wan-Bissaka suffers several weeks ban

    Manchester United’s defender Aaron Wan-Bissaka is facing an extended period on the sidelines due to an injury sustained during their 3-1 defeat at home to Brighton over the weekend, as confirmed by the Premier League club on Monday.

    While the precise nature of the issue is still under assessment, United has ruled out the right-back for “several weeks.” According to a report in The Athletic, the England international, who made a late appearance as a substitute in the 85th minute on Saturday, is expected to be out of action for approximately two months due to a hamstring injury.

    Wan-Bissaka’s injury further compounds the growing injury woes at Manchester United, with midfielder Mason Mount and defenders Luke Shaw and Raphaël Varane also sidelined in recent weeks.

    Manchester United faces Bayern Munich in their opening Champions League Group A match on Wednesday, followed by a Premier League fixture against Burnley on Saturday.

  • 10 Universities in US with Full funding programs for Bachelor’s, Master’s, or Ph.D. studies

    10 Universities in US with Full funding programs for Bachelor’s, Master’s, or Ph.D. studies

    1. Arizona State University

    Funding Info: ASU Funding Opportunities

    2.Boston University

    Funding Info: BU Financial Assistance

    3.Brown University

    Website: Brown University

    4. California Institute of Technology (Caltech)

    Website: Caltech

    5.Carnegie Mellon University

    Website: CMU

    6.Columbia University

    Website: Columbia

    7.Cornell University

    Website: Cornell

    8.Dartmouth College

    Website: Dartmouth

    9.Duke University

    Website: Duke

    10. Georgia Institute of Technology

    Website: Georgia Tech

  • Hudson-Odoi tells why he left Chelsea for Forest

    Hudson-Odoi tells why he left Chelsea for Forest

    Ghanaian winger Callum Hudson-Odoi has revealed the challenging choice he faced when deciding to depart from Chelsea during the summer transfer window.

    The 22-year-old, who had spent the previous season on loan at Bayer Leverkusen, completed a last-minute move to Nottingham Forest on transfer deadline day, thus concluding his 16-year association with Chelsea.

    Hudson-Odoi emphasised that leaving Chelsea was a momentous decision, one laden with substantial emotional significance. He acknowledged that he instigated the move, understanding that his prospects for regular playing time at Chelsea were expected to be limited.

    “Chelsea has been my home for a very long time, and knowing it was time to go was emotional,” Hudson-Odoi shared in an interview with The Telegraph.

    “It was difficult; we had conversations, but I thought it was best if I leave. It was a mutual agreement, but I’d say it was more my decision.

    “Forest is the right place for me to excel in my football and do more than I probably could at Chelsea. I want to be playing as much as possible,” he added.

    Hudson-Odoi is on the verge of making his debut for Nottingham Forest, as the East Midlands club is scheduled to take on Burnley in the Premier League on Monday night.

    This move from Chelsea represents a new phase in his career, and he is enthusiastic about seizing the fresh opportunities that await him at Forest.

  • Heckingbottom blasts ‘appaling’ Premier League referees following a late defeat to Spurs

    Heckingbottom blasts ‘appaling’ Premier League referees following a late defeat to Spurs

    Sheffield United manager Paul Heckingbottom has strongly criticised the “appaling” standard of refereeing in the Premier League after his team endured a last-minute defeat to Tottenham on Saturday.

    The newly promoted Premier League side seemed poised to secure their first win of the season thanks to Gustavo Hamer’s goal.

    However, Spurs snatched a dramatic victory with late goals from Richarlison and Dejan Kulusevski in the 98th and 100th minutes, respectively.

    After the match, Heckingbottom expressed his anger towards the officials for several incidents that occurred during the game.

    “The focus all of a sudden comes on time-wasting, so they’re dictating how we play. If you play to take goal kicks from the back, you set up one way, and if Spurs go against that, that dictates the decision you make.

    Paul Heckingbottom was upset with the officials after his side suffered a defeat at Tottenham on Saturday. Photo by Stephen Pond/Getty Images


    “We’re getting told to just play long — you can’t do it. Wes [Foderingham] got booked for handling outside the box and then you’re threatening him with another yellow [for dissent]. You just can’t do it.

    “When I speak to the referees, they haven’t got a clue what I’m talking about. They’re officiating our games at the top level, and they simply do not know the game. We need to sort that, and sort it quick. It ruined the spectacle.”

    Heckingbottom was also upset that there was little protection for United goalkeeper Foderingham and questioned the decision to send off striker Ollie McBurnie late on.

    “You see all the frustration,” he added. “Both teams, both sides, both teams taking the mickey out of the ref and to sum it all up, we get Ollie McBurnie sent off for telling the referee someone’s pulling his shirt.

    “We’ve just seen someone turning their back, jumping into our goalkeeper, leading with an elbow; he needs stitches — and that’s deemed the same offence. What’s going on with our game?”

  • AS Roma considering a race for Morata

    AS Roma considering a race for Morata

    AS Roma is continuing to contemplate the possibility of signing Spain international Alvaro Morata following discussions with the player’s agents, according to Corriere dello Sport.

    Jose Mourinho’s club had been linked with the 30-year-old over the summer, but Morata had expressed his desire to remain with Atletico Madrid.

    Roma’s sporting director, Tiago Pinto, held talks with the player’s representatives to explore the financial feasibility of a potential transfer.

    It’s worth noting that Mourinho previously managed Morata during his tenure at Real Madrid.

    Morata said of Mourinho in the summer: “He’s a great coach; he was the one who gave me the opportunity to play my first professional match. I’m very grateful to him and I wish him the best.”

    https://www.youtube.com/shorts/bXQhHhSWyiM?feature=share
  • Pep thrilled with squad’s ‘anger’ and hunger, says that’s a sure way to win

    Pep thrilled with squad’s ‘anger’ and hunger, says that’s a sure way to win

    Pep Guardiola has found motivation in his Manchester City players’ displays of determination and “anger,” and he sees this hunger as a crucial factor in their quest to defend the Champions League title.

    The coach expressed his satisfaction with the response of his players during half-time in their 3-1 victory against West Ham. City had been trailing 1-0 at the break, and Guardiola was pleased to witness his players’ determination to reverse the course of the match.

    “The manager can go on TikTok and repeat motivation but it doesn’t work. Every player has to be moved and feel that,” Guardiola told a press conference. “It belongs to them, I knew at half-time I should come to the players because they were angry.

    “I said ‘Why are you angry, you’re losing 1-0 but performing well. Be clinical upfront and you’d be 3-1 up?’ We push them, they have an incredible mentality, to never give up.”

    City begin their defence of the Champions League this week and Guardiola hopes his team do not become complacent after finally winning Europe’s top prize last season. “The important thing is that the players don’t feel relaxed. If the board are relaxed, good, they don’t score goals. For our club to win the Champions League is something incredible.

    “How many teams have won one Champions League. In perspective we didn’t do anything special, just one. For us the club didn’t have it, to be part of that is proud.”

    Guardiola’s team commences their group stage journey with a seemingly uncomplicated home match against Crvena zvezda on Tuesday night.

  • Ronaldo, Mane continue with the goal scoring spree in the Saudis

    Ronaldo, Mane continue with the goal scoring spree in the Saudis

    Cristiano Ronaldo and Sadio Mané continued their impressive form by scoring once again as Al Nassr comfortably defeated Al Raed 3-1 on Saturday.

    The former Premier League stars have now scored in four consecutive matches in the Saudi Pro League, contributing to Al Nassr’s excellent run of form.

    After losing their first two league matches, Al Nassr has bounced back with four consecutive victories, with Ronaldo and Mane playing key roles.

    Mané, who joined the Saudi Arabian League after a challenging season at Bayern Munich, opened the scoring just before halftime, while Ronaldo added to the tally late in the game.

    Ronaldo currently leads the league in goals this season with seven, while Mane has six to his name.

    In other matches, former Newcastle United forward Allan Saint-Maximin scored the decisive goal as Al Ahli triumphed over Al Taawoun in an exciting 3-2 contest.

    Steven Gerrard’s team, Al Ettifaq, also secured a win, with former Celtic striker Moussa Dembélé finding the net in a 3-1 victory over Abha.

    Al Hilal remains at the top of the league standings following this weekend’s matches, and Neymar made his debut in a convincing 6-1 win against Al Riyadh.