Chelsea has managed to secure only four points from its first fourPremier League matches of the season. Their latest loss was a 1-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest at Stamford Bridge.
This setback has left them trailing leaders Manchester City by eight points already. Chilwell believes that he is one of the individuals responsible for elevating the team’s performance.
“It is such a young and new squad. It’s inexperienced in a way. There’s a new manager trying to impart his ideas and it is down to me and Reece [James, captain] to take on responsibility and be leaders in the group and guide the ship a little bit,” he told reporters while on England duty.
“Especially in the last few weeks in what could be seen as a bit of a tough time. I kind of just try to guide the ship through that, stay confident and know what talent we have in the squad. We are confident and also have a great manager. We are very aware [of what’s wrong] but confident we can turn it around very quickly.”
Despite facing challenges early in the season, the English international has been thoroughly impressed by the work ofcoach Mauricio Pochettino, who took charge of the team in the summer.
“What the manager has come in and done is brilliant,” he added. “We have all bought into what he is trying to do at the club. With such a young, exciting squad. I think it will be a good future. With a bit more patience, we will come good.”
After international duty with England, Chilwell and his Blues teammates will return to Premier League action with a game against Bournemouth on September 17.
Real Madrid has unveiled a video on social media showcasing the advanced technology behind the Santiago Bernabeu’s innovative retractable pitch.
Over the past several months, Madrid has undertaken an ambitious renovation project for their iconic stadium, increasing its capacity to approximately 85,000 spectators.
This substantial undertaking, financed by JP Morgan and Bank of America, has incurred an expenditure of nearly €1 billion.
The club’s supporters can now witness the prominent renovations, with one notable feature being the introduction of the new retractable pitch.
Madrid made a triumphant return to their revamped stadium with a 2-1 victory against Getafe in their first home match of the 2023-24 La Liga season.
Despite being temporarily without a home, Los Blancos has had a strong start to the season, currently leading the league.Jude Bellingham’s outstanding performance has played a significant role in their early success.
With the international break approaching, Ancelotti has an opportunity to assess his team’s performance in the opening matches and prepare for a determined title challenge.
Their upcoming fixture is another home game, this time against Real Sociedad on September 17th.
A viral video captures the formerCEO of defunct UT Bank, Mr. Prince Kofi Amoabeng, showcasing some impressive dance moves.
In the video, he is seen enjoying an amapiano tune while dancing alongside actress and media personality, Sika Osei.
Despite being 71 years old, Mr. Amoabeng displays agility and trendy dance moves in the video, earning admiration from netizens who applaud his active lifestyle in his senior years.
Previously, another viral video featured Mr. Amoabeng and Sarkodie participating in a strenuous workout session, which included heavy weightlifting. Mr. Amoabeng attributed his fitness to various factors, including dietary changes and abstaining from certain foods like fufu.
“You need to be a little disciplined. Now I’ve stopped eating fufu but a lot of people still think I eat fufu. I’ve stopped eating fufu for the past six years. After I stopped eating fufu a lost a bit of weight, and that’s how came they brought it that I am dying, that I’ve grown lean.But I was transforming myself,” he said.
Ghanaian international Felix Afena-Gyan is facing an extended period on the sidelines following an injury sustained during a training session with AC Monza on Monday, September 5th.
Afena-Gyan has suffered a fracture in his left metatarsal, and initial scans have already been conducted. The complete severity of the injury will be determined after further evaluations.
The club issued an official statement, stating, “In the past few hours, Felix Afena-Gyan underwent diagnostic tests which highlighted the fracture of the base of the fifth metatarsal of his left foot,” wrote the club on their official website.
“The outcome of the radiological investigation will be subjected to further specialist evaluations for the appropriate indications. Afena-Gyan was injured during training on Monday.”
Afena-Gyan, 20, has a goal for AC Monza in the Coppa Italia but is yet to register his first in the 2023/24Italian Serie A after three games.
On Wednesday, the Presidential Election Petitions Court issued a verdict stating that the Labour Party (LP) and its presidential candidate, Peter Obi, were unable to prove that theIndependent National Electoral Commission (INEC) intentionally delayed the prompt uploading of polling unit results to its Results Viewing Portal (IReV) with the aim of manipulating the results in support of President Bola Tinubu from the All Progressives Congress (APC).
“The petitioner made the allegation of non-compliance a substantial part of their case. By the provisions of Section 135(2) of the Electoral Act, they are required to show how such non-compliance substantially affected them. If they fail to show the same, the petition fails.”
The petitioner further raised accusations of result suppression, overvoting, and vote inflation, contending that the elections were rendered invalid due to corrupt practises based on the comprehensive evidence provided.
In the cases of Rivers and Benue states, the petitioner claimed that INEC engaged in extensive misrepresentations during the collation process, uploading fictitious and inaccurate vote counts.
They argued that had the correct procedures been followed, they would have secured a significant victory in these states.
Apart from stating material particulars, other crimes must be pleaded and clearly set out, the court ruled. “The proof must be beyond reasonable doubt. The petitioner must produce two sets of results, one genuine, one false.”
Following a remarkable start to his Major League Soccer career, Lionel Messi, at the age of 36, is returning to international duty with Argentina as South America begins its lengthy journey to qualify for the 2026 World Cup, commencing on Thursday.
Just nine months ago, Messi achieved the pinnacle of his illustrious career by leading Argentina to a World Cup victory in Qatar, solidifying his status as the greatest player of his generation.
Since that magical night in Doha, the 36-year-old football icon has experienced a period of significant change. After a contentious departure from Paris Saint-Germain, Messi was pursued by Saudi Arabia before ultimately choosing to embark on a new chapter of his career with Inter Miami.
This decision has proven to be a wise one, as Messi and his family have smoothly adapted to life in Florida while enjoying success on the pitch. They have led Inter to their first championship and into the US Open Cup final.
Gerard “Tata” Martino, the former Argentina and Barcelona player who now coaches Inter, believes that Messi has found a sense of liberation after finally guiding Argentina to World Cup victory last year, following several heartbreaking near-misses in major championships.
As South America’s qualifying campaign begins this week, the lingering question is whether Messi will still be part of the Argentina squad when they seek to defend their title in the 2026 World Cup, which will be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Convocado 🇦🇷📞
Leo Messi has been called up to represent the Argentine national team for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches.
In June, Messi seemed to dismiss the possibility of participating in the 2026 finals, suggesting that he did notanticipate being part of the event.
However, in a subsequent interview in July, he acknowledged that he had no definite plans for when he intended to retire from international football.
“Even I don’t know when. It’ll happen when it happens,” Messi told Argentine media.
“After winning everything, I want to enjoy the moment and wait for time to tell me when it’s the moment.
“Logically, given my age, one would expect it to be soon, but I don’t know for sure.”
‘Door always open’ Argentina’s World Cup-winning manager, Lionel Scaloni, is certainly not in the mood to force the issue.
Scaloni is on record as saying that a place in the 2026 squad will be Messi’s for the asking if he chooses.
“I think Messi can get to the next World Cup,” Scaloni said in January.
“It will depend a lot on what he wants, on whether he feels good.
“The door will always be open. He is happy on the pitch and it would be very nice for us.”
While questions may continue to swirl around Messi’s future in the future, there is less uncertainty about Argentina’s prospects for qualification for the World Cup.
The expanded 48-team finals in 2026 mean that six of the 10 teams competing in South American qualifying, which will be completed in September 2025, will qualify automatically for the finals. The seventh-place team will advance to a play-off.
Given Argentina’s strength, it would take an upset of mammoth proportions for them to fail to qualify automatically for 2026.
Messi and Argentina’s qualifying journey gets underway with a home fixture against Ecuador at the Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires on Thursday, before the team faces Bolivia in La Paz next Tuesday.
Other games on Thursday see Paraguay take on Peru, while Colombia hosts Venezuela.
Friday sees two more fixtures, with Uruguay playing Chile in Montevideo while five-time World Cup winners Brazil make their entrance against Bolivia in Belem.
Brazil enter qualifying in a state of flux, with a new manager in Fernando Diniz, who took over from predecessor Tite in the wake of the Selecao’s World Cup quarterfinal exit to Croatia last year.
Whether Diniz will be in charge when Brazil arrive at the finals, though, is anyone’s guess, with the South Americans long believed to be targeting Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti to lead the team to the finals.
Brazil’s preparations for qualifying have also been disrupted by controversy around Manchester United winger Antony, who was dropped from the squad this week after revelations of assault made by an ex-girlfriend.
Antony, who denies the claims, has been replaced by Arsenal’s Gabriel Jesus.
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers has referred to thosewho criticised Jordan Henderson‘s (32) transfer to Saudi Arabia as “morality officers.”
This comes after the former Liverpool captain issued an apology for upsetting the LGBTQ community. During his tenure at Anfield, Henderson actively supported gay rights.
However, his decision to join Al Ettifaq in the Gulf Kingdom has faced substantial backlash from human rights organisations.
In an interview with The Athletic on Tuesday, Henderson said he has been hurt by that backlash and believes his presence in Saudi Arabia “is only a positive thing,” given his previous statements in support of gay rights.
Rodgers, who said last month he had turned down an approach from a Saudi club before joining Scottish champions Celtic for a second spell in June, worked with Henderson for three years during his time as Liverpool boss.
“It’s their profession, it’s their life so they have to do what’s best for them,” Rodgers told talkSPORT radio on Wednesday.
“There are so many morality officers around the world nowadays that are judging people.
“But Jordan I know extremely well and I know the love he had and will always have for Liverpool.
“He was at the stage of his career where he probably wasn’t going to be the first name on the team sheet any more.
Jordan Henderson tells @TheAthleticFC: “If one of those people (Klopp or FSG) said to me, ‘Now we want you to stay’, then we wouldn’t be having this conversation”. 🔴🇸🇦
“That’s not to say that they forced me out of the club, but at no point did I feel wanted by anyone to stay”. pic.twitter.com/SHkL6Ec5qX
“At 32 years of age, he’s won absolutely everything. He probably fancied a different challenge and out of respect, it probably didn’t feel right for him being at another Premier League club.
“So to go abroad and take on a new challenge clearly suited him.”
Henderson’s assertion that a significant increase in salary wasn’t the primary motivator behind his departure from Liverpool has been met with doubt.
Nevertheless, Rodgers is of the opinion that the Saudi Pro League’s approach, in addition to financial incentives, positions it as a legitimate competitor to Europe’s leading football leagues for attracting top talent.
The arrival ofCristiano Ronaldo at Al Nassr in December triggered a wave of high-profile departures from Europe, including notable names like Neymar and Karim Benzema.
“It’s definitely something that makes players wobble because of the money that’s talked about and what it can do for players and the legacy it can create for their families for years down the line,” Rodgers added.
“What makes (Saudi Arabia) dangerous is not only the money, they have a plan. The plan is attracting top players and looking to get top managers out there.”
The Spanish soccer star Jenni Hermoso, aged 33, has lodged a formal legal complaint regarding an unwanted kiss from football federation chief Luis Rubiales, which occurred after Spain’s victory in the Women’s World Cup.
This information was confirmed by the national prosecutor’s office on Wednesday. Hermoso gave her testimony on Tuesday and the complaint will be processed “as soon as possible”, the prosecutor added.
With the complaint, Rubiales could face criminal charges in addition to the ongoing inquiry by Spain’s top sports court for “serious misconduct” and an investigation by world soccer governing body FIFA, which has provisionally suspended Rubiales from office.
Neither Hermoso’s representatives nor Rubiales were immediately available for comment.Rubiales grabbed Hermoso’s head and kissed her on the lips during the medal-giving ceremony that followed Spain’s 1-0 victory over England in the Women’s World Cup final on August 20th.
🚨 | Spanish FA president captured kissing Jenni Hermoso on the lips during ceremony. The player later said that she did not enjoy it. pic.twitter.com/Gh7NUWzZnU
Late last month, the prosecutor for Spain’s High Court said Rubiales could face a sexual assault charge, which carries a prison term of between one and four years if Hermoso were to file a complaint.
The High Court has jurisdiction over the case as the incident took place abroad – in Sydney, Australia.
Hermoso said she did not want to be kissed, and that she felt “vulnerable and a victim of an aggression”.
Rubiales, who has so far refused to resign despite heavy pressure, said the kiss was “spontaneous, mutual, euphoric and consensual”.
Rubiales’ behaviour has sparked outrage in Spain and abroad. He also grabbed his crotch while standing close to Spain’s Queen Letizia and her 16-year-old daughter during the final match.
Dani Carvajal has weighed in on the debate Profimedia
The Spanish men’s team criticised the country’s soccer boss on Monday for his “unacceptable behaviour”, but one of the team’s captains,Real Madrid defender Dani Carvajal, sparked criticism later for arguably questioning Hermoso’s status as a victim in an interview for Spanish radio Onda Cero.
“There are legal bodies that are considering whether Jennifer is really a victim of something that is being investigated. There are people who have to decide whether there is an offender and a victim,” Carvajal said on Tuesday.
“So we can’t take a position or condemn one side or the other beforehand without really knowing what has happened, what has been stipulated because Jennifer has not yet filed a complaint,” he added, unaware that Hermoso had met with prosecutors and filed a criminal complaint earlier in the day.
In an effort to explain his words in a press conference on Wednesday, Carvajal went further and said that “Rubiales should be supported in the same way as Jenni Hermoso” in this process.
“I can understand that Jenni is going through a bad time, we have to show our solidarity. However, I don’t think the president is having a good time either. I am not here to judge anyone,” Carvajal said.
“The presumption of innocence is a constitutional right. You cannot victimise or blame anyone.”
Jorge Vilda, who was closely aligned with Rubiales, was dismissed from his position as the coach of the women’s team on Tuesday. Subsequently, the RFEF (Royal Spanish Football Federation) disclosed that Montse Tome had been appointed as his successor, marking her the first woman to lead the team.
Former Ghanaian national team player John Paintsil has shared valuable advice with West Ham United’s Mohammed Kudus, emphasising the importance of prioritising his family if he aims for success.
Paintsil stressed that family should always be the foremost consideration, highlighting that once his football career comes to an end, his family will be his ultimate support network.
Having also been associated with West Ham United from 2006 to 2008, Paintsil emphasised that his own family was his utmost priority, as their well-being could have a significant impact on his career.
Speaking to Graphic Sports, Painstil advised Kudus, who joined the Hammers from Dutch giants Ajax in August in a five-year deal worth £38m ”There is life after football and getting to West Ham, I will urge him to support his family more so that when he finishes his career, they will say that during your playing days, this is what you did”.
Paintsil, 43, disclosed that he was speaking from experience, adding that Kudus should adhere seriously to his advice if he wants to have a sound mind to do what he loves to do best on the field.
”I am speaking from experience because when the family is happy, you are also happy but when they are not happy, it affects your play on the pitch’. So that’s the little advice I will give him; he should focus more on the family”, he advised.
Quizzed on the impact Kudus could bring to David Moyes’s side, Paintsil said the club was confident in his qualities, hence the reason why they splashed the cash to secure his service.
“He is a young player; that’s why they signed him for five years. West Ham doesn’t sign players like that. Before they give you that number of years, it means they’ve seen something in you, and they know that in two or three years’ time, they can market him and make more money.
“Kudus is young and experienced, and he knows what he is looking for. For me, if the player is happy with what he gets then that is it”, he said.
Kudus Mohammed is presently part ofCoach Chris Hughton’s squad as they gear up for the upcoming African Cup of Nations qualifier against the Central African Republic.
“The match is scheduled to take place at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium on Thursday, September 7, 2023.
Nana Fosu Gyeabour Park, with a capacity of 5,000 and the home ground of Bechem United, aGhana Premier League team, is currently undergoing extensive renovations in preparation for the upcoming season.
The stadium is receiving a thorough makeover, including the repainting of all seats and the replacement of any damaged ones. Additionally, the dressing rooms and other administrative offices are being given a fresh coat of paint.
Nana Fosu Gyeabour Park has been officially approved as one of the venues by the Club Licencing Board, ensuring it meets the necessary standards for the new Ghana Premier League season.
In the 2022/23 season, Bechem United finished in third place with 54 points, and they are determined to surpass last season’s performance under their new manager, Bismark Kobby Mensah.
To conclude their pre-season preparations, Bechem United will engage in a friendly match against Aduana Stars at the Nana Agyeman Badu I Park in Dormaa on Wednesday, September 6, at 3:00 pm.
In their first fixture of the upcoming season,Bechem United will travel to Nana Professor Koromansa II Park in Nosatre to take on Nsoatreman on Sunday, September 17.
Spain’s women’s national team coach, Jorge Vilda, has expressed his frustration after being dismissed from his role as the head coach of Spain’s women’s national team just two weeks after their World Cup win.
The Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) has officially announced Montse Tome as the new head coach, succeeding Vilda.
Despite leading Spain to victory in the 2023 World Cup, Vilda was let go as part of a series of significant changes initiated by the RFEF in response to the Luis Rubiales kissing scandal.
During his tenure, the former Spain coach also faced controversy, with several players threatening to leave the squad before the World Cup if Vilda was not removed from his position.
Vilda says he is willing to accept some criticism but feels that his dismissal was “unfair” given the success he achieved with the team on the pitch.
“In sporting terms, I am going to accept all the criticisms, but on a personal level, I think it has been unfair,” he told Cadena SER”It has been a special year. Nothing has ever been said directly, but indirectly, things have been said that do not suit me. Things have been said that are not true.
“The explanation is that there have been ‘structural changes’. After everything I have achieved, by working hard as just another worker, I have a clear conscience.
“I have given 100 percent, and I don’t understand it – I didn’t see my dismissal as deserved.”
Vilda also came in for criticism after being spotted applauding Rubiales in a defiant speech where he refused to resign as president of the RFEF after kissing Jenni Hermoso after Spain’s World Cup triumph.
Rubiales also announced he wanted to renew Vilda’s contract and hand the coach a bumper pay rise at the explosive press conference – which was one of the reasons the coach says he decided to join in with the applause.
“I will never applaud anything sexist. I didn’t know very well why I was going to that assembly, I thought there was going to be a resignation,” he added.
“The president is valuing your work and announcing your renewal, I applauded that. Ialso applaud Rubiales’management of women’s football, with a budget that has multiplied by four.
“The rest – when 150 people around you applaud, it is very difficult to be the only one who doesn’t.”
Gundogan departed Manchester City after seven years at the beginning of the summer, ultimately joining Barcelona on a free transfer.
It is reported that the German declined a contract extension from Manchester City in May, citing dissatisfaction with the terms, including the contract’s duration.
However, he has now disclosed that the length of the contract was not the sole factor influencing his decision to exchange Manchester for Catalonia.
“In the end, it wasn’t about a year or two. It didn’t hit the runtime. The city waited a relatively long time for the talks to really get intense. If that had happened a little earlier, the starting position would have been different,” Gundogan told German publication Bild.
Still, Gundogan also conceded that he may have picked the right time to move on: “So in the end, it was the perfect ending, there couldn’t have been a better time. It was also my childhood dream to play for FC Barcelona.”
Gundogan is set to be part of the squad for Germany as they face offagainst Japan and France in two high-profile friendly matches this week.
The New Patriotic Party (NPP)has dismissed the assertions made by Alan Kyerematen regarding his withdrawal from the flagbearership race.
Kyerematen, who secured the third position in the Special Delegates’ Conference, was anticipated to be one of the five candidates participating in the presidential primaries scheduled for November 4.
Nevertheless, he opted to withdraw from the elections, alleging intimidation of his supporters and manipulation of the election in favor of a specific candidate.
In response to these claims, Haruna Mohammed, the Deputy General Secretary of the NPP, refuted Mr. Kyerematen’s allegations in an interview with Citi News.
“The party has received a letter from him, through the chairman of the elections committee. The elections committee has confirmed to us that they have received the letter. And I don’t think the content is different from what is put out in the media.
“His decision to withdraw is not something the party is happy about, we believe everybody competing with ideas, for him to withdraw at this stage is not something the party is happy about. But this is his personal decision he has taken, I think he has the constitutional right to do so, and we take it in good faith”.
“The party disagrees that it has skewed the election, because the provisions of the party, clearly indicate those who are supposed to be delegates to the elections. The delegates to the election have been predetermined.
“These are delegates selected from the party’s constitution. So it will be very difficult for us to accept that it is skewed. The party has not given the power to anybody or supported anybody, we gave a fairground to aspirants to be selected as part of the five,” the Deputy General Secretary of the NPP.
The party stated that the Elections Committee and the Disciplinary Committee have “initiated comprehensive investigations into all reported incidents of violations and infractions” that are alleged to have occurred in the super delegates election.
The current happenings and economic climate of the country have presented former president John Dramani Mahama as an angel over incumbent president Akufo , youth activist Francis Badu, widely known as Mello, has said.
His remarks follow accusations by former President Mahama of Akufo-Addo stocking the judicial system with NPP-aligned judges in a bid to escape accountability after his government leaves power.
Speaking on Power FM on Tuesday, September 5, 2023, Mello called out the Ghana Bar Association to be more vocal and transparent with cases presented to them and not schew towards partisan lines, as this has cost the service credibility and integrity due to its silence.
He said this decay in the judicial system has presented former President John Mahama as an angel compared to Akufo-Addo.
“These actions of theirs forced Mahama to be painted black. Right now Mahama is seen as an angel. Comparing Mahama to Akufo -Addo Mahama is far, far, far (sic) more of an angel than Akufo-Addo,” he said.
He supports former President Mahama’s view of the Akufo-Addo-led government packing courts with NPP-aligned judges.
In light of this, Mello said it has become commonplace for NPP supporters to always direct aggrieved parties to court because they know very well that the final ruling will favour them.
Making reference to embattled Assin North MP Gyakye Quayson’s court hearing, Mello said it is no longer described as a ‘prosecution’ but rather a ‘persecution.
“I’m actually surprised that the Ghana Bar Association is getting vocal now, so they can talk. Of all the things that have gone on recently, unanimous decisions
“Cases like the Assin North MP, who has been subjected to daily court hearings, just look at how he’s being treated.
“We don’t even call that prosecution any longer, but rather persecution. This is exactly what happened during Mahama’s time,” he added.
The presidential candidate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) for the 2024 elections accused President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo of packing the judiciary with loyalists of his party, the New Patriotic Party (NPP), to avoid accountability if his party leaves power.
The 30-year-old Verratti has been left out of PSG’s Champions League squad and has received instructions from manager Luis Enrique and sporting director Luis Campos to seek a new club.
In the Qatari transfer market, which remains open until September 18th, PSG is seeking approximately €50 million for the services of the Italian international.
On a separate note, Al Duhail is making significant progress towards securing a loan deal for Aston Villa forward Philippe Coutinho. The Brazilian international declined offers from Besiktas and Real Betis in favour of a move to Qatar.
In a video shared by the official Black Stars’ social media account, Akrobeto was seen exchanging greetings with the players. He had conversations with players such as Kudus Mohammed, Richard Ofori, Andre Ayew, and Jordan Ayew during his visit.
During his time with Andre, the comedian engaged in a lively chat, sharing laughter and jokes in a heartwarming moment.
The Black Stars had a productive training session as they aimed to finish strong in their 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign.
Their final training session, open to both media and fans for the first 15 minutes, is scheduled for Wednesday.
The team is set to face the Central African Republic on Thursday, September 7, 2023, in their last qualifying match. Ghana, currently leading Group E with 9 points and an unbeaten record, needs to avoid defeat to secure their spot in the AFCON.
Kepa Arrizabalaga has expressed his unwavering commitment to joining Real Madrid on loan, even though he was on the verge of a move to Bayern Munich when he learned ofReal Madrid’s interest.
The 28-year-old goalkeeper has already made two starts for Madrid in the current season, stepping in on short notice due to Thibaut Courtois’ extended absence caused by an ACL tear.
Kepa played a pivotal role in their 1-0 victory against Celta Vigo and their 2-1 win over Getafe.
“It happened fast,” Kepa told Marca in an interview on Tuesday. “At Chelsea, Pochettino wanted me to stay, he said I was going to play, but I thought a change would be good for me.
“Thomas Tuchel called me, and we were close to going to Munich.
“Then with circumstances, the injury [to Courtois] created the possibility… In the end Real Madrid is Real Madrid. When Real Madrid call you, there isn’t much to think about.”
Popular Ghanaian comedian and founder ofDabo Soccer Academy, Samuel Yaw Dabo, has recently acquired a four-acre parcel of land for the development of a versatile sports complex.
This upcoming sports complex will be situated in Yawbarima Krom, near Nyinahin, located in the Ashanti Region of Ghana. The plans for the complex encompass various facilities, including a hostel, playing fields, and classrooms. Land clearing and preliminary work have already commenced.
The Chief of Yawbarima Krom, Nana Osiaban Yaw Barima II, shared that he has had a longstanding friendship with Dabo and admires how the actor has been positively impacting children’s lives through his football academy.
“When he asked for land for this project, I gladly agreed to help him… He has four acres but for now, he is clearing two acres (eight plots) to start and may develop the other half later,” the chief said, as quoted by Yen.com.
Dabo embarked on a European tour in May 2023, where he visited Spain and watched the UEFA Champions League between Real Madrid and Manchester City, and went to Germany, where he held discussions with former Black Stars coach Otto Addo, before stopping over in France, where he toured French clubs Paris Saint Germain and Auxerre, before returning to Ghana.
Dabo went viral for his post-match analysis of the game between Real Madrid and Manchester City at the Bernabeu, where he landed an interview with Marca.
In June 2023, he collaborated with Xavi Hildago, a director at theWorld Sports Academy (WOSPAC), to organise a football scout tournament in Kumasi to unearth talents.
Inspectors have determined that the helicopter crash resulting in the tragic demise ofLeicester City chairman Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha and four other passengers was indeed a “tragic accident.”
A comprehensive report compiled over five years by the Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) has disclosed that the crash was precipitated by mechanical failure stemming from a seized tail rotor bearing.
The report characterises the crash as “inevitable,” as the bearing malfunction prompted a sharp right turn, ultimately leading to the helicopter losing control.
Pilot Eric Swaffer was found to have been incapable of taking significant corrective action, and he was absolved of any culpable errors in the incident.
As per the BBC, the helicopter’s voice recordings also revealed the pilot’s final words before the helicopter crashed. “I’ve no idea what’s going on,” he said shortly before the aircraft spun to the ground and landed on a concrete step.
Tragically, Mr. Swaffer’s partner, Izabela Roza Lechowicz, a seasoned pilot, also lost her life in the crash. Alongside her, Nusara Suknamai and Kaveporn Punpare, two of Mr. Srivaddhanaprabha’s staff members, also perished.
The investigation’s findings additionally revealed that, although four out of the five passengers initially survived the crash impact, they succumbed to a subsequent fire that rapidly engulfed the wreckage in under a minute.
In a statement, Chief Inspector of Air Accidents Crispin Orr officially confirmed that the incident was indeed an accident and extended his heartfelt condolences to all those affected by the tragedy.
“This was a tragic accident in which five people sadly lost their lives. Our thoughts are with their loved ones, and everyone affected,” he said. “The nature of the failure in the tail rotor was really very serious, of a sort that left them in a very poor situation.
Manchester United had maintained a conspicuous silence following accusations of domestic violence made against Antony by his former girlfriend, Gabriela Cavallin, in June.
The club had refrained from issuing any formal statements, even after Cavallin provided additional details about the player’s alleged misconduct, which included threats to eject her from a moving vehicle, causing injuries such as cutting her finger and striking her breast implant.
The club finally released a statement on their official website on Wednesday. It read: “Manchester United acknowledges the allegations made against Antony and notes that the Police are conducting inquiries.
“Pending further information, the club will make no further comments. As a club, we are taking this matter seriously, with consideration of the impact that these allegations and subsequent reporting will have on survivors of abuse.”
Barcelona have agreements in place for both Alejandro Balde and Lamine Yamal to extend their contracts with the club, according to Marca.
Balde, 19, has emerged as Barça’s first-choice left-back under Xavi Hernandez and is set to sign a new deal linking him to the Blaugrana until 2028.
“My agents are working on it, but everything is going well,” Balde told Mundo Deportivo on Wednesday. “My intention is to stay andhave a long career with Barça.”
As for Lamine Yamal, his contract extension can only run until 2026 due to his age. Having turned 16 in July, he is subject to a limitation that prevents him from signing contracts longer than three years until he reaches the age of 18.
Despite his youth, the talented forward has made a significant impact on Barcelona’s season. He has started in three out of their four LaLiga matches and has earned a call-up to the Spain national team for the European Championship qualifiers against Georgia and Cyprus this week.
Both Alejandro Balde and Lamine Yamal are under the representation of agent Jorge Mendes.
Marca suggests that these contract agreements may be officially announced following the international break, with Balde also away on international duty withthe Spain squad.
Manchester United has secured the signing of Japanese sensation Hinata Miyazawa on a permanent contract, edging out Liverpool in the race for her signature.
Miyazawa achieved remarkable success at the recently concluded Women’s World Cup, where she became the first non-European player to claim the Golden Boot Award.
She scored five goals in four games, propelling Japan to the quarterfinals.
The talented midfielder is now ready to showcase her skills in England.
While both Manchester United and Liverpool were vying to acquire the Japanese star, it was ultimately the Red Devils who successfully completed the deal.
Marc Skinner’s side are currently conducting their pre-season training in Germany and are set to face Bayern Munich in a friendly on Wednesday.
Despite having three years remaining on his contract, the 32-year-old is keen to follow Lionel Messi’s lead and make the switch to MLS at the end of the 2022–23 campaign.
Atletico Madrid is aware that multiple clubs in the U.S. have already made offers to his representatives, although the report does not identify which.
The LaLiga side is monitoring the situation carefully but would be open to accepting an offer if it met their valuation.
Griezmann rejoined Atletico from Barcelona for a fee of €20 million last October and quickly became a key player in LaLiga, where he contributed 31 goals in 38 appearances.
Griezmann remains a starter for Diego Simeone and scored in the 7-0 LaLiga win over Rayo Vallecano on Aug. 28.
Rasmus Hojlund has disclosed the conversation he had with Casemiro when the Brazilian player grabbed him by his shirt during his Manchester United debut against Arsenal.
The Danish forward, who joined Manchester United from Atalanta this summer, made his debut at the Emirates Stadium against Arsenal last weekend.
Shortly after Casemiro came on for Anthony Martial, fans witnessed Casemiro clutching Hojlund’s shirt and engaging in an intense exchange of words. Hojlund has now shared what Casemiro told him, emphasising that the exchange had nothing negative about it.
Speaking at a press conference while on international duty with Denmark, Hojlund said: “He just said something in Spanish: ‘Vamos’ or something like that. He was happy that I gave the team perhaps a slightly different dynamic than what you get from Martial.
“He’s maybe a little more technically strong and looks down the gaps where I like to take the fights. After all, he hadn’t seen me play before, so he told me he was pleasantly surprised to see me play.”
Hojlund made a strong impression during his debut for Manchester United, but unfortunately, the match ended in defeat as late goals from Declan Rice and Gabriel Jesus secured a 3-1 victory for Arsenal.
During the game, the striker went down inside the Arsenal box after a collision with Gabriel and appealed for a foul, but the referee did not award a penalty.
The next opportunity to see the newRed Devils signing in action will be when he represents Denmark in their Euro 2024 qualifying match against San Marino on September 7th.
Mason Greenwood was greeted with a hero’s welcome upon his arrival at his new club, Getafe, following his season-long loan transfer from Manchester United.
Getafe organised a special event to introduce their latest signing to the fans after he completed his move on deadline day.
Greenwood was met with enthusiastic applause from the supporters at the Coliseum Alfonso Perez. He sported a wide smile as he emerged from the tunnel, stepping onto the pitch donning the team’s blue kit.
Chants of the forward’s name resonated from the stands as he was presented on the field, and he even kicked a ball into the crowd, further igniting the excitement among the fans.
AN INCREDIBLE TALENT WHO WILL WEAR THE DORSAL 12 OF @getafecf
Mason Greenwood will don the No. 12 jersey at Getafe, a change from the No. 11 he wore at Manchester United, as he embarks on a season-long loan stint with the Spanish club. Notably, his contract does not include a purchase option.
In a special unveiling ceremony held at the stadium, Greenwood also expressed his gratitude to the supporters.
“I am very happy to be here,” he said. “I have been training for four or five months, I am getting up to speed and have been training with my team-mates and I feel quite good.
“We take it one game at a time and the next home game is coming in a few weeks and we will try to win and do our best.”
As for his playing debut with Getafe, it remains uncertain since he has not participated in competitive matches since his arrest in January 2022.
In October 2022, he faced charges of attempted rape, assault, and controlling and coercive behaviour, but these charges were subsequently dropped in February
Manchester United has been cautioned by Women’s Aid about the necessity of establishing clear protocols for handling domestic abuse allegations involving football players.
Antony is currently under scrutiny due to accusations of physically assaulting his former partner, Gabriela Cavallin, which has resulted in his exclusion from the Brazil national squad.
TheGreater Manchester Police have confirmed that they are investigating claims that Antony assaulted Cavallin in a hotel room and made threats against her life.
Antony has vehemently denied these allegations; however, as a consequence, he has been omitted from the Brazilian national team.
Manchester United has refrained from making an official statement on this matter, and Antony remains eligible for team selection.
The charity has released a statement cautioning prominent football clubs about the ramifications of neglecting to take action when allegations of domestic abuse arise.
“Domestic abuse is prevalent in our society and all employers, including football clubs, need clear policies and procedures about what to do when allegations are made against an employee,” read the statement.
“When the alleged perpetrator is a high-profile footballer, we know from survivors of domestic abuse that it has an impact on both football fans and wider society, who see them playing and celebrating on the pitch as a sign that the allegations are not being taken seriously by the club.
“Safeguarding is vital in these cases, to ensure the safety of everyone involved while proceedings are ongoing.”
Manchester United faced prior scrutiny for their handling of the Mason Greenwood legal case. The club initially announced that Greenwood would depart following a six-month internal inquiry once charges of sexual assault and domestic violence against the striker were dismissed.
However, reports suggest that the club initially intended to reintegrate Greenwood into the team, but they changed their decision in response to substantial fan backlash.
Consequently, the forward has recently finalised a loan move to La Liga outfit Getafe.
Jordan Henderson believes that Liverpool missed out on a great opportunity by not signing Jude Bellingham and thinks they “should have just paid the money.” He also mentioned that FSG (Fenway Sports Group), the owners of Liverpool, “always have a plan.”
The former Liverpool captain disclosed that he attempted to persuade FSG to acquire Bellingham before Real Madrid secured his services for a substantial €103 million (£89 million or $112 million) fee from Borussia Dortmund.
Bellingham had been a top target for Liverpool, but they withdrew from the transfer pursuit due to the high costs involved.
Instead, Liverpool signed Alexis MacAllister from Brighton for £35 million ($44m) and Dominik Szoboszlai from RB Leipzig for £60 million ($76m).
However, with Bellingham making a sensational start at the Santiago Bernabeu, scoring five goals and providing an assist in just four matches, Henderson expressed his regret that Liverpool didn’t go the extra mile to sign the midfielder.
“They’re not going to go and spend a ridiculous amount of fees and wages on players because it will upset the structure, as much as I tried with certain players in the past!” he said to The Athletic.
“They stick to their principles and it has worked. Maybe not to the owners but you can probably think of certain players that I might have tried for in the past, especially recently! Looking back now, he’s on fire so (laughing) I might have thought we should have just paid the money!”
Nonetheless, Henderson insisted that FSG always “have a plan” and are in control of things so that squad harmony is not disturbed.
“In the end, they have a structure, they have a plan and if it doesn’t fall within that, then they’re not going to change for it. Because it has a knock-on effect,” he said.
“It’s great to sign these amazing players with loads of wages and it’s amazing for everyone. But in the end, you’ll have different players coming in wanting different money, you’ve got players within saying, ‘Well, I want…’. It causes loads of different issues within.
“They always have a plan, always have a strategy and they know what they’re doing. The most important thing is that they care about the club and that’s the biggest thing I would say about them,” he added.
Henderson will link up with Bellingham during the Three Lions’ two upcoming Euro 2024 qualifiers against Ukraine and Scotland on September 8 and 11, respectively.
Coach who led Spain to a World Cup victory, Jorge Vilda, has been dismissed as part of significant changes implemented by the RFEF following the Luis Rubiales scandal.
Vilda guided Spain to a World Cup triumph last month with a 1-0 victory over England in the final, despite facing a player mutiny a year earlier when a majority of the squad called for his removal.
In response to the mutiny, 15 players vowed not to play for the team as long as Vilda remained in charge. However, the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) continued to support Vilda, with President Luis Rubiales strongly endorsing him.
Rubiales even pledged to offer Vilda a new contract after Spain’s World Cup win.
However, FIFA’s decision to suspend Rubiales from all football activities for 90 days following his inappropriate behaviour of grabbing and kissing captain Jenni Hermoso after the final rocked the president’s position.
Despite refusing to resign in a remarkable press conference, FIFA’s suspension temporarily removed him from the RFEF, with Pedro Rocha taking on the role of interim chief.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the RFEF announced Vilda’s dismissal just hours after issuing a lengthy letter in which they apologised for Rubiales’ “unacceptable” conduct.
“The Royal Spanish Football Federation, in one of the first renewal measures announced by president Pedro Rocha, has decided to dispense with the services of Jorge Vilda as sports director and women’s national coach,” read the statement.
“The RFEF appreciates his work at the head of the National Team and in his functions as the head of sports for the women’s teams, as well as the successes achieved during his time, crowned with the recent achievement of the World Cup.
We value his impeccable personal and sporting conduct, as a key piece in the notable growth of women’s football in Spain.
“Since his arrival at the Federation, Jorge Vilda has given a notable boost that is reflected in the great results obtained. As a coach, he won the U-17 European Championship twice and also won the U-19 European Championship, with winning the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand being the greatest of his achievements. When he took over the National Team bench in 2015, the national team was far from elite and currently occupies second place in the FIFA ranking.
“As sports director, Spain has won the U-17 World Cup twice (2018 and 2022) and also won the trophy in the U-20 category (2022). In addition, their record includes two U-19 European Championships and two U-17 European Championships, with the national youth team currently being the most successful.
“The RFEF would like to express its gratitude to Jorge Vilda for the services provided, for his professionalism and dedication during all these years, wishing him the best successes in the future. The RFEF is left with an extraordinary sporting legacy thanks to the implementation of a recognised game model and a methodology that has been an engine of growth for all the women’s categories of the national team.”
Shortly after announcing Vilda’s departure, the RFEF confirmed that Monte Tome would be replacing him in the hot seat. The former Levante and Barcelona player has been promoted from her role as assistant manager and is the first female head coach of the Spain senior team.
Nigerian striker Victor Boniface has made the shortlist for the Rookie of the Month award in theBundesliga due to his impressive start with Bayer Leverkusen, as reported by PUNCH Sports Extra.
To be eligible for this award, a player must be under 23 years old on matchday 1 of their debut season in the Bundesliga.
Boniface, who joined Bayer Leverkusen this summer from the Belgian club Union Saint-Gilloise, has made an incredible impact by scoring four goals and providing two assists in just three league games in Germany.
The 22-year-old scored a brace in his most recent game, with his first goal being selected among the top five goals of matchday three in the Bundesliga.
Boniface, who received his first call-up to the Super Eagles squad for the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Sao Tome, faces strong competition from German-Nigerian goalkeeper Noah Atubolu, who plays for SC Freiburg, and RB Leipzig winger Xavi Simons.
Atubolu has kept one clean sheet in three appearances for Freiburg, while Simons has notched up two goals and three assists in just three Bundesliga games this season.
Boniface’s outstanding performance on matchday 3 earned him a remarkable rating of 9.7 according to the renowned statistical website Whoscored.
He scored two goals and provided an assist as Bayer Leverkusen secured a 5-1 victory over Darmstadt at the BayArena.
Whoscored’s data shows that only Brighton’s Evan Ferguson received a better rating of 10.0 across the top five leagues in England, Germany, Italy, France, and Spain.
For context, Barcelona’s Jules Kounde and Bayern Munich’s Joshua Kimmich were rated 8.8, while Manchester City’s Nathan Ake earned a 7.9 rating.
Notably, Koln coach Steffen Baumgart expressed high praise for Boniface, stating that he would have chosen Boniface over Harry Kane if he were in charge at Bayern Munich.
The Baba Yara Sports Stadium will no longer be designated as the venue for Ghana’s matches in the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers.
Since March 2022, the Kumasi Baba Yara Sports Stadium had been serving as the location for the Black Stars’ home matches in both the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) Qualifiers and the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers.
Notably, the Black Stars contested their playoffs in the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Nigeria at this stadium in Kumasi.
However, for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, the Black Stars will not be playing any of their matches at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium. Instead, they will host their home games in the 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers at either the Cape Coast Stadium or Accra Sports Stadium.
Ghana has been drawn into Group I of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, alongside Mali, Madagascar, the Central African Republic, Comoros, and Chad.
In an official statement, the Ghana Football Association (GFA) disclosed the reasons behind the decision by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to exclude the Baba Yara stadium from the list of approved venues for FIFA matches.
According to CAF, the Baba Yara Sports Stadium does not meet the requirement to host Senior Category “A” matches.
Read the full statement below
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has removed the Baba Yara stadium from the list of approved stadiums for Senior Category “A” matches.
Ghana have been paired with Mali, Madagascar, Central African Republic, Comoros and Chad in Group I of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
This was contained in a letter signed by CAF Development Officer Raul Chipenda and addressed to the General Secretary of the Ghana Football, Association Prosper Harrison Addo, Esq.
‘’Following the one match approval given by CAF for the use of Baba Yara Sports Stadium (Kumasi) in the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 African qualifiers playoff round matches under the condition that specific points were to be corrected in the stadium, based on the report received from the CAF inspector that was onsite, we regret to inform you that the improvements made are still not up to the standards required byCAF to host Senior International A matches.
“Unfortunately, the level of implementation of all the CAF remarks in the stadium were not satisfactory, including the quality of the equipment’s and materials used in the different functional areas in the stadium. As a result of the reported situation, we have taken the following decision:
Formal prohibition is made to use the Baba Yara Sports Stadium (Kumasi) in all CAF/FIFA Senior international A matches. The stadium is automatically removed from the list of CAF approved stadiums and will only be approved for any subsequent CAF/FIFA international senior national teams matches and CAF Men’s inter-clubs competitions following the implementation of all the CAF remarks”. CAF provided the Ghana with their comments and remarks to be addressed in the coming period by the stadium management.
The CAF additionally indicated that in order to ensure that the stadium is approved going forward for CAF tournaments, the stadium authorities should take into account starting a comprehensive reconstruction and refurbishing project. We advise using high-quality technology and materials, modern architecture, current design, and a clear project strategy for the renovations, with a focus on the off-field areas.
CAF further stated that Ghana should note that , in accordance with the CAF Stadium inspection and approval procedure, before a stadium can be re-approved, all the comments and remarks must be strictly respected and implemented and a follow up re-inspection covered by your Association MUST be done by CAF in order to reassess the stadium compliance.
“For guidance, the attached “CAF Stadium Requirements” is a comprehensive document that includes the needs of a stadium and sets out the minimum requirements to fulfill in order for a stadium to be homologated by CAF.
“Once again, we emphasise that quality stadiums are fundamental for the development and progress of African football, hence the regulations and its requirements compliance will be implemented strictly by CAF.
“We nevertheless encourage you to initiate the renovation program and the acquisition of all the stadium equipment in accordance with CAF’s remarks’’ the letter read.
Copies of the letter have since been sent to the National Sports Authority (NSA) and the Ministry of Youth and Sports (MOYS), as the two organisations seek to collaborate to ensure that the CAF-identified off-the pitch issues are swiftly resolved so that the Baba Yara Sports Stadium can once again be listed on the list of CAF-approved stadiums for Senior Category A games.
The Kumasi Baba Yara Sports stadium in Kumasi was granted a “one” match Conditional Approval Licence by CAF and FIFA for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 playoff tie against Nigeria on Friday, March 25, 2022.
Ghana Premier League team, FC Samartex, has officially revealed their kits for the 2023/24 football season. These kits were produced by Icarus, a United States-based kit manufacturer.
Samartex and Icarus entered into a partnership agreement during the 2021/22 football season, designating Icarus as their official kit supplier.
The new jerseys include their traditional green and black home kits, as well as orange blended with white.
The goalkeeper kits feature a unique artistic blend of red and black for the upcoming season.
In an official statement, the club expressed their pride in this “exquisite collection of replica jerseys designed to embody the spirit and essence of our beloved club.”
In the 2022/23 season, Samartex finished 10th with 46 points after 34 games.
To kick off their 2023/24 season, the Samreboi-based team will host Aduana Stars, two-time Premier League champions, at the Nsenkyire Sports Arena on Friday, September 15, 2023.
Our passionate supporters will not only come to the Nsenkyire Sports Arena to show support for our team on the field, but they will also make a startling statement by donning our captivating @IcarusFCphl-inspired replica jerseys. pic.twitter.com/o5NzrRAv9r
— FC Samartex 2023/24 Ghana Premier League Champions (@FcSamartex1996) September 5, 2023
Al Shabab FC has confirmed the signing of Atletico Madrid midfielder Yannick Carrasco.
The Saudi Pro League team made the announcement, revealing that the Belgium international has agreed to a three-year contract for a reported fee of €15 million.
Carrasco, aged 30, was in the final year of his contract with Atletico. This marks the second time the former Monaco star has departed from Atletico since his initial arrival at the Madrid club in 2015.
Carrasco previously made a move to the Chinese club Dalian Pro in 2018, only to return to Atletico Madrid two years later.
Manchester United has allowed defender Eric Bailly to make a free transfer move to Turkish club Besiktas but sources have informed ESPN that United is actively seeking to offload Donny van de Beek before the transfer windows in Turkey and Saudi Arabia close.
Despite interest from Real Sociedad and Ajax during the summer, no deal materialised for the Netherlands international. Nevertheless, United is still hopeful about arranging his departure.
Van de Beek has been informed that he is unlikely to play a significant role at United this season, particularly after manager Erik ten Hag brought in midfielders Mason Mount and Sofyan Amrabat during the summer.
Van de Beek originally joinedManchester Unitedfrom Ajax for £35 million in 2020 but had limited playing time last season, making just 10 appearances across all competitions.
Arsenal forward Eddie Nketiah has explained why he opted to play for the England national team instead of Ghana, following his first senior call-up to the Three Lions.
The 24-year-old, born in England to Ghanaian parents, received his maiden invitation to the senior England squad last week for the upcoming matches against Scotland and Ukraine.
Nketiah accepted the call-up and joined his fellow teammates in camp, despite reportedly engaging in discussions with Ghanaian officials about a potential change of allegiance.
When discussing his decision, he acknowledged that the opportunity to represent England was a tough one to turn down.
“Once the call-up was there and the offer was on the table it was really hard to turn down,” he said.
“I felt it was a natural progression for myself at this stage. I felt now was the good time to kind of make that step and I’m really happy to be here. I am proud to be here and like I said hopefully I can go on and help the team get some cups,” he added.
Nketiah becomes one of the many players to go through the ranks of the youth national teams having played for the U-18, U-19, U-20 and U-21 and showed remarkable performances.
Chelsea is grappling with offensive challenges, and despite having spent over £1 billion in three consecutive transfer windows, it is still eyeing Brentford striker Ivan Toney.
Consequently, it comes as no surprise that they are linked to further attacking acquisitions.
According to the Evening Standard, the top target on their list is Brentford striker Ivan Toney, although there are some complexities involved.
Toney, aged 27, is presently serving an eight-month suspension due to being found guilty by the English Football Association (FA) of 262 breaches of FA regulations related to betting spanning from February 2017 to January 2021.
This suspension is set to conclude on January 16 next year, at which point the England international will be eligible to resume his playing career.
Toney had an impressive track record, scoring 20 goals in 33 league appearances last season, in addition to the 12 goals he netted during Brentford’s inaugural Premier League campaign in 2021-22.
Al Ittihad is reportedly gearing up to present another offer in their pursuit of Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah before the Saudi transfer window closes this Thursday, according to Sky Sports.
Negotiations have apparently been ongoing at Al Ittihad since their 4-3 defeat against Al Hilal on Friday, with certain senior figures determined to make another bid.
Liverpool had previously rejected their initial £150 million proposal, and the Saudi club is now looking to sweeten the deal.
However, Liverpool have consistently asserted that they have no intention of parting ways with the 31-year-old, who demonstrated his prowess by scoring in Sunday’s 3-0 victory over Aston Villa.
The Reds have made it clear that Salah is not available for transfer at any price.
Some individuals within Al Ittihad’s leadership hierarchy are of the opinion that they should respect Liverpool’s decision and wait until next summer in the hope of a successful transfer.
Former German goalkeeper Oliver Kahn celebrated the 47th birthday of his ex-Bayern Munich teammate, Samuel Osei Kuffour.
Kuffour, born on September 3, 1976, marked his special day on Sunday, and Kahn sent him a heartfelt message.
In a nostalgic gesture, Oliver Kahn shared a throwback photo capturing the moment when Sammy Kuffour playfully gave him a kiss, jokingly suggesting it was to revive him after a playful collapse.
The legendary goalkeeper captioned the picture with the words, “Happy Birthday to my good friend Sammy Kuffour, who turned 47 yesterday and always had a huge „impact“ on our defence.”
In the 2001 UEFA Champions League quarterfinal clash against Manchester United, Sammy Kuffour demonstrated exceptional sportsmanship by coming to the aid of his teammate Oliver Khan in a moment of crisis.
During that intense match, Oliver Khan suddenly collapsed on the pitch, creating a tense atmosphere that captured the world’s attention.
However, Kuffour, displaying remarkable presence of mind and deep compassion, quickly rushed to Khan’s side. With a symbolic “kiss of life,” Kuffour revived his teammate, allowing Khan to continue playing a pivotal role in the game.
Now, 22 years after this extraordinary act of sportsmanship and empathy,Oliver Khan still vividly remembers Sammy Kuffour’s remarkable gesture.
The Saudi Pro League has significantly impacted the summer transfer market, and it continues to have an extended window of opportunity compared to most European leagues. Given the notable talent that has already joined, it would be surprising if there weren’t a few more headline-grabbing transfers in the works.
Let’s examine the players who might still be enticed to make a move before the upcoming Thursday deadline.
Mohamed Salah (Liverpool)
The Mohamed Salah to Al-Ittihad saga is a storyline that Jurgen Klopp dismisses but refuses to fade away.
The Saudi club entered the race for the Egyptian star’s signature relatively late, submitting a bid reportedly valued at £150 million during the closing hours of the European transfer window.
Liverpool might have entertained the idea of a sale earlier in the summer, but it appears they will now have to contend with another offer this week, along with potential renewed interest in the months ahead.
Nayef Aguerd (West Ham)
Aguerd, another notable football talent from the Arab world, may find himself lured to theSaudi Pro League this week.
The Moroccan defender played a pivotal role in West Ham’s triumph in the Europa League last season, but it’s been reported that his salary could increase tenfold if he decides to make the move.
While West Ham is likely reluctant to part ways with him, they have at least secured the signing of Konstantinos Mavropanos to provide cover in his absence.
Demarai Gray (Everton)
Demarai Gray has been outspoken this week, taking to Instagram to express his frustration, stating,”it’s so difficult to play for someone who doesn’t show you respect as a person”.
The strained relationship between Gray and Everton manager Sean Dyche appears to be linked, in part, to Everton’s hesitation to transfer the winger to Al-Ettifaq, a club managed by Steven Gerrard.
Considering the apparent irreparable relationship between the former Leicester talent and Dyche, it might be in the best interests of all parties involved to finalise the deal.
Jadon Sancho (Manchester United)
Jadon Sancho’s public dispute with Erik ten Hag appears to have spelled the end of his Manchester United tenure under the Dutch manager.
Given the limited options for an immediate exit from Old Trafford, Sancho might contemplate a move to the Saudi Pro League.
At 23 years old, the forward is still at an age where a return to European football in the future remains a possibility, making such a transfer a plausible prospect.
Paul Pogba (Juventus)
Despite featuring in two of Juventus’ three Serie A matches so far this season, rumours linking Pogba with a move to the Middle East persist.
The French midfielder has suffered from injuries since returning to Juve last summer, making 10 appearances in all competitions in 2022-23, and there are legitimate fears that his career at the top level is over.
He is reportedly of interest to Al-Ahli and Al-Ittihad and would be the latest big name to be attracted to the region.
During the introduction ofJoao Felix as a newcomer to Barcelona, their sporting director, Deco, admitted that they initially believed signing the Portuguese player would be financially challenging.
Joao Felix was earning 14 million euros before taxes at Atlético Madrid, a salary that Barcelona couldn’t afford. Despite Joao’s public expression of his desire to join Barcelona, he had to adapt to the financial constraints.
Nevertheless, he emphasised that realising his childhood dream of playing for Barcelona was worth the financial sacrifice.
According to insiders familiar with the deal, Joao Felix’s Barcelona contract will see him earn half of what he did at Atlético Madrid.
Additionally, before departing for Barcelona, Joao Felix extended his contract with Atlético Madrid until 2029, which was a strategic move to help the club manage depreciation costs and facilitate his transfer to Barcelona.
This arrangement benefits Atlético financially, despite transferring a key player to a direct competitor. Furthermore, Joao Felix hasexpressed his commitment to a long-term stay in Catalonia, even though his initial agreement includes a one-year loan without an option to buy.
The Spanish football federation has issued an apology for the controversial incident involving its president, Luis Rubiales, who kissed Jenni Hermoso after the Women’s World Cup final.
FIFA suspended Rubiales from all football activities for a period of 90 days due to his refusal to step down from his role as RFEF chief.
In his absence, Pedro Rocha is currently leading the organization, and he seized the opportunity to extend apologies to both the global football community and society as a whole for the situation.
The letter described the behaviour of Rubiales, who grabbed and kissed Spain captain Hermoso after the World Cup final win over England and was seen grabbing his crotch during the match, as “totally unacceptable”, adding the then president’s actions “do not respond in any way to the values of Spanish society as a whole”.
Rocha’s letter began by saying it was “essential to request the most sincere apologies to the whole of world football, to the football institutions (FIFA, UEFA) of the footballers, especially the players of England in Spain, the other agents involved in football and fans around the world”.
“The damage caused to Spanish football, to Spanish sport, to Spanish society and to the values of football and sport as a whole have been enormous,” it read. “The RFEF wants to transmit to the whole of society and to the whole of the football world its utmost regret for what happened that has tarnished our national team, our football and our society.
“We feel deeply saddened by the damage caused and therefore,we must apologize most sincerely and make a firm and absolute commitment that events like these can never happen again.”
Rocha reiterated that the regional presidents of the RFEF have demanded that Rubiales resigns from the post and promised “a whole set of actions that improve the governance of the Spanish football federation and allow it to repair, to the extent possible, the damage caused”.
The three-page letter ended with Rocha congratulating the Spain women’s team on their World Cup triumph and with a recognition that the Rubiales controversy had overshadowied their achievement.
“Finally, I want to congratulate our team once again for its historic triumph, recognizing the impact and legacy that his victory will have on the future of Spanish football.
“We are convinced that his spirit has inspired millions of people of all ages, and we cannot be prouder of the way they have behaved, both inside and off the field of play. In due time, I intend to give them back the spotlight and celebrate their achievements as they deserve.”
Virgil van Dijk has rejected the assertion made by former Netherlands coach Louis van Gaal that the 2022 World Cup was manipulated.
Van Gaal, who retired from professional coaching following the World Cup last year, recently stated in an interview with NOS that he believed Argentina received unfair advantages in the tournament, insinuating that the World Cup was rigged in favor of Lionel Messi’s team.
However, the Netherlands’ captain, Virgil van Dijk, has countered his former coach’s remarks and expressed his disagreement with the controversial allegation.
Speaking to NOC, the Liverpool defender said, “I heard it this morning, indeed. And that’s actually it. It is, of course, his opinion. Everyone is allowed to have an opinion. I do not share the same opinion.”
After a shock defeat at the hands of minnows Saudi Arabia in their tournament opener, Argentina went on to lift the World Cup for the first time since 1986.
En route to the final, La Albiceleste met the Netherlands in a dramatic quarterfinal.
The Dutch came back from a two-goal deficit to equalise in the dying moments of the match, only to go on to lose in a penalty shootout.
TheMinistry of Youth and Sports has provided clarification regarding President Nana Addo Dankwah Akufo-Addo’s commitment to Ghana’s Olympic Bronze medalist, Samuel Takyi, following his outstanding performance in 2020.
In preparation for the 2024 Olympic Games qualifiers, Samuel Takyi expressed his desire to receive the promised amount of US$20,000 before joining the team.
During an exclusive interview with GhanaWeb, Bernard Quartey, the President of the Ghana Boxing Federation, revealed that Samuel Takyi had made certain requests, including inclusion in the Olympic Scholarship program, as a condition for his participation with the Black Bombers.
Nevertheless, the ministry confirmed that Takyi had already received $10,000 out of the pledged $20,000 from President Akufo-Addo.
According to the Sports Ministry, Takyi received both the $10,000 cash prize and a Nissan Sunny saloon car, valued at $20,000, on November 18, 2021.
Additionally, he collected $5,000 on December 16, 2022, and another $5,000 on July 27, 2023, which he claimed was intended to prepare him for the Paris 2024 Olympic qualifiers.
There remains an outstanding sum of $10,000 from the allocated $20,000 earmarked for Takyi’s personal growth, which will be provided to him upon the submission of an appropriate personal development plan.
Jojo Ephson,the Communications Director of the GBF, has stressed that the boxer has been adequately remunerated, having already received 50% of the promised reward.
Additionally, despite Takyi’s transition to a professional career, he expresses a desire to take advantage of Ghana’s Olympic Scholarship program, even though he may not meet the eligibility criteria.
“He wants to be part of the Olympic Scholarship because they get $9,000 as stipends. He came with that condition because he wanted to enjoy that scholarship. He has been given 50% of that money, which is $10,000,” Jojo Ephson told Angel FM.
The ministry also stated that Samuel Takyi remains a member of the Black Bombers team, which is currently preparing for the qualifiers in Dakar, Senegal, scheduled for September 9–15, 2023.
The Denmark international has become the Red Devils’ most expensive striker ever, with a hefty £72 million ($90 million) transfer fee as he completes his high-profile move to Old Trafford.
Now, he’s living his dream in England and is eager to excel under the guidance of Dutch coach Erik ten Hag.
In Manchester, he should have more freedom compared to his time in Italy, where fellow countryman Joakim Maehle shed light on the strict regime enforced by Gian Piero Gasperini at Serie A club Atalanta.
Maehle has told Tipsbladet of a bizarre set of rules that included Hojlund being barred from driving into training with his team-mates:
“You don’t feel like a person. You feel like a number. You have no relationship with the coach. He would stand there and blame someone for something strange. For example, he was furious when Rasmus and he came to training by car together. He didn’t want us to drive together.
“Because then we could sit and talk together on the way to training, and enjoy ourselves. He didn’t want that, and I got scolded even if it had been agreed with the club because he [Hojlund] had no driver. I don’t know if it’s typical Italian, but some things make you angry and tired in the long run.”
Maehle has also been on the move this summer, leaving Atalanta for Wolfsburg, meaning that he and Hojlund can forget all about the odd restrictions put in place by Gasperini and focus on enjoying their football again.
After a seven-year stint withManchester United, Eric Bailly has bid farewell to the club, opting for a permanent transfer to Besiktas.
The Ivory Coast international initially joined the team in 2016 from Villarreal, marking the first signing made by former Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho.
Bailly played a crucial role in Manchester United’s successful 2016-17 season, contributing to their victories in the Community Shield, Carabao Cup, and Europa League.
During his seven-year tenure at Old Trafford, Bailly featured in 113 matches. Last season, he was loaned out to Marseille in Ligue 1, where he played in 23 matches across various competitions.
The decision to make this move came as Bailly found himself out of favour atManchester United, with Raphael Varane, Lisandro Martinez, Victor Lindelof, and Jonny Evans ahead of him in the defensive pecking order.
After signing Bailly from United, Besiktas released a statement that read, “Welcome to Besiktas, Eric Bailly. Our club has reached an agreement with Manchester United for the final transfer of Ivorian defender Eric Bailly.
“We wish Eric Bailly, who we believe will provide important services to our club, great success with our glorious jersey, and present him to the public with our respect.”
Manchester United will return to action after the international break at home to Brighton in the Premier League.
The 21-year-old received the news from the Red Devils that he wouldn’t be part of their plans for the 2023-24 season following an extensive internal investigation.
Since January 2022, Greenwood has been absent from competitive matches.
In February 2023, charges of attempted rape, controlling behaviour, and assault against him were dropped, paving the way for his return to professional football.
Manchester United actively sought offers for the one-time England international, and there were reported interests from clubs in Italy and Turkey.
Ultimately, a deal was struck that saw Greenwood move to Spain as he looked for a fresh start away from his homeland.
Greenwood has told the English-language Twitter account set up by his new club: “Hi Getafe fans, it’s Mason here. I’m so happy to be here and I can’t wait to get started.”
Getafe coach Jose Bordales has said of welcoming the fleet-footed winger into his squad: “It is too delicate a situation to trivialise this issue. Everybody knows what happened, and the appropriate measures were taken.
“Obviously we can only talk about football; about other issues, I think, the people and the relevant systems did what they had to do, and everybody knows how it ended—without a condemnatory sentence.
“He’s a footballer of the highest level, who comes to Getafe with enormous hope. We are going to help him recover his best level.”
Greenwood has the international break to continue working on his fitness, and it is possible that he could make his debut for Getafe when they face Osasuna on September 17.
The ex-FIFA U17 World Cup champion will serve as the deputy to Desmond Offei, following the departure of Samuel Boadu from his role as the U20 team’s coach.
Lamptey brings a wealth of experience in talent development, having held various roles and also served as the head coach of his own GlowLamp Academy.
In his new role, he will collaborate with Fatawu Salifu, who will serve as the second assistant coach for the U20 team.
Nii Odartey Lamptey had a successful playing career with various clubs, including Anderlecht, Aston Villa, PSV Eindhoven, Coventry City, Boca Juniors, Ankaraguchu, Shangdon Luneng, Greuther Fürth, and União Leiria.
He notably led Ghana to victory in the 1991 FIFA U-17 World Cup in Italy, where he was also named the FIFA Best Player of the tournament.
Lamptey represented Ghana at the 1992 Olympic Games in Barcelona, the 1993 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Australia, as well as the 1992, 1994, and 1996Africa Cup of Nations tournaments.
Tottenham is on the verge of completing another late summer transfer as the club has reached an agreement with Galatasaray for the loan of midfielder Tanguy Ndombele, as reported by football.london.
Following the Premier League transfer deadline, Ndombele is set to be the second player to leave north London, with Harvey White having made a permanent move to Stevenage on Saturday.
Ndombele is now poised for a loan stint in the Turkish League.
Galatasaray, which earlier in the summer signed former Chelsea winger Hakim Ziyech, also has the option to purchase Ndombele. The player is expected to undergo a medical examination soon, with an official announcement to follow.
Ndombele spent the previous season on loan at Napoli but struggled to secure a regular spot in Luciano Spalletti’s title-winning side, starting only eight league matches and playing less than 1,000 minutes.
This transfer could mark the end of his somewhat disappointing tenure at Tottenham, where he arrived as the club’s record signing in 2019.
His last competitive appearance for Tottenham was in January 2022, and he spent the past 18 months on loan spells, first back at Lyon and then at Napoli.
The 26-year-old was unable to secure a move away from the club on deadline day and has long been expected to part ways with Postecoglou’s first-team squad.
Pape Matar Sarr, Yves Bissouma, and James Maddison have all impressed in the early weeks of the season, while Ndombele has struggled to regain fitness and match sharpness.
Influential figurehead of King Faisal Football Club, Alhaji Grusah Karim, has revealed that he’s been inundated with calls from prominent figures within the football community urging him to reconsider his stance on the 2023 Ghana Football Association (GFA) elections.
Grusah, renowned for his unwavering commitment to the sport, recently obtained an injunction that has thrown the upcoming GFA elections into uncertainty.
“It is true I have been receiving calls but I won’t mention names I should withdraw .We are all in Ghana I didn’t a football President my children are involved in football my cousins are involved in football my neighbours do football Ghanaians also do football,” he told Peace FM.
“If we do it well, when we are no more, our names will be mentioned with praise, but if we destroy it, we will be called bad names.
“I want to tell football people that we all know that (sic) when fans don’t go to the park, we don’t make money. First, I make the year’s budget with Hearts and Kotoko in mind; now you have to put your own money into it.”
The presentation took place at FC Nordsjaelland’s training grounds on Monday, September 4.
Ibrahim Osman, aged 18, has showcased exceptional skills for The Tigers, contributing two assists during an impressive month.
FC Nordsjaelland achieved notable victories, including one against the formidable FC Midtjylland, and currently holds the top position in the league.
Osman follows in the footsteps of his compatriot Ernest Nuamah, who earned the award in July but later departed to join Olympique Marseille in August.
As a graduate of the Right to Dream Academy, Ibrahim Osman is experiencing his first full season with the Wild Tigers and aims to maintain his impressive form.
An elated Osman, after receiving the award from Essien said “Thank you to the staff. I couldn’t have gotten this from you. All I want to say is thank you”.
Osman helped FC Nordsjaelland reach the group stage of the UEFA Europa League after scoring the winner against Partizan Belgrade on Thursday, August 31, 2023.
Essien is currently an assistant coach for FC Nordsjaelland, having capped over 50 times for Ghana with over 20 years playing club football in England, Spain, Italy, Greece, Indonesia, and Azerbaijan.
