Former Ghanaian coach Malik Jabir has revealed that he did not receive any salary during his tenure with Ghana’s Black Meteors (U23) team.
Despite facing numerous challenges during his coaching days, the veteran coach expressed his disappointment at being treated unfairly by the Ghana Football Association, as he received no payment for his services.
Malik Jabir served as the manager of Ghana’s Black Meteors from 2003 to 2005 before taking on the coaching role at Asante Kotoko in 2005.
Narrating his ordeal to Dan Kwaku Yeboah, the 78-year-old trainer said “I was never paid in the national team, never! Since you knew Malik in the national team, ask them who has paid Malik for even a month’s salary”, he said.
“From Ben, CK, and co, I was the next and was with them from atomic energy when we moved to Winneba. We were there and Ben left for Zimbabwe, leaving me and CK.
“I was the acting CEO and they brought in Addy and Jones. I saw a sheet with the names of Addy and Jones while I did all the jobs”, he added.
Malik Jabir played for Ghana at the 1968 and 1972 Summer Olympic Games in Mexico and West Germany respectively.
He also had coaching stints with Asante Kotoko, ASFA Yennenga of Burkina Faso, and with Kano Pillars of Nigeria as the Technical Advisor.
Odion Ighalo has asserted thatCristiano Ronaldo’s move to Saudi Arabia was primarily motivated by financial considerations rather than a genuine passion for the game.
Ighalo, who was the top scorer in the Saudi Pro League last season while playing for Al-Hilal, revealed that he made the move to the country for monetary reasons and suggests that Ronaldo is doing the same after joining Al-Nassr, along with Benzema.
Ighalo, 34, said to OmaSportsTV: “When you are young, yes, you play for passion. Back then, you don’t care about money.
“But at my age, I am in the final stretch of my career, I don’t know if it will be one, two years or when God will tell it to stop.
“I know it won’t be more than three years. I’ve played for passion all my life, now it’s for money. I’m not one of those players who come and say: ‘I play for passion’. Brother, it’s money. At the end of the day, it’s money.
“Is Ronaldo still playing out of passion? Ronaldo has earned 100 times more than I have in my entire life and yet he went to Saudi Arabia. Did he do that out of passion? It’s for money, bro.”
A clutch of players have moved to Saudi Arabia this summer, with the latest being Jordan Henderson.
The likes of Karim Benzema, N’Golo Kante, Ruben Neves, and Roberto Firmino have also moved to the country in this transfer window.
The Saudi Pro League influx appears to show no signs of slowing down, with Fabinho linked with a move to Ittihad.
Prominent team in the Ghana Premier League,Asante Kotoko, officially announced on Friday, July 28, that their captain, Richard Boadu, will be departing to join Libyan club Al Ahly Benghazi.
Boadu’s transfer is expected to take place in the coming days, and the fee for the move is believed to be approximately $150,000.
Richard Boadu played a crucial role in leading Kotoko to success in the 2021/22 Ghana Premier League season.
He joined the team in September 2021 and later became the captain for the 2022/23 season after Abdul Ganiu Ismail’s departure.
During the previous season, Boadu made 30 appearances in the Premier League, showcasing his skills and contributing two goals along with five assists.
Before his time with Kotoko, Boadu impressed football fans with his performances at Medeama SC, the reigning Ghanaian champions.
His talents garnered admiration, leading to his move to Asante Kotoko.
Richard Boadu, at 25 years old, began his football journey with Kumasi-based Cornerstone before moving on to Phar Rangers and eventually securing a deal with Medeama in 2018.
TheCanadian women’s national team announced on Friday that they have reached an interim agreement with Canada Soccer to receive compensation for 2023, considering the financial challenges faced by the governing body.
In contrast, Canada’s men’s team revealed on Tuesday that they are still unpaid for their participation in the World Cup in 2022.
They also expressed concerns that the governing body is using the pressure of the women’s tournament to push them into an unsatisfactory agreement.
“We have been forced to choose between compensation and the funding required to hold necessary training camps,” women’s national team players said in a statement posted on the social media of the Canadian Soccer Players’ Association (CSPA).
“We have been forced to choose between receiving a fair share of the rewards from our teams’ successes at the World Cups and our commitment to equal pay and equal treatment with our Men’s National Team.
“These are choices we should not have had to make.”
The players said the new agreement includes prize money allocation from the ongoing Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand but added they were disappointed with not having reached a “more complete” deal.
“We are deeply disappointed to find ourselves without a more complete agreement at this crucial stage in our calendar,” they said.
“While there are many important items remaining for future negotiation… we have worked… to make sure this… agreement ensures, at minimum, equal pay with our Men’s National Team, within the constraints created by Canada Soccer’s financial situation.
“This isn’t over. We and the Men’s National Team remain committed to finding a long-term solution that provides for fair and equal treatment for our current National Teams and investments in the future of Canadian soccer.
“But for now, our team just wants to focus on soccer.”
Canada are second in Group B of the Women’s World Cup following a goalless draw with Nigeria and a 2-1 win over Ireland.
They will face third-placed co-hosts Australia in their last group stage clash on Monday in their bid to progress to the knockout stage.
Sadio Mane is on the verge of joining Saudi Pro League side Al Nassr and teaming up with Cristiano Ronaldo, pending a medical examination.
Bayern Munich has reportedly accepted a verbal proposal for the Senegalese forward, who faced challenges adapting to the Bundesliga after his move from Liverpool last summer.
Al Nassr has been engaged in intense negotiations with Bayern Munich for Mane’s transfer and made a £32 million offer for the talented winger.
The Saudi Pro League club is confident that they can finalize the deal before the end of the week.
According to The Sun, Mane’s agent is already negotiating personal terms with Al Nassr as the 31-year-old forward is expected to become the latest big name to move from Europe to Saudi Arabia.
Mane is set to become Al Nassr’s fourth major signing this summer after completing deals for Marcelo Brozovic, Reuben Neves and Seko Fofana by the Saudi club.
Mane’s Bayern performance not satisfactory Meanwhile, Bayern Munich president Herbert Hainer has described Sadio Mane’s time at the German club as ‘not satisfactory’ as the Senegalese forward looks set to leave for Al Nassr, ESPN reports.
The former Liverpool forward scored 12 goals in 38 appearances for Bayern, but only one of those goals came after a leg injury in November that kept him out of the World Cup.
Mane has two years left on his contract with Bayern, but after a disappointing and injury-hit first season with the Bundesliga champions, both parties have decided to part ways after just one season.
Sadio Mane snaps at reporter Earlier, Sports Brief reported Sadio Mane’s immediate future at Bayern Munich remains unsettled after the forward suffered a reported fallout with the German club hierarchy.
However, Mane appeared to have noticed the amount of backlash he has received from the media and he wasted little time showing how displeased he was with them.
In a video posted on Twitter by Maximilian Koch, an Abendzeitung reporter, the player was seen posing for a photo with a fan when a journalist approached.
Karim Benzema (35), the Ballon d’Or winner, made a memorable debut for Saudi Champions Al-Ittihad in the Arab Club Champions Cup.
He scored the decisive goal in their 2-1 victory over Tunisian side Esperance.
Benzema’s impressive performance saw him netting an angled shot from outside the box during the second half of the match on Thursday.
Speaking to the Saudi SSC television channel, the Frenchman expressed his satisfaction, stating, “It was a strong match and a good start after hard work in preparation.”
“Little by little we will build a great team.”
Benzema, who recently joined Al-Ittihad as a free agent after an illustrious 14-year career at Real Madrid filled with trophies, took the opportunity to greet the enthusiastic fans alongside his new teammate and compatriot N’Golo Kante.
“The atmosphere is amazing and the fans motivated the team from the first minute until the end,” he added.
“We are in good shape and we will continue to work to reach the required level, and we know that with this support we can achieve great things, thanks to the fans.”
There were speculations about Messi’s potential return to Camp Nou when his contract with Paris Saint-Germain ended.
Despite the opportunity to go back to Catalonia, the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner chose to pursue the American dream and joined MLS side Inter Miami.
Laporta acknowledged that it feels unusual to witness Messi in a different jersey after spending two seasons in France.
Laporta told ESPN when asked during Barcelona’s summer tour of the U.S. what it is like to see Messi representing a team from the States: “It’s a strange feeling. We identifyMessi with Barcelona.
“That’s the way I think most supporters see Messi, because most of his career has been at Barca. But we respect his decision and we wish the best for him. We want the best for our players.
“He came to Barcelona as a kid, 14 years old, and he spent 20 years with us. I hope he can be very happy in Miami.”
Barcelona held talks with Messi representatives regarding a return to familiar surroundings, with the funds found during a testing time for the club on the financial front, but it was not to be.
Laporta added: “It was very close. We had to manage our financial fair play situation so we needed time. At the end, we reached an agreement with LaLiga that authorised us to add him to the squad.
“But Leo was coming from a situation in Paris where he was under a lot of pressure. His father told me that he needed a place where he won’t be under pressure and at Barca that would not be the case because of the meaning of the return of our hero.
“In Miami, it is different for him, it’s a new league for him, one that is improving and Messi can help with the developing of the league. With Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba as well, maybe Luis Suarez. It will be very attractive for the fans in the United States.
“So he preferred to go to Miami. We respected it and understood his decision.” Messi scored 672 goals through 778 appearances for Barcelona – helping them to 11 La Liga titles and four Champions League crowns – but the 2022 World Cup winner is now illuminating American soccer and has already found the net on three occasions in his opening two games for Inter Miami.
RB Leipzig has set a deadline forManchester City’s pursuit of Josko Gvardiol to The Daily Mail.
The Bundesliga club is keen to have the deal concluded before the start of the Premier League season.
Despite ongoing negotiations for several months, the two clubs have not been able to reach an agreement on the potential fee for the Croatian star.
While personal terms have not been a problem, Manchester City has not yet met RB Leipzig’s €100 million demands for Gvardiol.
As a result, the Germans have set the start of the Premier League season as a deadline, as they want to settle their squad before the Bundesliga season kicks off.
Manchester City has officially announced that Algerian winger Riyad Mahrez has completed a £30 million transfer to Al-Ahli, a club in the Saudi Pro League.
The 32-year-old has signed a contract until 2027 with his new team and is reportedly set to earn an impressive £750,000 per week.
Dear Cityzens,
Today marks the end of an unforgettable chapter in my life, a five-year journey filled with countless memories. Before leaving, I wanted to thank the board, the manager and the staff for giving me the chance to prove myself at the highest level.
After joining Manchester City in 2018 from Leicester City for a fee of £60 million, Mahrez experienced remarkable success during his time at the Etihad Stadium.
All the best for the future, Riyad! 🫶@Mahrez22 ends his five year stay at City to join Al-Ahli Saudi Football Club. pic.twitter.com/zQCathsWIJ
He played a key role in the team’s achievements, contributing to four Premier League titles, two FA Cups, three Carabao Cups, and the coveted Champions League trophy.
Mahrez’s departure from Manchester City marks the end of an era for the talented winger, who has now embarked on a new chapter of his career in Saudi Arabia.
He was given permission to miss City’s pre-season trip to Japan and South Korea to finalize the move to Al-Ahli.
Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) is reportedly open to loaning Kylian Mbappe to a Premier League club, with both Manchester United and Chelsea showing interest.
The French World Cup winner has been the subject of intense transfer speculation since he revealed his decision not to extend his contract at PSG, which is set to expire in 2024.
While he has been linked with a move to Real Madrid, no deal has been finalized yet.
Amid the ongoing rumors, Saudi Arabian club Al-Hilal made a staggering offer of €300 million for Mbappe’s transfer fee and a €700 million wage package.
However, Mbappe has rejected this proposal, expressing no interest in moving to the Middle East.
According to i news, PSG is now willing to entertain loan offers from English teams, provided they cover Mbappe’s substantial salary.
Manchester United, Chelsea, and Tottenham have all reportedly inquired about the possibility of signing the forward on loan, making it financially viable for them without a transfer fee.
Additionally, Inter Milan from Serie A and Barcelona from La Liga have also shown interest in Mbappe.
PSG is keen to part ways with the player, as it is evident that he is no longer fully committed to the club’s cause.
United States international Yunus Musah is on the verge of joining AC Milan after Valencia decided to lower their demands for the midfielder.
Initially asking for €25 million, Valencia has now settled for €20 million, which has reignited the deal.
Milan’s previous bid of €18 million plus bonuses was turned down, but the compromise between the two clubs has paved the way for Musah’s transfer to Milan.
It is believed that Musah is keen on moving to Milan, and this desire played a role in Valencia’s decision to agree on a lower transfer fee.
The young USMNT star has already reached a personal agreement with Milan, and the transfer is nearing completion.
Musah is expected to sign a contract worth €2 million per year with Stefano Pioli’s team, and he will have the opportunity to team up with fellow USMNT player Christian Pulisic at Milan.
Meanwhile, the Lombardy outfit is busy lightening their squad and are ready to offload Ante Rebic to Besiktas.
According to Sky Sports Italy, it will be a loan deal with a buy option in the contract.
Musah spent significant time inArsenal’s academy system as a youngster and also holds an Italian passport which will ensure that he will not occupy a non-EU spot.
During his four-year stint in Spain, he has made 108 senior appearances and boasts of scoring five goals.
At 28 years old, Sara Dabritz has enjoyed a successful career, winning several titles with Germany and in club football.
However, the midfielder acknowledges that it is becoming more challenging to secure major trophies as the women’s game continues to grow in depth and quality.
Having achieved victories in Euros and Olympics with Germany, as well as German and French league titles withBayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain respectively, Dabritz is now in Australia, aiming to add more medals to her collection at the Women’s World Cup.
Germany kicked off their campaign with an impressive 6-0 win against Morocco. Despite their strong start, Dabritz is aware that other potential contenders have struggled against lower-ranked teams, highlighting the increasing competitiveness in women’s football.
“It is a really positive development,” she told reporters at the team base on Friday.
“I think it’s great to watch women’s football and you can really see a lot of exciting games, balanced games at this World Cup.
“It’s noticeable that even the supposedly small nations have really caught up and are physically present, but are also really good at defending.
“That’s why it’s simply outstanding that it’s developed in such a way that you meet such a world championship where you just don’t know who’s going to win the game. It makes football more exciting.”
Germany celebrate beating Morocco
The rise in quality of the women’s game will, of course, make it tougher for Germany to win a third world title but Dabritz has confidence her team has what it takes.
“I do think it’s getting more difficult to win titles now because the favourites and the level at such a tournament have developed upwards,” she added.
“It doesn’t make it any easier, but I think that first of all, we have an outstanding squad in terms of quality, an outstanding team, and above all, this spirit.”
“Against Colombia, transition will play an important role, whether it is forward or backward,” Dabritz said.
“When we had the ball (against Morocco), you could see that we had a phase where we were perhaps imprecise, where we had a few unnecessary ball losses, and that can be dangerous against(Colombia), when they start their counter-attack at speed.”
Juventus emerged victorious in a thrilling pre-season friendly against AC Milan, with a 4-3 win on penalties after the match ended in a 2-2 draw.
The exciting encounter took place at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California, the home of Major League Soccer’s Los Angeles Galaxy, and saw both Serie A giants display an impressive performance.
Malick Thiaw, the German defender of Milan, opened the scoring in the 23rd minute with a powerful header from a free-kick delivered by Theo Hernandez.
Juventus quickly equalized ten minutes later when Danilo found the back of the net amid a goalmouth scramble.
In the 39th minute, Milan reclaimed the lead as Thiaw’s header from a Christian Pulisic corner set up Olivier Giroud to score a well-taken volley.
However, Juventus showed their resilience and leveled the score again with Federico Chiesa’s free-kick, which deflected off Giroud before finding the back of the net.
As the match progressed, both teams made numerous substitutions, introducing reserve and youth players, causing a decrease in intensity and quality on the field.
The contest was decided through a penalty shoot-out during which Juventus’ backup goalkeeper, Carlo Pinsoglio, made three crucial saves to secure the victory for Massimiliano Allegri’s team.
Following the pre-season friendly, both teams will conclude their tour by facing top Spanish clubs.
AC Milan will take on Barcelona in Las Vegas on Tuesday, while Juventus will compete against Real Madrid in Orlando on Wednesday.
Manchester City has received the green light for their ambitious £300m stadium expansion project, which aims to increase the capacity of the Etihad Stadium to 62,000 seats.
The club has put forth a comprehensive renovation plan to enhance the fan experience and transform the venue into a year-round entertainment and leisure destination.
As part of the expansion, Manchester City plans to construct a 400-bed hotel, a TV studio, a roof walk, and a fan zone capable of accommodating up to 3,000 people.
The proposal has been approved by the Manchester Council’s planning committee, with several members expressing their support for the plan.
The project is expected to create approximately 3,000 jobs, including 1,795 new full-time positions, providing a significant boost to the economy of Greater Manchester.
It is estimated that around £70 million will be injected into the local economy annually.
Upon completion of the expansion, the capacity of the north stand will be increased by 7,900, resulting in a total capacity of 61,968 seats at the Etihad Stadium.
Danny Wilson, City’s Managing Director of city operations, said: “We are delighted that Manchester City Council’s planning committee has approved the Club’s proposals for a best-in-class fan experience and year-round entertainment and leisure destination at the Etihad Stadium.
“This development will not only enable the Club to enhance and expand its offering to fans and visitors on both matchday and non-matchday, but it will also create lasting long-term economic and social benefits for our local community, building on the regeneration work City Football Group has delivered inEast Manchester since 2008.”
Construction is expected to begin in November 2023 and the target remains to finish before the start of the 2025-26Premier League season in August.
UEFA confirm Italy and Turkey have requested to merge bids together during Euro 2032 The Italian Football Federation (FIGC) and the Turkish Football Federation (TFF) have requested to merge their individual bids into one joint bid to host Euro 2032, UEFA said on Friday.
Italy formally submitted a bid in April to host the 2032 European Championship while Turkey also submitted a bid to host the tournament in either 2028 or 2032.
“UEFA will now work with FIGC and TFF to ensure that the documentation to be submitted for their joint bid is compliant with the bidding requirements,” European soccer’s governing body said in a statement.
If the joint bid does comply with such requirements, it will be submitted to the UEFA Executive Committee on Oct. 10 where the host appointments for 2028 and 2032 will be made, UEFA added.
A joint bid to host the 2028 edition has also been placed by England, Northern Ireland, Republic of Ireland, Scotland and Wales.
Decisions on venues and match schedules will be made at a later stage, UEFA said.
Jesse Lingard, who remains a free agent following his release byNottingham Forest, has been banned from driving for six months.
The former Manchester United midfielder has also been fined £900.
The 30-year-old ex-England international appeared at Manchester Magistrates’ Court on Friday to admit the offence at a brief hearing.
Lingard has been charged with failing to provide details to identify the driver of his Range Rover after it was caught speeding in August 2022.
His representative, Fran Rogers, claims that Lingard was not driving his car at the time of the offence.
It is claimed that he missed the letter in question asking him to provide details to the police as it was sent to his old address in Manchester, while he had moved to Nottingham after joining Forest as a free agent.
Lingard was liable to be disqualified from driving due to the “totting-up” process – with there already points on his licence from previous speeding offences.
District Judge Jane Hamilton fined him £900, with a further £560 due in costs, and banned him from driving for the next six months.
Lingard has spent much of the summer jetting around the world, rather than driving, as he looks to find a new club.
He endured a testing spell at the City Ground last season, with injury struggles restricting him to just 20 appearances across all competitions.
Lingard has been linked with teams inSaudi Arabia, while opening himself up to a Middle Eastern move, he has also spent time working at Inter Miami’s training facility.
Ian Wright, an Arsenal legend, has called on the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to settle the salary arrears of players in the senior national women’s team following their victory over Australia.
After the Super Falcons secured an impressive 3-2 win over the tournament co-host, Wright took to Twitter to write, “Pay them!!!!!! @thenff.”
According to a report by Daily Mail, the Super Falcons have not yet received FIFA’s £15,760 (AUS$30,000) payment, which is meant to be disbursed to the associations for distribution to players participating in the group stages of the tournament.
Additionally, the players are owed other bonuses from their qualification for the tournament.
Before their opening game against Canada, the Super Falcons threatened to boycott the match due to the outstanding issues.
However, head coach Randy Waldrum intervened, and the team decided to honor the game, which ended in a goalless draw.
Prior to the match, Waldrum expressed his frustration at the lack of support from the NFF during the team’s preparations, including the NFF canceling the team’s camping.
“I know we are not prepared the way we need to be … I’ve been very frustrated with the federation and the lack of support.
“We were supposed to have a camp for 10 to 12 days in Nigeria before going to Australia for another 10 to 15 days, but the federation cancelled the home camp.
“We have less days than a College pre-season to prepare for the World Cup, and it blows my mind because we’ve known about this since last year,” Waldrum was quoted as saying on the Sounding Off on Soccer podcast.
The NFF through their Director of Communications, Ademola Olajire responded to Waldrum’s claims, explaining what triggered the federation’s action to neglect the team.
“Only home-based professionals (whom he already gave very little consideration in his provisional list),” he said as quoted by DailyPost Nigeria.
“Like two weeks ago, he released his final list of 23, meaning there was absolutely no need for any camping for home-based again except to simply waste resources.”
“He knows he will not have Ajibade & Ayinde (2 key players) for the opening match against Canada, yet he left out Okobi & Otu from the squad. The NFF felt it would make more sense for the 23 to go straight to Australia & camp for 15/16 days acclimatising to the weather & conditions.”
Meanwhile, the Super Falcons are a step away from progressing to the knockout phase as they need just a draw against theRepublic of Ireland in their final group game.
The 22-year-old has been a subject of interest for both London clubs, particularly after his impressive performance of scoring 18 goals for Ajax in the previous season.
Currently valued at £40m ($51m), Ajax’s sporting director Sven Mislintat has indicated that the price for Kudus will increase as the transfer window approaches its end on September 1.
“There are clubs that have informally enquired about him. I don’t expect an offer very soon, although you know that things can be different in the football world. Perhaps the interest in not as serious as everyone thinks.
“It is important for us that the relationship with the players remains good. This can be done by being transparent and applying good principles. As we get closer to the deadline, the transfer fee, for example, goes up,” he stated in an interview with Ajax Life.
Mislintat made it clear that they do now want to part ways with Kudus or West Ham target Edson Alvarez but they will not stop the players from leaving if their asking price is met.
“There is no fixed deadline, but there are agreements we must have to get replacements if we have not already done so proactively. Their stay or sale also depends on what we will do next.
“The best thing for is if Kudus and [West Ham target Edson] Alvarez stay, then we keep two top players.
“But it is also possible that one goes, or both,” he added. It is believed that Kudus prefers a move to Arsenal over Chelsea since the Gunners can offer Champions League football. Now it remains to be seen, if Mikel Arteta urges his management to expedite the transfer process.
In June 2022, a prominent sports news outlet in the UK, The Athletic, reported on the arrest of a Premier League star who was accused of rape.
The player’s identity, club affiliation, and nationality were not disclosed in the publication, but they provided hints about the individual’s profile.
The player was described as a 29-year-old international footballer who was set to represent his country in the2022 World Cup.
Additionally, it was revealed that the accused footballer resided in Barnet, London.
The news report and other UK media sources refrained from directly mentioning the player’s name or any direct links to the rape allegations.
However, on July 25, 2023, broadcaster Paul Adom-Otchere revealed that the footballer in question is Thomas Partey, a Ghanaian player.
According to Paul Adom-Otchere, it was suggested that Thomas Partey himself informed some Ghanaians about his alleged involvement in the rape scandal, which has been a major topic in the Premier League news cycle since it first broke in June 2022.
The player’s bail term was extended to August, further prolonging the ongoing investigation and media attention on the case.
“Recently our hero Thomas Partey had a problem with the British police. Did you see how scanty the information was? All of us were looking for the person but the British police will not tell anyone.
“All we heard were rumors and Partey himself telling some Ghanaians. That is how we got to know.
Paul Adom-Otchere expressed his dissatisfaction with the Office of the Special Prosecutor’s handling of the arrest of former Minister of Sanitation and Water Resources, Cecilia Abena Dapaah.
To highlight his point, Adom-Otchere referred to an alleged incident involving Thomas Partey, drawing a comparison between how the Metropolitan Police of London, UK, handled the situation and how Kissi Agyebeng and his team handled it publicly in Ghana.
As a devoted Manchester United and Asante Kotoko fan, Adom-Otchere likened the conduct of the Office of the Special Prosecutor to Andre Dede Ayew’s actions during Ghana’s game against the Super Eagles of Nigeria in March 2023.
“Special prosecutor, we love you but you are not Dede Ayew. You aren’t the captain of the Black Stars. You are not Black Sherrif, Shatta Wale, Piesie Esther, DKB, Delay or Afia Schwarzenegger.
“You are the distinguished Special Prosecutor, a barrister at law and solicitor of the Supreme Court of Ghana.
“Don’t be arresting people with funfair. It shouldn’t be live on radio and you shouldn’t be tweeting about it. If you are going to arrest people then you call media to follow you. We don’t want to see how you do your work just deliver to the nation. You are stigmatizing the people,” he fumed on his show.
The National Council of Parents Teachers Association of Ghana (PTA) has expressed concern over the government’s decision to exclude parents from its education policies, stating that it will not be beneficial for the country.
According to the association, certain comments and actions from the government give the impression that parents are not regarded as important contributors to the education sector in Ghana.
Gapson Kofi Raphael, the secretary for the association, emphasized the crucial role of parents as key stakeholders in ensuring the delivery of quality education in the country.
He conveyed these sentiments during an interview with Captain Koda on the morning show “Nyansapo” of OTEC 102.9 FM, a Kumasi-based radio station, on Wednesday, July 26, 2023.
“Ghana is operating open school system, where all stakeholders are needed to pay their relevant roles to compliment the efforts of the state machinery to ensure the school is strong and firm”.
“A lot of infrastructures in many Schools across the country were built by parents, old students, philanthropist and other stakeholders whom we can all attest to the fact that their contributions to infrastructural development have gone a long way to improve education in Ghana “.
“Why is the government now trying to take parents out of the development of schools, trying to paint a picture that, parents are rather sabotaging government policies”, he quizzed.
Kofi Rafael has therefore called on the government to come out with a clear policy on how parents can support the efforts of the state in providing quality education to Ghanaian children.
Confirming the decision, UEFA stated that Barcelona is eligible to compete in this season’s prestigious Champions League tournament.
The club had been facing corruption charges since March, related to alleged payments made to Jose Maria Enriquez Negreira, the vice-president of Spanish football’s refereeing committee.
While the legal case is still ongoing, UEFA has not ruled out the possibility of taking action against the Catalan club in the future.
However, as of now, Barcelona has been granted the green light to take part in Europe’s top-tier club competition.
UEFA said in a statement: “The UEFA Appeals Body has taken the following decision with regards to the admission of FC Barcelona in the 2023/24 UEFA club competitions.
“The proceedings concerning the admission of FC Barcelona to the 2023/2024 UEFA club competitions are suspended and may be resumed, ex officio, or at the request of the Ethics and Disciplinary Inspectors (EDIs) in charge of the case.
“FC Barcelona is provisionally admitted to take part in the 2023/2024 UEFA club competitions. A future decision on admission/exclusion from the UEFA club competitions is reserved.
“FC Barcelona is obliged to keep the EDIs informed of the progress of the ongoing investigations proactively and to provide the EDIs with all the documents and information they request.
“The EDIs in charge of the case are invited to continue and finalise their investigation and to send a further report to the UEFA Appeals Body if and when they consider that the admission/exclusion ofFC Barcelona should be assessed.”
Barcelona play Real Madrid in a marquee pre-season friendly in two days.
They have expressed concerns that these crucial examinations are in jeopardy unless the government resolves all outstanding debts owed to the West African Examinations Council (WAEC).
According to citinewsroom.com, Peter Nortsu-Kotoe, the Minority Spokesperson on Education, voiced deep worries over WAEC’s pressing need for over GH₵50 million to fulfill its financial obligations and ensure the smooth organization of the upcoming 2023 examinations.
He pointed out the current challenges faced by WAEC, citing the government’s failure to release funds for compensating individuals who provided services during the 2022 WASSCE. This includes allowances owed to supervisors, invigilators, examiners, and other personnel involved in the examination process.
“The challenge for WAEC now is the government’s inability to release funds to them to perform their functions. Those who worked for WAEC last year, 2022, in the conduct of the WASSCE have not been paid the allowances due to the supervisors, the invigilators, the examiners, and all other persons. So, WAEC is unable to raise funds to meet its obligations,” he said.
With the 2023 examinations approaching, WAEC finds itself unable to cover the expenses incurred during the previous year’s services.
The minority spokesperson on education said that if swift actions are not taken, teachers and individuals who provided services as supervisors and invigilators may be reluctant to participate again in the future.
“Now the examinations are about to start again, or they have even started with the orals and practicals and the WAEC is not having money to pay for last year’s services. So, we don’t know what the government is doing and if care is not taken, the persons or the teachers who gave us the service may not be ready to provide services again as supervisors and invigilators,” he added.
Drawing attention to the practices in other countries, Nortsu-Koto, questioned why the same cannot be done here in Ghana.
“I know of a country, a member country, that by the end of the first quarter, all the budget ofWAEC is released to them for national and international examinations. Why can’t we do the same in Ghana?”
“This is the challenge WAEC is facing and if we don’t help them to get what is due them, I don’t know how the exams for this year will be conducted. For now, they need about GH₵50 million to clear the previous year’s arrears. Those who print their scripts for them, those who print booklets, they owe all of them. So, if you don’t pay, how will they provide those materials for you?”
Former President John Dramani Mahama has asserted that the only individuals claiming that the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) are similar are disillusioned NPP members.
During an interview on the KSM show, Mahama, who is the presidential candidate of the NDC for the 2024 elections, emphasized that there is no basis for comparing the NPP to his party, as the NDC’s track record speaks for itself.
He further urged NPP members to refrain from making such claims and instead face the consequences of the actions their party has taken, which, according to him, have led to challenges in Ghana.
“It is NPP propaganda… they are in their mess and want to draw everybody else into the same mess. You’ve messed the country up.
“Not all politicians are the same. But they’re happy to push that mantra and make it look like Oh, whether NDC comes or NPP comes, you’re better off staying with us because when NDC comes it will be the same.
“That is the psychology of the propaganda they are doing. We are not the same,” he told veteran journalist Kwaku Sintim-Misa (KSM).
During his comparison of the NDC and NPP’s records in various sectors, the former president highlighted the educational sector.
He pointed out that the NDC has been responsible for constructing all the public universities in Ghana, while the NPP, in contrast, has only renamed them without significant infrastructure development.
“We have given more Ghanaians electricity than any party in the history of this country. Rolling started the national electrification program, and the rural electrification program, which has brought Ghana to above 80% electricity coverage.
“In our time we’ve given more Ghanaians water than any party in the history of this country. When proof came into office water coverage was 55%.
“By the time I left office, water coverage was 72%. We have built all the public universities in this country, NPP hasn’t built one public university, they’re just good at renaming them with their party figures,” he said.
He added that Ghana’s digitalising agenda which the NPP drags off started under his watch when he was theMinister of Communications.
“We started the digital revolution in this country. I was Minister of Communications when we divided posts and telecommunications and created Ghana Telecom and allowed Space Phone and all the mobile operators to come in. We started laying optic fibre in this country, did the Eastern Corridor Optic Fibre. And so that whole digital revolution started in our time.”
Chelsea’s initial bid of €27.5 million (£24m/$30m) for striker Elye Wahi has been turned down by Montpellier, but the player is eager to join the London club.
Despite the rejection, Montpellier is reportedly open to further negotiations with Chelsea, indicating a potential opportunity for the deal to progress.
Wahi, who scored an impressive 19 goals in Ligue 1 last season, is enthusiastic about the prospect of moving to Chelsea.
However, there is competition from other clubs, including Atletico Madrid and Eintracht Frankfurt, who have also shown interest in the 20-year-old French striker, who has earned three caps for France’s U21 side.
Chelsea is actively seeking to secure the deal promptly, considering the player’s interest in moving to England.
The plan could involve loaning Wahi out for the 2023-24 season, possibly to Strasbourg, which is Chelsea’s new sister club.
Given the high level of interest in Wahi,Chelsea will be keen to expedite the process and successfully finalize the transfer.
According to Fernandes, manager Erik ten Hag has not reached a decision on whether he or Mount will take on the role of No. 10 for the Red Devils in the upcoming season.
Mount, who joined Manchester United from Chelsea in a £60 million ($76 million) transfer, possesses great versatility, capable of playing in various positions, including as a playmaker, wide forward, or central midfielder.
As the season approaches, Fernandes admits that he is unsure about who will ultimately secure the No. 10 spot for Manchester United in the new campaign.
The competition between the two talented midfielders promises to be intense as they both aim to make a significant impact on the team.
“No, we haven’t spoken about that decision. It’s the manager who makes that decision. Both of us can play in many roles… We are really happy to have him here, wherever he plays, as a 10 or 8 or wing. We can both do that. The most important thing is that we help the team succeed,” he told reporters.
“I said this a couple of years ago, that he [Mount] is one of the best players in the Premier League at the time and I hope he can do it again because he is a really good player and he is still really young – he has a long way to go. He is really good at pressing, he has a lot of energy, and really good on the ball.
“He has goals and assists in him too. He can create chances so we are expecting a lot from him but he is aware of that. He is at a big club and he knows the expectations on him will be big,” he added.
Fernandes sent a hilarious welcome message to Mount by posting two pictures of a past duel with Mount from when United drew 1-1 with Chelsea at Old Trafford in the 2021-22 season. He has now spoken highly of Mount’s passion and aggression and vowed to defend his new team-mate.
“We need players with that kind of aggression and passion, we need players to be like that in the games.
“These are the kind of players that I like to play against and even more to have in my side so I am happy he is here now.
“And now instead of me on the side of David, it’s me on the side of Mason defending him from someone else. Now he is on my side and I will do everything I can to defend him,” he said.
Are you a graduate student seeking financial support while pursuing your advanced degree? Look no further! Let’s explore the realm of Graduate Assistantships and the valuable benefits they offer you.
𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗶𝘀 𝗮 𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗱𝘂𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝘁𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽? A graduate assistantship offers graduate students the opportunity to work on campus while pursuing their postgraduate studies.
This position provides financial support through a stipend or salary and may also include benefits such as a tuition waiver.
As a graduate assistant, you’ll take on diverse roles within the university, gaining valuable experience and contributing to the campus community.
𝗧𝘆𝗽𝗲𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗱𝘂𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝘁𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽𝘀 Teaching Assistantship (TA): Assist faculty members in teaching undergraduate courses, lead discussions, grade assignments, and provide guidance to students.
Research Assistantship (RA): Collaborate with faculty on research projects, contribute to data analysis, literature reviews, and research-related tasks.
Administrative Assistantship: Work in administrative offices, helping with tasks like admissions, student affairs, event organization, and more.
Benefits of a graduate assistantship: Financial support: Receive a stipend or salary to cover your living expenses, with some assistantships also offering a tuition waiver or reduction.
Professional development: Gain hands-on experience in teaching, research, or administration, enhancing your skills and boosting your employability.
Networking opportunities: Build connections with faculty members and fellow graduate students, creating valuable relationships for future career prospects or research collaborations.
How to secure a graduate assistantship:
Research opportunities: Check your university’s website, departmental boards, or connect with faculty members to find assistantship openings.
Prepare application materials: Craft a compelling resume/CV, a statement of purpose, and secure strong letters of recommendation.
Connect with faculty: Reach out to professors aligned with your research or teaching interests, express your interest, and inquire about assistantship opportunities.
Nail the interview: If shortlisted, prepare for interviews by researching the department, understanding the role, and having thoughtful questions for the interviewer.
Acceptance and negotiation: Review the terms and conditions of the assistantship offer and consider negotiating aspects like stipend, workload, or responsibilities in a professional manner.
It’s wise to start your search early and explore different funding avenues, as the availability of assistantships can vary.
Following his exceptional performance against Barcelona on July 27, 2023, some Arsenal fans have changed their stance and no longer call for the club to let go of Thomas Partey.
Partey’s sensational display in the pre-season friendly, where Arsenal emerged victorious with a 5-3 scoreline at the SoFi Stadium in the USA, left a significant impact on the fans.
Earlier, the Ghanaian midfielder was on Arsenal’s outgoing list after the club signed Declan Rice from West Ham United.
However, Partey’s recent performances have sparked a massive u-turn in the narrative, with fans now considering him their most crucial player.
The pre-season games, particularly the match against Barcelona, have convinced supporters that Partey should remain at the club. Those who previously backed the player to stay now feel vindicated in their support.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has also expressed the importance of Partey to the team in a previous interview, confirming the player’s significant role in the squad.
“I expect Thomas Partey to stay here. Every time I spoke to him and had a conversation with him he’s ready to stay with us. For me, there’s nothing there’s at all.”
Below are some reactions to Thomas Partey’s performance against Barcelona
— вkσmík (@bkomun) July 27, 2023 ???????? Yet another solid performance from Thomas Partey, he always seems to be in the right position to receive the ball. He was a menace in intercepting play and started the second goal with an excellent through ball from a quick free-kick. Majestic baller ⚪️???? pic.twitter.com/dyCHgPXcCM
— Gooner Chris (@ArsenalN7) July 27, 2023 Thomas Partey is the most Important Arsenal player pic.twitter.com/Mj0rkRQZdO
— Jon ???? (@JonMurigi) July 27, 2023 Thomas Partey once again proved to Arsenal why they need him in the midfield more than Declan Rice… proper baller pic.twitter.com/kvaw6IfNNv
— Highest Majesty (@kwaku_majesty_) July 27, 2023 Thomas Partey once again proved to Arsenal why they need him in the midfield more than Declan Rice… proper baller pic.twitter.com/kvaw6IfNNv
— Highest Majesty (@kwaku_majesty_) July 27, 2023 They wanted to sell Thomas Partey just because of this uncle Sam rice bag
— Essel (@Esselguy) July 22, 2023 While we are here please don’t sell Thomas Partey.
— Arsenal ANOOP (@ArsenalAnoop) July 27, 2023 PLEASE JUST DON’T SELL THOMAS PARTEY ????????????????????
— Arteta’s First Dawta❤️ (@Teafeh) July 27, 2023 ????️: I really don’t know the type of manager Mikel Arteta is” lost faith in Thomas Partey allowing the club to sell him for Declan Rice ????
????: Partey impact help Arsenal closer to win the Premier League last season. He makes all the Arsenal midfield function✍???? https://t.co/9nD07peVnt
— E.P.L????️???????? (@ishmael_idriss) July 27, 2023 Thomas Partey is that guy!
In a surprising turn of events at theWomen’s World Cup, Nigeria pulled off a remarkable comeback to defeat co-hosts Australia 3-2 in Brisbane, taking a significant step towards qualifying for the knockout phase.
After Australia took the lead just before halftime, Nigeria showed great resilience and determination in the second half.
Uchenna Kanu, Osinachi Ohale, and substitute Asisat Oshoala all found the back of the net, securing Africa’s first victory in the tournament Down Under. This win places Nigeria one point away from securing a spot in the last-16 stage.
With four points, Nigeria now tops Group B, edging ahead of Canada on goal difference, while Australia stands at three points. Ireland, at the bottom of the standings, is out of contention without any points.
In their final group game, Nigeria will face Ireland in Brisbane next Monday, where they only need a draw to progress further. Meanwhile, Australia and Canada will clash in Melbourne at the same time.
Although Australia dominated the early exchanges and scored just before halftime, Nigeria quickly equalized within three minutes, showing their determination to stay in the game.
Rasheedat Ajibade’s cross led to a deflection that found Uchenna Kanu at the back post, allowing her to poke it home from close range.
The victory for Nigeria has added excitement to the tournament, and the Super Falcons are proving to be a formidable force in the Women’s World Cup.
A 65th minute corner was not properly cleared by the Australians, allowing Nigeria to get the ball across the goal and a brave header from Ohale put them ahead.
Seven minutes after taking the lead, Nigeria stunned the crowd as they went two goals clear with Oshoala taking advantage of a defensive mix-up between central defender Alanna Kennedy and goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold, stealing away the ball and scoring from a tight angle.
Nigeria had to weather 13 minutes of stoppage time added on at the end of the game to ensure a precious three-point haul, although conceded in the 100th minute to Kennedy, who headed home a corner.
Nigeria had previously beaten Australia at the Women’s World Cup in Canada in 2015 and Thursday’s win was only their fifth in 28 games at nine final appearances.
Defeat for Australia’s Matildas follows a similar defeat for the other co-hosts New Zealand at the hands of the Philippines earlier in the week.
The 37-year-old Spanish international had an illustrious career spanning two decades, with a significant part of it spent at Manchester City.
Silva joined Manchester City from Valencia in 2010 and enjoyed a successful ten-year stint, making over 400 appearances for the club and securing four Premier League titles during his time there.
After departing from City in 2020, he joined Real Sociedad and was set to enter his fourth season with the Spanish club.
Unfortunately, Silva suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury during a pre-season training session, leading him to make the tough decision to retire from professional football.
Throughout his career, he also had stints with Eibar and Celta Vigo.
On the international stage, Silva represented Spain with great distinction, earning 125 caps for the senior national team.
He was a crucial part of the Spanish squad that lifted the World Cup in 2010 and triumphed in the European Championships in both 2008 and 2012.
“Today is a sad day for me,” Silva said. “Today it is time to say goodbye to what I have dedicated my whole life to.
“Today it is time to say goodbye to my colleagues, who are like family to me. I will miss you very much.
“Ches (Valencia), Armeros (Eibar), Celtinas (Celta Vigo), Citizens (Man City) and Txuri Urdines (Real Sociedad)…thank you because you have made me feel at home.”
A number of former team-mates have shared messages of support for Silva. Among them was formerManchester City colleague Aymeric Laporte, who shared the simple message “Leyenda, gracias por todos” (‘Legend, thanks for everything)’.
“Mago” (magician) wrote Riyad Mahrez, who was part of the Manchester City squad for Silva’s final league title in 2018-19, referring to one of Silva’s nicknames.
“Thank you mago” was the reply from Edin Dzeko, who played alongside Silva for the pair’s first English title win in 2011-12.
Lionel Messi’s impact remains undeniable, and his recent accomplishment came during an extraordinary triumph for Inter Miami against Atlanta United in the Leagues Cup.
As reported by Goal, Messi delivered a sensational performance, scoring two goals in the team’s 4-0 victory alongside Robert Taylor, making a significant statement for his new club.
Of particular note, his second goal in the match earned him a new Guinness World Record, as it became the most-watched live event in the history of the United States.
The video of his goal has garnered an astounding 3.4 billion views, setting yet another remarkable milestone for the 36-year-old superstar since his move to MLS from Paris Saint-Germain this summer.
Since joining Inter Miami, co-owned by David Beckham, Messi has already netted three goals in just two appearances, showcasing his exceptional talent on the field.
Moreover, during the same match against Atlanta United, Messi revealed a new goal celebration after his brace, as stated by Give Me Sport, adding even more excitement to his outstanding performance on Tuesday night.
Following his second goal for the team, the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner stood still and extended his hand towards the franchise’s co-owner, Beckham, in what was undoubtedly a special moment for both players.
The Manchester United legend was captured smiling back at his new superstar as Messi continues to impress since making the move to the MLS this summer.
Earlier, Sports Brief reported on Messi holding numerous Guinness World Records and how the Inter Miami star is expected to earn more before he retires.
The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner has already bagged 34 trophies and titles at the club level, making him one of the most decorated footballers ever.
Internationally, Messi has won the 2022 FIFA World Cup, the Copa América, and the CONMEBOL titles, and he also has seven entries in the Guinness Book.
Fabinho has been excluded from Liverpool’s squad flying out to Singapore as midfielder nears £40m ($51.82m) Al-Ittihad transfer.
The Brazilian’s move to Saudi Arabia was thrown into doubt due to payment structure issues, but negotiations have resumed and all parties are committed to finalising the deal.
According to The Athletic, Fabinho will be the latest superstar to join the Saudi Pro League following the takeover of four major clubs by the country’s Public Investment Fund.
The midfielder will join Jordan Henderson in heading to the Middle East, with Liverpool confirming the captain has sealed a deal to join Steven Gerrard at Al-Ettifaq.
Fabinho had previously been left out of Liverpool’s pre-season camp in Germany as talks have been ongoing for a few weeks now. Now he will sit out the Singapore trip where Liverpool will play two friendlies against Leicester City and Bayern Munich.
Meanwhile, Liverpool continue to hold discussions with Southampton for the acquisition of Romeo Lavia. They have seen their first bid of £37 million ($48m) knocked back as the Saints remain firm on their £50m ($64m).
Fabinho is expected to complete his move to Al-Ittihad in the next few days. While Liverpool are gearing up to face Leicester City on Sunday in a pre-season friendly.
Lautaro Martinez has criticizedRomelu Lukaku amid a strained relationship between Lukaku and Inter.
Inter had been in talks with Chelsea regarding Lukaku’s potential transfer, but it was later revealed that Lukaku was also negotiating with Serie A rivals Juventus.
As a result of this development, Inter swiftly pulled out of the negotiations. While reports suggest that Lukaku attempted to mend fences with Inter and his former teammates, he was met with a cold reception from the squad.
Martinez, Lukaku’s former strike partner, expressed his disapproval of Lukaku’s “attitude” and revealed that the 30-year-old didn’t even respond to his calls during the tumultuous period.
“I was disappointed, it’s the truth. I also tried to call him in those days of chaos, he never answered me, the same he did with my other companions.
“After so many years together, after so many things lived together, I was disappointed. Thankfully, it’s his choice. I wish him the best. But I didn’t expect this attitude,” he stated to La Gazzetta dello Sport.
After a phenomenal last season where he scored 27 goals in 56 matches across all competitions, Martinez, has been handed the armband for the 2023-24 season.
He is ecstatic after being bestowed with the honour of leading the Serie A side and feels “ready” for the job.
“Wearing it means taking on more responsibility within the team, inside the locker room. But I’ve always done it before. I have a goal: to lend a hand to comrades in need. Important players have left?
“True, but I’m ready. For me it is a source of pride, I want to live up to the many champions who have worn the armband in Inter’s history and make everyone proud of me.
“I’m in my sixth season here: I understand everything, I know everything, what I’ve learned I make available. I told the newcomers that if they’ve arrived at Inter it’s because they have something and they’ve been chosen, not by chance.
“When you play, give everything and then the love of the fans will take care of the rest,” he stated. Juventus are trying topersuade Chelsea to allow Lukaku to leave on another loan spell with an option to buy but the Blues remain adamant that they want a permanent sale.
On Thursday, Martinez is set to participate in a pre-season friendly against Al-Nassr at the Nagai Stadium in Japan.
Real Madrid midfielder Jude Bellingham expressed his deep respect for Lisandro Martinez, despite having a clash with the Manchester United defender during their friendly match in Houston.
Bellingham took exception to a robust challenge made by Martinez, but he clarified that both players demonstrated mutual respect for each other during half-time.
“The little tiff with Martinez is one of those things. He is a brilliant player. I came in at half-time and I was f’ing this and f’ing that. But when he came over to wish me all the best when he came off, I really respected it,” Bellingham told reporters.
“I know what goes on the pitch stays on the pitch. I saw him at the end of the game and wished him well.
“I can respect that when two players are trying to win for their team and can come together and be respectful after the game.
He is a great competitor and a great player. Just like me, he wants to win. Sometimes it spills over. That is part of the game. I am really respectful. We can have that moment after the game.”
Bellingham scored his first goal for Real Madrid to give Los Blancos the lead in an eventual 2-0 win over United.
The England midfielder said he was settling in well to his new club after his £115 million ($149m) move from Borussia Dortmund. “I was confident coming here because I knew how good the players were.
I know the qualities I can bring and I feel like I have slotted in. The role I am playing is enjoyable. I had a decent game against AC Milan and a decent one today. I just want to keep up the rhythm going into the season,” said the 20-year-old.
In a thrilling match in Houston, Manchester United suffered a 2-0 defeat at the hands of Real Madrid, with Jude Bellingham making an impressive impact in only his second appearance for the Spanish giants.
The breakthrough came in the sixth minute, as Antonio Rudiger set up the young midfielder, who executed a beautiful clipped finish from 18 yards out.
Though there were some doubts about potential offside, Bellingham’s exquisite touch and finish left no room for questioning his exceptional abilities on the field.
Bellingham’s first goal for Real Madrid was a thing of beauty, dinking it over Onana on his Man Utd debut.
Under the closed roof of the NRG Stadium, Real Madrid dominated the game throughout.
Andre Onana, their goalkeeper, had a composed debut and left a lasting impression with his exceptional saves.
Despite his impressive performance, Onana couldn’t keep a clean sheet as he was eventually outdone by Joselu’s brilliance late in the match.
The former Stoke and Newcastle striker pulled off an extraordinary acrobatic scissor kick that left Onana with no opportunity to stop the breathtaking strike.
It was a moment of pure brilliance from Joselu, securing a memorable goal for his team.
Conversations aboutCecilia Dapaah’s million dollar case have given way for some MPs to vent their long-held grievances over insufficient salaries.
Cletus Dapilah, Member of Parliament for Jirapa, revealed in a JoyNews interview on July 26, 2023, that as an MP, he can confidently say he does not even have GH 1000 saved in the bank.
“I don’t even have a GHS1000 at the bank”, Mr Dapilah said.
MPs receive an average of GHS10,000, and according to Mr Dapilah, “most MPs are not very happy with” this situation.
According to Mr Dapilah, most, if not all, MPs are burdened with taking care of their constituents.
According to some MPs, it is commonplace to find a large number of constituents assembled at their gates every morning, either to secure funding for their ward’s education or other financially related matters in that regard.
Hence “the MP’s salary is for everybody. The MP’s salary is not just for the MP. Whatever the MP is paid, it is still for everybody.”
In addition, half of the GHS 10,000 paid to him as salary is spent on fuel in his travels from Jirapa to Accra, and to make matters worse, some of the MPs “don’t even get it because ofthe deductions on loans”.
USMNT star, Christian Pulisic, has embarked on anew challenge at AC Milan after completing a summer transfer from Chelsea, where he spent four years.
Pulisic joins former Chelsea teammate Fikayo Tomori in Italy and both players believe that Milan will offer them more opportunities than they had in London.
Despite making a strong start in pre-season with numerous assists, Pulisic has been cautioned about the difficulty of Serie A compared to the Premier League.
The competition in Italy is expected to present unique tests and challenges that he hasn’t encountered before in his career.
Nevertheless, Pulisic seems determined to embrace this new chapter and make a mark in one of Europe’s toughest football leagues.
Tomori has told Sky Sport Italia of welcoming Pulisic to Milan and what lies in store for him: “We’ve known each other since Chelsea and we’ve talked a lot. I’ve told him that Serie A is really difficult.
“Tactically and in terms of details, it is more difficult [than the Premier League]. He is feeling well with the team and hopefully, we can have a great season together.”
Pulisic is one of seven new recruits to have been snapped up by Milan this summer – as they continue to be linked with his international colleagues Yunus Musah and Folarin Balogun – and Tomori believes that the 2021-22 Serie A champions are well placed to challenge for major honours in the upcoming campaign.
The 25-year-old defender added: “We feel on the pitch that we have a strong team. We want to win again because we didn’t do what we wanted last season. Now, also thanks to new players, we are strong and keep improving.
“Weare Milan and we want to win. We didn’t do it last season but we want to do it this year,” he continued. We have new players and I think we can win. We are aware of our qualities.”
The outspoken businessman believes that the presence of the death penalty served as a deterrent to those who may seek to harm the nation or engage in heinous acts within society.
In his view, the abolition of the death penalty creates a conducive environment for increased corruption and violence.
According to Dr. Amoah, a more appropriate course of action for Ghana’s parliament would have been to review and refine the existing death penalty law, ensuring that it serves its intended purpose rather than completely abolishing it.
Writing on his verified Twitter handle, Dr Amoah said, “Instead of reviewing to strengthen the country’s death penalty laws to become credible deterrent of corruption, Parliament wants Ghana to be counted among the world’s countries who have abolished the death penalty … SMH.”
Dr. Kofi Amoah firmly asserts that Ghana’s decision to abolish the death penalty was not driven by any external pressure from a development partner. He believes that Ghana, with its unique challenges, should have retained such laws in its legal framework. In a tweet regarding the abolition of the death penalty, Dr. Amoah emphasized that the country’s specific circumstances warranted the continued existence of these laws in Ghana’s statute books.
“Parliament is wrong with the abolition of the death penalty in Ghana. Corruption and corruption-related offenses are KILLING Ghana, big time!
And this has also created a culture of “get-rich-quick-by-any-means”, poisoning the indispensable essence of honesty and hard work that are necessary for the advancement of any society. Instead of reviewing to strengthen the country’s death penalty laws to become a credible deterrent of corruption, Parliament wants Ghana to be counted among the world’s countries that have abolished the death penalty … SMH.
Do we really appreciate the challenges Ghana faces and the areas of governance we must differ so that we can also make progress and catch up with the “developed world” we wish to compare ourselves to?
A new progressive Parliament and Prez must propose more robust Death Penalty Laws for larger public discussion and adoption. We must remove the cancer that is killing our dreams for PROGRESS!!”
The decision by parliament earlier this week to abolish the death penalty means Ghana joins a long list of African countries that have done so in recent years.
The country currently has 170 men and six women on death row, whose sentences will now be replaced by life imprisonment. The last execution took place in 1993. Execution has been the mandatory sentence for murder in Ghana.
PARLIAMENT IS WRONG WITH THE ABOLITION OF THE DEATH PENALTY IN GHANA
Corruption and corruption- related offenses are KILLING Ghana, big time!
And this has also created a culture of “get-rich-quick-by-any-means”, poisoning the indispensable essence of honesty and hard-work that… https://t.co/7M8ii1CSAH
Walking out with six-year-old Asahd as the mascot, Messi held his hand, but the noise in the DRV PNK Stadium seemingly overwhelmed the young boy, causing him to burst into tears.
Messi immediately checked on Asahd and during the pre-match lineup, the World Cup winner placed his reassuring hands on the child’s shoulders.
It was a touching moment, and DJ Khaled, who is a father of three, clearly appreciated Messi’s kind and encouraging gesture towards his son.
Messi’s impact in Florida goes beyond his on-field performances and celebrity status, as he showed his fatherly kindness in this heartwarming incident.
DJ Khaled said: “I’m so proud of my son! Bless @leomessi!!!”
Plenty of other fans hailed the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner for his classy touch.
One said: “He’s the Goat, a great father, a lovely man. Messi is just perfect.” Another wrote: “A kind attitude GOAT.”
A third added: “This is the reason why we call him GOAT.”
And a fourth wrote: “Ruthless as a player, softie as a person.”
Messi proved that ruthless streak on the pitch once the game got underway.
Just a few days on from his match-winning 94th-minute free-kick on his debut, the former Barcelona legend followed it up with two goals inside the first 22 minutes against Atlanta.
He then added two assists for Robert Taylor as Inter Miami ran out 4-0 winners in the Leagues Cup in front of a host of celebrities.
Former IBF welterweight champion, Joshua ‘The Hitter’ Clottey, has expressed his worries about the disruptive behavior of boxing fans in the Bukom enclave.
According to him, this rowdy conduct is having a detrimental effect on the growth and progress of the sport.
Clottey’s concerns were raised following an incident during the National Individual Championship in Accra on July 14, where the event had to be abruptly halted due to unruly behavior exhibited by some boxing fans who disagreed with the judges’ decision.
Expressing his frustration, Clottey stated, “This has been a long-standing problem within Bukom and its environs whenever fans come in their numbers to support their boxers and it must stop.
“How can the sport grow under such circumstances when people come to watch about and it ends this way?” Clottey bemoaned.
“I am very upset and I think that attitude must stop if we really want our boxing to come back to normal because there are several ways of voicing out our grievances,” said Clottey.
Clottey urged fans to find alternative ways of expressing their grievances and called for a more disciplined and respectful approach to support the sport’s growth.
Though the transfer fee was not disclosed officially, British media reported that Brighton would pay Fiorentina 17 million euros for the Brazilian player.
Igor initially joined Fiorentina on loan from Italian club SPAL in January 2020, and after impressing during his loan spell, he signed a permanent deal with Fiorentina in May 2021.
During his time with Fiorentina, Igor showcased his talent, making nearly 110 appearances in all competitions.
He played a significant role in the team’s 2022–23 campaign, helping them reach the finals of the Europa Conference League and the Italian Cup.
Unfortunately, Fiorentina lost both finals to West Ham United and Inter Milan, respectively.
Igor’s journey in Europe began in 2016 when he moved from Brazil to join Austrian second-tier side Liefering.
Popular Ghanaian comic actor and founder of the Dabo Soccer Academy, Samuel Yaw Dabo, has unveiled his plans to send his team on a tour in Europe.
In May 2023, the actor embarked on his own European tour to establish connections between his academy and clubs on the continent.
During his tour, he visited Germany, France, and the Netherlands, where he met with Ajax star Mohammed Kudus.
Subsequently, he headed to Spain and had the opportunity to witness Real Madrid’s UEFA Champions League semi-final first-leg game against Manchester City at the Santiago Bernabeu in May 2023.
While on his European journey, Dabo emphasized his desire to give back to society, frequently visiting orphanages and villages to recruit young players for his soccer academy.
His commitment to nurturing talent and contributing positively to the community remains a prominent aspect of his endeavors.
“I have the Dabo Soccer Academy, because we have to support others. That’s my dream because, when you get money, you have to give it to somebody because everybody needs help,” he told Marca.
Speaking to Plus One TV, Dabo said “We are putting up plans to go on a tour in Europe soon. We will make sure no player runs away from the team. One of the countries we will visit is Spain due to my link with Marca. We will engage in competitive friendlies and tournaments”, he said.
Dabo has also disclosed that plans have begun for the construction of a training pitch and a multi-purpose sports complex at Nyinahin a town in the Ashanti Region of Ghana.
Mauricio Pochettino has expressed his belief that Reece James could become a future captain of Chelsea.
Following the departure of Cesar Azpilicueta to Atletico Madrid earlier this month, the club has yet to appoint a new skipper.
Pochettino mentioned ahead of tonight’s friendly against Newcastle in Atlanta that Reece James is among the potential candidates for the captaincy role.
“We are talking from day one about his objectives and how he was in the last few years at the club.
“He feels Chelsea, he came from the academy.
“He is one of the profiles, one of players that can be the present and future captain of the club.
“It’s good to have him back. He is a very important player for us.” James, 23, made only 24 appearances in all competitions for Chelsea last term with time spent on the sidelines to recover from both knee and hamstring issues.
The Cobham academy graduate was ruled out of England’s World Cup campaign in Qatar as a result.
But the highly-rated defender is now targeting a big season at club level, aiming to become a key performer for his Argentine boss. James explained: “It’s been difficult. Last season, I had a lot of injuries.
“I have not played in three months but at the moment it is good and I am finding my feet again.
“I am back into full training. I feel good. I am trying my best to stay on the field.
“We are working hard with the managing staff and physios to get me ready and be on the field in every game.
Head coach of Wolves, Julen Lopetegui, has expressed his frustration with the club’s transfer difficulties and acknowledged that they are facing challenges in signing new players.
Wolves’ transfer activity has been limited, with only Matt Doherty returning to the club on a free transfer after three years at Tottenham.
Although they have shown interest in players like Alex Scott from Bristol City and Aaron Cresswell from West Ham, Wolves have also had to sell players, including Ruben Neves, Conor Coady, Nathan Collins, and Raul Jimenez, to raise funds of approximately £84 million.
Lopetegui sought assurances at the end of the last season that the club would be able to invest and compete while complying with financial fair play rules. However, he remains dissatisfied with the current situation.
“I came here with a project and idea that, if we were able to save the team, we would be able to improve,” he told Guillem Balague’s Pure Football podcast.
“It was bad news for me. I tried in the summer. This was plan A. We went to a plan B, trying to think about cost-effective players, but it’s true at the moment we can’t develop this plan, too.
“We lost a lot of players and we think the club want to sell more players. In this situation, we need players to balance the squad and be competitive in the Premier League.
“I know the sporting director, Matt Hobbs, and the recruitment, all this team, have worked very hard to have a plan A and plan B, but unfortunately we can’t develop this plan.
“It’s a pity because you are thinking at any moment key players can come and, in the end, they don’t for different reasons. We were excited by this new plan, but now we don’t have this plan because we don’t have any new players.
“We had a lot of players out and now we have only incorporated one new free player (Doherty). It is not just for me, but for the sporting director, a big disappointment.”
The manager has additionally confirmed that forward Daniel Podence is expected to be sold. He did not travel with the squad for their pre-season trip to Portugal. It comes after Raul Jimenez’s recent move to Fulham this week. “Daniel Podence is not here because the club want to sell him,” said Lopetegui.
“If you asked me yesterday morning about Raul, I think Raul is going to stay here and now he leaves. So I don’t know what else will happen, we will see.”
Youth and Sports Minister, Mustapha Ussif, during a press conference on Wednesday, July 25, 2022,disclosed that the Ghanaian government, in partnership with the Ghana Football Association, has intentions to allocate the World Cup prize money towards preparations for the2023 AFCON and infrastructure development.
The minister confirmed that the GFA has informed the ministry about this decision, indicating their joint commitment to utilizing the funds for the betterment of football in the country.
“The GFA has written to the Ministry that FIFA has transferred the prize money of the 2022 World Cup to the FA,” he said.
He noted that the government and the FA plan have set sight on preparations for AFCON and infrastructure, specifically Ghanaman Soccer Centre in Prampram.
“We are just about going to AFCON. We also want to improve some sports infrastructure. The FA has written to us that they want to improve the infrastructure at Prampram.”
Ghana exited the tournament at the group stage, hence, was entitled to a sum of $9.5 million.
TheBlack Stars were earlier handed $1.5 million as a preparation fee, taking their World Cup participation benefit to $10.5 million.
Manchester City secured a 2-1 victory over Bayern Munich during their pre-season tour in Japan, with goals coming from James McAtee (20) and Aymeric Laporte (29). This marked the European champions’ second win of the tour.
Bayern Munich’s Mathys Tel scored the lone goal for his team, as they sought to avenge their 4-1 aggregate loss to City in last season’s Champions League quarter-finals.
In the intense heat at Japan National Stadium in Tokyo, both teams took some time to size each other up during the opening 15 minutes of the match.
Leroy Sane, who played for both Bayern Munich and Manchester City in the past, showed skill and attempted to set up Jamal Musiala in the 17th minute, but Nathan Ake’s block denied the scoring chance.
Shortly after, Sane struck a powerful free-kick from 25 yards out, only to be denied by the crossbar.
James McAtee, who had a successful loan spell at Sheffield United last season, opened the scoring forManchester City in the 21st minute, giving them an early lead in the match.
The lively Rico Lewis broke into the Bayern penalty area and tee up Julian Alvarez, but after goalkeeper Yann Sommer saved the Argentinian’s low strike at full stretch the 20-year-old McAtee tapped the rebound into the unguarded net.
Thomas Tuchel sent out an entirely different XI for the second half, while City manager Guardiola opted to make eight half-time changes.
Water breaks were also enforced midway through each half in the sweltering heat in the Japanese capital.
Tel levelled for Bayern with nine minutes to play, converting a rebound from close range after City goalkeeper Ederson had denied Paul Wanner.
Laporte restored City’s lead five minutes later, tucking home neatly afterPhil Foden nudged a rebound into his path.
Canada narrowly avoided a major upset at theWomen’s World Cup (WWC) as they had to stage a comeback to defeat Ireland.
The underdogs, Ireland, took a shocking lead in the fourth minute when Katie McCabe scored.
However, Canada quickly turned the game around with two quick goals before and after half-time, eliminating Vera Pauw’s side.
Ireland made an impressive start, almost taking the lead through Kyra Carusa before McCabe’s goal from a corner caught the Canadian goalkeeper off guard.
Canada, despite being the favorites, struggled to create chances until late in the first half when Vanessa Giles missed a close-range opportunity.
In the second half, Canada showed more energy and leveled the score just before half-time stoppage when Ireland’s Megan Connolly accidentally scored an own goal.
After the break, Canada continued to press, and Courtney Brosnan’s excellent save denied Jordyn Huitema’s long-range shot, which could have given Canada the lead much earlier.
Minutes later though, that goal finally came thanks to Adriana Leon prodding home from near the penalty spot to complete the turnaround.
Christine Sinclair, introduced at half-time, was twice thwarted in her attempt to score at a record sixth WWC as her shots were saved by Brosnan, who also caught Huitema’s towering header.
Searching for a third goal left Canada open to a sucker punch at the other end, and one was nearly provided by McCabe when her mazy run ended in a shot that was deflected narrowly wide.
There was to be noIreland comeback though, meaning their dream of qualifying for the knockout stages is over, whereas Canada know a point from their final game against Australia is likely to be enough to progress to the last 16.
The Gladys Ayebea Foundation has revealed a heartwarming program designed specifically forfemale hockey players.
The foundation intends to provide educational scholarships to talented players, with the goal of motivating them to prioritize their education while pursuing their careers in the sport.
During the foundation’s launch on Tuesday, July 18, 2023, the founder, Richard Hammond, explained the mission and purpose behind the Gladys Ayebea Foundation.
“The foundation was set up to help girls’ education. It was set up in memory of my mum Gladys Ayebea and it’s to help girls further their education but we will be doing that through the vehicle of sports and the chosen sport is hockey,” he said.
He also explained how the foundation plans to discover talents through tournaments.
“So what we will do is that every year we will organize a tournament. This year’s tournament is going to be two days instead of a day. It will be on the 24th of November at Suhum, the six schools will be competing.”
Founded in 2021, the non-governmental and charity organization held its official launch on Tuesday, July 18, 2023, in remembrance of its founder’s late mother, Gladys Ayebea, who passed away five years ago.
The foundation is guided by a vision to offer diverse educational opportunities, such as scholarships, as well as to establish mentorship programs aimed at empowering and assistingfemale hockey players in their journey towards achieving their aspirations.
Former Ghana right-back, Samuel Inkoom, is facing scrutiny over his credibility following conflicting statements about his unsuccessful return to Asante Kotoko in 2022.
In April 2022, Inkoom surprised many by joining Accra Hearts of Oak, despite strong links suggesting a potential move to Kumasi Asante Kotoko.
In an interview soon after the transfer, Inkoom claimed that his move to Kotoko was hindered by the former Asante Kotoko CEO, Nana Yaw Amponsah.
“Don’t blame me for my proposed Hearts move, Kotoko CEO feels big to call me. So Kotoko fans should blame their CEO and not me,” Inkoom was reported to have told Onua Sports after training.
In a recent interview with Citi TV, Samuel Inkoom revealed that it was then Asante Kotoko coach Dr. Prosper Narteh Ogum who blocked his move to the club.
This statement contradicted his earlier claim where he had blamed the former Asante Kotoko CEO, Nana Yaw Amponsah, for the failed transfer.
“I wanted to play for Kotoko…the CEO, Nana Yaw Amponsah, called me and invited me to the club. I was willing to play for free, but there was a misunderstanding between the coach and the CEO.”He stated.
This new claim by Samuel Inkoom has generated conversations on social media as Asante Kotoko fans are having a go at him for making false allegations against Nana Yaw Amponsah.
According to them, Samuel Inkoom courted unnecessary attacks for Nana Yaw Amponsah with his earlier claim that he stood between him and a move to Asante Kotoko.
The trial, which began at the end of June, saw Spacey denying all accusations and emotionally testifying in the witness box at Southwark Crown Court.
The 64-year-old Oscar winner was visibly emotional as he heard the verdict, shedding tears of relief.
During the trial, the prosecution referred to Spacey as a “sexual bully,” but the jury ultimately found him not guilty of the alleged offences that took place between 2001 and 2013.
As the jurors left the court, Spacey nodded at them while wiping tears from his face with a tissue. On his birthday, he expressed gratitude and let out a sigh of relief, having endured the intense legal proceedings.
During his testimony, Spacey described how his life was shattered when other allegations surfaced against him in the US back in 2017.
“There was a rush to judgment and before the first question was asked or answered I lost my job, I lost my reputation, I lost everything in a matter of days,” he told jurors.
Spacey, who was artistic director at The Old Vic theatre in London between 2004 and 2015, was accused of drugging and performing a sex act on a former aspiring actor while he slept, and of several assaults on another man – a driver who claimed the actor grabbed his crotch so hard on one occasion that he “almost come off the road”.
Another man claimed the Hollywood actor subjected him to a “barrage” of “vile” sexual abuse before grabbing his crotch “like a cobra” at a West End event, while the fourth said the Hollywood star kissed his neck and told him to “be cool”, again before grabbing his crotch.
Spacey, best known for films including American Beauty and The Usual Suspects and for political drama series House Of Cards, vehemently denied all the allegations.
A jury at Southwark Crown Court in London has now cleared him of all the charges.
Denying the separate allegations by each of the men, Spacey told the court:
He had a “somewhat intimate” relationship with another complainant, but denied assaulting him in a “violent, aggressive, painful way” – and said it felt like he had been stabbed in the back when he learned of the claims;
That allegations by a man he met in a West End theatre in the mid-2000s were “madness” and the incident described “never happened”; That he may have “made a pass” at another complainant but was “happy that he testified that the moment he told me he was not interested, I stopped”.
His defence team had labelled the prosecution’s case against him as “weak” – accusing some of the complainants of being after money.
The actor told the court he was a “flirt” and had been “open” about times he had been “promiscuous”, adding: “It doesn’t make me a bad person.”
He later told jurors he found it “harder to trust people because of who I was”, due to his fame and status.
Bayern Munich is reportedly showing interest in signing David de Gea, the former goalkeeper of Manchester United, as Manuel Neuer is still recovering from a severe ski injury sustained in January and has yet to return to full fitness.
Neuer’s backup, Yan Sommer, is rumored to be considering a move to Inter Milan in Serie A because he doesn’t want to remain on the bench once Neuer is fit again.
As a result, Bayern is actively searching for a top-quality goalkeeper and has set their sights on De Gea, who left Manchester United in June after his contract expired.
However, should they fail to secure De Gea’s services, the club has prepared a shortlist of alternative options.
One of their backup choices is said to be Wojciech Szczesny from Juventus, but the Italian club is reportedly reluctant to part ways with the Polish keeper.
Bayern is keeping their options open as they aim to bolster their goalkeeping department for the upcoming season.
David Raya has also made it to the list, but Bayern know that Brentford would demand £40 million (€46.61m/$51.61m) as a transfer fee.
However, Tuchel is reportedly not very keen on him as he wants someone with an imposing stature while Raya stands at just 1.83m.
Sevilla’s Yassine Bounou, Valencia goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili, Brighton’s Robert Sanchez and FC Copenhagen’s Kamil Grabara are the other options on the table for the German champions.
However, they do not want to pay the €6m (£5.15m/$6.65m) demanded by Bayern as a transfer fee.
But there is a sense of optimism from the Serie A giants as Karl-Heinz Rummenigge and Giuseppe Marotta share a strong relationship.
If the move goes through, Bayern will step up their efforts to sign De Gea as they will be left with only Sven Ulreich as a fit goalkeeper for the start of the season.
