His ambition to stand for re-election during the 29th Ordinary Congress of the Association in Kumasi has been endorsed by two prominent football chiefs.
The Chairmen of the Western and Greater Accra regional Football Associations have publicly expressed their support for Okraku’s re-election.
Their endorsement comes as a valuable show of support for his candidacy.
During a radio interview following the conclusion of the Western Regional Division 2 Middle league, Simon Ehomah, the Western Regional FA boss, praised Okraku’s leadership and the positive impact he has had on Ghanaian football.
He credited a significant portion of the success achieved during his regime to the contribution and support of the current GFA President.
“All that I’m doing has been made possible because of Kurt (Okraku). So I will plead with all the premier and division one league clubs to rally behind him and support him,” Mr Ehomah told West Gold Radio in Takoradi.
He went further to throw his unflicnhing support to the GFA boss, a move that was supported by the Greater Accra RFA Chairman, Samuel Aboabire.
“I vehemently declare my backing for Kurt(Okraku),” Simon Ehomah said.
Mr Aboabire quipped,”If you are for Kurt I am for Game Changer”. Kurt Okraku is dubbed the ‘Game Changer’ a slogan championed while camoaignign for election in his first term.
Simon Ehomah cited the good works accomplished under the Kurt E.S Okraku administration despite being faced with the Covid-19 pandemic and other challenging situations.
He touted the GFA President’s down to earth but hardworking nature and believes these are leadership traits.
“He is really working hard.He is humble and offers a listening ear to almost every stakeholder. He is readily available whenever we call on him to suggest changes to help the game grow,” he concluded.
The GFA is yet to announce a date for the elective Congress which will determine the retention or otherwise of Mr Okraku as its leader.
Argentina forward Yamila Rodriguez has clarified the meaning behind her Cristiano Ronaldo tattoo, emphasizing that it doesn’t reflect anyanimosity towards Lionel Messi.
The player has various tattoos, including ones of Portugal’s Ronaldo and Argentina’s World Cup-winning legend Diego Maradona on her left leg.
As we know, Messi and Ronaldo have had a historic rivalry during their time in La Liga when Messi played for Barcelona and Ronaldo for Real Madrid.
Some had accused Rodriguez of being anti-Messi because of her Ronaldo tattoo.
However, she explains that the tattoo of the current Al-Nassr star was simply an inspiration to her, and it doesn’t imply any negative feelings towards her compatriot, Messi.
She wrote on Instagram: “Please, enough. I’m not doing well. In what moment did I say I was anti-Messi? Stop saying things that I didn’t say, because the truth is I’m not doing well (in the middle of a World Cup where I’m representing my country.)
“I’m not doing poorly because of you guys, but because of the awful things you’re saying, without respect. One can’t have an idol, or a player that they like? Please.
“I never said I’m anti-Messi and never would be. He is our captain of our national team – me saying that my inspiration and idol is CR7 (Ronaldo) doesn’t mean that I hate Messi.
” Just to me (we can all like different things) I like the other player better, the one that inspired me.
“What’s the problem? We’re not all obligated to love the players from our own country. Please understand that this is football and everyone has their own preferences and that lifting one player up doesn’t mean burying the other.”
Rodriguez came off the bench as Argentina lost their opening game of the Women’s World Cup against Italy, going down 1-0. She plays her club football for SE Palmeiras in Brazil.
Declan Rice is setting his sights on achieving both Premier League and Champions League success at Arsenal, and he remains unfazed by his hefty £105 million price tag.
The talented English midfielder made the switch from West Ham to Arsenal earlier this month, setting a new record for the highest payment made for a British player in the Premier League.
Currently in the United States with his new teammates for preseason preparations, Rice is eager to help Arsenal improve on their second-place finish from last season.
Additionally, he is excited to see the Gunners return to top-level European competition for the first time since 2017.
Having experienced the joy of lifting the Europa Conference League trophy in his final game as West Ham’s captain, Rice’s hunger for success is evident as he looks forward to new challenges and opportunities with Arsenal.
“Last year was so close, I feel like we’re better off now this year, learning from that experience. I think that’s definitely a target and of course you’re in the Champions League, you go into the Champions League to win, you don’t go into (it) just to take part.
“There’s always a narrative around Arsenal that they’re not going to win the Premier League or they haven’t been good enough.
“But I didn’t see it in that way at all. I see it in a way that he (Arteta) has improved the squad every year. The players have improved individually. Everyone’s gone up another level and when I spoke to Mikel about the way he wanted me to play, where he sees me playing and the vision hehas for Arsenal.
“For me it is really exciting now to be a part of this project that Arsenal can get back to the big time and win some trophies.”
Rice’s arrival at the Emirates Stadium has eclipsed Arsenal’s previous transfer record – the signing of Nicolas Pepe from Lille for £72m – and will see West Ham receive a guaranteed £100m, with a potential £5m in add-ons.
The 24-year-old believes it is unfair he will carry increased expectations because of his price tag but insists he will not be weighed down by it.
“I think it’s time now. You know Arsenal under Mikel have won Community Shields, FA Cups, but I think now, this is a massive club, it’s constant pressure of delivering titles and it’s been such a long time now since Arsenal won the Premier League,” Rice told Sky Sports News.
“I just try to take everything in my stride. I can’t control what I’ve been bought for, that’s obviously been determined on how well I’ve played consistently over the last couple years,” he added.
“West Ham have obviously set that price, I tried to take it all of my stride, I’ve not really thought about the price tag once. I’ve been brought to Arsenal for a reason and that is to perform, to play football. To try and add to the squad, to try and win trophies.
“I’m not going to get involved in price tags. Of course people have always got opinions, you can’t please everybody.
‘Someone’s always got something to say, but what’s important is that the manager, you know you’ve got his support, you’ve got family support, people that are close to you, that’s all that matters.
“I won’t try to think about that too much and to be honest with you, I haven’t. It’s football. A lot of players have been bought for £80, £90, £100million. It’s our profession. It’s just down to us to perform. So over the six years (of his contract), hopefully I can repay that price tag.”
Manchester City is set to break records by makingJosko Gvardiol the most expensive defender in the world with a whopping €100m (£86m) bid for the RB Leipzig star.
Throughout the summer, City has been linked with Gvardiol and had an initial bid of £77m ($99m) rejected.
However, they have now met Leipzig’s demand of £86m, presenting an offer comprising £77m plus £9m ($10m) in add-ons, according to Sport Bild.
Although there is an expectation that Gvardiol will join City this summer, Leipzig has not yet accepted the offer.
They are seeking more realistic performance-based goals to be included in the £9m add-ons.
Should the move materialize, Gvardiol will become the most expensive defender in history, surpassing Harry Maguire’s £80m transfer to Manchester United from Leicester City in 2019 ($97m).
Leipzig are not under any pressure to sell Gvardiol, having already seen Dominik Szoboszlai leave to join Liverpool, and he has a release clause in his contract worth €112m (£96m/$124m) that activates next summer, meaning the club could attempt to keep him until then.
Still, they are hopeful of clarifying his future before the transfer deadline in case they need to buy a replacement.
Tetteh, a striker, joined Hull City in 2022 after leaving Yeni Malatyaspor in Turkey. Although his arrival at the English Premier League club came with high expectations, his time at Hull City has been hampered by injury setbacks, limiting his opportunities to showcase his true potential to the fans.
Despite these challenges, Coach Liam Rosenior, the manager of Hull City, revealed that there are concrete offers on the table for Benjamin Tetteh, indicating the strong interest from other European clubs in securing his talents.
If a deal is reached, the striker will leave the club before the summer transfer window shuts.
“Tetteh wasn’t involved [in pre-season friendly v Scunthorpe United]. We’ve had some interest from another club,” the Hull City gaffer said.
Benjamin Tetteh, 26, is understood to be open to the possibility of moving this summer but is ready to stay at Hull City for the upcoming season.
Canada’s Christine Sinclair was named to the bench ina Women’s World Cup match for the first time in her 23-year international career on Wednesday.
Sinclair, the all-time top goal-scorer in international football and her country’s captain, was among the substitutes when the teamsheet came out for Canada’s crucial clash with Ireland.
The 40-year-old has now been to six World Cup tournaments, her first coming in 2003, and had been included in the starting XI in all 22 of her previous appearances in the competition. Sinclair missed a penalty in Canada’s first game of this World Cup as the Olympic gold medalists were held to a goalless draw by Nigeria.
A result against Ireland is imperative, then, if they are to stand a good chance of progressing from a group that also includes co-hosts Australia.
If Sinclair scores during Canada’s current campaign, she will become the first man or woman to score in six different World Cup tournaments.
Sinclair will hope she can still make an impact from the bench as Canada look to kickstart theirWomen’s World Cup campaign with a good result against Ireland in Perth.
In the 2023 Fifa Women’s World Cup, Zambia’s hopes were dashed as they faced a crushing 5-0 defeat against Spain at Eden Park. The Copper Queens had previously suffered a similar 5-0 loss to Japan in their Group C opener, making it another disappointing result for them.
Spain dominated the match, with Jennifer Hermoso scoring twice, one goal in each half, and Alba Redondo also netting a brace in the second half. Teresa Abelleira added another goal in the ninth minute, securing Spain’s place in the Round of 16 with a match to spare.
The Spanish team showed their attacking prowess early on, scoring two goals within 13 minutes, leaving Zambian goalkeeper Eunice Sakala with little chance to make saves. Spain appeared to focus on neutralizing Zambia’s dangerous forward, Barbra Banda, and succeeded in limiting her impact on the game.
Despite the heavy pressure, Sakala made some impressive saves, including an excellent stop to deny Aitana Bonmati’s close-range shot just before half-time. She continued to showcase her goalkeeping skills, making a brilliant diving save to deflect Hermoso’s strike to safety on the 65th minute.
However, Sakala eventually succumbed to the Spanish attack when she was rounded by Redondo, resulting in Spain’s third goal. The match ended in a comprehensive victory for Spain, leaving Zambia out of the tournament and facing disappointment in their World Cup campaign.
Hermoso managed to score her fourth goal for the European team, but there was some confusion with VAR before her goal was finally confirmed after initially being ruled offside. She was eager for a hat-trick but was thwarted by an excellent fingertip save from Sakala and the upright post.
Redondo also secured her second goal, which was also confirmed after a VAR review. However, she was denied another goal in stoppage time, once again thanks to Sakala’s impressive performance.
Despite scoring her 50th international goal for Spain that day, Hermoso remained a constant threat to the Zambian team. Unfortunately, she couldn’t secure a hat-trick, despite coming close on several occasions.
Zambia’s performance, conceding 10 goals in two games, has raised concerns about the state of African football representation in the competition. It’s a disappointing result for the Copper Queens and reflects poorly on the African continent in this World Cup.
While the Copper Queens prepare to play their final Group C match against Costa Rica, they are already aware that they are out of the competition, even if they manage to secure a victory.
On the same day, Spain will face Japan, with both teams having already qualified for the knockout stages.
Striker for Bechem United, Wontah Konkoni, has garnered significant attention from clubs in Europe, Egypt, and Morocco, all competing for the opportunity to sign him.
Ghanaian football giants,Hearts of Oak, are also keen on acquiring the 24-year-old’s services as they aim to improve their goal-scoring performance in the upcoming season.
Having showcased his talents in the local league, Konkoni has firmly established himself as one of the top strikers in the region, demonstrating his readiness to take on new challenges.
During the last season, he impressively scored 15 goals, narrowly missing the club’s top scorer title, held by Abednego Tetteh, who outperformed him by just three goals.
Konkoni received a call-up to Ghana’s senior national team—an honor he earned under the watchful eye of head coach Chris Hughton.
In an interview with Ghanasportspage.com, the forward confirmed that clubs from Europe and Arab nations, including Egypt and Morocco, have expressed keen interest in securing his services.
“I have received offers from other countries including Europe and Arab.Clubs from Egypt and Morocco are also showing interest.”
The indictment alleges that the British billionaire was involved in illegal insider trading activities.
“We allege that for years Joe Lewis abused his access to corporate boardrooms and repeatedly provided inside information to his romantic partners, his personal assistants, his private pilots and his friends.
“Those folks then traded on that inside information and made millions of dollars in the stock market, because thanks to Lewis those bets were a sure thing.”
Mr Williams described Lewis’s behaviour as “classic corporate corruption”.
He said: “Now, none of this was necessary. Joe Lewis is a wealthy man. But as we allege, he used inside information as a way to compensate his employees or to shower gifts on his friends and lovers.
“That’s classic corporate corruption. It’s cheating, and it’s against the law. Laws that apply to everyone, no matter who you are.
“That’s why Joe Lewis has been indicted and will face justice here in the Southern District of New York.”
Lewis, 86, is the founder and primary investor of Bahamas-based investment firm Tavistock Group.
He bought a controlling stake inthe Premier League club from Lord Sugar in 2001 for £22million.
Renowned England international,Harry Kane, might be making a move in the upcoming summer transfer window, and Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) appears to be a potential destination for him.
PSG is actively searching for a marquee center-forward, especially with Kylian Mbappe’s impending departure. I
nterestingly, Lionel Messi allegedly recommended Kane as an ideal candidate for the role, and the French club seems willing to heed Messi’s advice.
Currently, Kane is in the final year of his contract with Tottenham Hotspur, and this situation has caught the attention of Bayern Munich, the Bundesliga champions, who are also keen on acquiring him.
However, PSG is determined to disrupt Bayern’s plans and secure Kane’s services for themselves.
Having served Tottenham for an impressive 13 seasons, Kane has etched his name in the club’s history.
Throughout his tenure, he has played 456 matches and scored an impressive 284 goals, making him a highly sought-after talent.
In response to Kane’s refusal to sign a new deal, Tottenham has issued an ultimatum, demanding that he either commits to a new contract or be sold this summer.
Spurs’ owner, Joe Lewis, is reportedly frustrated with the situation and has instructed Daniel Levy, the club chairman, to sell the forward if no resolution is reached.
As Kane still has one year left on his current contract, he could leave as a free agent next summer if he doesn’t sign an extension.
While PSG seeks to bolster their attacking options, former Tottenham midfielder Jamie O’Hara cautioned Kane against joining the French club, citing reasons despite their need for reinforcement after Messi’s departure and Mbappe’s uncertain future.
Furthermore,Bayern Munich’s interest in Kane remains active, but Manchester United’s pursuit has cooled down due to Tottenham’s reluctance to sell their prized asset to a Premier League rival.
Romelu Lukaku has turned to iconic rapper DMX to express his anger about the uncertainty surrounding his future.
Despite expectations of his departure from Chelsea, the striker has not secured a move yet, as Inter’s interest has waned, and talks with Juventus have not yet led to a finalized deal.
The player’s frustration seems evident, and he is finding inspiration from the late and legendary DMX.
Romelu Lukaku, the striker from Chelsea, updated his Instagram biography with lyrics from DMX’s song “How’s It Goin’ Down,” sharing the message: “Respect is not expected but it’s given ’cause it’s real. Being neglected’s the norm, expect it, the deal.”
Following his loan spell at Inter last season, the Serie A club had hoped to secure Lukaku on a permanent basis.
However, it has been reported that the 30-year-old stopped responding to their phone calls.
Simultaneously, he initiated talks with Juventus for a potential transfer, causing displeasure and outrage among fans of both Inter and Juventus.
Lukaku has utilized social media in the past to respond to criticism, as evidenced by a cryptic message he posted on Instagram last week.
Borussia Dortmund is honoring former Ghanaian star Ibrahim Tanko as he celebrates his 46th birthday today, July 25.
The Accra Lions coach received well-wishes from the former German champions on Twitter.
Recently, Tanko showcased his footballing prowess in a Borussia Dortmund Legends game, where he scored and provided a lavish assist, garnering attention in Germany.
The event celebrating former Dortmund players was attended by Ghana coach Otto Addo and ex-teammate Mallam Yahaya, highlighting Tanko’s enduring impact on the club.
During his time with Dortmund from 1994 to 2001, Ibrahim Tanko was an integral part of the UEFA Champions League-winning squad in 1997 and secured two Bundesliga championships.
In a total of 71 appearances for the team, the Ghanaian attacker scored three goals and provided three assists, earning him respect and admiration in Germany.
He moved on to join Freiburg where he played until 2001.
Tanko after hanging his boots in 2007 ventured into coaching and has since then managed the Black Meteors and the Black Galaxies. He is currently the manager ofGhana Premier League side Accra Lions.
NeNe Leakes, the former star of The Real Housewives of Atlanta, is breaking her silence for the first time regarding her son Bryson Rashard Bryant’s recent legal trouble.
In an exclusive preview of her upcoming two-part interview on Carlos King’s Reality with the King podcast, Leakes addresses Bryson’s arrest, which occurred earlier this month.
The 33-year-old, who is Leakes’ son from her previous relationship with Calvin Bryant, is currently in custody at Gwinnett County Jail with a bond set at $6,100.
His charges include violating probation in two cases, possession of a scheduled II controlled substance, loitering/prowling, and providing false personal information.
Asked how Bryson was doing, Leakes tells King, “I spoke to him on the phone, I think he’s doing OK.”
Bryson Rashford Bryant. GWINNETT COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE
Leakes admits that Bryson is currently dealing with drug-related problems. According to an incident report obtained by PEOPLE from the Gwinnett County Police Department, Bryson was arrested when he was found in a car with “a small plastic bag containing a white powdery substance.
” Upon conducting a field test, the substance reportedly yielded a presumptive positive result for Fentanyl, as alleged by the police.
Nene Leakes and son Bryson Bryant
NeNe Leakes with son Bryson Bryant. WILFORD HAREWOOD/BRAVO/NBCU PHOTO BANK/NBCUNIVERSAL VIA GETTY
Bryson is the older of Leakes’ two children — she shared younger son Brentt Leakes with late husband Gregg Leakes, who died in September 2021.
According to police, during his arrest on July 3 , Bryson initially identified himself to authorities as Brentt. Bryson reportedly also listed a former address of NeNe’s as his current address. Police hadn’t learned about Bryson’s real identity until after his arrest, the incident report stated.
Both boys were regularly featured on RHOA during their mother’s 10 years on the hit Bravo series.
“When asked by King if the exposure to the reality TV cameras contributed to his drug use, NeNe replies, “I don’t think it helped.”
“I wouldn’t say that the sole cause of it, [but] it certainly didn’t help because we started on television when Bryson was like in the 11th or 12th grade and Brent was in third grade.
“And, so they’re, they’re having to be in a light shine, a light shine on them that they did not ask for,” she notes.
“People are picking them apart because of the job that I chose to do. And so I feel for them in that way. But there’s just issues that he has.”
“I don’ know addiction because I don’t have an addiction,” she continues. ” You know, I just know from what people have said to me.”
Nene Leakes
NeNe Leakes. CHARLES SYKES/BRAVO/NBCU PHOTO BANK VIA GETTY IMAGES
She adds that her College Hill costar Lamar Odom — who suffered a near-fatal overdose at a Nevada brothel in 2015 — was one of the many people who reached out for support, offering to get Bryson into one of his Odom Wellness Treatment Centers in Southern California, which offers rehabilitation programs for those struggling with addiction.
“Lamar Odom also called me and said that he would grab Bryson right away and send him to his place,” NeNe shares — though she did not say whether she had taken Odom up on that path.
It is still unclear if Bryson, 33, has obtained a lawyer. PEOPLE has reached out to authorities for comment.
Conor Gallagher is currently under contractwith Chelsea for two more years, and Mauricio Pochettino considers him an integral part of the squad.
Meanwhile, West Ham has engaged in discussions with Scott McTominay, but a valuation gap exists between the Hammers and Manchester United.
Additionally, West Ham is actively pursuing James Ward-Prowse as they aim to secure two midfielders to fill the void left by Declan Rice’s departure.
Gallagher has two years remaining on his contract with Chelsea, and the club is reportedly open to extending his deal.
Any potential move would likely depend on Gallagher’s decision, and West Ham is considering whether to make an improved offer.
Currently, Gallagher is on Chelsea’s tour of the USA and recently scored a goal in their 4-3 victory against Brighton. As of now, Mauricio Pochettino is planning to include him in the squad for the upcoming season.
After Declan Rice’s departure to Arsenal for a hefty £105m, West Ham is actively exploring options for midfield reinforcements.Conor Gallagher is among the midfielders they are considering, but the club ideally aims to secure the signings of two replacements for the position.
The coach of Liaoning Shenyang, Xin Duan, has issued an apology for his “irrational” behavior after he was seen slappinga referee during a China League One match on Sunday.
Videos of the incident circulated on social media, showing Xin Duan confronting referee Chen Hao after a penalty was awarded against his team in the first half of their 4-0 away defeat against Nanjing City.
After Xin Duan’s protests on the touchline, he was shown a red card and subsequently struck the referee in response. Following the incident, Xin reportedly fainted and was taken to the hospital.
However, he later returned to the team hotel and issued an apology to the referee for his actions.
“After the match, the management of our club has communicated with Xin Duan, who, along with the management of the first-team team, has realized the gravity of the mistake…
“Xin Duan and the management of the first team recognised the seriousness of the mistake and found the match supervisor and the referee on duty at the first time to sincerely apologise for the irrational behaviour.”
The Chinese Football Association (CFA) did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Nanjing City currently holds the fourth position in the Chinese second-tier standings, whereas Liaoning Shenyang is placed 13th.
The news was reported by Martin Quin Pollard and Aadi Nair, with editing done by Christian Radnedge.
Mother of theAdisadel College student who was brutally assaulted by another student in a viral video has said she has not watched the video and does not want to see it.
Ms Margaret Annor Afari, speaking to the media on Tuesday, July 25, said she was only informed of the incident on Monday, July 24, by the housemaster of the school, after the video had been widely circulated on social media.
“I don’t want to see the video. I have heard it being described but I have not seen it, and I don’t want to see it. It was the elder brother who saw it yesterday and called the housemaster, who later called me to explain the incident,” Ms Margaret said amid tears.
She also appealed to the school authorities to allow her son (the victim), who has been suspended, to write his final exams.
The victim confirmed that the assault was over a SIM card that the attacker had taken from him and refused to return.
“He had my SIM card, and I asked for it back, but he refused, and that is what started the fight,” he said.
The incident happened on June 30, 2023, at the Quaque House dormitory of Adisadel College in Cape Coast.
The video showed a senior student choking and hitting a junior student against a metal bunk bed, causing him to bleed from his head.
The Ghana Education Service (GES) condemned the barbaric act of violence and commended the school for taking swift action to suspend the culprit pending further investigation.
The culprit has also been dismissed from the school and referred to the police for further action.
The student who recorded the video and other witnesses who failed to report or intervene will also face sanctions from the school.
The housemaster and his deputy have also been suspended pending the outcome of the findings by GES.
Son of NBA star LeBron James, Bronny James experienced a cardiac arrest while participating in basketball practice at the University of Southern California. He was subsequently hospitalized on Monday, as confirmed by a family spokesperson.
Thankfully, he has now been moved out of the intensive care unit and is reported to be in stable condition, according to the statement.
“Yesterday while practicing Bronny James suffered a cardiac arrest. Medical staff was able to treat Bronny and take him to the hospital. He is now in stable condition and no longer in ICU,” the statement said.
“We ask for respect and privacy for the James family and we will update media when there is more information.
“LeBron and Savannah wish to publicly send their deepest thanks and appreciation to the USC medical and athletic staff for their incredible work and dedication to the safety of their athletes.”
At the age of 18, Bronny is set to join USC’s basketball team as an incoming freshman, following his graduation from Sierra Canyon High School in Los Angeles this spring. As a highly-regarded four-star recruit, he showcased his talent and abilities during the McDonald’s All-American Game in March, which featured some of the nation’s top high school basketball players.
LeBron James, left, poses with his son Bronny after Sierra Canyon beat Akron St. Vincent – St. Mary in a high school basketball game on December 14, 2019, in Columbus, Ohio.
He averaged 14.1 points, 5.6 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 1.7 steals his senior year of high school, and joined a USC team seeking to reach the NCAA Tournament for the fourth consecutive time.
“So damn proud of you kid!” his father wrote on Instagram after Bronny committed to attend USC. “I have no words besides I LOVE YOU!!!”
James, 38, will enter his 21st season in the NBA and his sixth season with the Los Angeles Lakers. The four-time NBA champion and four-time MVP has said one of his final goals is to play in the NBA with his son.
“My last year will be played with my son,” James told the Athletic in 2022. “Wherever Bronny is at, that’s where I’ll be. I would do whatever it takes to play with my son for one year. It’s not about the money at that point.”
Cardiac arrest means that the heart suddenly stops beating. Last year, Damar Hamlin of the NFL’s Buffalo Bills suffered a cardiac arrest in the middle of a primetime game and was hospitalized for over a week.
“Prayers to Bronny & The James family as well,” Hamlin wrote on Twitter on Tuesday. “Here for you guys just like you have been for me my entire process.”
On Saturday the Athletic reported that the 22-year-old has emerged as a target for Pochetinho’s side who are willing to make amends for their terrible showing last season.
However, they are also believed to be exploring options in Crystal Palace’s Michael Olise as well as French attacking midfielder Rayan Cherki.
While all three look promising, it is Kudus who may appear as an all-round footballer for the Blues given his versatility.
Here are five factors driving Chelsea to acquire the talented player.
Could be an option in central midfield
The first reason why Chelsea could double up their efforts for Mohammed Kudus is due to inadequate central midfielders.
The Blues lost Jorgingho and Kovacic to Arsenal and Manchester City respectively and are desperate to get experience in that position despite the presence of Andrey Santos and Cesare Casadei who are considered the future of the club.
In addition, Gallagher is expected to leave as he seems surplus to requirement per reports.
With respect to experience, Enzo remains the only notable central midfielder and would need others to complement his efforts.
Caicedo is expected to join Chelsea with agreement between the Blues and Brighton being the only stumbling block.
However, should that deal materialise, the Ecuadorian cannot pair with Enzo throughout the season considering possible injuries and the number of matches awaiting the London side in the upcoming season.
Kudus may not be a notable central midfielder but he has experience in playing more centrally having done so during his days at Nordjaelland while his ball-carrying strength and swift left foot gives him that advantage to maintain possession.
Can play all attacking roles
Kudus stands out among the other two options on Chelsea’s wishlist due to his exceptional flexibility. His ability to excel in various attacking positions, including center-forward, makes him a preferred choice. He has showcased his clinical finishing skills multiple times while playing in that role for Ajax, giving him a clear advantage over Olise and Cherki in the forward position.
Moreover, Kudus has also proven himself as a dynamic presence from the right flank on several occasions. Additionally, he can be an effective attacking midfielder, even though his passing abilities may not be as strong as his scoring prowess.
Depending on Pochettino’s instructions, the Ghanaian midfielder can be a significant force operating behind the striker. The potential departures of players like Mount and Havertz might influence Pochettino’s consideration to utilize Kudus in such a role.
Affordable and accessible now
Kudus is currently available for acquisition, and it is probable that he will still be available next year. However, the competition for his signature is likely to intensify as more clubs express interest in him.
If Kudus continues to impress with another standout season at Ajax, it may even lead to a bidding war among potential suitors. The multiple suggestions that he should move to the Bundesliga, Brighton and Hove Albion, or stay at Ajax to further develop indicate one thing: his value is on the rise.
To avoid potential future competition for his signing, Chelsea might be swift in their pursuit of Kudus. His current price tag for this summer is estimated at around £40 million, but if he joins another team in the future, his value is likely to be higher, provided he maintains his remarkable form.
Player’s zeal to move on
This summer appears to be the perfect time for Chelsea to make the move not only because of the price tag but also because of the player’s zeal to move on. A few months ago, his agent confirmed the rejection of a contract extension to stay for more years with the Dutch giants indicating his willingness to start a new chapter.
Anything can happen in the space of one season including changing his mind to extend his deal at Ajax or accept an offer elsewhere. Thankfully, other clubs who had initially shown interest have not really shown seriousness with Manchester United settling on Mount and Arsenal getting Havertz.
Played at the highest level
Kudus has experienced success both at the club and international level. His remarkable performances in the UEFA Champions League saw him score four goals in six group matches, including impressive goals against Napoli and Liverpool.
Representing Ghana at the World Cup, Kudus showcased his prowess by scoring two crucial goals that helped propel his team to their only win in the tournament. Additionally, he provided an assist for their first goal against Portugal. Even in their last group game, Kudus’ adventurous play won Ghana a penalty, although it was eventually missed against Uruguay.
Despite doubts raised about the challenges of the Premier League and how players from different environments may struggle to adapt, Chelsea can find comfort in Kudus’ ability to shine on the grandest stages of football. His track record of performing well in high-pressure situations could be an asset for the club.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has disclosed that Morocco will host the 2023 CAF Awards.
This marks the second consecutive time that the North African nation will hold African football’s esteemed awards ceremony.
CAF made the announcement through a statement on their website, confirming that the event is scheduled to take place on December 11.
“The prestigious CAF Awards will make a welcome return on 11 December 2023 in Morocco to celebrate the stars of African football.
“After last year’s successful event hosted in the Moroccan capital of Rabat which saw Senegal inspirational forward Sadio Mane and Nigeria and Barcelona top striker Asisat Oshoala claim honours, the CAF Awards will feature some of Africa’s finest stars.”
The release further noted that the city and time for the event will be announced at the appropriate time.
“CAF will communicate time and host city in due course.”
CAF also confirmed that the period under review for the award is from September 2022 to June 2023.
“The period under review for the CAF Awards 2023 spans from September 2022 until June 2023, encompassing an extraordinary chapter in African football history.”
The 2022 edition saw Senegal and Bayern Munich forward Sadio Mane claim the best Men’s Player of The Year whereas Nigeria and Barcelona forward Asisat Oshoala won the Women’s Player of The Year.
Following several instances of games at the Women’s World Cup being paused forvideo assistant referee (VAR) review, South Korea coach Colin Bell expressed his frustration and anger over the absence of VAR for a penalty awarded against his team during their 2-0 defeat to Colombia on Tuesday.
In the 30th minute, Catalina Usme scored from a penalty kick after Shim Seo-yeon was penalized for a handball, leaving the Korean side disheartened and deflated. Coach Colin Bell questioned why VAR was not utilized for such a crucial decision that had a significant impact on the match.
“The penalty was a little bit harsh because the ball was really well-struck, at speed, at distance, I don’t know where Seo-yeon would have had to put our arms,” said Bell, on the shot that glanced off the defender’s arm.
“I just wondered why that was not reviewed. I’ve watched all the matches so far in this tournament, you’ve had five minutes with review at times (when) nobody knows what’s going on. This time it’s a clear penalty. So, then you go down (a goal), and then it’s very difficult against a very strong Colombia team.”
Linda Caicedo, an 18-year-old striker for Real Madrid, added the second goal for Colombia, who dominated for most of the afternoon at Sydney Football Stadium, easily slicing through Korea’s defence.
Bell said his team made it too easy for Caicedo.
“Obviously Linda is a really big talent but we just gave her too much space. I used to play fullback, so I would just slide tackle,” said the British coach, who was hired after Korea lost all three matches at the 2019 World Cup.
“We had the options to do that also before the second goal. You cannot just shadow a player. We need to be stronger in the one-v-one situation. Not going to say you can stop them every time. But definitely we could have just slide tackled. No foul, win the ball, ball was free. Job done. You’re a defender, defend.”
The 61-year-old Bell played two seasons forLeicester City. His coaching resume includes numerous pro clubs in Germany and England.
American-born Casey Phair became the youngest player ever to take the pitch in a World Cup game when Bell sent the 16-year-old on in the 78th minute. Bell said she deserved a chance to play, and her presence on the pitch was a message.
Phair became the youngest woman to play at the World CupProfimedia
“She’s trained really, really well, as good as anybody else,” he said.
“And it’s also a signal. That’s the future. Casey is the future. We need strong fast players with the physicality. I think that’s a lesson for us all to learn. In Korea we need more intensity … we’re looking for those type of players. I think Casey is one of them, that give us that energy and that power.”
South Korea next face Morocco in Group H on Sunday.
English player with Ghanaian heritage, Kobbie Mainoo, earned high praise from Manchester United’s coach, Erik ten Hag, for his outstanding performance during a pre-season match against Arsenal.
The young talent shone in the number six role, displaying remarkable movement and composure in defensive midfield.
Notably, he impressively won all of his ground duels and completed 23 out of 24 passes, even contributing an assist in the team’s convincing 2-0 victory over Arsenal.
Erik ten Hag was effusive in his compliments for Mainoo’s performance, expressing his intention to provide the promising youngster with more opportunities to showcase his skills on the big stage.
“It’s fantastic. Manchester United are famous for always bringing young players through and he can be one, but we have to see. We have confidence, he’s playing with confidence and I really liked his performance.”
“He showed it, then in the spring he got injured, so we’re really happy there are more youngsters with us now and they’re all doing very good, but I don’t want to raise expectations too high.”
“We have to see, the Premier League is tough, but definitely, you can see, we have some really good young players who can play a role in our squad. But the bar is high.”
Ajax midfielder Mohammed Kudus was unable to attend the club’s training session on Tuesday, July 25, 2022, as a result of sustaining a minor injury.
The absence of the Ghanaian player in the team’s morning session was confirmed by the club through an official statement released on the same day.
“Kudus is absent from training for medical reasons. He stayed indoors and received treatment for a minor injury.”
Mohammed Kudus, the talented midfielder from Ajax, is actively seeking a departure from the Dutch side during this summer transfer window, as he has garnered attention from various European clubs.
Notably, Arsenal and Brighton and Hove Albion have shown significant interest in the Black Stars midfielder, while Chelsea has also expressed their intentions despite concerns about his injury.
Ajax, open to the idea of parting wayswith Kudus, has set a €50 million price tag on the Ghanaian player, whose contract with the club is set to run until 2025.
On Sunday, Paris Saint-Germain’s captain, Marquinhos (29), expressed his desire for the club to resolve the disagreement with Kylian Mbappe (24) and eagerly anticipate the return of the French superstar to the squad for the upcoming season.
As a result of the ongoing contract dispute, Mbappe was excluded from the French champions’ pre-season tour of Japan and South Korea, with a squad of 29 players.
“He is an exceptional player but it is a decision that was taken over our heads, by the management,” Marquinhos told reporters in the Japanese city of Osaka.
He admitted it was a “delicate” subject.
“Even in Japan you are here with your questions,” he complained, although new coach Luis Enrique, sitting alongside the Brazilian, escaped without being asked about Mbappe.
“We always want to have top players with us and I hope a decision will be taken to allow him to be with us and help us this season,” Marquinhos added.
Mbappe has said he will not extend his existing deal with the Qatar-owned club, which expires next year, and PSG therefore decided not to take him on the trip east.
He has said he wants to remain in Paris for one more year, but PSG say they would prefer to sell him in this transfer window rather than seeing him depart as a free agent in 2024.
Borussia Dortmund has completed the signing of Austrian midfielder Marcel Sabitzer from Bayern Munich, a Bundesliga competitor.
The 29-year-old, who had a loan spell at Manchester United in the latter half of the previous season, has officially signed a four-year contract with Dortmund, marking the end of his two-year tenure with Bayern Munich.
Former RB Leipzig star Sabitzer told Dortmund’s website: “I can’t wait to finally join the team and wear the BVB jersey.
“The discussions with Borussia Dortmund’s managers were excellent and showed me how ambitious the club wants to be in the coming years.
“I would like to do my part to ensure that BVB achieves its goals and that it has every reason to celebrate something special with its fans again as soon as possible.”
Sabitzer joins a club who lost the league title to Bayern on goal difference last season after being held to a 2-2 home draw by Mainz on the final day of the campaign.
Dortmund sporting director Sebastian Kehl, who along with Sabitzer will join up with the rest of the squad in the United States on Tuesday, said: “Marcel is an experienced player who has been playing at the top international level for years.
“We are convinced that his personality will also become an important pillar of the team and that he will help us to become even more effective in hard-fought games.”
Jurgen Klopp has made excellent signings inAlexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai, both of whom are perfectly suited to the team’s playing style, according to Liverpool legend John Barnes.
Liverpool secured the services of Alexis Mac Allister from Brighton and Hove Albion for a reported initial fee of £35 million, while Dominik Szoboszlai joined from RB Leipzig for £60 million (€69 million) ahead of the 2023-24 season.
These two midfielders are expected to bring versatility to the team as they can play in multiple positions.
They will add much-needed energy to Liverpool’s midfield, which is experiencing an aging process and may soon lose key players like Fabinho and Jordan Henderson, who are reportedly heading to Saudi Arabia.
Mac Allister and Szoboszlai’s ability to adapt and perform in various roles, after initially starting as wingers before moving to central positions, aligns perfectly with Klopp’s tactical approach.
Their acquisitions are seen as tailor-made fits for the Liverpool squad, and fans have high hopes for their contributions in the upcoming season.
“Last season I think it was fairly apparent that we needed midfield players,” Barnes told Stats Perform. “Of course, what you do is you use every opportunity to get who you can.
“So, in the strikers that we’ve got, I think that bodes well for the future. But I think you can see that we were a little bit short in midfield from an age perspective but also from a quality and intensity perspective.
“We knew we were going to lose two or three midfield players, so they are welcome additions to the squad from a positional point of view and also from the quality point of view too.”
Mac Allister was also the only player to average two-plus shots (2.68), two-plus tackles (2.18) and 50+ passes (56.2) per 90 minutes in last term’s Premier League, among players with 1,000 or more minutes.
That all-round approach and energetic demeanour makes the 24-year-old a suitable fit for Klopp’s high-pressing philosophy, in the opinion of Barnes.
“It’s not all about what impresses me, but he’s the type of player who will suit our style,” Barnes said of Mac Allister, who hit 10 league goals for Brighton last term.
“He may not be able to play for Manchester City but that doesn’t mean he’s better or worse. It’s just that we have to sign players that suit our style and are hardworking all-action midfield players.
“He’s not a Bernardo Silva type, but he suits what we want. Liverpool have always done that and looked to get players who suit their system, regardless of how other good other people think they are, or not.
“He suits our midfield profile and the template of a midfield player that we want. Hardworking, aggression and playing the ball forward quickly. He suits our style perfectly.”
Paris Saint-Germain has granted Saudi club Al Hilal the permission to enter into talks withKylian Mbappe according to a source close to the negotiations.
This comes after Al Hilal submitted a staggering world record bid of 300 million euros ($333 million) for the talented footballer.
Al Hilal, based in Riyadh, made a formal offer through a letter, but it’s important to note that any potential transfer can only occur with the agreement of Kylian Mbappe himself.
As of now, Mbappe has not shown any interest in moving to the rapidly developing Saudi league.
“The club has given permission to Al Hilal to speak with Mbappe. That’s the request of the letter and that’s been granted,” the source said.
Mbappe has one year left on his contract with PSG, who want him to leave now rather than for nothing next summer.
But Mbappe, 24, is refusing to sign a new contract and the French champions believe he has already struck a deal to move to Real Madrid next year.
The source said Real Madrid were among a group of clubs which had also expressed an interest in Mbappe.
“In the group so far that have expressed their interest there are Manchester United, Inter Milan, Barcelona, Tottenham and obviously the Saudi club and Real Madrid,” the source said.
In a shocking incident before Sunday night’s pre-season friendly betweenReal Madrid and AC Milan, former Premier League goalkeeper Shaka Hislop collapsed live on TV, sending a wave of concern among his colleagues and viewers.
Thankfully, after the distressing moment, it has been reported that Hislop is now “conscious and recovering.” His co-host made light of the situation, playfully calling him “silly.”
Shaka Hislop, who had a successful career with clubs like West Ham and Newcastle, retired from professional football in 2007.
He has since been working as a pundit for American broadcaster ESPN.
During the pre-season friendly between Real Madrid and AC Milan, which ended in a 3-2 victory for Real Madrid, the incident occurred while Hislop was on air.
The temperature in Pasadena, California, where the match took place, was around 30 degrees celsius.
Dramatic footage captured the moment when Hislop started swaying before falling forward and collapsing to the ground.
A panicked Thomas immediately went to his side while calling out for medical help.
And the camera quickly cut away to a commercial break, leaving viewers stunned.
But kick-off went ahead after ESPN confirmed Shaka was “conscious and recovering.”
And pal Thomas delivered a feel-good message at half-time confirming the “good news.”
Looking visibly relieved, he said: “My mate, Shaka, not here, but as it stands, it’s good news.
“He’s conscious, he’s talking, I think he’s a little embarrassed about it all.
“He’s apologised profusely. Not a man who likes people to make a fuss of him.
“Obviously far too early to make any sort of diagnosis, but the important thing is that Shaka’s conscious and we spoke to his family as well, because you imagine seeing that happen live.
Manchester United is currently prioritizing the signing of Atalanta forward Rasmus Hojlund, even though they have the opportunity to pursue top talents like Kylian Mbappe from Paris Saint-Germain and Harry Kane from Tottenham Hotspur.
United has been actively pursuing Hojlund’s services for several weeks, as they are determined to address their long-standing issues in the forward position.
The Danish star has become their main target for bolstering their attacking options.
Negotiations over the transfer fee for Hojlund have been prolonged, causing some delay in finalizing the deal.
Despite the availability of high-profile players like Kylian Mbappe and Harry Kane, United’s focus remains firmly on securing Hojlund’s signature from Atalanta.
This information comes from reliable sources, such as Fabrizio Romano.
While Frankfurt’s Randal Kolo-Muani was initially considered as an alternative target, United is now expected to resume their efforts in securing the deal for Hojlund in the upcoming week, clearly demonstrating their commitment to bring the Atalanta forward to Old Trafford.
United are expected to submit an official bid for Hojlund soon, aiming to finalise the deal and bolster their attack ahead of the new season.
The club will continue to closely monitor the situation and work towards resolving the negotiations to secure the talented striker’s signature.
Chelsea is reportedly willing to offload midfielder Conor Gallagher this summer, as they have received interest from both Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham United for the England international.
Tottenham, in particular, is in need of homegrown players and might be considering Gallagher as a potential replacement in case Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg departs for Atletico Madrid.
West Ham, on the other hand, has a significant budget of around £105 million ($134 million) after selling Declan Rice to Arsenal, making them potential contenders for Gallagher’s signature.
It’s worth noting that the 23-year-old midfielder has previously been linked with a move to Newcastle.
Chelsea, on their part, are looking to strengthen their midfield and have been linked with Ajax’s Mohammed Kudus and Brighton’s Moises Caicedo.
As a result, they are willing to part ways with Gallagher, who is open to a move to secure regular playing time.
The player is yet to receive a new contract offer and currently has two years remaining on his existing deal with Chelsea.
It is not clear how much Gallagher would cost but he is now an established Premier League midfielder, becoming a key player during a loan at Crystal Palace in which he played 39 times and scored eight goals.
He made 35 appearances for the Blues last term, scoring three times.
Gallagher will hope to finalise any move before the start of the 2023-24Premier League season.
The football world was stunned when Saudi Arabian club Al-Hilal made an official bid for Paris Saint-Germain’s superstar, Kylian Mbappe.
Mbappe and his current club are currently in a contract stand-off, with reports suggesting that he is willing to let his contract run out until next summer.
This situation has put PSG in a difficult position, leading them to contemplate the possibility of selling their prized asset during this transfer window.
Many clubs have expressed interest in signing the Frenchman, but transfer market specialist Fabrizio Romano revealed that Al-Hilal has officially submitted an astounding €300 million [£260m] bid for the 24-year-old, surpassing the previous world record fee set by Neymar at €222m [£191m].
To add to the magnitude of the bid, CBS journalist James Benge reported that Al-Hilal is prepared to offer Mbappe an astonishing salary package of €700 million [£604 million] for just one year.
These reports have caused a flurry of reactions on social media, with fans and pundits alike expressing their astonishment at the potential transfer deal.
Amidst the buzz, 1986 World Cup Golden Boot winner, Gary Lineker voiced his opinion, suggesting that should Mbappe make the move to Al-Hilal, it might put his career on hold.
Al-Hilal submit huge bid
In a related publication, Sports Brief reported that Al-Hilal have reportedly submitted a world-record bid to sign wantaway Paris Sain-Germain superstar, Kylian Mbappe.
The France international was left out of the squad for the team’s pre-season tour of Japan on Friday and put up for sale after months of tension between him and the club’s hierarchy.
Al-Hilal have submitted a bid worth €300 million in order to open talks with the Ligue 1 champions.
Mbappe told to leave PSG
Sports Brief also reported thatMbappe has been told to leave the club by former director Leonardo in an absurd tirade.
The World Cup winner recently refuted claims that he wants to join Real Madrid this summer, but the rumour simply refuses to go away.
Leonardo, a former director of the French giants, has now stated that Mbappe should leave the club because PSG will still exist without him.
Stephen Curry has described his relationship with LeBron James as “complex.” The two NBA superstars have been dominant forces in the league for the past decade, collectively winning eight NBA championships.
As the star player for the Golden State Warriors, Curry has been one of the biggest rivals of LeBron James, who plays for the Los Angeles Lakers.
Their teams, the Warriors and Cleveland Cavaliers, faced each other in four consecutive NBA Finals from 2015 to 2018.
Interestingly, both Curry and James were born in the same hospital in Akron, Ohio, with just under four years separating their births.
They have crossed paths on numerous occasions since then, with James even attending one of Curry’s Sweet Sixteen games during his sophomore year.
Curry even shared that he visited James’ house at one point.
Over the years, Curry has established himself as one of the best players in the world, winning the MVP award twice and setting various records during the 2016 season, leading the Warriors to a remarkable 73-9 season.
Their encounters on the court have undoubtedly contributed to the complexity of their relationship as fierce competitors in the NBA.
Curry and the Warriors beat James and the Cavaliers 3-1 in four NBA Finals. Their rivalry was certainly real during this period
Curry discusses relationship with LeBron
Speaking with Sports Illustrated, Curry said their relationship is weird:
“It’s complex,” Curry said. “Becuase you go from playing in the tournament and him coming to watch, to me coming in as a young rookie in the league and him giving me advice on how to get through some of the early struggles that I was gonna go through as a player, to the four Finals appearances in a row, playing against each other, to even last year playing in the playoffs again,” via CBS Sports.
Andre Onana has revealed the reason behind his choice to turn down the No.1 shirt following his move to Manchester United this summer.
The Cameroonian goalkeeper’s transfer to Old Trafford was highly anticipated, putting an end to the speculation surrounding his future at Inter Milan.
Onana became a priority transfer target for United, especially after it became evident that veteran goalkeeper David de Gea would be leaving the club on a free transfer.
As reported by Sky Sports, Manchester United made a significant investment of £47.2 million to secure the services of the former Ajax shot-stopper from Serie A giants.
With his arrival, Onana is set to become United’s undisputed No.1 goalkeeper, raising questions about Dean Henderson’s future at the club, which seems uncertain.
Onana won’t wear No.1 shirt
It has now emerged that the 27-year-old Cameroon international will not be sporting the iconic No.1 shirt at the Theatre of Dreams.
While the shirt number is already vacant after the departure of De Gea, the United summer arrival has elected not to inherit it.
Onana instead opted for the No.24 jersey, with the keeper explaining the reason behind his unusual shirt number.
“I just like that number and it’s my birthday, my date of birth,” Onana told MUTV as quoted by Metro UK.
“So for me it’s great and I like this shirt. With this number we have done a lot and I hope this will continue,” he added.
Jurgen Klopp expressed his satisfaction with Liverpool’s “top-class” training camp in Germany, despite his side being held to a surprising 4-4 draw by second-tier Greuther Furth.
In the behind-closed-doors match, the Reds initially took the lead 1-0 and later extended it to 3-1, but they faced a setback as they fell behind 4-3.
Fortunately, Mohamed Salah scored a last-minute equalizer to salvage a draw and prevent an embarrassing defeat.
Luis Diaz and Darwin Nunez (twice) were also among the scorers in the rollercoaster match, and Klopp, who is 56 years old, views the trip to his homeland as a positive experience for his new-look squad.
Despite the mixed result, the training camp appears to have been beneficial for Liverpool’s preparations for the upcoming season.
He told the club’s website: “You could see now, last day of the camp. Travel, play, travel — it is always a bit exhausting.
“But that’s it and you have to go through it, that’s what we did. Most importantly, nobody got injured.
“Of course, nobody wants to concede four goals but you saw in the second half, we were too late in mind, passed the balls too late, first touch not good, and that’s how we brought them back into the game.
“We scored, on the other hand, some really, really nice goals, to be honest.
“So, a lot of good individual performances and that’s most important, that we have like 50-ish minutes for everybody and, again, nobody got injured. A good camp and I’m really happy.”
New Liverpool midfielder Alexis Mac Allister has been relishing his recent journey with the club.
The 24-year-old Argentine, who is a World Cup winner, made a move to the Merseyside from Brighton for an initial fee of £35 million just last month.
Over the past two weeks, he has showcased his skills in matches against Furth and Karlsruher.
On his opening outings, Mac Allister said: “There is a lot of positive things [to take from the camp].
“I am a new player so I still have to know my team-mates, their strengths and their weaknesses, but I think there are really good players here and we can build something important.
“The welcome from the team was amazing and they are helping me every day so I can do my best on the pitch, so it’s a really good team.”
The Reds now head home before a trip to Singapore, where further friendlies against Leicester and Bayern Munich lie in store.
Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, the life patron of Kumasi Asante Kotoko, has generously provided the Interim Management Committee with an amount of Gh₵600,000 to facilitate the club’s operational duties in preparation for the upcoming season, according to Opemsuo Radio.
This move comes after the appointment of a four-member Interim Management Committee, tasked with leading the club’s affairs following the dissolution of the previous Board and Management.
On Saturday, July 22, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, accompanied by club legends and supporters, visited Asante Kotoko’s Adako Jachie Training Complex to inspect the progress of the ongoing work.
During the visit, he also instructed architects to assess the abandoned Kotoko buildings at the training grounds, which had been neglected since 2013. The assessment is set to commence on Monday, July 24.
Furthermore, Asante Kotoko SC has re-appointed Dr. Prosper Narteh Ogum as the Head Coach to lead the club in the forthcoming season.
The official announcement was made during a meeting with the Board and Management, as directed by Otumfuo Osei Tutu II.
He achieved great success during his career, notably winning the European Cup twice with Nottingham Forest. Francis breathed his last on Monday in Marbella.
“Trevor Francis has died at the age of 69. He had a heart attack at his apartment in Spain this morning,” his family said in a statement.
“On behalf of the family, this has come as a huge shock to everybody. We are all very upset. He was a legendary footballer but he was also an extremely nice person.”
Francis embarked on his football journey with Birmingham City, but his name etched into history when he made a groundbreaking move to Nottingham Forest in 1979.
The transfer fee of over £1 million marked a British record, making him the first player to be transferred for such a colossal sum.
His time at Nottingham Forest proved to be monumental, as he achieved back-to-back European Cups under the guidance of the legendary Brian Clough.
Notably, Francis scored the decisive goal in the final against Malmo in 1979, securing the victory for his team.
Subsequently, in 1981, Francis joined Manchester City before venturing abroad to play for Sampdoria and Atalanta. However, he eventually returned to the United Kingdom to conclude his career with stints at Rangers, QPR, and Sheffield Wednesday.
Throughout his illustrious career, the former midfielder earned 52 caps while representing England. His fellow England teammate, Gary Lineker, paid a heartfelt tribute to Francis on social media.
“Deeply saddened to hear that Trevor Francis has died,” he tweeted. “A wonderful footballer and lovely man. Was a pleasure to work alongside him both on the pitch and on the telly. RIP Trevor.”
Francis moved into management after hanging up his boots, reaching the finals of the FA Cup and League Cup with Sheffield Wednesday and also guiding Birmingham City to a League Cup final during his time in charge.
The French giants have reportedly received more than five offers for the highly talented forward.
Real Madrid, which seems to be Mbappe’s preferred destination, has chosen to remain tight-lipped about the ongoing developments surrounding the player.
Club president, Florentino Perez, recently responded in a somewhat nonchalant manner when asked about the 24-year-old, drawing comparisons to his response in the summer of 2001 when questioned about the signing of then-Barcelona captain Luis Figo.
Florentino Perez speaks on Mbappe
According to Football Espana’s report, during the recently concluded Spanish election where the Real Madrid president was present to exercise his franchise, he engaged in a conversation with the media.
Amidst the questions, Perez was asked about the club’s current progress in securing the signature of Kylian Mbappe, which undoubtedly drew significant interest.
The Los Blancos president told La Sexta: “I am always calm.”
These words are similar to what he said a few days before the club completed the signing of Figo in the summer of 2001.
It should be recalled that Paris Saint-Germain opted to exclude Mbappe from their travelling squad for a pre-season tour of Japan this month as they look for a resolution over his future.
Mbappe has remained firm on his refusal to sign a contract extension until 2025, and PSG are potentially ready to sell him next month, to avoid the forward leaving on a free in 2024.
Mbappe’s potential transfer cost
Sports Brief also previously reported on how much Mbappe would cost Real Madrid if a blockbuster transfer was to go through this summer.
Marca stated it would cost in excess of €400 million, breaking down the figure to include transfer fees, wages, agent fees, and signing-on fees.
Ghanaian journalist Dan Kwaku Yeboah has praised former Asante Kotoko Chief Executive Officer Nana Yaw Amponsah for his debt-free administration during his tenure at the club.
Yeboah expressed that it is the first time he has witnessed a CEO leaving Asante Kotoko without leaving behind any debts.
The commendation comes after the club’s life patron, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, disclosed during a review meeting at Menhyia that the team has some profit in receivables yet to be earned.
“Meaning if the receivables are retrieved, then it means they did not incur debt…unless they don’t get the receivables, that is when you can count it as debt,” Dan Kwaku Yeboah said on Peace FM.
“He has done very well. The first time a CEO is leaving the club with profit, I’ve never heard of it before.
“All would hear is they will mention some exorbitant amount and claim, ‘Kotoko owes me’. He has done well,” he added.
Nana Yaw Amponsah was appointed as the club’s CEO in 2020 on a three-year contract. His contract ran out in July 2023.
During his tenure, the club secured numerous sponsorship deals as well as other significant partnerships to fund the club.
Otumfuo while reading the management’s report, disclosed that the club has a debt of GHC 3 million, which was accrued during the final months of Nana Yaw Amponsah’s administration.
“The current debt is from hotel expenses, players’ salaries, and wages – which have been accrued also from the last two months, adding June and July. So we have this debt to clear, before also finding a way around player recruitment,” Otumfuo said.
Luis Suarez is prepared to buy out his Gremio contract in order to reunite with Lionel Messi at Inter Miami this season.
Suarez, who joined Gremio earlier in 2023 on a two-year deal, seems determined to play alongside his close friend and former Barcelona team-mate Lionel Messi again at Inter Miami.
According to ESPN Brasil, the Brazilian club are aware of the striker’s desire to leave the club and could sanction the move as the club does not want to continue with a player who is reluctant to stay.
In order to negotiate a settlement with his current club, the veteran Uruguayan striker is willing to repay all the wages he has received in 2023 thus far along with some additional payments.
Inter Miami have already made room for Suarez at the club, while Gremio coach Renato Gaucho has admitted Suarez has become “a problem” for Gremio because he wants to move.
Massimiliano Allegri has confirmed that Paul Pogba is still not fit for action with Juventus and will sit out the club’s U.S. tour.
The French midfielder’s return to Turin as a free agent in 2022 has been marred by injuries.
Pogba endured a tough season with Juventus, making only 10 appearances due to various fitness issues, including a knee problem that required surgery.
As the Bianconeri ramp up preparations for the 2023-24 season during their U.S. tour, Pogba is present with the squad but won’t be involved in friendly matches against AC Milan and Real Madrid.
Allegri’s confirmation indicates that the midfielder’s recovery is not yet complete, and Juventus will be cautious with his return to action.
Allegri has told reporters when asked for an update on Pogba: “I don’t think Paul will play during the tournée.
Practically, he has never trained with the group. He is working separately. He is doing well, but even last season there were times he was improving and then stopped.
Seeing him running, I can say he’s slightly improving, but he’s still not ready to play. We have to wait at least one month before seeing him with the team.”
Allegri also revealed thatSerbian striker Dusan Vlahovic – who has been generating transfer talk – is being handled with care after suffering fitness struggles of his own.
He added: “We are trying to manage Dusan in the best way, don’t forget he had groin issues at the end of last season. Therefore, he must not overdo, in order to be fit for the start of the season.”
Member of the four-man Interim Management Committee (IMC) of Asante Kotoko, James Kwesi Appiah, has expressed assurance that the club will be well-prepared for the upcoming football season in Ghana.
After the dissolution of the previous board of directors and management, the life patron of the club, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, appointed the IMC to oversee the club’s affairs ahead of the new season.
The IMC comprises Nana Apinkra Akwasi Awua, a chartered accountant and Kontomponiaferehene, former Black Stars coach James Kwesi Appiah, Dr Prosper Narteh Ogum as the new head coach, and Emmanuel Newton Dasoberi in the role of administrative manager.
While acknowledging the challenges that lie ahead for the team in the upcoming season, Kwesi Appiah remains confident that Asante Kotoko, known as the Porcupine Warriors, will be fully prepared for the campaign.
“The season will not be easy for Kotoko but once we have a substantive coach, he (the Coach) will be looking at players who will be leaving and then recruit new ones as replacement” he told Akoma FM in an interview.
“The pre-season will be affected a little bit but I think with intensive six weeks training, the team should be ready, it’s just unfortunate that some of the players are at the national camp (Black Galaxy)”
“But we will start with those available and make sure that all other aspect of the team is receiving the necessary attention”
Al Hilal, a Saudi Arabian club, has reportedly made an astonishing offer of €700 million per year in salary to lure Kylian Mbappe from Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) to the Saudi Pro League.
Personal talks between Hilal and Mbappe have commenced, with the club proposing a one-year contract and an option to extend for another year.
If the deal goes through, Mbappe could potentially become the world’s highest-paid athlete.
The offer translates to an incredible income for Mbappe, earning him €22 per second, €1,332 per minute, €79,900 per hour, €1.9 million per day, €13.3 million per week, and €58.33 million per month.
Al Hilal has already made a record-breaking bid of €300 million to secure the services of the French superstar, and football transfer expert Fabrizio Romano reports that they have formally submitted the offer and are looking to initiate talks with PSG.
Paris Saint-Germain seems open to cashing in on Mbappe, especially after leaving him out of their pre-season squad due to challenges in extending his contract.
There have been reports in the French media suggesting that PSG suspects the 24-year-old has already agreed to join Real Madrid on a free transfer.
Mbappe signed a three-year deal with PSG during the 2022 summer transfer window. The Frenchman signed a contract of two years with an option to renew for another year, SkySports claims.
He has now played the first year out of the two years and would be available to begin talks with clubs in January 2024, if he does not trigger the extension clause.
Senegalese international, Sadio Mane, has voiced his frustration with the German press, stating that they are constantly criticizing him.
Despite an initially promising start at Allianz Arena, the former Liverpool player faced difficulties in his first season after a disagreement with a teammate in the dressing room.
As per some reports, Mane has been deemed surplus to requirements for the upcoming season.
In a video shared on social media, the player was seen on his way to training when he kindly agreed to take a photo with a fan.
However, his demeanor changed when approached by a journalist with a cameraman, highlighting his discontent with media attention.
“You are killing me everyday andnow you want me to talk to you guys! Come on.” he said as he walks away.
Jude Bellingham’s dazzling performance in his debut game for Real Madrid has left coach Carlo Ancelotti in absolute awe of the young English midfielder’s exceptional qualities.
Despite being just 20 years old, the England international stole the spotlight in midfield during Los Blancos’ pre-season friendly match against AC Milan, even though he had been on the pitch for a little over an hour.
Bellingham was immediately thrust into a midfield quartet alongside seasoned players like Toni Kroos, Federico Valverde, and Eduardo Camavinga, and it was the young Englishman who truly captured the attention of both the fans and his manager.
According to reports from Madrid Universal, Ancelotti has showered praise on Bellingham, recognizing him as an important asset for the Spanish giants.
The coach hailed the English midfielder as a complete player, undoubtedly impressed by his outstanding performance and potential at such a young age.
“Jude Bellingham? He’s a fantastic player. He’s very important. He’s a complete midfielder. Very good without the ball. He’s unique, extraordinary.”
Last month, Bellingham became the most expensive British player after sealing a move to Madrid worth a reported fee of £113 million.
Jude Bellingham’s debut goes viral
Meanwhile, a compilation of Jude Bellingham’s highlights during his Real Madrid debut against AC Milan has gone viral following the England midfielder’s stunning performance for the La Liga giants, Sport Bible reports.
The former Borussia Dortmund midfielder showed flashes of his abilities, producing some very nice passes and providing energy in the centre of the park for Real Madrid.
Real Madrid fought back from two goals down to eventually win the tie 3-2 against the Serie A giants, with Bellingham instantly becoming the fans’ favourite despite starting in a team of established midfielders such as Toni Kroos.
Earlier, Sports Briefreported Jude Bellingham sent social media into a frenzy with a sensational display on his Real Madrid debut.
Thrown into action by Carlo Ancelotti during Madrid’s first pre-season match, the young midfielder adapted seamlessly, contributing to their comeback victory against AC Milan on July 24.
Bellingham’s impressive performance saw him dominate the midfield effortlessly, as he confidently held his ground for 63 minutes before being substituted for Nico Paz.
Heung-Min Son has acknowledged that the ongoing speculation surrounding Harry Kane’s future is taking its toll on his Tottenham teammate.
Son praised Kane for maintaining his professionalism despite the uncertainties surrounding him.
Both Son and Kane have arrived in Singapore for the final part of Tottenham’s Asia-Pacific pre-season tour, following eventful days in Bangkok.
The friendly match between Tottenham and Leicester was canceled due to monsoon weather, adding to the challenges they faced.
Moreover, during a pre-match press conference, a journalist from German publication BILD presented a Bayern Munich shirt with ‘Kane 9’ on the back to new Spurs head coach Ange Postecoglou.
While Postecoglou was unimpressed by the gesture, the speculations surrounding Kane’s potential move to Bayern Munich persist, with reports also suggesting Manchester United might rejoin the race for the striker’s signature.
The constant speculation has created an uneasy atmosphere for Kane and the Tottenham team.
Despite the distractions, Son commended Kane for his professionalism amid the uncertainties surrounding his future at the club.
Kane, who is performing captain duties during Tottenham’s tour after Hugo Lloris was left back in England to finalise a move away from the club, has been hailed by his long-standing strike partner.
“Harry has been fantastic for me,” Son told reporters in Bangkok. “He’s always professional, always working hard.
“He’s never showed any thoughts about himself. There’s so much news going around it’s also not easy for him, but he’s captain at the moment and he’s working with the team.
“He doesn’t show any distraction. He loves being here. I love him as a player. I fully respect him.
“He’s one of the best strikers in the world, has been for five, six, seven years in a row. The decision will be between the club and Harry and we have to respect it.
“I can’t say anything about the final decision because I don’t know anything. Probably Harry doesn’t know. We just have to wait.”
Kane has entered the final 12 months of his contract at Tottenham and Bayern have increased their efforts to sign the forward this month, with their honorary president Uli Hoeness claiming last week that personal terms had been agreed between the German club and the England captain.
Bayern are reported to have lodged two unsuccessful bids for Kane so far this summer, but Spurs remain determined to keep hold of their all-time leading goal-scorer.
A new contract has been offered to Kane by Tottenham, which is a significant increase on his current £200,000-a-week terms, but he has not made any decision on the new deal while speculation over his future continues.
Spurs are set to play local team Lion City Sailors in Singapore on Wednesday before they head back to England.
Pep Guardiola has issued a warning to other Premier League teams while showering praise on Erling Haaland for his impressive fitness and form.
The Manchester City manager lauded the young star’s improved physical condition, evident during a pre-season match against Yokohama Marinos, where Haaland scored two goals in a 5-3 victory.
Guardiola emphasized the significance of Haaland finding the back of the net early in pre-season to regain his rhythm and top form.
The striker had a remarkable debut season in England, setting a Premier League scoring record with an impressive 36 goals.
However, his performance declined towards the end of the season, making these early pre-season goals a positive indicator for City and a potential sign of great things to come.
Speaking to reporters, Guardiola said, “Comparing last season, that period. He is fitter, much better, than last season when he arrived.
“I know we would love to be like last season. He looks good, but he is still a way from the best condition, like everyone.
“So, most important for him was to score two goals in the first game, because last season in the last games, he could not score. Important is the rhythm, the principles, we are working with all the time.
“We know exactly what he has to do; we know him, and in a few weeks we will be in better condition than now.”
Haaland’s phenomenal goal-scoring record last season made him one of the most sought-after players in world football.
With his improved fitness and form, City’s rivals in the Premier League should take note, as Guardiola’s assessment suggests Haaland could be an even more potent threat in the upcoming season.
His ability to find the net consistently makes him a key player in City’s title defense.
Guardiola’s side will be next seen in action in a friendly against Bayern Munich on July 26.
During Manchester City’s pre-season tour in Tokyo,superstar striker Erling Haaland received a delightful surprise from his teammates on his 23rd birthday.
Jack Grealish warmly welcomed him into a room where a birthday cake had been prepared, and the team serenaded Haaland with a cheerful rendition of the happy birthday song.
City will play friendly matches in Japan and South Korea as they prepare to defend their Champions League, Premier League, and FA Cup titles next season.
Haaland will use the tour to get back to full fitness and boost his hopes of improving on last season’sGolden Boot-winning tally of 36 Premier League goals.
Haaland and his co-stars will take on Yokohama F. Marinos in their first pre-season match on Sunday.
Two individuals, Benjamin Ojogbe and Rashid Abdul, have been remanded into police custody and charged with conspiracy to commit murder and murder in connection with the killing of lance corporal Calystus Amoah.
According to police sources, Ojogbe and Abdul were part of a group of armed robbers who carried out an attack on a bullion van atAblekuma Fanmilk Star Oil Filling Station, resulting in the tragic death of the police officer.
CCTV footage of the incident captured one of the robbers approaching the passenger side of the bullion van and shooting at the police officer.
The police have been actively pursuing the remaining suspects involved in the robbery.
On Monday, July 3, the accused individuals were brought before the Kaneshie District Court, where their pleas were not taken.
It has been reported that the robbers made off with over GH¢145,000during the incident.
During Manchester City’s pre-season tour in Tokyo,superstar striker Erling Haaland received a delightful surprise from his teammates on his 23rd birthday.
Jack Grealish warmly welcomed him into a room where a birthday cake had been prepared, and the team serenaded Haaland with a cheerful rendition of the happy birthday song.
City will play friendly matches in Japan and South Korea as they prepare to defend their Champions League, Premier League, and FA Cup titles next season.
Haaland will use the tour to get back to full fitness and boost his hopes of improving on last season’sGolden Boot-winning tally of 36 Premier League goals.
Haaland and his co-stars will take on Yokohama F. Marinos in their first pre-season match on Sunday.
