TIG Post

Author: Abigail Ampofo

  • Hojbjerg wants Conte to ‘elaborate’ on his outburst that put him in danger of being fired

    Hojbjerg wants Conte to ‘elaborate’ on his outburst that put him in danger of being fired

    Antonio Conte was admonished by Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg to “elaborate” on the extraordinary outburst that put him in danger of losing his job as Tottenham manager.

    The fiery Italian boss said he saw “selfish players” who “do not want to play under pressure” after his side were pegged back in a 3-3 Premier League draw by Southampton on Saturday.

    Conte also sounded like he was taking aim at the club’s leadership when he said: “20 years there is the owner and they never won something. Why?”

    Spurs are now anticipated to make their move during the break in international play. Hojbjerg said he can understand Conte’s annoyance over Sheffield United and Milan’s disappointing exits from the FA Cup and Champions League, respectively, but believes there should be a clearer message to  help the team get to where they want to be.

    “We’ve all seen it,” Hojbjerg told reporters while on Denmark duty. 

    “[It was a] very honest and very open press conference he gave. It is because he is not satisfied. You don’t do that if you’ve reached the quarter-final of the Champions League and if you’re in the semi-final of the FA Cup.

    “It comes from the fact that, unfortunately, we did not get the results we as a team and club wanted. We are still where we want and need to be in the Premier League. But yes, it’s hard, I should say.

    “I understand that if you want to be successful as a team, you need 11 men who are committed to a project and a culture. But I think he has to elaborate on how he feels before you as a player can start measuring and weighing.

    “The coach has not been satisfied, and that is what I will take with me. You do what you can to please him. What I do know about myself is that I am an honest player. I am a player who always gives 100 per cent of myself for the team.”

    When asked if he felt Conte was right to take the course of action he did, Hojbjerg replied: “Fortunately, I am not the one to judge it.

    “If that’s how he sees it, then you have to be a little more precise in order for you as a player to take it to heart.”

    He did confirm, though, that Conte did not give his players prior warning of the tirade that was to come.

    “He didn’t tell us what he wanted to say at the press conference,” he said.

    “But it is clear that you work with each other every day, you want the best for each other and you want to be successful together. And sometimes the waves go high in football.”

    Spurs are fourth in the table but each of Newcastle United, Liverpool and Brighton and Hove Albion own games in hand in a congested fight for Champions League football.

    They return to action at home to Everton on April 3.

  • Mbappe is the new France captain

    Mbappe is the new France captain

    Kylian Mbappe will take over as France’s captain after receiving Didier Deschamps’ approval, according to reports on Tuesday.

    Hugo Lloris, who retired after the World Cup, was replaced by the Paris Saint-Germain forward, who was the best candidate.

    Antoine Griezmann will serve as vice-captain, and it is reported that Mbappe was informed of his selection by coach Deschamps after dinner on Monday.

    The French Football Federation didn’t immediately confirm the reports, but it seems that the information is public.

    The appointment means Mbappe will lead the team into their Euro 2024 qualifiers, which start against the Netherlands and the Republic of Ireland this fortnight.

    Juventus ‘convinced’ they have what it takes to best Sporting in Europe

    His first game as skipper will be against the Dutch on Friday at the Stade de France.

    The 24-year-old has been a member of the national team since his teens, making his debut as an 18-year-old against Luxembourg, and has earned 66 caps, scoring 36 goals.

    Former Monaco player Mbappe was a World Cup winner in 2018, and from a small field of potential candidates for the captaincy he stood out a mile.

    Long-standing skipper Lloris stepped down from national team duty after France lost to Argentina in the World Cup final, when Mbappe’s hat-trick was not enough to stave off a defeat on penalties.

    France’s squad gathered at their Clairefontaine training base on Monday ahead of the European qualifying double-header, their first gathering since returning from the Qatar 2022 near-miss.

  • Embattled Sevilla fire Sampaoli after a 2-0 loss to fellow strugglers Getafeafter

    Embattled Sevilla fire Sampaoli after a 2-0 loss to fellow strugglers Getafeafter

    After a string of poor performances that left Sevilla just two points above the LaLiga relegation zone, Jorge Sampaoli was fired by the Spanish club.

    Sampaoli, who had just returned to management for a second stint in October, was finally fired after a 2-0 loss to fellow strugglers Getafe on Sunday.

    Sevilla has lost four games in a row while winning just twice in their last seven La Liga games.

    Sevilla did advance to the Europa League quarterfinals under Sampaoli, but when they take on Manchester United, a new manager will be in charge.

    A Sevilla statement read: “Sevilla have terminated the contract of coach Jorge Sampaoli after the team’s defeat in Getafe, which has once again placed the team on the verge of relegation places.

    “The fact that the team has not managed to get out of the lowest positions in the table since his incorporation as coach and the image offered in the last matches of the team have led the club to make this decision, in search of a reaction in the 12 games that remain in the league.

    Alvarez talks on the progress he has made since Man City move

    “Sevilla thanks Sampaoli for the services he has provided and wishes him the best of luck in his future.”

    The club said they planned to appoint a new coach later on Tuesday, to be in charge in time to take an early-evening training session. Former Real Valladolid and Eibar boss Jose Luis Mendilibar has been strongly linked with the job.

    Sampaoli was first put in charge in Sevilla ahead of the 2016-17 season and led them to a fourth-placed finish in LaLiga before leaving to take over as Argentina head coach.

  • PSV slaps 40-year ban on man who assaulted Sevilla keeper Dmitrovic

    PSV slaps 40-year ban on man who assaulted Sevilla keeper Dmitrovic

    PSV have imposed a 40-year stadium ban on the man who attacked Sevilla goalkeeper Marko Dmitrovic during their Europa League match.

    Despite winning 2-0 in the second leg of their knockout round play-off match last month at Philips Stadion after losing 3-0 in Spain, the Eredivisie club was eliminated from the competition.

    However, ugly scenes marred the closing stages of the match in Eindhoven when a 20-year-old fan attacked Dmitrovic on the pitch. Dmitrovic then pinned the man before security escorted him away.

    The man in question was given a two-month initial prison sentence on March 8 and will receive a one-month extension if he commits another crime.

    PSV have now confirmed he will face further long-term punishment for his actions, with a stadium ban stretching until 2063.

    “PSV [have] imposed a 40-year-long ban on the individual who invaded the pitch during the Europa League match against Sevilla,” the club said in a statement.

    “The 40-year-long ban comes on top of a possible fine imposed by UEFA. The pitch invader is currently serving a three-month sentence with one month suspended imposed by the East Brabant District Court.

    “He is also barred from the area around the stadium for two years.”

    PSV also revealed the individual had already been serving a ban from the Royal Dutch Football Association (KNVB).

    Sevilla secured their place in the quarter-finals of the Europa League last week following a 2-1 aggregate victory over Fenerbahce.

    They will face Manchester United in the last eight in April, after the international break.

  • Man City’s Haaland to miss Spain and Georgia clash

    Man City’s Haaland to miss Spain and Georgia clash

    Erling Haaland, who withdrew from the Norwegian team for their first two Euro 2024 qualifying matches due to a groin injury, will return to Manchester City for medical tests.

    Following a five-goal outburst in a 7-0 Champions League thrashing of RB Leipzig, the star striker netted a hat-trick as City defeated Burnley 6-0 at the weekend in the FA Cup quarterfinals.

    Haaland joined his teammates from Norway as they got ready to play Spain and Georgia, but he won’t be taking part in either of those games.

    Team doctor Ola Sand told the Norwegian Football Federation’s website: “We hoped that this would carry over to Saturday but after doing tests and examinations yesterday it became clear that he will not make it to the games against Spain and Georgia.

    “It is better that he receives medical follow-up at the club.”

    Norway boss Stale Solbakken added: “Erling took it hard when he realised that he could not fight for the team. 

    No conclusive evidence to leave Walker out of England squad – Southgate

    “Fortunately, there is still plenty of self-confidence, talent and cohesion in this group to win points in the next matches.”

    City will hope the injury is not serious ahead of a busy period following the international break, starting with a crunch Premier League clash at home to Liverpool on April 1 as Pep Guardiola’s side aim to bridge the eight-point gap to leaders Arsenal.

    A trip to Southampton then precedes the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final tie at Bayern Munich on April 11.

    Haaland has scored 42 goals in just 37 appearances during a prolific first season at the Etihad Stadium.

  • Roy Hodgson back from retirement to hold up Eagles

    Roy Hodgson back from retirement to hold up Eagles

    To prevent Crystal Palace from being relegated, Roy Hodgson has come out of retirement.

    With just five points from their previous 12 games and no victories since December 31, the Eagles are in last place in the Premier League’s form table.

    Palace lost 4-1 to league-leading Arsenal on Sunday, leaving them in 12th place, three points above the relegation zone, just days after Patrick Vieira was fired as interim manager.

    After Watford was demoted to the Championship at the end of the previous season, Hodgson, 75, hung up his clipboard. However, the team where he started his playing career in 1965 has persuaded him to return to the bench for the remainder of the campaign.

    The former England boss said: “It is a privilege to be asked to return to the club, which has always meant so much to me, and to be given the important task of turning the team’s fortunes around. 

    “Our sole objective now is to start winning matches and to get the points necessary to ensure our Premier League status. 

    “Crystal Palace is known for its fighting spirit and I have no doubt that all our supporters will fight with us, beginning with the visit of Leicester a week Saturday.” 

    It will be Hodgson’s second spell in the Selhurst Park hotseat after keeping the Eagles in the top flight from the 2017-18 season to the end of the 2020-21 campaign before stepping down from his role to be replaced by Vieira.

    Eagles chairman Steve Parish added: “I would like to welcome Roy and Ray back to the club. 

    “We are obviously in a very challenging period but we believe that Roy’s and Ray Lewington’s experience, knowledge of the club and players, alongside Paddy can help fulfil the immediate requirement of keeping us in the league.”

    With McCarthy joining Hodgson’s first-team coaching set-up as assistant manager, Darren Powell will become head coach of Palace’s Under-21s. 

  • Kudus joins team mates in Ghana ahead of 2023 AFCON qualifiers

    Kudus joins team mates in Ghana ahead of 2023 AFCON qualifiers

    Kudus is said to have arrived in Ghana on the morning of March 21,2023 ahead of Ghana’s clash with Angola.

    The 22-year-old has two goals in two games, making him Ghana’s leading scorer in the qualifying rounds.

    In advance of Ghana’s matches against Angola, 18 players, including Kudus Mohammed, have already arrived.

    He will travel with the group to Kumasi on Tuesday to continue the team’s preparations.

    Ghana will host the first leg of the encounter on Thursday, March 23, 2023, at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium, while the second leg is slated for Tuesday, March 28, 2023, at Estádio 11 de Novembre in Luanda.

  • Chris Hughton says he cannot promise Ghana trophies

    Chris Hughton says he cannot promise Ghana trophies

    Chris Hughton, the Black Stars’ newly appointed head coach, has made it clear that he cannot promise to lead the team to success in terms of winning championships.

    As the team’s head coach, the 64-year-old has agreed to a one-and-a-half-year contract.

    The senior national team has struggled to capture any noteworthy medals; the most recent one was won in 1982.

    The four-time African champions’ trophy drought has lasted 40 years, but the former Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle United coach has refused to guarantee that he can break it.

    “No coach can guarantee a trophy. No coach can sit at a table like this and guarantee you that. No single coach can do that,” he said during his unveiling.

    “It starts with qualifications and you can know what you can do but no coach can guarantee a trophy,” he added.

    Hughton was officially unveiled today in Kumasi.

    His first game will be against Angola in a back-to-back game in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations [AFCON] qualifiers this month.

    Ghana will host the Palancas Negras at the Baba Yara Stadium on March 23 before travelling to Luanda for the reserve game in four days’ time.

    The former Brighton boss will be assisted by Didi Dramani and George Boateng.

  • Real Madrid dressing room angry over the ‘unsportsmanlike’ attitude of Barcelona players

    Real Madrid dressing room angry over the ‘unsportsmanlike’ attitude of Barcelona players

    The El Clasico has come and gone, but the Real Madrid players still carry a bitter aftertaste from the significance of the biggest match in Spanish football.

    At Camp Nou, a dramatic goal by Frank Kessie in the 92nd minute gave Barcelona the victory over Los Blancos, a heartbreaking loss for the eternal rivals.

    Madrid Universal claims that the Real Madrid locker room is furious with the Barcelona players for their disrespectful actions both during and after their team’s El Clasico loss.

    The Barcelona midfielder Gavi, who tangled with Dani Ceballos and Dani Carvajal during the pivotal game in Camp Nou, particularly infuriated Real Madrid.

    Carvajal and Arnau Tenas also had to be separated by several members from both teams after the final whistle that left Real Madrid 12 points adrift of Barcelona in the race for the 2022/23 La Liga title.

    Xavi reacts to El Clasico victory

    Meanwhile, Barcelona manager Xavi Hernandes says the Catalans do not feel like champions yet following a 2-1 win over Real Madrid on Sunday, Daily Post reports.

    Barcelona moved 12 points clear of Real Madrid at the top of the La Liga standings thanks to Frank Kessie 92nd minute winner which sent fans inside the Camp Nou into wild celebrations.

    With 12 games left to play for the remainder of the season, Xavi has remained cautious as he has revealed there is still more work to be done in order for Barcelona to be crowned champions.

    Real Madrid fans want Ancelotti sacked Earlier, Sports Brief reported Real Madrid fans are understandably angry following their 2-1 loss to Barcelona in the Spanish La Liga and they want Carlo Ancelotti sacked.

    The defeat dents Madrid’s ambitions of retaining the title and leaves the Catalans close to lifting the trophy for the first time since 2019.

    Los Blancos took the lead through a Ronald Araujo own goal but Barcelona pulled level when Sergi Roberto tucked home just before half-time.

  • ‘Our heart is with you’ Suarez expresses support for ex-teammate Lucas from Liverpool

    ‘Our heart is with you’ Suarez expresses support for ex-teammate Lucas from Liverpool

    Following his Sunday goal for Gremio, Luis Suarez shared a message of support for Lucas Leiva.

    Even though he joined Gremio in December, Suarez was reunited with his former Liverpool teammate but was unable to play alongside the Brazilian midfielder.

    After a routine screening revealed a heart condition, Lucas had already been forced to withdraw from training earlier that month.

    The 36-year-old revealed at a press conference on Friday that he had made the decision to end his playing career on the advice of doctors after taking some time to assess and undergo additional testing.

    Suarez – who played for Liverpool alongside Lucas between 2011 and 2014 – paid tribute to him after opening the scoring for Gremio at Ypiranga by revealing a written message on his under-shirt which read: “Lucas, our heart is with you, we are together”.

    Gremio’s players also wore shirts with Lucas’ name on the back, while head coach Renato Portaluppi adorned a t-shirt with the player’s name.

    Ypiranga went on to win 2-1 in the first leg of their Campeonato Gaucho semi-final through a 96th-minute penalty from Erick, with the second leg due to take place at Arena do Gremio on Saturday.

  • Chris Hughton speaks about Thomas Partey’s future in Black Stars

    Chris Hughton speaks about Thomas Partey’s future in Black Stars

    Arsenal midfielder, Thomas Partey, has been identified by Black Stars head coach Chris Hughton as an important player.

    Following a string of disappointing game performances, Thomas Partey’s future with the Black Stars has come into focus.

    Partey has been criticised for his commitment to his club rather than the national team, and there have been calls for Chris Hughton to remove the midfielder from the squad.

    Chris Hughton said Partey is an important team member when asked about the situation on Monday, March 20, 2023, during his unveiling.

    The 29-year-old, according to him, is the link between the midfield and the defence, and he claimed that because he does not consistently score goals and provide assists, people tend to criticise him.

    “Partey’s role in the team is as a continuity player…he is not that guy who is going to dribble past multiple players. His role is important to what the team does even if he doesn’t always standout.”.

    He urged Ghanaians not to compare Partey’s performance for Arsenal and for the country as he plays distinct roles for both entities.

    “Sometimes as football fans, we assume a player must necessarily fit the frame we have of him in an A team in a B team. Partey’s roles are both club and country are different from each other, but key.”

    Chris Hughton also disclosed during his unveiling that he will pay attention to the Ghana Premier League and give selections to players who impress.

    Another issue of concern was his contract and Chris Hughton disclosed that he is impressed with the two-year contract he agreed on with the FA.

    The contract is expected to expire in December 2024 with Chris Hughton billed to win qualify Ghana to the 2023 AFCON and win it.

  • Barcelona’s Pep Guardiola spotted at Camp Nou for Real Madrid vs Barcelona game

    Barcelona’s Pep Guardiola spotted at Camp Nou for Real Madrid vs Barcelona game

    Barcelona may have lost Pep Guardiola to greener pastures, but the team will always hold a special place in his heart. The manager of Manchester City is still a staunch supporter of the Catalan giants after having played for them and later coaching them.

    In the audience before La Blaugrana’s match against Real Madrid in the El Clasico, Guardiola showed his support for the team.

    The Spanish manager was spotted in the stands with Johann Cruyff’s wife before the game started. Widely considered as Barcelona’s greatest manager, Guardiola was no slouch as a player either.

    As noted by the club’s website, he played 479 games for the side and scored 16 goals. He won six league titles as a player, four Spanish Super Cups, two Copa Del Rey trophies, two European Super Cups, and one European Cup.

    Guardiola scouting Real Madrid?

    Guardiola’s presence at Camp Nou may have been twofold. The former Barcelona manager could have also been there scouting Carlo Ancelotti’s Madrid ahead of a potential clash.

    Manchester City have been drawn against Bayern Munich in the quarter-final of the Champions League. The winner of that game will face the winner of Real Madrid and Chelsea in the semi-final of the competition.

    Barca move 12 points clear Barcelona snatched a 2-1 win over Real Madrid with Franck Kessie’s late goal Sunday to move 12 points clear at the top of La Liga, Sports Brief reported.

    The victory dents Los Blancos’ ambitions of retaining the title and leaves the Catalans that much closer to lifting the trophy for the first time since 2019. Carlo Ancelotti’s charges took the lead through a Ronald Araujo own goal, but Barca pulled level when Sergi Roberto tucked home just before half-time.

  • Chris Hughton pledges to watch, attend more Ghana Premier League games to build ‘good national league’

    Chris Hughton pledges to watch, attend more Ghana Premier League games to build ‘good national league’

    During his introduction as the Black Stars coach on Monday in Kumasi, Chris Hughton promised to pay attention to the Ghana Premier League and other local competitions by watching more games.

    Hughton received flak after selecting a 25-man squad for the 2023 doubleheader of the Africa Cup of Nations without any local players.

    Hughton is adamant about dispelling the myth that earlier Black Stars managers ignored the domestic league in favour of players from abroad.

    At his unveiling, he said, , “From the day that I’ve been involved with the association about one year ago I was made aware and stressed upon how important the local game is to the association and to the technical staff. So this time I’m very conscious of the local game.

    And of course in my period of time[as technical advisor] so far we have had some players that made the squad from our local game so I certainly will not underestimate it. Where I think I can add value in my new role is that I will be spending more time in Ghana. I will be watching more games. I will attend more club games to know the league.”

    “I am constantly being made aware of players that are doing well. The colts, the league structure and the teams that are doing well and certainly in my new role as head coach, I will be paying very much attention to not only the players that are doing well but the game here in general because I think it is important that any national team has a good national league. I’ll do my very best to make sure I see as much football here as possible,” he added.

    The former Northern Ireland international has signed a contract until 31 December 2024 and is determined to make the Black Stars great again.

    Hughton’s debut match is set to take place on Thursday, a 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Angola at the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi.

  • Black Sea deal: Putin promises free grain to Africa

    Black Sea deal: Putin promises free grain to Africa

    Putin stated on Monday that if the Black Sea grain agreement is not extended in May, Russia will give grain to African nations gratis.

    Speaking to participants at a Russia-Africa parliamentary conference, Putin noted that only a small portion of the deal’s unblocked grain exports had made it to the continent and that it was in Africa’s best interests if Russia met its conditions for the deal’s renewal.

    Moscow further declared that it would not consent to extend the grain agreement past May unless problems with the Swift financial messaging system are fixed and additional restrictions are lifted.

    On its website, the Russian foreign ministry said Moscow had decided to limit the deal’s extension to 60 days, until May 18, over what it called “a lack of progress… on normalisation of domestic agricultural exports”.

  • Mentally troubled Khayelihle Shozi to receive support from Pitso Mosimane

    Mentally troubled Khayelihle Shozi to receive support from Pitso Mosimane

    Khayelihle Shozi will receive assistance from the person who gave him his senior football break at Mamelodi Sundowns. Pitso Mosimane is reportedly determined to assist Shozi, who has recently been homeless.

    During his time at Chloorkop, the Al Ahli Saudi coach elevated him from the Diski Challenge group to the senior squad.

    According to The Citizen, Shozi’s brother Shwi said in a radio inter “What I say is that I heard what coach Pitso said. It made me very happy and that is why I am here to talk about Khayelihle. It has been a while since he has been in that situation. But what will happen now is that Pitso wants to help him. He promised to do some things for him when he has been found and helped out of his current state.”

    Mosimane had tweeted: “Very sad to see this image.

    His combination with Percy Tau was amazing. We even promoted him to the senior team ahead of Percy.”

    What led Khayelihle Shozi astray

    Bad company and stress is the reason behind Khayelihle Shozi’s shocking behaviour which saw him being reported missing and being seen around the streets of Johannesburg walking around as a beggar on drugs, said a source close to the former Mamelodi Sundowns development player.

    Videos of Shozi looking like someone who was homeless circulated throughout social media platforms in January 2022.

    He was then spotted in the Vaal in a similar condition recently. The midfielder, who last played for JDR Stars in the GladAfrica Championship, is reported to be back home and has told his family that people he thought were his friends, introduced him to drugs and when he couldn’t cope they didn’t help him.

  • Finland declared World’s Happiest six consecutive times in Nordics dominated ranking

    Finland declared World’s Happiest six consecutive times in Nordics dominated ranking

    For the sixth year running, Finland is ranked as the happiest nation in the world, a record in a list that has been available for more than ten years.

    Finland ranks “significantly ahead of all other countries” in the World Happiness Report, which the United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network released on Monday. Finland is followed in the rankings by Denmark in second place and Iceland in third.

    “Income, health, having someone to count on, having a sense of freedom to make key life decisions, generosity, and the absence of corruption all play strong roles in supporting life evaluations,” the report said.

    Happiness Scoreboard

    Nordic countries dominate the top of the happiness ranking

    Ranking using data form 2020-2022. All locations are not surveyed every year.

    Israel climbed up five steps from last year to take the fourth place, followed by the Netherlands. The US was in the 15th spot in the ranking that showed a large gap remaining between the top and bottom countries. Lebanon and Afghanistan came last, while Lithuania was among the biggest gainers, climbing up more than 30 places since 2017 to rank number 20 now. 

    In general, life evaluations have continued to be “remarkably resilient” with global averages during the Covid-19 pandemic years of 2020 to 2022 as high as those in the preceding three years, the report said.

    Nordic countries dominate the top of the ranking

  • Black Stars: Chris Hughton’s coaching contract to end in December 2024

    Black Stars: Chris Hughton’s coaching contract to end in December 2024

    Chris Hughton, the newly appointed Black Stars coach, will lead the team till December 2024.

    At a press conference the Ghana Football Association held to formally unveil him, this was confirmed.

    According to the FA, Chris Hughton’s contract is in effect until December 2024, at which point the FA and the Sports Ministry will decide whether to extend it or let him go.

    Chris Hughton revealed that in his capacity as the Black Stars’ head coach, he will closely monitor the Ghana Premier League and choose a few players who merit inclusion in his squad.

    “As head coach, I’ll be paying attention to the game here because it’s important that the local league is doing well and I will try and see as much local football as possible”

  • Real Madrid fans call for Carlo Ancelotti’s sacking after defeat to Barcelona

    Real Madrid fans call for Carlo Ancelotti’s sacking after defeat to Barcelona

    After losing 2-1 to Barcelona in the Spanish La Liga, Real Madrid supporters are understandably furious and want Carlo Ancelotti fired. Madrid’s hopes of retaining the title are dashed by the loss, and the Catalans are now in position to win the trophy for the first time since 2019.

    Ronald Araujo’s own goal gave Los Blancos the lead, but Sergi Roberto’s tuck just before halftime gave Barcelona the equaliser. Both teams had chances to win the game. Marco Asensio scored for Madrid, but VAR disallowed the goal because it was offside. Then, in the 92nd minute, Alejandro Balde set up Kessie to score.

    After the game, Madrid fans took to social media to criticise Ancelotti for losing his third El Clasico game in the trot. Social media reactions

    @deftonesIuvr tweeted: real madrid has 2 weeks to sack ancelotti and bring tuchel if they’re a serious club @MartinKlaus__ tweeted:

    Now La Liga is over for us… let’s sack ancelotti and move on.

    @KhaledM79788508 tweeted: If Perez is serious he’d sack ancelotti and sign tuchel within 24 hours.

    @thearmah_ posted: Perez go start dey draft Ancelotti sack letter from the Camp Nou embarrassment today

    @Anassyn said: We need to sack Ancelotti because of Barca. Three straight win against him. Haba.

    @AvfcTomYoung tweeted: Madrid are boring to watch now, the quicker they sack Ancelotti the better!

    Pep watches El Clasico Meanwhile, Pep Guardiola showed his support for the Blaugrana as she was spotted in the stands ahead of their El Clasico encounter with Real Madrid.

    Pep was spotted in the stands with Johann Cruyff’s wife before the game started. Widely considered as Barcelona’s greatest manager, Guardiola was no slouch as a player either. As noted by the club’s website, he played 479 games for the side and scored 16 goals.

    Vincius consoles Araujo Sports Brief reported earlier that Vinicius Junior demonstrated a touching gesture towards Ronald Araujo during Real Madrid’s weekend top liner against fierce rivals FC Barcelona at Camp Nou.

    The Madrid winger has been in blistering form for Los Blancos this campaign, almost invincible against any defender, but often struggles whenever he comes up with Araujo.

    In their latest clash on Sunday, the Brazilian duo came face to face for the umpteenth time this season, and it was Vinicius who appeared to have won the battle of wills.

  • Bafana Bafana Coach Hugo Broos rebukes Andile Jali after player arrived at training drunk

    Bafana Bafana Coach Hugo Broos rebukes Andile Jali after player arrived at training drunk

    No matter who you are, you cannot protect yourself from Hugo Broos’ criticism. This time, the Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder, Andile Jali, was the target of the Belgian coach of Bafana Bafana’s criticism.

    Regarding the claims that he recently showed up to a practise drunk, he said to the Sunday World: “We have to improve, there are a lot of things that are still not professional – I was frustrated when I heard that a player like Andile Jali, who has to show the young players what and how to do things, was alleged to have arrived at the club training session drunk – come on.”

    Broos was steadfast in his refusal to heed the clamour for Jali to be chosen for the national team based on his performances in the 2021–2022 Premier Soccer League season.

    His impulsive remarks appear to have put an end to any possibility of Jali representing South Africa while Broos is still in charge.

    Chiefs and Pirates are criticised by Broos It goes without saying that Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates are currently subpar teams.

    This is as Mamelodi Sundowns tightens its stranglehold on football in South Africa. Bafana Bafana coach, Hugo Broos has expressed his annoyance with the Soweto giants for their slide into near irrelevance, suggesting that it was undermining the national team’s ambition to return to the top.

    Broos lays into Chiefs and Pirates

    It is no secret that Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates are mediocre outfits at the moment. This is as Mamelodi Sundowns tightens its stranglehold on football in South Africa. Bafana Bafana coach, Hugo Broos has expressed his annoyance with the Soweto giants for their slide into near irrelevance, suggesting that it was undermining the national team’s ambition to return to the top.

    Why Mudau slapped Motlohi

    It remains the slap that was heard around South Africa and its impact still reverberates today. Mamelodi Sundowns legend Daniel ‘Mambush’ Mudau assaulted teammate Charles Motlohi following another crushing final defeat to Kaizer Chiefs, this time in the 2001 BP Top Eight decider. Former footballer Sipho Nunens has revealed what truly happened on that infamous day, according to The Citizen.

  • Ghanaian winger King Faisal secures loan spot with Brazilian giants Sao Paulo FC

    Ghanaian winger King Faisal secures loan spot with Brazilian giants Sao Paulo FC

    King Faisal Owusu, a young winger from Ghana, will join Brazilian powerhouse Sao Paulo FC on a one-year loan with a purchase option.

    The young forward was acquired from Great Farcos FC of Ghana’s second-tier league.

    In order to complete the loan move to the Estádio do Morumbi outfit and undergo a required medical examination, 18-year-old Owusu arrived in Sao Paulo on Friday.

    He was chosen for the So Paulo FC U20 team as a step in the development of his career. During the loan’s one-year period, if he impresses the club’s technical staff, the contract’s option to purchase him might be exercised.

    The highly rated young winger is known for his explosive performances in the Ghanaian lower-tier league, where he has been described as one of the most gifted young wingers in the country.

    He is comfortable attacking on either wing or through the center of the pitch.

  • Chelsea’s spending spree continues as club is willing to pay more than €100m to sign Madrid’s Valverde- Reports

    Chelsea’s spending spree continues as club is willing to pay more than €100m to sign Madrid’s Valverde- Reports

    In order to sign 24-year-old Uruguayan sensation Federico Valverde for Real Madrid, Chelsea owner Todd Boehly is preparing to make a huge move in the transfer market. Boehly reportedly has a blank check ready for the star midfielder and is willing to pay more than 100 million euros to get his man. According to reports, money is no object for Boehly.

    This is Boehly’s next move, according to El Nacional, and it follows a spending spree that saw Chelsea spend a whopping 600 million euros on new hires. There is no such thing as too much talent, however, for the ambitious West London club, who are looking to add to their roster after signing players like Mykhailo Mudryk.

    Despite their impressive array of signings, the Blues’ owner is still not satisfied with the team’s competitive level, particularly in certain areas of the pitch. The midfield, in particular, has been identified as a key area where improvement is needed. This is due to the injury struggles of N’Golo Kante and the lack of faith shown in players like Carney Chukwuemeka and others by manager Graham Potter.

    For Boehly, the list of transfer targets is set in stone, and at the top of his list is Valverde, a player who has also caught the eye of Manchester United and Liverpool. The Reds even made an attempt to sign the midfielder after the Champions League final, but were rebuffed by Real Madrid president Florentino Perez.

    Valverde is considered a fundamental player in Carlo Ancelotti’s schemes at Real Madrid and is seen as a cornerstone of the club’s long-term plans. According to El Nacional, he is also not looking to leave La Liga, as he and his wife have repeatedly expressed their contentment with life in the Spanish capital.

  • CR7’s girlfriend reveals she had suffered ‘three previous miscarriages’ before losing baby boy

    CR7’s girlfriend reveals she had suffered ‘three previous miscarriages’ before losing baby boy

    Cristiano Ronaldo, the star of Al-Nassr, is currently living it up in Saudi Arabia following his comeback to form, but less than a year ago, he and his partner Georgina Rodriguez were forced to deal with the tragic loss of their son, Angel, during childbirth.

    Cristiano Ronaldo and Georgina Rodriguez began dating in 2016 after they crossed paths at the Gucci store in Madrid where she had previously worked as a sales assistant.

    With Ronaldo, the Spanish model has three biological children and three stepchildren. The sons Cristiano Ronaldo Jr. and Mateo, as well as the daughter Eva Maria, are Rodriguez’s stepchildren.

    She had twins in April 2022 after giving birth to her biological daughter Alana Martina in 2017.

    “Every time I went to the gynecologist’s at night I had nightmares because I was worried about what position they would be in, what the delivery would be like, if it would be a Caesarean section. I was very afraid at each ultrasound. I felt very tense because I’d had three previous miscarriages and I came home in pieces.”

    She also revealed that she didn’t immediately tell her children that Angel had passed away, instead saying he would be born a little later than his sister. She explained how she dealt with their loss:

    “They were born on Easter Monday. The most-awaited moment arrives and your heart stops. Bella was born strong and healthy but a piece of my heart shattered.

    She admitted that the former Real Madrid player told their children the truth:

    “You ask yourself how you’re going to carry on. I wasn’t prepared to accept or recognise what had happened to me and I wasn’t ready to tell my children about it. As I still had a belly, I told them that Angel was still going to wait a bit to be born, until Cris told them that Angel was in Heaven. That was a dose of reality.”

    Since their tragic loss, Ronaldo and Rodriguez have started to find happiness with the rest of their children in Saudi Arabia following the Portuguese’s move to Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr in January.

  • Vinicius Junior suffers another abuse from Barcelona fans as they chants ‘Vinicius Die’

    Vinicius Junior suffers another abuse from Barcelona fans as they chants ‘Vinicius Die’

    The latest group of fans to verbally abuse Vinicius Junior are the supporters of Barcelona. This season, opposing teams’ fans have frequently singled out the Real Madrid attacker, with some fan bases going further than others.

    Even though the El Clasico is frequently a contentious contest, some Blaugrana fans escalated the situation with their chants. During their most recent El Clasico match, Barcelona supporters also yelled obscenities at the Brazilian, per reports.

    Vinicius, die’ was a chant heard from the crowd during the game.

    Vini’s performance during the game

    The Brazilian played a part in Real Madrid’s only goal of the game as his attempted cross was deflected into the back of the net by Ronaldo Araujo.

    Vini was also involved in a few arguments with the referee over fouls during the game, something that has become a common occurrence this season. The Los Blancos star has accused La Liga’s referees of giving him yellow cards for fouls while letting fouls against him go unpunished.

    Real Valladolid fans abuse Vini Real Madrid’s Vinicius Junior has found himself at the centre of more racial abuse in La Liga. The Brazilian attacker has endured a difficult season in La Liga when it comes to racist fans, and that continued against Real Valladolid.

    Madrid took on Valladolid as La Liga action returned after the World Cup break and secured a 2-0 win thanks to a Karim Benzema brace, Sports Brief reported. Vinícius calls for harsh punishments Vinícius Júnior wants harsh punishments for football racists.

    The Real Madrid forward believes that those found guilty of racist abuse should learn a lesson the hard way. Vini Jr called for those individuals to be given lifetime bans from football games, Sports Brief reported.

  • Moscow declares ICC’s arrest warrants as meaningless

    Moscow declares ICC’s arrest warrants as meaningless

    A government spokesperson stated on Friday that Moscow rejects the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) decision to issue an arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin.

    The official at the centre of an alleged plot to forcibly deport thousands of Ukrainian children to Russia, Maria Lvova-Belova, received a warrant from the ICC as well.

    Russia views the warrants as having “no meaning,” including from a “legal point of view,” according to Maria Zakharova, a representative for the foreign ministry of Russia.

    “Russia is not a member of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court and bears no obligations under it,” Zakharova said. “Russia does not cooperate with this body, and possible (pretenses) for arrest coming from the International Court of Justice will be legally null and void for us.”

    How war crime prosecutions work: Located in The Hague, Netherlands, and created by a treaty called the Rome Statute, the International Criminal Court operates independently.

    Most countries on Earth are parties to the treaty, but there are very large and notable exceptions, including — pivotally — Russia, the US and Ukraine.

    Anyone accused of a crime in the jurisdiction of the court, which includes countries that are members of the ICC, can be tried. The court tries people, not countries, and focuses on those who hold the most responsibility: leaders and officials.

    While Ukraine is not a member of the court, it has previously accepted its jurisdiction.

    However, the ICC does not conduct trials in absentia, so Putin or any other Moscow official would either have to be handed over by Russia or arrested outside of Russia to face ICC proceedings.

  • Finland awaits Hungary’s vote to join NATO

    Finland awaits Hungary’s vote to join NATO

    Finland’s NATO membership will be approved in a vote later this month, according to a statement released by Hungary’s ruling party on Friday.

    According to a statement from the head of the ruling Fidesz Party, Máté Kocsis, the group will vote unanimously in favour of Finland’s bid on March 27.

    The group would decide later on Sweden’s request to join the military alliance, according to Kocsis.

    Turkey and Hungary have been the remaining obstacles preventing the entry of both Nordic countries; however, earlier on Friday, Turkey announced that it would approve Finland’s membership.

    Western officials had generally considered getting Turkey’s blessing the most significant hurdle to NATO expansion.

    More background: Finland announced its intention to join NATO in May, along with Sweden, after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine caused a sudden shift in attitudes toward joining the bloc.

    That announcement was welcomed by almost all of NATO’s leaders, but under NATO rules just one member state can veto a new applicant’s membership.

    Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan put a spoke in the wheel when he said he was not looking at both countries joining NATO “positively,” accusing them of housing Kurdish “terrorist organizations.”

    Friday’s announcement clears the way for Finland’s accession, but Sweden’s application has been stalled by Ankara’s accusations, which Sweden denies.

  • Donald Trump is back on YouTube full time

    Donald Trump is back on YouTube full time

    In the lead-up to the 2024 election, voters should be able to hear equally from candidates, according to the video streaming platform.

    More than two years after his supporters violently stormed the US Capitol, YouTube has lifted restrictions on Donald Trump’s channel, making it the newest social media platform to fully restore the former US president’s account.

    The choice was made on Friday as the race for the Republican presidential nomination in the 2024 election began to heat up with Trump, who has formally declared his candidature, frequently taking potshots at potential rivals.

    “We carefully evaluated the continued risk of real-world violence, while balancing the chance for voters to hear equally from major national candidates in the run up to an election,” YouTube, which is owned by Google, said in a tweet on Friday.

    After a right-wing mob attacked the US Capitol in Washington, DC on January 6, 2021, to prevent the certification of President Joe Biden’s victory, several social media networks restricted or banned Trump’s accounts.

    The president’s critics accuse him of inciting the violence, including via social media posts where he made false accusations of election fraud.

    In recent months, social media firms – including Twitter and Meta-owned Facebook and Instagram – have restored the former president’s accounts. But Trump has not returned to these websites. Instead, he has been communicating with supporters through his own platform, Truth Social.

    As president, Trump’s social media posts – especially on Twitter – constantly stirred controversy, and at times caused international diplomatic crises.

    Twitter “permanently suspended” Trump’s account after the January 6 riot, but the platform reversed the decision after it was acquired by billionaire Elon Musk.

    “I am staying on Truth. I like it better, I like the way it works, I like Elon, but I’m staying on Truth,” he told Fox News last year.

    The former president still maintains that the 2020 election was “stolen” – a claim that he regularly repeats on Truth Social.

    In December, a Democratic-led congressional panel that investigated the attack on the Capitol recommended criminal charges against the former president.

    A special Justice Department prosecutor is investigating Trump for his role in the riot and possible mishandling of classified information in a separate investigation.

    As he gears up for the 2024 primaries, Trump is also facing several state-led inquiries into his campaign conduct, efforts to overturn the 2024 elections and private business practices.

    Trump denies wrongdoing in all cases and accuses prosecutors of weaponising the justice system against him for political purposes.

    “THE FAKE INVESTIGATIONS BY RADICAL LEFT DEMOCRAT PROSECUTORS ARE NOTHING OTHER THAN ELECTION INTERFERENCE INTO THE POLITICS OF A FAILING NATION,” he wrote on Truth Social on Thursday.

  • Why International Criminal Court has issued an arrest warrant for Putin, what we know so far

    Why International Criminal Court has issued an arrest warrant for Putin, what we know so far

    The International Criminal Court, which operates independently, is located in The Hague, Netherlands, and was created by a treaty called the Rome Statute first brought before the United Nations.

    Most countries on Earth – 123 of them – are parties to the treaty, but there are some notable exceptions, including Russia, as well as the US, Ukraine and China.

    The ICC is meant to be a court of “last resort” and is not supposed to replace a country’s justice system. The court, which has 18 judges serving nine-year terms, tries four types of crimes: genocide, crimes against humanity, crimes of aggression and war crimes.

    Putin arrest warrant: The ICC on Friday issued an arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin and the Russian commissioner for children’s rights, Maria Lvova-Belova, for an alleged scheme to deport Ukrainian children to Russia.

    The court said there “are reasonable grounds to believe that Mr Putin bears individual criminal responsibility” for the alleged crimes, for having committed them directly alongside others, and for “his failure to exercise control properly over civilian and military subordinates who committed the acts.”

    Reports of Ukrainian children in Russia: The Ukrainian government says many missing children have been forcibly taken to Russia. The Russian government doesn’t deny taking Ukrainian children and has made their adoption by Russian families a centerpiece of propaganda.

    Some of the children have ended up thousands of miles and several time zones away from Ukraine. According to Lvova-Belova’s office, Ukrainian kids have been sent to live in institutions and with foster families in 19 different Russian regions, including Novosibirsk, Omsk and Tyumen regions in Siberia and Murmansk in the Arctic.

    In April 2022, the office of Lvova-Belova said that around 600 children from Ukraine had been placed in orphanages in Kursk and Nizhny Novgorod before being sent to live with families in the Moscow region. As of mid-October, 800 children from Ukraine’s eastern Donbas area were living in the Moscow region, many with families, according to the Moscow regional governor.

    UN report on alleged war crimes: The UN on Thursday said in a report that war crimes perpetrated by Russia included “attacks on civilians and energy-related infrastructure, wilful killings, unlawful confinement, torture, rape and other sexual violence, as well as unlawful transfers and deportations of children.”

    So, will Putin actually be arrested?: Probably not.

    Anyone accused of a crime in the jurisdiction of the court, which includes countries that are members of the ICC, can be tried. The court tries people, not countries, and focuses on those who hold the most responsibility: leaders and officials. While Ukraine is not a member of the court, it has previously accepted its jurisdiction.

    The ICC does not conduct trials in absentia, so Putin would either have to be handed over by Russia or arrested outside of Russia. That seems unlikely.

  • NUGS, EduWatch wants Parliament to uncap GETFund

    NUGS, EduWatch wants Parliament to uncap GETFund

    The Ghana Education Trust Fund’s cap needs to be removed immediately, according to a petition submitted to Parliament by the National Union of Ghana Students (NUGS) and Eduwatch (GETFund).

    The group claims that a decrease in education funding has occurred as a result of the GETFund’s cap.

    “Our concern primarily stems from the concerns of declining funding for education which emanates from GETFund.

    Act 947 especially for the GETFund part is an enemy of the progress of education in Ghana,” the group said.

    NUGS, EduWatch petition Parliament to uncap GETFund

    Dennis Appiah Larbi Ampofo, the national president of NUGS, explained that the decline in funding has had a negative impact on the distribution of funds to the Student Loan Trust Fund and other educational organisations when he presented the petition to the Education Committee of Parliament on March 16.

    “Our biggest problem started in 2023 when we realised that it was not a boardroom discussion again. It’s a matter of deliberate attempts to deprive students in this country of the requisite funding needed to run an educational sector. The necessary funds (which are) supposed to be released to the agencies have ceased,” he said.

    NUGS, EduWatch petition Parliament to uncap GETFund

    The student body appealed to the committee to reject the 2023 proposed formula for the disbursement of GETFund.

    “We stand at the crossroad where the fate of our young students lies in your hands. First, we reject the formula without any equivocation. We can only have a comfortable discussion about the future of education when the fund meant for education is guaranteed by this House.

    “We call on you to reject the 2023 proposed formula and move steps to immediately uncap GETFund. Uncapping GETFund is a communal labour,” they added.

    NUGS, EduWatch petition Parliament to uncap GETFund

    The Executive Director of education think tank, Africa Education Watch, Kofi Asare who was also present during the presentation of the petition, said the committee must take a decision by Monday, March 20, to save the education sector from collapse.

    “Let’s respect the fact that education funds are meant for education, it’s as simple as that. We hope that by Monday the select committee will take a decision,” he said.

    Additionally, the ranking member on the Constitutional and Legal Committee, Bernard Ahiafor backed the claim by the student body, stressing that the government failed to pay in full the monies allocated to GETFund.

    NUGS, EduWatch petition Parliament to uncap GETFund

    “Several attempts made to ensure that the full amount of VAT paid by Ghanaians to be released to the GETFund for financing education in this country, is to no avail. In the 2023 budget for instance, if we look at page 190, it is stated clearly that the projected revenue for the 2.5% VAT meant for GETFund is GH₵4.65 billion.

    “Now if you go to page 191 it is stated their expenditure items is only GH₵1.8 billion out of the GH₵4.65 billion that will be released to the fund and a cause for worry,” he bemoaned.

    NUGS, EduWatch petition Parliament to uncap GETFund

    The MP for Akatsi South accused the government of attempting to collapse the fund.

    He said even the small amount that is supposed to be released to GETFund by government is in arrears and that if the situation continues like this, then it is fair to conclude that “this current government intends to collapse the GETFund.”

    However, he assured that the minority “will do everything possible to ensure that whatever is supposed to be released to GetFund is released, so that the fund does not collapse.”

  • Russia vows to destroy Ukraine jets

    Russia vows to destroy Ukraine jets

    Following two promises from its allies to provide planes, Russia has threatened to destroy any fighter jets that are given to Ukraine.

    On Friday, Slovakia pledged some MiG-29 aircraft to Kiev, a day after Poland. Slovakia was the second Nato country to do so.

    The jets are no longer in use in Slovakia after the fleet was grounded last year.

    Although Ukraine has requested modern jets from Western nations, these are only considered as long-term solutions due to the lengthy training requirements.

    After a year of the Russian invasion, it views additional aircraft as crucial for its defences and potential counterattacks.

    Other Nato countries are considering sending planes such as the MiG-29 – a model which dates from the time of the Soviet Union – which Ukrainian pilots are trained to fly.

    Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov condemned the plans, saying that the aircraft would not affect the outcome of Moscow’s “special military operation”, as it calls the war.

    He said they would only “bring additional woes for Ukraine and the Ukrainian people”.

    “Of course, during the special military operation, all this equipment will be subject to destruction,” the spokesman added.

    The Polish and Slovak pledges are a positive move for Ukraine – which has more pilots than planes – but will not make a decisive difference.

    The Ukrainians say what they really need is US-made F-16 fighters.

    Yuri Sak, a senior Ukrainian defence adviser, says the fourth-generation fighters have better capabilities.

    It still seems unlikely that Ukraine would get them – at least for now, as it would take time to train Ukrainian pilots on Western jets.

    Western military officers remain sceptical about modern fighters. Their focus is on helping Ukraine win the battle on the ground.

    The front lines are swamped with air defence systems on both sides. The Russian air force is much bigger than Ukraine’s and it hasn’t been able to gain control of the skies.

    At the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion, Ukraine was believed to have about 120 combat capable aircraft – mainly ageing MiG-29s and Su-27s.

    On Friday, Slovakian Prime Minister Eduard Heger tweeted that his government had approved sending the country’s 13 MiG-29s to Ukraine.

    He said “promises must be kept” and that he was glad others were answering Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s call for more weapons.

    It is not clear how many of the Slovakian planes are operational.

    Mr Heger said Slovakia would also send Ukraine part of its Kub air defence system.

    On Thursday, Poland pledged four MiG-29s, to be sent in the coming days, but more are expected to follow.

    As with its pledge of Leopard tanks, Poland has broken a barrier. This was a step no-one was prepared to take a year ago.

    News of the pledges came amid Russian media reports that Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu had decorated pilots involved in an incident earlier this week .

    Washington has condemned the Russian actions, in which it says one of the Su-27 jets clipped the drone, as reckless, but Moscow says the drone failed on its own.

  • Gift Orban lands Europa Conference League player and goal of the week awards nomination

    Gift Orban lands Europa Conference League player and goal of the week awards nomination

    Following his recent performance for KAA Gent, Nigerian striker Gift Orban has been nominated for the UEFA Europa Conference League Player and Goal of the Week awards.

    On March 15, Orban gained notoriety for scoring three goals for Belgium in their 4-1 Europa Conference League victory over Istanbul Basaksehir.

    With goals in the 31st, 32nd, and 34th minutes, Orban completed the competition’s fastest hat-trick ever.

    The victory enabled Gent to advance to the quarterfinal with a 5-2 overall record.

    According to the report by Complete Sports, the brilliant performance of Orban was noted and therefore nominated for both of the awards.

    Orban among the nominees West Ham United’s Jarrod Bowen, AZ Alkmaar’s Jesper Karlssson, and Anderlecht’s Bert Verbruggen are the other players nominated for the Player of the Week award. Among the nominees for the Goal of the Week prize are Bowen again, Sivasspor’s Erdogan Yesilyurt, and Gaetan Laborde of OGC Nice.

    Has Orban earned Nigeria call-up?

    Previously, tere were calls by fans for Nigeria head coach, Jose Peseiro to invite Orban into the Super Eagles squad for the coming AFCON qualifiers, but this did not happen. He will have to continue working hard at his club for a possible future call-up and fans believe it is only a matter of time.

    Peseiro calls up Iwobi, Musa Sports Brief previously reported on coach Peseiro releasing the Super Eagles squad list of 23 players to face Guinea Bissau in the AFCON qualifiers.

    As expected, Napoli forward Victor Osimhen, Nigeria’s captain Ahmed Musa, Ademola Lookman and Alex Iwobi all made it into the country’s squad.

    Osimhen is the man of the moment in the Italian Serie A and fans back home are expecting him to excel on the pitch for the Super Eagles too.

  • ICC issues arrest warrant for Putin

    ICC issues arrest warrant for Putin

    Judges order the issuance of an arrest warrant for the Russian president in connection with the alleged kidnapping of Ukrainian children; Moscow rejects this decision.

    For alleged war crimes in Ukraine, the International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued an arrest warrant for Vladimir Putin, the president of Russia.

    In a statement released on Friday, the Hague-based court said the warrant was issued due to Putin’s alleged involvement in the forcible removal and transfer of children from the occupied territories of Ukraine to Russia.

    “There are reasonable grounds to believe that Mr Putin bears individual criminal responsibility for the aforementioned crimes,” added the court, which has no police force of its own to enforce warrants.

    The ICC also issued a warrant for the arrest of Maria Alekseyevna Lvova-Belova, the commissioner for children’s rights in the office of the Russian president on similar allegations.

    Russia, which denies committing atrocities since it invaded Ukraine in February last year, does not recognise the ICC’s jurisdiction and does not extradite its nationals.

    “The decisions of the International Criminal Court have no meaning for our country, including from a legal point of view,” Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on her Telegram channel after the ICC’s announcement.

    “Russia is not a party to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court and bears no obligations under it.”

    But ICC President Piotr Hofmanski told Al Jazeera it was “completely irrelevant” that Russia had not ratified the Rome Statute.

    “According to the ICC statute, which has 123 state parties, two-thirds of the whole international community, the court has jurisdiction over crimes committed in the territory of a state party or a state which has accepted its jurisdiction,” he said. “Ukraine has accepted the ICC twice – in 2014 and then in 2015.”

    Hofmanski said 43 states had referred “the situation in Ukraine to the court, which means they have formally triggered our jurisdiction.

    “The court has jurisdiction over crimes committed on anyone on the territory of Ukraine from November 2013 onwards regardless of nationality of the alleged perpetrators.”

    The warrants came a day after a United Nations-backed inquiry accused Russia of committing wide-ranging war crimes in Ukraine, including the forced deportations of children in areas it controls.

    Ukraine’s Prosecutor General Andriy Kostin hailed the ICC’s decision.

    “The world received a signal that the Russian regime is criminal and its leadership and henchmen will be held accountable,” he said in a statement on social media. “This is a historic decision for Ukraine and the entire system of international law.”

    James Bays, Al Jazeera’s diplomatic editor, described the ICC’s move as “very serious”.

    He said there were many who welcomed the announcement but there were others who raised questioned whether this would be a problem for diplomacy going forward.

    “Now you have the head of state of Russia, a permanent member of the UN Security Council, who is now a wanted man by the ICC,” he said.

    “This is going to be a headache for some of those who are going to have to deal with President Putin – how are other countries going to deal with him?” Bays added. “Will President Putin be able to travel?”

  • Cristiano Ronaldo’s wife breaks down as she recounts death of son

    Cristiano Ronaldo’s wife breaks down as she recounts death of son

    Georgina Rodriguez, the partner of Cristiano Ronaldo, broke down when she retold the story of how her infant son passed on last year.

    The couple agonisingly lost a child last year in one of the lowest moments of their lives.

    She was due to give birth to twins, but only one – the girl – survived.

    Appearing in the second season of her Netflix documentary, I am Georgina, Rodriguez is expected to shed more light on the incident when the series officially debuts on March 24.

    In the trailer, a picture of her holding the surviving baby, Bella Esmeralda sends her into a whirlwind of emotions. She admits that her adorable baby girl gives her the strength to carry on.

    “Life is hard. Life continues. I have reason to carry on and be strong,” Rodriguez said, as quoted by the Sun.

    The 29-year-old model also thanks Ronaldo for his immense contribution during their trying times. “Cris encouraged me massively to carry on with all my commitments. He said: ‘Carry on with your life. It’s going to do you good’.

    ” The first season of the TV series had six episodes. Rodriguez relocated to Saudi Arabia after Ronaldo signed for Al-Nassr, following the termination of his contract at Manchester United.

    Inside Ronaldo’s chapel

    Sports Brief also reported on Ronaldo revealing how his ritual of speaking to his late father and son inspires him to become a better human being. The Al-Nassr captain is widely considered one of the greatest footballers to have graced the sport thanks to his impressive achievements.

    Despite being on the wrong side of 38, Ronaldo has not lost his passion and continues to aspire for greatness even in the twilight of his career.

    He was recently adjudged the Saudi Professional League’s Player of the Month for February after notching eight goals in only four games.

  • Madrid’s keeper wants to avoid these two teams in the Champions League Quarter Finals

    Madrid’s keeper wants to avoid these two teams in the Champions League Quarter Finals

    Goalkeeper Thibault Courtois of Real Madrid claims he wants to avoid playing any of the remaining English teams in the quarterfinals of the Champions League.

    On Wednesday night at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium, the Belgian keeper was in net as Los Blancos defeated Liverpool 1-0.

    In their quest to retain their European championship, Carlo Ancelotti’s team easily advanced to the round of eight after defeating the Reds 6-2 overall.

    After crushing RB Leipzig 7-0 at the Etihad Stadium on Tuesday, Manchester City advanced to the next round. Chelsea also advanced after defeating Dortmund 2-0 at Stamford Bridge last week.

    Napoli, Inter Milan, AC Milan, Benfica, and Bayern Munich are among the other teams that are still in the running.

    Real Madrid could therefore be paired together with any of the teams in the quarter-finals but their safest pair of hands, Courtois is hoping his side will avoid Chelsea and Manchester City. “I would like to change a bit,” he said, via Daily Mail. “Last year we already faced City and Chelsea, let’s see if we play other teams this year.”

    He added: “Last year we made it clear what character we have in the team, with comebacks, we earn respect, we show that Real Madrid is always there.” Real Madrid eliminated both Chelsea and Manchester City from the Champions League last term, before beating Liverpool 1-0 in the final to win their 14th European title.

    Ancelotti doesn’t want AC Milan

    Meanwhile, Carlo Ancelotti is seeking to win back-to-back Champions League titles with Real Madrid, but the veteran manager is afraid of meeting one team in the quarter-finals.

    The 63-year-old manager guided the Spanish giants into the last eight with ease after Los Blancos swept aside Liverpool 6-2 on aggregate, as they push to defend their European title. According to Sempremilan, Ancelotti revealed he would prefer to avoid playing his former club, AC Milan when the draws for the UCL quarter-finals are conducted on March 17.

    Real Madrid respect Liverpool

    A familiar tune rang out at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium after Real Madrid’s 1-0 win over Liverpool on Wednesday night, Sports Brief previously reported.

  • Dele Alli: Besiktas banishes former Tottenham midfielder

    Dele Alli: Besiktas banishes former Tottenham midfielder

    Dele Alli, a former Tottenham midfielder, dominated the Premier League after moving to Spurs from MK Dons in 2015. He won back-to-back PFA Young Player of the Year awards in his first two seasons in the top flight. His final significant international performance for his nation came with the Three Lions at the FIFA World Cup in Russia in 2018. He has played for England 37 times overall.

    Alli’s career has fallen apart since he assisted the North London club in their run to the 2019 UEFA Champions League final, which they lost to Liverpool, another English club, in what many consider to be the most dull UCL final ever.

    Alli banished from Besiktas squad

    As reported by Sky Sports, Alli joined Everton in the winter window of 2022 and after failing to make an impact, he was shipped out on loan to Besiktas in July that year, with certain conditions to make the deal permanent.

    He has also failed to make an impact in Turkey and will likely return to the Toffees in the summer. With the English club battling relegation, they now also need to find a solution for their investment gone wrong – a player they spent £40 million on. As reported by Turkish publication, Takvim, the 26-year-old has been banished from the club’s matchday squad and will be in the stands until the end of the season, at which point he will return to England.

    This news brings to mind the advice given to the versatile midfielder by Jose Mourinho, who said in an interview that Alli would regret not demanding more of himself, reported by Marca. ”I don’t expect [Alli] to be the man of the match every game or to score in every game.

    I just want to tell you that you will regret it. You should demand more of yourself, not me [demanding] more of you, not me. Not anyone. You. You have to demand more from yourself,” the Special One said at the time.

    Manager disappointed with Alli

    The banishment of Alli was a long time coming. In January, Sports Brief reported on Besiktas boss, Senol Gunes giving a worrying update on the player. At the time, the Turkish club boss admitted the England midfielder was no longer deserving of playing for the team due to his concerning lack of form.

    Gunes was the seventh manager to have issues with Alli after coaches including Mauricio Pochettino, Ryan Mason, Antonio Conte, and Frank Lampard.

  • Sammy Kuffour, John Paintsil breaks down in tears after filing past Atsu’s body

    Sammy Kuffour, John Paintsil breaks down in tears after filing past Atsu’s body

    Sammy Kuffour, John Paintsil, and Yaw Acheampong, all ex-football players from Ghana, could not contain their sobs as they passed the mortal remains of their late colleague, Christian Atsu.

    Videos show the former football players sobbing as they approach Atsu’s body to say goodbye to him.

    At the State House in Accra’s forecourt, the body of the former Newcastle United player lies in state as friends, former teammates, and the nation as a whole pay their respects.

    Following an earthquake that struck Turkey on February 6, 2023, Christian Atsu passed away in February after his lifeless body was discovered in the ruins of his collapsed apartment in Hatay.

    The former Ghanaian International in his 7 years international career played at the World Cup and help Ghana finish second in the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations, in which he won the best player of the tournament.

  • I could trust you in everything, my everyday guy – Wakaso sends passionate tribute to Christian Atsu

    I could trust you in everything, my everyday guy – Wakaso sends passionate tribute to Christian Atsu

    Mubarak Wakaso, a midfielder for the Black Stars, has acknowledged that it will take him some time to adjust to the loss of his close friend Christian Atsu.

    In a tribute to his deceased friend, Mubarak Wakaso shared the emotional pain he has been going through ever since it was announced that Christian Atsu had passed away.

    He recalled some of their enjoyable times together while acknowledging that he would find it challenging to move on from this experience.

    “It’s so difficult for me to express in words how I am feeling. Since hearing about the earthquake on 6th February, I had hope that you were still alive. I never believed that this hope would turn into sadness. You were my everyday guy, my friend, my brother. We played together, we laughed together we ate together.

    “You were someone who I trusted in everything because in a good or bad situation, you was always there for me. I have been here just looking at our pictures, reading our messages, watching our videos. All I have now is the memories in which I will cherish forever. Rest in perfect peace, Love from your brother Wakaso Mubarak,” he said.

    Wakaso was among a host of former teammates of Christian Atsu present at his funeral held at the forecourt of the State House on Friday, 17 March 2023.

    Wakaso arrived with the likes of Muntari, Sammy Kuffour, Sulley Muntari, John Mensah and a host of others.

    Christian Atsu passed in February after his lifeless body was recovered from the rubble of his collapsed apartment in Hatay following an earthquake that struck Turkey on February 6, 2023.

    The former Ghanaian International in his 7 years international career played at the World Cup and help Ghana finish second in the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations, in which he won the best player of the tournament.

  • Collapse of USA’s Silicon Valley should be a lesson for Ghana – KPMG Senior Partner

    Collapse of USA’s Silicon Valley should be a lesson for Ghana – KPMG Senior Partner

    Anthony Sarpong, a senior partner at the accounting and auditing firm KPMG Ghana, has counselled the Bank of Ghana and other central banks in Africa to view the failure of banks in developed countries as a warning to the banking industry to avoid a similar situation in the future.

    Maintaining sufficient liquidity to cover customer withdrawals, in his opinion, is one way to stop bank failure.

    He said the failure of those banks is a wake-up call that must not be disregarded in an interview with Joy Business following the collapse of US Bank, Silicon Valley Bank, and other larger financial institutions.

    However, he expressed assurance that the steps taken by the Bank of Ghana to support banks will be successful.

    “You noticed that the regulator has taken swift action to contain the effect of what is happening in the United States on the banking sector and any potential spill-over. So we won’t expect any effects”.

    “However, it’s a developing situation and therefore must be watched with caution so that the fear it triggered in the US does not have a negative impact on Ghanaian banks as we go through our own challenges, he explained.

    Furthermore, Mr. Sarpong urged the Bank of Ghana to ensure sufficient liquidity in the banking industry.

    “The main area is to ensure sufficient liquidity of the banks, and the Bank of Ghana has assured of liquidity support to our banks. So one will be sure that we won’t go through a similar situation as we go on with our own debt restructuring”..

    On March 10, Silicon Valley Bank, one of the most prominent lenders in the start-up ecosystem, collapsed.

  • Ashaiman incident: Between the police and military whose Intelligence-led operation do you trust the most?

    Ashaiman incident: Between the police and military whose Intelligence-led operation do you trust the most?

    Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) says, on March 7th, 2023, their personnel carried out a raid in Ashaiman that “was not targeted at innocent civilians but was an intelligence-led operation conducted on suspected criminal hideouts and crime-prone areas in the general area.”

    “Following the operations at Ashaiman-Taifa and Tulaku, the military personnel picked up about 184 suspects aged between 21 and 47 years old.”

    The Greater Accra Region’s Ashiaman Taifa is where a male adult was reportedly discovered lying dead on March 4, 2023, according to the Ghana Police Service.

    Additionally, it carried out  “painstaking intelligence-led operations”  detained suspects Safianu Musah alias Dayorgu and Ibrahim Abdul Rakib on March 9, and then detained Samuel Tetteh alias Wiper, Abubakar Sadick alias Birdman, Yussif Mohammed, and Abdul Gafaru Abdul Karim.

    Have you followed the developments? What do you say of the two ‘intelligence-led’ investigations? Between the military and the police, which institution do you say conducted an intelligence-led investigation?

  • You are never really gone as part of you is within the kids – Widow of Christian Atsu

    You are never really gone as part of you is within the kids – Widow of Christian Atsu

    Marie-Claire Rupio, the late Black Stars player’s wife, has expressed sadness over the death of her husband, Christian Atsu.

    In a tribute, the widow stated that since losing her devoted husband, her life has not been the same.

    Marie-Claire Rupio stated that she would use Christian Atsu’s love as her example and that she would continue to love him even after he passed away.

    “In life, I love you dearly. In death, I do the same. It breaks my heart to lose you. You did not go alone, for part of me went with you.

    “Your love is still my guide, and though I cannot see you are always on my side. You were always so full of life,” she said on Friday.

    The widow further noted that “I see you in our children’s smile. You are never really gone as part of you is within them. You are loved beyond words and missed beyond measure. But as you always say, God win.”

    You didn’t go alone, part of me went with you – Widow of Christian Atsu

    Atsu, 31, was found dead on February 18, 2023, following the devastating earthquake in Turkey and Syria on February 6, which killed more than 50,000 people in both countries.

    His last club was the Hatayspor club.

  • Akwamu-Senchi Apaaso residents saves baby dumped in a public toilet

    Akwamu-Senchi Apaaso residents saves baby dumped in a public toilet

    A newborn baby girl was reportedly dumped in a public restroom in Akwamu-Senchi Apaaso, an outlying area of Asuogyaman district in Ghana’s Eastern region, according to information obtained by the Nyankonton Mu Nsem news desk.

    The infant was pushed into a pit full of tissues, pads, and other items through a water closet pot that was broken at the base.

    When neighbours heard a baby crying for assistance, they forced their way through a portion of the lavatory structure to save him.

    Later, the police were notified, and a probe was started.
    Locals have called the situation unfortunate and asked the police to look into it and apprehend the offender.

    Several of them wondered why someone would dump the baby in the toilet when several others were in search of a child.

  • Christian Atsu’s humility worth emulating – Kwabena Yeboah

    Christian Atsu’s humility worth emulating – Kwabena Yeboah

    Since Christian Atsu’s passing was reported in February, comments about his selflessness have poured in.

    Today, the deceased Hatayspor player’s family, friends, football players, and prominent figures, including President Akufo-Addo, gathered to pay their respects.

    Veteran commentator Kwabena Yeboah was one of them. He walked past the body this morning as the funeral for the former Black Stars player was taking place on the grounds of the State House in Accra.

    Mr. Yeboah praised Christian’s humility in his interview , noting that he was at the height of his success.

    For him, the late footballer’s humility is worth emulating.

    “He never allowed his fame and well to get into his head. Often times when footballers get very famous, they tend to be a bit haughty and they tend to be a bit super zealous. He never ever got to that point. He never forgot his roots,” he added.

    Atsu, 31, was found dead on February 18, 2023, following the devastating earthquake in Turkey and Syria on February 6, which killed more than 50,000 people in both countries.

    His last club was Hatayspor club.

  • John Mahama, son receive loud cheers as they file past Christian Atsu’s casket

    John Mahama, son receive loud cheers as they file past Christian Atsu’s casket

    When former President John Dramani Mahama arrived at the burial site of late Ghanaian footballer Christian Atsu, there were raucous cheers for him.

    Sharaf Mahama, a football player, and his father John Mahama were warmly welcomed by the crowd when they arrived.

    Prior to taking his seat, John Mahama made introductions to the dignitaries in attendance as well as the family of Christian Atsu.

    To pay their final respects to Atsu, Mahama and his son Sharaf also made their way past the coffin.

    When the body of Christian Atsu was first discovered on February 16, 2023, John Mahama paid glowing tributes to him.

    “We all held our breaths, and we prayed as we heard the miracles of people pulled out of the rubble. We prayed that ours would be one of those miracles, too. Alas, it was not to be. But in all, we give thanks to the almighty God for giving Atsu to us even for the short 31 years of his life.

    “At this time, Lordina and I extend our deepest condolences to his family and the football fraternity in Ghana,” he shared on Facebook.

    Christian Atsu passed in February after his lifeless body was recovered from the rubble of his collapsed apartment in Hatay following an earthquake that struck Turkey on February 6, 2023.

    The former Ghanaian International in his 7 years international career played at the World Cup and help Ghana finish second in the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations, in which he won the best player of the tournament.

    He scored 10 goals in 65 appearances.

  • IWD: MTN Corporate Communications team celebrates with Women in PR Ghana

    IWD: MTN Corporate Communications team celebrates with Women in PR Ghana

    On March 8, 2023, as part of celebrations commemorating this year’s International Women’s Day, the Corporate Communications Team of MTN Ghana hosted PR specialists of Women in PR Ghana (IWD).

    Themed “Digital: Embracing Innovation and Technology as PR Women” the event saw MTN’s Corporate Communications Team engage and interact with over 40 young professionals from Women in PR Ghana, a professional networking organisation committed to educating, mentoring, and empowering female PR professionals and students.

    The panel discussion, which was moderated by Lorrencia Adam Nkrumah, Communications Coordinator at Barry Callebaut had panellists including Gina Asare Fiagbenu – Senior Manager, Corporate Communications; Efua Falconer – Manager, Corporate Communications; Afua Serwaa Asafo-Adjei – Communication Advisor-Media Relations, Olivia Mifetu – Internal Communications and Sophia Tandoh – Regulatory Advisor at MTN Ghana.

    MTN Corporate Communications team marks IWD with Women in PR Ghana

    Gina Asare Fiagbenu spoke about the importance of IWD and hosting PR professionals, saying it was crucial for seasoned PR professionals to mentor, nurture, and empower the upcoming generation of female professionals to assume leadership roles in Ghana’s public relations industry.

    She said, “Over the years, the Public Relations industry has seen remarkable growth and advancement and as the profession continues to evolve and the younger generation explores careers in Public Relations and Communications, we need to push it forward by mentoring and nurturing them.

    “With the advent of innovation and technology, the profession has become more exciting and interesting and opened up new frontiers. Technology continues to help us do better and work more effectively and efficiently as PR professionals.”

    She urged the younger generation to take advantage of the expanding opportunities in the digital age to learn and get ready for the workforce.

    Young PR professionals attending the event will have the chance to learn from seasoned professionals who have set the standard for the PR industry, according to Faith Senam Ocloo, founder of Women in PR Ghana.

    MTN Corporate Communications team marks IWD with Women in PR Ghana

    She said it is good to learn from the best and express gratitude to MTN for opening its doors to them. She urged young and aspiring professionals to be willing to learn and serve. 

    Discussions focused on the critical role the Corporate Communications team plays in MTN, managing work-life balance, building a PR career, navigating conflicts, issues management, embracing and leveraging technology and innovation in PR, leadership, managing crisis, and media relations, among others.

    The team also recognized the value MTN plays in Public Relations and the significant contributions MTN has made towards investing and supporting their work.

    The MTN panel noted that the overarching theme of the 2023 International Women’s Day falls right in line with MTN’s Ambition 2025 strategy of leading digital solutions for Africa’s progress and how they are leveraging the power of innovation, technology, innovative Public Relations trends, and digital touchpoints to enhance reputation management and to engage with customers in today’s digital world.

  • GUBA Foundation donates hospital beds in honour of Lady Dentaa’s 40th birthday

    GUBA Foundation donates hospital beds in honour of Lady Dentaa’s 40th birthday

    A delivery bed and two hospital beds were donated to the Glidzi CHPS Compound at Klikor in the Ketu South Municipality of the Volta Region by the GUBA Foundation in collaboration with PayAngel.

    The gift, which was made in honour of GUBA Enterprise president and CEO Dentaa Amoateng MBE’s 40th birthday, will help the region’s healthcare system.

    Both the Obogu Community Clinic, which is close to Juaso and where Dentaa was born, and the Juaso Government Hospital received the same kind gesture.

    In all, four beds were given to the Juaso Government Hospital and two beds to the Obogu Health Centre.

    GUBA Foundation donates hospital beds to mark Lady Dentaa’s 40th birthday

    The various donations are part of Lady Dentaa’s commitment to improving healthcare in Ghana, as well as her dedication to supporting efforts that promote the welfare of people.

    Commenting on the motivation for the donation, Lady Dentaa said, “The best way to celebrate is to give to those who lack. 40 years of life has been phenomenal and I want to continue impacting society and humanity.”

    GUBA Foundation donates hospital beds to mark Lady Dentaa’s 40th birthday

    “We are grateful for the opportunity to partner with PayAngel to make this donation to the Klikor Clinic,” said Lady Dentaa.

    Divisional Chief of Klikor, Togbe Agbeli Akpalu said, “We hope that these new beds will help provide a better experience for mothers who deliver at the clinic.”

    GUBA Foundation donates hospital beds to mark Lady Dentaa’s 40th birthday

    “We are pleased to be part of this donation to this clinic,” said Delali Kotoka, Business Relations Manager, PayAngel.

    He added, “We believe that access to proper healthcare is essential to the development of any community, and we are committed to supporting causes that promote this.”

    GUBA Foundation donates hospital beds to mark Lady Dentaa’s 40th birthday

    The Klikor Clinic has been providing healthcare services to the community for many years, but the facility unfortunately, did not have adequate beds for mothers who deliver there. 

    Dentaa and PayAngel recognised the need and donated the beds to improve the comfort and care provided to mothers and their newborns.

  • Christian Atsu was ‘uniquely’ consistent with his tithe – George Afriyie

    Christian Atsu was ‘uniquely’ consistent with his tithe – George Afriyie

    Former GFA vice president George Afriyie has revealed that late Black Stars forward Christian Atsu was a man who never made light of his tithing while he was alive.

    Atsu perished in the deadly earthquake that struck Turkey, which claimed many lives. It took 12 days for his dead body to be found after the Ghanaian international was buried beneath the debris.

    Speaking on Friday, March 17, at the player’s final funeral rites, Afriyie recalled his favourite moment with the 31-year-old while he was still alive.

    “There is always one thing that I will always not forget. Tony [Appiah] will tell me that ‘George, Atsu and his tithe, he doesn’t miss them.’, he said.

    “As for his calculations, he doesn’t miss and he will make sure that the 10% is paid per what the Christian faith believes. This is so unique.”

    In his final match as a player, Atsu helped Hatayspor defeat Kasimpasa 1-0. The Ghanaian scored the game’s only goal with a beautiful free kick.

  • Ghana’s problems are not due to the 1992 constitution – Dr Stephen Amoah

    Ghana’s problems are not due to the 1992 constitution – Dr Stephen Amoah

    Ghana’s 1992 Constitution, according to Dr. Stephen Amoah, deputy minister-designate for trade and industry, has done “tremendously well” in terms of safeguarding and managing the nation’s fiscal space.

    Despite the numerous economic setbacks the nation has experienced over the years, the 1992 constitution, in his opinion, has done a great deal to maintain the country’s economy.

    The Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA) in Accra hosted the GIMPA Law Conference 2023 on Tuesday. Dr. Amoah delivered a presentation at the conference.

    Held under the theme: “The 1992 Constitution of Ghana @ 30; Taking Stock, Assessing Progress and Reflecting on the Future”, the event brought together experts as well as thought leaders across various facets of the country’s economy to discuss the impact of the country’s constitution on the socioeconomic life of the citizens.

    In his presentation, Dr. Stephen Amoah, who also doubles as the Member of Parliament (MP) for the Nhyieaso Constituency in the Ashanti Region, noted that “most of our challenges as a country comes to this point of how our fiscal space is managed by government”.

    “Here in Ghana, we have been experiencing ‘negative effective tax rates’. It doesn’t matter who is in government. Prior to the Covid-19 and Russia-Ukraine war, all revenues generated by government has always been less than how much it has spent. Government always spends more than it earns. But the constitution has made provisions such that governments are forced to spend only within a certain means.”

    Citing the issue of taxes and waivers, the lawmaker stressed that “if not for the constitution, successive governments would have abused tax privileges”, and added that the constitution “has put a check on all activities of those in authority in that government cannot wake up and impose taxes.”

    According to Dr. Amoah, “this common saying that the private sector is the engine of growth has proven to be true in all modern economies. There is a global shift from socialism to capitalism and this has been successful as a result of the supporting constitution of the Republic of Ghana.”

    He also added that the constitution has ensured the socioeconomic freedoms of all citizens in that it makes provisions for every person to “work under satisfactory, safe and healthy conditions and to receive equal pay for equal work without distinction of any kind”.

    This, he opined, would have been worse, especially considering the kind of political culture we experience in Ghana.

    “The Constitution has helped us as a country to properly manage our funds. It has provided everything we need as a country and has also contributed immensely towards building this beautiful country of ours”, he concluded.

  • IMF has vindicated us – NPP’s Amaning reiterates govt’s blame of economic woes on COVID and Russia-Ukraine war

    IMF has vindicated us – NPP’s Amaning reiterates govt’s blame of economic woes on COVID and Russia-Ukraine war

    Paul Amaning, a member of the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) communication team, said that even the IMF’s managing director had said Ghana was on track for sustainable growth, barring exogenous shocks like COVID-19 and the Russia-Ukraine war.

    He emphasised that the NPP government has provided significant infrastructure to every sector of the economy.

    If not for the current global financial crisis, according to him, the government had a clear vision for the country and was on track to carry it out.

    He claims that whenever he hears the NDC criticizing wasteful spending, even though they are well aware of the fact that the government has invested in every area of the economy, they always seem to forget that many public employees have been working from home for close to a year as a result of COVID-19 while still receiving their salaries. Even though Ghanaians had their power costs cut in half, the country’s tax revenue was negatively impacted since businesses stopped operating.

    “But in all, we were vindicated by the IMF Boss. Do you remember she used Ghana as an example for countries that had tangent growth that would have been sustainable but was affected due to external factors”, he told Movement Tv.

    “This is a clear indication that government has better plans for the country which has been affected by external crisis. There are some countries where workers did not receive salaries. But ours is different due to the leadership of Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo”, he added.

  • Mbappe could be new France captain -Deschamps confirms

    Mbappe could be new France captain -Deschamps confirms

    Didier Deschamps, the head coach, has declared Kylian Mbappe as the front-runner to be the next captain of France on Thursday.

    Hugo Lloris’ retirement from international football means that Deschamps will need a new captain for the upcoming Euro 2024 qualifying matches against the Netherlands and the Republic of Ireland.

    Following the World Cup, where France lost to Argentina in the championship game, Lloris resigned from his position as a national team player. Mbappe, the tournament’s top scorer, is regarded as possessing leadership qualities.

    “There are some that I consider possible,” said Deschamps. “Kylian is one of them.

    “This will go through discussions with them before I make my decision. There is a responsibility in relation to being captain, with a little more important responsibility, but I want to have this discussion internally before I make my decision.”

    Deschamps cast doubt on Adrien Rabiot being in the picture to lead Les Bleus.

    He said of the Juventus midfielder: “Even if he has some experience, we know him well, as it is he has a possible form of leadership. But the captaincy, I don’t know if he really wants it deep down. To let him stay as he is already will be very good.”

    Deschamps left out Axel Disasi and Matteo Guendouzi as he named a 23-player group for the games at home to the Dutch on March 24 and away to the Irish on March 27.

    He could hand first caps to Chelsea defender Wesley Fofana, Nice midfielder Khephren Thuram and Lens goalkeeper Brice Samba, who all earned call-ups.

    Khephren Thuram joins brother Marcus in the squad, with the sons of France great Lilian in contention to feature alongside each other in the national side.

    Deschamps summoned Milan veteran Olivier Giroud, with the 36-year-old having elected not to retire from France duty after the World Cup, where he became the team’s all-time record scorer.

    “As long as he maintains his level of performance with his club and remains eligible for selection, he is there,” Deschamps said.

    A string of players Deschamps could have called upon are sidelined due to injury, including Ousmane Dembele, Paul Pogba, N’Golo Kante and Christopher Nkunku.

    Deschamps said of Pogba and Kante: “I always remain positive and knowing NG and Paul, they will do everything to become competitive again.”

    Looking at the qualification task facing France, Deschamps said: “We must not tell ourselves that we are already qualified for the Euros because we were in the final of the World Cup. We must not rest on our laurels.”

    France squad:

    Alphonse Areola (West Ham), Mike Maignan (Milan), Brice Samba (Lens); Eduardo Camavinga (Real Madrid), Wesley Fofana (Chelsea), Theo Hernandez (Milan), Ibrahima Konate (Liverpool), Jules Kounde (Barcelona), Benjamin Pavard (Bayern Munich), William Saliba (Arsenal), Dayot Upamecano (Bayern Munich); Youssouf Fofana (Monaco), Adrien Rabiot (Juventus), Aurelien Tchouameni (Real Madrid), Khephren Thuram (Nice), Jordan Veretout (Marseille); Kingsley Coman (Bayern Munich), Moussa Diaby (Bayer Leverkusen), Olivier Giroud (Milan), Antoine Griezmann (Atletico Madrid), Randal Kolo Muani (Eintracht Frankfurt), Kylian Mbappe (Paris Saint-Germain), Marcus Thuram (Borussia Monchengladbach).

  • Pre-World Cup worries nearly led Southgate to resign

    Pre-World Cup worries nearly led Southgate to resign

    Before the World Cup, England manager Gareth Southgate had concerns about his future, but he is now focused on winning the Euro 2024.

    The Three Lions were one of the tournament’s most impressive teams up until they lost 2-1 to eventual runners-up France in the quarterfinals in Qatar.

    Despite this, some people had questioned his status in light of England’s dismal performance leading up to the World Cup.

    Following victories in March 2022 in friendlies against Switzerland and Ivory Coast, England lost all six of its Nations League games, including a humiliating 4-0 loss to Hungary at home.

    Southgate was optimistic after a 3-3 draw with Germany in September, but he acknowledged he was close to calling it a day.

    “The doubts I had came before the [World Cup], really,” Southgate told reporters after naming his squad for the upcoming Euro 2024 qualifiers against Italy and Ukraine.

    “I spoke about this a couple of months ago so I’m going over old ground, but I never wanted to be a divisive figure, in terms of me doing the job affecting the performance of the team.

    “Then there would be a debate where people say ‘I’d rather you lose so you’re gone’. I did worry before the World Cup whether I should say I was going at the end, to allow the team the freedom to play.

    “I decided not to do that, because when we left Wembley after the Germany game there was an uplift with the mood, and we’ve always known where we stand with the players.

    “I also wanted to show that you’ve got to come through tough spells as a manager, I’m not going to duck a challenge just because there’s criticism.

    “But if there’s not the level of support and it starts to affect the team, that’s something I’m conscious of and that was my thought well ahead of Qatar.“

    Having committed to staying on for the Euros in Germany next year, Southgate is now looking for a fresh start as he set out his aim for England to go a step further than they managed in the delayed Euro 2020 tournament, when they lost to Italy on penalties in the final.

    “I think it’s right to assess after a tournament,” he added. “We have to start from scratch.

    “We have some great experiences over the last few years, which mean being European champions is a realistic aim.

    “But we’re starting from the beginning again, and we’ve got to find the hunger to qualify.

    “We’ve got two crucial games and we need everybody firing for two really difficult qualifiers.”

    Southgate stuck with the majority of his World Cup squad for the first fixtures of 2023, though Trent Alexander-Arnold and Ben White both missed out, with Conor Coady replaced by March Guehi.

    Ivan Toney was included despite an ongoing Football Association (FA) investigation into alleged breaches of gambling rules, while Raheem Sterling was absent due to injury.