It seems to be a pleasant walk for the Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa ahead of the primaries of the National Democratic Congress (NDC).
By the nomination deadline on Saturday, February 25, 2023, only the party’s third-term MP, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa had picked a form to run for the party’s seat in the North Tongu elections in 2024.
“We are running unopposed in the North Tongu NDC Parliamentary Primaries.
“Another reason to serve my beloved constituents better, stronger, harder & more innovatively.
“As you very well know, I don’t & will never take your support for granted. Glory be to God,” Mr Ablakwa wrote on his Facebook wall after nominations closed on Saturday.
The NDC, ahead of the 2024 presidential and parliamentary elections, has slated its primaries for May 13, 2023.
Mr Okudzeto Ablakwa was first elected in 2012.
He has also served as deputy minister for information and communication.
He is regarded as one of the most active MPs in the current 8th Parliament of Ghana’s Fourth Republic.
The absence of competition for Mr Ablakwa effectively means his fourth term bid is inching closer since North Tongu is classified as a safe seat of the NDC, being located in the party’s stronghold.
After shocking a success-starved Newcastle to victory in the Carabao Cup final,Manchester United is now rejoicing over winning the first significant trophy of the Erik ten Hag era.
Both teams entered the game hoping for a win that would serve as the impetus for a better future, but it was the steadily improving Red Devils who came out on top under the arch.
In a 2-0 victory over Newcastle at Wembley, Casemiro’s header and an own goal by Sven Botman put an end to United’s trophy drought, which had lasted since 2017.
Things could have been so different for Eddie Howe’s men had David De Gea not been alert to deny Allan Saint-Maximin’s close-range shot late in the first half.
Within seven minutes of that save the Red Devils had control of the final, with Casemiro heading home Luke Shaw’s free-kick before Botman deflected a Marcus Rashford strike over Loris Karius.
The third-choice goalkeeper, making his debut and first competitive appearance in 728 days, denied Wout Weghorst putting the game to bed in first-half stoppage time.
Newcastle returned brightly from the break but were unable to mount a comeback, extending their wait for a first trophy since their 1969 Inter-Cities Fairs Cup triumph.
As for the victors, Ten Hag’s first ever trip to Wembley saw him join Jose Mourinho as the only United managers to win a major trophy in their first season.
More could yet follow this season given the Dutchman’s transformational impact on the culture and quality at Old Trafford.
The sides were greeted by an incredible din at a packed Wembley, where expectant fans twirled red scarves at one end as a sea of black and white flags fluttered at the other.
The atmosphere translated into an intense, open start, only for poor decision-making to see moves break down.
There was no danger of Karius being beaten by United’s first shot on target as Weghorst failed to make clean contact under pressure, before easily holding onto an Antony attempt.
United fans turned their attention to their owners as the half wore on, with “we want Glazers out” bellowed in front of watching co-owner Avram Glazer.
A couple of breaks in play for treatment took the sting out of a final that had lost its early intensity, only for Newcastle’s first shot on target to spark a frantic conclusion to the half.
After a cross flew across the face of goal, Saint-Maximin took possession at the far post, jinked past Diogo Dalot and forced De Gea into an important stop from close range.
That 32nd-minute save proved a key moment as United were soon 2-0 up.
The first goal came after returning Bruno Guimaraes fouled Rashford on the left, with Shaw whipping in a fine free-kick that Casemiro met with a powerful header past Karius.
A nervy wait followed to check an offside, with the Brazilian punching the air when it was given the green light.
It was a gut punch that United quickly followed up in front of the dejected Newcastle end.
On-loan Weghorst smartly played through Rashford to get away a hopeful strike that was heading wide until Botman’s block inadvertently sent the ball looping over the goalkeeper.
Dan Burn headed narrowly off target as Newcastle attempted to claw one back, but they would have been further behind in stoppage time had Karius not superbly tipped over Weghorst’s effort from distance.
Dalot, who had been booked for a ninth-minute challenge on fleet-footed Saint-Maximin, was replaced by Aaron Wan-Bissaka at half-time, while Alexander Isak came on for Sean Longstaff.
Howe’s side were looking brighter as United slowed the tempo against a side Ten Hag had called “annoying” for their time-wasting antics in the build-up.
Newcastle could not turn possession into clear-cut chances, with inspired introduction Wan-Bissaka and Lisandro Martinez proving immovable objects.
Karius got down well to stop Rashford fizzing home from distance and dealt with a long-range Wan-Bissaka attempt as play became stretched with Howe’s side chasing a goal.
Newcastle saw penalty appeals overlooked and substitute Jacob Murphy fizzed a stunning long-range effort just wide.
The match ended with captain Harry Maguire being brought on, renewed chants against the Glazers, Karius denying Bruno Fernandes and De Gea becoming United’s record clean sheet holder with 181 shut-outs.
Thomas Partey’s return from injury, is believed to be a bump up for Ghana’s Black Stars as the team readies for AFCON 2023 qualifiers against Angola.
The Ghanaian midfielder participated in Arsenal’s 1-0 Premier League victory over Leicester City after being substituted in.
The Gunners lost three points to the defending champions because Partey was unable to play due to an injury sustained before their match against Manchester City.
The former Atletico Madrid player did not play in Arsenal’s 4-2 victory over Aston Villa last weekend.
However, Partey came on to replace Martin Odegaard in the 82nd minute as Arsenal were leading by a goal.
The Ghanaian played 13 minutes of action in the game and brought more stability to midfield for the Gunners.
Partey nearly created a goal-scoring chance in added time when he sent a cross to Eddie Nketiah but the ball was intercepted.
His injury comeback is huge boost for the Black Stars as new coach Chris Hughton prepares ahead of next month’s AFCON 2023 qualifiers against Angola.
Partey has been a key player for Arsenal this season, making 19 appearances and scoring two goals for the Gunnersin the English Premier League.
Brazilian forward, Gabriel Martinelli scored the only goal of the match a minute into the second half with an assist from Leandro Trossard whose earlier goal was ruled out by the Video Assistant Referee.
Arsenal are currently top of the table in the Premier League.
Inaki Williams, a forward for Athletic Bilbao, claims he doesn’t regret moving from Spain to Ghana.
In June 2022, the 28-year-old changed teams to play for the Black Stars. He was a member of the Ghanaian team that competed in the World Cup in Qatar.
Inaki Williams previously represented the Spanish national team before changing his nationality to Ghana.
“It’s incredible what I’ve had to experience since I decided to go with Ghana. I don’t regret anything. It’s continuous learning. I really enjoy watching young people like Kudus, who is exceptional. I’m very proud to be part of that group,” he said.
Inaki Williams has yet to score for the West African powerhouse since making his debut in November against Brazil in a friendly.
Since he returned from Qatar with a World Cup winner’s medal, the midfield wizard has been linked with a move away from the Seagulls, and Pep Guardiola could seize the opportunity when the transfer window opens.
The South Coast side’s 24-year-old Mac Allister has played in 19 Premier League matches this season, and he has five goals to his name as Roberto De Zerbi’s team keeps winning.
With two games remaining, Brighton, who is currently ranked eighth, has a chance to pass Fulham and Liverpool.
And the Argentina international has been a key part of a high-pressing setup that has seen the club pick up impressive wins over Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester United in 2022-23.
Guardiola believes the midfielder would be the perfect addition to his world-class squad and would be willing to meet Brighton’s £70 million valuation.
The Spaniard is keen to freshen up his squad after a mediocre season so far has left the champions chasing Arsenal for the Premier League title.
Mac Allister’s contract runs until 2025, putting the Seagulls in control of the situation ahead of what is set to be another busy summer of spending for most clubs.
After more than ten years away, the seasoned left-back, who began his career with the Campeonato Brasileiro Serie A team, has returned to Brazil.
He progressed through the Rio de Janeiro team’s youth ranks before making his senior debut for them in 2005. He stayed with them until 2007.
After that, he joined Madrid, where he played an important role for the next 15 years and eventually became the most decorated player in Los Blancos’ history.
After leaving the Santiago Bernabeu, the 34-year-old signed for the Greek team Olympiacos in September, but he ended his contract last week.
That has paved the way for his return to Fluminense, who are looking to build on last year’s third-placed finish in Serie A as they head into the 2023 campaign.
The club previously expressed an interest in signing the defender last month, with Thiago Silva also mooted as a target.
Marcelo celebrated the announcement with a post to social media, simply writing: “Back to the place where it all started.”
During his time at Madrid, the defender won an unmatched 25 honours, including six LaLiga titles and fiveChampions League crowns, winning the double during his last campaign.
At international level, he won 58 caps for Brazil between 2006 and 2018, and was a member of the squad that claimed victory at the FIFA Confederations Cup in 2013.
In addition, he was a two-time Olympic medallist with their under-23 squad, taking bronze at Beijing 2008 and silver at London 2012.
Young Ghanaian Ibrahim Osman made his professional debut for Nordsjaelland on Friday in a 4-2 victory over Odense in the Denmark Superligaen.
In the 87th minute, the young player, who was promoted to the team from the Right to Dream Academy at the beginning of the year, took Ernest Nuamah’s place.
Nordsjaelland romped to a resounding victory that extended their lead at the top of the league standings thanks to a brace from Wahid Fagir, goals from Ernest Nuamah and Emiliano Marcondes, and goals from each of those players.
Following the game, Nordsjaelland praised Osman on social media for making his debut.
“A huge congratulations to Ibrahim Osman, who recently joined Farum as an U19 player from the Right to Dream Academy in Ghana, but already made his first team debut in the final minutes of Friday’s 4-2 win over OB.”
Osman will want to emulate other Ghanaians Mohammed Kudus, Kamaldeen Sulemana, Abdul Mumin, and Maxwell Woledzi who have all distinguished themselves in European football.
Real Madrid was forced to fight back in a frustrating 1-1 draw with 10-man rivalsAtletico Madrid, and Carlo Ancelotti admitted it will be “difficult” for Los Blancos to win LaLiga.
When Atleti substitute Angel Correa was controversially dismissed with Saturday’s derby tied at 0-0, Madrid would have liked their chances of closing the gap on league leaders Barcelona to five points.
Atleti then appeared to be heading for a memorable victory when Jose Gimenez gave them the lead at the Santiago Bernabeu, but late in the game, 18-year-old forward Alvaro Rodriguez saved Madrid’s face.
Ancelotti is aware of the difficulty of Madrid’s task given that the draw gives Barcelona the opportunity to extend their lead to 10 points when they travel to Almeria on Sunday.
Asked about the title race by DAZN, Ancelotti said: “It was already very difficult before this match, now it’s more. We are going to fight until the end, that’s what I can say.
“We lacked a bit of freshness. But mentally more than physically. At 1-0, it took us 10 minutes to compose ourselves, to reposition ourselves.
“In the first half there was a lack of intensity and in the second, we reached it at the end, but we didn’t fully take advantage of the numerical superiority.”
However, Ancelotti did reserve praise for Alvaro, who became the youngest player to score in a Madrid derby in LaLiga this century (aged 18 years and 226 days).
1 – Two different Uruguayan players (Álvaro Rodríguez and José María Giménez) have scored in a derby between Real Madrid and Atlético de Madrid in LaLiga for the first time in the 21st century. Equality. pic.twitter.com/ofGwFN6pwi
Former United players Peter Schmeichel, Roy Keane, Paul Scholes, Rio Ferdinand, and Gary Neville all now work in the media and frequently examine the club’s situation.
Following Ten Hag’s Europa League victory over Barcelona this week, some of those former players have praised the team. Schmeichel referred to Ten Hag’s performance as “vintage Sir Alex Ferguson,” which prompted comparisons to previous teams.
The Dutchman acknowledged that players were burdened by constant debate and scrutiny, but he also said they needed to be able to accept it as a necessary part of the job.
“Sometimes it’s difficult for the players of today because there are so many references to the past, a big history that former players made, and I can imagine those players saying it] because they love the club; it’s part of their lives,” Ten Hag said.
“What they love is what they criticise the most, so I understand, but it sometimes affects the players; it’s clear, but I also think it’s part of our job; you have to live with criticism and see it as a gift to do better.”
“They want to help you and as a player for Manchester United, you know you have to perform, win games and trophies. That can only be possible with togetherness, you can’t do it on your own, you need the team to perform.”
Ten Hag added that the only way to handle United’s trophy-laden past was to be part of a successful future. United can claim their first piece of silverware under Ten Hag when they face Newcastle United in Sunday’s EFL Cup final.
“That’s the point, you’re a player for Manchester United and you have to create your own legacy, therefore you have to win trophies and we have that opportunity on Sunday,” he said.
Before Sunday’s EFL Cup championship match against Manchester United, Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe wants his players to become accustomed to competing for trophies in championship games.
The Magpies haven’t participated in a domestic championship game in 24 years, and they haven’t claimed a significant victory since winning the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup in 1969.
Since the ownership changed in October 2021, which allowed for increased spending on the team, expectations have grown around Newcastle. The team is currently competing for a Champions League spot, sitting fifth in the Premier League.
Since Howe’s appointment in November 2021, the Magpies improved from relegation battlers to finishing 11th in the 2021-22 campaign, with their 2022-23 league position and cup final appearance seen as another step forward which the boss wants to become the norm.
“We want the players to become accustomed to these days and expect them, not look at this final as a one-off and a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” Howe told reporters.
“In our position, that wouldn’t be a healthy way to look at this game. We want to be very controlled in our emotions, use the energy of the crowd, but also have high expectations.
“This is the future we all want and we know only hard work and staying true to our principles will earn us the right to achieve it. We hope this is the start of an era where we compete for honours on a more regular basis.”
Howe was hopeful his side could use the final as a springboard to bigger and better things but insisted that defeat would not be devastating for the club.
“Winning would help us accelerate the process, for sure, but it isn’t the be-all and end-all for what lies ahead,” he said.
“Regardless, the club is in a good place and can grow from here. Of course,we want to put pressure on ourselves to achieve. There is no part of me that’s going to Wembley just to enjoy the day.”
Thuram has scored 14 goals in all competitions this season for Gladbach, having been part of France’s 2022 World Cup squad.
Marcus Thuram’s agent has offered the French forward to Barcelona as an off-season signing, according to Mundo Deportivo.
Thuram has interest from Chelsea, Manchester United, Paris Saint-Germain, Atletico Madrid, and Inter.
Barcelona’s economic challenges mean they have prioritised signing players on free transfers in recent times with Thuram offering that plus flexibility in attack.
ROUND-UP
Fichajes claims Cristiano Ronaldo wants Sergio Ramosto join him at Saudi Arabian club Al Nassr, with the defender’s contract with PSG to expire at the end of this season. Ramos will leave it late to make a decision, holding out hope for a PSG extension.
Liverpool will battle Bayern Munich in the off-season for the signature of Juventus striker Dusan Vlahovic, reports Calciomercatoweb.
Barcelona, Real Madrid and Chelsea are all interested in Inter’s Marcelo Brozovic,with the Serie A club open to selling him, according to La Gazzetta dello Sport.
Manchester Unitedare weighing up a move for Bayer Leverkusen right-back Jeremie Frimpong, reports Football Insider. Fabrizio Romano claims numerous top clubs are interested in the Dutch defender.
La Gazzetta dello Sport claims Liverpool are tracking Inter’s Nicolo Barella as they look to bolster their midfield options.
West Ham, Fulham, Crystal Palace and Brentford are all circling for Milan forward Olivier Giroud, who is open to a return to England, claims The Sun.
At the Vitality Stadium, Manchester City easily defeated Bournemouth thanks to a sharp offensive performance, pulling back to within two points of Arsenal at the top of the Premier League standings.
After the Gunners’ victory earlier on Saturday, the champions were under pressure, but it did not show as Pep Guardiola’s team cruised to a 4-1 victory on the south coast with a performance full of style and vigour.
After City had taken a commanding lead earlier in the half thanks to goals from Julian Alvarezand Erling Haaland, Bournemouth contributed to their own demise by handing Phil Foden a goal just before halftime.
Chris Mepham’s own-goal added insult to injury for the Cherries who – for all their efforts – were outrun and outclassed.
Jerfferson Lerma’s late strike gave home supporters some momentary cheer, but this had been the champions’ day.
City opened the scoring after 15 minutes, the move beginning with a fine challenge by Rico Lewis, who started on the right of City’s midfield for his 11th appearance in the league, to win the ball out near the touchline.
From there, Ilkay Gundogan played it up to Foden, who was thwarted as he shaped to shoot but instead worked the ball to Haaland. After the striker’s effort smacked the underside of the crossbar, there was Alvarez, first onto the rebound to fire home from a yard out.
His ball into the middle again found Foden, who was knocked off it by Jordan Zemura. The defender’s intervention was in vain though, Haaland stealing in to tap home the loose ball to double City’s lead.
The visitors were cruising and had wrapped the game up before the break. The third goal was a calamity all of Bournemouth’s own doing.
Dominik Solanke failed to properly look up and played a lazy, aimless pass, square across the pitch from the touchline. That was pounced upon by Foden, alert to the opportunity, leaving him with the simple task of advancing on Neto’s goal and rolling the ball beyond the goalkeeper.
The Cherries were falling apart and their hopes of keeping the score respectable received a blow five minutes into the second half.
Lewis put in a good cross from the right which was cleared, but only as far as Foden, whose whipped ball in was blasted against Mepham by Alvarez for an own goal.
The hosts, for their troubles, fought gamely to pull a goal back, a goalmouth scramble midway through the second half leading to a VAR check for handball which ultimately did not yield a penalty.
In order to end Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, French President Emmanuel Macron has announced that he will travel to China in April.
The declaration was made on Saturday, following the publication by China of a 12-point position paper that demanded an end to the year-long conflict through a “political settlement” and a cease-fire.
At a Paris agricultural expo, Macron announced that he would travel to China in “early April.”
“The fact that China is engaging in peace efforts is a good thing,” the French leader said, stressing that peace was only possible if “Russian aggression was halted, troops withdrawn, and the territorial sovereignty of Ukraine and its people was respected”.
“China must help us put pressure on Russia so that it never uses chemical or nuclear weapons … and that it stops its aggression as a precondition for talks,” he added.
Beijing has sought to position itself as a neutral party on the conflict, even as it has maintained close ties with Russia and helped scuttle a joint statement condemning the war at a G20 gathering in India.
The Chinese position paper, published on the anniversary of the conflict, said war benefits no one and urged all parties to “support Russia and Ukraine in working in the same direction and resuming direct dialogue as quickly as possible”.
Released by the foreign ministry, the plan urges an end to Western sanctions against Russia, the establishment of humanitarian corridors for the evacuation of civilians and steps to ensure the export of grain after disruptions caused global food prices to spike last year.
It also made clear its opposition to the use and threat of deploying nuclear weapons after Russian President Vladimir Putin threatened to use Moscow’s atomic arsenal in the conflict.
Large crowds of Nigerians hoping for a fresh start after years of escalating violence and hardship under outgoing President Muhammadu Buhari were not deterred, despite the lengthy delays and scattered acts of violence that took place on Saturday in Africa’s most populous country.
The official results could be anticipated late on Sunday, according to the electoral commission. By the time it was time to count the votes, some polling places had already closed, while others were still accepting votes.
Now, Sunday is anticipated to see some voting.
Regardless of the outcome, numerous crises will arise.
Africa’s biggest democracy is struggling with rebels in the northeast, an epidemic of kidnappings for ransom, conflict between herders and farmers, shortages of cash, fuel and power, as well as deep-rooted corruption and poverty.
The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the outgoing administration have been credited for the ongoing cash and fuel crisis that has paralysed economic activity nationwide. Voters said they were showing their dissatisfaction at the polls.
“Everything that has happened in the past eight years has [been] draining for me,” Oyinkan Daramola, 29, told Al Jazeera. She declined to disclose whom she has voted for out of fear of possible reprisals but hinted at a disdain for the two dominant parties.
This was a common feeling in various locations visited by Al Jazeera across six local government areas in Lagos.
“We cannot keep doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results,” Daramola said.
Buhari, a retired army general, is stepping down after serving the maximum eight years allowed by the constitution. The main contenders to succeed him are former Lagos governor Bola Tinubu, 70, of the APC, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, 76, of the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and former Anambra State governor Peter Obi, 61, of the smaller Labour Party.
All three voted in their home states, surrounded by chaotic scrums of reporters and supporters.
Some states were expected to announce results on Sunday, and the final tally from all 36 states plus the federal capital Abuja was expected within five days of voting. National Assembly seats are also on the ballot in this election.
“Polling units in a number of areas closed and sorting and counting of ballot papers have commenced,” Mahmood Yakubu, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) chairman, said in a press briefing on Saturday evening.
Voting delays
In Mpape, a largely undeveloped but densely populated district within the capital territory, hundreds of weary voters were seen waiting to cast their votes.
“I’ve been here since 7am today just to vote. I came before the INEC officials even got here, and yet, I’m not ready to leave here until I have voted,” a 45-year-old school teacher, who gave her name only as Patricia, told Al Jazeera at approximately 3pm local time (14:00 GMT). She was one of nearly 700 people waiting to vote.
At 7pm (18:00 GMT), she was still in the queue, waiting her turn.
“I had to go home to feed my family, but I am back now,” she said. She was number 409 on the list of voters standing in the rain to cast their votes.
In Wuye District, a neighbourhood to the west of Abuja city centre, more than 100 people, mostly young, were seen still waiting to vote at nearly 8pm local time (19:00 GMT).
Officials from INEC cited technical problems with a new biometric antifraud voter accreditation system, the late arrival of vehicles to transport them and the absence of voter registers as causes of delays.
“It is frustrating that INEC are not prepared for us. All we want is just to vote,” said Sylvester Iwu, who was among a large crowd waiting at a polling station in Yenagoa, the capital of Bayelsa State in the southern oil-producing Niger Delta.
In a televised news briefing, INEC’s Yakubu said six biometric machines had been stolen in northern Katsina State and two in southern Delta State. He also acknowledged the delays but said voters would be able to cast their ballots.
“The election will hold, and no one will be disenfranchised,” he said.
Yakubu said at a later briefing that voting would take place on Sunday in several wards in Yenagoa that had experienced severe disruption on Saturday.
Morayo Ajayi, a 22-year-old undergraduate student in Akwa Ibom, said she is determined to vote for her candidate no matter how late it got.
“I don’t care if I have to sleep here, but I’m going vote for Peter Obi today,” she said. “Of course, I’ve been waiting for hours, but I don’t mind the wait. I will see this to the end,” she said.
Many youths across Nigeria are supporting the Labour Party’s candidate Peter Obi. Still, the APC’s Bola Tinubu and Atiku Abubakar of the PDP are widely seen as the candidates to beat
In Elegushi, an affluent area of Lagos, 54-year-old banker Osho Adekunle waited in line for five hours. He is voting for Tinubu because of his “antecedents” in Lagos, a fulcrum on which Tinubu’s supporters based his campaign.
“We that know about the history are not voting on sentiment but on practicality,” he said.
Voter frustration
There were reports of scattered violent incidents on Saturday, though not on the scale seen in previous elections in the country of more than 200 million people.
In northeast Borno State, suspected fighters from the Boko Haram group fired mortar shells in the rural Gwoza area, killing one child, wounding four others and disrupting voting, army sources said.
In Abuja, a team from the anti-corruption Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) was attacked by thugs just after arresting a man on suspicion of paying for a group of people’s votes using a banking app, the commission said.
In most areas, however, the day appeared to have unfolded peacefully despite frustrations over the delays.
An INEC official holds up a ballot paper during the counting process at a polling station in Egbeda, Lagos, during Nigeria’s presidential and general election [Benson Ibeabuchi/AFP]
In Aguolu, Obi’s hometown in his native Anambra, voting went smoothly. EFCC officials stopped by to monitor voting there for any possible inducement of voters.
Across parts of Onitsha, Anambra’s commercial capital, and portions of nearby Asaba, the administrative capital of Delta state in the Niger Delta region, many old and young people said they were voting for Obi.
This, despite Delta state Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, an Igbo, being deputy governor on the PDP’s ticket alongside Atiku Abubakar, whom Obi ran with in 2019.
“That’s not my problem, ” Emmanuel Edozie-Uno, a 23-year-old student voting for Obi in Asaba, told Al Jazeera. “I voted for Obi.”
Wode Maya has been identified as the Ghanaian content creator with the highest number of subscribers, boasting a staggering 1.2 million subscribers.
Wode Maya, one of the best African digital content producers, is well known for using vlogging to promote the continent.
By using malware known as “Microstrategy,” the 32-year-account old’s was first compromised, and all of his videos were deleted as of February 24, 2023.
A recent check, however, shows that Google has completely deleted his page.
However, Wode Maya, whose source of livelihood has crumbled before his eyes, is yet to comment on the issue.
Earlier, in an interview with GhanaWeb TV’s Talkertainment, Wode Maya disclosed that one can make over 100,000 dollars monthly just by creating content on YouTube.
“I always tell people to use social media wisely, very wisely because it is a place where you can make very good income. As a Youtuber, you can go from 10 to 100 thousand dollars,” he told Elsie Lamar.
Wode Maya at the time listed some real estate projects he was able to pursue with YouTube proceeds.
“For now, it’s more like YouTube full-time, not just in Ghana. I do stuff in different African countries. My project is Africa to the world, more like being a real estate developer, but not in Ghana,” he established.
Bola Tinubu, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for president, cast his ballot at a polling location in Bourdillion, Ikoyi, Lagos State.
He did so along with other party leaders and his wife Remi. Speaking to reporters, he declared that Nigeria’s democracy “is here to stay” and that he is “too confident of victory.”
He claimed that the voting process was “going well” and “going smoothly.”
On the turnout of voters, the APC candidate said, “This is expected; we need a good turnout, and that is the adoption and the commitment to democracy and the democratic process that must take place.”
Asked how certain of victory he is, Tinubu said, “I’m too certain.”
The APC flag bearer is one of the leading candidates in the race for Aso Rock. Tinubu’s major contenders include Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Peter Obi of the Labour Party (LP) and Rabiu Kwankwaso of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP).
Accreditation and voting have commenced in many polling units across Nigeria as the 87.2 million voters with Permanent Voter Cards go to the polls to elect a new president and members of the country’s National Assembly.
Officials of the country’s electoral agency,the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), are on the ground at the 176,606 polling units scattered across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory that make up Nigeria.
Atiku Abubakar, thePeoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) presidential candidate, and his wife Titi have cast their ballots at Polling Unit 012, Ajiya Ward in Adamawa State’s Yola North Local Government Area.
Speaking to reporters, the former vice president expressed optimism and confidence that he would win the election for president and succeed President Muhammadu Buhari, whose two terms expire on May 29, 2023.
One of the front-runners in the race for Aso Rock is the PDP flagbearer. Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Peter Obi of the Labour Party (LP), and Rabiu Kwankwaso of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) are among Atiku’s top rivals.
Atiku was also the PDP candidate in 2019, and he came in second with over 11 million votes, right behind Buhari, who polled over 15 million votes.
Nationwide, officials of the country’s electoral agency, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) have arrived at some of the 176,606 polling units scattered across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory that make up Nigeria.
Accreditation and voting commenced around 8:30 a.m. in some polling units in parts of Nigeria as the 87.2 million voters with Permanent Voter Cards go to the polls to elect a new president and members of the country’s National Assembly.
In light of his team’s struggles this year, Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp asserts that “it is clear we have to do something in the summer.”
Tuesday’s first leg of theirChampions League match in the round of 16 saw Real Madrid defeat the Reds 5-2.
Despite having games in hand on some of their rivals, Liverpool is eighth in the Premier League despite having an erratic season.
“We know we have to improve and change things, and we will,” said Klopp.
“We cannot do it now but it’s already clear that we have to do something in the summer. For now, we just have to go through this and fight back.”
Liverpool midfielders James Milner, Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain will be out of contract in the summer along with forward Roberto Firmino.
A number of players have also been struggling for form this season, with Klopp’s side seven points off a top-four spot in the Premier League heading into a game at Crystal Palace (19:45 GMT) on Saturday.
‘A few people are speeding up a little bit and you can’t ignore that’
Liverpool have played in the Champions League for the past five seasons, during which time they won it in 2018-19, while losing to Real Madrid in the 2017-18 and 2021-22 finals.
“It’s not helpful [if we don’t get in the Champions League],” said Klopp.
“We have to start doing work earlier before we know where we will end up position wise and European competition wise. These things are clear.
“We played five years in a row in the Champions League and went through to the final three times, which is massive from a money point of view.
“We built a stand and training ground – the club is in a really good place – but around us a few people are speeding up a little bit and you can’t ignore that. You cannot ignore these kinds of things.
“It’s still about finding in the right players. It’s not about bringing a lot, it’s about right [players].”
Injuries have also had an impact for the Reds during the current campaign but their exploits are in stark contrast to last season when they played every game possible, making 63 outings in pursuit of the quadruple.
They won the FA Cup and League Cup – competitions they exited at the fourth-round stage this season – but missed out on winning the Champions League and Premier League.
And, while Klopp said “this team has a wonderful history”, he added “one of the main reasons” he signed new contract until 2026 was because he knew there would be a period of transition.
“The way that this club is led is by not splashing the money. Our transfers always have to be on point. That makes it really tricky,” he said.
“We cannot make four transfers before we know who will leave the club and these kind of things.
“Last year was not a season for a big change. We played until the last moment and, if you want to change at this club, we cannot just bring in players and realise later that no-one wants to leave. It doesn’t work like that.
“It’s not possible to start it early because we have final after final, played the season until the last minute, played the Champions League final, then we had a short break, then a lot of injuries, and then the World Cup.”
Klopp’s comments follow Liverpool owner John Henry’s statement that he is not selling the Merseyside club.
“We have to make our own plans, and that’s what we do, but based on the way this club is led,” said Klopp.
“It’s obviously different to other clubs, that’s how it is. It worked out so far and we have to see if it will work still or if we have to adapt.
“That’s something for us in the offices when we are not on the training pitch and for my conversations with the owners and all these kinds of things.”
Before the President Cup match between Hearts of Oak and Asante Kotoko on March 5, 2023, the Ghana League Clubs Association (GHALCA) chairman Kudjoe Fianoo has announced that his organisation will pay tribute to Christian Atsu.
On February 6, 2023, an earthquake that hit Turkey and Syria claimed the life of Christian Atsu.
Twelve days passed while Atsu was missing before his body was discovered in the wreckage.
The deceased midfielder’s mortal remains were transported to Ghana on a Turkish Airlines flight on Sunday and have since been deposited at the 37 Military Hospital.
The former Ashantigold SC Chief Executive Officer hinted that Atsu would be honoured by GHALCA during the President Cup in an interview with Happy FM.
“We are all saddened by the demise of Atsu, however, if things go as expected, we will organise a curtain-raiser game for him before the President Cup,” he said.
The Sacramento Kings defeated the Los Angeles Clippers 176-175 in a thrilling contest that surpassed the NBA record for most points scored by a game.
In the double overtime victory for the Kings, Malik Monk led all scorers with 45 points, while De’Aaron Fox chipped in with 42 points.
Both teams’ point totals set franchise records for themselves in the NBA.
The Detroit Pistons’ 186-184 victory over the Denver Nuggets in 1983 marked the highest scoring game in NBA history.
With three minutes and eighteen seconds left, the Clippers led 147-136, but the Kings scored 10 unanswered points to close the gap.
Monk made a three pointer with 2.1 seconds left to level the match at 153 apiece and send it into overtime, with a second extra period needed with the score at 164-164.
Fox gave the Kings a lead they would not lose with 36.5 seconds remaining, while Kawhi Leonard and Nicolas Batum each then missed shots that would have given the Clippers the lead.
Leonard was his side’s highest scorer with 44 points, while Russell Westbrook added 17 points and 14 assists on his debut for the Clippers.
“I thought it was a great game, especially for the fans,” said Clippers coach Tyronn Lue. “A crazy game, a lot of momentum shifts.”
The Milwaukee Bucks won their 13th game in a row with a 128-99 victory against the Miami Heat.
Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo had to go off with a right knee injury towards the end of the first quarter but his side still completed a win in which Jrue Holiday scored 24 points.
“I’m pretty sure that either on a drive or a screen or something like that, that he [Antetokounmpo] knocked knees with somebody and just wasn’t able to return,” said Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer.
Klay Thompson starred for the Golden State Warriors as they beat the Houston Rockets116-101.
Issaka admitted that after facing the former Chelsea player, he was forced to give up playing football in Ghana.
Sam Ardy, a late Ghanaian coach, reportedly told Awudu Issaka that Christian Atsu is a player who shares many of his characteristics.
“Atsu did not play for my team, but he has been a blessing to a lot of people. I got to know Atsu through Sam Arday while in Europe. Sam Arday called and told me we have gotten a player of my calibre in the person of Atsu. When I arrived in Ghana, I watched him and realized his potential,” he said as quoted by footballghana.com
“After my career in Europe, I came to Ghana. We played a game with Feyenoord, a team coached by Sam Arday at the time; in fact, that was the first time I played against Atsu and Harrison Afful. Truth be told, the two players gave me a tough time; they didn’t allow me to enjoy the game, and that is why I lost interest in playing in Ghana.”
Christian Atsu started his career at Gomoa Feteh Feyenoord and later joined Cheetah FC before securing a move to FC Porto in Portugal to kick-start his professional career.
The family of Christian Atsu will meet withPresident Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo on Monday, February 27, 2023, to discuss the player’s funeral arrangements, according to a statement from the Ministry of Youth and Sports.
On Friday, February 24, 2023, Christian Atsu’s family, led by Nene Gabriel Kofi Tswasam, called Mustapha Ussif, Minister of Youth and Sports, to formally inform him of their son’s passing.
The meeting, according to the Ministry, also covered the late Black Stars winger’s burial and funeral, as the government had previously promised to pay for the funeral through Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia.
“On February 24, 2023, the family of the late Christian Atsu Tswasam called on the Minister for Youth and Sports, Hon. Mustapha Ussif, to officially inform him of the death of their son and to deliberate on the burial and funeral of the late Atsu.”
“After deliberating on the burial of the late Atsu, it was concluded that a meeting will be held with the President of the Republic of Ghana on Monday, February 27, 2023, to agree on a suitable date for his burial,” read part of the minister’s statement.
Background
Twelve days after a devastating earthquake struck parts of Turkey and Syria, Christian Atsu was discovered dead on the morning of Saturday, February 18, 2022, at the scene of his collapsed apartment.
Christian Atsu’s one-week celebration has been set for Saturday, March 4, 2023, in Accra.
Christian Atsu participated in four other African Cup of Nations competitions in addition to the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil.
He played for the Black Stars in 65 games overall from 2012 to 2019, scoring nine goals.
At Craven Cottage, Manor Solomon’s second goal as a substitute gave Fulham a 1-1 draw with Wolves.
The winger scored his third goal in as many games, cancelling out Pablo Sarabia’s first-half goal for Wolves. He had previously scored the game-winning goal at Brighton the previous weekend and against Nottingham Forest.
Wolves were just three points above the Premier League drop zone heading into the weekend, but they earned a crucial point against a high-flying Fulham side that had lost only two games since the World Cup break – at Newcastle and athome to Tottenham.
However, the Cottagers’ attacking prowess was diminished as talisman striker Aleksandar Mitrovic missed a second straight game due to a hamstring injury.
Fulham struggled to get going against a Wolves side who started quickly but there were few clear chances at the start of the match, with both sides struggling to find openings.
Wolves capitalised on their possession dominance when Sarabia fired the visitors into the lead in the 23rd minute.
Raul Jimenez knocked the ball down in the box to Sarabia, who had time to take a touch then fire past Bernd Leno for his side’s opener and his first goal for the club.
It was a rare goal for Fulham to concede, just a fifth in the league since the resumption of the Premier League in December.
It was an uncharacteristically flat start from the hosts but they did have a chance in the 37th minute, when Carlos Vinicius headed a Bobby De Cordova-Reid cross straight at Jose Sa.
From the final kick of the first half, Sa had to tip an Andreas Pereira free-kick over the bar but Fulham struggled to impose themselves, despite going into the weekend sixth in the table after an impressive first half of the season.
Fulham did not start the second half with significantly more attacking threat than the first, but they did strike an equaliser shortly after the hour mark.
Half-time substitute Solomon picked up the ball at the edge of the box and expertly curled past Sa and into the far corner.
Fulham had a late chance to wrap up the win, but Vinicius’ header was saved by a diving Sa and the points were shared.
Christian Atsu’s one-week observation has been set for March 4, 2023, at the Adjiringanor Astro-Turf.
The Ghana Football Association and the Sports Minister, Mustapha Ussif, met with the Twasam family on Friday, and they discussed the specifics of the one-week observation.
Confirming the date for the one-week observation, a spokesperson for the family, Robert Ani, said, “It’s been agreed that on March 4, the one-week observation will be held at the Adjiringanor Astro-Turf.”
On Saturday, February 18, 2023, Christian Atsu’s body was recovered from the rubble of a building following the devastating earthquake that struck Turkey in the early hours of February, where he had been trapped for over 12 days.
The Ghanaian-International forward’s mortal remains were returned to Ghana on February 19, and the family has announced that a one-week memorial service will be held on March 4, 2023.
31-year-old Christian Atsu left behind a wife and three children, who are all based in the United Kingdom.’
Employees were informed that if they did not remove the Chinese-owned social media website by March 15, they would lose access to their email accounts and video conferencing systems.
“To protect the Commission’s data and increase its cybersecurity, the EC [European Commission] Corporate Management Board has decided to suspend the TikTok application on corporate devices and personal devices enrolled in the Commission mobile device services,” bosses told staff in an email message.
TikTok is allegedly intended to collect more personal data than any other social media app or messaging service, according to experts.
This has sparked fears within Western governments that TikTok poses a potential security risk because of concerns over its Chinese parent company’s close relationship with Beijing.
The EU ban will also apply to its staffs’ personal phones if they have work-related applications installed on them.
It follows a decision by the US Congress to restrict TikTok usage on federal government devices.
The Dutch intelligence agency has also launched a probe into the risks posed by government workers with the app installed on their mobile phones.
Time for UK Government ban?
But as it stands, no European government has followed the US lead in officially banning the app.
At the time, Forbes reported the application was being used to spy on journalists covering its parent company ByteDance.
On Thursday, TikTok said that a decision by the European Commission to ban the video-sharing app on its staff’s official devices was based on mistaken ideas about its platform.
“We are disappointed with this decision, which we believe to be misguided and based on fundamental misconceptions,” a spokesperson for the Chinese-owned company said, after the Commission cited data protection concerns.
After voting overwhelmingly in favour of industrial action earlier this month, the British Medical Association (BMA) declared that the doctors had “no option” but to go on strike beginning March 13.
The BMA stated that junior doctors have requested an urgent meeting with health secretary Steve Barclay twice in the past week, but added that no time has been set.
The BMA reported that a meeting with Department of Health employees earlier this week had produced no appreciable advancement and that the minister had declined to attend.
The co-chairs of the BMA junior doctors’ committee, Dr Rob Laurenson and Dr Vivek Trivedi, said patients and the public alike need to know the blame for the strike action “lies squarely at the government’s door.”
They said: “Make no mistake, this strike was absolutely in the government’s gift to avert; they know it, we know it and our patients also need to know it.
“We have tried, since last summer, to get each health secretary we have had around the negotiating table. We have written many times, and, even as late as yesterday, we were hopeful Steve Barclay would recognise the need to meet with us to find a workable solution that could have averted this strike.
“We have not been told why we have not been offered intensive negotiations or what we need to do for the government to begin negotiations with us. We are left with no option but to proceed with this action.
“The fact that so many junior doctors in England have voted yes for strike action should leave Ministers in absolutely no doubt about what we have known for a long time and have been trying to tell them: we are demoralised, angry, and no longer willing to work for wages that have seen a real terms decline of over 26% in the past 15 years.
“This, together with the stress and exhaustion of working in an NHS in crisis, has brought us to this moment, brought us to a 72-hour walk out.
“How, in all conscience, can the Health Secretary continue to put his head in the sand and hope that by not meeting with us, this crisis of his government’s making, will somehow just disappear?
“It won’t, and patients and the public will continue to feel the brunt of his inaction, until he starts to negotiate with us and we agree a deal that truly values junior doctors and pays us what we are worth.”
The British Dental Association announced that dentists working in hospitals employed under the junior contract will join the 72-hour walkout after voting for industrial action.
British Dental Association chairman Eddie Crouch said: “This small but important group of dentists are working to the same contracts as their medical colleagues, and like them are not worth a penny less than they were 15 years ago.
Thomas Partey has not resumed full training since suffering a muscular injury, according to Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta.
Partey has been absent from Arsenal’s last three matches, during which time the Gunners have won one, drawn one, and lost one.
Partey’s ability to take part in training on February 24, 2023, will, according to Arteta, determine whether he is available for their gameday.
“Thomas hasn’t trained much but looks like he could be available.” Let’s see how he trains today.”
On February 26, 2023, Arsenal visits Leicester City as they continue their journey for the EPL championship.
The North London team has 54 points after 24 games and sits atop the Premier League standings. Thomas Partey has played in every game this season without losing.
Aare Afe Babalola, Elder Statesman and Founder of Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD), has slammed the Federal Ministry of Education and the National Universities Commission (NUC) for ordering a mass closure of Nigeria’s universities due to the country’s upcoming elections.
Nigeria’s Minister of Education, Mallam Adamu Adamu, had on February 3, 2023, ordered the Executive Secretary of the NUC, Prof. Abubakar Adamu Rasheed, to shut down all universities in Nigeria between Wednesday, February 22, and Tuesday, March 14, 2023, on the ground of “concerns expressed on the security of staff, students, and properties of respective institutions.”
Babalola, a former pro-chancellor of the University of Lagos, was particularly incensed that the ministerial order to close all universities in Nigeria could be given to the NUC, the regulatory body for higher education in Nigeria, without any notice to or consultation with the vice chancellors, owners, and Board of Trustees of all private universities, who are significant players in the country’s educational landscape.
His words: “The forced closure of Nigeria’s universities by the Minister of Education and the NUC has done irreparable damage to students of Nigerian universities. Their problems have been worsened by the scarcity of money caused by banks and Automated Teller Machines (ATM), all of which made transportation back home more dangerous than ever before. Of course, the illegal closure has adversely affected the curriculum, particularly with respect to private universities, which are reputed for their predictable academic calendar and absence of strike actions.”
He was worried that Nigeria appears to be oblivious to the time-honoured maxim that “if you want to destroy a nation, you don’t need bayonets, bombs, or nuclear warheads. All you need is to destroy its education.”
Commending civilised nations for prioritisinghow not to disturb academic calendar of universities, the leading educationist recalled the events surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic, which shook the entire world to its very foundation between November 2019 and the better part of 2020, as a result of which the then British Prime Minister, Mr. Boris Johnson, stated loudly that “Covid 19 is a disaster, while the closure of schools is more disastrous. Keeping schools closed a moment longer than is absolutely necessary is socially intolerable, economically unsustainable, and morally indefensible. Without resumption of formal education, a generation of children is likely to have its employment and earning prospects blighted.”
Terrified by the ministerial directive which was taken by the NUC hook, line and sinker, the legal juggernaut who spoke at the induction of ABUAD’s newly qualified 123 Medical Doctors on Monday, raised the following posers: “Does the Minister of education have the statutory power to direct the NUC to close down universities on the ground of “the forthcoming elections and the concerns expressed on security of staff, students and properties of respective institutions?
“Does the NUC have the statutory authority to close all or any university in light of the upcoming election and the expressed concerns about the security of staff, students, and properties at respective institutions?”
“Are there no provisions in our law to deal with any security report by security agencies which allege concerns on security of staff, students and properties of respective institutions?
“Was the order to close down universities known to the President, the Minister of Defence, the Minister of Interior, or the Executive Council?” In answering these questions, Babalola relied on the combined effects of the NUC Act of 1974 and the Education (National Minimum Standards and Establishment of Institutions) Act of 1985 and returned the verdict that the minister has no statutory power to issue a directive to the NUC to close down Nigeria’s universities for the adduced reasons.
Section 4 (2) of the 1974 (NUC) Act says: “The minister may give the Commission directives of a general character relating generally to particular matters, with regard to the exercise of the Commission of its functions under this Act, and it shall be the duty of the Commission to comply with such directives.”
According to Babalola, the functions in respect of which the minister can give directives under this Act are non-compliance with the regulations on academic matters and not matters connected with election.
“Clearly, the minister has no statutory powerto give a directive to the NUC to close down universities.” he affirmed. Relying on Section 2(1) of the Education (National Minimum Standards and Establishment of Institutions) Act of 1985, Babalola said that: “It is abundantly clear that the NUC has no statutory power to carry out the instruction of the minister to close down all universities.”
It is also clear from the wording of the section of the Education (National Minimum Standards and Establishment of Institutions) Act of 1985 that the power of the NUC to close down a university is severely restricted to an institution which failed to comply with Section 19, 20 and 21 of Education (National Minimum Standards and Establishment of Institutions) Act of 1985 in respect of failure to comply with the NUC law on education.
Section 2 (1) of the Education Act of 1985 provides as follows: “Any institution established otherwise than in compliance with Section 19, 20, or 21 of this Act may be liable to closure by the appropriate authority, but before closing down any such institution, the appropriate authority shall afford the proprietor of the institution an opportunity to make representations for consideration by the appropriate authority not later than 60 days after receipt of notice by the proprietor from the authority of the intention to close down the institution.”
In his view, the time-honoured legal maxim of “Nemo dat quod non habet” which means, “No one can give what he does not have” should have been allowed to apply squarely in this case.
In place of the mass closure of universities, he pointed out that the government and law enforcement agents should have evoked the relevant provisions in the country’s criminal code and other legislations to deal with any person, whatever his class, who the security agents have reasons to believe as likely to put security of staff, students and properties of respective institutions in jeopardy.
Drawing an analogy to drive home his point, he said: “It would be improper to ask a landlord with his family to quit the family house because security agents are aware that some criminals want to attack his house. The prudent thing would be to beef up security around the house.”
The alternative, according to him, is that since security agents are of the view that the election will not be devoid of violence, they should have identified the problems that could engender violence during the election and evoke the law against offenders and not closure of universities.
To prevent a reoccurrence of this trend in future, the countrymust fashion out a new people’s constitution, which will not make politics the only lucrative business in town, but one which will allow only public-spirited and patriotic Nigerians to contest elections without the influence of godfathers and moneybags, thereby giving way to patriotic Nigerians who can serve the country pro bono or earn sitting allowances only. Olofintila writes in from Ado-Ekiti
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has had an impact on Africa as well, where, according to German Minister for Development Svenja Schulze, Moscow is “trying to destabilise entire regions.”
The minister who is currently on a 5-day tour in West Africa said, the impact of the war was not only to be suffered by Ukraine but also by the ‘world’s poorest’.
In an interview with dpa in Abidjan, he mentioned that “this wasn’t only an attack on Ukraine but also an attack on the world’s poorest.”
“The shock waves of the war and the high prices for food, fertiliser, and energy have also reached West Africa and many other countries in the Global South,” the minister said ahead of the anniversary of the beginning of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on Friday.
“Germany needed friends and allies everywhere,” Schulze said, adding that “Russia is also active in Africa and attempting to destabilise entire regions.”
Berlin, minister Svenja Schulze said they hadn’t forgotten the poorest nations, even though Ukraine has the most of their attention now, but they are doing all they can to expand their aid to Africa.
“We seek to strengthen and stabilise societies with our development programmes,” she added.
During their five-day trip to West Africa, Schulze and Hubertus Heil, the German Labor Minister, hope to promote more favourable working conditions and less environmental harm.
They will be in Ivory Coast, where they intend to visit a cocoa plantation, until Friday after spending two days in Ghana, where they among other things visited one of the biggest markets for secondhand clothing in the world.
The legendary international athlete born in Jamaica, Asafa Powell, has been confirmed by theGhana Olympic Committee (GOC) to visit Ghana from February 27 through March 9, 2023.
Asafa Asafa, a former 100-meter sprint world record holder who is married to Ghanaian model Alyshia Powell, will be joined by their two kids.
Powell, a native of Spanish Town, Jamaica, will visit the West African nation for the first time at the Ghana Olympic Committee’s (GOC) invitation.
Between June 2005 and May 2008, he twice broke the 100-meter world record with times of 9.77 and 9.74 seconds.
The powerful sprinter has never finished a race in more than 10 seconds, and his best time of 9.72 seconds places him in fourth place on the all-time list of men’s 100-meter runners.
Powell was credited with breaking the 10-second barrier more times than any other athlete on September 1, 2016: “97 times.”
Powell also once held the world record for the 100-yard dash with a time of 9.09 seconds, set on 27 May 2010 in Ostrava, Czech Republic.
At the 2016 Rio Olympic Games in Brazil, he added a gold medal to his collection in the 4 x 100 metres relay.
The President of the GOC, Mr. Ben Nunoo Mensah, confirmed that once in Ghana, the 40-year-old will be involved in a number of charity and social engagements that will be covered by the local and international media.
“Asafa will pay a courtesy call on H.E. the President of the Republic at the Jubilee House and also engage the Ministry of Youth and Sports (MOYS), the Ghana Olympic Committee (GOC), the Local Organising Committee of the African Games in Accra in 2023, as well as the Ghana Athletics Association (GAA) on how best Ghana sports can benefit from his huge image on the international sports arena.”
The Director of Communications at the GOC; Yaw Ampofo Ankrah, said these activities have been carefully put together by the GOC.
“Asafa’s visit is aimed at inspiring, motivating, and promoting the development of athletics and the interest of our youth in the sport.”
Apart from strengthening Ghana-Jamaica relations, Asafa’s visit will also see him hold various sports clinics and visit some senior and Junior High Schools, as well as all sports facilities under construction for the next All African Games, slated to be hosted in Accra.
Christian Atsu’s body was discovered in a position that implies he was asleep when the earthquake struck, according to former Black Stars player Augustine Arhinful.
He claimed that a concrete block struck the deceased Ghanaian international forward, who was struck by the devastating earthquake that hit Turkey on February 6, 2023.
Atsu is believed to have died a day after the incident, according to hearsay, as Augustine Arhinful noted.
“When they found Atsu, according to what I heard, he had slept, and the concrete came to hit him. “By the first day, he was gone, and it took that long to find him,” Arhinful said on Max TV.
“When the earth shakes like that and you want to use excavators, you might kill someone who is not dead, so the rescue is a process to dig with your hands,” he added.
On Saturday, February 18, 2023, Christian Atsu’s body was recovered from the rubble of a building where he had been trapped for over 12 days.
Following the arrival of the body on Sunday, February 19, the family has disclosed that a one-week ceremony for the late footballer will be held on March 4, 2023.
Kurt Okraku, says that the introduction of e-ticketing was a factor in the low attendance atGhana Premier League games.
The low patronage ranks highly on the list of difficulties that the 2022–2023 betPawa Ghana Premier League season has faced.
Kurt Okraku thinks that the introduction of e-ticketing has created a significant issue, despite the fact that many have blamed the calibre of pitches, officiating, and level of competition for the decline in attendance.
Kurt Okraku thinks the Ghana Premier League should have gradually implemented the e-ticketing system, which was implemented for the Black Stars’ FIFA World Cup playoff match against Nigeria in March 2022.
“I see a lot of fans go to the stadiums like Bechem, Bibiani, Dawu, and Aduana but the venues where fans are not patronising the league are the Accra Sports Stadium and the Baba Yara Sports Stadium.”
“Deployment of electronic ticketing system has been a major problem. I believe the football people needed a lot of education before it was introduced. So since the introduction of the e-ticketing patronage of the league at the Accra Sports Stadium and Baba Yara has been low,” he said on Asempa FM.
He added that the GFA will meet with the National Sports Authority to review the e-ticketing system being used in the Ghana Premier League.
Multibillionaire financier and investor, Thomas H. Lee was discovered dead at his Manhattan office on Thursday morning from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, according to police sources.
Around 11:10 a.m., according to the sources, police responded to a 911 call at 767 Fifth Avenue, where Thomas H. Lee Capital, LLC is situated on the sixth floor.
The 78-year-old businessman was pronounced dead at the scene by EMTs.
The official cause of death will be established by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner.
“The family is extremely saddened by Tom’s death. “While the world knew him as one of the pioneers in the private equity business and a successful businessman, we knew him as a devoted husband, father, grandfather, sibling, friend, and philanthropist who always put others’ needs before his own,” Lee family friend and spokesperson Michael Sitrick said in a statement.
“Our hearts are broken. We ask that our privacy be respected and that we be allowed to grieve.”
A front desk worker at Lee’s office building was told there was an “emergency,” on the sixth floor, but was unaware of Lee’s death.
“They don’t want anyone going to that space right now, not even the building staff,” the man said.
The Harvard graduate founded Thomas H. Lee Partners, L.P. in 1974, serving as the chairman and CEO of the company and its predecessors.
In 1992, the private equity pioneer bought Snapple and sold it two years later for $1.7 billion, making 32 times his money.
But not everything always went according to plan.
PMC
Michael Milken, Thomas Lee, Peter Thoren and Cliff Robbins attend Dinner At Daniel Benefitting The Prostate Cancer Foundation (PCF) at Daniel in Nov. 2022.Thomas Lee and Jane Holzer attend Double Vision Curated By Jane Holzer at Leila Heller Gallery in May 2019.Thomas H. Lee and Amanda Waldron attend the Lincoln Center Fall Gala Honoring John E. Waldron in Nov. 2019.Lee is credited with developing the leveraged buyout.
In 1999, Lee led a deal for what was renamed Vertis Communications, the fifth-largestNorth American printer. By 2006, when many peers had expanded to offer other services, such as marketing, it dropped to ninth since it did not have the money to do the same. Vertis filed for bankruptcy in 2008.
Lee and his longtime partners split in 2005 with Thomas H. Lee Partners being run by Scott Sperling, and Lee left to form Lee Equity Partners in 2006, where he served as chairman until his death Thursday.
At the time of his death, Lee’s net worth was estimated to be $2 billion, according to Forbes.
Lee with his wife of 27 years, Ann Tennenbaum.An oceanfront mansion in the Hamptons owned by Lee in 2008.
Lee was a known philanthropist, particularly for the arts and education. He sat as a trustee for several Big Apple art organizations, including the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, the Museum of Modern Art, and the Whitney Museum of American Art.
“I’ve been lucky to make some money. I’m more than happy to give some of it back,” Lee said in 1996 after donating $22 million to his alma mater Harvard University, one of the school’s largest gifts ever from a living alumnus.
For his lifetime of philanthropy, he received the UJA-Federation’s award — named after Jack Nash, a financier who helped create the modern hedge fund business — in 2014.
Lee once owned Snapple and made 32 times his investment.
Lee leaves behind his wife of 27 years, Ann Tennenbaum. He is survived by his children Jesse, Zach, Nathan, Robbie, and Rosalie, as well as two grandchildren.
In an effort to avoid unrest leading up to the February 25 elections, the 18 presidential candidates in Nigeria’s general election have signed a second peace accord in the nation’s capital, Abuja.
The agreement is to “place national interest above personal and partisan concerns” and to “ensure the conduct of free, fair, credible, transparent, and verifiable elections, cognizant of the need to maintain a peaceful environment before, during, and after the 2023 general elections.”
Former military head of state and retired general Abdusalam Abubakar claimed that a prior agreement, which was signed in September 2022, had been broken numerous times.
National Peace Committee and the Kukah Leadership Centre, an Abuja-based think tank, organised the signing on Tuesday night, which was attended by President Muhammadu Buhari and other African and international leaders and diplomats.
Committee officials said the accord was meant to bind political parties, candidates, and their supporters to resort to constitutional means if they are dissatisfied with electoral outcomes.
Abubakar, the chairperson of the National Peace Committee, said 44 percent of the September accord’s violations “were carried out by the spokespersons for political parties, 26 percent by party members, 19 percent by the presidential candidates themselves, 11 percent by the hardcore supporters and four percent by the chairmen of the parties”.
“As a nation, we’ve got to put a stop to all this,” he said, without providing further details about the incidents.
Saturday’s race to succeed Buhari is being keenly contested.
Among the 18 candidates, four are generally accepted to be top contenders.
The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, former Lagos governor Bola Tinubu, faces his former associate and Nigeria’s former vice president, Atiku Abubakar, of the main opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
The Labour Party’s Peter Obi, has, however, emerged as a surprise third candidate to challenge a traditional dichotomy in Nigeria’s political landscape. A fourth candidate, Rabiu Kwankwaso of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), is seen as a wild card in the race.
Tuesday’s signing was held in the presence of domestic and international stakeholders to monitor for potential violence – a common feature in Nigerian elections.
Along with the presidential candidates, members of observer missions from the African Union, European Union and the Commonwealth, and other diplomats were present at the signing.
Also present were Thabo Mbeki, Joyce Banda, Uhuru Kenyatta, John Mahama and Ernest Bai Koroma, the former presidents of South Africa, Malawi, Kenya, Ghana and Sierra Leone respectively who are heading foreign observer missions.
Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, another member of the committee also attended, as was Patricia Scott, secretary-general of the Commonwealth and a representative of the United Nations secretary-general.
President Buhari urged all the contestants to have the “confidence to trust our legal systems”.
”Let me remind all Nigerians not for the first time that this is the only country we have and we must do everything to keep it safe, united and peaceful,” he said. “There should be no riots or acts of violence after the announcement of the election results. All grievances, personal or institutional, should be channelled to the relevant courts.”
Mahmood Yakubu, the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, said election preparations were well under way, with ballot papers and other materials being moved to polling units nationwide.
“By Friday, we will activate the registration area centres so that at first light on Saturday, polling units will open on time.”
Nigerians will head to the polls Saturday in a fiercely-contested presidential vote that analysts say is too close to call.
It will be the largest democratic exercise on the continent as Africa’s most populous nation picks a new president.
The crucial electioncomes as the country battles myriad economic and security problems that range from fuel and cash shortages to rising terror attacks, high inflation, and a plummeting local currency.
For the first time since the country’s return to democratic rule in 1999, none of the candidates is an incumbent or a former military leader.
Outgoing President Muhammadu Buhari is term-limited and will step down amid a patchy legacy that has brought “a lot of frustration and anger” to Nigerian voters, analysts say.
Who are the candidates?
Eighteen candidates are in the running for Nigeria’s highest office, each confident they can turn the country’s fortunes around if voted into power, but opinion polls suggest three are leading the race for the popular vote.
Nigeria’s presidential elections have typically been two-horse races between the ruling and opposition parties, but this year’s vote has a third strong contender, Peter Obi, who is running under the lesser known Labour Party.
Tinubu, 70, a former governor of Nigeria’s wealthy Lagos State, wields significant influence in the southwestern region where he is acclaimed as a political godfather and kingmaker.
The affluent political veteran, boasts of aiding the election of Buhari to the presidency on his fourth attempt in 2015, after three previous unsuccessful bids.
Bola Ahmed Tinubu, foreground right, presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Nigeria ruling party, during an election campaign rally.Joshua Olatunji/AP
After decades as a political puppet master, Tinubu declares it is now his turn to emerge from the shadows into the presidency; his campaign slogan is “Emi Lokan,” which translates to “it is my turn,” in his native Yoruba language.
The ruling party candidate has, however, been dogged by allegations of graft, which he strongly denies. Critics say he has also not convincingly addressed concerns about his health, and has, at times, appeared confused and incoherent on the campaign trail. He has also made gaffes that have made him the butt of jokes and viral memes on social media.
Tinubu has also come under criticism for abstaining from presidential debates and delegating questions about his manifesto to members of his team during a recent outing at the UK think tank Chatham House.
One of Tinubu’s main challengers is the opposition party’s Abubakar, who is running for the sixth time following five previous losses.
Abubakar, 76, who served as vice president from 1999 to 2007, is a staunch capitalist who made his fortune investing in various sectors in the country. The tycoon has been investigated for corruption in the past. However, he denies any wrongdoing.
Many believe Abubakar’s presidential ambition might usurp an unofficial arrangement to rotate the presidency between Nigeria’s northern and southern regions, since he is from the same northern region as the outgoing leader, Buhari.
Peter Obi is a two-time former governor of Anambra State who is being touted as a credible alternative to the two major candidates.
Obi eschews the excesses of the typical ‘African Big Man’ leader He shuns a large entourage, flies economy class and carries his own luggage. His “no frills” approach has attracted hordes of supporters, mostly young Nigerians who call themselves ‘Obidients.’
Citizens have also been disrupted by an attempt to curb vote buying by making the old currency notes useless to prevent rogue politicians from stockpiling cash. But there are fears shortage of the new naira notes could disrupt the elections itself.
Electoral body INEC reportedly warned that the inability of banks to distribute enough of the new cash could make it difficult to pay temporary staff and security guards needed to operate thousands of polling stations for presidential and parliamentary elections on Feb. 25.
As it is, voting will not take place in more than 200 polling units across Nigeria, in places such as Imo and Taraba (two of Nigeria’s conflict-prone states) says INEC, because of concerns over security.
Separatist gangs and marauding gunmen known locally as bandits have terrorized parts of the country through kidnappings for ransom.
Elsewhere,other impediments threaten voter turnout as some Nigerians are yet to collect their permanent voter’s card (PVC) with less than a week to the poll.
“Nigerians fall under two buckets: One is insecurity. However, overall, the main issue that Nigerians agree needs to be dealt with is the economy,” he said, with concerns ranging from poverty to unemployment and policy.
“The cash crunch, petrol scarcity … are issues that are likely going to be top of mind for those who make it to the polls and arguably could sway the votes,” Famoroti says.
Fuel shortages and scarcity of the newly redesigned local currency have stirred violent protests in parts of Nigeria as millions of people struggle to get their hands on new versions of bank notes.
Nigerians expect the eventual winner of the presidential poll to hit the ground running in finding solutions to those problems, including tackling the country’s burgeoning debt profile, oil theft, and a controversial petrol subsidy that deprivesthe country of major oil revenue.
The top three candidates have made promises to tackle some of these issues. The ruling party’s Tinubu vows to create jobs, grow the economy, and “obliterate terror, kidnapping, banditry, and violent crime from the face of our nation.”
Touting a “recover Nigeria” mantra, the PDP’s Abubakar says he wants to “block government wastages” by first running a small government, weaning the country off the petrol subsidy, and making it “the hub of crude oil refining in Africa.”
The Labour Party’s Obi says his government will be keen to shift Nigeria’s focus “from consumption to production” while also being determined “to fight and significantly reduce corruption” and create systems to reduce unemployment, insecurity, and inflation.
Who is tipped to win?
A predictive poll by Stears puts Obi ahead of the two main challengers in a large voter turnout scenario. A lesser turnout will favor Tinubu, according to the Stears’ poll.
“There was a scenario where we only considered voters who had picked up their PVC … based on that scenario, the Labour Party candidate is the most likely winner,” Famoroti told CNN.
“However, we then also estimated a low turnout scenario. The idea is that these are the harder than hardcore voters and those that most likely will turn up to vote on the day. Under that scenario, the APC candidate … emerges victorious,” he added.
Another poll by Lagos-based SBM Intelligence does not foresee a frontrunner but suggests that Obi and Abubakar could garner a sufficient number of ballots to meet the 25% vote spread in 24 of Nigeria’s 36 states required by law to win.
The forecast is different for the Political Africa Initiative (POLAF) whose survey polled three million people and predicts a close race between the opposition PDP (38%) and the ruling APC (29%).
Obi’s Labour Party is projected to occupy third place with 27% of the votes.
“This election is extremely difficult to predict,” Moghalu, the political economist, told CNN.
“That’s because of the ‘Third Force’ factor of Labor Party candidate Peter Obi, which has scrambled the projections of the two traditionally dominant parties, APC and PDP.
“While many still believe one of the two will come out on top ultimately, the fact that several scientific opinion polls have put Obi in the lead means that the possibility of an upset clearly exists,” says Moghalu.
Moghalu believes Nigerians may vote largely along ethnic and religious lines, as well as traditional party lines.
“The only major factor that is an ‘issue’, and will influence many votes, is the hunger for a change in direction which millions of young and middle-aged voters have, and for that reason support Obi. Will that be enough to propel him to victory? That’s the X-factor.”
On the first anniversary of Russia’s invasion, theUnited States announced a new $2 billion package of long-term security assistance for Ukraine.
More ammunition and a variety of small, sophisticated drones will be part of the assistance, according to a statement from the Pentagon.
The F-16 fighter jets that Ukraine has repeatedly asked for will not be part of the package.
Additionally, Washington unveiled new export restrictions, tariffs, and sanctions against Russia and its allies in an effort to limit Moscow’s capacity to wage war.
The sanctions are aimed at targets in Russia and “third-country actors” across Europe, Asia, and the Middle East that are supporting Russia’s war effort, the White House said in a fact sheet.
King Charles III has praised Ukrainians for their resilience in fight againstRussia.
The Monarch in a tweet expressed his support for Ukraine and encourage global unity and solidarity.
“It has now been a year that the people of Ukraine have suffered unimaginably from an unprovoked full-scale attack on their nation,” the British monarch said in a statement.
“They have shown truly remarkable courage and resilience in the face of such human tragedy,” he added.
“The world has watched in horror at all the unnecessary suffering inflicted upon Ukrainians … I can only hope the outpouring of solidarity from across the globe may bring not only practical aid, but also strength from the knowledge that, together,we stand united.”
"I can only hope the outpouring of solidarity from across the globe may bring not only practical aid, but also strength from the knowledge that, together, we stand united."
A message from His Majesty The King marking one year of conflict in Ukraine:
Dr. Nyaho Nyaho-Tamakloe, a board memberof Hearts of Oak, has taken a shot at the club’s supporters, saying they can leave in peace if they are sick of supporting the team because the club is bigger than them.
His remarks come after a recording surfaced accusing the management of pressuring Slavko Matic, the head coach, by imposing players.
Fans have urged the club hierarchy to fire management, which consists of Vincent Sowah Odotei and Alhaji Akanbi, due to their interference and the club’s patchy performance.
However, Dr Nyaho reacting to the demands of fans insisted the club is bigger than any fan adding that the club is even bigger than their rivals, Asante Kotoko.
According to him, the fans must focus on the positives rather than the negatives, but he reiterated that the fans can stop supporting the club if they’re tired.
“Look at the project the club is working on. Asante Kotoko does not come close to what we are doing, but all their fans are calm,” he told Asempa FM, as monitored by Footballghana.com.
“You don’t hear their fans agitating and demanding for the sack of a management member but Hearts of Oak fans are fond of doing that.
“Hearts of Oak is a bigger club compared to Asante Kotoko and the records are there.
“What stops them from writing to the board to express their worries? The board are always ready to welcome their suggestions and criticisms from the fans but not to go on the radio to demand the sacking of a management member.
“Any supporter who is tired of supporting can leave,” he added.
Footballers rarely work in politics after they retire because the field hasn’t historically been known as a place where footballers could thrive.
They frequently have a tendency to stick with the game that made them, so immediately following retirement, they begin a new football-related career.
But while some have tried their hand at politics and were successful, others are still looking for a way to make a bigger difference in how their nation develops.
Here are five footballers who turned politicians after retirement
George Weah
George Weah is arguably the greatest African player ever, considering the career he had playing for some great clubs like AC Milan, Chelsea, Paris Saint-German, and a few others.
He is a three-time African player of the year and the only African footballer to have won the Balon d’Or.
George Weah announced his intention to run for President in 2005, two years after his retirement.
The AC Milan Hall of Famer engaged in several humanitarian activities during his playing career.
“Baby in the woods” Weah lost on his first attempt in 2005 to the experienced Johnson Sirleaf.
He went on to beat Sirleaf’s son Robert to become Liberian Senate from Montserrado County in 2014.
He finally landed his desired presidential seat in 2017 when he amassed 61.54% of the vote to defeat Joseph Boakai in a run-off on the ticket of Coalition for Democratic Change.
George Weah is now the 25th Liberian President in the country’s history.
Pele
Widely touted as the King of Football, Edson Ariantes Edson Arantes do Nascimento has a great legacy in football.
He won three World Cup trophies, the most by a footballer and is the youngest player to score in the tournament as well as the first player to score a hat-trick in a World Cup final.
After retirement, he served as UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador and a UN ambassador for ecology and the environment before becoming Brazil’s Extraordinary Minister for Sport. He left office in 2021.
Pele passed on in 2022 at age 82.
Sol Campbell
Sol Campbell after retirement joined the United Kingdom’s Conservative Party in 2014. He immediately announced his intention to run for office in hopes of securing ‘black votes’ for his party.
He was up for the party’s nomination for Mayor of London for the election in 2016 to replace Boris Johnson.
Campbell, however, failed to make the shortlist.
Sol Campbell was a highly-rated defender who spent all his career in England. He played for Tottenham, Arsenal, Newcastle United, Portsmouth, and Notts County.
He also played for the Three Lions, making 73 appearances in his 11 years international career.
Roman Pavlyuchenko
Former Tottenham Hotspur, unlike the other players on the list, tried to juggle politics and football.
A year before he secured his move to Tottenham in 2008, he helped current Russian president Vladimir Putin’s party secure a seat in his hometown Stavropol.
Romario
Romario de Souza Faria is a Brazilian great who had a successful career winning the World Cup, Copa America, FIFA Confederations Cup, and a host of club trophies playing for Barcelona, PSV, Flamengo, Vasco Da Gama, and a few others.
Just like his career in football, the ex-striker has had a successful career path in politics.
While in office, he lobbied against Brazil’s hosting of the 2014 World Cup, claiming that an event is an event for corruption and money laundering. In 2014, he was elected to the Brazilian senate after accumulating the most votes ever by a candidate.
He switched parties to contest for governor of Rio de Janeiro during the general elections in 2018 but came fourth.
A magnitude 6.8 earthquake struck early on Thursday near China’s far western Xinjiang region in a sparsely populated, remote area of Tajikistan, according to officials . There were no reported accidents or losses.
According to the U.S. Geological Survey, the epicentre was 20 kilometres (12 miles) below ground and located 67 kilometres (41 miles) west of Murghob, Tajikistan.
High in the Pamir Mountains, Mughrob—which has a population of a few thousand—is the district capital.
In some areas of Kashgar prefecture and Kizilsu Kyrgyz autonomous prefecture in Xinjiang, the quake was felt strongly across the border, but no injuries or property damage have yet been reported, according to state media CCTV, which cited local information officers.
China’s Earthquake Networks Center said the quake was magnitude 7.2 and 10 kilometers (6 miles) deep. Measurements by different agencies often differ.
Five aftershocks ranging from magnitude 4.6 to 5 followed later on Thursday morning, with their epicenters likewise located west of Murghob, Tajikistan’s state Khovar agency reported.
A further magnitude 5 quake was recorded in the early afternoon 86 kilometers (53 miles) west of the city, Tajik State Emergencies Committee spokeswoman Umeda Yusufi said. Neither referenced any injuries or damage.
In his Los Angeles case, Harvey Weinstein received a sentence of 16 years in prison.
Two months after he was found guilty in Los Angeles of one count of rape and two counts of sexual assault, the sentence was revealed during a hearing on Thursday, February 23.
The motion for a new trial made by Weinstein’s defence team was denied by Superior Court Judge Lisa B. Lench, who then moved to sentence the former movie producer.
He could have spent up to 18 years behind bars.
In the months leading up to the 2013 Academy Awards, Weinstein was found guilty in Los Angeles in December of one count of rape and two counts of sexual assault against an Italian model and actor. The incidents occurred during a film festival.
The jury acquitted him of the sexual battery of a massage therapist and failed to reach verdicts on counts involving two other women.
The Los Angeles trial was the second time Weinstein faced criminal charges for alleged sex crimes. His first criminal trial took place in New York City in early 2020.
Weinstein’s New York trial ended with his conviction on charges of third-degree rape and a criminal sex act. He was sentenced to 23 years in that case, and was serving that sentence when he was extradited to California to face more charges.
During Thursday’s hearing, Weinstein told Judge Lench: “I maintain that I’m innocent. I never raped or sexually assaulted Jane Doe 1,” in reference to the woman whose testimony led to his conviction, according to The Associated Press.
“Before that night I was a very happy and confident woman. I valued myself and the relationship I had with God,” she saud. “I was excited about my future. Everything changed after the defendant brutally assaulted me. There is no prison sentence long enough to undo the damage.”
Legal uncertainties will remain on both coasts for Weinstein.
New York’s highest court has agreed to hear his appeal in his rape and sexual assault convictions there. And prosecutors in Los Angeles have yet to say whether they will retry Weinstein on counts they were unable to reach a verdict on.
It is not yet clear where he will serve his time while these issues are decided.His New York sentence would be served before a California prison term, though a retrial or other issues could keep him from being sent back there soon.
Weinstein will become eligible for parole in New York in 2039.
If I’m being honest, I can’t see him riding out this rough period, which is a shame because I really wanted him to succeed at Stamford Bridge.
That’s not to say I don’t think he’s capable of turning things around, but I just think time is against him when it comes to halting this woeful run the Blues are on.
Losing the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie at Borussia Dortmund was no disaster. Losing at home to Southampton is a different matter entirely, though.
Todd Boehly has seemed keen to stand by his man but is he willing to give him until the end of the season to continue implementing his ideas without fear of the sack?
That’s not easy for any owner to do. But when you’ve spent the money the Blues have, there’s an even greater need to see some improvement.
Tough to unpick
It’s tough to pinpoint exactly where things are going wrong for the former Brighton boss.
Some may point to him giving the players days off after the Saints loss as a strange move but I’m almost certain that will have been pre-planned.
Potter is an intelligent coach who will be fully aware of player workloads and it’s crucial to manage those properly, even when results aren’t great.
After all, the last thing he needs is more injuries.
With new signings often needing time to bed in, it may be up to some of Chelsea’s more established stars to dig them out of this hole — but look at Mason Mount’s current position off the pitch.
Mason Mount’s contract is another ongoing problem for Chelsea
Talks over his new contract have stalled and it’s a shame someone who has come through the club’s academy and is long established as a first-team regular finds himself in such a position.
Although we can see he’s a valuable player as football fans, the club haven’t paid a fee for him, so he gets treated differently to a new signing.
It’s bizarre, but it’s always been the way in top-level football.
Sadly, I doubt we’ll see any kind of resolution to Mason’s situation until the summer, when there could yet be a new man in charge. Time will tell!
Reds misery
Another side likely to be low on confidence this weekend are Liverpool following their midweek humbling at the hands of Real Madrid.
Facing the European champions is always going to be tough and there’s no shame in losing to the current Madrid side — just look at the teams they had to beat last season in order to lift the trophy.
But we expect the Reds to be able to go toe-to-toe with any side, especially at Anfield, so the manner of the defeat will definitely have knocked the players.
Prior to Tuesday, Jurgen Klopp’s men had managed back-to-back wins over Everton and Newcastle, though those victories weren’t exactly backed up by dominant performances.
The side just looks a long way away from where they have been for so long, so you’d have to expect a busy summer on the transfer front.
I said it at the start of the season and have said it a few times since, but the loss of Sadio Mane has had a huge impact on Liverpool.
Even when he wasn’t playing at his best or scoring goals, Mane set the tone with his pressing and understood what Klopp wanted from his forwards.
In hindsight, you’d have to say not strengthening the midfield last summer was a mistake on the Germans’ part—tthough I don’t think just signing a new midfielder solves their problems.
Joleon Lescott believes Jude Bellingham will overlook Liverpool this summer if they miss out on Champions League qualification
In fairness, if you bring in someone of Jude Bellingham’s calibre, perhaps that does have a telling impact. But would Jude want to join if they miss out on the top four?
I see Bellingham as a potential Ballon d’Or winner, but you have to be playing in the Champions League if you want to win those kinds of accolades.
The top four isn’t out of reach for the Reds just yet, but games like Saturday’s trip to Crystal Palace are becoming must-win fixtures.
DISCLAIMER: Independentghana.com will not be liable for any inaccuracies contained in this article. The views expressed in the article are solely those of the author’s, and do not reflect those of The Independent Ghana
Christian Atsu’s success at the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations in Equatorial Guinea has been discussed by former Ghana coach Avram Grant.
Prior to the competition, Atsu had been dealing with injuries, and his selection for the team caused some controversy because of the limited playing time he had received at the club level.
Grant mentioned Atsu’s outstanding play at the competition, where he was honoured with the best player and goal of the tournament awards.
After losing on penalties to Ivory Coast, Ghana came in second.
Grant praised Atsu’s mental strength and character, saying, “It’s a story that also shows his character and how strong he is mentally because I received the team very short time before the AFCON after the crisis in the World Cup in 2014 and he was not even on the list because he didn’t play half a year. The first half of the year he didn’t play, he didn’t find a team, partly because of injury.”
Grant had taken notice of Atsu’s talent during his time playing for Chelsea and in the Netherlands. Despite scepticism from others, he decided to include Atsu in the team and worked with Jamie Lawrence, the fitness coach, to prepare him for the tournament.
“So, we put him in a special program with Jamie Lawrence, the fitness coach, to prepare him, and I remember that I had a conversation with him; he said to me if you decide to take me, I don’t care if I play one minute, five minutes, or 10 minutes. I’m a Ghanaian. I’m proud of my team, and after what happened at the World Cup, the supporters don’t believe in us. I want to give my contribution.
Godwill Yogusuk Simon Sabio, a goalkeeper for South Sudan, age 18, has generated a lot of buzz online after helping his nation earn its first-ever victory in a CAF competition.
Godwill Yogusuk Simon Sabio’s appearance, which some Twitter users believe makes him appear much older than his actual age, has put him in the top trends rather than his performance.
Godwill Yogusuk Simon Sabio was born in 2004, making him 18 years old, according to the records.
One of the tournament’s talented players is Simon Sabio, who is competing in the U-20 Africa Cup of Nations, which is currently taking place in Egypt.
The teenage goalkeeper was in the post to help South Sudan record their first-ever win at the tournament.
Godwill Yogusuk Simon Sabio inspired the Bright Stars of South Sudan to beat the Central African Republic 1-0 in their Group B encounter.
The 18-year-old was instrumental for South Sudan as he made a couple of saves to ensure that his side keeps a clean sheet.
He was awarded the Man of The Match award for his top performance in the game.
Following his performance in the game, many football fans have been wondering if Simon Sabio is indeed 18 years old because of his matured looks.
Brendan Rodgers saluted “game changers” Gabriel Jesus and Oleksandr Zinchenko ahead of Leicester’sPremier League clash with leaders Arsenal.
The Gunners are two points clear at the summit with a game in hand on second-place Manchester City heading into their final 15 matches of the campaign.
Their quest for a first domestic title in 19 years has been boosted by the performances of former Manchester City duo Jesus and Zinchenko, who arrived at the Emirates Stadium in pre-season.
Jesus scored twice and provided two assists in Arsenal’s 4-2 win over Leicester in August, though the Brazil international will miss the return fixture at the King Power Stadium on Saturday as he continues his recovery from a knee injury.
Meanwhile, the versatile Zinchenko has played 20 times under Mikel Arteta this term, and Rodgers praised the impact of both players.
“I think [Arsenal have] had a fantastic season up until now,” the Foxes head coach said. “I think that you sensed right at the very beginning of the season when we played [them], they’d signed the two players that were a game changer for them in terms of mentality.
“When you’ve got the likes of Kieran Tierney on the bench – who’s an outstanding player – because of Zinchenko playing, then it really shows you the quality of the squad that they have.
“But I think Zinchenko and Jesus coming in really will have helped, and given [them] that mindset. [William] Saliba coming in at the back and obviously the other players then improve, and so I think that they played very well on that day.
“Whenever we got close to them, we made mistakes, which gave them a cushion in the game. But you could see in that early part of the season that there was a good feeling around the place and that’s continued through the season.
Asamoah Gyan, a former captain of the Black Stars, thinks that Christian Atsu’s untimely departure will humanise football and help Ghanaians understand that, at the end of the day, athletes are just regular people.
According to Asamoah Gyan, people often forget that football players are regular people and hold them to a higher standard of moral behaviour due to the wealth and luxury that come with the profession.
In a Peace FM interview, the legendary footballers expressed their opinion that Atsu’s passing provides a chance for people to reconsider their opinions of footballers and stop giving them a bad rap.
After Atsu’s passing, according to Gyan, the criticism of football players should stop because Ghanaians now understand the sacrifice that players make.
“This is the time for some Ghanaians to respect our jobs. We’ve been criticised for all these years for taking the tax payer’s money, but they forget that every professional gets paid for what they do. They don’t know the risk we go through. People only see us on TV with our flashy lifestyle, but we put our lives on the line.
“This was someone people depended on; now he is gone. This is the time for people to respect us. The disrespect is too much. I’m sure people are now beginning to understand what we go through. Sometimes we play in war-torn countries. We deserve the pay we get. This is an example for everyone. I’m in pain, but it’s a natural disaster. We will do all we can to support the family,” he said.
Asamoah Gyan also paid tribute to Christian Atsu and hinted at plans to organize a farewell match for the former Newcastle star.
“I’m planning to organize a game to raise money for the family. I believe when that day comes, everyone including the stars will come on board to support us so that we can raise funds for the family of Christian Atsu,” he said.
Asamoah Gyan was a close pal of Atsu and has already visited the family to commiserate with them following the passing of their beloved.
A powerful earthquake struck South-eastern Turkey, near the Syrian border, killing more than 40,000 people as they slept and trapping many others in the early hours of Monday.
The US Geological Survey said the 7.8 magnitude tremor struck at 04:17 local time (01:17 GMT) at a depth of 17.9km (11 miles) near the city of Gaziantep.
Hours later, a second quake, which had a magnitude of 7.5, hit the Elbistan district of Kahramanmaras province.
Hatayspor winger Christian Atsu was one of the club’s seven employees who lost their lives after the disaster.
After a thrilling 2-2 draw in the first leg at Camp Nou, Robert Lewandowski scored from the spot after Bruno Fernandes brought down Alejandro Balde to give Barcelona the lead in the second leg.
However, Fred equalised soon after the break, and Antony scored with less than 20 minutes remaining to send United through 4-3 on the overall score and eliminate Xavi’s team.
Barca lost to the Red Devils for the first time since 2008 and in 38 matches overall in the competition.
Xavi believes his players’ efforts at Old Trafford warranted more than they received, telling Movistar+ after the match: “In such evenly matched knockout matches, details are important. I think we deserved something more.
“The goal of making it 1-1 hurt us. We lost a ball, and they equalised. They played with more intensity, and we lost more duels in the second half.
“It has been an even tie. There have even been moments in which we have been very comfortable.
“This is a big disappointment, but we have to focus on the competitions we have left. We had a great rival in front of us.”
1 – #Barcelona 🔵🔴 have just won one of their last 15 games in Europe against teams from the top 5 European leagues (D5 L9), as many defeats as in their 50 previous such games (W31 D10 L9). Fall. pic.twitter.com/6BCmCIBpYM
Despite Barca having now been knocked out of both the Europa League and Champions League this season, Xavi says this season’s continental efforts have been an improvement on last campaign, when they were again knocked out of Europe’s premier competition before succumbing to Eintracht Frankfurt in the Europa League final eight.
“We have been better than last year,” Xavi explained. “The message is a bit like when they eliminated us in the Champions League. This year we have competed against Bayern [Munich], against Inter.
“We have been better. We have competed in this tie.
“You have to be very self-critical and think about what needs to be improved. We may not be satisfied, but there has been an exponential change compared to last year.
Asked whether new signings are needed for Barca to compete at the top level again, Xavi replied: “Soon we’ll see if we can sign [players]. What is clear is that we haven’t competed for two years.”
The Red Devils trailed on aggregate after last week’s thrilling 2-2 draw at Camp Nou thanks to Robert Lewandowski’s opening-half penalty at Old Trafford.
After the break, however, Ten Hag’s team completely reversed the situation, with goals from substitute Antony and Fred sending the hosts through to the round of 16.
Additionally, it was the first time the Blaugrana had lost after leading at halftime since their defeat by Granada in April 2021.
When asked if this was his biggest win since taking charge, the Dutchman told BT Sport: “Yes, I think so. We’ve had some good wins – Liverpool, Arsenal at home. Barcelona is the leader of LaLiga, eight points ahead of Real Madrid. To beat them, it’s a big win.
“I think we have some great personalities on the team, like Rapha [Varane] and Licha [Lisandro Martinez], who don’t fear anyone. Even when you get setbacks, they move on, they carry on, and they are resilient. They want to get a result.
“Even when you concede a penalty, you have to go on; you can turn around such games. When you win a big game like this after [being] 1-0 down in a difficult situation, I think this is a good bit of motivation for the season.”
Following Antony’s winner, United have now had 19 goals scored by substitutes in all competitions this season, the most by any side from the big five European leagues.
Alejandro Garnacho also looked dangerous following his introduction, his blocked effort leading to the decisive strike, and Ten Hag hailed the impact of both players.
“We know if we can bring Antony and Garnacho on and get over in the right areas, you get speed, you get running behind, you get dribbles, and you get belief,” the manager added.
On Fred, who levelled the tie, he said: “What he does really well is make the runs behind in the right moment, he has good timing. Getting behind the Barcelona midfielders was part of our game plan. I think it was really effective.”
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