TIG Post

Author: Andy Ogbarmey-Tettey

  • Infantino reveals new 32-team Club World Cup

    Gianni Infantino, the president of FIFA, said that the organization is moving on with plans for a 32-team Club World Cup, while the structure of the following World Cup would be reviewed.

    For the first time since his extraordinary news conference at the commencement of Qatar 2022, Infantino spoke to the media in Doha on Friday.

    On this occasion, he decided against a 45-minute opening speech and instead used the chance to give an update following a FIFA Council meeting earlier in the day.

    Plans to move forward with a previously suggested expansion to the Club World Cup were authorized at that meeting.

    Currently, the competition puts the champions of the major continental club competitions against one another every year. The new competition, which will take place every four years, will involve 32 teams from around the world.

    “It will be a Club World Cup of 32 teams, every four years, and the first edition will be summer of 2025,” he said. “They will be the best teams in the world invited to participate.”

    “I have to say, after this World Cup and the success of groups of four and looking at other competitions such as the Euros, here [four-team groups] have been incredible,” he added

    “I think we have to revisit or at least re-discuss the format. This is something that will certainly be on the agenda.”

    Speaking two days before Qatar 2022’s final, Infantino summarised the tournament as a success in every way, in his opinion, praising the behaviour of supporters.

    “The World Cup has been an incredible success on all fronts,” said Infantino.

    “The main one being the fans, the behaviour, the joyful atmosphere, the bringing of people together. The fans meeting the Arab world, it has been very important for the future of all of us.

    “When it comes to the matches, we have seen some incredibly competitive games, some surprises, some great goals.

    “At the end of the day, there was on average 10 minutes played as additional time every match. This was a very fair World Cup on the pitch, no simulations, not so many yellow and red cards.

    “But this shows the compliment goes to the players and coaches, who maintained their calm, and of course the referees.”

  • Busquets retires from international football

    Sergio Busquets, who ranks third among Spanish players in terms of appearances, has declared his retirement from international play.

    The 34-year-old skippered Spain in each of their four games during the World Cup in Qatar, but Luis Enrique’s team was eliminated by Morocco in the last 16 when he missed a penalty in the shootout.

    Busquets made his La Roja debut against Turkey in April 2009 and went on to make 143 appearances, which places him third all-time in the nation’s history behind Iker Casillas and Sergio Ramos.

    The Barcelona midfielder, who has two goals for his country, was a crucial member of the Spain teams that won the 2010 World Cup and the 2012 European Championship.

    “I would like to thank all the people who have accompanied me on this long journey,” he wrote on Instagram.

    “From Vicente del Bosque who gave me the opportunity to start, to Luis Enrique for making me enjoy it until the last second.

    “I also thank Julen Lopetegui, Fernando Hierro and Robert Moreno for their trust, as well as all their staff.

    “And, of course, to each and every one of my team-mates, with whom I have struggled to try to take the team where it deserved, with more or less success but always giving everything and with the greatest of pride.

    “It has been an honour to represent my country and take it to the top.

    “To be a World and European champion, to be captain and to play so many games, with greater or lesser success but always giving everything and contributing my grain of sand so that everything went the right way.”

     

    View this post on Instagram

     

    A post shared by Sergio Busquets (@5sergiob)


  • Seven kids die in Egypt due to fake medicine

    According to reports, some kids in Egypt have perished after receiving phony medications by mistake.

    One instance included a two-year-old child who had a high temperature who passed away after hospital staff administered medications that turned out to be fake.

    Although the issue is widespread, Egyptian media report that more than $160 million worth of bogus drugs have been seized there in the last month alone.

    According to a recent report from the American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, up to 300,000 youngsters die each year from using fake medications.

     

     

  • Fernando Santos quits Portugal after World Cup exit

    Fernando Santos has resigned as Portugal’s manager after the team’s shocking 1-0 quarterfinal World Cup loss to Morocco.

    The 68-year-old oversaw Portugal for eight years, winning the 2016 Euro Championship and the 2019 Uefa Nations League with the team.

    However, his decision to bench Cristiano Ronaldo for the Qatar 2022 semifinal matches dominated his final games.

    Ronaldo’s harsh response to being replaced during the last group match against South Korea led Santos to decide to bench the 37-year-old prior to the last-16 encounter with Switzerland.

    Goncalo Ramos, Ronaldo’s replacement, scored a hat-trick as Portugal defeated Switzerland 6-1, but they were shocked when Morocco became the first African country to advance to the World Cup semifinals.

    The Portuguese Football Association (FPF) said: “The FPF thanks Fernando Santos and his technical team for the services provided over eight unique years and believes that this thanks is also made on behalf of the Portuguese people.

    “The FPF Board will now start the process of choosing the next national coach.”

  • Sudan houses hundreds who fled South Sudan violence

    According to the state-run Sudanese news agency Suna, at least 1,700 people have crossed into Sudan as a result of fighting between armed factions in South Sudan’s northern Upper Nile province.

    Earlier reports of escalating civilian casualties, injuries, and kidnappings prompted thousands of women and children to evacuate their homes in Upper Nile state as a result of fighting between armed factions that began in August, according to the UN agency Unicef.

    Since then, the fighting has spread to the states of Jonglei and Unity.

    The UN reported on Wednesday that at least 166 people have died as a result of the violence.

    Large numbers of South Sudanese fleeing the violence had arrived in the border state of White Nile, according to Salah Taaj al-Sir, a member of Sudan’s state-run Humanitarian Aid Commission, who spoke to Suna.

    He urged humanitarian organizations to help the refugees right away.

  • Ramaphosa pegged to win ANC race despite cash scandal

    On Friday morning, the ruling ANC of South Africa begins the national conference that will elect its new leadership.

    After avoiding an impeachment hearing earlier this week, President Cyril Ramaphosa is seeking to be re-elected as party leader.

    This came after members of the ANC voted against the acceptance of a report that suggested he might have violated the nation’s anti-corruption laws after a significant amount of foreign currency was stolen from his own game farm.

    For the top position, Mr. Ramaphosa will compete against former Health Minister Zweli Mkhize.

    The party’s integrity committee is anticipated to provide its report on the “Farmgate” incident, which nearly cost Mr. Ramaphosa his job, as well as a corruption scandal that included his rival.

    It is reported that Dr. Mkhize benefitted from a Covid-19 government tender where his associates were given communication contracts.

    The acceptance of credentials, which might take hours and is sometimes fought by different factions because it defines which delegates are permitted to participate and vote, will come next.

    Mr Ramaphosa is likely to retain his position despite recent the setbacks.

  • Top managers currently searching for work

    Several under-pressure managers will be nervously scanning the pool of freely available coaching talent waiting to replace them as domestic football is poised to resume next week.

    The international game follows suit, with federations determining if they require a personnel change following the World Cup.

    There are some well-known figures out there who are awaiting a call from a potential employer who might convince them to return to management.

    We have looked at some of the top talent that is now unemployed in light of the plethora of new appointments that are anticipated in the upcoming months.

    Luis Enrique

    Luis Enrique, who left Spain following their elimination from the World Cup, is one of the most recent managers to find himself hunting for work.

    It was unexpected to see La Roja ousted by Morocco in the round of 16 in Qatar after Luis Enrique had led his team to the semifinals of both the 2020 European Championship and the 2020–21 Nations League.

    Even yet, Luis Enrique’s time as the head of state of his country was seen as a success, especially considering the lack of talent in the country at the time.

    Before retiring in 2017, the 52-year-old Barcelona employee won two LaLiga championships and the Champions League. He now appears keen to get back into club administration.

    When quizzed about his future plans, the Asturian said: “I see myself joining a club and developing a squad with greater finesse and precision than I had time to do with the national team.”

    Thomas Tuchel

    Thomas Tuchel is available for work
    Thomas Tuchel is available for work

    A manager that could be heading from club management to the international stage is Thomas Tuchel.

    Should Gareth Southgate choose to resign as England’s coach, the former Chelsea manager has been proposed as a replacement.

    The Champions League, Super Cup, and Club World Cup were all won by Tuchel when he was at Stamford Bridge. He also made it to three domestic cup finals until being fired by Chelsea earlier this season.

    He also led Paris Saint-Germain to two Ligue 1 championships and Borussia Dortmund to a DFB-Pokal success during his time there.

    A major club will inevitably approach England if Tuchel is not chosen as their next manager in a short period of time.

    Mauricio Pochettino

    Another coach linked as a possible replacement for Southgate is Mauricio Pochettino.

    With Harry Kane having suffered the disappointment of missing a vital penalty in England’s 2-1 quarter-final defeat to France at the World Cup, his former Spurs boss could be seen as the perfect appointment should Southgate depart.

    Under Pochettino, Tottenham became top-four regulars in the Premier League and were Champions League finalists.

    Yet the Argentine received criticism for failing to land a trophy with the North Londoners and a solitary Ligue 1 title and Coupe de France victory was seen as a disappointing return during his spell at PSG, before being sacked last summer.

    Now waiting for his next opportunity, what Pochettino does have in his favour is a reputation for playing attractive, adventurous football and building a strong relationship with players.

    Marcelo Bielsa

    Marcelo Bielsa's last role was in charge of Leeds
    Marcelo Bielsa’s last role was in charge of Leeds

    Pochettino’s mentor Marcelo Bielsa is also waiting for his next managerial role to materialise.

    Bielsa’s last position saw him take Leeds from the Championship into the Premier League, where the West Yorkshire club managed a ninth-placed finish in 2020-21.

    A poor start to last season amid a number of injuries to key players, resulted in the Argentine being sacked from a job that had given him his longest reign as a club manager.

    Now 67, Bielsa held talks over a Premier League return at Bournemouth earlier this year, while he has also been linked as a replacement should Frank Lampard be dismissed by Everton.

    Another option is for the former Argentina and Chile boss to make a return to the international stage, with Uruguay said to be considering him as a successor to Diego Alonso.

    Zinedine Zidane

    Zinedine Zidane could be the next France manager
    Zinedine Zidane could be the next France manager

    An international job is also said to interest Zinedine Zidane, who has been tipped to become the next manager of France.

    Prior to this World Cup, Les Bleus were in poor form and there was a lot of speculation regarding Zidane succeeding his former team-mate Didier Deschamps as coach.

    Four years after winning the World Cup in Russia, Deschamps has guided his country to the final once more. It could now be up to Deschamps as to whether he continues as national coach or not.

    That could leave Zidane in limbo, with no natural fit at club level seemingly available in the short-term.

    Zidane has been out of work since leaving Real Madrid in 2021. With two LaLiga titles and three Champions Leagues on his resume as a manager, it seems only a matter of time before he takes on his next challenge.

     

  • Four in critical condition after crush at Asake gig

    Following a crush during a concert at the Brixton O2 Academy in south London, four people are in critical condition.

    On Thursday at 21:35 GMT, as the afro-pop artist Asake was performing, the police were called. The gathering was interrupted midway through and four other people were transported to the hospital.

    Social media video reveals a sizable crowd amassing outside the venue.

    One observer calculated that around 1,000 people showed up to the concert without tickets.

    The Nigerian musician, commonly known as Mr Money, performed at the Academy for the third of three sold-out performances. Before the show, Asake had tweeted on Twitter requesting that fans not attempt to enter without tickets.

    Brixton Academy

    The concert was abandoned part-way through

    One of the injured people, who was taken to St Thomas’ Hospital with suspected internal bleeding, spoke to the BBC after being discharged.

    The woman, from Battersea in south London, said: “I was just queuing up to give them my ticket and then the crowd out here was insane, they just came and pushed and I just fell down.

    “I was trying to get up, people were stepping on my head, all over me. I had more than 10 people on top of me.”

    ‘I was so scared’

    She described the fear she felt as she lay on the ground, saying: “I couldn’t breathe and I completely passed out. I thought I was dead.

    “I took my last breath and I could not get any more oxygen. I was so scared.

    “A man pulled me out so when I woke up I was in the back of the ambulance. I’m just so grateful.”

    In footage on social media, the crowd can be seen stretching from the road outside to the venue’s doors, with people screaming, shouting and struggling.

    A video taken by someone outside the Academy shows crowds of people on a side street, with a woman heard saying that people are pushing others.

    John, 32, who lives next to the O2, said: “I saw everyone at the front door of Brixton Academy, [then] everything just stopped.

    “It looked like the gig had been cancelled, and then some commotion, some pushing and shoving, and the police came shortly after. That’s when it kicked off and became aggressive.

    “People at the front of the Brixton Academy were really pushing and shoving and trying to break through the door and force their way in,” he added. “The glass of the doors was broken.”

    Journalist and author Jason Okundaye, who was also outside the venue at the time, said “there was absolutely zero communication” from Academy staff.

    He added that he went home after observing the dangerous conditions, saying: “Outside the venue was so unsafe, still slippery conditions because of the earlier snowstorm, freezing cold, a confused crowd and aggressive police dogs making the risk of a huge crush likely.”

    Scattered railings

    The O2 Academy Brixton has a standing capacity of nearly 5,000 people, according to its website.

    The venue is opposite Brixton police station, partly explaining the swift response on Thursday night. There are plenty of officers at the scene and you can see broken glass on the floor by the door to the venue.

    Underneath a “sold out” sign, the metal railings scattered across the pavement bear testament to what were chaotic scenes.

    File photo of Asake during a concert.GETTY IMAGES
    Asake is touring his debut album, Mr. Money With The Vibe

    Cdr Ade Adelekan from the Metropolitan Police said the scene would be examined by specialist officers as part of an investigation which will be “as thorough and as forensic as necessary”.

    He said: “This is an extremely upsetting incident which has left four people critically ill in hospital. My thoughts and prayers are with them and their families.”

    The Met’s directorate of professional standards will view all material, including body-worn video footage from the officers at the scene, Scotland Yard said.

    Mayor of London Sadiq Khan tweeted to say he was “heartbroken”.

    Mr Khan added: “My thoughts are with all those affected by the awful incident at Brixton Academy.”

    General view of the O2 Brixton Academy showing abandoned metal gates outside on Friday.

    The legendary London venue on Stockfield Road is cordoned off while police investigate

    Serious crushes at British gigs are very rare.

    In 1974, a 14-year-old David Cassidy fan died at the pop singer’s concert at the White City Stadium in London, with another 700 people injured.

    At the Monsters of Rock festival in 1988, two people lost their lives in a crowd surge when Guns ‘N Roses played at a muddy Castle Donington in Leicestershire.

    Earlier this year, the Liverpool M&S Bank Arena – where next year’s Eurovision Song Contest will be held – launched an investigation after fans complained of overcrowding at a concert by local hero Jamie Webster, although no injuries were reported.

    It has become common for artists to pause their shows if they suspect there may be a problem in the crowd, with heightened awareness of such dangers in the wake of the tragedy at Travis Scott’s Astroworld festival, in Texas in November 2021, in which 10 people died.

    ‘Breakout star’

    Asake, whose real name is Ahmed Ololade, was nominated for BBC Radio 1’s Sound of 2023 award.

    He had been described on the venue’s website as “one of the hottest breakout stars from Nigeria” and is touring his debut album, Mr. Money With The Vibe.

    Born and raised in Lagos State, his songs are part of the Nigerian street-pop subgenre that blends Afrobeats with Amapiano, pop melodies and street-smart rap lyrics.

    He had a breakout hit in 2020 with his single Lady.

    Source: BBC

     

  • Messi is on a par with Maradona ahead of World Cup final, Zanetti claims

    According to Javier Zanetti, a former Argentina player, Lionel Messi is on par with Diego Maradona and deserving of winning the World Cup for the first time on Sunday.

    On Sunday at the Lusail Stadium, Argentina will compete in their sixth World Cup final, hoping to keep France from becoming the first team to win the championship back-to-back since Brazil in 1962.

    With his 26th and likely final game remaining in the World Cup, Messi will break the record for most appearances in the tournament. He also has a chance to become the first player to score 20 goals during the tournament (currently 11 goals, eight assists).

    The talismanic performances of the Argentina skipper in Qatar have been compared to Maradona’s during the Albiceleste’s victory in 1986, and Zanetti cannot distinguish between the two legends.

    “Messi is a great player, I think he’s on a par with Diego,” he told reporters in Doha on Thursday.

    “I think a lot of people want Messi to win because of what he represents in the world and because of the way he interprets football.

    “Leo deserves it and the boys are making a great effort to get to that moment. He is the strongest player in the world and he makes a difference on the field.”

    However, the Inter great is not taking victory for granted, adding: “I hope that Argentina can bring the World Cup to our country.

    “I’m worried about [Kylian] Mbappe, [Antoine] Griezmann, [Olivier] Giroud, if [Adrien] Rabiot plays he is a quality player, and they have a great goalkeeper.

    “It’s a group that has been working for a long time with this coach. It’s a very complete team, very organised. But it’s a final and anything can happen.”

    In the meantime, fellow former Argentina international Diego Milito praised Messi’s performances and stated both teams deserved to be in the championship game.

    “We know him, we know what he is capable of, that he is the best player in the world,” Milito said of Messi. “He is having an extraordinary World Cup and he deserves it.

    “The best two teams reached the final. It’s a very difficult match but we are confident in the team.

    “We are happy to be able to be in the final. Hopefully this Sunday will be a good final and we can achieve what we have been looking forward to for a long time.

    “This team has given much joy to the people, they have come on a path from the [2021] Copa America, and must be very happy and excited.”

     

  • Heart issue prompts 2-3 months leave for Lucas Leiva

    Following examinations in which a heart issue was discovered, Lucas Leiva was told to take a break from football for at least two to three months.

    It was revealed this week during a routine test, and the former Liverpool and Lazio midfielder was forced to miss the start of Gremio’s Brazilian league season.

    On Thursday, Gremio’s medical division provided an update to the announcement it had made on Tuesday that he would be evaluated. This was done by posting a new statement on Lucas’ Twitter page.

    “The Medical Department of Gremio communicates that, after alterations were diagnosed in one of the routine pre-season exams of the athlete Lucas Leiva, he was submitted to complementary evaluations and referred to specialists,” the statement read.

    “Once the evaluations were completed, conducted by doctors Leandro Zimerman and Ricardo Stein, it was determined that the athlete should stay away from high-performance physical activities for a period of two to three months, during which he will be accompanied, monitored and guided by the club’s medical team and the aforementioned specialists.

    “After this period, Lucas Leiva will undergo further examinations and evaluations to determine the evolution of his clinical condition.”


  • Man Utd reduce capacity for Burnley clash on safety advice

    The Carabao Cup match between Manchester United and Burnley will be played in front of a smaller audience per safety officials’ recommendations.

    Wednesday’s matchup between the Championship leaders and the Red Devils will take place at Old Trafford, where Clarets manager and former Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany will visit his former foes.

    The North West Ambulance Service’s day of industrial action, which results in the absence of ambulance service workers, falls on the same day as the game.

    Tiers in the West Stand and North Stand must be closed at the request of the authorities as part of a “strong” medical plan, allowing about 62,000 people to attend; Old Trafford can typically hold about 74,000.

    A statement on the club’s official website said: “Everyone at Manchester United shares the inevitable disappointment caused by this news, particularly to those ticket holders who will be impacted.

    “However, the safety of our fans is always our priority. As the match is currently sold out, we have written to fans in the affected areas offering the option of a full refund.

    “No action is required from fans with tickets in other areas of the ground at this time.

    “We will do our utmost to relocate anyone who is impacted and has not chosen to accept a refund, prioritising full and cup season ticket holders.”


  • World Cup final to be officiated by Marciniak

    Szymon Marciniak will officiate Sunday’s World Cup final between France and Argentina, according to FIFA.

    Marciniak has already presided over matches involving both of the winners in Qatar; he oversaw France’s 2-1 victory over Denmark in the group stages and Argentina’s 2-1 triumph over Australia in the last 16 matches.

    In his two matches in this year’s tournament, the Polish official, who also officiated matches at the 2018 World Cup in Russia, has only issued five yellow cards. He has not yet issued a single penalty or red card.

    Antonio Mateu Lahoz, who issued 15 yellow cards during Argentina’s victory over the Netherlands in the quarterfinal of the World Cup, is one of the referees who have come under fire for their performances in the knockout rounds.

    Regarding Cesar Ramos’ officiating during Wednesday’s World Cup semifinal loss to France, the Moroccan Football Federation has filed a protest with FIFA.

    The third-place playoff between Croatia and Morocco will be overseen on Saturday by Abdulrahman Al Jassim of Qatar, according to FIFA.

  • ‘Immortal’ status awaits for Croatia-Morocco winner, Kramaric says

    Andrej Kramaric, a forward for Croatia, has rejected the notion that t he third-place matchup on Saturday against Morocco is a meaningless contest.

    He believes the victor will live forever.

    After losing to Argentina and France in their respective semifinal matches, the two teams will square off at Khalifa International Stadium.

    After losing to Les Bleus at Russia 2018, Zlatko Dalic’s team was denied a chance at a second straight final, and Walid Regragui’s team too saw their underdog tale end in defeat in the championship game.

    Despite their disappointment, Kramaric insists that their bronze-medal battle will not be undervalued because the victor secures their position in sporting lore and history.

    “I think if you ask this question to Moroccan players, I don’t think they will look that way,” he said

    “They’re fighting for their lives because if you win a medal at a World Cup you become an immortal hero in your country. That’s the same thing we are going to do.

    “Eight of us from [the tournament in] Russia understand that feeling of winning a medal at the World Cup.

    “We have a lot of players who haven’t experienced that and would love to do that because it’s something that will stay with you for the rest of their life.”

    Croatia – whose prior best performance in a World Cup had been third at France 1998 before Russia – are looking to claim a third tournament medal in their history.

    For Morocco, regardless of their result, they will already go down as the greatest World Cup side in African history, having become the first from the continent to make the semi-finals.

  • Transfer Talk: Five strikers likely to aid Man Utd’s attack

    Following the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo, Erik ten Hag is eager to recruit a forward to Manchester United in the upcoming months.

    Under the Dutch coach, the Red Devils have experienced a stronger start to the Premier League campaign than in previous years, but they still lack talent in the final third.

    Despite the fact that there may be more inexpensive options in a notoriously difficult winter window, Cody Gakpo has been on the club’s radar for a number of months.

    The United attack might be strengthened in January by five different strategies.

    Cody Gakpo (PSV Eindhoven)

    Much has been said of PSV Eindhoven forward Gakpo following his impressive World Cup campaign with the Netherlands in Qatar.

    Gakpo was subject to interest from the 13-time Premier League winners last summer and the club could return in an effort to secure his services in January.

    The 23-year-old scored three times for his country at the global showpiece and has been a star for his club in the Eredivisie, tallying 21 goal contributions in just 14 matches.

    His impressive form has had consequences for clubs aiming to sign the 14-cap international with his price tag skyrocketing in recent months.

    PSV’s director of football Marcel Brands said: “Only 10-12 clubs can afford Gakpo in January. Let’s see if it will happen — it has to be a record PSV sale and also the right bid for Cody’s plans.”

    Goncalo Ramos (Benfica)

    Goncalo Ramos has made a name for himself on the international stage
    Goncalo Ramos has made a name for himself on the international stage

    Another impressive youngster who has emerged at the World Cup is Benfica’s Goncalo Ramos.

    Ramos, 21, played in four of Portugal’s five matches at the tournament in Qatar and netted a hat-trick in the win over Switzerland that earned his country a quarter-final berth.

    He has also been thriving in domestic football — scoring nine times in 11 league matches for the Eagles, who sit top of the Primeira Liga.

    The striker came through Benfica’s youth system and has since gone on to net 28 times in 80 first-team appearances.

    United are sure to have their eye on Ramos and may rely on compatriots Bruno Fernandes and Diogo Dalot to convince him to join.

    Marcus Thuram (Borussia Monchengladbach)

    A name that has gone under the radar this season is Marcus Thuram, who has enjoyed a cameo role for France at the World Cup.

    The Borussia Monchengladbach finisher has been prolific in the Bundesliga however, netting 10 times in 15 appearances for the German side.

    His current contract is set to expire next summer, which is likely to draw interest from the Red Devils who could look to finalise a cheap deal to appease the Bundesliga outfit.

    However, Ten Hag would likely face stiff competition from his rivals as clubs look to bag a January bargain.

    At 6ft 2in, Thuram would be an excellent option to provide an aerial threat as United look to continue their progress in the Premier League and Europa League.

    Christian Pulisic (Chelsea)

    Christian Pulisic was the United States' talisman at the World Cup
    Christian Pulisic was the United States’ talisman at the World Cup

    Christian Pulisic is yet to find favour under Graham Potter at Chelsea but his performances at the World Cup proved he has exceptional quality.

    With a goal and two assists, the Pennsylvania-born attacker helped drag the United States to the last 16 in Qatar before they bowed out at the hands of the Netherlands.

    His club form has not been as impressive — just two goal contributions in 13 Premier League appearances this term — but he has mostly been limited to action from the bench.

    United were reportedly exploring a loan deal for the American last summer but the West London club were playing hardball at the time.

    Victor Osimhen (Napoli)

    Like Gakpo, Victor Osimhen would be an expensive option for the Red Devils with the Nigerian centre forward valued at over £80million.

    The 23-year-old could well be worth the money however, as shown by his superb form this season for Napoli.

    Luciano Spalletti’s men sit eight points clear at the summit of Serie A and Osimhen tops the goalscoring charts with nine strikes to his name.

    Impressive performances in the Partenopei’s Champions League group-stage campaign have put him on the radar of many European clubs, including United.

  • Rehan Ahmed will become youngest man to play for England

    Rehan Ahmed, a leg-spinner, will make history by playing in the third Test against Pakistan as England’s youngest-ever Test cricket player.

    The famed Yorkshire batter Brian Close’s record, which stood since 1949, is broken by the 18-year-old.

    James Anderson, a pace bowler, and Will Jacks, an all-arounder, are replaced in the side in Karachi by Ahmed and wicketkeeper Ben Foakes.

    With the series officially secured, England is aiming for a 3-0 shutout.

    No foreign team has ever swept Pakistan 3-0 at home, while England’s only prior clean sweeps in away Test series of three or more matches have been against Pakistan.

    Ahmed from Leicestershire will be 18 years old and 126 days when the Test starts on Saturday. When Close, a former captain, played against New Zealand at Old Trafford 73 years ago, he was 18 years and 149 days old.

    Despite leaving training early on Friday because he felt sick, he has been selected for the England team.

    Ahmed will not be the smallest player to play a Test for England; left-arm spinner Holly Colvin, who competed for the women’s team against Australia in 2005, was 15 years and 336 days old.

    Only three first-class games have been played by the Leicestershire player, who has nine wickets at an average of 30. He played for the England Lions against the visiting South Africans during the home summer and was a member of the England team that advanced to the Under-19 World Cup final this year.

    He was subsequently added to the England Lions squad for a warm-up game in Abu Dhabi in November after being named in the team for a training camp in the United Arab Emirates.

    On a Karachi pitch that is anticipated to turn, Ahmed gives the tourists’ XI a second frontline spin-bowling option.

    Meanwhile, former Pakistan captain Azhar Ali has announced he will retire from Test cricket after the final match of the series.

    Azhar, 37, has played 96 Tests, scoring 7,097 runs – only four Pakistan batters have ever scored more.

  • Ronaldo trains at Real Madrid after World Cup exit

    Following Portugal’s World Cup loss, Cristiano Ronaldo has been keeping healthy at Real Madrid’s training facility.

    After his agreement with Manchester United was terminated last month, Ronaldo will be free to sign with any team on January 1.

    Although it is believed the 37-year-old forward has other choices, Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr has made a sizable bid for him.

    Ronaldo worked out by himself at Real’s headquarters in Valdebebas, and a return to the Spanish team is not a possibility.

    After a contentious interview in which the five-time Ballon d’Or winner criticized the team and declared that he had “no regard” for manager Erik ten Hag, Ronaldo’s second stint at Manchester United came to an abrupt end.

    Ronaldo started the first three games of Portugal’s World Cup campaign after that, and he reacted violently when he was replaced in the final group game against South Korea.

    The Portuguese Football Federation refuted claims that Cristiano Ronaldo threatened to quit the team after learning he wouldn’t start the last-16 match against Switzerland; in his stead, Goncalo Ramos scored a hat-trick in a 6-1 victory.

    Ronaldo was thought to be at his final World Cup, in Qatar, and he came off the bench against Switzerland and Morocco, but he couldn’t stop the African team from eliminating Portugal.

    That 1-0 upset in the quarter-finals could be Ronaldo’s last World Cup game and he said on social media: “The dream was nice while it lasted”.

    In asking Real to use their training facility rather than take a break following Portugal’s early exit, Ronaldo has given a clear indication he is ready to join a new club at the earliest opportunity.

    However, that will not be Real, whose all-time leading scorer is Ronaldo with 450 goals in 438 games, during time which he won the Champions League four times and La Liga twice.

    Ronaldo made a then-world-record move to Real from Manchester United in 2009 and left for Juventus in 2018.

  • National Standardised Test to be written on Friday

    Information reaching The Independent Ghana’s news desk is that National Standardised Test to be written by pupils in Primary 4 has been postponed.

    The test was scheduled for Thursday, December 15, but has been postponed to Friday, December 16.

    A said letter by the Director of the Division of Schools and Instructions of Ghana Education Service (GES), Patty Assan to all regional directors of education on Wednesday, December 14 directed that the vacation of all public basic schools be delayed as a result.

    “This is to enable the Primary Four (P4) pupils to write the National Standardised Test on Friday, 16th December, 2022,” the letter read.

    All basic schools were originally scheduled to vacate today.

    Meanwhile, the the reopening date remains Tuesday, January 10, 2023.

    “By this letter, Regional Directors are kindly requested to communicate this information to the Metro/Municipal/District Directors of Education to inform all Heads of Basic Schools to take note and act accordingly,” the letter said.

  • Vandals, Male Sarbah Hall continuing students to lose residency for 2022/2023 academic year

    Due to recent fights on campus, male occupants of the Mensah Sarbah and Commonwealth halls at the University of Ghana would no longer be allowed to live there for the 2022–2023 academic year.

    This was stated in a statement released by university management on December 14, 2022.

    According to the statement, the impacted students would have their room assignments in the private dorms on the university campus made at random.

    “All continuing students of Commonwealth Hall and continuing male students of Mensa Sarbah Hall will not return to these halls, or to any of the traditional halls.

    “They are to be randomly assigned to available rooms in any of the UGEL and private hostels. Continuing female students of Mensah Sarbah Hall and students with special needs in both halls will not be affected by this measure,” the statement said.

    Only first-year and graduate students would be assigned rooms in the Commonwealth and Mensah Sarbah halls beginning with the following academic year, the statement continued.

    “Beginning from the 2022/2023 academic year, only Level 100 and graduate students (Masters and PhD level) will be assigned to Mensah Sarbah and Commonwealth Halls.

    “Subsequently, undergraduate students will vacate the halls at the end of Level 100 and may secure accommodation in the private hostels from Level 200 until completion.

    “Level 100 students who opt for traditional halls will be randomly assigned to the halls.”

     

     

  • Transport fares must come down – COPEC

    Duncan Amoah, the Executive Secretary of the Chamber of Petroleum Consumers (COPEC), has pleaded with commercial transportation companies to lower transportation costs in response to the recent drop in fuel prices.

    When the first window opens on December 16, 2022, Mr. Amoah predicted that fuel prices would drop to GH15.00.

    Owners of commercial transportation, he claimed, should show some good faith, since this would greatly ease Ghanaians’ current suffering.

    Speaking on CitiTV, Mr. Amoah indicated that, “we would use your medium equally to join the millions of Ghanaians who are clearly waiting for our commercial transport operators to show a sign of good faith with them in these times.

    “The last time commercial transport fares were adjusted, you were looking at fuel prices hovering around GH¢13.00. Then they did the 19% [hike in transport fares], then we jumped to GH¢16.00, diesel went up to about GH¢23.00, and then they [transport operators] came back to add another 20%, which escalated transport fares completely”.

    The COPEC Executive Secretary claimed that if commercial transport providers fail to lower transportation costs, Ghanaians will be thoroughly let down.

    “At this point, diesel is not doing too badly, there has been some GH¢5 reduction, if you add what we are expecting on Friday, it will come to about GH¢15. From GH¢23 to GH¢15, GH¢8 is such a jump. We will be utterly disappointed if any of the commercial transport operators from Friday continue to make excuses that they have made losses in recent times that, so they are not going to reduce transport fares,” Mr. Amoah pointed out.

    He promised that COPEC will speak with transport companies about the need to lower their excessive transportation fares.

    COPEC Executive Secretary said, “this will not be just a radio conversation, we will take steps equally to approach them to explain to them the need to drop the very high transport fares that Ghanaians are currently being charged.

    “Because if your fuel has done almost 30% to 40% drop, in the line of good faith and proper public interest arguments for any of the transport operators including the VVIP to reduce transport fares forthwith. It will be our expectation that the kind of reliefs cedi is throwing to the economy currently, the kind of international benchmarks are throwing at fuel consumers. The commercial ‘trotro’ operators will not go to sleep on this and make excuses, because there will be no justification for them to continue to charge high prices”.

  • Reducing transport fares is dependent on fuel’s next pricing window – GPRTU

    Should fuel prices decline in the upcoming pricing window, the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) says it will lower its rates.

    Should that occur, the Union asserts that they won’t think twice about lowering transportation costs.

    They won’t, however, cut corners and lower prices in an effort to avoid being stung by fuel price increases, according to Mr. Godfred Abulbire, general secretary of the GPRTU.

    Before lowering transportation costs, many factors, in his opinion, would have been taken into account.

    “For now, we will not rush and reduce fares, we need to observe things before we reduce before they increase again, and we are told to increase.

    We are going to observe and by the next pricing window, if the price comes down, nobody will need to tell us to reduce fares,” he said in a media interview.

    The cost of petroleum products has been declining recently, and this trend is projected to continue.

    Analysts predict that prices for gasoline and diesel will fall to 13 and 16 cents per liter, respectively, while liquefied petroleum gas will cost roughly 12 cents per kilogram.

    This development is what has necessitated the demand for a reduction in transport fares.

     

     

  • Charges against Rev. Owusu Bempah withdrawn

    The police have dropped their charges against Rev. Isaac Owusu Bempah, general overseer of the Glorious Word Power Ministry.

    Along with three other people, the preacher was accused of harming police officers.

    Rev. Owusu Bempah, Michael Boateng, Frederick Ohene, and Nathaniel Agyekum all entered not guilty pleas to two counts of aiding and abetting the commission of harm and the commission of unlawful damage.

    Police prosecutor Insp. Jonas Lawer informed the court on Wednesday that the accusations against the accused were being dropped without giving a justification.

    As a result, the Accra Circuit Court deemed the case dropped and ordered the accused to be released.

    This occurs two weeks after Owusu Bempah and six other defendants were released by a different Circuit Court on November 30 as a result of a withdrawal for making threats against Nana Agradaa’s life.

    In this separate case, the prosecution had all requisite disclosures and witness testimonies on file and served on each of the defendants, with a hearing date of January 19, 2022.

  • Over 50 Abossey Okai shops defaulting loan repayment closed

    At the Abossey Okai Spare Parts Market, more than 50 stores have closed as a result of loan default.

    Some of the shop owners attributed the predicament to the high cost of doing business in the nation as a result of rising inflation and earlier this year’s exchange rate volatility.

    In addition, they pointed to the port’s high taxes as a factor in their failure to make loan payments on time.

    “A lot of traders go for loans to import goods to the market. Due to the high cost of port duties and the unstable exchange rate regime, we are compelled to increase prices but at the end, customers don’t buy and we lose”, a trader who gave his name as Julius said.

    According to Julius, many of his colleagues have to leave the country in search of better opportunities to pay back their loans.

    “It is not easy my brother. A lot of people are travelling outside the country to look for better conditions. Why operate a shop here when you can’t break even”.

    Julius expressed his dissatisfaction with the nation’s current economic climate and said that he would be moving to Dubai to work as a carpenter.

    “Listen! We don’t have any business to do. All we have is what we do here. Look at the shops, they are all closed with no spare parts in there. Do you know why? They have all travelled because the banks are chasing them for repayment of the loans which they can’t repay.

    “The only option now is to travel abroad, get some monies and pay your debt. I don’t think you will meet me here in your next visit. I am also going to Dubai to make money” he said.

    Kwesi, who primarily deals in automobile engines, had to rely on his children living abroad to pay a local bank a loan for ₵2 million, which, in his words, almost got him imprisoned.

    He stated that the operations of the spare parts merchants are being hampered by the failure to implement pricing control policies.

    “They came to my shop with some policemen. To be frank with you, the goods I used the money for were in the shop and buyers were not willing to buy because of the price. I had wanted to resort to reduction of the goods which means I won’t be able to recoup my principal I used to purchase the goods”

    “I would be happy if we could have price control, but it appears it won’t work out because people just want to sell their goods just to stay in business. The issue of taxes too is a big problem for us”, he stated.

  • Parliament approves ¢5.3bn budget estimate for Roads Ministry 

    The Ministry of Roads and Highways’ budget for the fiscal year that ends on December 31, 2023, totaling GHC 5,295,359,626 was approved by Parliament on Wednesday.

    The funds will be utilized to carry out the Ministry’s budgeted programs for the upcoming fiscal year.

    The budget statement and economic policy of the government for the fiscal year 2023 were delivered to the parliament on Thursday, November 24, 2022 by Mr. Ken Ofori-Atta, the Minister of Finance.

    This was mandated by article 179 (1) of the 1992 Constitution of Ghana and 140 (2) of the Standing Orders of Parliament.

    For the year 2022, the Ministry of Roads and Highways was allocated an initial amount of GH¢4,000,673,000.00 which was revised to GH¢3,568,318,458.00.

    As of September 2022, the Ministry had expended an amount of GH¢1,931,989,582.47.

    Meanwhile, an allocation of GH¢4,526,271,586.22 was made to the Road Fund for 2022.

    However, as of September 30, 2022, a sum of GH¢612,111,078.21, representing 13.5 per cent of the allocation, had been released by the Ministry of Finance, and the same was expended by the Ministry of Roads and Highways.

    On the floor of the legislature, the resolution was proposed by Mr. Kwasi Amoako-Attah, the minister of roads and highways.

    He claimed that although the total amount allotted to the Ministry was GH5,295,359,626.00, as stated in the Budget Statement and Economic Policy for the year, the total amount allotted to the Government, Internally Generated Fund (IGF), Annual Budget Funding Amount (ABFA), and Donor Partners was GH5,295,359,627.00.

    According to Mr. Amoako-Attah, the GH $1.00 discrepancy was caused by the GIFMIS budget module’s (hyperion) rounding of decimal numbers to the nearest whole numbers while recording the budget.

    Seconding the motion, Mr Kennedy Nyarko Osei, the Chairman of the Roads and Transport Committee in Parliament, said the road sector was crucial in delivering an efficient road transportation system in the country.

    He said the Ministry’s mandate of providing a road transport system that was responsive to the needs of society, supporting growth, and reducing poverty while establishing and maintaining Ghana as the transportation hub of West Africa could be realised if the Ministry was adequately resourced.

    The Ministry intends to engage Parliament to seek approval prior to the reinstatement of the road tolls in 2023 on selected public routes, with the potential deployment of electronic technology, according to Mr. Osei, who is also the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Member of Parliament for Akim Swedru.

    Mr. Kwame Governs Agbodza, a National Democratic Congress (NDC) MP for Adaklu and the Deputy Ranking Member on the Roads and Transport Committee, encouraged the Finance Minister to critically examine the capping of road funds during the debate on the motion.

    He said that would enable the Ministry to retain enough IGF to carry out some programmes and activities as the capping of Road Fund, under the earmarked Funds Capping and Realignment Act, 2017 (947), continued to affect the number of funds available for use under the Road Fund by the Ministry.

    Mr Haruna Iddrisu, the Minority Leader and MP for Tamale South, recognised that access to durable roads was a challenge to many constituencies.

    He therefore urged the Finance Minister to guarantee the House that road cappings would be removed and that sufficient funding would be available for the construction of road infrastructure.

    The majority chief whip and representative for Nsawam-Adoagyiri, Mr. Frank Annoh-Dompreh, praised the Committee for finishing the report quickly.

  • Black Sherif reveals he was bullied for ‘Kwaku,’ ‘Frimpong’ names

    Ghanaian artiste Black Sherif has revealed why most of his songs contain the names ‘Kwaku’, ‘Frimpong’ and ‘Kwaku Killa (KK)’.

    “You see now I use Kwaku, KK, a lot. I used to get bullied for it,” he said in his near-hoarse voice on a Spotify RADAR Africa interview, posted on YouTube on December 14, 2022.

    “At the time, I was Sherif Frimpong Ismail,” he kept pulling his beard, and smiled as he made the recollection.

    Explaining why he was bullied for his preferred name, he quoted what his bullies would say: “How are you, a Muslim, calling yourself Frimpong?”

    He noted that because of the mockery, “I didn’t like the Frimpong name, even though that’s my father’s name.”

    After High School, however, he came to the realisation that the name is: “My identity.”

    “Due to that history, I have always felt I have to do something, I have a debt to pay, pay my dues, so that name would be mentioned and honoured,” he revealed his resolve. “This is why I never front Sherif Muhammed Ismail a lot.”

    “I [rather] front Kwaku Frimpong,” he stressed looking his Spotify host in the eye. “That [name] is my actual identity.”

    Currently the fastest-rising Ghanaian music act, he also said it was a surprise to him when he first noticed that subconsciously, his go-to name when he makes music is Kwaku Frimpong.

    “About eight weeks, I wrote a lot of songs and in about 80 per cent of them, I found myself saying ‘Kwaku’ a lot,” he said in wonder as though it was a fresh realisation.

    The breakthrough song for the Konongo-born rapper, ‘Second Sermon’, which later saw a remix featuring Nigeria’s Burna Boy, birthed the catchphrase: “Kwaku Frimpong will cause trouble.” In the song, the young adult bemoans engagement in actitivties his family, especially his mother, would not be proud of, all in pursuit of a better life in Ghana’s capital Accra.

    “Now that the whole world is chanting ‘Kwaku Frimpong’,” the hitmaker says he has noticed he has “paid” the name its due respect.

    Source: Ghanaweb

     

     

  • A Committee in Parliament asks for increase in funds allocated to Special Prosecutor

    The Constitutional and Legal Affairs Committee of Parliament is anticipated to exert significant pressure on the Finance Ministry to enhance funding provided to the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP).

    The Committee believes that the GH129.5 million allotted to the OSP is insufficient for hiring new employees and maintaining an efficient office.

    Out of the entire budgeted sum of $129.5 million, 68.9 million will be utilized for salary, 34 million will be spent on goods and services, and 26 million will go toward stationery for the OSP’s operations.

    It is reported that Special Prosecutor in a meeting with the Committee complained that the funds allocated are insufficient as it intends to recruit more lawyers and other personnel.

    He added that officials of the Finance Ministry are expected to be in the House on Wednesday, to brief Parliament on why such an amount was allocated to the OSP.

    The 2023 Budget has not yet received approval from Parliament for any estimates assigned to any Ministries, Departments, or Agencies.

    Minority Leader Haruna Iddrisu has meantime issued a warning that Ministers of State who skip Parliament would not have their budgets approved.

    The Ministers must be present during the debate, according to the Minority.

  • Founding member of Osibisa band, Sol Amarfio, passes on

    World-renowned percussionist Sol Amarfio, a founding member of the band Osibisa, has passed away.

    He died at age 84. According to reports, he passed away on Tuesday, December 13.

    On December 14, the acting president of the Musicians Union of Ghana (MUSIGA) informed Graphic Showbiz of his passing.

    The self-taught Amarfio, known as The Rhythm Man when he was young, toured the globe with Osibisa. His flawless sense of timing served as the foundation for the band’s contagious sound.

    Amarfio, who is also a composer, is well known for his song Woyaya and worked closely with the other Osibisa members to produce some of the group’s most charming compositions.

    Amarfio, who was born in 1938 in Asere, Accra, played with the Rhythm Aces, Star Gazers, and Comets bands in Ghana before traveling to England via Liberia, Spain, and France in 1961.

    Before Osibisa was founded in 1969, he collaborated with other Ghanaian artists stationed in London, including George Lee and Willie Cheetham, for performances throughout Europe and North Africa.

    When he reached 80 years old in 2018, the management of +233 organized a concert to honor him.

    “I do what comes naturally to me behind the drums. I don’t force out anything. I grew up with a lot of music and dance around me and the swing of those things sipped into me. Life is exciting when you travel and earn money while doing what you truly love,” Amarfio told Graphic Showbiz in an interview in 2018.

  • Wife of Wahl reveals journalist died due to burst blood vessel

    According to Grant Wahl’s wife, Dr. Celine Gounder, the American journalist passed away as a result of an undiscovered aortic aneurysm rupturing.

    While covering last Friday’s World Cup quarterfinal between Argentina and the Netherlands at Lusail Stadium, the 49-year-old passed out in his chair.

    Wahl was attended to by medical personnel inside the area and brought to a hospital, but when his passing was eventually confirmed, a flood of condolences quickly followed.

    On Monday, after being flown back to New York City, an autopsy determined the reason of his death, with wife Gounder excluding any possibility of foul play.

    “Grant died from the rupture of a slowly growing, undetected ascending aortic aneurysm with hemopericardium,” Gounder posted on her husband’s blog.

    “The chest pressure he experienced shortly before his death may have represented the initial symptoms. No amount of CPR or shocks would have saved him.

    “His death was unrelated to COVID. His death was unrelated to vaccination status. There was nothing nefarious about his death.”

    Wahl, who was best known for his long career with Sports Illustrated, attended a medical clinic at Qatar 2022’s Main Media Centre four days prior to his death after feeling unwell and was diagnosed with bronchitis.

    The much-respected reporter was at the centre of controversy earlier in the World Cup when he sported a rainbow t-shirt in support of LGBT rights as he attempted to attend a match.

    He was initially prevented from entering Ahmad bin Ali Stadium for the United States’ group game against Wales, although he was later allowed inside.

    Wahl’s brother suggested he had been “killed” in the immediate aftermath of his death, but he later said he “regretted” those comments and no longer believed that to be true ahead of Wednesday’s announcement.

    Paying her own respects to her husband, Gounder said: “We will forever cherish the gift of his life; to share his company was our greatest love and source of joy.

    “Grant was an incredibly empathetic, dedicated and loving husband, brother, uncle and son, who was our greatest team-mate and fan.

    “While the world knew Grant as a great journalist, we knew him as a man who approached the world with openness and love.”

     

  • Vialli pulls back from Italy duties amid pancreatic cancer battle

    Gianluca Vialli will take a temporary leave of absence from his position as the delegation leader for the Italian national team in order to concentrate on his fight against pancreatic cancer.

    Vialli revealed in November 2018 that he had received radiotherapy and chemotherapy after being given the diagnosis a year earlier.

    The 58-year-old forward, a former player for Chelsea and Juventus, received the all-clear in April 2020 but revealed in December 2021 that he was once again battling the illness.

    Vialli was present in the dugout with Roberto Mancini as Italy won Euro 2020 the previous year, but he is currently taking a break from his responsibilities with the Azzurri.

    “At the end of a long and difficult ‘negotiation’ with my wonderful team of oncologists, I have decided to suspend, hopefully temporarily, my present and future professional commitments,” Vialli said in a statement released by the Italian Football Federation (FIGC).

    “The goal is to use all my psycho-physical energies to help my body overcome this phase of the disease, in order to be able to face new adventures as soon as possible and share them with all of you.”

    FIGC president Gabriele Gravina said: “Gianluca is an absolute protagonist of the Italian national team and will be in the future as well.

    “Thanks to his extraordinary fortitude, to the Azzurro and to the affection of the whole federal family, I am convinced he will be back soon.

    “He can count on each of us, because we are a team, on and off the pitch.”


     

  • World Cup security guard who fell at Lusail Stadium dead

    A World Cup security guard who had a catastrophic fall during last Friday’s quarterfinal between Argentina and the Netherlands at Lusail Stadium, has passed away.

    John Njau Kibue received immediate care underground and was transported to a local hospital, where he died on Tuesday while receiving intensive care.

    In a statement on Wednesday, the Qatar Supreme Committee announced an investigation will be conducted into the events leading up to Kibue’s murder.

    “We send our sincere condolences to his family, colleagues and friends during this difficult time,” the statement read.

    “Organisers are investigating the circumstances leading to the fall as a matter of urgency and will provide further information pending the outcome of the investigation.

    “We will also ensure that his family receive all outstanding dues and monies owed.”

    Kibue is the second known migrant worker to have died since the tournament began, following the death of a Filipino man in the group stage at a resort used by Saudi Arabia.

    Speaking last week, Qatar 2022 chief executive Nasser Al Khater said “death is a natural part of life” when he was questioned over the passing of the migrant worker.

    The Lusail Stadium is to host Sunday’s final between Argentina and either France or Morocco, who face off in the second semi-final on Wednesday.

  • A dollar trading a little over GH10 – BoG

    Most recent data provided by the Bank of Ghana reveals that a dollar is selling at GH10.40.

    A dollar is however being bought for GH10.39.

    This is the average interbank rates used by commercial banks for transaction at the close of business.

    The British Pound is being traded at a little over GH12, while the Euro is being bought for GH11.06 and sold at GH11.07.

    At most forex bureaus, the dollar is currently being bought at GH¢11.10 and sold at GH¢10 for $1 as of December 14, 2022.

    The local currency has been appreciating against major trading currencies for some time now.

    According to Bloomberg, the cedi as the strongest performing currency against the American ‘greenback.’

  • Griezmann is ‘a mix of Zidane and Platini’ – Dugarry says

    In France’s journey to the World Cup semifinals, Antoine Griezmann has been “a mix of Zinedine Zidane and Michel Platini,” according to Christophe Dugarry.

    While Kylian Mbappe, who is tied for the tournament’s top scorer, has received much of the attention, other France players like Olivier Giroud and Griezmann have also shone.

    Only Bruno Fernandes, Harry Kane, and Lionel Messi have more assists than Griezmann, who played a roving position for Les Blues in Qatar.

    Despite playing one fewer game than Argentina’s Messi, he is joint-second in terms of possession won in the final third and is only behind Messi in terms of opportunities created (17 as opposed to 18).

    When France won the World Cup in 2018, the Atletico Madrid forward was considered the third-best player, and Dugarry thinks he has played a similar significant role this time.

    “Griezmann, I find him simply exceptional since the start of the competition,” Dugarry, who was part of France’s 1998 World Cup-winning side, told RMC.

    “I even find him, at times, ‘Zidane-esque’. He always has the right tone, the right pass. I sincerely think that the France team would not be the same without him.

    “We often lack rhythm in our game; there’s not a lot of intensity. But, as soon as Antoine touches the ball, he puts rhythm on a pass, on a vision. He has a mix of Zizou and Platini.

    “Platini, he enlightened the game, he had a vision. He saw the game before the others. Griezmann, I find him breathtaking. I find him calm, I find him serene, I find him mature.”

    Griezmann drifted to the left to play in a delightful cross for Giroud’s headed winner in the 2-1 quarter-final victory against England, having earlier assisted Aurelien Tchouameni.

    The 31-year-old has been involved in eight goals in his last eight World Cup starts (three goals, five assists), with seven of those involvements coming in the knockout stages.

    “The strength of Deschamps is to have put him in this position,” Dugarry said of Griezmann’s unorthodox positioning.

    “I think [Atletico boss] Diego Simeone will have to do it too. Griezmann must play as a midfielder. In addition, he runs, he gallops, he fills the gaps, he feels the opponents’ play.

    “It’s a bit like a tennis player: the guy always returns the ball to you because he knows where you’re going to send the ball.”

    Didier Deschamps’ side will now face Morocco on Wednesday for the right to play Argentina, who defeated Croatia 3-0 in the other semi-final.

    France are playing in their seventh World Cup semi-final and have won each of their past three at this stage, whereas Morocco are the first African side to make it this far.

  • Cedi to worsen against dollar in January 2023 – John Dumelo explains

    Ghanaian farmer and politician, John Dumelo, has projected that Ghana will next year January return to a period where the cedi depreciates further against the dollar.

    His projection comes at a time when the cedi has been adjudged the  best-performing currency against the dollar since it has appreciated by 3.12% against the dollar on the retail market.

    According to Mr Dumelo, this is so because import-driven companies have already secured their stock for the Christmas and no longer need the dollar to import more stuffs.

    “$$ will keep coming down in the next few weeks. Reason: 1. Importers don’t need $$ now, they have enough goods for the Xmas period. 2. $$ are in the system due to Xmas visitors,” he tweeted.

    However, he noted that after the Yuletide season, importers would not to restock, thus more dollar would be demanded, which would result in the depreciation of the cedi once again as seen in 2022.

    “But $$ might go up in Jan cos importers need to restock & foreign companies have to repatriate profits,” he added.

    Since the beginning of the year, the cedi has lost more than 50% of its value against major trading currencies.

    This has been attributed to external factors fueled by the USA’s revision of its interest rate to check inflation and internal factors such as speculation and dependence on imported products normally prices in dollars.

    According to reports, a dollar is now trading a little over GH10.


     

  • Inflation still surging; GSS records 50.3% in November

    In November 2022, Ghana’s inflation increased by 9.9% to reach 50.3%, according to the most recent data from the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS).

    This was anticipated given the rise in fuel prices and the depreciation of the cedi during the reviewed month.

    Due to the recent rise in the cedi’s value relative to the dollar and the decline in fuel prices, the trend may, however, come to an end or reverse in December 2022.

    The results show that food inflation increased from October’s rate of 43.7% to 55.3%.

    In November 2022, non-food inflation soared by 7.2% to 46.5%.

    Inflation for locally produced items also stood at 48.3%, whilst inflation for imported items was 55.1% in November 2022.

    Five groups – Housing, water, gas, electricity and other (79.1%); Furnishings, household equipment (65.7%); Transport (63.1%); Personal care, social protection and miscellaneous services (56.3%) and Food and Non-alcoholic beverages (55.3%) registered inflation rates higher than the national average.

  • Dalic admits Croatia observed the ‘true Messi’

    Lionel Messi’s performance was what Croatia “expected to see,” according to Zlatko Dalic, as the Argentina great crushed Croatia’s World Cup hopes.

    Messi scored a goal and provided an assist as the Albiceleste won 3-0 on Tuesday in the semifinals, preventing Dalic’s team from reaching a second straight final.

    The Croatia head coach, who intends to continue leading the side until his contract expires in 2024, was not overly surprised by the PSG forward’s heroics.

    Luka Modric, his 37-year-old captain, is probably one of the players from this generation who won’t be available by the finals in 2026, according to Dalic.

    “Nothing much needs to be said about Messi’s qualities,” he said. “In the past 15 years, he’s probably the best player in the world, and today again, he was very good and dangerous.

    “He made the difference in quality for the Argentina team. He had this explosiveness and technique at a very high-level performance. It’s the true Messi we expected to see.

    “This is perhaps the end of this generation in World Cups, a couple of them have reached an age and the World Cup in 2026 – we have to wait and see what happens then.

    “We’ve had great achievements for the Croatia national team, and a lot of players with a lot of potential.

    “I believe this generation will finish their careers with Euro 2024. We have the Nations League finals, and it’s an excellent generation that reached the semi-finals twice in a row.

    “It would have been great to have won the gold medal to crown this generation.”

    When asked if he would remain at the helm, Dalic added: “I will continue my contract until 2024 and the European Championships and, in six months, we have the Nations League [finals].

  • GFA, FIFA to present over 30,000 footballs to schools in Ghana

    The Ghana Football Association (GFA) has decided to donate more than 33,000 footballs to schools throughout the nation in collaboration with FIFA, UNESCO, the Ministry of Youth & Sports, and the Ministry of Education.

    Through this project, football will be used as a vehicle for social development, and schools will get support to better the lives of schoolchildren around the nation.

    Students between the ages of 4 and 14 may participate in this program through FIFA’s Football for School initiative at schools that have physical education teachers who are certified to do so.

    In January 2023, the GFA will launch this program in collaboration with the Ministries of Education and Youth and Sports.

    In the growth of grassroots football in Ghana, schools and colleges continue to play a significant role in the Ghana Football Association.

    FIFA will send approximately 33,000 footballs to Ghana, and it is anticipated that the Ministry of Education will assist in clearing the footballs to ensure a prompt program launch and an equitable distribution to schools in all areas and for boys and girls.

     

     

  • There is no criminal in NDC; we can manage with one car – Sammy Gyamfi

    Mr Sammy Gyamfi, the National Communications Officer of the opposition party, National Democratic Congress (NDC), has touted members of the party as individuals without blemish.

    According to Mr Gyamfi, the NDC does not house any criminal as reported. He stressed that there is no criminal in the NDC.

    He continued, stating that the NDC is a content-driven party and does not posses virtues such as greediness and selfishness.

    For him, the opposition party is content with one vehicle as against six as observed in some political parties.

    Mr Sammy Gyamfi also mentioned that he currently owns just one V8, and not six as being alleged.

  • Nobody in Ghana can say I stole from them – Sammy Gyamfi

    National Communications Officer for the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Sammy Gyamfi has refuted claims of corruption-related activities leveled against him by some unknown faces in the political landscape.

    Speaking on Onua TV on Wednesday, Mr Gyamfi noted that he has not stolen from any individual and no one in the country can prove otherwise.

    According to him, at the age of 24, he was well to do and had employed a number of citizens at a restaurant he was operating.

    He noted that he has been blessed enough to live an honest life.

    To critics and those mounting allegations against him, Mr Sammy Gyamfi said “you cannot destroy who God has blessed.”

    Mr Gyamfi is hoping to retain his position as NDC Communications Officer when the party holds its National Delegates Conference on December 17.

  • LIVESTREAMING: Sammy Gyamfi talks about Airport Hills mansion, others

    National Communications Officer of the National Democratic Congress, Sammy Gyamfi, is reacting to some allegations levelled against him as the party seeks to elect its national executives.

    Sammy Gyami is alleged to own a mansion at Airport Hills, but he has denied the claims.

    He is answering questions posed by Captain Smart on Onua TV.

  • Romero lauds Messi for helping Argentina’s World Cup driving force shine

    According to Argentina teammate Cristian Romero, Lionel Messi is the living example of the saying you can’t keep a good man down as he advances to yet another World Cup final.

    On Sunday, another opportunity to win football’s top trophy awaits, eight years after Lionel Messi and Argentina were devastated by Germany’s victory at the Maracana in Rio de Janeiro.

    On Tuesday, Messi’s penalty and a double by Julian Alvarez helped the Albiceleste defeat Croatia 3-0 in the semifinal match.

    Argentina will look to the captain for motivation in the final against France or Morocco. Messi was superb as usual, setting up Alvarez’s second goal by dancing past Josko Gvardiol.

    At the age of 35, the Paris Saint-Germain forward could be about to experience his career’s crowning glory.

    Defender Romero said: “Leo’s of course a wonderful player, but more than that he’s a reference and he’s somebody who is a personality, who is always going for more.

    “He’s been hit so many times and every time he gets back up again and goes for more and he has the strength to do that. He won a Copa America, he’s a benchmark like others, [Angel] Di María, Kun [Sergio Aguero], who is no longer here.”

    Messi has now appeared in as many World Cups as Lothar Matthaus, who previously held the record with 25 appearances.

    With 11 goals, he now holds Gabriel Batistuta’s World Cup scoring record for Argentina.

    Argentina, which is attempting to win its first World Cup since 1986 when the similarly charismatic Diego Maradona was in charge, benefits greatly from having the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner among its ranks.

    Romero added: “You put your life into this, to bring the trophy home. We’re here to deliver. It was shown once again that we are lions. No matter what happens on Sunday, we are going to give all we’ve got to bring the cup home.”

     

  • World Cup: Suarez praises Messi after Argentina’s triumph

    Luis Suarez has hailed his former Barcelona team-mate, Lionel Messi, after he helped Argentina qualify for the 2022 World Cup final.

    Messi scored the game’s first goal from the penalty spot in the 34th minute and assisted Julian Alvarez in scoring a second goal to complete Tuesday’s spectacular 3-0 triumph over Croatia.

    After finishing as Argentina’s runner-up in 2014 when Germany defeated La Albiceleste 1-0 in Rio de Janeiro, the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner now has a chance to win Argentina’s first World Cup since Diego Maradona led them to victory in 1986.

    “You never get tired of showing that you are the best in the world,” Suarez, who spent six years with Messi at Barcelona from 2014 to 2020, wrote on Instagram.

    “The whole world stops to applaud this guy and what he’s given to football. Incredible my friend!”

    Messi’s longtime La Liga rival with Real Madrid, defeated Croatian midfielder Luka Modric, claimed the Argentinean deservingly won the World Cup.

    “Hopefully [Messi] wins this World Cup, he is the best player in history and he deserves it,” Modric told reporters after the game.

    Argentina will play the final on Sunday against either reigning world champions France or Morocco, who will meet at Al Bayt Stadium in the second semi-final on Wednesday.


     

     

  • GFA directs lawyers to drag persons who defame Black Stars and the Association to court

    The Ghana Football Association (GFA) has instructed its lawyers to institute legal action against persons who defame the Association, its officials, products and destroy the Black Stars brand as well as the media platforms used to do same.

    According to the Association in a press release, the legal forum will provide the opportunity for such persons to bring any evidence to substantiate their allegations. 

    The GFA noted that its action stems from some individuals deliberately maligning and defaming the GFA and the Black Stars brand in an attempt to manufacture a non-existent scandal about the team. 

    This erupted following the exit of the senior national team, the Black Stars from the on-going FIFA World Cup, Qatar 2022.

    After the Stars’ exit, the GFA apologised to the general public and all stakeholders and also indicated that we will continue with the positive lessons going into the future.

    The Association noted that it “has since kept an open mind and continue to listen and receive comments, suggestions, and ideas from well-meaning Ghanaians both home and abroad for the improvement of the team.”

    On the way forward, GFA says it will continue to encourage opinions and comments being expressed aimed at improving the team and the brand. 

     

     

  • I am proud to be able to finish my World Cup journey playing this final – Messi

    Lionel Messi, the captain of Argentina, announced that Sunday’s championship game against either France or Morocco will be his final World Cup appearance as he looks to go out in a flourish.

    With a goal and an assist, the 35-year-old was instrumental in Argentina’s 3-0 semifinal victory over Croatia.

    Seven-time Ballon d’Or winner Messi had previously stated that this will be his final World Cup, a statement he reaffirmed following Tuesday’s victory.

    “I am proud to be able to finish my World Cup journey playing this final,” Messi told reporters. “What I’m experiencing is exciting. Sunday will be my last game in a World Cup.

    “It will be many years before the next one [2026] and I don’t think I’ll be able to make it, so I hope I can finish in the best way.”

    With his 11th goal against Croatia, Messi surpassed Gabriel Batistuta to become his nation’s all-time best scorer at World Cups.

    In addition, Messi scored his 16th goal for Argentina in 2022, giving him the most international goals in a single year of his career.

    “I’m enjoying it all very much,” Messi said about the 2022 World Cup. “I feel good. I feel strong to face every game. We have been making a big sacrifice.

    “The last game we played was with extra time. That was not easy at all. We were tired, but the group got strength. We played a very important game. We knew it was going to be the match it was.

    “I’m very happy. Throughout this World Cup I’ve been having a lot of fun and, luckily, I was able to help the group to get things done.”

    Messi will be gunning for the ultimate crowning glory with his maiden World Cup title on Sunday, having played in 2014 when La Albiceleste were runners-up.

    Argentina are into their sixth World Cup final, with only Germany (eight) having reached more in the competition.

  • Former fetish priest now turned Bishop of Methodist Church of Ghana

    The Methodist Church of Ghana’s newly established Ho Diocese has appointed a former fetish priest as its bishop.

    Rt. Rev. Matthew Zikpi was selected as a candidate because he rejected idolatry and advanced within the church.

    When he was a student teacher in Asiana in the Ashanti Region in 1973, his uncle initiated him into voodoo.

    In 1978, he was promoted to the position of Deputy Chief Fetish Priest at the Alifia Shrine and taught himself how to tap palms for wine and distill local gin.

    He was able to drink massive amounts of alcohol without getting intoxicated, hence no one has ever beaten him in a drinking contest.

    In 1984, after repeated attempts by his older brother, he renounced his divinity, devoted his life to Christ, moved in with him and they joined the Methodist Church in Assin Atwereboanda.

    When he returned all his possessions, he was cautioned about the consequences of discrediting the gods. Despite the warnings, he was committed to following Jesus Christ.

    After earning a Theology Certificate with distinction from the University of Ghana, Legon and a Diploma in Ministry from Trinity Theological Seminary, Rt. Rev. Zikpi was commissioned into the Ordained Ministry of the Methodist Church in 2001.

    He received his ministerial ordination in 2004 and worked for the church in a number of capacities before being appointed Bishop of the recently established Ho Diocese.

  • PLAYBACK: Finance Ministry, IMF and BoG announce staff-level agreement

    The Ministry of Finance, together with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the Bank of Ghana held a joint press conference today.

    The three bodies informed Ghanaians of a staff-level agreement reached by the government and the Fund.

    Ghana and the IMF have reached a new three-year arrangement under the Extended Credit Facility (ECF) of about $3 billion.

    According to the Fund, the government’s strong reform programme aimed at restoring macroeconomic stability and debt sustainability while protecting the vulnerable, preserving financial stability, and laying the foundation for strong and inclusive recovery, was key in this decision.

  • Maguire urged to showcase England form with Man Utd

    Harry Maguire has been urged by Erik ten Hag to emulate his performance for England while playing for Manchester United in order to force his way back into the starting lineup for the Red Devils.

    Before traveling to the World Cup with England and playing in all five of their games during their march to the quarterfinals, Maguire made just three Premier League starts for United this season.

    Although Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez have emerged as Ten Hag’s favourite combo at United this season, Gareth Southgate has consistently supported the center-back on the international scene.

    Ten Hag feels that Maguire can return to Old Trafford with confidence after his outstanding performances in Qatar following England’s elimination by France on Saturday.

    “I can only back him. I’ve been asked many times if he is good enough [to play for me] and it is clear he is good enough to play at the highest level,” the United manager told reporters.

    “And then it is up to him to show that confidence on the pitch and he didn’t show that in all the games [for United].

    “When he is playing with his confidence like now, he is a massively important player for us and that is what everyone expects. That’s what Harry expects from himself.

    “He has that high standard, he wants to play at the highest level, he wants to lead the defensive line, so it is up to him. I’m sure he has the potential to play in our style and fit into our system.

    “He has, for England, almost all the time good games. He had a period in Manchester where he performed badly and then, of course, there are difficulties but when he is confident in himself, he will put that on the pitch.

    “When he is working hard you will get that confidence and you are seeing that with the way he is playing for England.

    “We want him to bring that back to Manchester with him so he can bring it on the pitch for Manchester United. I expect from him, the team knows what they expect from him. If he does that he will be a great player for us.”

    Maguire missed some of United’s Premier League season due to a hamstring injury, but even when healthy, Ten Hag has preferred Martinez, Varane, and Victor Lindelof to the 29-year-old.

    Ten Hag affirmed that he has no problems with Maguire and insisted that subsequent strong performances will result in a return to his starting XI.

    “When I choose Rapha [Varane] it is nothing against Harry,” he continued. “Sometimes it is because one player is a lot better than the other.

    “But I think I have two or three good players there in the right centre-back position.

    “After Brentford, I had a feeling I had to change. He was unlucky that moment was bad for him but it doesn’t say anything about his quality that he can’t do it or my opinion about his quality.

    “Rapha came in and is doing a good job. There are laws of the game in top football – you have to take your chance. Your chance will always come.

    “The only thing he has to do is train well, perform well, he has games, he has rhythm and his chance will come. He will have a chance to show it and then he’s in and he will play.”

    As for Maguire’s future, Ten Hag added: “Only when he doesn’t want to be in these circumstances any more. Until that moment, I am happy with him.

    “I have said it to him and you, I can do nothing more. It is up to him to contribute to play himself into the team.

    “We have 16 to 18 players in the squad and that is what you need at the top level if you want to play for trophies. All the number of games we have to cover and then it is about the players who construct the best team, and that team we will pick. It is nothing to do with being personal.”

     

  • FULL TEXT: IMF announces 3 years Extended Credit Facility with Ghana

    The International Monetary Fund and the government of Ghana have reached a staff-level agreement on a three-year program supported by an arrangement under the Extended Credit Facility (ECF) in the amount of Special Drawing Right (SDR) 2.242 billion or about US$3 billion.

    An International Monetary Fund (IMF) team led by Mr. Stéphane Roudet, Mission Chief for Ghana, visited Accra during December 1 – 13, 2022, to discuss with the Ghanaian authorities IMF support for their policy and reform plans.

    At the end of the mission, Mr. Roudet issued the following statement:

    “I am pleased to announce that the IMF team reached staff-level agreement with the Ghanaian authorities on a three-year program supported by an arrangement under the Extended Credit Facility (ECF) in the amount of SDR 2.242 billion or about US$3 billion. The economic program aims to restore macroeconomic stability and debt sustainability while laying the foundation for stronger and more inclusive growth. The staff-level agreement is subject to IMF Management and Executive Board approval and receipt of the necessary financing assurances by Ghana’s partners and creditors.

    “ The Ghanaian authorities have committed to a wide-ranging economic reform program, which builds on the government’s Post-COVID-19 Program for Economic Growth (PC-PEG) and tackles the deep challenges facing the country.

    “Key reforms aim to ensure the sustainability of public finances while protecting the vulnerable. The fiscal strategy relies on frontloaded measures to increase domestic resource mobilization and streamline expenditure. In addition, the authorities have committed to strengthening social safety nets, including reinforcing the existing targeted cash-transfer program for vulnerable households and improving the coverage and efficiency of social spending.

    “Structural reforms will be introduced to underpin the fiscal strategy and ensure a durable consolidation. These include developing a medium-term plan to generate additional revenue and advancing reforms to bolster tax compliance. This will help create space for growth-enhancing measures and social spending. Efforts will also be made to strengthen public expenditure commitment controls, improve fiscal transparency (including the reporting and monitoring of arrears), improve the management of public enterprises, and tackle structural challenges in the energy and cocoa sectors. The authorities are also committed to further bolstering governance and accountability.

    “To support the objective of restoring public debt sustainability, the authorities have announced a comprehensive debt restructuring. Sufficient assurances and progress on this front will be needed before the proposed Fund-supported program can be presented to the IMF Executive Board for approval.

    “Reducing inflation, enhancing resilience to external shocks, and improving market confidence are also important program priorities. Accordingly, the Bank of Ghana will continue to strengthen its monetary policy framework and promote exchange rate flexibility to rebuild external buffers. As part of the authorities’ debt strategy, a domestic debt exchange has been launched. The authorities are committed to taking the necessary mitigation measures to ensure financial sector stability is preserved.

    “IMF staff held meetings with Vice President Bawumia, Finance Minister Ofori-Atta, and Bank of Ghana Governor Addison, and their teams, as well as representatives from various government agencies. The IMF team has also continued to engage with other stakeholders. Staff would like to express their gratitude to the Ghanaian authorities, Parliament’s Finance Committee and all the private sector, trade union, and civil society representatives for their open and constructive engagement over the past few months.”

  • Caprice robbery attack: Interior Minister visits police officer shot during arrest

    Interior Minister, Ambrose Dery, has paid a visit to the police officer who got injured during a shootout between the Police Service and suspected robbers who orchestrated a robbery at Caprice on December 9.

    The minister’s visit at the hospital was to assess the condition of the officer and also wish him well.

    During the exchange of gunfire, two of the suspects were shot dead.

    The Hon. Minister took the opportunity to thank the Police for their invaluable services to the country and assured them of his Ministry’s commitment to support the Police in the fight against crime.

    Accompanying the Hon . Minister were the Inspector-General of Police, Dr. George Akuffo-Dampare, Commissioner of Police (COP) Nathan Kofi Boakye, COP/George Mensah, COP/Paul Manly Awini, COP/Habiba Twumasi-Sarpong and some other senior officers.

    Meanwhile, the Police have managed to apprehend one of suspects.

    They have pledged to see to it that the rest of the gang members are arrested.

    Source: The Independent Ghana

  • Messi, Modric hoping to cement their legacies with World Cup glory

    There shouldn’t be any debate over Lionel Messi’s place in the hall of fame.

    The argument over whether he is the greatest player of all time (GOAT, as the hip kids say) or simply one of the best players to ever play the beautiful game will likely never end.

    Some have frequently cited Messi’s failure to win the World Cup to argue that he cannot be regarded as the greatest player to have ever lived.

    The 35-year-old has stated that this World Cup will be his last, so what better way to go out than by steering Argentina to victory?

    Certainly, Messi is driving the push. He seemed to be possessed, single-handedly advancing Lionel Scaloni’s team through Australia in the round of 16, then displaying his combative side in the triumph against the Netherlands on penalties after assisting in both of Argentina’s goals during regulation time.

    Another evergreen star who is supposedly in the twilight of his career is still glowing brilliantly while the world waits for Messi to eventually win the title.

    The Croatian team led by Luka Modric was not expected to match its performance from four years prior, when it reached the final in Russia before falling to France.

    Yet after overcoming favourites Brazil on penalties, it is Croatia and Modric, 37 years young, who will vie to deny Messi his fairy-tale ending.

    Tuesday’s semi-final at Lusail Stadium might just boil down to two of the game’s very best.

    Messi magic Argentina’s saving grace

    After winning the Copa America last year, Argentina were always going to be among the favourites in Qatar. News of Messi confirming this would be his final shot at becoming a world champion only seemed to strengthen La Albiceleste’s claim.

    They went into the tournament on the back of a 36-game unbeaten run and they were facing Saudi Arabia in their Group C opener – surely, that streak would be extended to 37? Well, it wasn’t. Messi scored, from the penalty spot, but Argentina slumped to a 2-1 defeat.

    It left them needing to beat Mexico and Poland to ensure progress, and they did just that, if far from convincingly, at least against Mexico when Messi, again, was the difference-maker, this time with a low shot from the edge of the box, placed with delicate precision into the bottom corner, and then an assist for Enzo Fernandez’s superb effort.

    Messi scored Argentina’s opener against Australia and then managed the match in the closing stages as Scaloni’s team saw out a nervy 2-1 win after Fernandez’s own goal gave the Socceroos hope.

    Against the Dutch, Messi assisted Nahuel Molina’s opener with the pass of the tournament – a defence-splitting, eye-of-the-needle throughball – before scoring a 73rd-minute penalty. It should have seen Argentina through comfortably, but they capitulated in the closing stages before rediscovering their composure in the shoot-out (Messi scored in that, too).

    As they always do with Messi, the statistics speak for themselves.

    Messi’s six goal contributions (four goals, two assists) in this tournament trail only his Paris Saint-Germain club-mate Kylian Mbappe (seven). To further prove his importance to Argentina, he has been involved in 39 shot-ending sequences in open play at this World Cup, 15 more than any of his team-mates.

    Source: Livescore

  • Milan president Scaroni ‘calm’ over Leao’s future

    As negotiations for a new contract for the in-demand forward continue, AC Milan president Paolo Scaroni is “calm” about Rafael Leao’s future.

    For the Rossoneri, Leao has been a revelation who significantly contributed to their Serie A championship win in the previous campaign.

    Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain, and Liverpool have all been mentioned as potential destinations for the Portugal international.

    Scaroni is hopeful that Leao, 23, would prolong his stay at the San Siro once his contract with Milan expires in June 2024.

    He told Gazzetta dello Sport: “I am told that he feels good in Milan and that he is motivated.

    “I know that [Milan technical director Paolo] Maldini is negotiating with him and as far as I just said if he negotiates, I’m calm.”

    Leao scored against Ghana and Switzerland in the World Cup before Portugal were knocked out by surprise package Morocco at the quarter-final stage in Qatar.

  • Brazil advised to change shirt stars to hearts to celebrate Pele’s World Cup wins

    Brazilian football officials have been urged to replace three of the five stars on their jerseys with hearts as a tribute to Pele by South American football authorities.

    Brazil presently sports five stars on its well-known yellow jerseys to signify their five World Cup victories, which is the most of any other country.

    Pele was a member of the team during three of the World Cup victories, and no other player has scored more goals for Brazil. After scoring his 77th Selecao goal in Friday’s World Cup quarterfinal loss to Croatia, Neymar has now equaled Pele for the record.

    That loss came in the wake of the news that Pele had been hospitalised back home in Sao Paulo, though it was reported the 82-year-old is making “progressive improvement”.

    CONMEBOL, the South American confederation, sent Pele its best wishes while proposing Brazil make an alteration to their kits.

    It said in a statement: “A hundred people gathered this Sunday, December 11, at the CONMEBOL Tree Of Dreams in Doha, Qatar, to honour Edson Arantes do Nascimento, known sportingly as Pele, the only player in soccer history to win three world titles.

    “It is in honour of this unprecedented event that the South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL) proposes to the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) that they change three of the five World Cup stars that appear on the chest of their shirt for three hearts, in recognition of Pele.

    “Another central focus of the act was the message of encouragement and great strength to Pele, admitted since November 29 at the Albert Einstein Hospital in Sao Paulo, where he is recovering satisfactorily from a lung infection, according to the doctors.”

    Alejandro Dominguez, the CONMEBOL president, added: “We are on his side in this game that he is playing. It is the right time to pay tribute to him again and let him know that he will live in the heart of anyone who loves football. Our job is for people to continue to know and love Pele.”