TIG Post

Author: Andy Ogbarmey-Tettey

  • England can benefit from reduced World Cup expectations, says Butcher

    Former England captain Terry Butcher believes the Three Lions could benefit from scaled-back expectations at the World Cup after enduring a torrid Nations League campaign.

    Gareth Southgate’s team are the only nation to reach the semi-finals at each of the last two major tournaments, having been beaten by Croatia in the last four at the 2018 World Cup before losing the Euro 2020 final to Italy.

    Despite their strong tournament record in recent years, England arrive in Qatar in poor form after being relegated from Nations League Group A3 following a winless campaign in the competition.

    However, Butcher believes England may replicate their feats from four years ago by springing a surprise in Qatar.

    “I think a lot of people will see them as less looking like winners, because this year has been very disappointing for England,” Butcher told Stats Perform.

    “When you look at it and you step back, it’s dropped the expectations. The expectation levels are down now, compared to what they were at the start of the year.

    “I think a lot of that is very similar to Russia in 2018, when a lot of people were not expecting them to do particularly well.

    “I think there’ll be more determination with the pressure off, like it was in Russia. Then you’ve got the timing of the tournament and English players will be fresh.

    “There’s a few injury problems and concerns, but there’s no burnout, and there’s no mental tiredness like there is when it comes to the summer championships. This is unique for the English players as well. So I think that’ll benefit us very much.

    “You think well, ‘you’ve had a taste of the semi-finals, you’ve had a taste of the final’, they would have learned a lot from that.”

    Despite overseeing two memorable major tournament campaigns since taking charge in 2016, Southgate has been subject to fierce criticism in recent weeks.

    However, Butcher believes Southgate’s record cannot be questioned and says the depth of talent at England’s disposal makes them genuine contenders to win the World Cup.

    “There aren’t many England managers that have won cups and titles and all that sort of thing,” Butcher said when asked about Southgate.

    “He’s got problems in terms of who to leave out as much as who to put in. There is a plethora, if you want to use that word, of talent. It’s about finding the right blend on the day.

    “But it’s a lovely position to be in. I just hope now that England can take the shackles off and have that belief that they can win it. That’d be really nice if they could do that.

    “There’s no doubt the talents there. Fitness will be there. The mental strength will be there, which I hope has been even made more acute by the failure last year to win the final.”

    Source: Livescore

  • Demichelis in ‘no doubt’ Argentina will reach World Cup final in Qatar

    New River Plate head coach Martin Demichelis is in “no doubt” that Argentina will make it to the World Cup final.

    Argentina were last crowned world champions when Diego Maradona inspired the 1986 triumph in Mexico, and have since lost in the final at the tournaments in 1990 and 2014.

    Demichelis made 51 appearances for his country between 2005 and 2016, appearing at the 2010 and 2014 World Cups in South Africa and Brazil respectively.

    The 41-year-old was unveiled as River Plate’s new boss on Wednesday and is confident La Albiceleste will make it to the final of Qatar 2022 on December 18.

    “We are days away from the start of the World Cup, so I want to wish [Lionel] Scaloni a successful World Cup, to all the players, to the entire squad,” the former Manchester City and Bayern Munich defender said.

    “A very special mention for the only Argentine player who also ended up joining the squad and who is ours: Franco [Armani], whom we need to support 100 per cent. My congratulations to him.

    “I have no doubt that Argentina will play all seven games. I believe that by arriving only seven days before the World Cup, when normally a team is always working for three, four or five weeks, Argentina have the advantage that comes with a very solid base, with good energy, with a very strong emotional determination.

    “I have no doubt that Argentina will play all seven games. I wish them all the best.”


    Source: Livescore

  • Ex-boss Eriksson says England have another ‘golden generation’

    Sven-Goran Eriksson believes England’s current squad is not only another “golden generation”, but might even be better than the teams he managed.

    Eriksson was in charge of the Three Lions between 2001 and 2006, a period during which England’s selection of players was labelled a “golden generation”.

    Despite managing the likes of Rio Ferdinand, Steven Gerrard, David Beckham, Frank Lampard and Wayne Rooney, Eriksson could only reach the quarter-finals of both the 2002 and 2006 World Cups, as well as being eliminated at the same stage of Euro 2004.

    Ahead of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, the Swede has praised the talent available to current manager Gareth Southgate, who he suggested might have even better options at his disposal.

    “I think the squad here with England, that’s a golden generation as well,” Eriksson told The Mirror. “Some of these players maybe will not play in the next World Cup, so they have a lot of experience, and they are really, really good.

    “They have a born goalscorer [Harry Kane], they have experience, and they have pace, a lot of pace in the squad. That’s important in modern football. I think we talk in the past here, 2006, England had a really, really strong squad.

    “A little bit unlucky that Rooney was coming from injury, so at that time I thought England could have reached the final and won it. I think it’s the same now. But now, I think that England has more options, very, very strong, good options.

    “Maybe it’s even more difficult for Southgate because he has even more options than we had I think, good options… the team I picked was very, very strong and once again, 2006, we should have done better.”

    England lost to Portugal on penalties in the last eight at the 2006 World Cup in Germany, and Eriksson admitted he should have planned more for the eventuality of spot kicks.

    “In 2006, I should have taken in sports psychologists to mentally coach for penalty shoot-outs,” he said. “I thought about it, we talked about it, but I thought the squad was so experienced and they had done these big tournaments before.

    “So I thought it was not necessary. That was a mistake.”

    Southgate’s men get their 2022 World Cup campaign underway against Iran on Monday.

    Source: Livescore

  • Giroud says France must replace Pogba’s leadership at World Cup

    Olivier Giroud highlighted the importance of replacing Paul Pogba’s influence on the France squad ahead of their bid to defend the World Cup.

    Having lifted their second World Cup in 2018, France are considered one of the main contenders to emerge victorious in Qatar, though injuries to Pogba and other key players could harm their chances.

    Pogba has not made a single competitive appearance since returning to Juventus in July, and was ruled out of the tournament after undergoing delayed surgery on a knee injury.

    The midfielder, who scored in the World Cup final against Croatia four years ago, will be joined on the sidelines by N’Golo Kante, Presnel Kimpembe and Christopher Nkunku, and Giroud believes it is time for other players to assume senior roles.

    “We will miss Paul Pogba a lot, like Kante and Kimpembe,” Giroud said on Thursday.

    “Paul takes up a lot of space in this France team with his personality, but I am convinced that there are other young leaders who can emerge.

    “I too will play my role of big brother for the youngest, be available for them, and speak up when necessary.”

    With 49 goals in 114 international appearances, Giroud is second in France’s all-time goalscoring charts behind Thierry Henry (51), and is also his country’s fifth-most capped player.

    Giroud arrives at his third World Cup in fine form after scoring nine times for Milan this season, and will delay any decision regarding his international future until after the tournament.

    “I feel good physically, in my game, in my club and in the France team. It’s a period of splendour for me. It’s a gift to feel like this at 36,” Giroud said.

    “I don’t set myself any limits, it could be my last competition, but I don’t want to announce anything. We’ll see after the World Cup. My motivation to stay at the highest level is intact.”

    Source: Livescore

  • Jones signs new long-term deal with Liverpool

    Curtis Jones has committed his long-term future to Liverpool after signing a new deal with the Premier League club.

    The 21-year-old has amassed 81 appearances for Jurgen Klopp’s side since his debut in January 2019, scoring eight goals and recording nine assists.

    Jones has made just seven appearances (two starts) so far this season due to injury.

    Speaking to the club’s website after the news was confirmed, the Liverpool-born midfielder said: “First of all, I want to thank the coaching staff for having the belief in me as always, for giving me the chance.

    “And of course for me, I’m over the moon, I’m buzzing. It was an easy thing [to decide to renew].

    “It’s my boyhood club, I’m a Scouser, I’ve supported the club for the whole of my life, so yeah, I’m buzzing and I can’t wait to see what the future holds.

    “I think if I was at a different club as well, my goal and aim and dream would always be to come here and play. But I’m here now, I’ve been here since I was six, I’ve gone all the way through.”

    Jones has won the Premier League, the FA Cup, the EFL Cup and the Community Shield since making his first-team debut.

    He also became Liverpool’s youngest ever captain when he took the armband in the FA Cup win against Shrewsbury Town in February 2020, aged just 19 years and five days.

    His goal against Sheffield United at Bramall Lane in February 2021 also made him the youngest Liverpool player to score away from Anfield in the Premier League since Raheem Sterling against Burnley in December 2014.

    Source: Livescore

  • Liverpool attracting ‘a lot of interest’ amid potential sale of the club

    There has been “a lot of interest” in Liverpool since owners Fenway Sports Group confirmed it was looking for investment in the Premier League club.

    That is the claim from FSG partner Sam Kennedy, who is also the president and CEO of the Boston Red Sox and chief executive of Fenway Sports Management.

    Liverpool’s ownership group recently released a statement saying it was seeking outside investment, but remained “fully committed to the success of Liverpool, both on and off the pitch.”

    Reports suggested FSG was also open to the idea of a full sale, something that Kennedy also alluded to in comments to The Boston Globe.

    “There has been a lot of interest from numerous potential partners considering investment into the club,” Kennedy said on Wednesday, the first time anyone from FSG has spoken publicly on the matter since reports of a potential sale emerged.

    FSG has employed financial services Morgan Stanley and Goldman Sachs to assist with any possible deal, but Kennedy insisted it is not a process that will come to a conclusion quickly.

    “It is early days in terms of exploring possibilities for investment into Liverpool,” he said.

    “[FSG president and Liverpool director] Mike Gordon has done an extraordinary job of leading the club for the past decade-plus. He will be taking a step back from that role and [CEO] Billy Hogan will be taking on more and more. Billy’s someone we’re particularly proud of in the Red Sox front office, he grew up in our organisation.”

    Speculation has been rife as to who could invest in or even purchase Liverpool, with the club having an estimated value of £3.78billion ($4.45bn) according to Forbes.

    “Great companies grow by adding value to their business,” added Kennedy. “One way to increase that value from time to time is to sell assets or add investors.

    “Does that mean FSG is going to sell Liverpool? I do not know. It’s [principal owner] John Henry’s, [chairman] Tom Werner’s and Mike Gordon’s job to responsibly run Fenway Sports Group and they felt this was an ideal time to explore possible opportunities for investment into the club.”

  • Food and Beverage Importers supports BoG’s withdrawal of foreign exchange support

    An Executive Member of the Food and Beverage Importers Association has commended the Bank of Ghana (BoG) for the withdrawal of foreign exchange support for the importation of non-essential goods.

    Mr John Awuni said the withdrawal of FX support for the importation of these items will help the country to focus on consumption of locally produced goods, thus order is in the right direction.

    “On the face value, it is a very good policy. In the sense that we are in very difficult and critical times … For me in terms of economics, that is right,” he said.

    He, however noted that “the decision has not been formulated based on any information.”

    Efforts to curb importation of foreign products and promote the consumption of locally produced commodities are underway as the Bank of Ghana has withdrawn foreign exchange support for importation of what it describes as “non-essential” goods.

    These goods include rice, vegetable oils, poultry, toothpicks, pasta, fruit juice, bottled water and ceramic tiles, etc.

    The measure is in line with  a directive issued by the President at his recent address to the nation on the Ghanaian economy, on Sunday 30th October, 2022, an electronic message from the Bank of Ghana to the banks said.

    During the address the President mentioned that the Bank of Ghana will no longer provide FX support for the imports of rice, poultry, vegetable oils, toothpicks, pasta, fruit juice, bottled water, ceramic tiles and other non-critical goods”.

    Although this was recently announced by the Bank of Ghana, reports indicate that the withdrawal took effect about three weeks ago.

    “Please be advised and act accordingly”, the message added.

    Source: MyJoyOnline

     

  • Govt to keep burning excavators used for galamsey – Western Regional Minister

    The Western Regional Minister, Kwabena Okyere Darko-Mensah, has stressed that the government will keep burning excavators and other machinery used in small-scale mining otherwise known as ‘galamsey’.

    This he said is to deter people from giving out their excavators for galamsey activities.

    He warned that the move is to deal ruthlessly with big men behind the illegal mining menace.

    He warned that government will not watch aloof for small-scale miners to destroy lands and water bodies.

    The Regional Minister added that health workers in the region report that kidney cases have gone up due to activities by small-scale miners.

    Mr. Darko-Mensah said government will not allow the activities of small-scale miners to destruct governance in the country.

    “We will keep burning excavators till small-scale miners (galamseyers) stop purchasing such machines. We will definitely burn excavators used to destroy our water bodies. We will burn the excavators so that the big men who have lost their sense of reasoning will be hit the most. The mercury they use in mining directly affects Ghanaians, it’s killing so many people. Dr. Afriyie says kidney cases have gone up in the region due to galamsey. We won’t sit down for this to continue. We will not allow galamseyers to intimidate us. If we allow them to operate, they will continue to destruct governance in the country and create problems, so anyone with plans to purchase excavators for small-scale mining in the 2024 election year will think twice,” Mr. Darko-Mensah said on Peace FM’s Kokrokoo.

    He questioned how the country will benefit from the region if small-scale mining activities continue without proper checks.

    “We want to continue to support this country, so we will not allow small-scale mining (galamsey) to go on. Out of 700,000 metric tons of cocoa produced in Ghana, 444,000 metric tons came from the Western region, so if we allow galamsey in the region how will Ghana benefit from the region,” he asked on on the show.

    Source: Citinews

     

  • Poch claims Messi needs World Cup win to confirm world’s best status

    Mauricio Pochettino believes Lionel Messi needs to win the World Cup with Argentina to “confirm” his status as the best player in the world.

    Messi has won 11 league titles and four Champions League trophies over an illustrious club career.

    However, international success has largely eluded Messi, having lost to Germany in the 2014 World Cup final and finishing as Copa America runner-up three times.

    Though Messi finally did win the Copa America in 2021, Pochettino feels the 35-year-old needs to win international football’s premier prize to certify him as the greatest player in the world.

    “Like [Diego] Maradona or Pele, you need to confirm with the trophy,” Pochettino told The Athletic. “When you lift the trophy, it’s like, ‘okay, he is the best in the world.’

    “It is the only thing missing for Messi, to lift the World Cup, and I hope in Qatar that it happens.

    “Because I am Argentinian, and of course my desire is for Argentina to win the World Cup, and to confirm Messi is one of the best, in the same place as Maradona and Pele.”

    Messi joined Paris Saint-Germain after leaving Barcelona in 2021, giving Pochettino an opportunity to watch him up close as his head coach.

    It also allowed Pochettino to assess Messi against another Argentina great, Maradona, who Pochettino played with for a brief spell at Newell’s Old Boys.

    Asked to compare Messi and Maradona, Pochettino explained: “Both different, but both great. I don’t want to compare, because when you compare, you are trying to show one better than the other.

    “I think for me, Messi, [whether] winning or not winning the World Cup, for me needs to be on the same level as Pele and Maradona. With different energy, different style, different personalities. But both great.”

    Pochettino’s spell as PSG head coach lasted just 18 months, but during that period he also got to observe Neymar, who is hoping for World Cup success in Qatar with Brazil.

    Pochettino rates Neymar as one of the best ever, saying: “The way he doesn’t feel the pressure, he is an amazing player. Very charismatic, with an amazing energy.

    “We can say Neymar is one of the best players in the history of football. Maybe he didn’t achieve all that Messi achieved, or Cristiano [Ronaldo]. But the quality is in the same level.”

    Source: Livescore

  • Minority calls for suspension of GSA’s directive on importation of used vehicles

    The Minority in Parliament says government must suspend the implementation of the Ghana Standards Authority’s directive that bans the importation of used cars which have no Certificate of Conformance (CoC).

    On Wednesday, the Ghana Standards Authority (GSA) directed that effective January 1, 2023, all used vehicles imported into Ghana should be accompanied by a valid Certificate of Conformance from an approved body.

    According to GSA, the certificate must thus demonstrate conformance of the used vehicle to requirements of the Ghana Standard for used vehicles GS 4510:2022 Road vehicles — requirements for imported used motor vehicles.

    GSA’s directive is in line with the Customs (Amendment) Act 2020, Section 61 of Act 891 amended and related legislation.

    The Customs (Amendment) Act 2020 specifically Section 61, requires that used vehicles imported into Ghana shall be accompanied by a valid Certificate of Conformance from an approved body.

    But importers of used vehicles have criticised the directive as one that will collapse their businesses.

    According to them, implementing the law will price out the poor from owning vehicles in the country.

    Speaking to JoyNews on this development, Ranking Member on the Roads and Transport Committee, Governs Kwame Agbodza called on GSA to suspend the directive.

    “I want to call on the Ghana Standards Authority to hasten slowly, probably suspend the implementation on this basis.

    “They must learn from the hasty implementation of the luxury vehicle tax, they must learn from the hasty suspension of the collection of road tolls, they must learn from the other laws that were passed in this House and without adequate preparation, consultation and public education implemented and then drove us all into problems,” he said.

    The Adaklu MP argued that more stakeholder consultations must be had prior to implementation. He warned that the implementation of the directive will fail if stakeholders are not consulted.

    “Since we passed the law, I am not aware that the Ghana Standards Authority even approached the relevant committees in Parliament – Transport, Trade and Industry to tell them about the implementation process plan. I am not sure that GSA has done any stakeholder consultation between used vehicle traders, mechanics etc for everybody to be on board,” he said.

    He added that the Trade and Industry Committee in Parliament is ready to haul the Ghana Standards Authority before Parliament to discuss the roadmap for the directive.

  • FFF condemn racist abuse suffered by Camavinga following Nkunku injury

    The French Football Federation have condemned racist messages directed towards Eduardo Camavinga on social media after Christopher Nkunku was injured ahead of the World Cup.

    Nkunku was ruled out of the tournament in Qatar after suffering a knee sprain in training on Tuesday and is reportedly facing up to eight weeks on the sidelines.

    Video footage circulated on social media purporting to show Nkunku sustaining the injury in a challenge with Camavinga, which led to the Real Madrid midfielder receiving discriminatory messages.

    A statement released by the FFF on Thursday read: “Following Christopher Nkunku’s injury, Eduardo Camavinga was the victim of racist messages on social media.

    “The FFF condemns these attacks in the strongest possible terms and is in full support of Eduardo.”

    Nkunku also defended Camavinga when addressing his social media followers on Wednesday, saying the 20-year-old had been “unfairly targeted” and calling for unity from supporters.

    “Yesterday evening, following the medical examinations, I had to leave Les Bleus and forfeit the World Cup,” Nkunku wrote on Twitter.

    “Now, let’s get to work with one and only objective, to come back even stronger.

    “A thought for my team-mate Eduardo Camavinga, who was unfairly targeted. The World Cup must be a moment of togetherness and not of division.”

    France begin their Group D campaign against Australia on Tuesday, having suffered several injury blows ahead of their bid to become the first team to successfully defend the World Cup since Brazil in 1962.

    Midfield duo Paul Pogba and N’Golo Kante will both join Nkunku in missing the tournament, as will Paris Saint-Germain defender Presnel Kimpembe, who withdrew from their squad on Monday.

    Source: Livescore

     

  • Costa Rica cancel World Cup warm-up against Iraq over passport issues

    Costa Rica cancelled their World Cup warm-up match against Iraq due to an issue over passports.

    Luis Fernando Suarez’s side were set for one final test before they begin their Group E campaign against Spain in Qatar next Wednesday.

    Ahead of travelling to the Gulf State on Friday, Costa Rica had been staying in Kuwait, with the intention to cross into Iraq for Thursday’s friendly.

    But having travelled to the border on Wednesday, a request to have their passports not stamped was not honoured by local authorities, forcing them to return to their camp.

    “The match against Iraq was suspended,” Costa Rica’s Football Federation stated.

    “An agreement that was made with the non-stamping of passports was not respected and for this reason it was decided not to enter Iraq and cancel the match.”

    Costa Rica are competing in their third consecutive tournament, having reached a best-ever finish at Brazil 2014 by progressing to the quarter-finals.

    A dismal Russia 2018 campaign saw them eliminated in the group stages, with Suarez’s side likely to face a tough test in a group that also contains Japan and Germany.

    Source: Livescore

  • PLAYBACK: Ad hoc Committee resume hearing of Ofori-Atta’s censure motion

    The Vote of Censure Parliamentary Committee instituted by Speaker Alban Bagbin to probe into the allegations levelled against the Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta, resumed its public hearings today.

    The institutions; Public Interest Accountability Committee (PIAC) and the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC) took turns to make their submissions before the Committee.

    On Tuesday, the Committee co-chaired by  MP for Bolga East, Dominic Ayine and Adansi-Asokwa legislator, Kobina Tahir Hammond began sitting.

    Minority leader Haruna Iddrisu and Ranking Member on the Finance Committee in Parliament, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, together with Lawyer for the Finance Minister, Gabby Otchere Darko appeared before the Committee.

     

     

  • NYA boss, Pius Hadzide, honoured for massive contribution to youth development

    Chief Executive Officer of the National Youth Authority (NYA), Pius Enam Hadzide has been honoured by the National Union of Ghana Students (NUGS) for his exploits in fostering youth development in the country.

    The award was conferred on Mr Hadzide during the Greater Accra edition of ‘NUGS Talk’, held on Sunday, November 13, 2022, at the Accra College of Education

    The program was on the theme “The Grand Convocation: Youth Support; Policy, Practice, Impact”.

    NUGS President, Dennis Appiah Larbi-Ampofo, stated that the award was in recognition of Mr Puis Enam Hadzide’s immense strides towards the implementation of the 2022-2032 National Youth Policy, an active framework meant to guide interventions for empowering youth for national development and participating in global affairs.

    Mr Hadzide also participated in a panel discussion where he expounded on the importance of the new Youth Policy document, which he indicates is geared towards addressing extensively, the needs and aspirations of young persons in Ghana.

    Pius Enam Hadzide

    “The Youth Policy should be cross-cutting across all sectors. This is because the youth have become the aspirations across all the important sectors of the Ghanaian economy – including health, education, trade, commerce, employment and agriculture,” he indicated.

    He also added that the 2022-2032 Youth Policy framework has been developed through broad base consultations to include an implementation plan with measurable timelines, and that is not exclusive to the National Youth Authority, but rather positions the Authority to be able to track implementation across these valued sectors.

    “This is because the new policy actually seeks to train and build the capacities of the youth of this country, preparing them to become better and successful citizens responsible and responsive to national development.” He added

    The NYA CEO said this on the backdrop of issues raised concerning the amendment of the 2010 National Youth Policy framework, which he noted “looked only more like a strategic plan for the National Youth Authority”.

    He further urged youth leaders, during an open forum on the topic of Leadership, to stay consistent with their actions, plans, messages and strategies.

    Hon. Hadzide emphasised that consistency sets the tone for building trust between leaders and followers and that aspirants for leadership positions should not compromise their strategies for selfish intent.

    He also seized the opportunity to announce to potential beneficiaries, the opening of government’s YouStart Ghana Jobs and Skills Application portal, set to be launched by Deputy Minister of Finance, Hon. John Kumah on Monday, to aid in supporting youth-led businesses through a GHȼ1 billion entrepreneurship fund.

    Other members of the panel included the Member of Parliament for Ningo Prampram, Hon. Sam Nartey George, former Deputy Minister for Transport, Joyce Bawah Mogtari Esq, Managing Director of Access Bank, Olumide Olatunji and Environmental Consultant, Dr Rashid Kwesi Etuaful.

  • Pictures and videos of Ghana vs Switzerland game

    Ghana is playing against Switzerland today as part of its preparation towards the 2022 World Cup tournament in Qatar.

    At the end of the first half, no team had been able to score a goal.

    The second half of the game is underway.

    Here are moments before the game started:

    Now, to the match itself:



     

  • PLAYBACK: Ghana vs Switzerland international friendly match

    Ghana played against Switzerland today as part of its preparation towards the 2022 World Cup tournament in Qatar.

    The team has goalkeeper Lawrence Ati-Zigi in the post. The defense that included Tariq Lamptey, Baba Rahman, Daniel Amartey, and Salisu Mohammed.

    Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey was in the starting eleven alongside Belgium-based Elisha Owusu.

    Andre Ayew started starting with his brother Jordan Ayew while Hearts of Oak star Daniel Afriyie Barnieh has been handed his maiden start for the Black Stars.

     

     

     

  • Mancini sings Grifo’s praises after match-winning performance

    Roberto Mancini has lauded Vincenzo Grifo after he played a part in all three goals as Italy came from behind to beat Albania 3-1 in Wednesday’s friendly.

    A crashing Ardian Ismajli header put Albania ahead in the first half, but a pinpoint Grifo cross allowed Giovanni Di Lorenzo to equalise just four minutes later before the Freiburg man put Italy in front before the break.

    Grifo added his second after half-time to kill off the match and secure a third straight win for the European champions since a 5-2 humbling at the hands of Germany in June.

    Mancini was delighted with the 29-year-old’s impressive performance, telling Rai Sport: “Vincenzo is an extraordinary boy. Grifo is a great player and in the Bundesliga, he is scoring many goals.

    “[He is] a very good player, with important qualities. Today he scored two beautiful goals. The whole attack went well.

    “You have to play in the best way whatever the moment. We have done good things by also changing the system, that went well.”

    It was not all good news for Italy as midfielder Sandro Tonali was taken off on a stretcher after an awkward fall in the latter stages of the first half.

    But Mancini was positive after the match over Tonali’s condition, saying: “He took quite a hit, but he was conscious and I hope to get him back soon.”

    Source: Livescore

  • World Cup 2022: Tariq Lamptey handed first Black Stars start in Switzerland friendly

    Ghana head coach, Otto Addo has provided Tariq Lamptey his first Ghana start in the friendly match against Switzerland.

    The Black Stars are facing off with their Swiss counterpart in an international friendly match on Thursday morning in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

    Ahead of kick-off at 10:00am, Ghana ahead coach Otto Addo has named his starting eleven for the clash.

    The team has goalkeeper Lawrence Ati-Zigi in the post and will be protected by a defense that include Tariq Lamptey, Baba Rahman, Daniel Amartey, and Salisu Mohammed.

    Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey is in the starting eleven alongside Belgium-based Elisha Owusu.

    Andre Ayew is also starting with his brother Jordan Ayew while Hearts of Oak star Daniel Afriyie Barnieh has been handed his maiden start for the Black Stars.

    Ghana is using this morning’s friendly to prepare for the 2022 FIFA World Cup which starts on Sunday, November 20.

    The Black Stars are hoping to put up a good performance to inspire confidence ahead of the start of the mundial.

    Checkout the Black Stars’ starting eleven for the Switzerland friendly below:

    Source: Football Ghana

  • Ronaldo to miss Portugal’s World Cup warm-up game

    Cristiano Ronaldo will not be able to play in Portugal’s World Cup warm-up game against Nigeria on Thursday, according to head coach Fernando Santos.

    Speaking at a press conference, Santos said: “Ronaldo has gastritis and did not train today in order to recover and rest.

    “It’s a condition that doesn’t help much as it affects the players a lot, they lose a lot of liquid, they weaken. He won’t be ready for tomorrow, for sure.”

    The Portugal boss also dismissed concerns about Ronaldo’s interview with Piers Morgan in which he criticised his club, Manchester United.

    “[Ronaldo] didn’t have to inform us about the interview. Isn’t he free [to make his decisions]?

    “What I’m interested in is what is being spoken about in our camp and not what is being said outside. We have to respect his decision.

    “We have to respect the interview he gave. It has nothing to do with the national team,” he said.

    Portugal begin their World Cup campaign against Ghana on November 24, before also taking on Uruguay and South Korea in Group H.

  • Maddison hopeful of availability for World Cup opener after England return

    James Maddison will likely be available for England’s World Cup opener against Iran following the Leicester City forward’s injury scare against West Ham.

    The Foxes forward earned a Three Lions recall last week as part of Gareth Southgate’s 26-man party for Qatar 2022, three years on from his only cap.

    But Maddison’s long-awaited return to the fold looked to be in jeopardy after he departed early during his side’s Premier League clash with the Hammers over the weekend.

    He has since travelled to Qatar with the rest of the England squad, however, and has now allayed fears of a potential lay-off that could disrupt his tournament.

    “The injury is OK,” he stated. “We had a scan the day before we met up, and it was positive. I had a little problem in the lead up to the West Ham game.

    “I wanted to play, I didn’t want to not play because of the World Cup, that’s not the sort of person I am. I wanted to show the focus was still there.

    “I’ll have to do a little bit of work with the physios here to get up to full speed [but] it shouldn’t affect me playing in the first game. I’m hopeful I’ll be fine.”

    Maddison was one of a few players Southgate revealed he called to inform they had been selected ahead of his squad announcement, wanting to assuage the Leicester man’s concerns over any inclusion, though the 25-year-old initially did not answer.

    “I was actually having a chatting with Brendan [Rodgers] in his office,” he added. “He asked me if I’d had the call and I said no nothing yet.

    “I went downstairs into the dressing room, and I’d missed a call off Gareth. The heart starts beating. I’d had his number saved still.

    “I went up and called him back, and he gave me the good news, which was all a bit of a blur. After the call had ended it was a head on the wall moment, took a big deep breath, and then I called my parents.”

    Source: Livescore

     

  • UEFA receives three preliminary bids to host Euro tournaments in 2028 and 2032

    UEFA confirmed it received three preliminary bid dossiers to host Euro 2028 and 2032 before Wednesday’s deadline.

    A joint bid from the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland was submitted for the 2028 tournament, while Turkey also threw its hat in the ring having never hosted a major tournament.

    Football associations from England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland put forward a proposal and promised to organise an “unrivalled” tournament.

    The bid from the English FA comes after much criticism over its handling of fan disorder at the Euro 2020 final at Wembley Stadium, with an independent review describing it as a “day of national shame”.

    Turkey also bid for the 2032 edition, as well as Italy, which has not been chosen as a sole host of a major tournament since the World Cup in 1990.

    The deadline for submitting final dossiers is April 12 2023, before the hosts will be chosen in the European autumn of that year.


    Source: Livescore

  • Barcelona to appeal after Lewandowski hit with three-match ban in LaLiga

    Barcelona plan to lodge an appeal after the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) issued Robert Lewandowski with a three-match ban following his red card against Osasuna.

    Lewandowski was shown two yellow cards in the first half of Barca’s 2-1 win at El Sadar last Tuesday, in which goals from Pedri and Raphinha helped Xavi’s men to a comeback victory.

    On Wednesday, it was reported the RFEF had given Lewandowski an extended three-match suspension after accusing him of berating referee Gil Manzano following his dismissal.

    That would rule Lewandowski, who is LaLiga’s top scorer with 13 goals this campaign, out of the Blaugrana’s fixtures against Espanyol, Atletico Madrid and Real Betis after the World Cup, but his club will attempt to overturn the ruling.

    A club statement read: “FC Barcelona will put their case to the Appeals Committee in view of the three-game ban handed out to Robert Lewandowski by the Disciplinary Committee.

    “The Polish striker received the suspension after being sent off for a second bookable offence in the 2-1 win over Osasuna in Pamplona in LaLiga.”

    Lewandowski is currently preparing to represent Poland at his second World Cup, with Czeslaw Michniewicz’s team set to begin their Group C campaign against Mexico on Tuesday.


    Source: Livescore

  • Neymar eyeing potential World Cup final meeting with PSG team-mate Messi

    Neymar revealed he and Paris Saint-Germain team-mate Lionel Messi joke about a potential World Cup final between Brazil and Argentina in Qatar.

    Neymar and Messi, alongside Kylian Mbappe, form a fearsome front three for PSG, one that has fired them to a five-point lead at the top of Ligue 1 and reached the Champions League knockout stages.

    But that alliance will be temporarily halted until PSG’s next game on December 28, as the three superstars bid to win the World Cup for their respective countries.

    While he was highly complimentary of Messi and Mbappe, Neymar jokingly hinted that he fancies his Brazil side’s chances in a potential match-up with Messi’s Argentina.

    “We don’t discuss it very much,” Neymar told The Telegraph. “But sometimes we joke about crossing paths with each other in the final.

    “I tell him [Messi] that I’ll be champion and win against him and we have a good laugh.

    “Playing with him and Kylian is a huge pleasure. They’re two greats, with Messi long considered the best in the world.

    “Kylian is a young player who’s been growing and showing his potential and still has a lot to grow. It’s always great to play alongside the greats, I’ve always preferred that because the chances of winning are higher.”

    Neymar feels Brazil are one of the favourites, but also highlighted a number of other teams he believes are capable of making the final on December 18.

    “The World Cup is full of surprises,” he explained. “You get teams that unexpectedly get very far even in the competition even if many don’t believe in them.

    “But I believe the favourites are Argentina, Germany, Spain and France. I think those four along with Brazil are fully capable of reaching the final.”

    At the age of 30, the Qatar World Cup could be Neymar’s last attempt at glory with Brazil, having fallen short in his two previous experiences at international football’s premier tournament.

    One of those was particularly painful, when Neymar suffered a back injury in a victorious quarter-final meeting with Colombia at Brazil’s home tournament in 2014.

    Neymar was ruled out of the semi-final with Germany, a match Brazil went on to lose by a humiliating 7-1 scoreline.

    But the former Barcelona forward says his career would not feel incomplete if he were to never win the World Cup, saying: “No, in my career I’ve achieved things beyond my imagination.

    “So, if it ended today, I would still be the happiest person in the world.”

    The number 10 jersey that Neymar dons for Brazil is steeped in history, having been worn by Selecao legends like Pele, Ronaldinho and Zico.

    Neymar does not experience the pressure that could come with following those Brazilian idols, declaring: “I don’t feel under pressure, quite the opposite.

    “I’m happy to be able to wear the number 10 on the Brazilian team and make history. It’s a great pride and honour to be part of the group of players that wore it and I only feel happiness about it.”

    Source: Livescore

     

  • Van Gaal backs Netherlands fan boycott of Qatar World Cup

    Netherlands head coach Louis van Gaal has backed fans who have decided to boycott the World Cup in Qatar.

    After a 12-year wait loaded with controversy, the first World Cup to be played in the Middle East begins on Sunday when Qatar face Ecuador.

    There has been scrutiny on the hosts surrounding human rights issues, the treatment of migrant workers and the illegality of homosexuality, with FIFA having written to all participating nations and urging them to “focus on the football”.

    That seems unlikely to happen, however, with a number of nations already speaking out, and Van Gaal has issued his support to any fans boycotting the tournament.

    “I think that they are right to do that because they believe in that and they have to do that, so no problem with that,” he said.

    “And I hope that we play so fantastic that at the end of the tournament when we play the final, they shall look for the television how good we are.

    “I think that you have to play in football countries, more experience with everything, but also to stimulate that country in another way, in the right way.

    “This is also a small country, my family or my friends have a lot of difficulties to find the place, so that’s also a remark.

    “The organisation and the pitches and everything, the facilities, these are very good.”

    On the field, Van Gaal admits that he does not have the best players at his disposal in the Netherlands squad but still feels they can be successful.

    “I believe that we don’t have the best players on earth in our team, but I believe in team building and tactics and I believe that we can come to the end but we need also luck, that is also important,” he explained.

    “And because of that and because I believe in imagination, I speak about to be the world champion at the end of the tournament because when you can imagine that, you can do it also on the pitch, because we have players who can execute the tactics of the coaches of the Netherlands.”

    The Netherlands begin their campaign against Senegal on November 22, before facing Ecuador and hosts Qatar in Group A.

    Source: Livescore

     

  • Messi unsure how much longer he will continue to play

    Lionel Messi is unsure how much longer he will continue playing, but is enjoying his football following a tough period of adaptation at Paris Saint-Germain.

    Messi endured a difficult first season after swapping Barcelona for PSG last August, scoring 11 goals in 34 appearances – his lowest scoring campaign since 2005-06, when he was 18 years old.

    The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner has looked rejuvenated this season, though, already hitting the net 12 times as well as laying on 14 assists.

    PSG team-mate Neymar and Manchester City’s Erling Haaland are the only players in Europe’s top five leagues to have matched his total of 26 goal involvements this term.

    However, speaking to Movistar ahead of Argentina’s World Cup campaign, the 35-year-old hinted the end of his playing career may not be too far away, though he expects to stay in football when he does retire.

    “I love playing and I enjoy it, the only thing I’ve done all my life is play football and I’m sure it [a future role] will be related, although I don’t know what,” Messi said.

    “I don’t think I’ll play much more. I don’t know, so many things happen. It was a dream that I always had as a child, to be able to play for Argentina.

    “But today it depends on many things. I have my family, three children, I just had a very big change in my life that cost me and my whole family a lot. Today I got over it, and we feel spectacular.”

    Asked whether he feels more comfortable on the pitch after spending a year bedding in at the Parc des Princes, Messi said: “That’s true, I am enjoying it much more, I am discovering the city and I think it’s beautiful.

    “The first year was a huge change for me, everything went wrong because it all came out of the blue and it was not a decision I was aiming for, leaving Barcelona was sudden.

    “After this long process and tough moments, today I’m happy to be living where I live, and me and my family are enjoying Paris.”

    Recalling his first season in Ligue 1, Messi said: “It was hard, we had been in the same place all our lives. I had never moved and I didn’t know how it would be, plus it was not a decision we made.

    “It came all of a sudden. We had to leave Barcelona overnight and found ourselves where everything was new.

    “We had our lives in Barcelona with friends, places and people, and you have to get to know other places, with another language, other football, other weather.

    “I suffered a lot, it was hard. But today I am enjoying everything, including football.”

    Source: Livescore

  • Shakhtar chief demands £87m for Mudryk amid Arsenal links

    Any club looking to snatch Mykhaylo Mudryk will have to splash at least £87million, Shakhtar Donetsk’s director of football Dario Srna has said.

    The Ukraine international has courted the attention of Europe’s elite with spectacular performances in the Champions League, where he scored three goals and contributed two assists in six appearances.

    Earlier this week, Mudryk revealed he follows Arsenal closely, amid continued speculation the Premier League leaders are looking to launch a move for his services when the market reopens in the new year.

    Mudryk’s services will not come cheaply, though, with Srna arguing the transfers of Antony and Jadon Sancho to Manchester United, and Jack Grealish to Manchester City, have set the bar.

    “If somebody wants to buy Mudryk, they must pay huge, huge, huge money. Otherwise, the president of the club [Rinat Akhmetov[} will not sell him,” he told The Athletic.

    “All the clubs must respect the president, respect Shakhtar and in the end they must respect Mykhaylo Mudryk, who is one of the best players I have seen. The price is so big.

    “The market is deciding the price, not me. Antony, Grealish, they are players of more than €100m and for me, Mudryk does not have less quality than them.

    “This is the last two transfers in the past year, in more or less the same positions. Sancho from Borussia Dortmund also. We just want respect. The market is deciding the price, not me – it shows which kind of players cost this kind of money.”

    Shakhtar’s chief executive Sergei Palkin confirmed Mudryk is attracting plenty of interest ahead of the January transfer window, claiming that new suitors emerge on a weekly basis.

    “Every week, some club appears and starts to feel [where we are]. They’re not coming and saying ‘OK, take 50 million and give me Mudryk’. They understand the story behind him, and they understand that he is quite an expensive player,” Palkin explained.

    “But they start to feel our club, what our strategy is, what we should do. In any case, the time will arrive. Definitely, it will arrive and a big club will give us €100m.

    “Mudryk is a talent in a process. What he is showing today, it’s just 60 per cent of what he can do in the future. And when you multiply this, you realise he costs much, much more. Therefore, we believe that in the future he can cost definitely around €100m.”

    Source: Livescore

  • 2022 World Cup: 7 Ghanaian footballers who will be playing for other nations

    Two players of Ghanaian origin namely Marcel Desailly and Jerome Boateng have already won the world cup with France and Germany respectively.

    The 2022 World Cup has as many as seven Ghanaian players who will be representing countries of their birth.

    Jeremy Doku – (Belgium)

    The Stade Rennes winger has already been capped ten times by Belgium at senior level scoring twice.

    Doku was born to Ghanaian parents in Antwerp on May 27,2002 and he is among the brightest young prospects in Europe.

    Memphis Depay – (Netherlands)

    The talented forward will be playing his third world cup, having made his debut appearance in 2014 in Brazil.

    Depay who will be starting in attack for Netherlands is expected to be their main man upfront.

    Cody Gakpo – (Netherlands)

    Born to a Ghanaian -Togolese father and a Dutch mother, Gakpo was also eligible to feature for the two West African countries but he chose to play for Netherlands.

    He is the skipper of PSV Eindhoven and among the best players in the Dutch league.

    Mohammed Muntari -(Qatar)

    Muntari naturalized for Qatar in 2014 at the age of 21 and has gone on to earn 41 caps scoring 13 goals.

    The 6 feet 5 inches striker’s greatest weapon is his head as he hardly misses aerial balls.

    Yunus Musah – (USA)

    Musah was born to Ghanaian and Nigerian parents in New York but was raises in England in Italy.

    He was eligible to play for US, England, Ghana, Nigeria, and Italy but chose to represent the Yankees at senior level after stints with the English youth national teams. Musah, 19, plays as a winger for La Liga outfit Valencia.

    Jeremie Frimpong – (Netherlands)

    Frimpong was born to Ghanaian parents in the Netherlands but grew up in Manchester.

    He was eligible to play for all three countries but always insisted he wants to feature for the Dutch. He is among the in form lateral defenders going to the world cup as he has already netted five goals and provided two assists in 15 Bundesliga games for Leverkusen.

    Nico Williams – (Spain)

    The 18-year-old Bilbao attacker will be representing Spain at the World Cup.

    He has already been capped twice by them at international level and he will be one of the young players to watch in the competition.

    Source: Sports World Ghana

     

  • Son willing to risk health to play at World Cup after training in protective mask

    Heung-Min Son says he is willing to risk his health to bring joy to South Korea’s fans at the World Cup after being pictured training in a protective mask.

    Son’s participation in Qatar was in doubt when he suffered a fracture around his left eye in Tottenham’s Champions League win at Marseille earlier this month, causing him to miss Spurs’ last three pre-World Cup fixtures.

    However, Son was named in Paulo Bento’s 26-man World Cup squad and subsequently declared he would not miss the tournament “for the world”.

    On Wednesday, Son participated in South Korea’s training session in Doha while donning a protective mask, and the forward is prepared to take risks in order to feature.

    “I am not a doctor, it’s difficult for me to say when I can play. I will do the best I can under the circumstances,” Son said.

    “From the fans’ perspective, I may be pushing this too far, but football players always compete under such risks.

    “I just want to give our fans joy and hope. I am more than willing to bear those risks.

    “Everyone who comes to the World Cup wants to play well, but it takes more than that. Speaking realistically, it’s more important to be prepared for matches than to just have the desire to play well.

    “I can’t predict the future, but I want to make this a special World Cup, using every last ounce of energy that I have.”

    While Son’s participation in his team’s Group H opener against Uruguay on November 24 remains uncertain, the Spurs star already feels at ease wearing his mask.

    “I was surprised at first how comfortable the mask was,” Son added. “It feels a little different here than in England, because it’s hotter here and I sweated a lot today.

    “These carbon masks are really light, and they likely won’t break. If a mask breaks, it means something has happened to my face, so I hope it doesn’t come to that!”

    Source: Livescore

  • NLA releases application forms for 2023-licensing year

    The Board and Management of the National Lottery Authority (NLA) has released the application forms for the 2023 Licensing Year.

    This is in adherence to the legal framework of the National Lotto Act, 2006, (Act 722).

    Private Lotto Operators (PLOs) entities and or individuals who wish to operate and/or sell Lottery products can access these forms.

    Interested persons are to contact the Operations Manager, VAG, and Private Lotto Operations on the first floor of Fortune House, Head Office, Accra for Application forms and terms of payment from Tuesday, 15th November 2022.

    They are required to pay a Non-Refundable Application Fee of GHC200.00.

    ” All PLOs already Licensed in 2022, to operate nationwide will in 2023, pay a License Fee of GHC 1,500,000.00. The License fee for new PLOs registering in the 2023 Licensing Year to operate nationwide is GHc2,000,000.00,” the NLA release added.

    The deadline for submission of Application Forms is Wednesday, 30th November 2022.

    According to the NLA, licenses are valid from 1st January 2023 to 31st December 2023.

    Licensing Year Guidelines by The Independent Ghana on Scribd

    Source: The Independent Ghana

  • No diabolism will work against you – Annoh-Dompreh to Bawumia

    Member of Parliament for Nsawam-Adoagryri, Frank Annoh-Dompreh has said the Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia will make history in Ghana’s politics.

    He said no diabolic agenda will work against the Vice President.

    “No schemes, nor evil strategies, nor diabolism, nor hate deductions could set us apart.. We are set to make history, so shall it be…” he tweeted after Dr Bawumia served notice that he won’t allow people to use his name for corrupt activities because his integrity is his most cherished asset in life.

    Dr. Bawumia reacted swiftly on his Facebook page on Monday, November 14 following investigations by journalist Anas Aremeyaw Anas that a Minister of State at the Ministry of Finance, Charles Adu Boahen, had used the Vice President’s name to solicit for $200,000 from investors, in order for he (Adu Boahen) to facilitate a meeting with the Vice President.

    In his strongly worded reaction on Facebook, Dr. Bawumia, who is regarded by many as one of the decent politicians around, fumed at the alleged conduct of the Minister, adding that he was not aware of any such dealing by the Minister.

    The Vice President described the position of the Minister of State as untenable, following the revelation, and called for his summary dismissal.

    Shortly after the Vice President’s post, the President issued a release announcing the dismissal of the Minister of State and also referred his conduct to the Special Prosecutor for further action.

    Source: 3news.com via MyInfogh

  • Number of anti-Ofori-Atta NPP MPs increase to 98, set to boycott budget presentation

    Ninety-eight New Patriotic Party (NPP) Members of Parliament have resolved to boycott the budget presentation and all Finance Ministry-related business should the President refuse to sack Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta immediately.

    This new number is an increase from the previous 80 NPP MPs who had earlier demanded the removal of the Finance Minister and the Minister of State at the Finance Ministry, Charles Adu-Boahen.

    According to the Member of Parliament for Asante Akyem North, Andy Appiah-Kubi, who doubles as spokesperson for the group, Ofori-Atta’s position in government has become untenable, hence the fresh demand for his resignation.

    His comment comes after the group had earlier relaxed its demand following a meeting with the President, Nana Akufo-Addo.

    In a statement signed by Majority Leader, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, President Akufo-Addo had appealed for the sector minister to be allowed to stay till after the budget presentation and appropriation of same, to which the MPs had agreed.

    However, with the Finance Minister now facing a vote of censure from the Minority side of Parliament, the NPP MPs are convinced it is time for him to leave.

    Speaking on JoyNews’ PM Express, Appiah-Kubi said, “We’ve gone back to (our demand for the President to) sack him now and therefore should the budget be presented under the stamp of the Finance Minister, we’ll not participate because as far as we’re concerned we’re never going to do business with him.

    “And if we’re not going to do business with him, he does not participate in any process from the Presidency to the House. We will not participate in deliberations too.”

    He noted that the only way the President will get them to participate in the budget presentation and appropriation is if someone else from government is appointed to present the budget.

    “We’re not saying we won’t do President’s business. We’re saying we won’t do President’s business through Ofori-Atta. So if anybody else comes with President’s business, we’ll participate,” he said.

    Mr. Andy Appiah-Kubi also told host, Evans Mensah that the new resolution is the outcome of a meeting held on Tuesday, November 15, which was attended by 98 NPP MPs to reconsider their collective position after they agreed to relax their initial stance.

    Source: MyJoyOnline

     

  • Mad rush for foodstuff as Agric Ministry moves market to Makola

    The Ministry of Food and Agriculture has moved the Planting for Food and Jobs market to the Makola Market in Accra.

    As a result, there is a mad rush for the foodstuff which are selling at a relatively lower price than market women.

    In a video shared on social media, hundreds of desperate buyers are seen outdoing each other to buy plantains that are selling for as low as GH¢20 for a bunch.

    This has been the move by the government to deal with the abnormal hikes in food prices in recent weeks which they believed could be curbed by this initiative.

    Although it might not be sustainable, the Agric ministry believes it would go a long way to help reduce the prices of foodstuff on the Ghanaian markets.

    K wrote: This actually positive. I don’t like this party, but this may be the birth of a program that will solve hunger issues for many.

    Ivan wrote: The same market women purchasing these foodstuffs at lower prices will go and increase it at their stands. What are we actually gaining from this initiative ?

    Jayden wrote: These same women will get these foodstuffs for cheap and increases it unreasonably… later they will say “the country is hard”… truth be told we are our own enemies…. we are making things difficult in the country!! Our attitude drawing the economy backwards.

    Source: Ghpage via MyInfogh

     

  • Saglemi Housing Project is a complete failure – Asenso-Boakye justifies privatisation

    The Minister for Works and Housing, Francis Asenso-Boakye, has said that the Saglemi Housing Project, which was started by the government of former President John Dramani Mahama to provide affordable housing to Ghanaians, is a complete failure.

    He said that even though over 90 percent of the cost of the project had been expended, the revised 1500-unit affordable housing project is nowhere near completion.

    He added that an evaluation of the project conducted by the government revealed that it will require at least $100 million to complete the project, which he believes makes no economic sense, necessitating the government’s decision to sell it.

    “…We need $46 million to provide offsite infrastructure for the project to get basic amenities like water and electricity. Beyond that, when it comes to the completion of the units, our estimate shows that we need about $68 million.

    “So, in all, we realised that we needed over $100 million for the project, and it will be very difficult for Ghanaians to accept this… Meanwhile, the government’s commitment to the Pokuasi and Diasia projects that we have initiated will cost us $55 million, with a total housing unit count of 12,000.

    “So, if you are a manager and you have limited resources, why would you want to invest $100 million to complete just the Saglemi project? Whiles, you are looking for money to finance the $55 million project whose benefit is enormous, much better than the Saglemi Housing Project which is a complete failure,” he said in a Peace FM interview monitored by GhanaWeb.

    The housing minister further stated that the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Godfred Dame, had given an indication that there was nothing legally wrong with the project continuing, even though it is the subject of an ongoing criminal prosecution.

    Two former Ministers of Works and Housing, Alhaji Collins Dauda and Kweku Agyeman Mensah, and three others, have been arraigned in court over the Saglemi Affordable Housing infractions.

    The five were charged on August 5, 2021, with 52 counts, including causing financial loss to the state.

    They are facing charges of intentionally misapplying public property, causing financial loss to the state, and issuing false certificates in the Saglemi Affordable Housing Project, which involved the sum of $200 million.

    Alhaji Collins Dauda, together with Kweku Agyeman Mensah, Alhaji Ziblim Yakubu, Chief Director of the Ministry, Andrew Clocanas, Executive Chairman of Constructura OAS Ghana Limited, and Nouvi Tetteh Angelo, have pleaded not guilty to all 52 charges.

    While Alhaji Collins Dauda was admitted to self-recognizance bail, Kweku Agyeman Mensah and Alhaji Ziblim Yakubu were granted bail in the sums of $65 million each. In addition, they were to produce three sureties, one of whom should be a public officer.

    Andrew Clocanas, the fourth accused person, was also admitted to bail in the sum of $179 million with three sureties, one of whom should be a public servant. Nouvi Tetteh Angelo, the fifth accused person, was admitted to bail in the amount of $13 million with three sureties.

    Source: Ghanaweb via MyInfogh

  • Anas’ expose’: There isn’t a law that makes entrapment illegal in Ghana – Dafeamakpor

    Member of Parliament for the South Dayi Constituency in the Volta Region, Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor, has explained that there is no law that makes entrapment illegal in Ghana.

    Speaking on the Ade Akye Abia show on Okay FM he said that unlike in America, where there is a lawful way of obtaining evidence but in Ghana, there is no lawful way of obtaining evidence.

    “One the evidence is relevant or is of importance, the court will admit it. The court does not consider how you got the evidence that the principal we work with in this country. It is immaterial how you got the evidence but ones the material will help your case, the court will admit it. Many have raised concerns about entrapment, entrapment is not part of the jurisprudence we are practising here.

    “If someone has evidence that you want to take bribe or you are willing to take bribe or it shows that you are corrupt, the court will consider it and make a determination. They won’t look at how it was obtained. So, entrapment does not work in Ghana. In America, there is a lawful way of obtaining evidence, but in Ghana, we don’t have a lawful way of obtaining evidence, what we have is relevant evidence,” he said on the show.

    Some Ghanaians have raised concerns about the method used by ace investigative journalist Anas Aremeyaw Anas for his exposés, as many have described the method as “entrapment.”

    It is based on these concerns Rockson-Nelson Etse Kwami Dafeamekpor indicated that there is no law that makes entrapment illegal in Ghana.

    Aremeyaw Anas’s latest exposé, dubbed ‘Galamsey Economy’ has compelled President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to sack the Minister of State in Charge of Finance, Charles Adu Boahen, from office.

    Charles Adu Boahen alleged on video that Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia needs just USD 200,000 as an ‘appearance fee’ and some positions from an investor for his siblings to get his backing and influence in establishing a business in Ghana.

    Source: Ghanaweb via MyInfogh

  • Ghana will overcome current economic crisis – Palgrave Boakye-Danquah

    Government Spokesperson on Governance and Security, Palgrave Boakye-Danquah, has expressed optimism for Ghana’s economy to rebound soonest despite the prevailing economic challenges.

    Palgrave Boakye-Danquah assured Ghanaians that the Akufo-Addo-led government would leverage the economic policy initiatives to drive growth and prosperity.

    The government, he indicated, had outlined a series of economic measures, including seeking the assistance of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), in the short term, to help repair our finances.

    The challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Palgrave Boakye-Danquah stated, had greatly compromised the country’s economy.

    He stated that “the government would revive and revitalize the country’s economy and put it back on the path of rapid growth,” Palgrave Boakye-Danquah exclusively told Kwaku Owusu Adjei (Patoo) on Adwenekasa on Accra-based Original FM 91.9.

    He attributed the situation to “so many malevolent forces,” which he said have come together at the same time to cause the current economic turmoil bedeviling the country.

    He mentioned that no party in Ghana has displayed the organizational skills and capacity that the NPP has.

    Source: Ghanaweb via MyInfogh

  • How Kasoa Youth Leader saved man who attempted killing himself

    Wadudu is the youth leader in the Kasoa CP area who played a critical role in saving the life of a frustrated young man.

    This young man had climbed the telecommunications tower in the area in an attempt to get himself electrocuted to death or jump to death.

    The distraught man whose decision to kill himself stemmed from the unbearable load of hardship he could no longer shoulder was seen hanging loosely on the pole.

    Meanwhile, it had to take the swift intervention of Wadud to talk him out of his plan to end his life. He had to almost beg with him to get down from the pole and not throw himself down to death.

    As a youth leader who was concerned about the well-being of the guys in the area, Wadudu was not ready to record another case of premeditated death in the Kasoa area and averted it.

     

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    Source: GHpage.com via Myinfogh

  • Telcos contribute GH¢4.3bn in taxes – GTC reveals

    In 2021, an amount of GH¢4.3 billion was paid by the telecommunication industry in taxes to the economy.

    Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Ghana Chamber of Telecommunications (GTC), Dr Kenneth Ashigbey, made this known on Tuesday during the launch of the Mobile Industry Transparency Initiative 2021 in Accra.

    The amount represented 7.7 per cent of government revenue for the period in review.

    Players in the sector also created 6,100 direct jobs and 1.2 million indirect jobs last year, bringing to the fore the critical role of telecommunications in bridging the unemployment gap.

    Breakdown

    Giving the breakdown at the event, the CEO of the chamber said total tax amount comprised GH¢883.6 million of corporate income tax (CIT), GH¢657.4 million of value added tax (VAT) and GH¢571.4 million of levies such as the national health insurance levy (NHIL), the Ghana Education Trust Fund levy (GETFL) and the COVID-19 levy.

    Dr Ashigbey said withholding tax (WHT) also amounted to GH¢722.2 million while the communication service tax (CST) pay as you earn (PAYE) brought in GH¢424.7 million and GH¢138.1million respectively.

    He added that the operators also paid other taxes that amounted to GH¢266.7 million.

    Taxes

    Dr Ashigbey said the telecom sector was a critical component to nation building and the country needed to use policies to encourage its growth rather than threaten its survival.

    “As an industry, we are contributing about 7.7 per cent of government’s tax revenue and if this is an industry that now has been seen as a utility, then you cannot be taxing the industry as you tax any other industry.”

    “The industry is still seen as a cash cow that has to be milked,” he said, noting that the mindset needed to change.

    Deterioration

    The CEO said taxation had been deteriorating investments and called for a second look at the tax regime.

    “For instance, an investor willing to invest US$1 million in the telecom industry will do so only for customers to be charged CST.

    “Meanwhile, if the same amount is invested in alcohol, no CST is paid and so, a rational investor will never invest in the telecom industry.

    “Taxes such as the COVID-19 levy and the national fiscal stabilisation levy applied to the telecommunications industry distort the market and they take investment away.

    “If this is going to be the leverage that is going to put other industries forward, then it is important that we look at it,” he said.

    Tough times

    Dr Ashigbey said the fiscal regime of the sector had created tough times for the players, leading to some of the firms folding up.

    Citing the merger of the now defunct Airtel and Tigo as an example, he said things were not that rosy for the telecom sector.

    “This is an industry where two competitors, Airtel and Tigo which had the same strategies had to merge to maximise their revenue and reduce their cost.”

    “Many are riding at the back of the telecommunication industry to survive. So, it is important that as a people, we look at this industry as one that will drive the changes that we want to see,” he added.

    Mobile financial services

    Meanwhile, by the close of 2021, operators in the industry had 442,000 registered agents that were being employed by the mobile financial services industry.

    Aactive customers were also 17.9 million while float balance mobilised by the industry on mobile money (MOMO) was GH¢9.7 billion.

    MOMO transaction volume was GH¢11.6 million daily while taxes paid by the mobile financial services (MFS) amounted to GH¢272 million.

    Support

    A Senior Manager at the Tax Unit of KPMG, Godwin Gordon Dardey, described the telecommunications industry as a major sector that needed to be supported to help boost the economy.

    “Technology is an area where the chamber plays a significant role, hence the chamber must support businesses to harness and tap into opportunities in the digital space.

    “It is very important that we invest in this sector and make sure that people stay in the country and are willing to work in this sector because if we lose the talents in this sector the impacts we are seeing in the companies would go down,” he said.

    Source: Graphic Online via Citinews

  • Legendary defender Cafu bullish about Brazil’s World Cup chances

    Cafu is confident Brazil can end a 20-year wait for World Cup glory, backing Neymar to help “break Europe’s dominance”.

    The former defender lifted the World Cup with Brazil in 2002, a triumph that marked the culmination of a prosperous period for the national side who won the tournament in 1994 and lost in the final to France four years later.

    Since then, however, Brazil have fallen short of expectations and have been eliminated at the quarter-final stage in three of the past four tournaments – with the exception seeing them hammered 7-1 by Germany in the semi-finals on home soil in 2014.

    Brazil head to Qatar in excellent form, though, having stood undefeated across their 17 matches in qualifying, winning 14, and Cafu believes this is the ideal opportunity for the national side.

    “It’s a great opportunity to break Europe’s dominance. It’s the perfect time for Brazil to break the curse and win the title,” he told AFP.

    “Argentina and the Selecao are the two favourites. On the one hand, Brazil is coming off a very good season with great performances, on the other hand, Argentina also has a very good team. These two countries have great potential to win the World Cup.

    “The fact that Brazil has not won the title for twenty years, it affects the fans a little bit and takes away a little credibility from the national team. But this year I think Brazil is back.

    “With Neymar fit, we have a very good chance of winning the World Cup, because he is a player who really makes the difference on the pitch. We pin our hopes on his talent, but he doesn’t play alone.

    “By playing well, by being motivated, I’m sure he will motivate the other players and make them feel that they are important so that they can win.”

    Cafu is aware that a threat is posed by some European nations, however, identifying defending champions France and Brazil’s Group G opponents Serbia as hurdles to overcome.

    “Belgium, Denmark, Portugal and Serbia, as incredible as it may seem. Serbia qualified in first place in its group. They played very well in the World Cup qualifiers,” he added.

    “They have a strong team and are not afraid to play football against any opponent.

    “France, too, will be very strong, as it was at the last World Cup. They will arrive with the label of reigning world champions and fight for the double. They will be one of the great teams to beat.”

    Brazil commence their World Cup campaign on November 24 against Serbia, before facing Switzerland and Cameroon in Group G.

    Source: Livescore

  • Former Chelsea and England defender Cahill retires from football

    Former Chelsea and England defender Gary Cahill has announced his retirement from football.

    Cahill made 22 Championship appearances for Bournemouth last season, but the last of those came in January and he was released following their promotion to the Premier League in May.

    Having made his name during spells with Aston Villa and Bolton Wanderers, Cahill enjoyed a successful seven-year stint with Chelsea, making 191 Premier League appearances for the Blues.

    Cahill won eight major trophies during his time at Stamford Bridge, including two Premier League titles and the Champions League – starting in Chelsea’s final win over Bayern Munich at the Allianz Arena in 2012.

    In a statement posted to Twitter, Cahill wrote: “Football is a game that has given me so much enjoyment and success and as I make the decision to hang up my boots, I can honestly say I gave it everything I had.

    “I’ve achieved things I once dreamt of, creating some incredible memories. From amazing highs like winning the Champions League and Premier League, to the privilege of captaining my country and Chelsea in an FA Cup-winning team.

    “I’ve had time to consider my options and after much deliberation and reflection, I feel now is the time to move on to the next stage of my career.

    “Football will always be part of who I am and what I love, so this is just the end of this chapter. For me, it’s important to look forwards, not backwards, as a new chapter in my life begins.”

    Cahill won a total of 61 senior caps for England during his career, and appeared for the Three Lions at World Cups in 2014 and 2018, as well as at Euro 2016.

    Speaking to Sky Sports after announcing his retirement, the 36-year-old revealed he received several offers to continue playing this campaign, but had opted to prioritise family matters.

    “Obviously, it’s been a tough decision in some aspects but I think I just knew the journey had to come to an end at some stage – I just got the feeling that now is the right time,” Cahill said.

    “I did have options. I could have played in the Premier League with one side, and I had a couple of options in the Championship which is flattering, to still get the offers.

    “But at the moment, as well as my career, my kids are settled at school and it would’ve meant moving again.”

    Source: Livescore

     

     

  • Ecuador leave Castillo out of World Cup squad to avoid ‘unfair sanctions’

    Ecuador have left Byron Castillo out of their World Cup squad to avoid “unfair sanctions”, despite the defender being cleared to play by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

    Castillo was the subject of a long-running dispute after Chile and Peru complained to FIFA that he was ineligible to play for Ecuador in their successful qualifying campaign.

    The Federacion de Futbol de Chile provided proof that Castillo was born in Colombia and not Ecuador, as stated on his official documents.

    FIFA dismissed all charges in June and again in September when the fresh evidence came to light, but Chile and Peru took the case to CAS with a further appeal.

    However, this month’s hearing adjudged “no violation of the rules on eligibility has occurred”, leaving Ecuador and Castillo free to compete in Qatar.

    But Ecuador, who face host nation Qatar in the opening game of the tournament on Sunday, did not include Castillo in their 26-man squad on Tuesday.

    The Ecuadorian Football Federation said in a statement: “The process we’ve had to endure has not been easy to navigate, much less for the player, who is part of our family.

    “In order to avoid further unfair sanctions, the Ecuadorian Football Federation feels obligated to not include Byron Castillo Segura in the final list that was submitted to FIFA.”

    Castillo appeared eight times in qualifying for Ecuador, who finished in the fourth and final automatic qualification spot.

    Peru finished fifth and were beaten 5-4 on penalties by Australia following a goalless draw in the intercontinental play-offs, while seventh-placed Chile missed out entirely.

    Ecuador follow up their curtain-raising showdown against Qatar with games against the Netherlands and Senegal in Group A.

    Source: Livescore

     

  • Barca wanted to sign Diaz before his move to Liverpool – Laporta

    Joan Laporta claims that Barcelona tried to sign Luis Diaz in January but his move to Liverpool was already too far down the line.

    The Colombia winger moved from Porto to Liverpool for a reported fee of an initial £37.5million (€45m), with a further £12.5m (€15m) to come in add-ons.

    It was suggested at the time that the Reds had beaten fellow Premier League side Tottenham to Diaz’s signature, and Laporta has now admitted that Barca were also looking to do a deal.

    “At that time we had just landed at the club and Liverpool beat us to it, but we were considering bringing [Diaz] in,” the Barca president said at a press conference in Bogota.

    “But we were in an economic situation that we had to resolve and reverse. Liverpool were ahead of us.”

    Diaz has recorded 16 goal involvements – with 10 goals and six assists – in 38 games for Jurgen Klopp’s men since his arrival, winning the EFL Cup, FA Cup and reaching the Champions League final last season.

    He has not played since suffering a knee injury in the 3-2 defeat at Arsenal in September, though is expected to be back once the Premier League resumes after the World Cup.

    Barca instead signed Daniel Alves, Ferran Torres, Adama Traore and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in the last January transfer window, but Laporta says they left it too late to try and land Diaz.

    “He’s a great player who has a great sense of belonging to Liverpool and I’m not going to talk about it anymore, but we were interested at the time,” he added.

    “We had a conversation with his representative, but they already had it very advanced [with Liverpool].”

  • Benzema feeling ‘much better’ ahead of France’s World Cup campaign – Camavinga

    Real Madrid team-mate Eduardo Camavinga says Karim Benzema is “doing so much better” as he battles to be 100 per cent fit for France’s World Cup campaign, according to his

    Benzema won his first Ballon d’Or last month after leading Real Madrid to glory in LaLiga and the Champions League in the 2021-22 season, but has endured an injury-hit campaign to date.

    The striker has started 11 games in all competitions this season, scoring six goals, but he spent time on the sidelines with a knee injury before missing further fixtures after suffering from muscular fatigue in his left quadriceps.

    However, with less than a week remaining until France begin their Group D campaign against Australia, Camavinga is enthused by his team-mate’s recovery.

    “He’s getting better. He’s doing so much better,” Camavinga told RMC Sport. “I have a very good relationship with him, he helps me a lot at Real Madrid.

    “He is a very great player who deserves what is happening to him. I hope he will be ready for the World Cup.

    “Sometimes in a match he comes to see me and tells me, ‘If I have the ball you are going to do this run or this run’, so he gives me advice at the right moment.

    “He also tells me when to stay in position. He is very good at communicating, he is a leader.”

    France are looking to become the first nation to retain the World Cup since Brazil in 1962, but Didier Deschamps’ team have been beset by bad luck on the injury front, with N’Golo Kante and Paul Pogba missing the tournament.

    With those two veterans of the 2018 World Cup win absent, Camavinga could partner Madrid team-mate Aurelien Tchouameni in a new-look France midfield, but he has no reservations over their lack of experience.

    “Critics are part of life. We don’t have the same experience, but we are keen to show what we are worth,” Camavinga added.

    “With our enthusiasm and the experience of the elders, it can make a good mix.”

    Meanwhile, Deschamps has called up Eintracht Frankfurt forward Randal Kolo Muani after Christopher Nkunku suffered an injury on Tuesday.

    Nkunku was ruled out of the World Cup after limping out of training with a leg injury, but his absence has given Muani – the scorer of eight goals for Eintracht this term – the opportunity to feature at his first major tournament.

    Source: Livescore

     

  • Pedri backs Spain to build on near misses

    Pedri believes last year’s near misses in the European Championship and the Nations League will benefit Spain in their quest to win a second World Cup this year.

    The Barcelona midfielder was named Young Player of the Tournament as Spain were beaten by Italy in the semi-finals of the delayed Euro 2020, before La Roja suffered a Nations League final defeat to France last October.

    While Spain have only reached the World Cup’s final four once in their past 13 participations – when they won the tournament in 2010 – Pedri is optimistic about their chances of competing in Qatar.

    Asked by Mundo Deportivo whether Luis Enrique’s side could win the tournament, the 19-year-old responded: “Why not?

    “You have to focus first on the group stage and then on the following rounds, but we have a team to be able to compete.

    “We come from a European Championship and a Nations League where we did very well. In the Euros we reached the semi-finals, and I was sure that if we went to the final, we would win it.

    “In the Nations League I could hardly play, but the team was very good. We are a very good group and it shows on the pitch.

    “We don’t have a megastar, the group is our best star. When you all run together and everyone knows what they want and what you’re playing for, I think you have a lot done and a good chance of winning.

    “We are going to the World Cup with everything, with a lot of desire to give the fans happiness, whether they support us from home or from Qatar. Let’s give it our all.”

    Source: Livescore

  • Hazard will accept Real exit if club want injury-hit Belgian to go

    Eden Hazard wants to salvage his Real Madrid career but would have no complaints if the club asked him to leave at the end of the season.

    The former Chelsea winger has endured a dismal time in Spain, with a string of injuries ruining his hopes of transferring his Premier League form to LaLiga.

    Now Hazard has a big chance to show what he can do on a different stage, as he prepares to play a part for Belgium at the World Cup in Qatar.

    Set to turn 32 in January, Hazard has managed only two goals and one assist in 15 games for Madrid in 2022, starting a mere four times and playing just 532 minutes in the first team. He has a little over 18 months left on his contract.

    Considering Hazard won the Silver Ball at the 2018 World Cup, as the second-best player in the tournament, it has been a staggering descent from main man to bit-part player.

    Hazard was Chelsea’s player of the year in his final campaign at Stamford Bridge, the 2018-19 season, and he has backed himself to hit similar heights again, given an injury-free run.

    Speaking to Marca, Hazard said: “I have to prove to everyone that I can play football. People have doubts about what I can do, but I don’t.”

    He described himself as “a good player who just has to play more football”, and can see why there are those who doubt him.

    “It is normal. I am a player who has not played many games in three years. I can understand it,” he said.

    “I don’t play, but being a Real Madrid player was my dream as a child and after this year I have another season on my contract. I want to play for this club, with this shirt.”

    All the same, Hazard is a realist and would not want to overstay his welcome.

    He says a January move away from Madrid would be “impossible, because I have family and I like the city”.

    “But in the summer it is possible that I go,” he said.

    “If the club tells me: ‘Eden, thanks for four years, but you have to go’, I have to accept it because it’s normal. But I would like to play more, show more that I can play, that I am a good player.”

    Source: Livescore

     

  • Ronaldo says son’s death was ‘the most difficult moment of my life’

    Cristiano Ronaldo says the death of his baby son was “the most difficult moment I had in my life.”

    As part of a wide-ranging interview with Piers Morgan for TalkTV, which will be released in full on Wednesday, Ronaldo has hit out at Manchester United and criticised his manager Erik ten Hag, among others.

    In a further snippet of the interview released on Tuesday, Ronaldo spoke of the tragic moment in April when he and his partner Georgina Rodriguez lost their son during childbirth.

    “It was probably the worst moment that I passed through in my life since my father died,” Ronaldo said.

    “When you have a kid you expect that everything will be normal, and you have that problem, it’s hard. As a human being, me and Georgina had quite difficult moments because we didn’t understand why it happened to us.

    “It was difficult, to be honest, it was very difficult to understand what is going on in that period of our life.

    “As you know, the football carries on, it’s so fast, there are so many competitions… and passing through that is probably the most difficult moment that I had in my life, for me and my family, especially Geo. That was tough.”

    Rodriguez gave birth to a baby girl, who is about to turn seven months old, and Portugal captain Ronaldo – who is currently preparing for the World Cup in Qatar – says he did not know how to react at the time.

    “I tried to explain to my family and close friends: ‘I never felt to be so happy and sad in the same moment’,” he added. “It’s hard to explain, so difficult. You don’t know if you [should] cry or smile, because it’s something [where] you don’t know how to react.

    “You don’t know what to do, to be honest.”

    Source: Livescore

  • Nkunku to miss 2022 World Cup after suffering injury in training

    Christopher Nkunku has been ruled out of the World Cup after the France striker suffered a knee injury in training on Tuesday.

    The RB Leipzig frontman took a knock in a challenge with Eduardo Camavinga as they contested a 50-50 ball and he had to be helped off the field.

    It was later confirmed Nkunku will not travel to Qatar after tests revealed he had sprained his left knee.

    The French Football Federation sent Nkunku’s medical file to FIFA in order for the defending champions to call up a replacement.

    He is expected to be replaced by either Wissam Ben Yedder, Moussa Diaby, Morgan Terrier or Randal Kolo Muani.

    Head coach Didier Deschamps and the squad are due to depart for their Doha base on Wednesday.

    Les Bleus begin their World Cup Group D campaign against Australia on November 22, before tackling Denmark and Tunisia.

    Among players from Europe’s top five leagues – the Premier League, LaLiga, Bundesliga, Ligue 1 and Serie A – only France team-mate Kylian Mbappe has managed more combined goals and assists since the beginning of 2022 than Nkunku.

    The 25-year-old has achieved a total of 48 goal involvements (37 goals and 11 assists) in the calendar year, with Mbappe leading the way on 57 (43 goals and 14 assists).

    Source: Livescore

     

  • World Cup 2022: Black Stars players to be paid in Ghana cedis – Reports

    Black Stars players are reportedly set to be paid in Ghana cedis and not dollars at this year’s FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

    The players, according to reports, have been told to give their cedis bank account details to the Ghana Football Association (GFA) for the payment of their appearance fees.

    Each player will receive $100,000 as an appearance fee at the World Cup in Qatar, hence every player will earn ₵1,470,000.00 and their per diem which is $500 will also be ₵7,350.00.

    Black Stars, who are the lowest-ranked team at the tournament have been drawn in Group H alongside Portugal, South Korea and Uruguay.

    Ghana will take on Portugal in their first game on November 24 before playing South Korea and Uruguay on November 28 and December 2 respectively.

    Black Stars held their first training session on Tuesday evening in Abu Dhabi ahead of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 finals.

    25 players were put through their paces by coach Otto Addo including Alexander Djiku and Kamal Deen Sulemana who arrived earlier on Tuesday to join the rest of the team.

    The players include, Andre Ayew, Jordan Ayew, Danlad Ibrahim, Lawrence Ati-Zigi, Nurudeen Abdul Manaf, Mohammed Salisu, Daniel Amartey, Denis Odoi, Baba Abdul Rahman, Gideon Mensah, Alidu Seidu, Salis Abdul Samed, Elisha Owusu, Kamal Sowah, Antoine Semenyo, Tariq Lamptey, Osman Bukari, Thomas Partey, Inaki Williams, Abdul Fatawu Issahaku, Daniel Barnieh Afriyie, Mohammed Kudus, Daniel Kofi Kyereh, Alexander Djiku and Kamal Deen Sulemana.

    The team will stay in the capital of the United Arab Emirates for four days where they will play an International friendly against Switzerland at the Baniyas club stadium on Thursday, November 17, 2022.

    Ghana secured a 4th FIFA World Cup tournament having participated in 2006, 2010, and 2014 in Germany, South Africa, and Brazil after drawing 1-1 against Nigeria in the return leg of the final play-offs at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja to seal qualification on the away goals rule.

    The 2022 FIFA World Cup takes place between November 20 and December 18, 2022.

    Only three sides from the continent have ever progressed to the quarter-finals; Cameroon in 1990, Senegal in 2002, and Ghana in 2010.

    Ghana will be hoping to progress from the group stage at this year’s tournament.

    Source: Football Ghana

  • Football-mad Brits will do whatever it takes to check World Cup scores

    British football fans have revealed they will not be able to resist taking a cheeky look at the scores while at work during the World Cup.

    As we all know, there is nothing worse than the thought of goals flying in when you cannot keep an eye on proceedings.

    That is precisely why LiveScore commissioned a survey to see the lengths people go to to keep up with what is happening when their minds really should be elsewhere.

    And it seems FOMS, the fear of missing scores, is only too real. From weddings to hospital appointments, some supporters will do whatever is necessary to find out how their team is getting on — regardless of where they are.

    Even World Cup winner Emmanuel Petit, ambassador for our FOMS campaign, will have a sly look at how the action is playing out when his attention should be elsewhere.

    Petit, 52, who netted the third goal as Les Bleus beat Brazil 3-0 to lift the trophy on home soil in 1998, said: “It’s happened to me many times.

    “Even when I’m working on TV, on live, I just have a quick look at my mobile. I try to avoid anybody looking at me.”

    The data collected shows many fans have a one-track mind when it comes to the world’s most popular sport, with 36% of the 2,000 Brits we spoke to claiming they cannot think of anything else if a match is on and they are unable to watch it.

    That means they have to get creative to keep up with what is happening when social plans clash with the football.

    And 54% of respondents said their partners tell them off for looking at scores on their phones, while 37% confess to sneaking to the toilet to keep track while out and about.

    With England’s World Cup campaign kicking off against Iran at 1pm on Monday, 52% of fans told us the match times in Qatar are inconvenient because of work commitments, while 19% revealed their bosses are not flexible when it comes to letting them watch games during working hours.

    The opening two rounds of group fixtures in the first mid-season tournament will also see kick-offs off at 10am, 4pm and 7pm in the UK, while the final group matches and knockout ties will take place at 3pm and 7pm.

    Last but by no means least, the final gets under way at the Lusail Iconic Stadium at 3pm on December 18.

    Commenting on the FOMS findings, LiveScore marketing director Ric Leask said: “This year’s tournament is going to be like no other in history.

    “With work, childcare responsibilities and festive social plans, it’s going to be even harder for football fans to juggle the fixtures around their daily lives.

    “While our data shows many supporters have a real fear of missing Scores when they’re unable to watch games, the good news is that regardless of whether it’s for league fixtures during the season or major tournaments, LiveScore can keep them close to the action with real-time score updates throughout.”

    Top 20 places football fans have checked scores

    1. As a passenger in a car
    2. During work
    3. In the supermarket
    4. On the toilet
    5. At a family meal
    6. At another football match
    7. On a sun lounger while on holiday
    8. Visiting the in-laws
    9. During a birthday party
    10. In hospital
    11. A wedding
    12. While seeing a doctor
    13. During a work meeting
    14. At a gig
    15. While trying to get the kids to sleep
    16. When the children are in the bath
    17. At the dentist
    18. Helping kids with their homework
    19. Immediately before/after sex
    20. On a plane, having paid for Wi-Fi to do so


    Source: Livescore

  • Chelsea sign up transfer expert as Potter gets Blues boost

    Chelsea have reunited Graham Potter with his former Brighton and Hove Albion head of recruitment in a move designed to guide the club’s future transfer dealings.

    Paul Winstanley worked closely with head coach Potter at Brighton and becomes Chelsea’s director of global talent and transfers.

    He spent eight years at Brighton, having joined from Derby County, and played a prominent role in assembling the talent that has propelled the Seagulls into the Premier League and kept them among the elite.

    Potter left for Chelsea in September, and Winstanley arrives at a point where results have taken a nosedive, with Chelsea losing their last three Premier League matches.

    There could be scope for transfer movement in January, but this appointment has been made with a long-term view.

    Winstanley said on Chelsea’s website: “I’m thrilled to be joining Chelsea and to continue working with Graham Potter and his team.

    “There is a real sense of excitement and momentum around the new ownership and this project. I’m looking forward to working with such an outstanding group of colleagues as the club moves into a new era.”

    Chairman Todd Boehly and co-controlling owner Behdad Eghbali said: “Paul is going to be a great addition to Chelsea.

    “He’s highly respected and is a key senior addition as we continue to build a world-class sporting team with a huge depth of talent, ambition and commitment who will work closely with us to drive Chelsea forward.

    “Paul shares our philosophy and will fit seamlessly into the organisation.”

    Potter’s Chelsea side sit eight points adrift of the Premier League’s top four going into the World Cup break, albeit with a game in hand over fourth-placed Tottenham. They are level on 21 points with Brighton.

    Source: Livescore

     

  • Ken Ofori-Atta sleeps away his impeachment hearing 

    Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta, has been sighted dozing off at the maiden hearing of the eight-member Committee set up to probe the censure motion brought against him by the Minority in Parliament.

    Barely two hours into the hearing which began today November 15, the visibly tired Finance Minister was captured on national television sleeping away an all-important hearing that could otherwise revise his fate as the manager of Ghana’s economy.

    The hearing which is still underway, Ranking Member on the Finance Committee of Parliament, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson is making submissions as the star witness to the no confidence motion against Ken Ofori-Atta.

    As part of his argument, Dr Ato Forson asserted that the huge debt overhang is the principal precipitator of the current economic crisis culminating into untold hardship Ghanaians endure daily.

    Some Twitter users have shared their opinions on Mr Ofori-Atta being unable to give his full attention during the sitting.

    Minority leader Haruna Iddrisu and Gabby Otchere Darko, the lawyer of the Finance Minister, also appeared before the Committee.

    Today’s sitting comes after the Minority moved a censure motion against the Finance Minister. They argue that Ghana’s economic woes should be pinned on Mr Ofori-Atta.

    Following a heated debate in Parliament last week, Speaker Alban Bagbin instituted an ad hoc committee to be co-chaired by MP for Bolga East, Dominic Ayine and Adansi-Asokwa legislator, Kobina Tahir Hammond to look into the matter.

    Other members of the committee include North Tongu MP, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, Klottey-Korle, the Dr. Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings, and Okaikoi North MP, Emmanuel Ahiaku, from the Minority side.

    Representatives from the majority side are Okaikwei Central MP, Yaw Boamah, Asante-Akim Central legislator, Kwame Anyimadu- Antwi, and Sekondi MP, Egyapa Mercer. The clerk to the committee is Mr Boamah Camilo, the Speaker added.