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Tag: 2022 World Cup

  • Ex-Ghana goalie Osei Boateng names Ghana’s four goalkeepers for 2022 World Cup

    Former Asante Kotoko goalkeeper, Osei Boateng has named four goalkeepers who should be part of Black Stars squad for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

    Osei Boateng named Orlando Pirates goalkeeper, Richard Ofori as his number one for the Black Stars at the World Cup ahead of Jojo Wollacott.

    Ghana has had a number of goalkeepers going in and out of the national team in recent times. However, Charlton Athletic goalkeeper, Jojo Wollacott appears to be the current number one for the Black Stars currently.

     

    Speaking in an interview with Dan Kwaku Yeboah, Osei Boateng who was asked to name his top four Ghanaian goalkeepers for the World Cup, said, “firstly, I will choose Richard Ofori. He has been tried and tested in all departments of the game in Ghana.”

    He added “Manaf is good at club level and the recent match we played is evidence. Jojo has already proved himself. So I think the 4th one I will choose Razak Abalorah. These are my four goalkeepers currently but maybe there may be others who will come through the line.”

    For Osei Boateng, Ghana needs to structure the goalkeeping department to aid in the transitioning of goalkeepers into the senior national team.

    “I think we have to observe their ages so they can understudy the seniors to that we can have a smooth transitioning,” the former Ghana goalkeeper who is based in the United States said.

    Source: Ghanaweb

  • 2022 World Cup: Ghana to play in four-nation preparatory tournament in Austria

    The Black Stars of Ghana will play a four-nation tournament next month in Austria.

    The tournament will be held at the Ernst-Happel-Stadion in Austria.

    World Cup hosts Qatar, North Africans Morocco and the Raggae Boyz of Jamaica will participate in the preparatory games next month.

    The Black Stars will engage Jamaica first before playing Qatar and Morocco.


    The games will serve as preparations ahead of the 2022 FIFA World Cup, with September’s AFCON qualifiers expected to be postponed.

    The West African giants are returning to the World Cup after edging out Nigeria to qualify for the tournament in Qatar this November.

    The Ghana Football Association recently announced the nationality switches of six players as part of boosting the team with quality before November’s World Cup.

    Inaki Williams of Athletic Club and English Premier League duo Mohammed Salisu and Tariq Lamptey have all confirmed their availability ahead of the next international break.

    The tournament is expected to give coach Otto Addo an insight into the new players joining the team.

    Ghana have been drawn in Group H of the 2022 FIFA World Cup alongside Portugal, South Korea and Uruguay.

    Source: GhanaSoccernet

  • Harrison Afful: 35-year-old defender hailed for impressive performance against Chelsea

    Harrison Afful shone brightly in a pre-season friendly against Chelsea on Wednesday.

    The 35-year-old Ghanaian assisted Charlotte FC in winning 5-3 on penalties after a 1-1 tie in regulation time.

    The right-back’s performance drew praise from Ghanaians, who were overjoyed to see the experienced defender in action.

    Afful was one of the best players for the US club in the match, keeping Chelsea’s new boy Raheem Sterling at bay.

     

     

    The England international was so impressed by the Ghanaian that he willingly swapped shirts with Afful after the game.

    Despite his club consistency, Afful has not played for the Black Stars in four years. His last appearance was in an Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Ethiopia in 2018.

    He has not, however, announced his retirement from the Black Stars and is hoping to return in time for the 2022 World Cup in Qata.

    Source: GhanaSoccernet

  • 2022 World Cup: Ministry of Foreign Affairs warns against unsanctioned consultant for traveling fans

    The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration has issued a disclaimer that there are no plans in place with a purported consultant for fans traveling to the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

    The Ministry was responding to reports that the Ghana Mission in Qatar was pledging to support fans.

    Nonetheless, the Ministry in a statement said it has not established ties with one Harriet Gyamfuah, who purports to be the Public Relations (PR) Consultant of the Ghana Mission in Qatar.

    It cautioned the public against engaging with her, either towards the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 or on behalf of the Embassy of the Republic of Ghana in Qatar.

    The Foreign Affairs Ministry noted that the Ministry of Youth and Sports had already appointed Kenpong Travel & Tours Company as the official travel agency for the 2022 World Cup, and further advised the general public to contact the company if they intend to travel to Qatar for the 2022 World Cup.

    “While assuring of its commitment to uphold the friendly relations between Ghana and Qatar, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration wishes to advise the public to adhere to the directives issued by the Ministry of Youth and Sports,” the statement concluded.

    Kenpong Travel and Tours is the accredited agency to take fans to Qatar 2022.

    Source: Football Ghana

  • Harry Kane reveals discussions on taking collective stand on human rights in Qatar

    England captain Harry Kane has said he has discussed taking a unified stance on the human rights issues surrounding this year’s men’s World Cup in Qatar with Denmark’s Christian Eriksen and France captain Hugo Lloris.

    “Christian Eriksen got in touch with me a couple of weeks ago now,” the 28-year-old told reporters during a press conference on Monday, Reuters reported.
    Kane, who is teammates with Lloris at Premier League club Tottenham Hotspur, said: “Obviously, there is Hugo Lloris, who I am in touch with a lot anyway. So the discussion was there to maybe do something as a collective.
    “When we come to a decision of something we want to do, for sure, we will share it,” he added, speaking ahead of his side’s UEFA Nations League match against Hungary on Tuesday. “I think it will be important to do it collectively. I feel like it will be a bit more of a stance, a bit more power.”
    CNN has contacted Qatar’s Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy (SC), which is in charge of coordinating the tournament, for a response.
    Hugo Lloris (far left), Harry Kane (center left) and Christian Eriksen (far right) during a training session when they were Tottenham teammates.
    Hugo Lloris (far left), Harry Kane (center left) and Christian Eriksen (far right) during a training session when they were Tottenham teammates.

    Human rights issues

    Much of the buildup to this year’s tournament has focused on Qatar’s treatment of migrant workers and the country’s anti-homosexuality laws.
    In May, Norway’s FA President Lise Klaveness gave a stinging speech where she said the decision to give World Cup hosting rights to Qatar was “unacceptable,” insisting that FIFA should do more to uphold its principles of human rights.
    A month later, Amnesty International sent an open letter co-signed by other human rights organizations to FIFA President Gianni Infantino, asking football’s international governing body to designate at least $440 million to reimburse migrant workers.
    The letter followed a report published by Amnesty in April that said security guards who are migrant workers in Qatar — including some with jobs on projects linked to the World Cup — are being put through working conditions “which amount to forced labor.”
    In a statement, Qatar’s Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy said it has been “committed to protecting the health, safety and security of any worker engaged on official FIFA World Cup projects.”
    However, the Amnesty report claimed the SC and FIFA fell short of conducting “adequate due diligence” before contracting private companies for the World Cup.
    Australian footballer Josh Cavallo has also spoken out ahead of this year’s World Cup.
    Until Blackpool FC’s Jake Daniels came out as gay in May, Cavallo was the only current, openly gay player in men’s top flight football. He told English newspaper the Guardian last year that he would be “scared” to play at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, where homosexuality is illegal and punishable by up to three years in prison.
    Responding to Cavallo’s fears, Nasser Al Khater, the chief executive of the tournament’s organizing committee, told CNN Sport’s Amanda Davies: “On the contrary, we welcome him here in the state of Qatar, we welcome him to come and see even prior to the World Cup … Nobody feels threatened here, nobody feels unsafe.”

    ‘They’re making a stand’

    Declan Rice (far left) and John Stones (center right) take the knee prior to England's Euro 2020 quarterfinal against Ukraine.
    Declan Rice (far left) and John Stones (center right) take the knee prior to England’s Euro 2020 quarterfinal against Ukraine.
    The current roster of footballers in England’s men’s national team have historically taken a stance on social issues.
    Before and during the Euro 2020 tournament last summer, England’s players took the knee ahead of each game — an act manager Gareth Southgate said showed their support of anti-racism — even though the gesture continued to divide fans.
    In 2020, England forward Marcus Rashford steered a campaign to end child food poverty and successfully persuaded the UK government to reverse its decision to not extend free school meal vouchers for disadvantaged children during the summer holidays.
    “They’re making a stand every time they speak,” Southgate said during the press conference on Monday.
    Southgate said he had met with some of the workers in Qatar and “had a long discussion” with them, adding, “I’m back out there in a few weeks.”
    “The FA are doing things. I know Harry has had conversations with some of the other captains as well, because we think some collective standpoints would be important,” Southgate added.
    “I think to have that consistency, I don’t think countries are wanting to outdo each other or pick each other off. I think they’re trying to do something that would try to make a difference if possible. So, you know, there’s a lot going on behind the scenes.”
    The World Cup is set to take place from November 21 to December 18 later this year.
    Source: CNN

  • 2022 FIFA World Cup will be a special one – Emir of Qatar

    Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, has disclosed the upcoming 2022 FIFA World Cup will be a special one as he opens up on discrimination against the Arabs.

    “For decades now, the Middle East has suffered from discrimination,” he said on Monday.

    “And I have found, that such discrimination, is largely based on people not knowing us, and in some cases, refusing to get to know us. Even today, there are still people who cannot accept the idea, that an Arab-Muslim country would host a tournament like the World Cup.

    “These individuals, including many in positions of influence, have launched attacks, at a pace never seen before,” the emir said.

    Qatar’s leader said that other countries and regions had already staged major events, “despite the fact that each of those countries, has its own particular problems and challenges.

    “Qatar is just like your own country… not perfect, constantly trying to improve, and full of hope, for a brighter future.

    “We are so proud of the development, reform, and progress we have made, and we are grateful for the spotlight that the World Cup provided, which inspired us, to make these changes at lightening-speed,” he said.

    The 2022 World Cup will be staged in the Asian country between November and December later this year.

    Source: footballghana.com

  • Marcel Desailly tips Ghana over South Africa in Qatar 2022 qualifiers

    Former France midfielder and 1998 World Cup winner Marcel Desailly is looking forward to a fierce battle between Ghana and South Africa for a 2022 World Cup qualifying ticket but expects the Black Stars to trump Bafana Bafana in the end.

    The two sides were drawn in the same group of the second round of the African qualifiers on Tuesday. Zimbabwe and Ethiopia complete the line-up in Group G.

    Only the group winners will progress to the third and final round of the qualifying series for a Qatar 2022 ticket.

    “The Black Stars (Ghana) look like a new team because there are some new faces,” Ghana-born Desailly, who helped out in conducting the draw, said after the event on TV.

    Read:2022 WCQ: Marcel Desailly expects a tough game between Ghana and South Africa

    “There is a new coach who is a former captain of the national.

    “He has more coaching experience but they have to start the qualifiers very well because the balance of the group is good.

    “I am expecting a tough match against South Africa.

    “I am confident Ghana will qualify for the tournament in Qatar.”

    Read:Osei Kwame Despite purchases Lizzy Sports Complex from Marcel Desailly Report

    The group matches will take place between October this year and October next year.

    Ghana beat South Africa to qualify for their maiden World Cup appearance in Germany in 2006.

    Interestingly, the Black Stars and Bafana Bafana are also in the same group for the qualifiers for the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations.

    The West Africans are looking to make a return to the global showpiece since their last appearance at Brazil 2014, where they were eliminated at the group stage.

    Source: Goal.com

  • 2022 WCQ: Marcel Desailly expects a tough game between Ghana and South Africa

    Marcel Desailly, a former France international says he is looking forward for a tough game between Ghana and South Africa ahead of the 2022 World Cup qualifying matches but Ghana to qualify.

    Ghana are in Group G alongside South Africa. Zimbabwe and Ethiopia complete the line-up.

    Only the group winners will progress to the third and final round of the qualifying series for a Qatar 2022 ticket.

    “The Black Stars (Ghana) look like a new team because there are some new faces,” Ghana-born Desailly, who helped out in conducting the draw,” he said after the draw.

    Read:2022 World Cup qualifiers: Ghana drawn alongside SA, Zimbabwe and Ethiopia

    “There is a new coach who is a former captain of the national.

    “He has more coaching experience but they have to start the qualifiers very well because the balance of the group is good.

    “I am expecting a tough match against South Africa.

    “I am confident Ghana will qualify for the tournament in Qatar.”

    The group matches will take place between October this year and October next year.

    Read:Osei Kwame Despite purchases Lizzy Sports Complex from Marcel Desailly Report

    Ghana beat South Africa to qualify for their maiden World Cup appearance in Germany in 2006.

    Interestingly, the Black Stars and Bafana Bafana are also in the same group for the qualifiers for the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations.

    The West Africans are looking to make a return to the global showpiece since their last appearance at Brazil 2014, where they were eliminated at the group stage.

    The former Chelsea midfielder won the 1998 World Cup with France.

    Source: footballghana.com