Ghanaian football legend, Sulley Ali Muntari has issued a heartfelt apology to the owner of Medeama Sporting Club, Moses Armah Parker who was a victim of his rage during the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
Muntari says that immediately after the incident in the Black Stars hotel in Brazil, he felt remorseful and has been looking for an opportunity to say sorry to the former Black Stars Management Committee member.
The former AC Milan midfielder explained that he had nothing personal against Mospaka but was forced to react after bottling up a lot of issues.
Muntari extended the apology to the family of the renowned businessman as he believes his actions might have caused them some discomfort.
I never had the chance to talk to him but I don’t think I had problems with him during the World cup. It was a pile of a lot of things that led to me bursting out. I’m someone who doesn’t talk and when I work, I work really hard.
“I don’t disrespect elders so it will take a lot of things for me to react unfortunately, he was sitting in front of me and things got really bad. Immediately it happened, and I felt really bad. I wasn’t thinking just about him but his daughter, his family, his wife, and all those things. It’s not right for someone to disrespect their father. I’ve looking for him to apologize to him for my behavior at that time but I have not seen him yet.
I will use this opportunity to apologize to him. I disgraced him and made people ridicule him. It was not intentional to do something like that. Whenever I see him, I will find a way to apologize to him directly. He is an elder and I’ve been looking for him for a long time. I’ve no bad feelings about him. It was not him but the situation,” he said.
Sulley Muntari also opened up on the things that led to the outburst and furor at the World Cup in Brazil.
Muntari who would not want to blame anyone hinted that the players were frustrated with the failure of the FA and government to fulfill the promises they made to the players.
According to him, the players would have been satisfied if the authorities were candid and honest with them instead of playing hide-and-seek with them.
“It’s like you keep on stabbing someone and not let the persons bleed. We sacrificed a lot and this is what we do for a living. I’m not saying you shouldn’t get paid but tell us that I’m not giving it to you today, I will give it to you next two days. Next two days, you give it to me but if I come and you say next three days, people are human,” he told Dan Kwaku Yeboah TV.
It will be recalled that Sulley Muntari allegedly assaulted Mospaka during a meeting between the leadership of the Black Stars players and the management committee.
Muntari was subsequently handed an indefinite suspension from the Black Stars. He has not played for the team since that incident in 2014. ”
Former Ghana head coach, CK Akonnor is undoubtedly confident Otto Addo will excel at the World Cup with the help of his assistants, George Boateng, Didi Dramani and technical advisor, Chris Hughton.
According to him, he had the chance to talk to assistant coach George Boateng and Technical advisor Chris Hughton when he was in charge of the national team.
In an interview, Akonnor casted no doubt about Otto Addo as he believes he will have the needed help to perform well.
“Otto Addo is our coach now. He’s got Didi Dramani, George Boateng and Chris Hughton. These guys are very knowledgeable; they understand the game. Chris is a huge guy in the Premier League so definitely they will help.
“George Boateng I was supposed to work with him when I was head coach so I had the chance of meeting him. In that same moment, I met Chris and spoke to him.
“When you talk to them you can clearly see you are already on the field. They will help Otto Addo and he will do well so we should be positive,” CK Akonnor told Joy Sports in an interview.
Ghana has been housed in Group H at the mundial against Portugal, Uruguay and South Korea.
The Black Stars will open their World Cup account against Portugal on November 24 before taking on Uruguay and South Korea respectively.
The biggest soccer mundial has been scheduled for November and December this year, with 32 countries set to battle it out for the covetous trophy in Qatar.
Former Ghana coach CK Akonnor has entreated Ghanaian to desist from criticizing and spewing negativity about the Black Stars ahead of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
Ghana is returning to the global showpiece after missing out in Russia 2018.
Prior to the tournament in the Asian country, the West African powerhouse has engaged in two international friendlies against Brazil and Nicaragua during the break.
Ghana lost 3-0 to Brazil and recovered to beat Nicaragua 1-0 on Tuesday in Spain through a strike from Abdul Fatawu Issahaku.
Speaking on Prime Take on Joy News channel, the former Ghana international entreated Ghanaians not to panic ahead of the mundial.
“I think we should not panic,” CK says.
“We have been to the World Cup three times, and this is the fourth time we are going. We have played some of the best teams in the world and we are going to meet teams we have played before so we shouldn’t panic.
“If you lose to Brazil…yes 3-0 is a bit on a high but this is Brazil, the favourites to win the World Cup; we won against Nicaragua, not too convincing, but we won.
“It is positive for the team. Let’s pick on the positives; from now onwards, the idea of criticizing, and saying negative things about the team should stop,” he admonished.
Ghana has been housed in Group H at the mundial against Portugal, Uruguay and South Korea.
The Black Stars will open their World Cup account against Portugal on November 24 before taking on Uruguay and South Korea respectively.
The biggest soccer mundial has been scheduled for November and December this year, with 32 countries set to battle it out for the covetous trophy in Qatar.
Ghana is returning to the global showpiece after missing out in Russia 2018, where France emerged as winners.
With sixteen days to the start of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, countries that have qualified for the mundial have stepped up their preparation.
Ghana has been housed in Group H at the mundial against Portugal, Uruguay and South Korea.
The Black Stars will open their World Cup account against Portugal on November 24 before taking on Uruguay and South Korea respectively.
The biggest soccer mundial has been scheduled for November and December this year, with 32 countries set to battle it out for the covetous trophy in Qatar.
Ahead of the tournament, the West African powerhouse has assembled a solid technical team to steer affairs for the national team as they seek to make impact in the Asian country.
Ghana’s Sports Minister, Ussif Mustapha, updating parliament on the Black Stars preparations for the tournament disclosed the technical team.
Otto Addo will serve as the head coach with George Boateng and Didi Dramani as the assistant coaches respectively.
Meanwhile, Irish-Ghanaian Chris Hughton will serve as the technical advisor to the team at the World Cup.
Below is the Black Stars technical team for the World Cup:
Ghana legend Dan Owusu has denied Andre and Jordan Ayew below belt performance comment and has therefore called on the public to treat it with the needed contempt it deserves.
Earlier report in the media suggested the former Ghana forward has expressed displeasure about the performance of the experience Black Stars attackers ahead of the start of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
But Dan Owusu, who had an enviable career for both club and country rubbished such report, saying he was misquoted.
“I never said the Ayew brothers’ performance is below belt, I was misquoted. I will entreat the public to treat it with the needed contempt it deserves.” he told Footballghana.com in an interview.
“My field is goal scoring and that is where I am keen about. I was of the opinion that, if the strikers are able to score goals, Ghana will go far in the tournament, I didn’t single out the Ayew brothers”
“I only urged them to die for the country because they are also strikers. I just want them to score goals for us because that is the most important thing. Those who did that want to get more engagement on their websites”
“Recently, we had a walk and all legends have declared support for the national team, so why will I spew negative comment about the team” he said.
Ghana has been housed in Group H at the mundial against Portugal, Uruguay and South Korea.
The Black Stars will open their World Cup account against Portugal on November 24 before taking on Uruguay and South Korea respectively.
The biggest soccer mundial has been scheduled for November and December this year, with 32 countries set to battle it out for the covetous trophy in Qatar.
Ghana’s 2022 World Cup campaign is set to suffer a major blow following the injury of Stade Rennes star Kamaldeen Sulemana.
Sulemana is a doubt for the biggest soccer mundial after injuring his ankle in training this week.
The Ghana international has suffered what appears to be a serious injury with 16 days until Ghana’s first game.
But his coach Bruno Genesio is hoping that the enterprising winger will be fit before the start og the mundial in Qatar.
He was not in the matchday squad when Rennes played a 1-1 draw with AEK Larnaca in the final round of the Europa League group stage.
After the game, Rennes head coach Bruno Genesio confirmed the Ghanaian was injured and expressed hope that the player will be fit for the World Cup.
“He had pain in his ankle yesterday, he was injured. I hope for him that he will be fine for the World Cup,”
Sulemana is unlikely to play for Rennes again until after the World Cup in Qatar, according to French journalist Thomas Rassouli, who was present at the post-game press conference.
“With how things are looking, he might not be on the pitch for Rennes until after the World Cup,” he said to TV3.
The 20-year-old has appeared in 14 games this season, scoring one goal and assisting two others.
Otto Addo named Kamaldeen to his provisional squad, but due to the latest setback, he may be left out of the final squad, which is due in nine days.
Ghana has been housed in Group H at the mundial against Portugal, Uruguay and South Korea.
The Black Stars will open their World Cup account against Portugal on November 24 before taking on Uruguay and South Korea respectively.
The biggest soccer mundial has been scheduled for November and December this year, with 32 countries set to battle it out for the covetous trophy in Qatar.
Fifa has written to all 32 teams competing at the World Cup telling them to “now focus on the football” following a controversial build-up.
Host Qatar has been criticised for its stance on same-sex relationships, its human rights record and its treatment of migrant workers.
The tournament starts on 20 November.
The letter urges that football should not be “dragged” into ideological or political “battles” and it should not be “handing out moral lessons”.
Peaceful protests have been planned by some players.
England’s Harry Kane and nine other captains of European teams will be wearing ‘One Love’ armbands.
‘Whatever we do, it won’t be enough’ – Jordan Henderson speaks to 5 Live Breakfast about Qatar World Cup concerns
Denmark will wear “toned-down” shirts to protest against Qatar, with kit provider Hummel saying it “does not wish to be visible” in a tournament it claims “has cost thousands of lives”.
Australia’s squad have released a video urging Qatar to abolish its laws on same-sex relationships.
Paris, and other French cities, are refusing to screen matches in public areas, despite France being the defending champions.
The letter, signed by Fifa president Gianni Infantino and secretary general Fatma Samoura and seen by the BBC, reads: “We know football does not live in a vacuum and we are equally aware that there are many challenges and difficulties of a political nature all around the world.
“But please do not allow football to be dragged into every ideological or political battle that exists.
It adds: “At Fifa, we try to respect all opinions and beliefs, without handing out moral lessons to the rest of the world. No one people or culture or nation is “better” than any other. This principle is the very foundation stone of mutual respect and non-discrimination.
“And this is also one of the core values of football. So, please let’s all remember that and let football take centre stage.
“We have the unique occasion and opportunity to welcome and embrace everyone, regardless of origin, background, religion, gender, sexual orientation or nationality.”
MPs call on Southgate and Kane to act over Iran
The England team has been asked to consider making a “display or gesture of solidarity with Iranian women fighting for their civil liberties” when the two countries meet in their opening match at the World Cup on 21 November.
Layla Moran, the Liberal Democrats’ foreign affairs spokesperson, has written to coach Gareth Southgate and captain Harry Kane telling them such a move would be “hugely meaningful in raising awareness about the Iranian government’s condemnable actions”.
In a letter also signed by Lib Dems sport spokesman Jamie Stone and seen by the BBC, it states that such an action would also “likely be seen by those who are putting their lives on the line in protest, which could be invaluable”.
Protests and unrest in Iran have been sparked by the death on 16 September of Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old woman who fell into a coma after being arrested by morality police in Tehran for allegedly violating Iran’s strict rules requiring women to cover their hair with a hijab, or headscarf.
There were reports that officers beat her head with a baton. The police said she suffered a heart attack.
Iranian football and sports personalities and human rights group Open Stadiums have previously requested that Fifa ban the Iranian national team.
The BBC has contacted the Football Association for comment.
We try to help as much as we can – Henderson
Speaking this week, Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp said it was “not fair” to expect players to make political statements or protests at the tournament.
England midfielder Jordan Henderson said on BBC Radio 5 Live Breakfast: “A lot gets put on players on ‘should the World Cup be played there?’ and everything that goes with that, but the players don’t decide where the World Cup is played.
“Fifa decides that and that is a question for them to answer. For us as players we just play football and try to have a voice in certain ways to help as much as we can.”
He added: “We do little things like that to try and show people we are all one, we are all inclusive and that is why that campaign [Kane’s armband] was brought to light.
“If you do the right things, that is most important. Unless everyone is just notgoing to turn up, then no matter what people say it is never going to be enough.”
England’s Beth Mead said on Thursday it is “disappointing” the tournament is being held in Qatar. Mead, who is openly gay, does not think the Gulf state is the “right place” for the tournament to be staged.
A controversial build-up
Other off-the-field issues include Russia being banned by Fifa after the country’s invasion of Ukraine. In addition, the Ukrainian FA has called for Iran to be banned from the World Cup for “systematic human rights violations”. It believes a crackdown on protests in the country “may violate the principles and norms” of Fifa.
The World Cup has been moved to the northern hemisphere winter for the first time in its 92-year history. Qatar initially proposed to host the finals during the summer in air-conditioned enclosed stadiums, but the plan was rejected.
Qatar’s World Cup organisers state “everyone is welcome” to visit the country to watch the football, and that no-one will be discriminated against.
ll as an airport, roads and about 100 hotels. Qatar’s government says 30,000 foreign labourers have been hired just to build the stadiums, with most coming from Bangladesh, India, Nepal and the Philippines.
Human rights groups have complained about the treatment of foreign labourers in Qatar, and the number who have died there.
In February 2021, the Guardian said 6,500 migrant workers from India, Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka had died in Qatar since it won its World Cup bid in 2010.
The number is based on figures provided by the countries’ embassies in Qatar.
However, the Qatar government said the total was misleading, because not all the deaths recorded were of people working on World Cup-related projects.
The government said its accident records showed that between 2014 and 2020, there were 37 deaths among labourers at World Cup stadium construction sites, only three of which were “work-related”.
BBC Arabic has gathered evidence which suggests Qatar’s government has under-reported deaths among foreign labourers.
England’s Football Association has backed calls for compensation to be awarded for “any injury or death related to any construction project” for the World Cup.
Yasmine Ahmed, UK director of Human Rights Watch, called the Fifa letter “nothing short of appalling”, while Amnesty International’s Felix Jakens told BBC Radio 5 Live: “There’s never been a right time to talk about human rights issues in Qatar as far as they [Fifa] are concerned.
“Now is the time to apply pressure on these issues. Once the World Cup rollsout of town, are we still going to be having conversations about Qatar? I don’t think we are.”
Gerard Pique’s retirement brings one of the most distinguished careers in Barcelona and Spain footballing history to a conclusion.
Pique won eight LaLiga titles and the Champions League three times with Barca, while helping his national team lift their first World Cup in 2010 and the European Championship two years later.
The Los Cules great has decided to call it quits at the age of 35 after Barca’s next match, against Almeria on Saturday, having turned out for his hometown club over 600 times.
A number of high-profile names have hailed Pique since the announcement, including the likes of Patrick Kluivert and Fabio Cannavaro, while former centre-back partner Carles Puyol called it a “privilege” to play alongside him.
Pique will retire as a Camp Nou legend, with only four players featuring more times for Barca than his (614), those being Lionel Messi (778), Xavi (767), Sergio Busquets (694) and Andres Iniesta (674) – all of whom helped form part of the dominant Barca team in the 2010s alongside Pique.
Pique started in Barca’s youth ranks but left for Manchester United in 2004, where he won the Premier League and Champions League in the 2007-08 season.
However, Pique returned to Barca in 2008 and has won 422 of his 614 games in all competitions since.
He lifted 30 titles with the club in what was the most successful period in Barca’s history.
15 – @3gerardpique 🇪🇸 has played 15 seasons for @FCBarcelona 🔵🔴 (as many as Gonzalvo III, Puyol & S. Busquets). Only six players have played during more campaigns for them: Carles Rexach, Xavi, Messi (all 3 with 17), Salvador Sadurní, Migueli & Iniesta (all 3 with 16). Legend. pic.twitter.com/EGjWW0Umac
Pique also made his mark at international level, earning 102 caps for Spain between 2009 and 2018 and becoming one of just 13 players to feature 100 or more times for La Roja.
Pique played every minute of the final as they overcame the Netherlands 1-0 after extra time to lift their first World Cup in 2010, before Spain went on to win the 2012 Euros by routing Italy 4-0 in the final.
He scored five goals for Spain, all against different opponents, including three in qualifying for the 2010 World Cup.
European great
Only Sergio Ramos (135) made more Champions League appearances as a defender than Pique (128), while he scored the joint-most goals for a defender in the competition with Roberto Carlos (16).
Perhaps his best Champions League season was the 2008-09 campaign when he finished with the most ball recoveries (90), while only Xavi (967) completed more passes than him (695).
There are just four players with more Champions League titles, Karim Benzema, Dani Carvajal, Luka Modric and Cristiano Ronaldo, all of whom are on five.
Ghana have gone through three coaches in the space of 12 months and are making a concerted effort to add new talent to the team in an effort to reprise old glory and prove competitive at the World Cup.
Otto Addo, with no previous senior coaching experience and combing his role as talent manager at German club Borussia Dortmund, will be leading the Black Stars’ campaign in Qatar where they take on Portugal, South Korea and Uruguay.
He is the third coach in the last year to take charge of the team after Charles Akonnor was fired despite advancing Ghana through the group phase of the African World Cup qualifiers and into the playoffs in March, and Milovan Rajevac, shown the door after a disastrous Africa Cup of Nations finals in Cameroon at start of the year.
Rajevac had been brought back after his exploits with the team in 2010, when Ghana came within the width of the crossbar of becoming the first African country to reach the World Cup semifinals.
But there proved few similarities in strength between the class of 2010 and the current generation and to strengthen the side there has been a concerted effort to strengthen the squad by persuading players with Ghanaian heritage to join, like former Spain international Inaki Williams and Tariq Lamptey, the England under-21 fullback from Brighton.
COACH
Otto ADDO
Born in Hamburg, Germany to Ghanaian parents, he was part of Borussia Dortmund’s Bundesliga winning team in 2002. His career was blighted by serious injury but he did play for Ghana at the 2006 World Cup. He finished his playing days at Hamburg SV and then coached their juniors, while also scouting players in Europe for Ghana. Then at Dortmund he first coached juniors and is now talent manager, combining the role with the that of the Ghana job that he was surprisingly offered in February.
PROFILES
GK
Richard OFORI
He was Ghana’s first choice before he suffered a knee injury in last year’s World Cup qualifier in South Africa, at the stadium where he plays his club football for Orlando Pirates. It kept him out for six months and meant he lost the number one jersey which he has not had a chance to get back.
Abdul Manaf NURUDEEN
A graduate of the Aspire Academy in Senegal and through the Qatar connections moved to Eupen in Belgium in 2017, while competing for Ghana at under-20 level. Last season he broke through into Eupen’s first team and was a back up goalkeeper at the Africa Cup of Nations finals in January.
Joe WOLLACOTT
Born in Bristol, Wollacott started at local club Bristol City but made his breakthrough in his early 20s only at Swindon Town in League Two, where he had first gone on an emergency seven-day loan but ended up earning himself a one-year permanent deal. His father is from Ghana and he was called up after Ofori got injured.
DF
Tariq LAMPTEY
Ghana persuaded the England under-21 international, who started at Chelsea and is now at Brighton & Hove Albion, to switch allegiance in a major boost to their World Cup hopes. The debut for the London-born fullback came in September in the friendly against Brazil, the team of his long time idol Dani Alves.
Denis ODOI
Ghana was always a sensitive issue for Belgium-born Odoi because of a non-existent relationship with his Ghanaian father. He played one game for Belgium in 2012 in a friendly against Montenegro but, in March, at the age of 32 he suddenly agreed to play for the Black Stars and helped them to qualify for the World Cup.
Mohammed SALISU
Highly rated Southampton centre back refused previous call-ups from Ghana saying he wanted to concentrate on his emerging club career in the Premier League, only relenting in September. A prodigious talent, he made his LaLiga debut at 20 at Real Valladolid and moved to Southampton for 11-milion pounds two years ago.
Gideon MENSAH
Left back who was relegated with Girondins Bordeaux last season but has stayed up in Ligue 1 with promoted AJ Auxerre. He was brought to Europe by Red Bull and helped Salzburg win the Uefa Youth League in 2017. He played in both legs of the World Cup playoff victory over Nigeria in March.
Joseph AIDOO
Left out of the squad for this year’s Cup of Nations finals but was brought back for the two last warm-up friendlies in September, where he sat on the bench. He competed the U-20 World Cup in New Zealand and at club level has played in Sweden and Belgium and now with Celta Vigo in LaLiga.
Abdul-Rahman BABA
Flying full back who likes to get up and down the flanks and who might have had a much more successful club career at Chelsea had he not suffered numerous injuries. Chelsea paid 14-milion pounds to buy him but he has never been able to break through and been repeatedly sent out on loan.
Daniel AMARTEY
Perfect player to have in the squad because he has play at centre back, which is his most frequent position, but also at right back or as a defensive midfielder. He is now in his eighth season with Leicester City and completing a seventh year in the Black Stars line-up.
Alexander DJIKU
One of the players competing for a centre back role at the World Cup, he is a consistent performer in Ligue 1 although his club Racing Strasbourg have been struggling this season. Born in Montpellier, he was close to a move to the Bundesliga this past summer but it fell through at the last moment.
Alidu SEIDU
Travelled a circuitous route to Europe to realise his dream of becoming a professional footballer, via the Ivory Coast to join Clermont Foot, who he helped win promotion to Ligue 1 two seasons ago. He has come into the Ghana squad since the arrival of Otto Addo as coach.
Stephan AMBROSIUS
Played one game for Germany at under-21 level but coach Addo has persuaded him to try and make the Ghana squad for the World Cup. Played at Hamburger SV first but this season moved to Karlsruhe in the German second division where he is a towering presence at centre back.
MD
Thomas PARTEY
Explosive midfield presence who is the muscle of the team but has struggled with consistency as a myriad of niggles and knocks have taken their toll. One of the most expensive African footballers, who moved to Arsenal from Atletico Madrid in a 45-million pound move, he will be the heart of the Ghana side in Qatar.
Elisha OWUSU
His defensive work-rate and prolific ball-winning ability has caught the eye this season in the Europa League with Belgian club KAA Gent. He was born in Paris but grew up at Olympique Lyonnaise where he was captain when they won the under-17 French championship in 2016 but later suffered a serious Achilles tendon injury.
Daniel-Kofi KYEREH
Highly rated attacking midfielder was born in Accra but brought up in Germany, where he played for VfL Wolfsburg as a junior, at St Pauli in the second division and now Freiburg in the top flgith, who he joined in the off-season. Kyereh likes nothing more than racing forward with the ball glued to his feet, using close control and skill to carve open gaps.
Andre AYEW
First player to get to over 100 caps for Ghana, Ayew has a charming left foot and tumbling running style that reminds strongly of his father Abedi Pele, who was a three-time African Footballer of the Year. Andre plays well in the ‘false 9’ role or in the left attacking channel.
Mohammed KUDUS
Strong midfield player who this season has also been used as a centre forward by his Dutch club Ajax Amsterdam, notably in their Uefa Champions League campaign. He is a product of the Right to Dream Academy in Ghana, who also own the Danish club FC Nordsjaelland, which they use as a vehicle to take players across to Europe.
Iddrisu BABA
Midfield enforcer who plays in front of the back four, he has been on the books of LaLiga club Mallorca for the past six years. He was born in Accra but grew up in Spain, where he was a youth team player at Leganes first.
FW
Issahaku Abdul FATAWU
Right winger with pace and a cannonball shot who, at the age of 18, is tipped as one of African football’s next top talents. Chosen as the best player at last year’s African Youth Championship and called up to the senior side almost straight away and has also recently made a debut for Sporting Lisbon.
Jordan AYEW
The English-based striker is famous for frustrating fans with his constant dribbling, often too selfish with the ball. Second son of the ex-Ghana captain Abedi Pele, he was born in France and began his career at Olympique Marseille before his move to England at Aston Villa, Swansea City and now Crystal Palace.
Osman BUKARI
Explosive winger, capable of playing on either flak of the attack, who has made a good start to his career at new club Red Star Belgrade. The former European Cup winners are his fourth side in four different European countries after Trencin (Slovakia), KAA Gent (Belgium) and last season with Nantes, who he helped win the French Cup.
Felix AFENA-GYAN
Has strength and speed and is also capable of playing on the right, but his best position is at centre forward, where he plays for Serie A newcomers Cremonese after moving from Roma in August. Roma spotted him playing at Presbyterian Senior High School in Berekum, where he was also a track star.
Inaki WILLIAMS
Basque born striker who played for Spain but has since switched allegiance and debuted for Ghana in September. His younger brother Nico will be at the World Cup with Spain. Inaki plays as a classic centre forward and has been on fire for Athletic Bilbao this season.
Kamaldeen SULEMANA
Another player for whom a bright future at the highest level is predicted. Plays wide on the left and likes to terrorised defenders in one v one situations. French club Stade Rennes paid 20-million for his services but the likes of Ajax Amsterdam, Bayer Leverkusen, Manchester United and Liverpool have all been watching him.
Antoine SEMENYO
Described as ‘a nightmare to play against’, the striker is English-born and plays at boyhood club Bristol City, and was linked with a move to Premier League clubs before the start of the season. He has electric pace, agility and tricky feet, and is a difficult player to mark due to his clever movement off the ball.
Daniel AFRIYIE
He will be hoping to become the only home-based player in the Ghana squad, who was Footballer of the Year in Ghana in 2021 as he helped Hearts of oak to take the championship. Typical hard running striker with a fearsome shot he faces a lot of competition for a place in the World Cup squad.
Benjamin TETTEH
Right-footed forward best suited to playing as a centre forward. Moved from Ghana to Standard Liege in 2015. Since he has played in the Czech Republic and Turkey and won a call-up to the national team last October during the World Cup qualifiers.
Ransford-Yeboah KONIGSDORFFER
Recently bought by German second division side Hamburg, he has switched from Germany’s under-21 side to the Black Stars and debuted in September in the friendly win over Nicaragua. He is a right sided wide player described as a top talent for the future.
Joseph PAINTSIL
Adept both in midfield and attack, he has just signed a new three year deal for Racing Genk. His Belgian club have used him more in a striking role this season and he has averaged a goal every second game. He was a teenager when he made his debut with Tema Youth in Ghana’s Premier League.
Former Black Stars head coach Charles Kwablan Akonnor has urged Ghanaians to remain positive ahead of the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
The West African country will be making their fourth appearance at the World Cup after missing the previous competition held in Russia four years ago.
Ghana have been drawn in Group H alongside Portugal, South Korea and Uruguay.
“Otto Addo is our coach now,” CK Akonnor told Joy Sports.
“He’s got Didi Dramani, George Boateng and Chris Hughton. These guys are very knowledgeable, they understand the game; Chris is a huge guy in the Premier League, so definitely, they will help,” he stated.
The former Hearts of Oak and Asante Kotoko gaffer added, “[George] Boateng, I was supposed to work with him when I was head coach so I had the chance of meeting him, in that same moment I met Chris and spoke to him.”
“When you talk to them you can clearly see you are on the field already. They know what the game is about. They will help Otto Addo, and he will do well, so we should be positive.”
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 defender, Alexander Djiku is reported to have made an injury return after picking up a hamstring in Strasbourg’s drawn game against Toulouse on Sunday, October 23, 2022.
Alexander Djiku started Strasbourg’s matchday 11 French League 1 game against Toulouse but was taken off in the 26th minute after picking up a hamstring injury.
The thought of Djiku missing the 2022 World Cup became a big worry for most Ghanaians as he will be key to the Black Stars’ campaign.
However, according to 3Sports, Alexander Dijku won’t miss the World Cup after returning to group training as he continues his recovery process from the hamstring injury.
“Alexander Djiku returned to group training earlier today after picking up a minor hamstring injury,” 3Sports tweeted.
4 years after the latest World Cup, the trophy awaits its new champion. The tournament will kick off on November 20 in Qatar.
Senegal started the year on a high by capturing their maiden Africa Cup of Nations title.
One of its stars Sadio Mané won the CAF best player award in July. In September he became the second African player to reach the podium of the Ballon d’Or prize.
As the world tournament in Qatar approaches, the Teranga Lion winger Krepin Diatta craves for an equally rewarding end to 2022.
“We won’t hide from the fact that we know we have a good team, with great players in each position”, the AS Monaco player says.
“Now it is the World Cup, the biggest competition, so we won’t hide and we will give everything to play a great tournament, I think this is what we have to do.”
If their mind is already set, the men of Alliou Cissé can build on what they’ve accomplished so far. In their friendlies ahead of the Qatar World Cup, they secured a win and a draw.
The African champions will evolve in group A with hosts, Qatar.
“There are so many good teams overall, and we will have to be ready from the start and do everything to make it out of this group”, the 23-year-old winger says.
“We should not say that we are supposed to qualify from this group, it would be a mistake because we have to play and stay focused on it, and I think that if we do that then we have a chance to qualify.”
Senegal’s first game will take place on November 23 against the Netherlands.
They’ll also have to face Ecuador for a spot in round 2.
On November 20, the world cup will start at the sixty-thousand-seat Al Bayt Stadium.
All 64 games over the course of 29 days involving 32 team
Former Bechem United winger Augustine Okrah has been nominated for Simba SC Player of the Month award for October following his impressive displays for the club.
The 29-year-old will come up against Joash Onyango and Mzamiru Yassin for the accolade with the winner set to be determined by an online voting by the Simba fans across the clubs social networks.
Okrah scored three goals and provided one assist for Simba last month.
He netted in the Kariakoo Derby when his side were held to a 1-1 draw against bitterest rivals Young Africans SC in Dar es Salaam.
He also hit a brace or Simba in their 5-0 victory over Mbitwa Sugar FC 5-0 last Sunday.
The Ghana forward has scored four and registered two assists for Simba in the Tanzanian Premier League this season.
Simba are currently second on the league table with 17 points, three points behind leaders Young Africans after eight matches played so far.
Okrah will hope to be named in Ghana’s final squad for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
Milan forward Ante Rebic has been left out of Croatia’s preliminary 34-man squad for the upcoming World Cup in Qatar.
Rebic was a key part of the Croatia team who reached the World Cup final in Russia in 2018, opening the scoring in an impressive 3-0 group-stage win over Argentina in that tournament.
However, the Rossoneri man has only made three Serie A starts this season, and although he has hit the net three times in his seven total league appearances, it has not been enough to enter him into Zlatko Dalic’s thoughts.
Rebic last played for his country at last year’s Euro 2020.
Luka Modric briefly sparked concerns over his fitness when he missed Real Madrid’s Champions League defeat to RB Leipzig this month, but the 2018 Ballon d’Or winner is included on the list, as are Chelsea’s Mateo Kovacic and Tottenham’s Ivan Perisic.
Croatia will begin their Group F campaign against Morocco on November 23, before facing Canada and Belgium, and they will name their final 26-man squad on November 9.
Croatia preliminary squad in full: Dominik Livakovic (Dinamo Zagreb), Ivica Ivusic (Osijek), Ivo Grbic (Atletico Madrid), Dominik Kotarski (PAOK), Nediljko Labrovic (Rijeka); Domagoj Vida (AEK), Dejan Lovren (Zenit), Borna Barisic (Rangers), Duje Caleta-Car (Southampton), Josip Juranovic (Celtic), Josko Gvardiol (RB Leipzig), Borna Sosa (Stuttgart), Josip Stanisic (Bayern Munich), Marin Pongracic (Lecce), Martin Erlic (Sassuolo), Josip Sutalo (Dinamo Zagreb); Luka Modric (Real Madrid), Mateo Kovacic (Chelsea), Marcelo Brozovic (Inter), Mario Pasalic (Atalanta), Nikola Vlasic (Torino), Luka Ivanusec (Dinamo Zagreb), Lovro Majer (Rennes), Kristijan Jakic (Eintracht Frankfurt), Luka Sucic (Salzburg), Josip Misic (Dinamo Zagreb); Ivan Perisic (Tottenham), Andrej Kramaric (Hoffenheim), Josip Brekalo (Wolfsburg), Bruno Petkovic (Dinamo Zagreb), Mislav Orsic (Dinamo Zagreb), Ante Budimir (Osasuna), Marko Livaja (Hajduk Split), Antonio Colak (Rangers).
Black Stars goalkeepers Richard Kingston believes his department is safe going into the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
The West African powerhouse are returning to the global showpiece after missing out in Russia 2018, where France emerged winners.
The Black Stars goalkeeping department has been a major area of concern in major tournament in recent times due to inconsistencies in performance.
England-based goalkeeper Jojo Wollacot seems to have grabbed the number one spot, with Richard Ofori, Manaf Nurudeen and Lawrence Ati-Zigi being his deputies.
But speaking to GNA during a ‘Walk with the legends’ organized by the Ghana FA, the former Black Stars shot stopper was optimistic goalkeepers selected for the mundial will deliver.
“The goalkeepers we have now have confidence, and you can see that from the recent games we have played. They want to do something for the nation, and for me, that department is safe. Anybody who gets the chance to be in the post will give off their maximum best” he told GNA
Ghana has been housed in Group H at the mundial against Portugal, Uruguay and South Korea.
The Black Stars will open their World Cup account against Portugal on November 24 before taking on Uruguay and South Korea respectively.
The biggest soccer mundial has been scheduled for November and December this year, with 32 countries set to battle it out for the covetous trophy in Qatar.
Black Stars goalkeepers coach Richard Kingston has urged Ghanaians to support the national team ahead of the Qatar World Cup next month.
The West African powerhouse are returning to the global showpiece after missing out in Russia 2018, where France emerged winners.
“I want Ghanaians to come together to support the Black Stars with all our energy because it is our own no matter what”
Ghana has been housed in Group H at the mundial against Portugal, Uruguay and South Korea.
The Black Stars will open their World Cup account against Portugal on November 24 before taking on Uruguay and South Korea respectively.
The biggest soccer mundial has been scheduled for November and December this year, with 32 countries set to battle it out for the covetous trophy in Qatar.
Former Ghana defender Kwadwo Asamoah says Paul Pogba will strengthen the Juventus team when he is fully fit.
The France superstar has been out of action since joining the Old Ladies in the summer from Manchester United due to injury.
Paul Pogba is expected to return to action in the coming weeks ahead of the World Cup.
Kwadwo Asamoah who played with Pogba at Juventus before he joined Manchester United in 2016 said, the French footballer will give a big helping hand to the team when he recovers.
“We arrived at Juventus the same year and we have always had a great feeling, on and off the pitch. Paul and I occasionally join us. we write on social media”.
“I’m happy that he is back in Juventus. We are talking about a champion who, when he is well, makes the difference. I am convinced that once again he will give a big hand to the team. ”
Kwadwo Asamoah who announced his retirement last month won six Italian Serie A titles, four Coppa Italian and three Super Coppa Italia with Juventus.
The team for Athletic Bilbao has been in excellent form as of late.
In contrast to his younger brother, who has 3 goals and 4 assists in 11 games, Inaki has 4 goals in 11 matches.
Despite giving his younger brother guidance, the Black Stars striker maintains that Nico Williams must make errors in order to grow.
“I try to help him as much as possible, I try to give him the advice that I could have from other references such as Óscar (De Marcos), Iker (Muniain), Aduriz or Gurpegui. I try to help and advise him as much as possible, but he also has to make mistakes to learn from his mistakes” Inaki said.
Meanwhile, the duo has decided to go separate ways at international level. Whiles Inaki has decided to play for Ghana, his younger brother has opted for Spain.
“I think it would be more divided, but in the end, because of the family, in this case the majority would go with me, because in the end they live in Ghana and have been raised in Ghana. But the success of either one is joy for either of our families. I think that the one who would have the worst time would be our mother, that she would suffer it and she would have a divided heart” he said.
Visitors no longer need a negative COVID test or download the Ehteraz app.
Football fans traveling to Qatar for the World Cup will no longer need to present negative COVID tests and preregister on a government app to enter the country.
The Qatari government has cancelled the majority of travel restrictions related to COVID-19 ahead of the start of the World Cup that kicks off on November 20.
From November 1, travellers no longer need to present a negative COVID-19 PCR or Rapid Antigen tests to enter the country.
Visitors entering Qatar are not required to preregister on the government’s Ehteraz health application before their arrival.
A green health status on Ehteraz is now required only to access the country’s health facilities.
A COVID vaccination certificate is also no longer required to enter Qatar.
The arriving fans, players, officials, staff, and media are by far the biggest influx of visitors seen in Qatar, which has a population of approximately 2.9 million.
Qatari citizens and residents also no longer need to take a PCR or rapid antigen test within 24 hours of returning from abroad, the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) said.
The measures cover all visitors arriving from November 1, when Qatar will be closed to anyone without a Hayya card – the mandatory document issued to players, officials, staff, media and ticket holders, and their guests.
Qatari organisers and football’s governing body, FIFA, have said they want the event to be a sign the world is getting over the devastating pandemic.
But MoPH has previously warned that special measures would be ordered “in the event of a worsening pandemic situation in the country”, such as the emergence of a threatening new variant.
Players and match officials may be forced into a secure “bio-bubble” if COVID cases take off again, with the threat of expulsion from the tournament for those who breach the secure environment, the ministry said last month.
A requirement to wear masks on public transport was scrapped in October and masks are also not compulsory inside the eight World Cup stadiums.
South Africa’s football team offered hope to a divided nation but has struggled to make an impact internationally.
In the early 1990s, the South Africanmen’s football team carried the hopes of millions, that it would bring together a divided nation at the end of apartheid.
In July 1992, the team was readmitted to FIFA after a nearly 30-year ban.
However, Bafana Bafana has failed to make a lasting impact, and observers are divided on the reasons.
Some former national team greats say its problems come from a lack of consistency, others point to the absence of South Africans in top European leagues as an indicator of player quality.
Others say the players, and the team, need to develop their own footballing identity instead of imitating the way teams develop in Europe.
From rising force to flunking out of the group stage
Following the country’s first democratic elections in 1994, the national team looked like a rising force in African football.
It won the 1996 African Cup of Nations (AFCON), lifting the trophy on home soil on its tournament debut, reaching an all-time high FIFA ranking of 16 in August that year.
Things looked promising for Bafana Bafana until the mid-2000s, boasting players such as Benni McCarthy, Steven Pienaar, Quinton Fortune, Lucas Radebe and Fish – all of whom played in the English Premier League. Then the team started to decline.
In the years to follow, Thulani Serero, Kermit Erasmus, Keagan Dolly, Phakamani Mahlambi, and Luther Singh were hailed as potential saviours of South African football but have not achieved consistency.
South Africa has not qualified competitively for a World Cupsince 2002. The team’s failure to qualify for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar meant it will not feature in a third consecutive World Cup since hosting the 2010 edition where it finished third in Group A.
That early exit gave them the ignominious title of being the only host nation in World Cup history not to progress beyond the group stage.
Since 2010, the team has also missed out on qualifying for four of seven AFCON tournaments – most recently the delayed 2021 event held in Cameroon earlier this year.
Even when Bafana Bafana did qualify for the continental event, the team has not advanced beyond the quarter-finals since 2000.
Former Charlton Athletic defender Mark Fish, who played for South Africa in the 1998 World Cup and in three AFCON events, believes a major change in the mindset is needed, and not just among the players and coaches, but also fans and the media.
Katlego Mphela during the game against Mexico in the World Cup 2010 group stages. South Africa is out of a third consecutive World Cup since hosting the 2010 edition [Jason Cairnduff/Action Images/Reuters]
“Sometimes we hear about players playing well in three or four games, and then being talked about as though they are the next best player. Even when I coach youngsters, I find that a player is quickly nicknamed Messi. I tell them they need to earn a nickname like that,” Fish told Al Jazeera.
Strong leagues make better players
Hans Vonk, who was part of Bafana Bafana’s 1998 and 2002 World Cup squads, believes the lack of South African players in Europe’s top five leagues – England, France, Germany, Italy, and Spain – impacts the national team’s performance.
“What we are lacking now is players who play in strong leagues,” said Vonk. “The experience makes them better players internationally.”
Current national team coach Hugo Broos, a Belgian, recently stirred controversy by saying the DSTV Premiership, South Africa’s top league, was not strong enough to equip players for the international stage, and Vonk agrees that the league is well-organized and marketed, but does not meet global standards.
“There is no good reason why a country of 50 million people is not producinggood players regularly,” he said. “The clubs are not focused on youth players but are instead focused first on making money. There is also no structure because the coaches are not educated enough.”
Vonk spent most of his career playing in the Dutch Eredivisie before ending it in South Africa with the now-defunct Ajax Cape Town in 2011.
At the 1998 World Cup, where Vonk started all three group matches, South Africa were outplayed by France in their opening game but went on to draw against Denmark and Saudi Arabia, finishing third in Group C.
In 2002, South Africa started their campaign with a 2-2 draw against Paraguay before claiming their first World Cup win with a 1-0 victory over Slovenia.
Needing only a draw against Spain, an Andre Arendse goalkeeping error meant South Africa crashed out.
“In 2002, we could have reached the last 16 if there was more focus,” said Vonk. “I felt like some of the players did not really feel like they were at a World Cup.”
‘Must do things our way’
Masilo Modubi, another former South Africa international, believes the domestic league harms the progress of aspiring players by trying to emulate systems in Europe instead of forming its own unique football identity.
A former Chelsea youth player, Modubi spent his career in Belgium with Westerlo and Dessel Sport. He currently works as a coach with KESK Leopoldsburg in Belgium.
Modubi said the age limits in the leagues work in Europe because players start their development from the age of six or seven. In South Africa, however, that development doesn’t start until about the age of 21, he said.
“Because of the age limits, the development of players is harmed. We can pick out certain things from Europe but we must still do things our own way. Top former players in South Africa like Teko Modise and Siphiwe Tshabalala only peaked in their late 20s,” said Modubi, adding that many of the best players cannot afford to attend academies.
Former Belgian international Hugo Broos became coach of South Africa’s national team in 2021 [Siphiwe Sibeko/Reuters]
In addition, South Africa has had 20 different coaches in the 30 years since its readmission to international football in 1992.
“There is no consistency in the South African national team. We change coaches like we change underwear,” Modubi said.
“For the public, progress is about winning things. For a coach, progress is taking the team in the direction that he wants. The public in South Africa is less patient than other countries when it comes to coaches.”
Modubi also said the country was losing out on “many talented players who will prefer to watch TV and play on their gaming console instead of playing the sport”.
“There are quite a few players who are good but they are too casual and don’t really focus on developing themselves,” he added.
The South African Football Association (SAFA) refused to comment on what ails the national team.
Neil Tovey, a former Bafana Bafana captain and SAFA technical director – who led the team to AFCON success in 1996 – believes a lack of leadership “and poor mentality” from players may be a key factor behind the inconsistency and a fall in performance.
“They have the talent but they do not have leadership as we had in 1996. When things went wrong, we changed it with our own ability. We did not wait until half-time for instruction or for post-match analysis,” said Tovey.
While many have praised Broos for slamming the state of South African football, Tovey thinks the Belgian “must stop looking for scapegoats and try to find something that will make the team better”, and believes South Africa can qualify for the expanded 48-team World Cup that takes placein 2026.
The National Day of Prayer and fasting for the senior national team, the Black Stars, declared by the Ghana Football Association (GFA) as they gear up for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 seemed fanciful to me.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m neither ridiculing prayer nor am I pouring scorn on fasting.
I’m a Christian. I believe in God, who answers our fervent prayers. I fast and pray. I’ve Muslim friends who also fast and pray and we all have the conviction that, when we pray, God hears us and answers us in His own time and in His way. Ghanaians are very religious people. So, I don’t ridicule prayer and God’s power to cause transformation.
But God, who never fails in answering our prayers also gives us wisdom and the ability to think; make decisions and solve problems that saddle us even if most of those problems are self-inflicted. This is why I believe prayer isn’t the solution to our problems when we take self-serving decisions and create avoidable problems.
God, I’m sure, pities us when He sees us side-stepping wisdom and practical solutions to our problems to pray. The GFA must’ve taken the spiritual route knowing our religiosity but let’s note that what God expects the FA to do is to put the national interest first and at the centre of decisions like player selection and financial rewards for the team as they prepare for the World Cup.
That way, time and resources would be better used and Ghanaians would be happy. A happy Ghana, I’m sure, would make God happier. That said, I must however commend the GFA for the other pre-world cup events they’ve been on. The visit to President Akufo-Addo was as brilliant as the audience the FA sought with ex-Presidents John Mahama and John Agyekum Kufour.
It’s been positive whipping public interest and enthusiasm from that angle since these are big leaders and of course, political stalwarts whose word touches the hearts of many. The GFA didn’t end there. They embarked on a walk with the legends (so far the best among the pre-world cup activities); seeing ex-Black Stars players, GFA and Sports Ministry officials on a walk on the Aburi range.
The camaraderie I witnessed on the walk was nice. The same must prevail at the team’s camp. In all, Ghana must have an exciting, trouble-free Qatar World Cup experience. If that would happen it wouldn’t be as a consequence of fasting and prayers but good leadership thinking and decision-making both on and off the field.
Ansgar Knauff’s comeback before the World Cup break was predicted, and it has happened. The midfielder is back in team training after overcoming a thigh injury.
The match against his club Borussia Dortmund on Saturday is still too early for him, though.
“Ansgar was on the training ground for the first time today,” said Oliver Glasner said on Friday.
“For me, 30 minutes of team training is too short and too little preparation,”
“I’m not going to take him with me tomorrow,”
“For Tuesday I’m happy to get an alternative with him again,”
On 20 January 2022, Knauff joined Eintracht Frankfurt on an eighteen-month loan deal. Knauff scored his first goal for Eintracht on 5 March 2022 in a 4–1 victory against Hertha BSC.
Tunisia could be excluded from next month’s World Cup in Qatar if the country’s government interferes in footballing matters, world governing body Fifa has warned.
Fifa’s member federations must be free from legal and political interference.
The warning comes after repeated comments from Tunisia’s Youth and Sports Minister, Kamel Deguiche, about the possibility of “dissolving federal bureaux”.
Fifa considers his statement an attempt to meddle in the running of the country’s football federation (FTF), and has asked the latter for clarification about attempts to interfere in its internal affairs and threats to dissolve its office.
The Zurich-based organisation has also reminded the FTF that member associations are “legally obligated to conduct their affairs independently and without undue influence from third parties”.
“Any failure to comply with these obligations may result in the imposition of penalties under the Fifa laws, including suspension of the relevant association,” said a letter from Kenny Jean-Marie, Fifa’s director of member associations, to FTF general secretary Wajdi Aouadi.
A possible Fifa ban would mean no Tunisian club or national sides can play in either continental or international competitions.
Next month, the 2004 African champions are set to face World Cup holders France, Denmark and Australia in Group D in Qatar.
The Carthage Eagles have never gone past the group stage in five previous World Cup finals appearances, and will open their campaign against the Danes on 22 November.
Fifa has given the FTF no later than Friday to reply regarding its position following the minister’s comments.
Serious accusations have been levelled at the FTF in recent times, with one club side, Chebba, accusing the body and its president, Wadie Jary, of knowingly misleading the Court of Arbitration for Sport in April 2021 – prior to sport’s highest legal body ruling in the club’s favour later that year.
Fifa has already acted this year over other instances of governmental interference in football, with African pair Kenya and Zimbabwe currently serving suspensions.
India were also banned in August because of “undue influence from third parties”, throwing the country’s hosting of this month’s Under-17 Women’s World Cup into doubt, but Fifa lifted its suspension of India later the same month.
Former Ghana international, Habib Mohammed says players who played in the qualifiers are not guaranteed a place in the final World Cup squad.
Black Stars coach, Otto Addo will announce his squad for the 2022 World Cup on November 14, having submitted the provisional squad to Fifa.
However, there is a high expectation for players who competed in the qualifiers to be named to the final list for the upcoming tournament in Qatar, but Mohammed thinks otherwise.
Using himself as an example, Habib revealed that he missed the 2006 World Cup qualifiers, but was selected because then-coach Ratomir Dujkovi was impressed with his performances in two pre-tournament friendlies.
“I didn’t play in the World Cup qualifiers [in 2006], but before the tournament, I played two friendlies and impressed coach Ratomir Dujkovic, who included me in the squad,” he told Onua Sports.
“It’s not compulsory that because you participated in qualifiers you have to go to the World Cup. The final decision is made by the coach. Whether or not a player competed in qualifiers, the coach decides who goes to the World Cup,” the former Asante Kotoko and King Faisal defender added.
Habib appeared in two games for Ghana at the 2006 World Cup in Germany, helping the country reach the knockout stages for the first time.
The Black Stars hope to advance to the knockout stages for the third time this year in Qatar, where they have been drawn into a difficult group with Portugal, South Korea, and Uruguay.
Cameroon’s major bet for the World Cup is entrusting its campaign on one of its finest players.
Despite having no management experience outside of Cameroon’s junior structures, Rigobert Song, a highly respected former captain, was appointed coach in February.
Cameroon won a two-legged playoff against Algeria in March to qualify for the tournament in Qatar, but only after a last-ditch goal by Karl Toko Ekambi four minutes into injury time in the second game.
The team’s subsequent defeats in World Cup warm-up matches against Uzbekistan and South Korea served as a wake-up call and sparked concerns about whether Song’s old teammate and federation president Samuel Eto’o replaced Toni Conceicao too quickly.
Song participated in eight African Cups, four World Cups, and won two African titles, and made a record-breaking 137 appearances for his country. But in his new position, he still hasn’t won everyone over.
Cameroon is in Group G with Brazil, Switzerland, and Serbia.
Ghana international Inaki Williams has revealed the role he has played in Nico Williams’ career.
The duo has been in a rich vein of form for the Spanish outfit. Whiles Inaki has 4 goals in 11 appearances, his younger brother has 3 goals and 4 assists in 11 games.
“I try to help him as much as possible, I try to give him the advice that I could have from other references such as Óscar (De Marcos), Iker (Muniain), Aduriz or Gurpegui. I try to help and advise him as much as possible, but he also has to make mistakes to learn from his mistakes” Inaki said.
Meanwhile, the duo has decided to go separate ways at the international level. Whiles Inaki has decided to play for Ghana, his younger brother has opted for Spain.
And according to Inaki, their mother will have a decided heart during the World Cup tournament.
“I think it would be more divided, but in the end, because of the family, in this case the majority would go with me, because in the end they live in Ghana and have been raised in Ghana. But the success of either one is joy for either of our families. I think that the one who would have the worst time would be our mother, that she would suffer it and she would have a divided heart” he said.
Kalvin Phillips and Kyle Walker are “optimistic” they can feature for England at the World Cup but are unlikely to play for Manchester City beforehand.
Phillips has played just one Premier League game for City since joining from Leeds United owing to a shoulder injury.
Walker, meanwhile, has not played since the October 2 win over Manchester United because of a groin issue on which he underwent surgery, giving England a problem at the right-back position, which has come under great scrutiny in the lead-up to the tournament.
England play their first game in Qatar against Iran on November 21.
PEP 💬 They (Walker and Phillips) are not ready for Leicester. They are better, Kalvin especially.#ManCity
Asked about Phillips and Walker, City manager Pep Guardiola said at a press conference ahead of their game with Leicester City: “They are not ready for Leicester.
“I think they are getting better, Kalvin especially, but they are out. Until after World Cup, they will not be ready [to play for City].”
On Phillips, he added: “He feels really well, his mobility in his shoulder is perfect. He has to avoid contact with his team-mates at the moment.
“We are surprised how quick his development [has been]. If he’s fit and I believe he can play and he’s ready, maybe he can take minutes but I don’t know right now.
England manager Gareth Southgate’s final 26-man squad for the World Cup will be announced on November 10.
“They are positive, optimistic,” said Guardiola. “They are in touch with Gareth. I don’t know, hopefully they can be ready to be selected.”
Former Chairman of the Ghana Athletics Association (GAA), Mr George Lutterodt is confident Black Stars will progress from their group at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
Black Stars make a return to the tournament after missing out on the 2018 edition in Russia and 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.
“I think people are not giving the Black Stars a chance. That is good because it would take the pressure off the team,” Lutterodt told Times Sports.
“They will be playing top notch countries and I believe that Ghana has what it takes to come out of the group and then, the sky would be the limit.”
He added, “There are very good young players including Mohammed Kudus, Tariq Lamptey and others that can take the tournament by storm.”
Black Stars will play Switzerland in an International friendly on November 17, before travelling to Qatar for the World Cup.
Former President John Mahama has urged Ghanaians to support the Black Stars ahead of the upcoming 2022 World Cup which will be held in Qatar.
Ghana will play a friendly game against Switzerland before flying to Doha, Qatar.
The Black Stars of Ghana is in Group H with South Korea, Portugal, and Uruguay. Ghana will start its World Cup campaign against Portugal on 24th November.
The former President speaking after Ghana FA presented Black Stars jerseys to him said football unites the country and we should all encourage the players to give their best on the world stage.
“I urge that all Ghanaians should rally behind the Black Stars. The Black Stars in the past united us and anytime the Stars were playing, there was no political affiliation or ethnic orientation as we all supported them,” he told GFA’s delegation.
“Recently, it doesn’t seem to be the same and I urge that we put all political considerations aside and know that, that is our best national team and for the boys to have the kind of encouragement to give their best on the world stage,”
LGBT football fans attending the World Cup in Qatar should show “a little bit of flex and compromise,” according to Foreign Secretary James Cleverly.
On Wednesday, he told LBC that fans travelling from England and Wales should be “respectful of the host nation,” where same-sex activity is illegal.
Within hours, the prime minister’s official spokesman stated that LGBT World Cup fans should not be expected to “compromise who they are” if they visit Qatar.
Labour called Mr Cleverly’s remarks “shockingly tone-deaf”.
In a separate interview with Sky News, the foreign secretary reiterated his message when asked how the government was pushing for LGBT equality in Qatar.
He said: “These are Muslim countries, they have very different cultural starting points for us. I think it’s important when you’re a visitor to a country that you respect the culture of your host nation.”
IMAGE SOURCE,GETTY IMAGES Image caption, During England matches, Harry Kane wears a white One Love captain’s armband, with a rainbow design in support of the LGBT community
The decision to stage the World Cup in Qatar, a country where homosexuality can be punishable by death, has been criticised by LGBT groups.
England and Wales have both qualified for the tournament, meaning they will each play three group matches, plus knock-out matches if they progress.
England’s three initial matches are being played in Doha, Al Khor, and – against Wales – in Al Rayyan. Wales are playing all three of their matches in the latter city.
Earlier this year, LGBT organisations engaging with Fifa said “progress has been slow” in ensuring the safety of LGBT fans – and that reassurances from Qatar had “not been adequate”.
Some footballers have been taking a defiant stand in support of the LGBT community in the run-up to the World Cup. Footballer Harry Kane has said he intends to wear his OneLove rainbow captain armband during World Cup matches, even if it is not approved for use by the football’s global governing body, Fifa, which runs the World Cup.
Fifa regulations state that a player’s kit and other “basic compulsory equipment. must not have any political, religious or personal slogans, statements or images”.
Some politicians, including Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer, said they would not attend the tournament due to Qatar’s human rights record.
Wales’s First Minister, Mark Drakeford, is still expected to be there.
Mr Cleverly said he would be attending the World Cup, adding that the UK has “incredibly important partners in the Middle East”.
Mr Cleverly’s remarks come as Qatari officials stopped UK campaigner Peter Tatchell from staging an LGBT rights protest in Doha on Tuesday.
Mr Tatchell said he was “surrounded and interrogated” by authorities following the one-man protest, believed to be the first LGBT rights protest to take place in any Gulf state.
The campaigner said the foreign secretary should not attend the World Cup, and instead “highlight the abuses being carried out by the regime”.
Shadow digital, culture, media, and sport secretary Lucy Powell hit out at the foreign secretary’s remark, describing it as “shockingly tone-deaf”.
She said: “Sport should be open to all.
“Many fans will feel they can’t attend this tournament to cheer on their team because of Qatar’s record on human, workers, and LGBT+ rights.
“The government should be challenging Fifa on how they’ve put fans in this position, and ensuring the full safety of all fans attending, not defending discriminatory values.”
IMAGE SOURCE, GETTY IMAGES Image caption, James Cleverly was appointed as the foreign secretary on 6 September by Liz Truss – and retained his position under Rishi Sunak
“Any UK officials who attend should be using their position to highlight human rights abuses, not endorsing the regime.”
The Foreign Office, which is now headed by Mr Cleverly, has always issued and updated official online travel advice for Britons when they travel to any country in the World. For Qatar, the relevant page says: “Homosexual behaviour is illegal in Qatar.
Bundesliga giants Borussia Dortmund are monitoring Ghana and Ajax midfielder Mohammed Kudus ahead of the January transfer window, according to reports.
Dortmund rank the 22-yerar-old highly and will move for him if Jude Bellingham and Youssoufa Moukoko depart the club in the winter transfer window.
According to transfer expert Marc Behrenbeck, the Bundesliga outfit have already started working on the potential to get a replacement
“You’ve been watching him for a long time and there have already been talks,” said the Sky reporter on Transfer Update.
Kudus has three more years left on his contract at Ajax and has been one of the standout players for Alfred Schreuder’s side this season.
He has scored nine goals and provided one assist in 16 appearances for Eredivisie giants across all competitions this term so far.
The former FC Nordsjælland ace will hope to start when Ajax host Liverpool for their Group A matchday five fixture of the UEFA Champions League at Johan Cruyff Arena on Wednesday night.
Kudus is expected to be named in Ghana’s squad for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar which commences
Casemiro has highlighted the importance of Brazil remaining grounded after being labelled as one of the favourites to win the upcoming World Cup in Qatar.
Brazil last lifted football’s most prestigious trophy 20 years ago, when Ronaldo Nazario scored eight goals as Luiz Filipe Scolari’s team triumphed in Japan and South Korea.
However, Tite’s team have been tipped by many to end that drought this year, with the Selecao topping the FIFA World Rankings ahead of the tournament and seeing the likes of Neymar and Vinicius Junior start the club season in fine form.
Speaking to Manchester United’s media channels, Casemiro said: “There are two sides to it. Of course, there’s no hiding from the fact Brazil are favourites, but the favourites don’t always win in football, the favourites aren’t always champions.
“We know there are other national teams doing some great work, teams that are also favourites. Football, nowadays, speaks for itself. We know there are other teams playing very well.
“We know our responsibility, we know we have to respect the teams we come up against.
“It’s inevitable when we talk about Brazil, though we do this with our feet on the ground and a lot of respect for our opponents.”
With 65 senior caps to his name, Casemiro appears a certainty to feature when Brazil open their Group G campaign against Serbia on November 24, and he could be joined by United team-mate Antony.
The winger has scored three goals in his first six Premier League appearances since joining Red Devils from Ajax, and now hopes to make an impact for Brazil on the grandest stage of all.
“My first call up to the Selecao was this year, so it’s a wonderful experience for me,” Antony said, being interviewed alongside Casemiro.
“I’ve always dreamed of putting on the Brazil shirt, today I can live that dream leading up to a World Cup.
“Putting on the national shirt, representing your country and your family is very important to me. I hope to be putting it on more and more and make history with the Brazilian national team.”
Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin believes the state must resource the Black Stars ahead of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
Ghana have made a return to the Mundial having missed out on the last edition of the global showpiece hosted in Russia in 2018.
With the team set to open camping on November 10 in Abu Dhabi, Mr. Bagbin speaking on the floor of parliament on Wednesday reiterated that the Black Stars must be fully resourced by the state.
He however admitted that despite the economic challenges, the state must ensure the team is resourced ahead of the World Cup.
The Speaker added that he is confident the team is fully prepared to do the nation the honors at the tournament.
Ghana as part of their preparations will take on Switzerland in a friendly on November 17 before flying to Doha on November 19.
The Black Stars have been housed in Group H alongside Portugal, South Korea, and Uruguay.
Ghana are seeking to put up an improved performance at the Mundial after failing in Brazil in 2014.
The 22nd edition of the global showpiece has been scheduled to kick off from November 20 to December 18.
Former Ghana President, John Dramani Mahama has urged the Black Stars to beat Uruguay in the upcoming 2022 World Cup in Qatar next month.
After an entertaining game against the two-time world champions, the Black Stars were eliminated at the quarterfinals during the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
Ghana had a glorious opportunity to play in the semifinals but Asamoah Gyan failed to convert the spot kick after Luis Suarez prevented Dominic Adiyah’s goal-bound header with his hand.
Ghana, who make a return to the tournament after missing out on the 2018 edition in Russia take on Portugal in their first game in Group H on November 24 before playing South Korea and Uruguay on November 28 and December 2 respectively.
According to Mr. Mahama, it will be sweet revenge if Ghana record a win against the South American side.
“Unfortunately, we are in a group of death. The teams in our group are the strongest and look at what faith has made, bringing Uruguay into our Group again,” former President Mahama said as quoted by ghanafa.org.
“It will be sweet revenge if we score them and so even if you don’t beat anybody, just beat Uruguay for me and let’s pay Suarez back for what he did to us.”
Black Stars will play Switzerland in an International friendly on November 17, before traveling to Qatar for the World Cup.
Ghana head coach Otto Addo has disclosed that he made it clear to Ghana Football Association (GFA) that he will be combining Black Stars and Dortmund jobs.
The 47-year-old, who replaced Milovan Rajevac qualified the Black Stars to the global showpiece following a 1-1 draw against Nigeria in the final play-offs of the World Cup at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja in March.
This saw his contract extended by the GFA until after the 2022 FIFA World Cup which commences next month.
“The association had already asked me to coach in February, but at that time their priority was on someone who could work permanently for Ghana,” coach Addo told the World Soccer Magazine.
“The offer was a great honour for me. In the talks, I made it clear that I could do the national team job on an interim basis and as a dual function with my Dortmund work. I think as a national coach you should also live in the country you work for in the long term.”
“Of course, many things can also be organised and delegated remotely in the short term. But I see myself staying in Germany, at least for the next few years.
The Black Stars are paired in Group H alongside Portugal, South Korea and Uruguay.
Ghana will begin the campaign against Portugal on Thursday, November 24 before taking on South Korea and Uruguay in the other Group matches.
Black Stars will play Switzerland in an International friendly on November 17, before travelling to Qatar for the World Cup.
The Black Stars are paired in Group H alongside Portugal, South Korea and Uruguay.
Ghana will begin the campaign against Portugal on Thursday, November 24 before taking on South Korea and Uruguay in the other Group matches.
“Our plan is to open our trainings camp in Abu Dhabi on November 10 where the team will camp for about nine days before we depart for the tournament,” Kurt Okraku said as quoted by ghanafa.org.
“The Black Stars will play against Switzerland in our final preparatory match on November 17, before we depart for Doha the next day for the World Cup.
He added, “Mr. President, I must say that we greatly appreciate the support from your good self and the government throughout this journey and would like to assure you that Ghana will be ready for mundial come November 2022.”
“The technical team will be ready, the staff will be ready, the players will be ready and Ghana will be ready.”
Former Ghana Football Association [GFA] communications director, Saanie Daara, has backed the technical team of the Black Stars not to expose the squad ahead of the 2022 World Cup.
With less than a month to the kick-off of the Mundial, a 55-man provisional squad has been sent to Fifa without making it public.
The list according to multiple reports includes names of Hudson Odoi, Abdul Salis Samed, Majeed Ashimeru, and a host of other names.
“World football has changed completely, and I agree with the point that sometimes you should trick your opponents a bit. As part of it, I will agree with the thought we should not make public our full squad to anybody until the World Cup when we can pull surprises,” Sannie Daara told Joy Sports.
Saanie also called on fans to exercise patience for the good of the national team.
“If it is, we want to please fans as they want to know what the squad looks like, fans should also understand that the World Cup is the big deal. Through these friendly matches, you can see some of your errors, and players who can fit in certain positions or not. But also, you must go into the tournament with some element of surprise.
“If you don’t and maybe you start playing with your first full team in your friendly matches, already you have given maybe 80% of your strategy to your opponents. These days, people are going into the nitty-gritty, the tiniest details before they play matches. We have 3 video analysts, and Portugal has 20. Which means they are monitoring the movements and tricks of every player you have.”
The squad of 55 will be pruned down to 26 and submitted on November 14 – a deadline set by FIFA.
The Black Stars have been drawn in Group H, alongside Portugal, Uruguay, and South Korea.
Pep Guardiolaremains hopeful Kyle Walker will be fit to feature at the World Cup as he offered positive updates on fellow England internationals John Stones and Kalvin Phillips.
Walker has not featured for Manchester City since suffering an abdominal injury in the Premier League champions’ 6-3 win over Manchester United earlier this month.
The 32-year-old subsequently underwent surgery, leaving his chances of making the trip to Qatar in the balance and dealing Gareth Southgate another selection headache.
Chelsea right-back Reece James also faces a race against time to make the squad, while Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold has been in poor form this season.
However, Walker offered hope to England supporters last week, telling BBC Radio 5 Live he was “confident” of returning to action before the tournament begins.
Speaking ahead of City’s Premier League meeting with Brighton and Hove Albion, Guardiola offered an update on the condition of his England trio, saying: “I haven’t spoken to the doctors about Kyle.
“Hopefully it can happen, if he’s selected, that he can go to the World Cup.
“John has trained for the last two days with us, tomorrow, he’s on the list. Kalvin is incredible, he’s much better as well. They are recovering very well.”
As players we have to appreciate injuries are part and parcel of the game we love. My operation on Tuesday was a success and now I can concentrate on my rehab and getting back to full fitness. I will be supporting my team mates every day in any way I can. 💙 pic.twitter.com/BcwIAjkb8B
City fell to their first defeat of the campaign against Liverpool last Sunday, but are expected to get back on track against a Brighton side yet to taste victory under new boss Roberto De Zerbi (D2 L2).
On Saturday, De Zerbi could become the first Premier League coach to fail to win any of his first five games at the helm since Scott Parker in April 2019, but Guardiola has backed him to have a “massive” impact in the competition.
“I’m really happy he is here, I saw the last two games he had here, and he is already playing the way he wants to play,” Guardiola added. “His impact in England will be massive in the future.
“He was counter-cultural in his country. In Italy, they mainly play in an incredible way which gave them a lot of success as a country, but he plays a completely different way to Italy.
“His Sassuolo team was an incredible example that no matter the quality or investment that you have, if you believe in something 100 per cent, the way your team plays, you can do it.
“He’s a really good example for every manager. At the start, it doesn’t matter about the results, what matters is the way you believe and the way you want to see your team playing football.”
City have won their last nine Premier League home games, scoring at least three goals in each. There have only been two longer such runs in English top-flight history, both recorded by Aston Villa (12 in 1897 and 13 in 1930-31).
Ghana international Christopher Antwi-Adjei has opened up on his Black Stars chances ahead of the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
The 28-year-old made his first start this season for Bochum against third-tier side SV Elversberg during the DFB Pokal.
The winger has only made five substitutions in the Bundesliga this season due to injury setbacks.
“From time to time there is contact, most recently two or three weeks ago,” he said.
“Now there isn’t that much time left. I can only step on the gas on the pitch – everything else is up to the national coach.”
Meanwhile Ghana coach Otto Addo is expected to submit a list of up to 35 players to FIFA, and players are waiting for the announcement with bated breath.
Players who will miss out in the provisional list will be unable to participate in the biggest soccer mundial this year.
The Ghana coach will announce his final 26-man squad for the 2022 World Cup on November 14.
Players who are assured of a place in the team include Andre Ayew, Thomas Partey, Mohammed Kudus, Jordan Ayew, Baba Rahman, Daniel Amartey, and Alexander Djiku, as well as newcomers Inaki Williams, Mohammed Salisu and Tariq Lamptey.
The biggest soccer mundial has been scheduled for November and December this year, with 32 countries set to battle it out for the covetous trophy in the Asian country.
The West African powerhouse are housed in Group H and will face Portugal, Uruguay and South Korea.
Ghana will open their World Cup account against Portugal on November 24 and will then play South Korea on November 28 and Uruguay in their final group match on December 2.
Barcelona centre-back, Ronald Araujo, who was said to be a major doubt for the tournament due to an adductor longus avulsion injury in his right thigh, made the 55-man list, which was released on Friday.
Some key names like Luis Suarez, Edison Cavani, Darwin Nunez, and Real Madrid midfielder Federico Valverde were all named in the big squad.
Uruguay has now become the first team in Group H to release their provisional list.
Black Stars Otto Addo is set to name his provisional squad for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
Each of the 32 participating countries must send a list of a minimum of 35 players up to a maximum of 55 by the end of the day, in the first step in the selection process.
Coaches then have until Nov. 14 to decide on their final list of 26 players by an 1800GMT deadline. FIFA will publish all the squads the next day.
The final squad must come from the preliminary list, with no allowance for any late changes of mind over the next three weeks, FIFA’s tournament rules and regulations stipulate.
Ghana secured qualification at the expense of their arch-rivals Nigeria in the final World Cup play-off.
Ghana will face Portugal, Uruguay, and South Korea in Group H of the global showpiece which takes place between November 21 and December 18, 2022.
Black Stars will take on Switzerland in another preparatory game on November 17, seven days before their opening game at the 2022 FIFA World Cup against Portugal.
Black Stars, who make a return to the tournament after missing out on the 2018 edition in Russia take on Portugal in their first game in Group H before facing South Korea and Uruguay in a repeat of the 2010 World Cup quarter-final.
Arsenal goalkeeper Matt Turner says he feels no pressure to replicate Aaron Ramsdale as the USMNT shot stopper pushes to assert his place with the Gunners.
The 28-year-old joined Mikel Arteta’s side from New England Revolution ahead of the 2022-23 campaign, but has so far been restricted in his minutes by the superb performances of his team-mate.
England hopeful Ramsdale has kept four clean sheets in the top-flight this term, a figure only exceeded by Three Lions team-mate Nick Pope with Newcastle United and Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson.
His form has helped Arsenal emerge as title contenders, leading the Premier League ahead of champions Manchester City – but Turner says he does not feel as if he must mimic the former Sheffield United man to improve.
“I definitely don’t feel any pressure,” he stated. “He’s his own person. He approaches the game the way he does. Before games, I like to take time, just be mindful.
“Most of my banter comes with Aaron. It’s just normal banter like you would have with anybody. It’s America versus England, the Revolutionary War, stuff like that. That’s more me joking about it!”
The duo are in line to potentially meet at the Qatar 2022 World Cup later this year in Group B, with both men expected to be included when England and the USMNT announce their squads.
Turner’s lack of match-time in domestic competition has presented Gregg Berhalter with a potential headache over his inclusion, though his rich form in the Europa League should dash any doubts over his place.
Either way, the shot stopper is unconcerned about his inclusion, and says he can only support whatever eventual call is made by his international boss.
“I’m just focused on what I can control and what I have before me,” he added. “I think I’m in a good position to play at the World Cup.
“But at the end of the day, if Gregg decides than Zach [Steffen] is the way forward, I stand behind the decisions that he makes. Obviously I want to play. But you can only control so much.”
Sweden-based midfielder Michael Baidoo has been named in Black Stars provisional squad ahead of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, according local media reports.
The biggest soccer mundial has been scheduled for November and December this year, with 32 countries set to battle it out for the covetous trophy in Qatar.
Ghana will open their World Cup account against Portugal before taking Uruguay and South Korea respectively.
Ahead of the mundial, the 23-year-old who has been in a rich vein of form for Elfsborg in the Swedish top-flight has earned a spot in the provisional list.
The midfielder has been in fine for, scoring 10 goals in 19 games this season.
Baidoo and Salis are the only two new players who have been invited into the squad for assessment in the friendly game with Switzerland.
Meanwhile, Serbia based Samuel Owusu could not make the provisional squad.
Ghana international Jonathan Mensah has opened up on the Black Stars chances ahead of the 2022 FIFA World Cup to be staged in Qatar.
The West African powerhouse are returning to the global showpiece after missing out in Russia 2018, where France emerged as winners.
The Black Stars has been paired in Group H against European giants Portugal, two-time World Cup winners, Uruguay and Asian giants, South Korea at the mundial.
In an interview, the Columbus Crew captain botched to predict the Black Stars chances but said the four-time African champions are unpredictable at World Cup.
“Ghana is one of the unpredicted teams in the World because the Black Stars has been underrated in the previous World Cup tournament that we have participated in considering the groups we have been paired”
“We are one of the most underrated teams but then, we have been doing well at the World Cup. so I cannot predict going into the 2022 edition”
The 2022 World Cup tournament has been scheduled for November and December this year with 32 countries set to battle it out for the covetous trophy in the Asian country.
Ghana will open their World Cup account against Portugal before taking Uruguay and South Korea respectively.
Karim Benzema will need to perform well for France at the upcoming World Cup to “justify his status” as Ballon d’Or winner, claims Michel Platini.
Benzema finished a career-best 2021-22 season with 44 goals, while adding 15 assists as he helped fire Real Madrid to a LaLiga and Champions League double.
The 34-year-old’s stunning campaign was enough to see off the likes of Robert Lewandowski and Sadio Mane to win his first Ballon d’Or, having previously been nominated 10 times without taking home the trophy.
But Platini, who won Ballon d’Or awards in three consecutive years between 1983 and 1985, believes there is now more pressure on Benzema to perform at the World Cup in Qatar, starting next month.
“He reached the grail with the Ballon d’Or,” Platini told RMC Sport. “He has a big responsibility being the best player in the world and the World Cup is coming up.
“He will have to be on top to justify his status.”
Benzema returned from a six-year exodus with the national team for Euro 2020, scoring four goals in four appearances as France crashed out at the round of 16 stage.
He will hope to help Les Blues defend their World Cup crown, beginning with their opening group match against Australia on November 22, though Platini believes Benzema is already well on his way to becoming a France footballing icon.
“Benzema is becoming a legend of French football,” Platini added. “Winning a Ballon d’Or brings you into the ranks of great footballers.”
Stonewall is urging the global sporting community to “stand up and call out the criminalisation and persecution” of LGBTQ+ people in Qatar at the upcoming World Cup.
The leading LGBTQ+ charity has made the plea at the launch of its ninth annual ‘Rainbow Laces’ campaign.
Same-sex relationships are criminalised in Qatar and Stonewall hopes issues can be highlighted while the spotlight is on the Gulf state for the World Cup, which begins next month.
Liz Ward, director of programmes at Stonewall, said: “As we approach the 2022 Men’s World Cup, we must remember that Qatar is a country where LGBTQ+ people are persecuted simply for being themselves. Sadly, this year’s tournament is not safe for everyone, which is why it’s so important to see players and fans stand up to be counted.
“The World Cup is a vital moment for the global sporting community to stand up and call out the criminalisation and persecution of LGBTQ+ people in Qatar.”
This year’s Rainbow Laces ‘season’ runs from October 19-31 with a Rainbow Laces Day, when sports participants are urged to wear rainbow laces in their footwear to promote greater inclusion, on October 26.
Stonewall feels the campaign has led to good progress in recent years but believes much more still needs to be done.
One of the successes is highlighted in new statistics which show that the proportion of sport fans who think homophobic remarks in sport are acceptable has fallen from 25 per cent in 2017 to 14 per cent in 2022.
However, the research conducted by Stonewall in partnership with ICM/Walnut also suggests that fans are not confident that competitive sport is a welcoming environment for LGBTQ+ sport personalities.
Just 40 per cent think it is welcoming for gay and bi men, 43 per cent think it welcoming for lesbian and bi women and just 29 per cent think it welcoming for trans sport personalities.
Ms Ward added: “Since the beginning of the Rainbow Laces campaign, we’ve seen awareness grow and grow, with more than one million laces modelled in boots across the world’s pitches and, as a result, we’ve seen attitudes fundamentally shift – the majority of Britons are now supportive of LGBTQ+ athletes.
“However, we cannot become complacent. This new research shows that the public recognise that there is more work to do to create a world where LGBTQ+ people are free to be themselves both on and off the pitch.”
N’Golo Kante will miss France’s World Cup campaign after undergoing an operation on his hamstring, Chelsea have confirmed.
Kante suffered the injury in his Chelsea’s 2-2 home draw with Tottenham in August and has not featured for club or country since.
Chelsea have now established Kante will play no part in France’s defence of their World Cup crown, which starts with their opening group game against Australia on November 22.
In a statement on the club website, Chelseasaid: “N’Golo Kante has undergone an operation on his hamstring injury.
“The midfielder visited a specialist with the club’s medical department to explore the options for his rehabilitation approach and it was mutually agreed for N’Golo to have surgery to repair the damage.
“Following a successful operation, N’Golo is now expected to be sidelined for four months.”
Kante was a key member of the France side that won the 2018 World Cup, playing a part in all seven games as Les Bleus lifted the biggest prize in international football for the second time.
Reece James, Kante’s Chelsea team-mate, faces a race against time to make England’s squad for the tournament after suffering a knee injury against Milan.
Klopp said Jota would not require surgery on the injury but that “we’re talking about months” in terms of his lay-off.
“I don’t want to put a number on it. Yes, it will be long,” Klopp said.
He explained Jota had taken the news phlegmatically.
“It’s Diogo and he’s surprisingly OK, so far. He’s an incredibly smart boy and very reflective. I think he knew it when we carried him off the pitch,” Klopp added.
“When I came out we passed each other after the game and he expected what happened. I think in that moment he knew it was a serious one and could be pretty impactful on his World Cup dreams.”
Jota’s injury also leaves Liverpool short of another key attacking player, with Luis Diaz already sidelined until after the World Cup.
Qatarwill soon be competing in their first-ever World Cup, but that does not mean the hosts will settle for the title of honourary participants. Al Annabi have been preparing themselves for this moment ever since their successful bid back in 2010.
Indeed, current head coach Felix Sanchez began his Qatari journey back in 2006 when he joined Aspire Academy, a renowned sporting institution that has produced some of the most country’s most successful first-team players.
Spaniard Sanchez then followed the academy graduates on their journey, coaching them first in the Qatar youth teams and then the Olympic squad before finally taking over the senior side in 2017. This group of players is considered to be one of Al Annabi’s strongest ever.
Sanchez has so far won two titles with Qatar, the first coming in the 2014 AFC U-19 Championship and then with the first team in the 2019 AFC Asian Cup. Can he replicate such achievements on the greatest stage this winter with this group of Qatari stars? Only time will tell.
SAAD AL SHEEB
Position: Goalkeeper
Age: 32
Saad Al Sheeb has long since dreamed of donning the number 1 shirt for Qatar at a home World Cup. In his interview with Al-Jazeera back in 2019, he said: “At present, my only dream is to represent Qatar at the 2022 World Cup.”
The Al Sadd SC goal-stopper has been a mainstay of Qatar’s national team since his debut back in 2009. Al Sheeb was vital in Al Sadd’s back-to-back title triumphs in the Qatar Stars League over the past two seasons and on top of that, the player has earned more than 75 international caps. The keeper has also featured in major international tournaments such as the Asian Cup, Copa America, and the Concacaf Gold Cup.
Awarded the honour of Best Goalkeeper at the 2019 Asian Cup, he only conceded one goal throughout that tournament thanks to his quick reaction time and ability to snuff out counterattacks. He will no doubt play a pivotal role at Qatar 2022, and stern tests surely lie ahead, as he is tasked with nullifying the likes of Sadio Mane, Memphis Depay, and Frenkie de Jong.
Al Sheeb still has to earn his place in the starting lineup though, considering the brilliant displays by Meshaal Barsham at the 2021 Arab Cup.
ABDELKARIM HASSAN
Position: Left-back
Age: 28
“The Gunner” and “the Flamethrower” are just two of the nicknames for Hassan – the third most-capped international player for Qatar with 120 games to his name. Hassan has been the first choice left back for Al Annabi for many a year and his influence is unparalleled.
The current Al Sadd SC star had a brief stint in Belgium several years ago and is expected to be one of the most influential players for Qatar this winter. He is blessed with speed, gifted technical and dribbling ability, and a rocket of a shot, epitomised by his thundering goal against Yemen in the 2019 Gulf Cup.
Abdul Karim Hassan’s influence will be substantial given his wealth of international experience in major tournaments. It will come as no surprise if he is one of the standout performers for the hosts.
With Al Sadd’s coach tweaking their formation last season to play three at the back as well as the emergence of the brilliant young Hammam Al Amin at left-back, some thought Hassan’s demise was imminent. Quite the opposite. He has successfully adapted to the new position and offers Felix Sanchez a newfound versatility and flexibility at the back.
HASSAN AL-HAYDOS
Position: Forward
Age: 31
Playmaker Al Haydos, who can also drop into central midfield and on the right wing, was one of Qatar’s star performers during their 2019 Asian Cup triumph and has matured at Al Sadd under the tutelage of Jafal Rashed Al Kuwari. He will no doubt be one of the shining lights for Al Annabi this winter due to his unquestionable technical ability.
His personality on the pitch has shone consistently throughout his career. Whether it be his late winning goal against Japan in the 2008 Olympic qualifiers, or his famous penalty shootout heroics for his club against Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors in 2011, he has shown character in abundance.
With 158 games under his belt, Al Haydos is the all-time most-capped Qatari international. It can be argued that he is among the most influential players in the team, having contributed to a total of 38 goals during his time with Al Annabi. Despite not having quite replicated his blistering goalscoring form at Al Sadd from 2018 and 2019, he has compensated with increased defensive output and now drops deeper to help out. This has been particularly evident in the last two seasons as Al Sadd have adopted a new system of three at the back.
Al Haydos was called up to the international scene some 14 years ago, making him the most experienced player in the squad. This experience will be priceless when faced with the formidable defences of the Netherlands, Senegal, and Ecuador.
AKRAM AFIF
Position: Forward Age: 25
Just like his father, Afif is a versatile player who plays on both the left and right-wing, as well as sometimes even spearheading the attack. Afif also has wide-ranging experience playing in Europe after his stint with Belgium’s OH Leuven, and several Spanish teams. He currently turns out for Al Sadd, where he has stamped his influence on the league. Despite a slight dip in form since April, he was still voted best player in the Qatar Stars League.
Afif finished the 2019-20 season with 15 goals, making him the top scorer in the QSL. As well as his goalscoring prowess, he has both the technical ability and vision to create numerous chances. He has a long pass in his locker that can split defences and he often lifts balls into dangerous areas, not to mention making regular efforts on goal.
All this attacking talent has Al Annabi fans dreaming of a strong World Cup campaign. Afif has also been shortlisted as AFC best player three times, winning the coveted award in 2019. Since then, he has been a vital cog for Al Annabi and is indispensable, even after his recent dip in form, and featured in all Qatar’s latest friendlies.
ALMOEZ ALI
Position: Striker
Age: 25
The current Al-Duhail SC star was Al Annabi’s top scorer in both the 2021 Gold Cup and the 2019 Asian Cup, registering nine goals and four goals respectively. He is the only player in the world who has scored in three different continental championships, and is currently Qatar’s third-highest all-time goal scorer, having registered 39 goals to date – close on the heels of all-time top scorer Mansour Muftah, who has 44 goals to his name.
This winter, Qatari fans will be heavily relying on outstanding individual performances from him as well as his ability to cash in on half-chances to help their team’s bid to qualify for the Round of 16.
Although his last goal for Qatar came towards the end of 2021, Ali can convert an opportunity in the blink of an eye thanks to his quick feet and intelligence of movement inside the penalty area. All these skills were on show in the 2019 Asian Cup final, when he scored with a stunning scissor kick. In his last major international tournament, the Concacaf Gold Cup, where Qatar reached the semifinal, Ali took home the golden boot.
Domestically, he proves his goalscoring worth at Al Duhail SC season after season. During the last campaign, Ali recorded his second-best goal tally relative to the number of matches played. Underestimate this marksman at your peril.
Ticket sales for the soccer World Cup are approaching the three-million mark ahead of the tournament kicking off in Qatar on November 20, Fifa’s president Gianni Infantino and event organisers said on Monday.
The top three purchasing countries of the 2.89 million tickets sold are Qatar, the United States and Saudi Arabia, World Cup Chief Operating Officer Colin Smith told a news conference in Doha.
Infantino, addressing the conference in a recorded video, said 240 000 hospitality packages had been sold for the month-long tournament, the first to be held in a Middle Eastern country.
Qatar, the smallest country to have hosted soccer’s global showpiece tournament, is preparing to receive an estimated 1.2 million visitors during the World Cup.
Thousands of fans are expected to stay in neighbouring countries like tourism hub the United Arab Emirates and fly in to Doha for matches due to limited accommodation in Qatar.
The director general of Qatar’s World Cup organising committee, Yasir Al Jamal, told the news conference that 2 million room nights have been sold and that Qatar has added an additional 30 000 rooms to accommodate last-minute ticket sales.
Many hotel rooms in Doha will be occupied by soccer teams, their support staff and World Cup officials.
Japan will be the first team to arrive for the tournament on 7 November, Smith said.
