2022 World Cup: We performed well despite lowest ranked team tag – Black Stars assistant coach George Boateng

Assistant coach of the Black Stars, George Boateng says the team performed well at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar despite being ranked as the lowest team.

Ghana were housed in Group H alongside Portugal, Uruguay and South Korea but exited at the group phase with just three points.

The Black Stars narrowly lost 3-2 against Portugal but recovered to beat South Korea by the same scoreline before losing 2-0 to Uruguay in their final group game.

Assessing Ghana’s performance at the World Cup, Boateng said the team performed better than the likes of Qatar, Denmark and Costa Rica.

“If you look at it, we performed well as a team, well enough in every game,” the Black Stars assistant coach said, as quoted by Joy Sports.

“If you look at the game against Portugal, the team was compact, very solid, everybody gave his all and we all know if the penalty wasn’t given, things could have been different.

“The game against South Korea was outstanding. The players showed so much character in that game, leading two nil and conceding two goals to then find the courage and still come back to win the game gave us such a good confidence boost.”

He added: “If you looked at it overall we were the lowest-ranked team going to the World Cup but we did better than Denmark, Serbia, Iran, Coast Rica Saudi Arabia, and Qatar the host. So if you look at it we performed well enough.”

“In the last game against Uruguay, it could have been a lot better for us had only luck gone our way.”

Meanwhile, the Black Stars are currently without a coach after Otto Addo stepped down from the role.

Source: Modern Ghana

Prince Tagoe advises Afriyie Barnieh over Hearts of Oak contract saga

Former Hearts of Oak striker, Prince Tagoe has advised Daniel Afriyie Barnieh not to rush to leave the club.

The 22-year-old has refused to extend his stay at the club despite being a livewire for the side.

Barnieh’s contract runs out this month with local reports suggesting that he has received offers from foreign clubs.

However, Prince Tagoe who was part of the Hearts of Oak team that won the 2004 CAF Confederations has advised Barnieh to be patient and not be in a rush to leave the club.

“I rejected an offer from PSG in 2006 to complete a season at Hearts of Oak and I was the top scorer,” the former Black Stars striker told Accra-based Angel FM.

“I moved to Saudi for €2m the following year and had good offers from Europe. Afriyie Barnieh shouldn’t rush to leave Hearts of Oak,” he added.

Barnieh has so far won the Premier League, two FA Cups, Super Cup and the Presidents’ Cup.

He has since rose to become the captain of the Black Galaxies and earned a place in Black Stars’ squad for the 2022 World Cup but did not feature in any of the games in Qatar.

Source: Modern Ghana

TV3 to hit screens with “Bigoo family dance” competition

Accra-based TV3, a subsidiary of the Media General broadcasting group, has introduced a new show which is a dance battle dubbed “Bigoo family dance.”

Being the first of its kind, the about-to-be-commenced dance battle requires family members of four (4) to form a dance group.

The station, in collaboration with its headline sponsor “Bigoo,” a brand under Twellium Industries Limited, officially unveiled the show at a press launch at the station’s executive theatre in Accra on Thursday, December 15.

There is no age limit for dancers in the competition or be professional dancers.

The organisers say grandparents are free to team up with their grandchildren as well as mothers and fathers are also allowed to join in forming a lively dancing camp for the entertainment battle.

Mr. Francis Doku, General Manager of “3” Group (3FM and TV3), speaking at the launch said the show is in line with the station’s zeal to offer unique content to viewers at all times.

“This is particularly for family members in the nuclear family with extended family ties or even non-family members who have known each other for a long time and have some bond between themselves but must be close allies,” Mr. Doku said.

“We like contents that engage people, so, like this one, families will present groups of four members to come on stage and dance according to the type of dance the judges choose on that day,” he stressed.

According to him, there will be a several dances, chosen from numerous descents from South Africa, Nigeria, or any other popular dancing fraternity across the globe.

The competition, Mr. Doku said, “is not only for those in Accra; wherever you find yourself, you can take advantage of it, whether you are in Bawku, Elubo, or anywhere outside Accra.

“You just need to send a video of your family dancing to us via WhatsApp (0277222741), and when you make it through the auditions, you join others in the final competition.”

On his side, Mr. Kenderic, a representative of the official sponsor “Bigoo,” narrated the motive behind the unprecedented TV program.

There was a time he attended a certain birthday party where Bigoo was among the drinks served, and according to him, some family members were caught in the crowd competing over who took the Bigoo drink—a grandmother and other relatives.

As they caught the attention of the MC, who subsequently found out the reason behind their struggles, he told them to compete in a dance battle so that whoever won would take away the “Bigoo” drink.

Surprisingly the oldest among them, the grandmother won it, took the drink, and in turn shared it with all the members, resulting in an exciting scene.

“Bigoo” is like a family with different flavors, he said, adding, “We also believe in giving people what they want.”

At the event, a family made up of four members–a mother, elder brother and two younger sisters displayed their dance skills to give a clue of what the competition will offer.

Auditions for the maiden edition of the “Bigoo family dance” competition are slated for Friday, December 16, a one-day exercise at the premises of TV3, Kanda in Accra, at exactly 8 a.m.

Interested family members are entreated to join in-person or for the sake of those far from Accra send their dance videos via WhatsApp on (0277222641).

Internationally recognised Ghanaian dancers and creative personalities, including Laud Anoo Konadu, known professionally as Dancegod Lloyd, seasoned dancer Adjetey Sowah, and one of the country’s astute songstresses, Mildred Ashong, known by the stage moniker Eazzy, are the judges for the competition.

Dates and exact time of the show will be scheduled as soon as auditions and final selection are over.

Source: Modern Ghana

2022 World Cup: Preparations prior tournament was good, says Black Stars assistant coach George Boateng

George Boateng, assistant coach of the Black Stars has said that the team had a good preparation in the build-up to the 202 FIFA World Cup.

Ghana engaged Brazil and Nicaragua before wrapping up their preparations against Switzerland in a friendly in Abu Dhabi.

Boateng believes this gave the team the needed confidence ahead of the start of the tournament.

“When we look back we can say we had good preparation and organisation, we planned well. As coaches, staff and as a team, when we look back there is no way we could say that we missed out on something,” he said in a video shared on his Instagram page analysing the team at the Mundial.

“All the players hadn’t played in a World Cup game before so the preparation against Switzerland was very good. Also, the victory and the way we played against Switzerland gave the team a morale boost in terms of confidence.”

Despite the preparations, Ghana exited the group phase with just three points.

The Black Stars opened their campaign with a defeat against Portugal before securing a hard-fought win against South Korea but failed to win their final game against Uruguay to finish at the bottom in Group H.

Source: Modern Ghana

2020 Election Petition: NDC had evidence and basis – Ofosu Ampofo rubbishes claims by Asiedu Nketia

The National Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Samuel Ofosu Ampofo has responded to claims by General Secretary Johnson Asiedu Nketia regarding the 2020 Election Petition.

Earlier this week, Asiedu Nketia has been in the news trends after audio in which he is heard claiming that the NDC did not have concrete evidence for the 2020 Election Petition went viral.

In the audio, the General Secretary of the NDC sought to discredit Samuel Ofosu Ampofo in his bid to establish himself as the right candidate for the National Chairman position of the party.

Speaking to Asempa FM on the ‘Ekosii sen’ programme on Friday, December 16, Samuel Ofosu Ampofo responded that the claims by Asiedu Nketia are false.

According to him, the NDC has evidence and enough basis to go to court to challenge the result of the presidential election at the end of the 2020 polls.

“I disagree with Asiedu Nketia for claims on going to the Supreme Court after the elections. We had evidence and basis.

“We did proper diligence before going to the Supreme Court after election 2020,” the incumbent NDC National Chairman said.

After weeks of campaigning and the throwing of subtle jabs, Johnson Asiedu Nketia will finally have his shot at ousting Samuel Ofosu Ampofo from the NDC National Chairman position this weekend.

The polls will be held on Saturday, December 17, at the Accra Sports Stadium.

Source: Modern Ghana

Busquets announces retirement from international football following Spain’s World Cup exit

Barcelona midfielder Sergio Busquets has announced his retirement from Spain duty at the age of 34.

Busquets was part of the Spain team who won the 2010 World Cup and also the European Championships in 2008 and 2012.

He wrote on social media: “After almost 15 years and 143 matches, I’d like to announce that it is time to say goodbye to the national team.”

Busquets missed his side’s final penalty as Spain were stunned by Morocco in the shoot-out in the last 16 at the 2022 World Cup.

He brings his international career to an end with 143 caps and two goals for his country. He has made 17 World Cup appearances for Spain, a national record.

His club future is also unknown, his contract with Barcelona, the only club he has played for, is up at the end of the season.

There are strong reports linking him to a move with MLS side Inter Miami FC, who are also reportedly interested in his former Barca team-mate Lionel Messi.

Source: Modern Ghana

Bawumia will be the next President to change Ghana with his magic wand – Allotey Jacobs

Social commentator Bernard Allotey Jacobs has thrown his weight behind Vice President Dr. Mahamadu Bawumia to become the presidential candidate for the NPP.

He said the veep deserves to succeed his boss, H.E. Nana Addo Danquah Akufo-Addo, as Ghana’s next President.

The former Central regional chairman of the opposition NDC claims Dr. Bawumia has some magic wand that can turn Ghana’s economic situation for the better.

Speaking on Accra-based Peace FM’s “Kokrokoo” morning show, Allotey Jacobs stated that the NPP party will be more united when Bawumia becomes President.

“There is a magic in Dr. Mahamadu Bawumia , which he can use to help push Ghana forward to the promised land. He will as well bring the party (NPP) together,” he claimed.

Listen to his assertions in the video below;

Source: Modern Ghana

NDC Deputy National Youth Organizer Osman Ayariga gives hope to youth

Deputy National Youth Organizer of the opposition NDC Osman Ayariga has stated that together with his boss and other deputies, they will bring positive results to the party.

The National Democratic Congress (NDC), held its women and youth leadership elections at the party’s 10th Women and Youth Conference at the University of Cape Coast on Saturday, December 10.

Ten candidates contested the race for the position of Deputy National Youth Organiser. They were Osman Abdulai Ayariga, Ruth Dela Seddoh, Bright Nudokpo Honu, Sulemana Abdul Karim, Mohammed Abubakari Sadiq Gombilla, Kabiru Ahmed, Eric Dadson, Pendilock Owusu Asare, Obed Opintan and Jude Sekley.

However, Osman Ayariga and Ruth Dela Seddoh both emerged winners.

Osman Ayariga is a former President of the National Union of Ghana Students and a Youth Activist with the NDC.

In a thank you post on social media, Osman Ayariga wrote “We Thank God first! The Soldiers of the party have spoken. I want to thank all our youth organizers and Tein Executives for making it possible.

“Failure is not an option. We shall work to the best of our abilities.

“I am honoured to know you have confidence in me, and I deeply appreciate your support.

“Poised to serve, I can confidently say we are set to bring positive advancement to our party.”

Source: Modern Ghana