Category: Athletic

Accra, Aug. 18, GNA- The Black Princesses of Ghana received a humiliating 4-1 defeat at the hands of the Netherlands in the final Group D match played at the Estadio Nacional de Costa Rica on Wednesday night. 

This would be Ghana’s third defeat in the ongoing U-20 Women’s World Cup after losing 3-0 to USA, 2-0 to defending champions Japan and received another thrashing from the Dutch. 

The Black Princesses matched unto the pitch with the goal of qualification, hence defeat the in-form Netherlands, by at least four unanswered goals and hope Japan beat USA by at least two goals, but this dream was dashed when Coach Ben Fokuo’s strategy could not produce the results. 

It was the Europeans who opened the scoring in the 28th minute through Liz Rijsbergen and held onto the lead till half time.

From the break, the Dutch doubled their lead through Ziva Caroline Henry. Ghana pulled one back from a beautiful strike from forward Doris Boaduwaa.

Rijsbergen grabbed a brace in the 65th minute before Marit Auee netted from the spot with six minutes remaining to wrap up victory for the Dutch.

Ghana have failed to progress to the second round of the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup after six attempts. 

Japan topped the group with nine points, followed by Netherlands with six points, with USA exiting the competition with three points and Ghana at the bottom with no point. 

Ghana bowed out of the competition conceding nine goals and scoring one.

Elsewhere, neighbors Nigeria lead Group C with nine points ahead of France, Korea and Canada. 

Source: Ghana News Agency

Accra, Aug.18, GNA- Rana Motors, dealers in Kia vehicles in Ghana has partnered with the Ghana Football Association (GFA) to launch the Official Match Ball Carrier (OMBC) project to give young individuals the opportunity to explore the 2022 Federation of International Football Association (FIFA) World Cup in Qatar. 

Over the years, KIA has played a key role in projecting the tournament all over the world, thereby bringing on board policies that would help change the lives of the youth through the tournament.

This year’s project seeks to give one selected young footballer from Ghana the opportunity to be the official match ball carrier in one of the matches at Qatar 2022, featured as an ambassador of FIFA, and also be promoted on FIFA’s social media channels.     

Speaking at the launch, Mr. Kojo Demanya, the Public Relations Officer of Rana Motors expressed the company’s delights to partner the GFA to bring young talents a step closer to their dreams, hence giving them the platform to have a feel of the tournament and also explore the city of Doha. 

According to him, the decision of giving a young footballer from Ghana the opportunity to witness the World Cup forms part of Kia’s commitment to inspire consumers to patronize their products and services.

“We need to send somebody who would speak Ghana and represent Ghana at the World Cup and our key consideration as partners is that the selection process would be fair, transparent, and devoid of manipulations,” he explained. 

Mr. Demanya thanked the GFA for making their dream to contribute to the development of football in Ghana a reality. 

Dr. Tony Aubynn, Executive Council Member of the GFA shared his excitement having witnessed the partnership with Rana Motors.

“Not many ten to 14 years olds, have the opportunity from our part of the world to see the World Cup that closely and even to come closer to top footballers in the world, so far this is an opportunity and we are very grateful for that,”  he said. 

He assured Rana Motors of GFA’s commitment to supervise the selection of a very good candidate to represent Ghana at the world tournament and urged other corporate entities to come on board to sponsor the GFA. 

Source: Ghana News Agency

Jamal Musiala continued his fine start to the season scoring Bayern’s opener as they cruised to victory over Wolfsburg in their Bundesliga home match of the season.

The one-time Chelsea youth player opened the scoring 12 minutes before the break placing an unstoppable effort past Koen Casteels from 25 yards out for his third goal of the campaign.

A minute before the break the lead was doubled when Alphonso Davies raced to the byline and set up Joshua Kimmich and, though his effort was weak, Thomas Muller was on hand to turn the ball home.

Despite dominating the match Bayern could not add to their lead and though Sadio Mane had the ball over the goal-line twice, on both occasions his efforts were ruled out for offside.

Bayern have a 100 percent record after two games and lead rivals Borussia Dortmund at the summit of the Bundesliga on goal difference.

Source: Modern Ghana

Harry Kane’s equaliser six minutes into stoppage time earned Tottenham a dramatic draw as a fiery London derby at Stamford Bridge ended in an angry confrontation between Thomas Tuchel and Antonio Conte that resulted in red cards for both managers.

Tempers were running high throughout as Chelsea twice led before Kane’s glancing header seconds from the end gave Spurs a point.

Chelsea dominated the first half and fully deserved the 19th minute lead they earned when their two summer signings combined, Kalidou Koulibaly flashing home a powerful volley from Marc Cucurella’s corner.

Spurs struggled to make any sort of impression, Kane missing their best opportunity, but drew level after 68 minutes when Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg’s shot beat Edouard Mendy.

Chelsea were furious that referee Anthony Taylor had failed to penalise Rodrigo Bentancur for a challenge on Kai Havertz, the ensuing melee leading to face-to-face fury between the two managers which ended with both Chelsea boss Tuchel and Spurs counterpart Conte receiving yellow cards.

Once order had been restored, Chelsea were back in front as James scored from Raheem Sterling’s pass, the fired up Tuchel celebrating by sprinting past Conte along the touch in sheer elation.

Chelsea thought they had made it six points from two games until Kane headed in Ivan Perisic’s corner – the antipathy not ending there as a handshake between Tuchel and Conte developed into another bust-up between the pair which ended with them both getting their marching orders.

Source: Modern Ghana

The Black Princesses held their official training on Saturday ahead of their second Group D encounter against defending Champions, Japan.

The Princesses lost 3-0 to the USA in their opening game but Head Coach Ben Fokuo believes the team will make amends to get maximum results on Sunday. The Boss has been speaking ahead of this crucial encounter.

“We had a recovery session before the official training today and we are working on every angle and making sure we get a good result from Japan’’ he said.

“The players are doing well and areas that need strengthening are been worked on. Everyone is working hard towards tomorrow’s game for us to get a good result.

“We have psyched them to put the defeat against the USA behind us and think about the next games and you can see it from their demeanor during training that they have moved on.

“We hope we don’t record any injury ahead of the game as the girls are prepared for the match. It will be a very difficult game and we hope to get a good result before we meet the Netherlands.

“The game against Japan is very important to us and we need to psych the players very well but we are not under any pressure.

“We have lost our first game and we don’t want to repeat it. We will be tactically disciplined going into the game and hopefully get maximum points,” Coach Fokuo added.

The match is scheduled for the Estadio Alejandro Morera at 17:00 GMT on Sunday, August 14, 2022.

Source: Modern Ghana

Newly-promoted Ghana Premier League outfit, FC Samartex 1996 have announced the signing of defender Larry Sumaila.

The right-back joined the side on a three-year from Ghanaian giants Hearts of Oak on a free transfer.

Sumaila failed to command a first-team position as he faced a stiff opposition from Samuel Inkoom and Fatawu Mohammed, hence deciding against extending his contract with the Phobians.

He is expected to use his experience to help the new side as coach Annor Walker will be aiming to maintain their status at the end of the 2022/23 campaign.

“We are excited to announce the signing of experienced right-back, Larry Sumaila on a permanent deal.

“Sumaila who joins us on a free transfer last played for Hearts of Oak in the most recent season,” a statement on the club’s official Twitter handle read.

Meanwhile, FC Samartex will begin their 2022/23 Ghana Premer League with an away game against Real Tamale United at the Aliu Mahama Stadium.

Source: Modern Ghana

President of Ghana, His Excellency Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has made a contribution to Ampem Darkoa Ladies ahead of the team’s participation in the CAF Women’s Champions League WAFU Zone B qualifiers.

A cash presentation of Ghc50,000 was made on his behalf on Saturday evening at the team’s camping base ahead of their departure on Tuesday.

His Excellency Dr. Bawumia also conveyed his heartfelt goodwill message to the team and urged them to go all out and make themselves and the country proud in Cote d’Ivoire.

Team captain Justice Tweneboah eulogized the Vice President for the kind gesture as she received the money on behalf of the Management and playing body.

‘’We never anticipated this surprise from our Vice President and I wish to extend our profound gratitude to the Vice President for this gift. We thank him very much and may the good Lord replenish him on our behalf. We are giving him our highest assurance that we shall go and deliver in Cote d’Ivoire’’ Captain Tweneboah said.

The Ghanaian double winners will start their historic Women’s Champions League qualifying journey in Cote D’Ivoire on August 20.

Source: Modern Ghana

The Marketing and Innovations Director of Guinness Ghana Limited Estella Muzito says Women’s Football has taken its rightful place as a premium sporting spectacle in Ghana.

She said this during the unveiling of Malta Guinness as the headline Sponsor of the Women’s Premier League at the GFA headquarters in Accra.

‘’Football in Ghana is an incredible unifier that connects people from all walks of life, daily. From the street corners to the hallways of big corporates, football conversations and matches bring joy and inspire greatness among people,” she said.

“Women’s football has in recent years taken its much-deserved place as a premium sporting spectacle which attracts thousands of fans and supporters’’

“Malta Guinness’ decision to sponsor the Women’s Premier League in Ghana is in line with our mission to fuel a world of good. The incredibly talented women who play the game, the officials, the Football Association, and the fans will be energized in their support of their favorite teams and Malta Guinness will be there to refresh them all the way.” Estella added.

Guinness Ghana Limited will spend GHc10M over three years as the headline sponsor of the Women’s Premier League.

Source: Modern Ghana