Category: Athletic

Erik ten Hag says he is not risking his managerial reputation by taking the Manchester United job.

The Dutchman, 52, is United’s fifth permanent boss since Sir Alex Ferguson retired in 2013.

“I don’t see it as a risk,” he said. “I think this club has a great history, and now let’s make a future.”

Ten Hag also suggested Cristiano Ronaldo would not be leaving, adding he expected there to be goals from the Portugal forward next season.

The former Ajax boss was speaking to reporters at his official unveiling as United manager 24 hours after watching his new club lose 1-0 at Crystal Palace on the final day of the season.

Their points tally of 58, though good enough to secure sixth and a place in the Europa League, is their poorest return since 1989-1990 and comes just a year after they finished second behind Manchester City.

Ten Hag did not say how many players he felt the club needed to bring in over the summer, instead answering that he was still “in the process of analysing” his squad.

“The plan is huge and we only have a short time,” he added.

“I’m looking forward to working with these players. The season before, this squad was second in the league, so there is huge potential. I think if we improve, if we work with them, I think we can get out more than what was the result from this season.”

Ten Hag also did not give any guarantees over Harry Maguire remaining as captain.

“Next season is a different season but he did a great job,” he said of the England international. “He’s a great player he achieved already a lot so I’m looking forward to working with him.”

Asked if 37-year-old Ronaldo, who finished as United’s top scorer with 24 goals, was part of his plans, he replied “of course”.

Meanwhile, United co-owner Avram Glazer has admitted the club has had a “disappointing season” but defended his family’s ownership saying “we’ve always spent the money”.

United re-signed Ronaldo on a free transfer last summer and the club have spent large sums in recent seasons, including £89m on Paul Pogba in 2016, £80m on Harry Maguire in 2019, and £72m for Jadon Sancho last year.

“It’s a disappointing season for everyone and we’re going to work hard to make next season a better season,” Glazer said in a rare interview outside the World Economic Forum in Davos.

The Glazers have been controversial owners since they bought the club through a leveraged buyout in 2005, which resulted in the club taking on debt.

“We’ve always spent the money necessary to buy new players,” added Glazer, when questioned whether the club would spend to improve the squad this summer.

Asked whether Ten Hag would be a success, he said: “That’s why we hired him, we know he’ll do a great job.”

• Klopp-Guardiola era ‘can come to an end’

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It is now nine years since Manchester United last lifted the Premier League, with the title race now dominated by Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City and Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool, who have won the last five titles between them.

Ten Hag, though, is hopeful he can break their stranglehold on the trophy.

“In this moment I admire them both,” he said. “They play fantastic football but you will always see an era can come to an end.

“I look forward to a battle with them and I’m sure other clubs will want to do that.”

The Dutchman also revealed he sought the advice of compatriot and former Red Devils boss Louis van Gaal, who had previously suggested Ten Hag should consider his options carefully before accepting the job.

Van Gaal, who won the FA Cup during his spell in charge at Old Trafford between 2014 and 2016, said Ten Hag needed to join a “a football club not a commercial club”.

“I have heard [Van Gaal’s comments] but I will draw my own line. I’m convinced it won’t be the case,” he said.

“I spoke with the directors about it. Football is one, two and three at this club and every club these days is commercial. Every club needs it, needs the revenues to be at the top, to do it is necessary but football is one, two, three at this club.”

Source: Modern Ghana

Kylian Mbappe says the dream of one day playing for Real Madrid is “never over” despite opting to sign a new contract and stay at Paris St-Germain.

The France striker, 23, rejected a move to the Spanish champions at the weekend to sign a new three-year contract PSG.

However, speaking to BBC Sport’s Guillem Balague on Monday, Mbappe has not ruled out a move to Real later in his career.

“You never know what can happen in the future,” he said.

“I give up to think about the future, I only think about the present and the present is I signed a new contract for three years more at Paris St-Germain.”

Asked if signing the contract meant the Real Madrid dream was over, Mbappe said: “Never over.”

Spain’s La Liga reacted angrily to the news, calling the deal “scandalous”.

Mbappe, regarded as one of the best players in the world, says he spoke to Real Madrid president Florentino Perez directly to inform him of his decision before signing the contract extension at PSG.

“It was last week I made the decision to stay,” he added.

“First of all I spoke to the president of Real Madrid because I have a lot of respect for him and the club. I think it was important to say it personally that I wasn’t going to go.

“To be a great player [you have] to be honest and everything was great and good because we have a good relationship.”

• ‘I’ve always stayed focused on the pitch’

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Speculation about Mbappe’s future gathered pace towards the end of the season although the forward says he never let it distract him from his duty on the pitch.

Mbappe scored 28 goals in Ligue 1 to help PSG win the title.

“I am 100% focused on my game,” he said.

“I didn’t have to follow [the speculation]. During the season I was focused 100% because I had individual goals and collective goals.

“It was important to stay focused on the pitch and make my decision when the season was over.”

• ‘I want to give pleasure to people’

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Mbappe, a World Cup winner with France, says he is now looking forward to playing in many more important games for his club and country.

“I have played in amazing games and important games,” he said. “I played in a World Cup and won a World Cup so I am happy and I want to continue this way.

“I always want to give pleasure to people because I was young and in the stadium and I enjoyed the time when I came to watch some players and now it is my turn to give pleasure to people and to be respectful on and off the pitch.

“I try to be an example because I know a lot of young guys watch me all the time and I want to give them the best way to enjoy life, even if it is not as a football player. You have to enjoy and stay focused on the real things of life.”

• Staying in France key for Mbappe

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Speaking earlier on Monday in a news conference, Mbappe said his decision to remain at PSG was partly based on sentimental reasons and believes there are “more wonderful chapters to write” at the club.

“Leaving my country isn’t the right thing,” he said.

“There is a sentimental aspect to this. It is my country.

“The ongoing project has changed as well. That has made me want to stay here because I don’t think my story is over yet.

“That goes for me collectively and individually. I think there are many more wonderful chapters to write.”

• ‘We want to win the Champions League’

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Mbappe started his career at Monaco before moving to PSG in 2017, initially on loan before joining permanently.

Since being at the club he has won four Ligue 1 titles and three French Cups.

Champions League success has so far eluded PSG but the club’s president Nasser Al-Khelaifi believes that, with Mbappe now staying, European glory can be achieved.

“We want to create more trophies. We have won plenty so far, we want to win many more,” he said.

“We want to win the Champions League. We are headed down the same path with our sporting goals.”

There had been reports PSG offered Mbappe more control over sporting decisions in an effort to convince him to stay.

But the forward said his sole focus and responsibility for the club is what he can do on the pitch.

“I remain a footballer, who is part of a team, and I will not go beyond this role,” added Mbappe.

“Everyone knows that last year I wanted to leave and I was convinced that it was the best choice, but the years go by and things change.”

• ‘Ligue 1 needs respect as well’

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In its response to Mbappe’s decision to stay at PSG, La Liga announced plans to file a complaint to Uefa as well as French and EU authorities.

As well as calling the deal “scandalous”, La Liga president Javier Tebas said it “threatens the economic sustainability of European football”.

But Al-Khelaifi responded: “Maybe it is a good thing if Ligue 1 is doing better than La Liga.

“La Liga isn’t what it was three or four years ago. I have respect for all the clubs, but we need respect as well.

“We have the best player in the world, that’s what matters to us. As for what other people are saying, that is not an issue. I am not listening to that.”

Source: Modern Ghana

Accra, May 23, GNA – The Ghana Football Association (GFA) has announced the postponement of Accra Hearts of Oak’s week 30 encounter against Eleven Wonders due to health concerns.

A preliminary investigation by the Ghana Health Service (GHS) indicates an outbreak of Influenza A subtype H3N2 among some players of Accra Hearts of Oak.

The GHS recommended to the GFA that Hearts’ games in the next seven days  should be suspended to curb the spread.

The GHS also urged the GFA to conduct random tests of footballers for clubs not currently affected by the outbreak to enable them to ascertain the extent of the outbreak.

A further statement by the GFA said: “The GFA was initially advised to reschedule the fixture between the two clubs to Wednesday, May 25, 2022. However, following the further measures by the GHS, the GFA has postponed the match indefinitely.

“A new date for the match would be announced in due course. Stakeholders are to take note and act accordingly,” a statement said.

The GFA added that they would seek clearance from the GHS to give way for Hearts matches to be played in the near future.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Accra, May 23, GNA – Asante Kotoko suffered a shock home defeat against Berekum Chelsea in a match-day 30 encounter of the 2021/22 Ghana Premier League.

Kelvin Obeng’s second half strike was enough for the 10-man Berekum Chelsea as they handed Kotoko their third loss at home this season and have also won only once in the last five matches.

Medeama SC did capitalize on the slip from the Porcupine Warriors as they have now closed the gap to six points after beating Great Olympics 2-1 at the Accra Sports Stadium on Saturday.

A brilliant goal from Kwadwo Asamoah ensured victory for the “Mauve and Yellow” Boys, who are now unbeaten in five games.

Ashantigold, despite their recent crisis after being found guilty of match fixing, recorded an impressive away victory against bottom-placed Elmina Sharks at the Ndoum Sports Stadium.

Red-hot Yaw Annor was on the score sheet for the “Miners,” likewise Derrick Afriyie and Ali Mohammed. Michelle Sarpong’s could only serve as a consolation.

Dreams FC were held to a 1-1 draw by struggling side West Africa Football Academy in Dawu.

Justus Torsutey’s strike ensured WAFA secured a vital away point after Gogoe Boahene had given Dreams the lead.

Accra Lions were held to a goalless draw game at home by Aduana Stars, likewise Bechem United, who were also held to a goalless draw game by Legon Cities.

Hearts of Oak’s game against Eleven Wonders has been postponed indefinitely due to health concerns in the Hearts of Oak camp.

Below are the results for week 30:

Accra Lions FC 0-0 Aduana Stars

Asante Kotoko 0-1 Berekum Chelsea

Bechem United 0-0 Legon Cities

Bibiani Gold Stars FC 2-0 Real Tamale United

Dreams FC 1-1 WAFA

Elmina Sharks 1-3 Ashanti Gold SC

Karela United 1-1 King Faisal Babes

Great Olympics 1-2 Medeama SC

Source: Ghana News Agency

Accra, May 23, GNA – Ghana’s male and female table tennis teams have booked a spot at next year’s International Table Tennis Federation (ITTC) World Table Tennis Championship to be held in Durban, South Africa.

Ghana’s female team, which included Cynthia Kwabi, Eva Adom Amankwa, Celia Baah Danso, Milicent Ankude, Blessing Labanti won silver in the team event to qualify for the Championships.

This would be the first time Ghana’s female team would compete at the ITTF World Table Tennis Championship.

Their male counterparts, including Derek Abrefa, Emmanuel Commey, Bernard Joe Sam, Emmanuel Asante and Emmanuel Ofori walked away with the bronze.

The 10-man contingent made Ghana proud as they would now compete at the ITTF World Table Tennis Championship.

In the singles event, Ghana’s number one seed, Derek Abrefa, was the only one to qualify for the same tournament in Durban.

He placed seventh in the tournament, having made it to the quarter-finals stage of the competition.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Nkwanta (O/R), GNA-Mr Jonathan Korsina, the Nkwanta South Municipal Education Director has cancelled the ongoing annual inter-circuit sports and games festival competition for Junior High Schools stemming from alleged promiscuous activities by a section of the participating students.

The competition, which opened on Monday and was expected to close on Friday, was annulled for gross misconduct and fear of mass pregnancies likely to truncate the academic progression of students.

Mr Korsina, who disclosed this to the Ghana News Agency (GNA), alleged there was no proper supervision and monitoring of the students in the camp, especially the female students, who were taking part in the competition.

He said some of the female students deserted camp rules and were seen in the company of suspected community men, which according to him, was a recipe for pregnancy.

“Such conduct is likely to tarnish the good image of the Municipal Education directorate and the region hence the cancellation of the games,”Mr Korisina said.

He however advised students taking part in the sports especially, girls not to use their talent for unnecessary things such as coming to sports and sleeping with men as they could end up destroying their career for unwanted pregnancies.

“I want this to serve as an example to others, who think they can come for games and behave anyhow and be free.”

He said flouting games camping rules was a sign of indiscipline, and that had no place in sports.

The director said a probe would be launched into the allegations of sexual misconduct and culprits would be punished.

Source: Ghana News Agency

A three-day Junior Leaders’ Training has ended in Tamale with a breathtaking and exhilarating field trip to the Tamale Airport and Magnolia Recreational Centre where learners were exposed to the aviation industry and the work of the Ghana Armed Forces.

A total of 240 learners drawn from 60 basic schools in the Kumbungu, Savelugu, and Tolon Districts of the Northern Region where the Partners in Play Project (P3) funded by The LEGO Foundation is being implemented, took part in the training and the trip.

The P3, which is being implemented by Right To Play, an international non-governmental organisation, in partnership with the Ministry of Education and its agencies, seeks to empower children to become creative, engaged, and dedicated to lifelong learning.

It is also to improve the quality of education for girls and boys aged six to 12 years through playful learning.

During the three-day training, the participating learners were taken through leadership skills, advocacy, and public speaking to build the capacity on child protection, gender equality, and reading strategies, as well as understand their rights and responsibilities, build their self-confidence, and communication skills.

They also discussed ways to revamp school clubs and make them functional to serve their interests.

Yaw Ishmail, a class six learner from Yoo R/C Primary School in the Savelugu Municipality shared his experience about the training and the trip saying “I have learned a lot about the emotions and qualities of a leader and I am equipped with enough strategies to tolerate other learners in my school club as this will help me in my personal development.”

Yahaya Zakia, a class five learner from Diare E/A Primary ‘A’ in the Savelugu Municipality said “The field trip has made me to dream big to become a pilot. I am very grateful to Right To Play for such exposure.”

Mumuni Mariam, a basic six learner from Dalun Simli Model Primary ‘A’ in Kumbungu District said “I have played a lot of games that involve communication, collaboration, and leadership and with friends. I believe these activities will help us achieve our target as a school club together.”

Braimah Shakun, a basic five learner from Kangbagu SDA Primary in the Tolon District said “We have learned to use games to achieve learning outcomes, and I am curious to give it a try with my friends in school. Also, they told us that we will lead games with our friends in school and I can’t wait to start doing that.”

Mr Farouk Alhassan, Project Officer, Right To Play said the activity was an opportunity for the learners “To experience the 21st century way of learning, which is learning through play. Throughout the three-day engagement, children were seen very happy and energetic with the learning through play approach.”

Mr Alhassan added that “The field trip was a memorable one as many, if not all of them, have never stepped foot at the Tamale Airport and this was their first experience, which would help them dream big and work hard in school to become great leaders in future.”

He expressed hope that the district education offices would take up the initiative to ensure that the school clubs were functioning so that children could meet with their peers to discuss issues affecting their education and personal growth.

Source: Modern Ghana

Accra, Ghana’s table tennis top seed Derek Abrefa is elated, he has qualified for the 2023 World Table Tennis Championship (WTTC) to be hosted in South Africa.

This comes after his remarkable outing in West Africa’s Final Qualification to the WTTC where he has reached the quarter-final stage of the competition and is set to face Azeez Solanke from Nigeria for a place in the semi-final.

In the singles event qualifier, he defeated Jimo Alvaro 3-0 in his first singles encounter and went ahead to defeat Bangoura Abdoulaye 3-0 to progress in the competition.

Speaking after qualification to the WTTC, Abrefa expressed excitement for reaching this new milestone despite the challenges that confronted him prior to the start of the tournament.

“I could not watch Ghana miss out on the World Championship singles category. I had to fight tooth and nail with my swollen injured finger and I am excited about the victory.

“I am grateful to God for how far he has brought me and grateful to Ghana Table Tennis Association President Mawuko Afadzinu, the Director of Sports for Ghana Immigration Service, Samuel Ayer, our coaches and all my fans back home for their support,” he said.

Abrefa is the only Ghanaian to progress further in the competition with his nine counterparts in both the male and female categories not succeeding in the respective quest to qualify for the 2023 WTTC.

Abrefa is a five-time Sports Writers Association of Ghana (SWAG) Table Tennis player of the year having represented Ghana at the 2018 Commonwealth Games in Australia.

He is Ghana’s highest-ranked player on the international stage, with 204 being his highest ranking in the world.

Source: Ghana News Agency