Category: Sports

Ghanaian forward Bernard Tekpetey showcased his prowess as Ludogorets comfortably triumphed 3-0 against Hebar in the Bulgarian First Professional League.

Tekpetey asserted his dominance early on, netting two goals in the first half before being substituted in the 62nd minute.

The match at the Georgi Benkovski Stadium saw Ludogorets seize the initiative swiftly, with the visitors taking the lead in the 7th minute.

Aslak Fonn Witry’s sublime pass found Swiss-Ghanaian forward Kwadwo Duah, who then teed up Tekpetey for a straightforward finish, granting Ludogorets a 1-0 advantage.

Tekpetey extended Ludogorets’ lead in the 19th minute, capitalizing on a defensive lapse from Hebar’s Joao Cesko.

Seizing upon a loose ball, Tekpetey calmly slotted it past the goalkeeper’s legs, doubling the scoreline to 2-0.

Rwan Seco further bolstered Ludogorets’ dominance by netting a third goal in the 78th minute, courtesy of a pass from Aslak Fonn Witry.

With his stellar performance, Tekpetey underscored his impressive form
this season, tallying ten goals and four assists in 28 league appearances.

Source: Ghana Web

Black Stars deputy manager John Paintsil was spotted in Kumasi watching the Asante Kotoko clash with Samartex at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

The former Premier League stalwart, known for his tenacity and defensive prowess on the pitch, has seamlessly transitioned into a role that sees him shaping the future of Ghanaian football from the sidelines.

Currently serving as an assistant coach for the Ghana senior national team, fondly known as the Black Stars, Paintsil has been diligently scouring the Ghana Premier League for emerging talent.

With a keen eye for potential, he has been a regular figure at league matches, meticulously assessing players who could make a significant impact on the international stage.

Paintsil’s recent scouting expeditions have taken him across various regions of Ghana, where he has been closely monitoring key matchups and identifying standout performers.

Two weeks ago, he was in Accra to witness the clash between Hearts of Oak and Karela, taking note of playe
rs who demonstrated exceptional skill and potential.

Last week, Paintsil’s scouting endeavors led him to DAWU, where Dreams FC squared off against perennial giants, Kotoko.

Accompanied by Fatau Dauda, the esteemed goalkeeper’s coach for the Black Stars, Paintsil meticulously observed the action unfold, keeping a watchful eye on players who exhibited the qualities sought after at the national level.

Today, Paintsil’s journey brought him to the iconic city of Kumasi, where he witnessed Asante Kotoko lock horns with Samartex.

In the midst of the fervent atmosphere, he diligently analyzed the performances of both teams, identifying individuals who possess the skill, determination, and resilience required to don the prestigious Black Stars jersey.

Paintsil’s deep-rooted connection to Ghanaian football extends beyond his current role as a coach. As a former player, he honed his craft with local clubs such as Berekum Arsenal and Liberty Professionals before making waves in the English Premier League with West H
am United, Leicester City, and Fulham.

His wealth of experience both domestically and internationally serves as a guiding light in his pursuit of uncovering Ghana’s future stars.

In the ever-evolving landscape of Ghanaian football, John Paintsil remains a steadfast advocate for nurturing homegrown talent and providing opportunities for aspiring players to shine on the global stage.

With his astute eye for talent and unwavering commitment to excellence, Paintsil continues to play a pivotal role in shaping the trajectory of Ghanaian football, ensuring a bright and promising future for generations to come.

Source: Ghana Web

Dreams FC showcased a spirited performance as they held former champions Zamalek to a draw in the first leg of their CAF Confederation Cup tie on Sunday in Cairo.

Displaying immense bravery, Dreams FC’s players put their bodies on the line to frustrate the Egyptian giants, leaving the Cairo International Stadium with a result they can be proud of.

Despite facing the intimidating atmosphere created by the Zamalek fans, coach Abdul Karim Zito’s boys remained undaunted.

In a defensive masterclass, Dreams FC limited Zamalek to just six shots on target out of their 25 goal attempts, highlighting their resilience and determination.

Notably, Zamalek’s late surge was thwarted by a series of blocks and a stroke of luck as they hit the post during a goal-mouth scramble.

Although Dreams FC created few scoring opportunities, their defensive solidity was complemented by a crucial long-range free kick from Abdul Aziz Issah, which represented their sole shot on target.

The jubilant scenes at full-time reflected Dreams
FC’s satisfaction with their performance, as players celebrated with each other and their supporters in the stadium.

However, despite the positive outcome, they remain focused on the task ahead, aware that complacency could prove costly in the second leg.

With a place in the final at stake, Dreams FC understand the importance of maintaining their unbeaten record in the competition at the Baba Yara Stadium.

A victory in Kumasi would be a remarkable achievement for the club, particularly considering it would mark their debut appearance in the final of the CAF Confederation Cup.

Source: Ghana Web

President of the National Paralympic Committee (NPC) in Ghana, Samson Deen has announced his intention to seek re-election for another term.

In his declaration, Deen emphasized the importance of love, peace, unity, and a collective desire for greatness and achievement within the Ghanaian Paralympic community.

During his first term, Deen’s leadership saw notable achievements, including Ghana hosting the inaugural African Para Games.

The success of the event was highlighted by the outstanding performance of the Black Challenge, Ghana’s amputee football team, who clinched the tournament victory.

Additionally, Samson Deen facilitated the procurement of modern equipment for athletes and organized opportunities for athletes and coaches to gain international exposure and experience, notably for qualification for the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games.

Samson Deen has expressed optimism that Ghanaian athletes would secure qualification for the Paris Paralympics, marking a significant milestone in the country’s sporting
journey.

Beyond his role within the NPC Ghana, Samson Deen holds prominent positions in various sectors. He is the President of the African Paralympic Committee (APC), a testament to his leadership and influence within the African sporting landscape.

The Ghana NPC president’s credentials include founding several successful enterprises, including African Origin Travels and Sports Tourism, AOG Construction Services, Visa Assist and Immigration Experts, Sportsfirst Management, and the African Origin Group of Companies.

Notably, Deen’s tenure at the APC saw him secure re-election with a significant mandate, garnering 24 votes in a victory over his opponent from Morocco.

Additionally, he actively contributes to the organization of major sporting events, serving as a member of the Local Organizing Committee and Chairman of the Transport Sub-Committee for the 13th African Games, which received acclaim as the best edition since 1965.

Source: Ghana Web

Arsenal is reportedly prepared to entertain summer bids for midfielder Thomas Partey, primarily due to his persistent injury concerns.

The decision comes in the wake of Arsenal’s disappointing exit from the Champions League at the hands of Bayern Munich, with an aggregate score of 3-2 in the quarterfinals.

According to a report by the DailyMail, Arsenal is set to shift its focus towards offloading four players during the summer transfer window.

This list includes Eddie Nketiah, Reiss Nelson, Aaron Ramsdale, and notably, Thomas Partey.

The 30-year-old Ghanaian international joined Arsenal from Atlético Madrid on 5 October 2020. He made his debut for the Gunners as a substitute for Granit Xhaka in a 0-1 away defeat against Manchester City in the league on 17th October 2020.

Partey scored his first goal for Arsenal in a 3-1 win against Aston Villa on 22 October 2021.

However, Partey’s time at Arsenal has been destroyed by injuries, limiting him to just eight Premier League appearances this season.

Despite
his market value being estimated at pound 20,000,000 m by Transfer market, his injury woes have seemingly prompted Arsenal to consider a change in their midfield setup.

Source: Ghana Web

Algerian authorities have prohibited the entry into its territory of the delegation of the Moroccan Club Berkane Sports Renaissance.

Traveling to Algiers, to play the semi-final first leg of the African Football Confederation Cup (CAF) against the club of the Algiers Medina Sports Union (USMA), scheduled for Sunday April 21, the Renaissance sportive from Berkane was banned from entering Algerian territory.

The Algerian authorities must have had difficulty appreciating that the Moroccan players wore outfits bearing the map of the Kingdom, with its Sahara.

The players and the delegation accompanying them were therefore detained at Houari Boumédiène international airport in Algiers.

Algerian authorities blocked Berkane’s team at the airport for hours, even seizing their football equipment and uniforms.

The delegation had obtained authorization to travel to Algiers on a Spanish plane, thus circumventing the access restrictions imposed by Algeria on Moroccan flights.

Once again, this incident highlights Alge
ria’s persistent tensions towards Morocco, in particular Algeria’s ban on Moroccan flights since September 2021, which creates recurring problems during sporting events and other meetings between the two countries.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Dreams FC coach, Karim Zito, is confident of his team’s chances ahead of their game against Egyptian giants Zamalek in the CAF Confederation Cup semifinals.

Despite being labelled as underdogs, Dreams FC secured their place in the semifinals by eliminating Stade Malien with a 3-2 aggregate victory, showcasing their determination and quality on the continental stage.

They now face the formidable challenge of taking on Zamalek, a club renowned for its dominance in African football.

Zito has acknowledged the magnitude of the task ahead but remains undaunted, emphasizing that his team has the capability to achieve their objectives.

“It sounds frightening and so difficult but I can tell you it is not impossible,” Zito affirmed, instilling belief in his squad ahead of the crucial encounter.

The coach called upon Dreams FC’s supporters to rally behind the team as they prepare to face one of the continent’s powerhouse clubs.

“They should not be worried. We know the quality of Zamalek but they should not also lo
ok down on Dreams FC. Nobody thought we would reach this stage. We need their support,” Zito urged.

With the first leg set to take place in Cairo before the return fixture in Kumasi, Dreams FC aims to defy the odds and secure a spot in the Confederations Cup final.

As they embark on this historic journey, Zito and his players are determined to make their mark and showcase the potential of Ghanaian football on the continental stage.

Source: Ghana Web

Ghana’s U-17 football team has been placed in Group A for the upcoming 2024 West African Football Union Zone B (WAFU B) qualifiers.

The Black Starlets were placed in the same group as Cote d’Ivoire and Benin at the draw held at Abidjan on Friday, April 19.

The Black Starlets, who are the hosts of the tournament, aim to improve their previous performance where they failed to reach the finals.

Defending champions, Nigeria, are in Group B with Burkina Faso, Niger, and Togo.

The tournament will take place in Accra, starting May 15 and run until May 28.

The tournament serves as the qualifiers for the U-17 AFCON tournament in 2025, with the top two teams securing their spots.

Before the tournament begins, Laryea Kingston’s team travelled to Russia on Friday, April 19, for a 4-nation tournament as part of their preparations.

Source: Ghana Web