Category: Sports

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

Former footballer Charles Kweku Bismark Taylor Asampong has made big claims about Manchester City and Norway striker, Erling Haaland.

The former Hearts of Oak and Asante Kotoko striker believes if the Premier League top scorer for last season was in Ghana he would not make the starting lineup for the Phobians.

Despite his struggles this season, Haaland has scored 31 goals in 39 games in all competitions this season but has not been in the rich vein of form he was last season that saw him win the Premier League top scorer.

Speaking on his usual appearance on Angel TV, Taylor, who has been outspoken and controversial on many football issues, doubts one of the best strikers in Europe would start for his former team.

‘If Haaland was in Ghana, he wouldn’t even start for Hearts of Oak. He will sit on the bench. Tell him that I said if he comes to Ghana, he won’t even start for Hearts of Oak,’ Taylor asserted.

Charles Taylor began his playing career at Great Olympics.

He later transferred to Hearts of Oak in 2
000, where he helped them win the Ghana Premier League in the 2000, 2001 and 2002 seasons.

He is known for his excellent dribbling skills and ability to terrorize opponents, earning him the nickname “Terror.”

He was a key member of the famous “64 Battalion” that won the African Champions League in 2000 and consecutive Ghanaian league titles. He also played for Asante Kotoko.

Source: Ghana Web

Ghanaian-born Belgian winger, Francis Amuzu, has quashed recent transfer speculations, reaffirming his allegiance to Anderlecht amidst limited playing time this season.

Despite facing challenges in securing consistent game time, Amuzu remains resolute in his dedication to contribute to Anderlecht’s success.

He expressed his strong desire to clinch his maiden title with the club since his arrival in 2017, highlighting the team’s pursuit of championship glory this season.

In an interview with Anderlecht Online, Amuzu disclosed his eagerness to capitalize on the current opportunity, having narrowly missed out on titles with the youth team in previous seasons.

Despite his contract expiring in June 2025, he emphasised his focus on the ongoing campaign and ruled out any immediate plans for a transfer.

Although he is grappling with injury setbacks, the 24-year-old winger is poised to make a significant impact as Anderlecht endeavours to retain its top position in the league standings.

With four goals already t
o his name in 15 appearances this season, Amuzu is eager to contribute further to the team’s success.

Source: Ghana Web

Nations FC coach Kassim Mingle has called on other clubs to seize the opportunity presented by the current struggles of traditional powerhouses Hearts of Oak and Asante Kotoko in the Ghana Premier League.

Nations FC has enjoyed an impressive debut season in the top flight, amassing 44 points and trailing only behind league leaders Samartex, who have accrued 49 points.

Meanwhile, Hearts of Oak and Kotoko find themselves languishing in 9th and 11th positions, respectively, indicative of their struggles in this campaign. Mingle sees this as an opportunity for other clubs like Nations FC to rise to prominence.

“We’ve been meeting them and we’ve been beating them so what’s the big deal about it? I did not ask them (Hearts and Kotoko) not to play well. They bought a lot of seasoned players, we did not buy seasoned players. It’s time for other teams to improve. Previously, Hearts of Oak and Asante Kotoko were dominating Ghana football but that era is past and gone,” remarked Mingle on the GPL Xpress show on 3Spor
ts Ghana Premier League.

Mingle remains optimistic about Nations FC’s chances of clinching the title. With eight matches remaining, he believes his team can challenge Samartex for the crown.

“Eight matches left, 24 points so you make sure you win most of the matches. It’s not yet over until it’s over.”

Nations FC has been formidable at home, being the only club yet to suffer a defeat on their home turf this season. Mingle’s side notably secured four points against Kotoko and drew with Hearts of Oak in their first encounter, with the second leg set to take place on matchday 32.

Source: Ghana Web

Karela United were held at home after sharing the spoils with Accra Lions in a pulsating 1-1 draw at the Naa Sheriga Park.

Mohammed Asigiri’s opener was cancelled by Dominic Amponsah as the visitors extended their good run of form against the Premier League strugglers.

Accra Lions got off to a bright start in the early minutes but the host made their intention at goal clear with strikes from Fatawu Mohammed and Nurudeen Jibril.

Halfway through the first half goalkeeper Andrew Owusu of Accra Lions made a finger-tip save to deny Asigri while on the other hand, Daniel Awuni tested the Karela goal area.

After the break, Owusu produced another strong save to stop the host from opening the scoring.

However, just a little after the hour mark the host broke the deadlock through the lively Asigri, who fired home from inside the box.

His lead lasted for only four minutes after Amponsah smashed home following Karela United’s goalkeeper’s inability to stop Bernard Kesse’s ferocious strike.

Kesse almost gave Lions
the lead with his wizardry dribbling skills a moment later, which saw him easily maneuver his way past a sea of Karela defence but the final effort could not trouble Karela.

Late in the game, Baba Apiiga came close to giving the visitors all three points but he was denied Karela’s brave defending.

Karela chased a late winner but Accra Lions were resolute in defence and offered so much threat in attack.

Source: Ghana Web

Legon Cities FC delivered a stunning performance on Saturday, April 20, 2024 securing a vital victory over Hearts of Oak in their matchday 27 encounter, thanks to a brace from Albert Yeboah.

After suffering three consecutive defeats, Hearts of Oak had shown resilience with a comeback win against Karela United in their previous fixture. However, their hopes were dashed by Legon Cities’ determined display.

The game started with both teams showcasing determination, but neither managed to break the deadlock in the first half. However, Legon Cities came out firing after halftime, with Albert Yeboah opening the scoring in the 50th minute and adding another goal just 11 minutes later to seal a 2-0 win for his side.

The victory sees Legon Cities climb to 11th place on the table, while Hearts of Oak now sit in 10th position.

Meanwhile, Asante Kotoko’s struggles continue as they dropped further to 12th place ahead of their upcoming game against league leaders FC Samartex on Sunday.

For Legon Cities, the win comes
as a relief after a draw with Samartex and a loss to Medeama SC. They will be eager to maintain their newfound momentum when they face Berekum Chelsea in their next fixture on April 26, 2024, in matchday 28 action.

Source: Ghana Web

Hearts of Oak will embark on a short journey to face Legon Cities, aiming to extend their recent triumphs following a morale-boosting win that snapped their winless streak.

The Phobians, who secured a remarkable come-from-behind victory against Karela United last weekend, will enter Saturday’s clash with renewed confidence as they strive to conquer their city rivals.

The encounter between Legon Cities and Hearts of Oak marks their reunion after five months since their last Ghana Premier League showdown, which ended in a goalless draw.

While Legon Cities are reeling from a defeat against Medeama SC in their recent outing, Hearts of Oak’s spirits are high after their impressive 3-1 triumph over Karela. However, concerns loom over Hearts of Oak’s defensive performance, having conceded goals in eight consecutive matches.

In their recent head-to-head encounters dating back to June 2021, Legon Cities and Hearts of Oak have shared the spoils, with one win apiece and four matches ending in draws.

Their most rece
nt encounter on November 12, 2023, concluded in a scoreless stalemate, highlighting the closely contested nature of their matchups.

Looking at their season statistics, Legon Cities have secured nine victories out of 25 matches, accompanied by five draws and 11 defeats.

They have netted a total of 20 goals while conceding 27. Meanwhile, Hearts of Oak have registered eight wins from 26 matches, along with 11 draws and seven defeats. They have scored 27 goals and conceded 23.

With both teams showcasing nearly identical head-to-head records and closely matched season statistics, the upcoming clash promises to deliver an intense battle as both sides vie for crucial points in the Ghana Premier League standings.

Source: Ghana Web

Manchester United legend, Rio Ferdinand has eulogized ex-Chelsea and French player Marcel Desailly as one of the great defenders who shaped his career.

According to the former England centre-back, he grew up watching Marcel Desailly playing for some of the biggest clubs in the world.

While Rio Ferdinand was on set speaking with TnT show host Laura Woods ahead of the UEFA Champions League game between Arsenal and Bayern Munich at the Arsenal Stadium on April 9, 2024, Marcel Desailly walked on set to greet the ex-Man Utd player.

Immediately Rio saw him, he put up a big smile and called Desailly ‘the legend’ before adding ‘Good to see you.’

After exchanging pleasantries, Rio placed the spotlight on the 1998 World Cup winner and described him as a player he modelled his football after.

‘This is the guy I watched when I was a kid.’

Despite having a Ghanaian heritage, Desailly represented the French national team and it duly paid off as he won the World Cup in 1998 and Euros in 2000.

Source: Ghana Web