Category: Sports

Sports journalist, Patrick Osei Agyemang, popularly known as Countryman Songo, has finally issued an apology to Black Stars assistant coach, John Paintsil after the latter pressed charges against him.

Countryman Songo who is one of the defendants in a defamation suit by John Paintsil issued an apology to the ex-player during his show on Adom TV on Monday, April 8, 2024.

The journalist who was remorseful for his actions said his utterances against the Black Stars assistant coach were misguided because he allowed his emotions to override him.

‘God said we should be straightforward so if you realize that you’ve wronged your brother, just apologize. I want to apologize to John Paintsil for some things that didn’t go well. He’s a deputy Black Stars coach. I said certain things that didn’t sit well with him and it worried him,” Songo said.

He added, “Sometimes when you get angry you say things that you later regret because you didn’t handle things well. So I want to tell him I am sorry and I ask for his forgive
ness because after all football is the reason we are in this industry.”

Background

John Paintsil sued four sports journalists and three media entities for defamation and demanded GHS80 million in damages.

The journalists named in the lawsuit were Veronica Commey, Saddick Adams, Christopher Nimley, and Patrick Osei Agyemang, popularly known as Countryman Songo.

Additionally, the media entities Omni Media Limited, Angel Broadcasting Network, and Multimedia Group were served with a writ.

They were given eight days to respond and enter an appearance in court.

John Paintsil came under heavy criticism following his appointment as deputy coach of Ghana’s senior national team.

He had earlier courted public disaffection after chastising some journalists, including some of those named in his suit, for leading a demonstration against the Ghana Football Association and the Ministry of Youth and Sports.

The demonstration sought to highlight the poor state of football in Ghana and sports in general and to draw the
attention of the regulatory bodies to the issue.

But John Paintsil mounted a spirited defence for the GFA and the ministry, noting that the protest lacked merit.

Source: Ghana Web

Malian football legend Frederic Kanoute has tipped Mohammed Kudus to win the African Player of the Year Award.

The former Sevilla striker, fond of the Kudus, said he was the most exciting African footballer this season.

Kanoute, speaking on West Ham United’s podcast, highlighted the abilities that make Kudus special.

“He is really talented. He has strength and is good at running forward. He can play different positions. He is still quite young, but I think he’s one of the most exciting African footballers around these days,” he said.

Regarding Kudus’ chances of winning the African Player of the Year Award, Kanoute did not hesitate to agree.

“So yeah, he definitely has a chance for me.”

Mohammed Kudus has 11 goals and five assists in 35 games for West Ham United since joining the Hammers in August 2023.

Source: Ghana Web

Former Black Stars player, Charles Taylor, has indicated that Asamoah Gyan’s suggestion of building Black Stars around Mohammed Kudus is not plausible.

Taylor explains that in Europe, building a team around a poster boy is not a problem, but doing so in Africa would create divisions in the team.

He said centring the team around Kudus would draw hatred for the player because other players would feel undervalued.

‘In the European setting, I agree with him, but in African, I don’t. In Europe, a coach can say ‘We are building the team around this player’ and no one will have ill intent about the player. But our system does not work that way. The other players will be peeved and it will affect the quality of the team,’ he told Angel TV.

The Ghana Premier League legend continued that Gyan’s statement might cause a split within the Black Stars, adding that some players are unhappy with Kudus being treated as the poster boy.

‘What Asamoah Gyan said will create divisions in the team (Black Stars). Already some pl
ayers are not happy about the Kudus hype. I talk to some of them and I know some of them who are still at the Black Stars.’

Taylor advised against expressing such views publicly, noting that it could disrupt the harmony in the team.

‘So we need to be careful because such a comment doesn’t help the team. We don’t build Black Stars around one player. When it happens like that there will be confusion and the team will be worse than we are seeing.’

Asamoah Gyan, in an interview with Asempa FM, said it is evident that Ghana football is in the ‘Kudus era’ and thus it is only right to make him the fulcrum of the team.

‘When I was coming up, we had Michael Essien, Stephen Appiah, Sulley Muntari and at a point it got to me. Players have come and gone. We had the Abedi Pele era, Stephen Appiah era, Michael Essien era and the Asamoah Gyan era and now it looks like it’s Kudus’ era,’ he told Asempa FM.

‘I mean he is the only Ghanaian player performing in Europe. And not just in any league, but in the Premier League,’
he added.

Source: Ghana Web

Ghanaian sports journalist Dan Kwaku Yeboah, has through his foundation paid for the cost of the amputation of the leg of Yassine Mensah, a son of legendary Ghanaian goalkeeper, Robert Mensah.

During the visit, Roberta Mensah, a daughter of Robert Mensah explained that the family learnt of her brother’s situation when he came home for their mother’s funeral six years ago.

She explained that upon seeing the unpleasant situation of her brother, the family decided to raise funds to treat his injury but have so far been unable to raise the needed amount.

According to her, doctors explained that the situation has now deteriorated with GH?9000 needed to cover the amputation and treatment of her brother’s leg.

The Dan Kwaku Yeboah Media Foundation donated GH?10,000 to cover the bills for the amputation.

Yassine Mensah expressed gratitude to the foundation and also called on benevolent Ghanaians to come to his aid.

Robert Mensah was a Ghanaian goalkeeper best known for his exploits at Asante Kotoko. He led Koto
ko to CAF Champions League success 1970.

Robert Mensah died at age 32 after being stabbed in Tema, Accra.

Source: Ghana Web

Ghanaian youngster Mohammed Fuseini was in fine form when Randers FC cruised to an away win over Hvidovre IF in the Danish Superliga on Sunday.

The on-loan Sturm Graz forward netted a brace to help Randers FC secure a 3-1 win against their opponent at the Pro Ventilation Arena.

Fuseini has now scored five goals in his last two games for Randers FC in the Danish top flight.

The Right to Dream Academy graduate netted a hat-trick last week when Randers hammered Lyngby BK.

The Ghanaian attacker wasted no time to open the scoring for the visitors after hitting the back of the net just three minutes into the game before scoring again to extend his side’s lead ten minutes later.

Hvidovre pulled one back immediately after the interval through midfielder Mads Kaalund.

Nigerian forward Stephen Odey sealed Randers’ victory with a goal in the 90th minute, assisted by defender Oliver Olsen.

Fuseini, who is on loan from Austrian side Sturm Graz, has scored six goals in seven appearances in the Danish Superliga and a
ssisted one goal.

Source: Ghana Web

Samartex reclaimed its position at the summit of the Ghana Premier League table after a hard-fought victory against Medeama.

The Timber giants regained their two-point advantage over Nations FC, who had briefly snatched the top spot just 24 hours earlier following a 1-0 triumph over Great Olympics.

Samartex showcased their strength and determination as they overcame Medeama to secure all three points.

Goalkeeper Kofi Baah returned to the field after recovering from malaria, fortifying the team’s defence. Baba Hamadu’s return to lead the attack also provided a crucial boost for the home side.

On the other hand, Medeama coach Nebojsa Kapor opted to make strategic changes, with Kelvin Nkrumah and Diawise Taylor starting on the bench while key players like Jean Vital and Derrick Fordjour were sidelined due to injury.

However, midfielder Manuel Mantey and captain Baba Musah Abdulai recovered in time to feature in the match-day squad.

With 45 points, Samartex is now firmly at the top of the table, leading the
ir closest rival, Nations FC, by two points.

Source: Ghana Web

Asante Kotoko’s assistant coach, David Ocloo, has offered his perspective on the team’s recent goalless draw against Bechem United in the Ghana Premier League, emphasising the squad’s resilience and determination to end their losing streak.

The Porcupine Warriors entered the match intending to halt a four-game losing streak in the league, hoping to secure a much-needed victory.

Despite the absence of goals, Asante Kotoko managed to secure a point through a solid defensive performance, with goalkeeper Danlad Ibrahim making several crucial saves throughout the game.

Ocloo expressed satisfaction with the outcome and praised the team’s effort, stating, “It’s a game we fought very hard for this draw. We came up with a game plan and you could see the boys were very determined and very disciplined, and we had a point. Kudos to them.”

However, Ocloo acknowledged that while the draw was a positive result, he did not view it as a significant improvement over their previous performances.

He highlighted the team’s i
nability to convert scoring opportunities in previous games, despite playing well, and noted that the main difference in the Bechem United match was their disciplined defensive display.

“To me, our previous games we played very well but we couldn’t score. If you watch, the previous games we played very well; better than this but we couldn’t score,” Ocloo explained. “And with this game, the only difference is they were very disciplined defensively.”

Source: Ghana Web

Ghana international Ibrahim Osman delivered an outstanding performance on Sunday, helping Nordjaelland win over FC Copenhagen in the Danish top flight.

The Black Stars new boy lasted 88 minutes as his outfit cruised to a 2-1 home win over their opponent in the much-anticipated encounter.

The Brighton-bound winger opened the floodgate for his side at the Right to Dream Park 22 minutes into the game before Marcus Ingvartsen doubled the advantage for the host. Nordjaelland went to the halftime break with the advantage.

After recess, the visitor pulled one back through Orri Oskarsson two minutes into the second half of the much-anticipated game. With no additional goal, Nordjaelland cruised to victory to merit the three maximum points at stake.

After returning from the March international break, the 19-year-old has been impressive for Nordjaelland, scoring one goal and providing one assist.

This season, Osman, who is set to join Brighton in the summer, has racked up six goals and provided five assists in 34
games across competitions.

Ibrahim Osman debuted for the Black Stars during the March international friendlies against Nigeria and Uganda.

He played some minutes in both games, as the Black Stars lost 2-1 to Nigeria and drew 2-2 with Uganda.

Source: Ghana Web