Category: Sports

Ghanaian sprinter Benjamin Azamati has responded to sports journalist Listowel Mensah over calls for the former to be dropped from Ghana’s relay team.

Listowel, in a tweet, suggested that the sprinter should be axed from the team, claiming it was the sentiment of all ‘serious Ghanaians.’

“I speak for every serious Ghanaian when I say we thank Benjamin Azamati for his services, but it’s time to go,” he wrote on X, formerly Twitter.

The tweet was in reaction to Team Ghana dropping the baton in round 1 of the Men’s 4x100m Olympic Games qualifiers on May 5, 2024, in the Bahamas.

Benjamin Azamati was on the receiving end of the second exchange, which was not executed properly.

Despite the mishap, Team Ghana made their last chance count as they clocked 38.29s to win their heat on May 6, 2024, and as a result, qualified for the Olympics.

Following the magnificent comeback, Azamati, who ran 9.35s as the third leg, quoted Listowel’s tweet with a sarcastic video asking the broadcaster what he meant by ‘We’ in his
statement.

Source: Ghana Web

WINDHOEK: Katutura Lively Lions Black Africa suffered a significant setback in their league season when they lost 4-1 to Ramblers in round 18 of the 2023/24 Southern Stream First Division (SSFD) season.

The match played at the Ramblers Stadium saw Black Africa having a tough time from the start, conceding a goal in the opening minutes of the first half.

Despite their efforts, Black Africa could not find an equaliser by the end of the first half, which saw Ramblers leading by a single goal.

In the second half, Ramblers doubled their lead through a penalty kick, while Black Africa missed several scoring opportunities. But as the clock ticked closer to the 90-minute mark, Ramblers found the back of the net twice, while Black Africa only scored once, resulting in a final score of 4-1 in Ramblers’ favour.

With the win, Ramblers maintained their sixth place on the league table with 26 points from 18 games.

Other games played in the SSFD over the weekend saw Namibian Correctional Service (NCS) defeating Latinos
4-0 on Saturday and Blue Boys collecting six points with a 3-0 win against Davos and a 6-1 win on Sunday against Deutscher Turn und Sportverein (DTS).

NCS are top of the SSFD log standing and are level with Blue Boys on 47 points but have a game in hand, while DTS are in second place and have played 19 games compared to their opponents’ 18.

Eleven Arrows, who were relegated from the Debmarine Namibia Premiership last season, are third on the league table with 37 points from 19 matches.

Arrows collected three points this weekend, losing 1-0 against DTS on Saturday but winning 2-1 against Davos on Sunday.

Mariental Sports Club is in fourth place with 33 points from 18 matches, having only managed to collect a point on Saturday after a goalless draw against Dates Eleven. Dates Eleven occupy the fifth position with 29 points.

Teams that will be drawn into the relegation battle if they fail to collect points in their remaining fixtures are Latinos, who are in seventh position with 19 points, Davos, who sit in
eighth position with 18 points, and Oranjemund FC and Black Africa, both of whom are tied in ninth and tenth position with 16 points each.

The bottom of the league table is currently occupied by Try Again in eleventh place with 14 points and DTS in twelfth place with 13 points.

Source: The Namibia Press Agency

Saudi Arabian clubs have reportedly rekindled their interest in Black Stars midfielder Thomas Partey.

According to Football Insider, Partey, together with his Arsenal teammate Gabriel Jesus, have drawn strong interest from Saudi Pro League clubs.

Partey was on the radar of some Saudi clubs last summer, but the Ghanaian declined any potential transfer to focus on Arsenal.

The clubs that reportedly approached the former Atletico Madrid player included Al Ahli, Al Nassr, and Al Khaleej.

Thomas Partey, whose future at Arsenal is uncertain, is also being monitored by Barcelona as the Spanish side aims to sign a defensive midfielder in the 2024 summer transfer window.

Partey was on Barcelona’s list during the 2024 January transfer window, but the Catalan side failed to express concrete interest in the Ghanaian.

A report filed by Catalan journalist Adrian Sanchez suggests Partey has been shortlisted again by Barcelona for a possible transfer in the summer.

Arsenal is reportedly open to letting go of the forme
r Atletico Madrid man for a fee between £20 to £25 million.

The Gunners are said to have penned Aston Villa midfielder Douglas Luiz as a replacement for Partey, should the Ghanaian leave this summer.

Thomas Partey joined Arsenal in 2020, signing a five-year deal with the North London club. He presently has one year remaining on his contract.

Source: Ghana Web

Ghanaian sprinter Benjamin Azamati has responded to sports journalist Listowel Mensah over calls for the former to be dropped from Ghana’s relay team.

Listowel, in a tweet, suggested that the sprinter should be axed from the team, claiming it was the sentiment of all ‘serious Ghanaians.’

“I speak for every serious Ghanaian when I say we thank Benjamin Azamati for his services, but it’s time to go,” he wrote on X, formerly Twitter.

The tweet was in reaction to Team Ghana dropping the baton in round 1 of the Men’s 4x100m Olympic Games qualifiers on May 5, 2024, in the Bahamas.

Benjamin Azamati was on the receiving end of the second exchange, which was not executed properly.

Despite the mishap, Team Ghana made their last chance count as they clocked 38.29s to win their heat on May 6, 2024, and as a result, qualified for the Olympics.

Following the magnificent comeback, Azamati, who ran 9.35s as the third leg, quoted Listowel’s tweet with a sarcastic video asking the broadcaster what he meant by ‘We’ in his
statement.

Source: Ghana Web

Legon Cities coach Paa Kwesi Fabin finds himself in hot water as the Ghana Football Association (GFA) is set to initiate disciplinary action against him.

This action stems from Fabin’s decision to boycott the post-match proceedings following Legon Cities’ 2-0 defeat against Asante Kotoko in the Ghana Premier League on Sunday in Kumasi.

The incident unfolded immediately after the conclusion of the match, where Fabin chose not to participate in the customary post-match activities, including interviews and interactions with officials and the media.

This decision has caught the attention of the GFA, and action is expected to be taken.

While the specifics of the charge have not been fully disclosed by the GFA, it is clear that his conduct post-match has raised concerns within the football governing body.

According to GFA regulations, coaches are expected to adhere to certain protocols and obligations, including participation in post-match engagements, regardless of the outcome of the game.

Meanwhile, in the
match itself, Steven Mukwala and Nurudeen Yussif Mohammed scored the goals for Asante Kotoko, sealing their victory over Legon Cities.

With 38 points, Legon Cities currently stand just behind Kotoko in 11th place in the league standings.

Source: Ghana Web

The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has dismissed the appeal by George Afriyie following his disqualification from contesting in the Ghana Football Association’s Presidential election in 2023.

CAS, in a statement issued on May 6, 2024, outlined the various reasons for dismissing the appeal submitted by George Afriyie:

1. The appeal filed on 29 September 2023 by George Kwasi Afriyie against the decision rendered on 15 September 2023 by the GFA Appeals Committee is dismissed.

2. The Appealed Decision rendered on 15 September 2023 by the GFA Appeals Committee is confirmed.

3. The costs of the arbitration, to be determined and served separately to the Parties by the CAS Court Office, shall be borne by George Kwasi Afriyie.

4. George Kwasi Afriyie is ordered to pay the Ghana Football Association a total amount of CHF 1,000 (one thousand Swiss francs) as a contribution towards its legal fees and other expenses incurred in connection with this arbitration.

5. All other or further motions or prayers for re
lief are dismissed.

The former GFA Vice President also announced his satisfaction with the CAS ruling.

‘I have today received the decision of the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) regarding my appeal against the decision of the Elections Committee of the Ghana Football Association. The CAS, in their decision, has upheld the decision of the Election Committee of the GFA. I take the decision in good faith and express my sincere gratitude to everyone who supported me during this period,’ George Afriyie stated.

Background

In the lead-up to the 2023 GFA Elections, the Elections Committee disqualified George Afriyie from contesting the elections after an unqualified person, Jeffrey Asare, endorsed his nomination forms. It was later discovered that Jeffrey Asare was not a Director at Victory Club Warriors FC as he had claimed on the forms.

Despite pursuing the case at the Appeals Committee, the court upheld the verdict by the Elections Committee, which posited that George Afriyie’s nomination was signed by a
n official who did not meet the criteria for endorsing candidates in the GFA elections.

He later instructed his legal team to appeal his disqualification at CAS which has now been dismissed.

George Afriyie’s disqualification saw incumbent GFA president Kurt Okraku run unopposed in the presidential elections, which were held on October 5, 2023 at the Rahdach Hotel in Tamale.

Source: Ghana Web

Ghanaian midfielder Mohammed Kudus is set to work under a new manager at West Ham United next season after the club officially confirmed Julen Lopetegui’s appointment as the club’s new head coach.

The announcement marks Lopetegui’s return to the English Premier League after his tenure with Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Taking over from David Moyes, Lopetegui is set to lead the team from the sidelines at The London Stadium starting from the 2024-2025 season.

Despite David Moyes guiding West Ham to victory in the UEFA Europa Conference League and qualifying for European competitions for three consecutive seasons, he has faced criticism over the team’s recent performance.

Lopetegui boasts an impressive track record, having clinched the Europa League title with Sevilla in 2020 after his departure as Spain’s national team coach ahead of the 2018 FIFA World Cup, following his agreement with Real Madrid.

Mohammed Kudus has become one of the best players for The Hammers, scoring seven goals and providing five assists
in 31 league appearances.

The Ghanaian currently leads all players in Europe’s top five leagues in completed dribbles, drawing attention from various clubs, including Chelsea and Manchester United.

Source: Ghana Web

Here is a comprehensive report on the performance of Ghanaian players abroad over the weekend. The report details the game time and goals scored by some players in their respective leagues.

Inaki Williams scored a brace for Athletic Bilbao in their 2-0 win over Getafe in the Spanish La Liga

Caleb Ekuban scored for Genoa in their 3-3 draw against AC Milan

Andre Ayew scored his fifth goal of the season for Le Havre in their 3-1 win over Strasbourg

Inaki Williams scored a brace for Athletic Bilbao in their 2-0 win over Getafe

ENGLAND

In Premier League, Mohammed Kudus played 90 minutes for West Ham United as they were thrashed 5-0 by Chelsea

Thomas Partey saw 90 minutes for Arsenal in their 3-0 win over Bournemouth

Antoine Semenyo was involved in the game for Bournemouth

In Championship, Fatawu Issahaku clinched promotion with Leicester City despite their 2-0 defeat to Blackburn

Kamaldeen Sulemana saw 30 minutes of action for Southampton in their 2-1 win over Leeds United

In League One play-off, Kwame
Poku was involved in Peterborough 1-0 loss to Oxford United

SPAIN

In La Liga, Inaki Williams scored a brace for Athletic Bilbao in their 2-0 win over Getafe

Baba Iddrisu was involved in Almeria’s 1-0 win over Rayo Vallecano

Abdul Mumin lasted the entire duration for Rayo

ITALY

In Serie A, Caleb Ekuban scored for Genoa in their 3-3 draw against AC Milan

Alfred Duncan lasted 62 minutes in the game for Fiorentina in their 2-1 defeat to Verona

Ibrahim Sulemana came on as a substitute for Cagliari in their 1-1 draw against Lecce

FRANCE

In Ligue 1, Andre Ayew scored his fifth goal of the season for Le Havre in their 3-1 win over Strasbourg

Alidu Seidu was involved in Rennes 3-2 away win against Metz

Salis Abdul Samed made a brief appearance for Lens in their 2-0 win over Lorient

Nathaniel Adjei played 90 minutes for Lorient

In Ligue II, Gidoen Mensah and Elisha Owusu featured in Auxerre’s 2-0 win over Paris FC as they clinched promotion back to the Ligue 1.

Nicholas Opoku made a brief appearance for
Amiens in their 2-1 win over Bastia

GERMANY

Ransford Yeboah Konigsdorffer saw 86 minutes of action for Hamburg in their 1-0 win over St.Pauli

AUSTRIA

Amankwah Forson saw 45 minutes of action for Salzburg in their 2-0 loss to SK Rapid

BELGIUM

In Jupiler Pro League, Isaac Nuhu saw 26 minutes of action for Eupen in their 1-0 loss to Kortrijk

Majeed Ashimeru saw 68 minutes of action for Anderlecht against Royale Union which ended in a draw

Joselpho Barnes saw 13 minutes of action for St.Truiden in their 2-2 draw against Westerlo

SWITZERLAND

Lawrence Ati-Zigi kept a clean sheet for St.Gallen in their 1-0 win over Lugano

USA

In MLS, Patrick Agyemang was involved in Charlotte 2-0 win over Portland Timbers

Ronaldo Donkor saw nine minutes of action for New York Red Bulls as they lost 6-2 against Inter Miami

Ghanaian duo Emmanuel Twumasi and Eugene Ansah saw 23 minutes of action for FC Dallas in their 3-1 loss to Toronto FC

Latif Blessing enjoyed some game minutes for Houston Dynamo against St.Louis City
which ended in a draw

In USL Championship, Anderson Asiedu saw 21 minutes of action for Hartford Athletic in their 1-0 loss to Charleston

Illal Osumanu saw 90 minutes of action for Pittsburgh in their 1-0 win over Miami FC

Jordan Ayimbilla played 90 minutes of action for Miami FC in their 1-0 loss to Pittsburgh

Ghanaian duo Prosper Kassim and Moses Mensah saw 68 minutes of action for Birmingham Legion in their 2-2 draw against FC Tulsa

Source: Ghana Web