Category: Sports

Asante Kotoko recorded their second win in the last three games following a 2-0 victory over Legon Cities at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium on Sunday afternoon, during match week 29 of the 2023/24 Ghana Premier League.

The win did not come without controversy: the first goal was contentiously awarded through a penalty, and the second resulted from a scrappy finish.

This victory means Asante Kotoko move up the table by two places, now sitting in ninth with 40 points, after starting the day in eleventh.

Meanwhile, the defeat causes the Royals to drop from tenth to eleventh, with 38 points, resulting in the two sides swapping positions.

Steven Mukwala gave Asante Kotoko the lead after 33 minutes when he converted a penalty that is subject to debate.

The Legon Cities defender was deemed to have deliberately handled the ball on the line while falling; however, the clarity of the incident is questionable.

Yussif Mohammed Nurudeen added the second goal for the home side just five minutes after the break with a s
crappy finish. The game concluded with a 2-0 win for Kotoko.

Source: Ghana Web

The Ghana Football Association (GFA) has fixed September 6, for the commencement of the 2024/2025 Ghana Premier League (GPL) season.

The ongoing season is expected to end on June 16, 20204.

According to the GFA, the opening matches would take place on the weekend starting Friday, September 6, 2024, to Monday, September 9, 2024, across all nine Premier League centers.

The publication of this year’s calendar follows the approval of the plan for the 2024-25 football season sanctioned by the Executive Council of the Ghana Football Association (GFA).

In keeping with previous commitments made to clubs, the new date falls in line with the GFA’s planned kick-off Month as it would be recalled that the current football season (2022/24) kicked off during the weekend of Friday, September 15 to Monday September 18, 2023.

The early announcement of the start date for the league is to give Clubs, Players and all stakeholders ample time to prepare for the upcoming season which promises to be thrilling and action-packed.

T
he GFA would, in due course, release the full calendar and fixtures for the entire season.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Two goals from Steve Dese Mukwala and Mohammed Yussif Nurudeen were all Asante Kotoko needed to secure their second successive win over Legon Cities since their meeting with the Life Patron over poor run of results.

The pride of Asanteman had gone seven matches without a win, prompting Otumfuo Osei Tutu II to summon a crunch meeting with the playing body and technical team to discuss possible solutions to the problem.

Since that crucial meeting, the team has not lost a match, winning two at the Baba Yara Stadium and drawing one on the road.

Legon Cities was their latest casualty at the Baba Yara Stadium on Sunday when they defeated the Accra-based club by two unanswered goals to climb to 9th position on the league table.

The Porcupines started on a flying note and almost stole the lead after two minutes when Mukwala was released by Baya Yahaya, but the slippery striker sent the ball into the waiting hands of goalkeeper Kwame Aziz.

The Ugandan sprinted towards the vital area five minutes later after recei
ving a similar pass, but his pass meant for a colleague in the box was intercepted by a defender of Legon Cities.

Asante Kotoko continued to probe for the opener, delivering long balls to the final third but Mukwala who was their target man was mostly caught in offside traps of the visitors.

He would however make amends on the 32nd minute when he converted from the spot after Yahaya was fouled in the box.

With their noses in front, Kotoko’s performance dropped a bit compared to their display before the half hour mark as they allowed Legon Cities to dictate the pace for some time.

They almost pulled parity on the stroke of half time when Albert Yeboah’s thunderous strike from a free kick hit the woodwork.

That effort turned out to be the last major incident of the half as referee Jacob Aduntera brought proceedings to an end.

Kotoko doubled their lead three minutes into the second half when defender Nurudeen capitalised on a goal-mouth melee following a corner kick.

As expected, the visitors lifted their
performance and fought back with passion determined not to leave Kumasi without a point.

As they raced against time to make an impact, Coach Paa Kwasi Fabian made three quick substitutions with the intention of strengthening his attack which had been wasteful the few times they went close.

Their involvement brought some sense of urgency in their play but it was not enough to break the Kotoko defence which was determined to protect their two-goal lead.

The Porcupines held on to secure all three points to maintain their unbeaten run since their engagement with the life.

Source: Ghana News Agency

WINDHOEK: South African riders Alexander Erasmus and Kelsey-Jade van Schoor were on Sunday crowned as the individual overall winners of the seventh edition of the Pupkewitz Tour de Windhoek.

The cycling event was held for four days, from Thursday, 02 May to Sunday, 05 May 2024. Riders from Namibia, Botswana, Réunion, South Africa and Angola participated in the event.

After four days of exciting cycling in and around Windhoek, 18-year-old Erasmus from South Africa was declared the overall winner of the event when he completed the race in seven hours, twenty-four minutes, and thirty-four seconds (07:24:34).

Brandon Downes and Blaine Kieck, who rode for the South African team TEG ProCycling Team, finished closely behind Erasmus. Downes and Kieck completed the race with an overall time of 07:24:54 and 07:25:21, respectively.

In the men’s category, Martin Freyer, Daniel Hahn, and Brandon Plaatjies were the only Namibians who made it to the top ten list on the log standing, in fourth, sixth, and ninth places, r
espectively.

In the women’s category, Van Schoor was declared the champion of the tour, completing it in 06:04:48. Anri Greeff from Namibia followed her, finishing with a time of 06:05:30. Lucy Young, another South African, secured the last spot on the podium by finishing just a few seconds behind Greeff, with a time of 06:05:54.

In a speech read on his behalf, the Namibia Cycling Federation (NCF) President Axel Thiessen said the Pupkewitz Tour de Windhoek attracted an exciting record of cyclists from different countries.

‘The NCF is in talks with the African Cycling Confederation (CAC) to get this multi-stage road race accredited by the International Cycling Union (UCI). We want the event to be popular just like the Nedbank Desert Dash,’ he said.

He added that the achievements of the riders have elevated the city’s standards.

At the same event, Deputy Mayor of Windhoek Joseph Uapingeni praised the cyclists for their dedication, discipline, and unwavering commitment.

‘The cycling event should be a motiv
ation for Namibians to use cycling as a mode of transport which is healthier. We should now start using bicycles to travel to work and school,’ he said. while also acknowledging the sponsors for their contribution to the success of the event.

Source: The Namibia Press Agency

The Executive Council of the Ghana Football Association (GFA) has announced September 1, as the date for the Champion of Champions match.

The Champion of Champions match would herald the start of the 2024/25 Premier League season.

The one-off game would be played between the 2023-24 Premier League champions and the MTN FA Cup winners, in line with the Premier League Regulations (Article 9).

Medeama Sporting Club, current holders of the Premier League beat Dreams FC, winners of the MTN FA Cup, 2-1 to secure the Champion of Champions title at the Cape Coast Stadium on September 3, 2023.

A Jonathan Sowah brace was enough to hand the Mauve and Yellow their second Super Cup with Dreams getting a consolation goal through Agyenim Boateng.

The Ghana Football Association expects that this official announcement would put all relevant stakeholders on notice so as to ensure the successful organisation and execution of this traditional season opening match.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Dreams FC have set a price tag of $1.5 million for the talented prospect Abdul Aziz Issah as they prepare for the potential loss of the Ghanaian midfielder when the next transfer window opens, as exclusively revealed by GHANAsoccernet.com.

Club president Mohammed Jiji Alifoe told GHANAsoccernet.com that the 18-year-old would leave the club for the right price. The ambitious Ghanaian side has stated that the promising player would not depart for anything less than $1.5 million.

“Yes, there is a lot of interest in our players, especially Abdul Aziz Issah and Emmanuel Adjei. Aziz will go for the right price. He will not go for anything less than $1.5 million,” Jiji Alifoe told GHANAsoccernet.com exclusively.

The talented 18-year-old has been the subject of interest from stellar clubs in Africa and Europe, particularly following his explosive season with the Ghanaian side.

A number of top English Premier League clubs, including Newcastle United and Nottingham Forest, are interested in his signature. Portugues
e giants Sporting Lisbon, who raided the Ghanaian market to sign on-loan Leicester City forward Abdul Fatawu Ishahaku, are keen to entice the youngster.

German champions Bayer Leverkusen will also face stiff competition from Nottingham Forest and a few African clubs like Egyptian giants Al Ahly and Zamalek for the Dreams FC wonderkid.

Issah, 18, has been phenomenal, turning out in style for Ghana as he spearheaded the country’s gold medal feat in the 2023 All Africa Games held on home soil.

He also played an influential and pivotal role for Dreams FC in their fairytale run in their debut CAF Confederation Cup campaign, where they exited at the semi-final stage.

The midfielder’s remarkable performances this season underscore his value, with four goals and two assists contributing to Dreams FC’s impressive run to the semi-finals of the CAF Confederation Cup.

His recent goal in the Ghanaian FA Cup quarter-final secured Dreams FC’s advancement, positioning the club just two wins away from a return to contine
ntal competition.

Additionally, the latest Ghanaian wonderkid to rise in prominence has been a standout performer in the Ghana Premier League, showcasing his scoring prowess on multiple occasions, where he’s now racked up 13 goals in all competitions.

Beyond club football, Issah was also a pivotal figure in Ghana’s success, playing a crucial role in securing gold in men’s football at the African Games held on home soil earlier this year.

His multifaceted talents and consistent excellence make him a highly sought-after prospect in the football world.

Source: Ghana Web

Ghanaian winger Kamaldeen Sulemana has issued a motivational message amid his battle for form this season.

Taking to his official X account, Sulemana expressed his determination to regain top form and overcome the challenges he has faced.

“Chasing dreams in this world of ‘isms’, my confidence is misunderstood, and my aura is feared, yet pure like a lotus. Put me in a box, and I’ll pick the locks a hundred times. From the dark but still shine, keeping up the pace overtime and needing to be twice as tall to level up,” Sulemana posted.

The 22-year-old has had a stop-start campaign with Southampton due to injuries, limiting his impact on the team. Despite this, he has managed to make 24 appearances and provide three assists in the Championship this season.

Southampton currently occupies 4th place in the league, sitting in the playoff position with 84 points. They will face off against 3rd place Leeds United in their final league game at Elland Road, and Sulemana is expected to play a part in the crucial clash
.

Sulemana’s contract with Southampton runs until June 30, 2027, and he will be hoping to contribute significantly to the team’s success in the coming years.

Chasing dreams in this world of ‘isms’, my confidence is misunderstood and my aura is feared yet pure like a lotus. Put me in a box and I’ll pick dem locks a 100 times. From the dark but still shine keeping up the pace overtime and needing to be twice as tall to level up. pic.twitter.com/p6Q0c8zWrH

– Kamaldeen Sulemana (@Kamaldeenho10) April 27, 2024

Source: Ghana Web

The FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup Seychelles 2025 brand was revealed at a vibrant, colorful ceremony held in the Indian Ocean nation, attended by the President of the Republic of Seychelles, Wavel Ramkalawan, and the Seychelles Football Federation (SFF) President, Elvis Chetty.

The tournament will be hosted by a CAF member association for the first time and follows hot on the heels of the hugely successful FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup UAE 2024 DubaiS, which was attended by more than 70,000 fans.

The brand launch, held at the Kempinski Seychelles Resort on the south side of Mahé Island, epitomized the vibrant energy of the islands and featured a fire dance involving local drummers and dancers.

The SFF President and chairman of the Local Organizing Committee, Chetty, said, “The FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup 2025 isn’t merely a tournament; it’s a beacon of opportunity for the Seychelles. Hosting an event of this magnitude has a significant impact, promising to usher in an era of unparalleled growth and development
for our islands and the football community at large.”

First held in 2005, the 2025 edition of the FIFA Beach Soccer World CupS will be the 13th installment of a tournament that has been held every two years since 2009. Following outstanding events held in the AFC (Dubai in 2009 and 2024), Concacaf (the Bahamas in 2017), CONMEBOL (Paraguay in 2019), the OFC (Tahiti in 2013), and UEFA (Italy in 2011, Portugal in 2015, and Russia in 2021) regions, the tournament will have been hosted by every confederation within just 12 years after the 2025 edition.

“This will be the first-ever FIFA tournament to be staged in the Seychelles and the first FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup in Africa, making it a historic event for our organization,” said FIFA Director of Tournaments Jaime Yarza. “It also shows that we’re making football truly global by taking our tournaments to fascinating and varied locations.”

He continued, “The Seychelles will provide a stunning backdrop for this competition, which promises to leave a valuable le
gacy for the islands. We hope that everyone in the Seychelles and around the world has the opportunity to watch a fantastic beach soccer tournament played in a tropical paradise.”

Beach soccer is a highly entertaining sport, and although it demands special skills, it has much in common with football played on regular pitches. It is a simple game that is contested on the sand, unites the world, and averages more goals per match than any other format of the beautiful game, always promising a fun and action-packed day out for fans of all ages.

Source: Ghana Web