Member of Parliament for South Dayi constituency, Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor, has alleged that former Black Stars forward, Asamoah Gyan’s penalty miss at the 2010 FIFA World Cup was deliberate.
The former Ghana international missed from the spot in the last minute of extra time of the quarterfinal game against Uruguay after Luis Suarez stopped a goal-bound ball with his hand.
But the National Democratic Congress MP said that Gyan’s crucial missed kick, which would have made Ghana the first African country to play in the semi-final of the World Cup, was politically influenced.
Speaking to Radio XYZ, Dafeamekpor alleged the former Black Stars captain has been a lifelong supporter of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) and did not want glory for their rivals.
“I am of the opinion that Asamoah Gyan intentionally threw away that penalty because it was under NDC. It’s today that I’ve come to the realisation that he threw away the penalty in the 2010 World Cup and the Africa Cup because the glory would have come to the NDC.
“Asamoah Gyan is now part of the Bawumia campaign team. There is everything wrong with that because when you are a national figure and you become partisan I can reasonably say that it’s because of politics you threw that penalty away so that the NDC government will not get the glory. I am telling you that I feel the pain,” he said.
His comments come after Gyan showed interest in serving on the manifesto committee for the NPP 2024 elections candidate, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia.
Dafeamekpor condemned the former Legon Cities man’s choice to accept the position.
According to him, Gyan should not have accepted the post because he is a national figure with widespread respect and admiration from both main political parties.
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has parted company with head coach Jose Poseiro.
The Portuguese announced the separation on his X page on Friday.
“Yesterday, we concluded our contract with the NFF. It was a pride and honour to coach the Super Eagles. It has been 22 months of immense dedication, sacrifice, emotion, and enormous enthusiasm. We feel a sense of fulfilment,” he stated
Mr Poseiro expressed gratitude to the former President of the NFF and current administration after ending his 22-month stint with the West African country.
“We would like to express our gratitude to Sir Amaju Pinnick (the president who signed us), President Ibrahim Gusau, General Secretary Mohammed Sanusi, Secretary Dayo Enebi, the NFF, all the Staff, and especially all the PLAYERS, with whom leading has been a great pleasure.
“Guys, we are thankful; it has been a privilege to be part of this family. We will miss you, but we will always be there for you, no matter where you are. A big hug to all of you.”
Jose Poseiro led the Super Eagles to the finals of the 2023 African Cup of Nations, losing 2-1 to host Côte d’Ivoire.
It was the first final Nigeria since the AFCON in South Africa in 2013.
Vice President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia on Friday, March 1, 2024, commissioned the University of Ghana stadium (Legon Stadium), at a colourful ceremony in Accra ahead of the 13th edition of the African Games to be staged in Accra.
The 11,000 capacity facility which will serve as one of the venues for the competition has been completed as Ghana wraps-up preparations ahead of the opening of the Games on March 3.
Commissioning the stadium, the Vice President said “The history of the African Games is tied with the history of the continent.
“I believe it is common knowledge that the Great Pan African and First President of the Republic of Ghana, Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah is a founding member of the Games. The Games thus inhabit the Spirit of Africa and Pan Africanism.
“Our theme for this edition of the Games, “Experience the African Dream”, is thus steeped in the core values of unity, independence, political and economic cooperation, as well as historical and cultural awareness.”
He added that “this is the age of the African Renaissance. The continent is tagged by Trade Finance Global with the potential to shape geopolitics and world economics for decades to come.
“This potential would not marginally materialize to propel our people into prosperity without conscious and intentional action on the part of everyone, especially leadership across all social divides and facets of society.”
The United Nations, he said, had “Identified sports as the most appropriate vehicle for sustainable socio-economic development and made a pronouncement as such in 2018. Combined with the youthful bulge of our demographic dividend, the opportunity is here, and the time is now. Ghana is ready to host the world.
“It is in recognition of many social and cultural benefits inherent in sports that the Government of His Excellency Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, President of the Republic, took the bold decision to bid for and win the rights for Ghana to host this edition of the African Games. This visionary step has resulted in the construction of international standard sporting facilities such as the University of Ghana Sports Stadium and Rugby Field and the Borteyman Sports Complex.
“Construction of these facilities have not been easy, but we know that the returns would be immediate and substantial”, he concluded.
Over 13,000 elite athletes, sports technocrats, technicians, and officials, including volunteers are expected to participate in the African Games that ends on Saturday March, 23.
The African Games is a celebration of the continent’s greatest sporting talents who gather and compete in an atmosphere of camaraderie, unity and celebration the cultural diversity that is uniquely African.
Ghana star, Mohammed Kudus, has emerged as the player with the most successful dribbles in the English Premier League season so far this season.
The West Ham United attacking midfielder despite arriving late in the summer without preseason has managed to out-perform everyone in successful dribbles.
This does not come as surprise given the successes the former Ajax talisman achieved in the Dutch league before a summer move to North London.
The 23-year-old midfielder sits top of the list of players with most successful dribbles with 66 take-ons completed.
That is four ahead of Manchester City’s Jeremy Doku who completed 62 dribbles.
Others on the list are Wolverhampton Wanderers’ Matheus Cunha with 52 dribbles, with Luton Town’s duo Chiedozie Ogene and Ross Barkley—third, fourth & fifth respectively on the table.
Inaki Williams and Nico Williams made the headlines on Thursday night as Athletic Club beat Atletico Madrid to seal a place in the 2023/24 Copa del Rey final.
The two brothers combined for two of Bilbao’s goals in the 3-0 win at San Mames to ensure Ernesto Valverde’s side made light work of Atletico.
The Basque club came into the second leg of the encounter with the advantage having won 1-0 at Wanda Politano.
Inaki opened the scoring at San Mames with a brilliant volley in the 13th minute after a great run by Nico on the left wing, crossing the ball for his elder brother.
The Ghana international returned the favour moments, turning the provider for his junior brother to double the lead and put Bilbao in the driving seat.
After the break, Gorka Guruzeta scored the third for the home side and put the game beyond the reach of Atletico and secure a place in the final for his side.
Bilbao will now face Mallorca in the final of the competition with the date yet to be confirmed.
An Accra High Court has issued a final warning to the state to produce witnesses to testify against former Ghana Football Association (GFA) president, Kwesi Nyantakyi else the fraud and other charges brought against him will be dismissed.
The state named five witnesses to testify in the matter including Anas Aremeyaw Anas. However, none of the witnesses has been presented to court despite filing witness statements.
Mrs Justice Marie-Louise Simmons, the third judge sitting on the case since it started in March 2020, last Wednesday stated her inclination to strike the case out after state prosecutors informed the court that Anas Aremeyaw Anas, their star witness had declined to appear in court and testify as a witness without wearing a mask/hood citing security for his life as his concern.
According to the state prosecutor, Mr Aremeyaw Anas had implored the state to appeal against the decision of the High Court ordering him to show his face to the accused persons and their lawyers before testifying.
A High Court ruling in May 2023, stated that “Investigative journalist Anas Aremeyaw Anas will testify against former GFA President Kwasi Nyantakyi in open court but disguised in a mask.
“Mr Nyantakyi will, however, have the opportunity to see his face in chambers before such testimony.”
This was after the Supreme Court presided over by Justice Baffoe-Bonnie on November 8, 2022, granted an application for certiorari filed by Kwesi Nyantakyi, quashing the order of High Court 2, Criminal Division, which granted a dispensation for the state to have its principal witness, Anas Aremeyaw Anas testify in-camera.
Lawyers of Nyantakyi quoted the prosecution to have said, “Our witness Anas Aremeyaw Anas, we pray that his testimony is heard in camera.”
This application was opposed by the applicant’s lawyer at the Supreme Court on April 29, 2022, who insisted that the High Court gave a dispensation without the facts and grounds of the application formally set out in an application to the Court.
A portion of the application said “…it is evident from Applicant’s lawyer’s objections to how the High Court’s discretion was invoked for a dispensation that the reasons for which the prosecution made the prayer were not clear.
“This is put beyond doubt by Applicant’s lawyer’s submission which is captured in the record as follows;
“…this will have the opportunity to let us know why he wants to testify in camera. (sic)”
“It is proper he comes formally, file a motion and support with an affidavit why his witness wants to testify in camera….”
This objection was ignored, but the Supreme Court upheld the plea, quashing the High Court ruling.
Anas Aremeyaw Anas, via his X page, formerly Twitter, published a statement from his legal team which said that he may choose to testify on behalf of the late Ahmed Suale, who was the principal witness.
“Anas Aremeyaw Anas agreed to testify in the stead of Ahmed Suale on the condition he will be allowed to do so in-camera or in chambers,” portion of the statement said in reaction to the order from the Supreme Court for him to testify without his mask.
It added that “Anas may choose to testify as prosecution witness or not.
“Anas and his Tiger Eye Pi team will continue to wear the iconic face beads as a symbol of impartial anonymity in investigative journalism and to highlight the extreme risk in that line of duty.”
Following the decision of the Supreme Court, the High Court ruled that Anas should show his face to the accused persons before his testimony.
An appeal was filed at the Court of Appeal about five months ago but neither a date for a hearing has been fixed nor a judgement delivered on the appeal.
During an appearance in court on Wednesday, February 28, 2024, the High Court judge gave the state a window to produce witnesses in the next adjourned date of April 30, 2024, or the case will be struck out.
It would be recalled that Justice Comfort Kwasiwor Tasiame, the first judge to sit on the case, on March 11, 2021, when it began on March 4, 2020, discharged the accused persons, stating, “I think the prosecution may need a longer time to put their house in order.
“It’s been one year since we set out to do a case Management Conference but due to the excuse by the Learned Counsel for the Republic, that they have a witness statement to file, we kept adjourning this case till today.
“I think in these modern times there can be a way out for prosecution who has the whole state apparatus behind her to file a witness statement without us going and coming.”
“Justice delayed they say Justice denied. Justice is two-way traffic for prosecution and accused as well,” the respected Judge noted.
“As it stands now, I have no option other than to discharge the accused persons. Any time prosecution is ready, they can do the needful.
“Accused persons are discharged,” Justice Comfort ruled.
However, Counsel for the Republic Victoria Asieduaa, proceeded to Criminal Court 2 of the High Court on March 24, 2021, to have the case heard afresh.
Nyantakyi filed an opposition against the move of the Republic, requesting that the case be taken back to Court 4, but on June 7, Justice Elfreda A. Dankyi, the second judge to sit on the case ruled that it would be heard in her court.
The Republic filed its first witness statements two years ago, but none is yet to appear in court and testify.
March 4, 2024, would be exactly four years since the former CAF 1st Vice President and FIFA Council member, Kwesi Nyantakyi was arraigned before the Accra High Court.
Anas Aremeyaw Anas on March 26, 2019, barely a year after the exposè demanded the prosecution of Mr Nyantakyi in an online petition.
“In Ghana, he (Nyantakyi) was arrested, then granted bail. Police have completed investigations into likely criminal misconduct by Mr Nyantakyi.
“They submitted their findings to the Attorney General last year. The Attorney General has not taken any action on the case till date,” Anas said in a statement.
“Please help us ASK the Attorney General to MOVE this case forward. Mr Nyantakyi should face criminal prosecution over some of his misconduct, which borders on criminality.
“We are sending letters, making calls, sending social messages to all government entities that can help us MOVE this case to the next level. We are also reaching out to news media to help spread the word.
“If Nyantakyi is not prosecuted, our collective fight against corruption will be meaningless. It will also send a signal to many citizens that the law only deals with the poor, but the rich and powerful cannot be held responsible for their actions,” he noted.
In November same year, Mohammed Abdul Aziz, Member of Parliament for the Mion constituency demanded answers from the then Attorney General, Madam Gloria Akuffo today told Parliament that the government was committed to the prosecution of Kwesi Nyantakyi.
Ghana’s Black Satellites head coach Desmond Ofei says the team is progressing steadily with their preparations as they gear towards kick-starting the African games tournament in March.
The team pitched a three weeks camp at the Ghanaman Soccer Centre of Excellence in Prampram where the large majority of training coupled with other technical instructions have been imparted before they headed to Cape Coast for their final preparations.
The coach believes there is much at stake for the Black Satellites going into the tournament. However, he assures the boys can make Ghana proud if they stay focused.
“We’re in the final stages of preparation, everything is going smoothly,” said Ofei.
“Working in football is a lot of challenge but we must stay focused, because, we know what is at stake, this African game means a lot to us.”
The Black Satellites are drawn in group A alongside Benin, Congo and The Gambia for the 13th African Games Male Football competition. Ghana’s first game is on March 9 at the Accra Sports Stadium.
Transfer fees have become a topic of great interest in football these days with the men’s game already hitting insane figures.
The women’s game continues to grow and the development in the last few years has led to changes in the fees being paid for some of these players.
The wealthiest women’s football clubs in the world are found in Liga F (Spanish Women’s division) and Division 1 Feminine ( France Women’s league). However, the Women’s Super League has provided equal purchasing power in terms of revenue, with Mayra Ramirez only a few days after her announcement as the most expensive female footballer moving from Levante Feminine to Chelsea’s women’s team, this only lasted a few days as Zambian footballer Racheal Kundananji took over the wheel as the most expensive female player in women’s football history.
Here are the top five most expensive women’s football transfers:
5. Jill Roord – £300,000 Manchester City managed to persuade highly-rated midfielder Jill Roord to swap Germany for England last summer, the Dutch international joining the WSL side from Champions League finalists Wolfsburg.
Despite a lack of European football for Man City this season, Roord chose to join Gareth Taylor’s side – a decision that looks justified given they currently sit second in the WSL and only three points off champions Chelsea. The £300,000 spent by Man City has proved a bargain, Roord having netted ten goals in 16 appearances in all competitions, but she will miss the rest of the season with an ACL rupture.
4. Lena Eberdorf – £450,000 The 22-year-old midfielder joined Bayern Munich from Wolfsburg making her the most expensive German female footballer.
The deal worth £450,000 ($483,000) came as no surprise as Eberdorf after joining Wolfsburg in 2020 made 99 Frauen-Bundesliga appearances and was part of Wolfsburg’s 2021-22 title-winning squad.
Eberdorf has since gone on to capp 44 times for the national team and won the best young player for the Euro 2022 where Germany succumbed to a painful defeat to England in the final.
3. Keira Walsh – £470,000 In 2022, Keira Walsh left the familiarity of England for the unknown of Spain following an eight-year tenure at Man City. The Lioness joined Barcelona for a then-record £400,000, and since then, the Liga F team has won four championships, including the Champions League. Walsh’s successful run at the 2022 European Championship, which England won, will have also attracted Barcelona’s attention. In the final, the midfielder was named player of the match.
2. Mayra Ramirez – £500,000 Mayra Ramirez, Chelsea’s most recent high-profile acquisition, cost the Blues £500,000, assuming add-ons are successful. The forward, who formerly played for Liga F team Levante, is brought in as a replacement for Sam Kerr, who suffered a permanent ACL injury.
The Colombian was a standout performer at the World Cup and contributed 25 goals to Levante’s league total in 27 games last season. Throughout the second part of the season, WSL defenders will have a difficult time stopping the 24-year-old striker, who is strong and persistent.
1. Racheal Kundananji – £805,000 With Racheal Kundananji’s transfer from Madrid CFF to newly established Bay FC in the United States, Ramirez’s short reign as the most expensive signing in women’s football has been eclipsed.
With 33 goals in 44 Liga F games for Madrid, it comes as no surprise that the 23-year-old made the transfer for an initial payment of £625,000.
When it comes to men’s or women’s football, Kundananji is the first player from Africa to break a record for transfers.
The Black Queens may have suffered elimination from the 2024 Olympic Games qualifiers but they did that with their heads held high.
Ghana played out a dramatic 3-3 draw against Zambia in Ndola in the second leg of their third-round qualifiers for the games to be staged in Paris, France.
The result meant the Copper Queens advanced to the last round of qualifying with a 4-3 aggregate score having won 1-0 at the Accra Sports Stadium in the earlier meeting.
Despite the elimination, Zambian fans have found a positive to the performance of their opponent over the two games played in the last week.
They are particularly impressed with the management of Ghana coach Nora Hauptle who gave Bruce Mwape’s side a run for their money until Barbra Banda’s late strike.
Zambia fans have started calling on the Football Association to move quickly to appoint the Swiss trainer as a new coach for the Copper Queens.
