2024-12-22

Black Stars

Ghana midfielder Baba Iddrisu set to join MLS

Major League Soccer (MLS) side New England Revolution is on the verge of securing the services of Black Stars defensive midfielder Baba Iddrisu from La Liga club Mallorca, according to reports from Spanish news outlet Relevo.

Relevo has indicated that negotiations between New England Revolution and Almeria, where Baba Iddrisu is currently on loan from Mallorca, are progressing positively.

Although nothing has been finalized yet, New England is eager to conclude the deal.

Iddrisu, who joined RCD Mallorca’s youth setup in January 2014, has since made significant strides in Spanish football. After featuring prominently for Mallorca’s first team, he moved to Almeria on loan with a buyout clause in August 2023.

Despite facing challenges at Almeria, The 28-year-old has demonstrated his consistency and reliability as a defensive midfielder, making 24 appearances in the ongoing La Liga season.

With 150 games under his belt for Mallorca’s first team Baba Iddrisu’s potential move to New England Revolution represents a significant opportunity for the Ghana midfielder to further advance his career.

Moreover, Baba Iddrisu’s performances have not gone unnoticed, earning him recognition as a consistent player in the Spanish league and a regular presence in the Ghana national team, the Black Stars.

As he looks forward to potentially joining New England Revolution, Iddrisu is also expected to play a crucial role in the upcoming 2026 World Cup qualifiers with the Black Stars, scheduled for June 2024.

All Regional Games: Torch Relay ceremony held in Accra ahead of maiden edition

The All Regional Games kicked off its nationwide journey towards revitalising grassroots sports with a spectacular Torch Relay ceremony reminiscent of the Olympic Games.

The torch relay ceremony which was held on Thursday, April 18, at the Black Stars Square in Accra, set the tone for a nationwide movement aimed at rejuvenating the spirit of sportsmanship and athleticism across the country.

The ceremonial torch was ignited by the Director General of the National Sports Authority, Dadzie Numekevor, alongside the celebrated football icons Asamoah Gyan and Baffour Gyan.

This symbolic gesture marks the beginning of an inspirational journey to promote and nurture sporting talent at the grassroots level.

A city-wide float procession traversed the streets of Accra, carrying the illuminated torch to prominent landmarks, effectively raising awareness for the upcoming All Regional Games.

The participation of esteemed torchbearers including a Para-athlete, boxing legend Braima Kamoko (Bukom Banku), ex-Black Stars players Agyemang Badu, Samuel Inkoom, Kwadwo Asamoah and the Gyan brothers, Asamoah and Baffour, added to the fervour and excitement surrounding the event.

The All Regional Games aims to traverse all 16 Regions of the nation, scouting for promising athletes across eight sporting disciplines, including soccer, athletics, boxing, tennis, basketball, arm-wrestling, volleyball, and table tennis.

This comprehensive approach underscores the commitment of the All Regional Games to foster talent development and sports excellence at every level.

The main launch of the All Regional Games sports festival is slated for June at the Baba Yara Stadium.

TotalEnergies CAF Futsal Africa Cup of Nations: Classy Egypt put four past Libya

The Pharaohs of Egypt beat Libya 4-0 in the opening fixture of Group B in the ongoing TotalEnergies CAF Futsal AFCON in Rabat, Morocco.

The winners of the first three editions of the quadrennial competition showed their dominance against the Mediterranean Knights at the Salle Prince Moulay Abdellah on Friday evening.

Mohamed Abdelrazek Koki scored twice and a  goal each for Alaa Eissa and Mohamed Mohamed Careca handed Egypt the perfect start to the tournament.

The three-time champions started brightly at the Prince Moulay Abdellah with Essam Ramadan and Khaled Abdelhalim pulling the strings for Gehad Arafa’s side.

Ramadan who plys his trade in the Saudi championship with El Nasr warmed the hands of the Ziyad Azeez in the Libyan goal with a fierce toe-poked effort inside sixty seconds of the highly charged first half.

Khaled Abdelhalim hit the side netting of Ziyad Azeez’s goal with a first time smart effort as the Pharaohs dominated possession and the chances.

The Mediterranean Knights weathered the early Egyptian storm and came close to breaking the deadlock through Mohamed Said. 

The 29-year-old latched on to a through pass in the heart of the Egypt defence rounding the onrushing keeper before seeing his composed effort cleared off the line by Alaa Eissa.

Mohamed Mohamed was denied a goal by the Libyan keeper Ziyad with eight minutes on the clock. The confident Ziyad Azeez made himself big in front of Mohamed who fired straight at him.

The competition’s most successful side broke the deadlock midway through the first period courtesy of Mohamed Abdelrazek Koki’s close range effort. The Eleelameen ace made no mistake from just outside the area with a poachers toe-poke goal to give Gehad Arafa’s charges the lead.

Abdulhakim Rashid should have drawn Libya level after 15 minutes when a slick interchange of passes in the Pharaohs half set him free but he failed to hit the target.  

Koki doubled his tally on the stroke of half time with a cool finish to beat the helpless Azeez and tightened Egypt’s grip on the game.

The second half saw a more spirited Libyan side who tried to find a way back into the game but couldn’t beat Gamal Badawy in goal for Arafa’s team.

Mohamed Said Careca made it 3-0 on 29 minutes from Essam Ramadan’s assist. Ramadan won possession in the Libyan half before playing in Careca who stylishly side-footed his effort into the far corner.

Alaa Eissa completed the rout with an audacious chip from his half to beat Ziyad who was off his line.

Mohammed Salisu donates to Kumasi folk to mark Ramadan season

Black Stars and AS Monaco defender, Mohammed Salisu, provided support to orphans and the needy in Kumasi over the Eid period as goodwill to many in the Ramadan Islamic season.

The Ramadan season is a time of fasting and prayer with community involvement across the world for many Muslims in the ninth month of the Islamic Calendar.

Salisu has taken it upon herself to contribute to society in this Islamic season, particularly in Kumasi, and has donated money and foodstuff to the Malama Sadia Abdulai foundation to feed over 500 orphans.

Salisu also partnered with Hajia Sadia Asuame to feed over 300 poor and needy people in Kumasi, with the sick also granted medical attention.

The Monaco defender began his footballing career with Kumasi Barcelona Babies in Ghana and burst onto the scenes of Europe in 2017 with Real Valladolid in Spain, and he has gone on to make a strong case for himself with impressive performances including a three-year stint in England with Southampton.

However, Salisu now finds himself in France, and although he is yet to launch his own foundation which will be geared towards improving and contributing to society across many ways, his decision to help others in this Ramadan season is a stepping stone to attaining the goal he pursues.

2024 Ramadan Cup: Ninth edition launched with 30 communities to battle for ultimate

The 2024 Sheikh Sharubutu Ramadan Cup has been officially been launched at the Accra Sports Stadium media centre with 30 Zongo communities set to participate in the competition.

Minister for Sports, Hon. Mustapha Ussif, The Chairman of the Ghana Hajj Board and representative of Vice-President, Ben Abdallah Banda, football administrator Awalu Angulu Mahama were among those who graced the occasion.

Ussif eulogised the National Chief Imam, Sheikh Osman Nuhu Sharubutu, thanked the organizers of the competition and urged the organizers to set an age limit to encourage the participation of promising talents.

The event’s founder, Tamimu Issah, also expressed excitement about the upcoming competition which is to ensure unity and bring togetherness in the Zongo Community.

He also urged the teams to select youngsters who have the prospect of excelling as professional footballers in the sport.

The competition has new entrants including Teshie Zongo, Akweteyman and Tuba.

The two-day championship is slated for April 20th at the Fadama Astroturf.

Mamobi are the current holders of the title after defeating Darkuman last year.

Kudus can win CAF Player of The Year – Kanoute

Former West Ham star Frederic Kanoute has said Mohammed Kudus has the potential to win the African footballer of the year award.

Kudus has won many admirers in his debut season for West Ham, scoring 13 goals in 30 appearances in all competitions. In his debut appearances at the African Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast, Kudus scored twice in a 2-2 draw with Egypt.

These performances have won him many admirers, including the 2007 CAF Player of the Year, Kanoute.

‘‘He is really, really talented. He has everything, he has strength, running forwards, he can play different positions. Still quite young and I think he is one of the most exciting African players around these days. So yes, he definitely has a chance for me,’’ Kanoute said on the Irons Podcast.

Frederic Kanoute scored 27 goals in 76 appearances for West Ham United from 2000 to 2003.

At international level, Kanoute scored 23 goals in 38 appearances for Mali from 2004 to 2010.

Ghana’s Maxwell Woledzi stars for Fredrikstad in first league win against Brann

Ghanaian defender Maxwell Woledzi impressed on his second appearance in the Norwegian top flight as his side picked up all three points.

The 22-year-old played all minutes available for Fredrikstad FK who defeated Brann to pick up their first win of the 2024 Eliteserien season.

A goal in each by Stian Stray Molde was enough to hand the newly promoted side an away win over the weekend.

For Woledzi, it was a performance to cheer about following defeat to Bodo Glimit in their opening game of the campaign.

The centre-back, playing as part of a back three, made seven clearances with five interceptions to his game as well as his side claimed a clean sheet.

Woledzi won four tackles, the most by any of the players who started the game for Fredrikstad. He also completed the most dribbles in the game.

The Ghanaian joined the club last season and helped them to secure promotion to the top flight.

Black Stars: Mohammed Kudus out of Nigeria, Uganda friendlies due to shoulder injury

Mohammed Kudus will play no part in Ghana’s friendlies against Nigeria and Uganda during the March international break.

The midfielder has pulled out of the Black Stars squad for the game due to a shoulder injury.

Kudus was named in head coach Otto Addo’s squad for the upcoming games against Nigeria and Uganda but has had to pull out.

The 23-year-old featured for West Ham United during their last Premier League game last weekend where he played the entire duration of the game in the 1-1 draw.

Kudus was not named as one of the players to travel on the international break on West Ham’s website and hence will now stay in London to recover.

The Black Stars face Nigeria on March 22 before playing Uganda four days later.

Black Stars: Otto Addo names five debutants for March friendlies against Nigeria and Uganda

Ghana head coach Otto Addo has named a 26-man provisional squad for the friendlies in the upcoming international break.

The Black Stars will face Nigeria and Nigeria during the March international break, their first since exiting the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.

There five new players named in the squad for the games with Asante Kotoko’s Frederick Asare one of those names.

The other four include, Bolivia-based David Akologo, who has also been invited to the Bolivia national team, Lorient’s Nathaniel Adjei, Mohammed Diomande of Rangers and Nordsjaelland’s Ibrahim Osman.

Tariq Lamptey makes a return to the squad after his return from a long-term injury that saw him missed the AFCON in Cote d’Ivoire while Patrick Kpozo and Edmund Addo also make the cut.

In-form Leicester City winger Abdul Fatawu Issahaku also makes the provisional squad for the two games.

Ghana face Nigeria on March 22 before playing Uganda four days later.

Ghanaian forward Bernard Tekpetey scores in Ludogorets big win over Lokomotiv Sofia

Ghanaian forward Bernard Tekpetey showcased his prowess once again, netting his seventh goal of the season for Ludogorets Razgrad in their resounding 6-0 victory against Lokomotiv Sofia.

Tekpetey, a key figure for the Bulgarian champions, played a crucial role in securing their 12th consecutive league success.

The match started with a bang as Kwadwo Duah opened the scoring just two minutes into the game, igniting wild celebrations among the home fans.

Availo Chochev doubled Ludogorets’ lead on the 38th minute before Tekpetey further extended their advantage with a goal on the 43rd minute, taking his tally to seven league goals for the season.

Ludogorets didn’t stop there, adding more goals to their tally to seal a comprehensive 6-0 victory on Saturday.

Tekpetey’s contribution extends beyond his goal-scoring prowess, as he has also provided three assists in his 21 appearances for the Green and Whites Eagles this season.

With his consistent performances, Tekpetey continues to be a pivotal figure for Ludogorets, showcasing his ability to make a significant impact on the pitch.

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