Dreams FC striker John Antwi is confident his side can get a good result against Zamalek on Sunday.
The FA Cup holders are in Egypt for the CAF Confederation Cup semi-final first leg.
Antwi, who played for five Egyptian clubs between 2012 and 2020, has been one of the competitions best performers with five goals and two assists.
Having played for Al Ahly, Pyramids, Gaish, Ismaily and El Makasa in Egypt, Antwi has an intimate knowledge of Sunday’s opponent.
Flashback: John Antwi celebrates scoring for Egyptian money bags, Pyramids FC. He remains the highest scoring foreigner in Egyptian football with over 100 goals
“It’s a big club looking at where they are.They have played African competitions several times and considering the quality of players they have,” he tells JoySports.
Dreams progressed to the semi-final stage after securing a 3-2 aggregate win over Stade Malien.
Their opponents who won the competition in 2019, qualified following a 3-2 aggregate win over Egyptian counterparts, Modern Future.
John Antwi is under no illusions on the enormity of the task.
“So it’s not going to be an easy encounter. But then like I said, I believe in the boys, the hardwork, everything we’ve put into this game and I know God willing were going to come out with a positive result.” He concluded.
The reverse fixture has been scheduled for Sunday, April 28, 2024.
If Dreams progress, they will become only the third Ghanaian club to qualify for the final of the competition, after Hearts of Oak and Asante Kotoko.
Sports consultant to the Ministry of Youth and Sports for the 13th African Games, William Blick has emphasized the need for Ghana to host international and domestic events, believing it is the only way the facilities will be maintained properly.
Ghana successfully hosted 54 countries in 29 sporting disciplines across 9 venues including the University of Ghana Sports Stadium, The Borteyman Sports Complex, Bukum Boxing Arena, Cape Coast Sports Stadium, Theodosia Oko Hockey pitch, Accra Sports Stadium, Achimota Cricket Oval, Laboma Beach Resort among other venues in the recently ended the 13th African Games.
Speaking on the sidelines of the Ministry of Youth and Sports media briefing dubbed “Time with Accra 2023 medallist on Monday at the University of Ghana sports stadium, the International Olympic committee member, Blick highlighted the need for the President to initiate the Ghana games.
The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, has charged the playing body of Asante Kotoko to turn their ailing season around in the final stretch of the campaign after their recent misfortunes.
Kotoko are winless in seven games in the Ghana Premier League and occupy the 11th position after 26 genes played.
The team met the Asantehene who opened discussions with the players and technical team to determine the issues accountable for their poor performances.
He also used the opportunity to address the team’s grievances.
In his discussion with the team, he stated explicitly that “no member of the team works for any individual but him, and therefore should put their differences aside and fight for the team, as he won’t watch the team go down under his reign.”
“I am expecting something better from you,” said Otumfuo Osei Tutu II.
“Prove to me that you are capable and if the coach is the problem, then I will take a decision on him. But for now, make sure you go and play and win.”
The Porcupine Warriors take on league leaders FC Samartex on Sunday on matchday 27 of the league looking to bounce back to winning ways.
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.
ormer Ghana international Laryea Kingston has been appointed the head coach of the Black Starlets.
Kingston, who previously worked under Karim Zito as Ghana’s U-17 assistant coach, has now taken over the head coach role.
The former Hearts of Oak and Great Olympics winger has already been in charge of the team in their recent friendly games ahead of their upcoming WAFU B tournament.
Kingston will be assisted by former Hearts captain, Jacob Nettey, and Nana Agyemang.
Nettey led the Phobians to the famous CAF Champions League glory in 2000 during his playing days.
He featured for the Black Stars during the Africa Cup of Nations in 2000 (co-hosted by Ghana and Nigeria) and was a member of the Ghana squad at the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, USA.
The former Black Stars defender won six Premier League titles and three FA Cup trophies during his stint with Accra Hearts of Oak.
Nana Agyemang is a CAF Licence A and UEFA Licence B holder who previously worked with Adenta United, Barbarossa Academy, the Lizzy Sports Complex Academy and ProGen Football Club.
The new technical team has been tasked to assemble a formidable squad for the next edition of the WAFU B U-17 Cup of Nations, Accra 2024 and the TotalEnergies U-17 Africa Cup of Nations.
The Olympic Torch is lit and the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics is 99 days away.
The countdown clock in Paris hit the 99-day mark Tuesday. That came on the same day the torch was lit at the birthplace of the sporting competition in Ancient Olympia, Greece.
A relay of torchbearers will carry the flame along a 5,000-kilometer (3,100-mile) route through Greece until handing it over to the Paris Games organizers in Athens on April 26.
The French capital is due to see a wildly ambitious waterborne celebration on the Seine River on July 26 to officially open the Games.
But President Emmanuel Macron has been among the officials to admit the plans for the ceremony could be adjusted due to security concerns.
By promising socially positive and also less polluting and less wasteful Olympics, the city synonymous with romance is also setting itself the high bar of making future Games generally more desirable.
Critics question their value for a world grappling with climate warming and other emergencies. Potential host cities became so Games-averse that Paris and Los Angeles were the only remaining candidates in 2017 when the International Olympic Committee selected them for 2024 and 2028, respectively.
After scandals and the $13 billion cost of the pandemic-delayed Tokyo Games in 2021, unfulfilled promises of beneficial change for host Rio de Janeiro in 2016 and the 2014 Winter Games in Sochi tarnished by Russian doping and President Vladimir Putin’s subsequent land grabs in Ukraine, the Switzerland-based IOC has mountains of skepticism to dispel.
Virtuous Summer Games in Paris could help the long-term survival of the IOC’s mega-event.
At close to 9 billion euros ($9.7 billion), more than half from sponsors, ticket sales and other non-public funding, Paris’ expenses so far are less than for the last three Summer Games in Tokyo, Rio and London in 2012.
Including policing and transport costs, the portion of the bill for French taxpayers is likely to be around 3 billion euros ($3.25 billon), France’s body for auditing public funds said in its most recent study in July.
Security remains a challenge for the city repeatedly hit by deadly extremist violence. The government downsized ambitions to have 600,000 people lining the River Seine for the opening ceremony. Citing the risk of attacks, it shelved a promise that anyone could apply for hundreds of thousands of free tickets. Instead, the 326,000 spectators will either be paying ticket-holders or have been invited.
Hosts Morocco produced a scintillating performance to beat Zambia 13-0 in front of a sold Prince Moulay Abdellah Hall while Angola cruised past Ghana 11-3 at the Salle IBN Yassine on Monday night.
The flawless Atlas Lions finished as Group A winners with 9 points to book a place in the semifinals of the TotalEnergies CAF Futsal AFCON.
The Sable Antelopes of Angola finished second with 6 points three more than Zambia in third and Ghana without a point sit at the bottom of the table.
Hicham Dguig’s ruthless side made their intentions known early when captain Soufiane El Mesrar broke the deadlock just two minutes into the one sided match.
Idriss Raiss El Fenni doubled the two time champions advantage before three more goals in the space of three minutes from Ismail Amazal and Soufian Charraoui’s brace made it 5-0.
Zambia’s Prince Lungu saw his effort blocked by the keeper before Bilal Bakkali crashed the Chipolopolo post with a fierce drill from distance.
Idriss Fenni doubled his tally and Morocco’s sixth of the match before the impressive Anas El Ayyane hit a quick brace to make it 8-0 going into the break.
The hosts returned from the break with more purpose and zeal to score more goals and stamp their authority on the game.
Bilal Bakkali latched on to a clever Khalid Bouzid back heel pass to increase the lead before Otmane Boumezou fired his effort through the legs of the keeper to hit double digits.
Backed by their home fans Morocco added more salt to Zambia’s injury with goals from Anas Dahani’s back heel, an own goal by Jackson Simwami and Youssef Jouad’s strike at the stroke of full time completed the hammering.
The Atlas Lions will face the runners-up of Group B in the semifinals on Friday, 19 April at 19:00 GMT while Angola have a date with the winner of Group B on the same day at 16:00 GMT at the magnificent Prince Moulay Abdellah Hall.
Fulham’s Calvin Bassey (left) and West Ham United’s Edson Alvarez battle for the ball during the Premier League match at the London Stadium, London. Picture date: Sunday April 14, 2024.
There were some standout performances from African players on matchday 33 in the Premier League as Alex Iwobi got two assists for Fulham, while Frank Onyeka scored his first goal in a Brentford shirt.
Goalkeeper:
Andre Onana (Manchester United) – The Cameroon international had a decent performance against Bournemouth on Saturday and wasn’t at fault for either of the two goals in the 2-2 draw at the Vitality Stadium. Onana made three saves, the most crucial of which came just before half-time when he instinctively denied an unmarked Justin Kluivert with the Cherries 2-1 up at the time.
Defenders:
Calvin Bassey (Fulham) – The Nigeria international didn’t really put a foot wrong in the 2-0 win over West Ham at the London Stadium on Sunday as he helped marshal a defence that kept their first clean sheet in four matches. Bassey managed 75 touches throughout the game and made four tackles, although Vladimir Coufal was able to get past him inside the box early on, only to see Michail Antonio blaze over on the rebound.
Nayef Aguerd (West Ham) – The Morocco international was recalled to the starting line-up for the first time in five games and looked assured for the most part, having done just enough to put Rodrigo Muniz off in an aerial challenge from a corner in the first half. Aguerd had the third-most touches on the ball for West Ham with 87 and made three tackles.
Ola Aina (Nottingham Forest) – The Nigeria international looks to have made a full recovery from the injury he picked up at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations after being handed his fourth consecutive start in the 2-2 draw with Wolves at the City Ground on Saturday. Aina was heavily involved in Nottingham Forest’s build-up play down the left flank, getting 68 touches on the ball, while making two tackles.
Midfielders:
Mohammed Kudus (West Ham) – The Ghana international was one of West Ham’s better performers against Fulham and came close to breaking the deadlock when he curled a shot narrowly wide of the left post from the edge of the box on the right early in the first half. It was one of four attempts on goal from Kudus – more than any other Hammers player – although he failed to hit the target on each occasion.
Alex Iwobi (Fulham) – The Nigeria international played a starring role in the 2-0 win over West Ham and had a hand in both goals. Iwobi’s searching ball into the box wasn’t dealt with by Konstantinos Mavropanos, who gifted possession back to Andreas Pereira to score the opener and the duo combined again for the Brazilian’s second goal following a pin-point pass from the Nigerian, which saw him register his first two assists of the season.
Pape Sarr (Tottenham) – The Senegal international was introduced from the bench on 57 minutes with Tottenham trailing 3-0 to Newcastle at St James’ Park on Saturday and he did a good job of shoring up the midfield after the hosts had exploited gaping holes in the middle of the park prior to that. Sarr managed 41 touches on the ball and completed 33 passes, almost identical figures to Rodrigo Bentancur, whom he replaced and played 12 less minutes.
Yasser Larouci (Sheffield United) – The Algeria international made only his sixth start of the season as he replaced the injured Jack Robinson for the 2-0 defeat to Brentford at the Gtech Community Stadium on Saturday. Larouci got involved in the action early on when he had a shot deflected behind for a corner and he created a chance for Ben Brereton following a powerful run down the left flank. The 23-year-old midfielder was substituted on 57 minutes as Blades manager Chris Wilder opted for fresher legs.
Forwards:
Simon Adingra (Brighton) – The Ivory Coast international produced another lively display in the 1-1 draw with Burnley at Turf Moor on Saturday, hitting the target with three of his four shots on goal. Adingra managed 43 touches on the ball as most of Brighton’s play was focused on the opposite flank, although he still got himself involved in the game.
Mohamed Salah (Liverpool) – Not one of the Egypt international’s better performances against Crystal Palace, although he still had an opportunity to equalise late on, only to be denied by a goal-line block from Tyrick Mitchell. Salah failed to hit the target with his only other shot and got 46 touches on the ball, more than the other attackers for Liverpool.
Bryan Mbeumo (Brentford) – The Cameroon international made just his second start since returning from an ankle injury that ruled him out of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. Mbeumo released Neal Maupay through on goal with a lovely pass in the first half, only for the Frenchman to miss the target and he set up Mikkel Damsgaard to score on volley from his free-kick, although the goal was ruled out for a block on Oli McBurnie inside the box.
Roma defender Evan Ndicka has been discharged from hospital after collapsing during his side’s Serie A match at Udinese on Sunday.
Roma said the 24-year-old Ivory Coast international had suffered chest pains on the pitch but hospital tests showed he did not suffer a heart attack.
“The player has been discharged and will carry out further checks in Rome,” the club said.
Roma also sent their thanks to Udinese, the referee and the hospital.
“AS Roma would like to thank Udinese and the referee Luca Pairetto for their great professionalism and the medical and healthcare staff of the Santa Maria della Misericordia hospital in Udine.
“All together, in those apprehensive minutes, we demonstrated the values of sport and put the protection of life first.”
The Serie A game was abandoned after Ndicka collapsed in the 72nd minute and was taken off on a stretcher.
He appeared to be conscious as he left the pitch, with the score at 1-1, and the remainder of the match is set to be played at a later date.
Roma posted a photo of him in hospital on Sunday night, saying he “feels better” and that his team-mates had visited.
After Ndicka’s collapse, Roma’s medical staff and emergency services were called on to the pitch and after discussions with the referee, the match was abandoned.
Ndicka joined Roma on a free transfer from Eintracht Frankfurt in 2023 and has made 19 appearances for the Italian club.
Roberto Pereyra had given Udinese an early lead before striker Romelu Lukaku equalised for Roma on Sunday.
The Mourabitones of Mauritania marked their first ever TotalEnergies CAF Futsal AFCON match with a scintillating 5-4 victory over Namibia in Group B.
The two newcomers put up a show at the magnificent Prince Moulay Abdellah Hall on Friday night at the ongoing seventh edition of the tournament.
The west Africans had a nervous finish to the match as Namibia staged a late fight back to score four goals in the second half.
Abdallah Selami’s team got off to a great start when captain Abderhemane Bouhoumadi headed in the opener from close range.
The goal rattled the Brave 5 of Namibia and it allowed Mauritania to move forward and create more chances.
Dioncounda Sow saw his efforts agonizingly missed the target on three occasions.
The Torcy Futsal ace forced a smart one hand save from Usurua Riya with just six minutes on the clock before hitting the woodwork and firing over the goal.
Yakhouba Sylla scored twice in a minute to extend Mauritania’s advantage and send their fans into wild celebrations.
The France based star who was named the Man of the Match scored his first with cool finish from close range after his initial effort was blocked by the goalkeeper.
Sylla made it 3-0 right after the restart when he arrived late at the back post to slot in Dioncounda Sow’s low cross seven minutes before halftime.
Moudery Drame scored with a lowe drive on 18 minutes to hand Mauritania a comfortable 4-0 halftime advantage.
M’hamed M’hamed turned home captain Abderhemane Bouhoumadi’s cross to score the Mourabitones’ fifth of the night.
The Brave 5 pulled a goal back courtesy of captain Ken Salote’s fierce drive from distance to beat Imam Saff in the Mauritania goal.
Remario Mathys slotted in the second for Ryan Jawo’s team ten minutes from time. The diminutive star wriggled away from his marker before hammering his effort past Imam.
The Namibians continued to pile more pressure on Mauritania who locked nervous in defense and were forced to concede two more goals from George Haikali and Ken Salote.
Jago’s team came close to scoring a fifth and force a draw but Clive Willemse’s effort canoed off the post in the last minute of the brushing match.
The Mourabitones held on to win it 5-4 and join Egypt who earlier beat Libya 4-0 with three points
