Dede Ayew To Make Injury Return Next Week Against Chelsea

West Ham United co-chairman David Gold has stated on social networking site Twitter that Andre Ayew could feature against Chelsea next week.

The faltering Hammers will take on English Premier League rivals Chelsea at the London Stadium in the fourth round of the EFL Cup next Wednesday evening.

Gold said on Twitter that the deputy Black Stars captain Ayew could feature against the Blues.

Head of Medical and Sports Science, Stijn Vandenbroucke, wrote on West Ham’s official website on Wednesday that Ayew has returned to training.

Vandenbroucke also stated that Sakho will start training in controlled Under-23 sessions on Monday and will then join the first-team squad the following week.

AFCON 2017: Avram Grant 'Intimidated' By Ghana's Group Opponents

Ghana coach Avram Grant

Ghana coach Avram Grant says his side face a daunting task at next year's Africa Cup of Nations finals after drawing Egypt, Uganda and Mali.

Grant is expected to meet expectations after reaching the final of the last tournament in Equatorial Guinea.

His first Group D match will be against Uganda-whom they drew 0-0 with at home in their opening 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifier-on 17 January in Port Gentil.

Grant is under pressure to put up an improved against Egypt next month in their second World Cup qualifier.

''We played against Uganda and we draw at home and we are facing important game in Egypt and we will face them again in African Cup and there are two more games against them,'' Grant said on Sky Sports on Thursday.

''But the African Cup is different. The draw is very difficult. Anyway, every group is difficult but this group is very difficult.

''As you know, African countries are better all the time. I was very surprised by the level of the quality of the football at the last African Cup so I think it will be very tight. Lots of teams teams that can do well in this tournament.''

Playing Ghana Is ‘Most Important In Our History’ – Egypt Coach

Egypt assistant coach Osama Nabil says his country’s 2018 World Cup qualifier against Ghana is the ‘most important’ fixture in the history of the North African giants.

The Pharaohs are desperate to avenge the 2014 World Cup qualifying headache and are mapping out strategies to undo the Ghanaians next month.

The seven-time African champions host the Black Stars in Alexandria on November 13 with a massive 50,000 spectators expected to watch the mouth-watering encounter at the Borg El Arab stadium.

The focus of an entire nation has shifted to the cracking showdown with the North Africans eager to avenge the painful 7-2 aggregate defeat to the West Africans in the 2014 World Cup qualifiers.

And Egypt assistant coach Osama Nabil has underlined the importance of the big game

“Our match against Ghana is the most important in history of Egyptian football, we want to win the game in order to move a step closer to the World Cup,” he said.

The two powerhouses have been drawn again in group D of the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations to be held in Gabon which also houses Uganda and Mali.

Avram Grant Snubs AFCON Draw To Sit On Skysports

  Avram Grant Snubs AFCON Draw To Sit On Skysports

 Avram Grant

 

Ghana’s coach Avram Grant refused to be in Gabon for the 2017 AFCON draw to enjoy studio discussions on Skysports as a pundit on English Premier League upcoming matches.

Ghana has been paired in group D alongside Egypt, Uganda and Mali for the continental showpiece scheduled for 14 January to 5 February 2017 in the Gabonese cities of Libreville, Franceville, Oyem and Port Gentil.

But the former Chelsea trainer has been busy sharing his views on the English Premier League matches this weekend as his opposite numbers and group contenders get firsthand knowledge of conditions in Gabon.

Uganda coach Micho was present at the draw to inspect the city of Port Gentil and Hotel de Parc where both team will be lodging during the tourney.

According to a close source to the Ghana FA, he defied every directive from management to leave for London after the South Africa friendly and he is believed to return in the first week of November.

The former West Ham United and Portsmouth manager is under pressure to win the hearts of fans after Ghana's shaky goalless start in the 2018 World Cup qualifiers in Tamale against the Cranes of Uganda.

Ghana Sports Is Dead – Akpaloo

Ghana’s sports sector is dead and a future Independent People’s Party (IPP) government will resurrect it, Kofi Akpaloo, the presidential candidate of the IPP, has said.

According to him, if he is cleared to contest in the elections and eventually wins to become the next president of Ghana, he will invest $600 million each year in the sector in order to restore its glory days.

Mr Akpaloo is one of 13 flag bearers disqualified by the Electoral Commission from contesting in the elections but he has asked the EC to rescind the decision to disqualify him.

He told Class Sports on Tuesday October 18 that: “I will say they (government) have done nothing in terms of sports development because it is very shameful to hear that the Black Queens and even the Black Maidens [were] in their hotel because of money.

“I mean Ghana football is dead and now if you want to assemble players, you will have to go abroad and all that. The football is totally dead.”

He added: “I will invest 600 million dollars every year in the development of sports in the country. And we are going to build stadia in the regions without one.

All Is Not Lost In World Cup Qualifiers - Sports Minister

 Minister of Sports, Nii Lante Vanderpuye

 

Minister of Sports, Nii Lante Vanderpuye, is certain the Black Stars can still qualify for the 2018 World Cup in Russia despite the team’s slow start to the qualifiers.

The Black Stars drew goalless with the Cranes of Uganda in their qualifier opener at the Tamale sports stadium, result which has raised Ghana’s qualification doubt for in Russia 2018.

But the Sports Minister believes the draw was only a minor blip and the side has enough quality to still sail through.

According to Nii Lante all is not lost for Ghana.

“When the World Cup draw was released I said, Egypt is not a threat but I see Uganda as threat to us because anytime they play with us, it is always difficult match,” he told Asempa Sports.

“I think the draw with Uganda was good because it was meant to happen but all is not lost because I strongly believe that we can go to Alexandrea and win against them and win all our remaining matches and qualify for the world cup.”

AFCON 2017: Ghana Handed Tough Draw With Egypt, Uganda And Mali in Group D

 

 AFCON 2017: Ghana Handed Tough Draw With Egypt, Uganda And Mali in Group D

The Black Stars

 

Ghana have been handed a tough draw for the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations including two World Cup qualifying opponents Uganda and Egypt in Group D.


West African rivals and recent tournament nemesis Mali are also the last team in the pool.

The Black Stars played the Cranes at the Tamale Sports early this month in the qualifiers to Russia and failed to meet expectations in a dull 0-0 draw.

Uganda qualified for the tournament for the first time in 32 years and have a good coach Milutin Sredojevic who can cause havoc.

Ghana will play Pharaohs next month in the second World Cup qualifier ahead of the tournament.

Defending champions Ivory Coast have DR Congo, Morocco and Togo in Group C with hosts Gabon paired with Burkina Faso, Cameroon and Guinea Bissau.

In Group B, top seed Algeria face Tunisa, Senegal and Zimbabwe.

The 2017 Africa Cup of Nations will run from 15 January to 05 February.

Group A: Gabon, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Guinea Bissau

Group B: Algeria, Tunisia, Senegal, Zimbabwe

Group C: Ivory coast, DRC, Morocco, Togo

Group D: Ghana, Mali, Egypt and Uganda

Kwesi Appiah picks coach of the year award in Sudan

Kwesi Appiah picks coach of the year award in Sudan

Former Black Stars coach James Kwesi Appiah has won the Coach of the Season award in Sudan.

The ex- Black Stars defender is currently the head coach of Sudanese Premier League side Al Khartoum Wataani and came up against Al Hilal Coach Fawzy Al Mardy but beat him to the award.

Appiah placed fifth on the ladder with Al Khartoum Wataani after 34 matches and accrued 65 points behind league leaders Al Hilal Omdurman, Al Merriekh, Al Ahly Shendi and Hilal Obayed following in that order.

‘Mayele’ as he was popularly known in his playing days with Kotoko and the Black Stars was the first indigenous trainer to have qualified the Black Stars to the World Cup in Brazil in 2014.

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Black Maidens Given Part Payment Of Per Diem

Black Maidens Given Part Payment Of Per Diem

The Ministry of Youth and Sports has given each member of the black Maidens $1,000 as part of payment of their per diem, after finishing at the quarter-final stage of the ongoing FIFA U-17 world cup.

The Public Relations Officer of the Ministry of Youth and Sports, Mr Ottor Plaha who confirmed this said the remaining per diem will be paid next week.

The per diem was 2,800 dollars meaning the girls will get additional $1,800 as promised next week.

Also technical directors as well as management members will also receive $1,000

Accounts Of Sports Ministry Frozen...

 The bank accounts of the Ministry of Youth and Sports have been frozen by a court order over a $20-million debt it accrued from the organisation of the 2008 Africa Cup of Nations.

Debtors who provided services to the government for the hosting of the CAN 2008 secured a court order to slam on the coffers of the Sports Ministry.

The outstanding debt has rendered the Sports outfit cashless since the appointment of Nii Lantey Vanderpuije as the Minister, therefore making it difficult to remunerate stakeholders.

The development prevented the Ministry from meeting the financial demands of the Black Maidens in Jordan, brewing some brouhaha till Tuesday morning when each member was paid $1000.

Speaking to Starr Sports, the Ministry's Public Relations Officer, Ottor Plaha, assured the issue will be resolved soon.

“Yes our accounts have been frozen due to an accrued debt by the LOC because a lot of service providers had not been paid for providing the following; accommodation, flights, tickets et al.

"Upon settling the Maidens’ arrears the order was served the bank to prevent us from redrawing due to the $20 million debt we owe,” Plaha told Starr Sports.

“Meanwhile, we are working around the clock to get our legal team on board to resolve the issue as soon as possible,” he added.

North Korea Coach To Replace Avram Grant As Ghana Coach - Agent

North Korea Coach To Replace Avram Grant As Ghana Coach - Agent

 

The Ghana Football Association is close to concluding talks with North Korea coach Jorn Andersen to replace Avram Grant as Ghana coach, according to his agent Sofian Soltani.

The former Norway international could replace the under-fire Israeli gaffer whose Black Stars side geared off to a false start to the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

Grant has come under intensed public scrutiny in the country but the Ghana Football Association has backed for the former Chelsea manager.

Black Stars Management Committee vice chairman Winfried Osei Kwaku is quoted in the media as saying Grant is enjoying 100% support from the federation. Grant is contracted to Ghana until next February, approximately at the end of the 2017 AFCON in Gabon.

The Ghana FA would have to cough up to $300,000 in compensation to the former West Ham United boss if they are to prematurely terminate the running contract. Despite the unlikely circumstances due the current fracas between and the Ghana FA and the Ghanaian Sports Ministry, Sofian has claimed his client would replace Grant. "Jorn Anderson is going to become the new Ghana head coach but it would take a while because Grant is asking for big money," he told GHANASoccernet.com in an exclusive chat.

Andersen's career resume includes spells with clubs like Mainz 05 and assistant managerial role at Borussia M'gladbach.

A former Norwegian international Andersen played as a striker for Hamburg, Nurnberg and Eintracht Frankfurt, scoring over 190 league goals during his career spell.

Ghana FA's Deputy General Secretary in charge of communications Ibrahim Sannie Daara has watered down widespread media claims the GFA is engaging other coaches to replace Grant.

Isaac Dogbe Named WBO African Boxer of The Year in Puerto Rico

WBO Africa, WBO Oriental and WBC featherweight Youth World Champion Isaac Dogboe (15-0, 9 KO’s) has been awarded as the WBO African Boxer of the Year 2016.

The ceremony which was held in San Juan, Puerto Rico was the 29th WBO Convention to award deserving boxers throughout the year.

The boxer was adjudged the Most Outstanding African boxer and claimed the award.

Dogboe’s mission at the ongoing convention was also aimed at meeting WBO executives regarding his readiness to challenge Oscar Valdez who will be defending his WBO featherweight belt against Hiroshige Osawa.

Dogboe will fight for the fourth time this year on November 26th against a Russian opponent yet to be named.

Ghana can Qualify to the World Cup Under Grant - Adams

Ghana can Qualify to the World Cup Under Grant - Adams 

Aduana Stars shot stopper, Stephen Adams has said he is confident Ghana will book a place at the 2018 World Cup (WC) in Russia, under current coach Avram Grant despite the initial step back.

 

Grant has come under a lot of criticisms for being technically inept and others calling for his sack but the Aduana goalie thinks otherwise.

 

Ghana drew 0-0 in her opening match against Uganda and Adams, a member of the 2014 squad that played in the last edition in Brazil believes, despite the Black Stars draw and Egypt securing a 2-1 win over Congo in an away match, says Ghana will qualify for the biggest football festival in the globe.

 

Ghana lies second with a point behind Egypt and must avoid defeat in the encounter involving the Pharaohs of Egypt to brighten her chances of qualification and the goalie states that, ‘‘Ghana will beat Egypt’’. 

 

He told the GNA Sports that, ‘‘of course, they can qualify to the World Cup under Avram Grant. It’s possible, besides we have the qualities in the team because it was the same players that qualified for the AFCON next year. We can beat Egypt. It’s possible because we have defeated them before’’.

 

Ghana will travel to Egypt next month and Adams is optimistic Grant’s charges will pick the maximum points.

 

Ghana is in Group E alongside Uganda, Egypt and Congo.

 

Ghanaian Football Hit By Another Match-Fixing Scandal.

  Ghanaian Football Hit By Another Match-Fixing Scandal.

Ghana's second-tier league has become embroiled in another match-rigging crisis after newly-promoted Premier League side Bolga All Stars allegedly fixed their penultimate match against BA United in the Division One League.

Officials of both teams have been apparently caught on tape given details on how their Division One League clash at the Sunyanyi Coronation Park was tempered with after All Stars secured a famous 2-0 win away from home.

Accra-based Atinka FM replayed the scandalous tape on Friday in a latest twist to the perceived massive rot in the Ghanaian game.

An official of BA United was heard complaining bitterly about being side-stepped in the share of an amount of GHC4,000 paid by Bolga All Stars.

Allegation of match-rigging rocked the country's football last season with several clubs accused of influencing matches.

Bechem United, Kotoko, Wa All Stars and Techiman City,  were caught in the web of allegation of match fixing last season.

GHANAsoccernet.com revealed last month that several referees are in the pockets of top club owners in Ghana.

The Ghana FA is expected to open investigation into the cancerous episode which threatens the game in the West African nation.

Ayew To Miss Ghana-Egypt Clash.

Ghana's hopes of having injured West Ham United winger Andre Ayew back in time for the 2018 Fifa World Cup qualifier against Egypt in November appears to have been dashed, with latest update from his club indicating that the 26-year-old will not completely recover before the Cairo meeting.

The former Marseille man has been on the sidelines since injuring his hamstring in an English Premier League match against Chelsea in August.

Initially expected back in the New Year, the forward is now set for a return by the end of the year after making significant progress ahead of schedule, and the news had prompted reports that he could make Ghana's squad for the all-important game on November 13.

"We have suffered a number of injuries since the start of the season," West Ham joint-chairman David Sullivan told the club's official website on their injury situation.

"It will be a big boost to see Aaron Cresswell back in first team contention.

"We hope that both Diafra Sakho and Andy Carroll will also be back in action in the next few weeks.

"We also need our club record signing Andre Ayew, but he could still be a month away from making a first-team return."

Ghana sit two points below Egypt on the table after matchday one.

The Black Stars were held to a goalless stalemate by Uganda on Friday while the Pharaohs picked a valuable 2-1 away win against Congo on Sunday

Black Maidens Miss Out On FIFA U17 World Cup Semi-Final.

Ghana collapsed in the final minute of injury time to lose 2-1 to Korea DPR to miss out on a semi-final berth at the 2016 FIFA U17 Women's World Cup final.

Substitute Ja Un Yong connected home on the 94th-minute mark after the Ghana defence failed to clear a free-kick flighted into the box.

Yong poked in clincher from close range as the Black Maidens were made to pay dearly.

Korea DPR scored first in the 31st minute from the penalty spot after Grace Acheampong was adjudged to have fouled Pyon Un Gong and Kim Po Ui made no mistake from the spot.

But Ghana persevered and equalized nine minutes from time through Gifty Acheampong who nipped in to glance a delicate header past Ok Kum Ju.

This was after Philicity Asuako had lofted the ball into the Korea DPR box with an acrobatic overhead kick.