Ghana Sports news

Former Black Stars captain and defender John Mensah popularly known as "Rock of Gibraltar" insist that his football career has not ended even though he has been inactive for some time.

Black Stars Captain Asamoah Gyan paid a visit to the Accra Academy School on Thursday to inspect construction works of an Astro turf pitch he is putting up for the school.

AC Milan goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma will not be signing a new contract, the club confirmed on Thursday.

The 18-year-old's agent Mino Raiola held talks with Milan officials today, but no fresh contract deal has been reached.

In a statement, the club CEO Marco Fassone said: "Raiola informed us that Donnarumma has made a definitive decision not to renew the contract with Milan.

"We had made a strong proposal. The player evaluated it and made some evaluations that were not just economic, but he told us that he does not wish to renew the contract and his time with Milan will therefore conclude by June 30, 2018.

"We were taken by surprise, as we had hoped Donnarumma would be the goalkeeper taking Milan into the future. Naturally, the decision leaves a bitter taste in the mouth, but now we have to go forward."

While Donnarumma has been linked with the likes of Manchester United in the press, he had previously stated an intention to remain with the Rossoneri.

"Everyone knows that my wish is to stay at Milan," said earlier this week. "I'm looking for a house in the city to live with my family.

"I'm calm, all the parties involved know the decision I've made. I'm very much tied to these colours."

Donnarumma became the second-youngest goalkeeper ever to debut in Serie A in 2015, aged 16 years and 242 days.

He also broke the record as the youngest Italy under-21 player ever to play, aged 17 years and 28 days in March 2016. Six months later, he made his senior international debut, becoming the youngest goalkeeper ever to appear for Italy, aged 17 years and 189 days.

Credit:Skysports

The local Black Stars on Thursday beat Ghana premier league side Inter Allies 3-1 in a friendly at the Ghanaman Soccer Center of Excellence in Prampram.

This game forms part of their preparation towards the CHAN qualifiers and the WAFU tournament to be hosted in Ghana.

The Black Stars scored 3 goals in the 2nd half to win the game after going behind in the 1st half.

Kotoko defender Awal Mohammed begun the comeback in the 2nd half to convert a spot kick after Samuel Bekoe had given Inter Allies the lead through similar circumstance in the 1st half.

Sampson Eduku of Karela FC shot the Stars up with an intelligent volley after a clever pass from Patrick Razak.

Aduana Stars Zakaria Mumuni set up Sampson Eduku who put the icing on the cake by scoring the 3rd goal to make the final score 3-1 to the local Black Stars.

An Argentine football player has caused outrage after admitting that he used a needle to hurt his rivals during a cup match on Sunday.

Birmingham City have made a contract offer to former Chelsea and England captain John Terry, according to Blues boss Harry Redknapp.

Ghana's Obodai Sai and Namibian Walter Kautondokwa had a successful weigh in section at the Bukom Arena in Accra on Thursday ahead of a fight for the  WBO Middleweight Title eliminator tomorrow, June 16.

The weigh in drew massive crowd which sets the tone for tomorrow's bout as Sai is hoping to get a win and continue with his quest to win a world title for the country.

Both boxers weigh 160ibs and met the mark for the bout which is expected to be keenly contested with so much at stake for the fighters.

Undefeated Kautondokwa who goes into the bout with 14 bouts with 13 straight knockouts is hoping to add Sai to his list of victims.

Sai on the other hand, in his quest to revive his career, having stayed at the sidelines for sometime, is looking forward to giving his opponent a taste of defeat.

Obodai Sai who has an enviable record of 32 with two defeats and 25 knockouts is optimistic of adding another knockout to his name after tomorrow's bout.

Speaking after the weigh in, he said; "the bout would not travel the entire 12 rounds. I would knock my opponent out before the eight round."

He added that, "I have prepared feverishly for the bout knowing Kautondokwa is a good boxer and expect to give out my best on the night."

He called on Ghanaians to troop to the venue to support him to victory as his eyes are still glued on winning the world title for the nation.

A rather confident looking Kautondokwa said he would go all out for a win as he is not intimated by the crowd that would be supporting Sai.

"I do not even understand the language and what the people are saying. I am just going all out to beat my opponent,"he stated.

He added that,"I am well prepared to win this bout and nothing is going to stop me from keeping my unbeaten run."

Organizers have announced that, ticket are available for sale and urged boxing lovers and the general public to support the fight by buying the tickets at designated outlets.

The undercards for the night also had a successful weigh in with Michael Ansah (One Bullet) and Patrick Okine known as the Mallet scheduled for a rematch.

Ghana’s highest ranked boxer Rafael Mensah who is Number Three in the WBA Super featherweight world ratings will take on Edward Kambasi as Emmanuel Martey Mayweather battles it out with Kofi Johnson in a 10 round Super Middleweight Contest.

Kpakpo Allotey and Tackie Annan went through and would face off in National Super Lightweight Championship.

The bout dubbed "Xplosive Night Fight" by Lions Promotions headed by Victor Ahiabor, was supposed to be part of Mayweather’s visit to the country but all is set for the bout to be staged despite the cancellation of the historic visit.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jordan Pickford has become the most expensive British keeper in history after Everton paid £25m - rising to what would be a club record £30m - to sign him from Sunderland.

The 23-year-old, who is on duty with England Under-21s, has signed a five-year contract at Goodison Park.

"It is a great club, a massive club and it is a great opportunity," he said.

Pickford made 29 Premier League appearances last season but could not prevent Sunderland being relegated.

He joined the Black Cats' academy in 2010 and had spells on loan at Darlington, Alfreton Town, Burton Albion, Carlisle United, Bradford City and Preston.

Pickford made his first-team debut for Sunderland in a 3-1 FA Cup defeat by Arsenal in January 2016.

He added: "Last season was my first in the Premier League so to get this opportunity with Everton now, to be able to go forward with my career and show everyone what I can do with Everton is unbelievable.

"This is an exciting time for the club and for me, too, with the ambition being shown. I just want to be the best I can be to help."

Manager Ronald Koeman added: "Jordan is a very talented young professional who also has a real hunger for success, and that's important for us as we now look to make further progress in the seasons ahead."

The deal is an initial £25m transfer fee with £5m of potential add-ons, making him the third most expensive keeper ever.

Gianluigi Buffon's move from Parma to Juventus in 2001 was reported to be worth 53m euros, or £32.6m at the time, while at current exchange rates, Ederson's 40m euros transfer to Manchester City last week is equivalent to £35m, which is a world record in sterling, but not euros.

Credit:BBC Sports

The National female U20 team the Black Princesses have been drawn to face Algeria in the first round of the African qualifiers for the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup to take place next year in France.

The Princesses are among 19 countries who will battle it out for the two slots to represent Africa at the games.

Ghana avoided the preliminary stage of the competition which will be played in July and August.

The eventual winners from the three matches to be played in the preliminary stage will join the first round of the qualifiers.

Ghana will travel to Algeria for the first leg in September.The return leg will be played in Ghana in a fort night. The team  will play the winner of the match between Ethiopia vs Botswana or Kenya in the second round in November.

The final round of the qualifiers is  scheduled to be played early next year.

North Korea are the current champions of the U20 Women World Cup having beaten France 3-1 in the final in Papua New Guinea

 

 Aduana Stars have reacted to last Sunday's incident where fans of the club denied  StarTimes Ghana and their broadcast partners GBC the opportunity to telecast their Premier League game against Kotoko at the Dormaa park.

The game which eventually ended in a goalless draw was supposed to be shown on GTV as the GPL match of the day.

In a statement signed by the Head of Communications Dennis Asamoah, they revealed that the Premier League Board only wanted to telecast the match because GBC had their OB Van in Kumasi for the Black Stars, Ethiopia game and wanted to show their game against Kotoko due to proximity.

They however stated that the PLB did not come to a compromise with thier Club and went ahead to direct StarTimes and GBC officials to telecast the game at the Nana Agyemang Badu I park in Dormaa.

The club however condemned the actions of its supporters and said it does not endorse the act of violence perpetuated by the fans.

Sources reveal StarTimes Ghana who are the Official broadcasters of the Premier League have reported the issue to the Premier League Board for disciplinary action to be taken against the club.

This is not the first time fans of the club have come under barrages of criticisms for their hostile attitude towards fans of visiting clubs, who say the place is not conducive for matches.

 

Black Stars captain Asamoah Gyan will celebrate his 50th international goal for Ghana with a live band performance on Friday, June 16, at the Gold Coast Restaurant & Cocktail Bar in Airport City -Accra.

The Al Ahli Dubai Striker achieved the feat last Sunday when he scored Ghana's first goal against Ethiopia at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium.

This record makes Gyan Ghana’s all-time top scorer. He is already has the enviable title of the highest scoring African player at the FIFA World Cup with six goals.

Gyan was aiming at greatness when he scored in his debut against Somalia in 2003, a goal which he believes is his most memorable.

Asamoah Gyan will be supported by his ASA Band, and is expected to perform such songs as “African Girls”, and ” Odo Pa”‘, both of which he recorded with missing hip-liife musician Castro.

Southampton have sacked manager Claude Puel after one season.

The 55-year-old Frenchman's future had been in doubt despite Saints finishing eighth in the Premier League and reaching the EFL Cup final, having succeeded Ronald Koeman who left St Mary's for Everton last summer.

Sky Sports News HQ reported last week that Saints director of football Les Reed was considering potential replacements after concluding his end-of-season review for chairman Ralph Krueger.

And a club statement on Wednesday read: "Southampton can today confirm that it has terminated the contract of Claude Puel with immediate effect.

"Everyone at Southampton would like to express our thanks to Claude for his hard work and commitment this year. We wish Claude well for the future.

"The search for a new management team is underway. We are confident that we will find the right fit in line with the long-term vision of the club."

Puel, who was boss at Nice until he moved to England's south coast last summer, won only 12 of his 38 Premier League games last season and they finished only six points above 17th.

After reports Southampton were considering Marco Silva, who has taken over at Watford, Puel was backed by Chelsea's Eden Hazard as one of the world's top coaches, the Belgium star having worked with him at Lille.

Puel would not comment on persistent reports he could be replaced as the season drew to a close and said he wanted to continue as manager at St Mary's.

Credit:Skysports

Former boxing world champion Floyd Mayweather will fight UFC champion Conor McGregor in a light-middleweight boxing match in Las Vegas on 26 August.

The Black Stars B will play Premier League side Inter Allies in a friendly today as they continue preparation towards the CHAN qualifiers.

The match is scheduled for 3pm at the Ghanaman Soccer of Excellence in Prampram.

This game forms part of coach Kwesi Appiah's plans of building a formidable home-based team while preparing for the African Nations Championship (CHAN) qualifiers and WAFU tournament later this year.

Coach Appiah has invited Maxwell Oppong of second tier side Asokwa Deportivo to join the Stars .

He spotted the player during Black Stars warm up game with the second division side in Kumasi.

Manchester United have announced the signing of 22-year old Benfica defender Victor Lindelof for 30.1 million pounds.

The Sweden International has signed a 4 year deal and becomes the first signing for Jose Mourinho as the club are seriously pushing for the signing of Real Madrid forward Alvaro Morata.

United have had a long-standing interest in Lindelof, but decided against making a move for him in January due to the upturn in their form and the return to fitness of a number of their central defenders

Lindelof a full Sweden International will provide some stability in defence for Manchester United and his signing could spell the end for English defender Chris Smalling.

The former wife of Nii Odartey Lamptey has lost a claim for a 50% share of the fortunes of the former Ghana and Anderlecht star in a heart-wrenching infidelity drama which has dragged on for four years ago.

An Accra High Court has ruled on Wednesday Gloria Appiah committed 'adultery' when she gave birth to three children out of wedlock and subsequently quashed her motion to be awarded half of the property of the former footballer.

Justice Cecilia Don-Chebe Agbevey who put finality to the winding legal battle also ordered the wife to vacate the footballer's 7-bedroom apartment in East Legon within 30 days.

She was however allocated a property at Dome - a suburb of Accra as compensation - leaving the player with the clearance to keep majority of his wealth.

"I thank God for taking me through this fight successfully because I didn’t know how far I could go. I’m grateful that the toils that I have gone through for the past 21 years did not go in vain. Though I’ve lost a few properties, I’m very content that at the end of this case, I have retained most of them and I’m still alive too," he told Starr FM's Alexander Anyankwaa

“When I was informed that the [three] children were not mine, I know how I felt. Playing the role of a father to children I thought were mine for 21 years and realizing otherwise later, I nearly committed suicide. God gave me renewed energy and courage to withstand these pains and today, I can say I have gotten over them all.

“And today, with the final judgement, I thank God that my properties, my school and others I have kept them. She can take the little awarded her. Today the divorce has been granted and that burden that was on me is gone. Now, I’m a free and happy man, ready to start life again.

DNA results revealed the 42-year-old never fathered any of his three children after 20-years of marriage in a chilling expose' which marked a dramatic end to the relationship.

Lamptey has insisted he never asked his estranged wife to sleep with other men to get pregnant for him over claims he was 'impotent'.

The ex-Ghana star, who now has two children with movie star Ruweida Yakubu, endured an emotional breakdown and needed therapy.

Credit:Ghanasoccernet

German giants Bayern Munich have completed the signing of French midfielder Corentin Tolisso from French side Olympique Lyon.

Kumasi Asante Kotoko will play host to Accra Hearts of Oak in this year’s President Cup at the Baba Yara Stadium on July 2nd.

The annual one-off game organized by the Ghana League Clubs Association (GHALCA) will see the two giants of Ghana football go head-to head.

Kotoko and Hearts have already met twice this season, with the Phobians emerging victorious in both games.

A 1-0 scoreline at the Accra Sports Stadium saw Hearts win a Premier League first leg and followed it up with a 3-1 first leg win in the Ghana@60 anniversary Cup.

The 2nd Leg of the Ghana@60 match is yet to be played at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium

 

Black Stars defender John Boye has been named in the CAF best eleven players for the Opening matches.

The defender who currently plays for Sivasspor in the Turkish League was at his very best when the Black Stars beat Ethiopia 5-0 last Sunday in the AFCON qualifiers.

He was on the score sheet as he grabbed Ghana's 2nd goal of the day with a top notch finish.

 

Using the latest computerized system's showing the performance of players, CAF selected the Ghanaian defender among the best players.

Other players included are Ali Maudal of Tunisia,Betrand Troare of Burkina Faso,Guinea’s Naby Kaita Seydou Doumbia of the Ivory Coast, Senegal’s Moussa Sow, Knowlede Musona of Zimbabwe, Pajlun Voavy from Seychelles, DR Congo midfielder Cedric Bakanbu and Uganda’s Dennis Oyango.

 

Black Stars Captain Asamoah Gyan has reiterated his desire to play for Kumasi Asante Kotoko before he hangs his boots as a professional footballer.

The former Liberty Professional player once again made this known in an interview today at Accra based radio station Hot FM.

"I have always said i will play for Kotoko before i retire,even if it is just a game, i have been a Kotoko fan since i was young and my dad too is a strong Kotoko fan."

Asamoah Gyan reached a milestone with the Senior National team by scoring his 50th goal against Ethiopia last Sunday in the 2019 AFCON qualifier.

Gyan has had spells with Italian side Udinese, French side Rennes, Sunderland in England, Al Ain in Dubai, Shanghai SIPG in China and currently with Al Ahli Dubai.

The media has been advised to desist from sewing seeds of separation within the senior national team the Black Stars by spreading unsubstantiated rumours.

Chelsea will begin their title defence at home to Burnley when the 2017-18 Premier League season kicks off on the weekend of 12-13 August.

Mayweather Promotions have booked the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas for a 'boxing event' on August 26. 

For months Floyd Mayweather and Conor McGregor's mooted cross-over fight has been speculated over, but this is the strongest indicator yet that the blockbuster clash will go ahead.

There are no further details of the fight to take place, sparking rumours that this could finally be the time and location of what promises to be one of the most lucrative bouts in history.

The only other information of note is in the booking on the Nevada Athletic Commission's website which states that the bout will be televised on ShowTime.

ShowTime have enjoyed a deal with the unbeaten American to film his fights, further fuelling the speculation.

McGregor and the UFC made it clear in recent weeks that their side of the agreement was confirmed whilst Mayweather and his chief representative Al Haymon were yet to agree terms.

But the Dubliner teased fans with an impending announcement on his Instagram earlier as he said: 'Something big is coming.'

The UFC phenomenon had been quiet in recent weeks as talk of his next move subsided and he spent time with his partner Dee Devlin and newborn son.

That famous left hand could be tested against one of the finest boxers ever should his hiatus end with a meeting in the squared circle with Mayweather.

But 40-year-old Mayweather's signature is still required for the go ahead which would surely capture the imagination of fight fans everywhere as the worlds of boxing and MMA collide.

Credit:Dailymail

 

Accra Hearts of Oak have denied reports that they were denied access to the Accra Sports Stadium for training on Tuesday.

The Phobians through their twitter page made it clear that the team was at the Staduim for a photoshoot with Premier League sponsors StarTimes.

Reports earlier in the day had indicated that the club wanted to train but were denied entry because the National Sports Authority demanded some money from them.

Hearts of Oak will play second teir side Young Wise this Saturday in the round of 16 of the MTN FA Cup.

 

Sports Journalist Patrick Osei Agyemang popularly known as Countryman Songo has hit out once again at Black Stars Captain Asamoah Gyan, for customizing the Captain's arm band of the National team in their recent AFCON qualifier against Ethiopia.

Former Leicester manager Claudio Ranieri is the new boss of French side Nantes.

Benni McCarthy was announced as the new head coach of Cape Town City, with the Bafana Bafana legend putting pen to paper on a long-term deal with the club.

A memorial service is being held in Beijing for late Ivorian footballer Cheick Tiote who passed on last week after collapsing in training.

The players and coach of Accra Hearts of Oak were left frustrated this morning after they were locked out and denied entry to the playing field of the Accra Sports Stadium.

According to sources close to Footballghana.com the team planned to train from 7:30 am today but the inner perimeter of the stadium was locked by the National Sports Authority.

Further checks revealed the NSA was demanding money before they grant the team access to the field.

The Phobians are preparing for their MTN FA Cup round of 16 clash against Young Wise slated for this weekend in Kasoa.

Credit:Footballghana.com

Atletico Madrid's Antoine Griezmann has extended his contract by a year, with his new deal expiring in 2022.

The 26-year-old France forward had been heavily linked with Manchester United, and said last month there was a "6/10" chance he could move to Old Trafford this summer.

But he agreed to stay at Atletico after the club had a transfer ban upheld.

"The first thing I want to do is apologise to people who misunderstood my statements," Griezmann said.

"Since I have arrived, I have given everything for my club, my colleagues and my coaching staff."

Atletico cannot sign anyone until January after failing in an appeal against a ban imposed in July 2016 for breaching Fifa rules over the signing of youth players.

Griezmann, capped 41 times, scored 26 goals in 2016-17 as Atletico finished third in La Liga behind Real Madrid and Barcelona.

He was named the third best player in the world, behind Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, at the Ballon d'Or ceremony in January.

Griezmann, who played in France's 2-1 defeat by Sweden in World Cup qualifying on Friday, is in the squad to face England in a friendly on Tuesday.

Credit:BBC Sports