Isaac Twum Relieve To Have Ended First Round Out Of the Bottom Three

Inter Allies midfielder Isaac Twum has heaved a sigh of relieve after ending the opening round of the season outside the button three.

The teen sensation swapped Kpando Heart Of Lions for the Tema Park but has since been battling relegation with the Eleven is to one all season.

The Black satellites midfield prodigy however ended the first round outside the shop zone and has openly revealed his releive at the turn of events in Tema.

The former Heart of Lions midfielder partly tagged their new trainer Jimmy James Corbblah for their strong end to the first round.

Isaac Twum thanked his trainer for the confidence reposed in the playing staff ahead of the second round.

“I feel relieved to have ended the first half of the season out side the relegation zone.

It is good to move out of the drop but looking at the point build up we need a very strong second round as a team.

I have never doubted the quality of the team and believed we were always going to end the campaign outside the red line. At no point did I think of relegation with this Inter Allies side”, Twum told sports crusader.

The Inter Allies midfielder then apportioned a huge percentage of their late resurgence to new trainer Jimmy Corbblah.

“He is such a great coach and good to work under as a young footballer.

He believes in his players and knows what exactly he is doing whether in training or during matches”, Isaac Twum concluded.

Inter Allies spanked Berekum Chelsea at the Tema Park before forcing a point at the Gyandu Park away to Hasaacas to end the round out of the red line.

Isaac Twum Relieve To Have Ended First Round Out Of the Bottom Three

Kotoko Sign Carlos

Management has confirmed the signing of striker, Emmanuel Osei.

Also known as Carlos, Emmanuel Osei’s three-year contract was sealed on Tuesday.

The former Ashgold player is the second new signing by Kotoko since the second transfer window opened.

General Manager, Opoku Nti disclosed to Asantekotokosc.com that, management has completed the player’s move.

He said the club’s leadership would make sure the team’s attack is fortified before the start of the league’s second round.

“We are through with his negotiation. It’s a done deal and it can go public officially” he said.

The signing of Emmanuel Osei is expected to boost Kotoko’s attack, which came under serious criticism in the first round of the 2015/16 Premier League.

Management and interim head coach, Michael Osei have both stated their commitment to get one or two strikers to augment the limited options the team has at the moment.

Kotoko Sign Carlos

French Open Update : Men"s Quarter Finals Postponed

All play at the French Open is done for the day because of rain.

Among the matches suspended in progress: Novak Djokovic’s fourth-rounder against Roberto Bautista Agut. They played a total of two hours, spread across the afternoon, and split the first two sets, with Djokovic leading 4-1 in the third.

More matches in the women’s draw have been postponed at the French Open because of the bad weather and the Williams sisters won’t be stepping onto the court before Wednesday.

Four more fourth-round singles ties have been scrapped from Tuesday’s program: defending champion Serena Williams vs. No. 18-seed Elina Svitolina, No. 9 Venus Williams vs. No. 8 Timea Bacsinszky, Kiki Bertens vs. No. 15 Madison Keys and No. 12 Carla Suarez Navarro vs. Yulia Putintseva.

French Open Update : Men"s Quarter Finals Postponed

Company Takes Up GHALCA Administrative Manager Salary

An unknown company is ready to take up the monthly salary of the next Administrative Manager for the first six months.

The Ghana League Clubs Association (GHALCA) made advertisement for individuals interested in leading the day-to-day activities of the association, and a company had promised too foot the bill of the lucky candidate.

Heads of the mother body of all league clubs are confident of securing the services of an administrator by the close of next month.

The advertisement for an administrative manager began last week Friday. Three lucky candidates will be screened before a final decision is made on who will lead the administrative activities.

Company Takes Up GHALCA Administrative Manager Salary

Free Tickets For Rio 2016 Paralympics

Organizers of the 2016 Rio Paralympic are set to give away half a million tickets for the Games in a bid to boost disappointing ticket sales.

Before the announcement, only 720,000 tickets out of the total 3.3m had been sold, according to director of ticketing Donovan Ferreti.

The tickets will go to city employees, students and the disabled.

“We are delighted that these students are coming to be part of this unique experience,” said Ferreti.

He added that although ticket sales were disappointing, he hoped the announcement would increase interest in the Games which will take place from 7-18 September.

On Monday, with 100 days to go to the opening ceremony, International Paralympic Committee president Sir Philip Craven told BBC Sport that he was unconcerned about current ticket sales and believed the Games would still be a huge success.

Another 47,000 tickets will be given away by the city of Rio for the Olympics from 5-21 August.

Free Tickets For Rio 2016 Paralympics

£15 Bid By Manchester United To West Ham Over Player Transfer

Manchester United have made a move for West Ham defender Reece Oxford, according to reports.

United have been linked with the 17-year-old all season, but have been waiting to sort out their managerial situation before stepping up their interest.

And now Jose Mourinho, who was appointed as Old Trafford boss last week, is said to have sanctioned a move for the England Under-19 international.

According to The Sun, the Red Devils have submitted a bid worth up to £15million for the promising centre-half, who can also double up as a midfielder.

United are reportedly willing to pay top-flight rivals West Ham an initial £10m this summer, with £5m in performance-based add-ons.

Oxford, who has two years remaining on his current deal, is said to have recently turned down a new long-term contract worth £12,000 a week.

The youngster captained the Hammers’ Under-21s side to the Premier League Cup this season and also impressed in the first-team’s victory over Arsenal on the opening day of the season.

£15 Bid By Manchester United To West Ham Over Player Transfer

Arsenal And Chelsea Target Reject Dortmund New Deal

Henrikh Mkhitaryan’s agent has turned up the heat in contract talks with Borussia Dortmund.

Mino Raiola told German newspaper Bild: ‘Why should we extend now? Miki has a contract that runs through 2017 and we’re going to keep considering his future.’

Henrikh Mkhitaryan

Mkhitaryan scored for 23 goals and claimed 32 assists across all competitions for Dortmund last season, attracting a long list of suitors, including Arsenal, Chelsea and Juventus

The 27-year-old is happy in the Bundesliga and at Dortmund, and the latest pronouncements from Raiola may be mainly a negotiating tactic.

BVB Dortmund deadly trio; Marco Reus, Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Pierre-Emerick Aubamayeng

The agent is a tough man to bargain with. He represents the likes of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Paul Pogba and Romelu Lukaku and has secured big-money deals for all of them.

The sticking point in the Mkhitaryan negotiations appears to be the long-term future of Dortmund’s coach, however.

Thomas Tuchel and Mkhitaryan are close; the Armenian credits Tuchel with improving his mental game.

‘I’m very thankful to him – he changed the way I think,’ Mkhitaryan told the German sport magazine kicker earlier this season.

The former Shakhtar Donetsk No 10 wants a clause inserted in any new Dortmund contract that would allow him to leave if Tuchel took a job elsewhere.

Dortmund have been unwilling to meet this demand and may be prepared to let Mkhitaryan play out the last season of his deal and leave on a free next summer.

Arsenal And Chelsea Target Reject Dortmund New Deal

Kotoko Place Hefty Price Tag On Dauda Mohmmed

Asante Kotoko will consider selling Dauda Mohammed to any club who is ready to pay $1 million, according to Michael Osei.

The 19-year-old ended last season as the Porcupine Warriors’ second top scorer with eight goals, behind Amed Toure but has already equalled that feat half way into the ongoing campaign.

“I am not aware of any local offers for him but I’ve heard there are interests from abroad. I don’t think they [local clubs] have what it takes to buy Dauda,” Osei told Asempa FM.

“Kotoko will consider selling him for $1 million when the right time comes because he’s a great player with bright future,” he added.

Dauda, who is part of Ghana’s U20 squad in the ongoing African Youth Championship qualifiers, scored a hat-trick last weekend against Techiman City in a six-goal thriller, taking his tally to five in his last three games.

Kotoko Place Hefty Price Tag On Dauda Mohmmed

Liberty Skipper Targets Strong First Round Finish

Liberty Professionals captain, Samuel Sarfo has said that there is the need for his side to finish the first round of the 2015/2016 Ghana Premier League on a high.

The Ghanaian top flight league is in its half time break but the Dansoman based side have a game in hand against Medeama SC at the Carle Reindorf Park on Wednesday.

And ahead of the encounter, Sarfo, whose side have surprised many with their performances in the first round of the league says they need to finish stronger.

“We need to finish stronger” Sarfo told SportsCrusader.com.

“It is our last game of the first round and we are going to prepare and come back strongly. It is football and anything at all can happen but we have to concentrate on that particular game and comply with the coaches instruction”, he added.

Given his judgment about Liberty’s overall performance in the first round of the league, Samuel Sarfo said, “It’s been good. The entire team have been helpful to the course. Winning close to about seven games and drawing a couple of games. I think we are on course”.

Liberty are currently sitting 5^th on the league log with 24 points having recorded 7 wins, 4 defeats and 3 draws.

The Scientific Soccer lads will finish the first round of the league in second place should they beat Medeama SC on Wednesday in Dansoman.

Liberty Skipper Targets Strong First Round Finish

Akunnor Target Bettet Second Round

Charles Akunnor says his technical team will take advantage of the break to work on the minor issues that caused the team maximum points in the first round of the League.

The debutants have sold a phenomenal brand of football to soccer fans across the globe and finishing the first part of the season in sixth place after fifteen matches.

Manager Akonnor has come under barrage of criticisms in recent times following his team’s inability to hold on to their leads after faltering against Liberty Professionals, Medeama and Accra Hearts of Oak.

But the former Eleven Wise Coach says things will change in the second round.

“I must emphasize that we are doing well despite our minor mistakes,” Akonnor told dreamsfc.com after Sunday’s stalemate against Hearts of Oak at Dawu.

“The team is playing well. We sometimes lose concentration and we are punished for that but I feel that generally we are not bad at all.

“Going forward we need to develop the ability to kill games and that is what we are going to do during the break,” Akonnor emphasized.

“The first round is over so the players and my technical team will work on all the wrongs before the League resumes in June,” Manager C.K Akonnor ended.

Dreams FC is competing in the Ghana Premier League for the first time in the clubs history. Dreams FC won six games, drew 5 and lost four games in the first fifteen matches of the 2015-2016 season.

 Source: Dreams FC.

Akunnor Target Bettet Second Round

Black Stars Training Day 2: Partey Joins Stars Camp Ahead of Mauritius Clash

UEFA Champions League losing finalist, Atletico Madrid, midfielder Thomas Teye Partey has joined Black Stars camp after taking part given time off due to his involvement in the Europe’s top club competition.

Partey, 22, has been in scintillating form for the Spanish side since he returned from loan spell with Granada also in the La Liga and was one of the three players who received Black Stars for the first time.

Coach Avram Grant led the players through their first training session on Monday with only 18-players present and Partey was one of five who were yet to join the team.

Here are photos of the teams arrival ahead of their second day training at the Accra Sports Stadium:

Black Stars Training Day 2: Partey Joins Stars Camp Ahead of Mauritius Clash

We"ll Miss Gyan But ... - Badu

Black Stars midfielder, Agyemang Badu has said the absence of stalwart centre forward and captain, Asamoah Gyan will be felt but the team is ready to soldier on.

The Shanghai SIPG forward has been battling injury this season and this has had an adverse effect on his form for both club and country.

But Udinese midfelder, Badu, told reporters after the teams first training session ahead of the AFCON qualifier against Mauritius on Sunday that he is hopeful a competent replacement for the ex-Sunderland man will be found for this weekend’s tie.

Badu, 25, said, “We have quality replacement to step in Gyan’s position although the vacuum and his absence will be evident for all to see but the strikers available should be up and doing as we all look forward to make him (Gyan) and the nation proud with a win to seal qualification.”

We"ll Miss Gyan But ... - Badu

Lawson Bekui Wins Dreams FC Star Award

Striker Lawson Bekui was adjudged the EMMWL man of the match in the Ghana Premier League encounter between Dreams FC and Accra Hearts of Oak played at the Theatre of Dreams, Dawu last Sunday.

The club’s leading top scorer in the ongoing campaign won the cash prize of GHc 200.00 for the third time this season.

The pacey striker has been Dreams FC’s lead striker this season, and has scored seven goals in the 14 league games he has played so far.

The award which was given by EMWL Microfinance, one of the sponsors of the club is aimed at motivating the players to give off their best at all times.

Dreams FC are placed sixth on the league log with 23 points at the half way point of the campaign, and, will play Hearts of Oak again in Accra when the second round starts on the weekend of 25/26 June.

Lawson Bekui Wins Dreams FC Star Award

Abdul Bashiru Targets Strong Second Round With Dreams FC

Dreams FC defender and captain, Abdul Bashiru is targeting a strong second round with the top-flight debutants in the Ghana Premier League (GPL).

At the end of the first round stage of this seasons competition, Dreams FC sit in sixth position with 23 points from their 15 games played.

The Kweiman based side drew 1-1 with Accra Hearts of Oak at the Dawu Park last Sunday, with Bashiru enjoying one of his better games as they hosted Ghana’s Premier club.

And, Bashiru believes they can improve on their performance when the second half of the GPL commences on the 25 and 26 June.

They will take on the Phobians again in a reverse fixture at the Accra Sports Stadium, and, Bashiru says they will be ready for that encounter when it comes.

“We are going to do extra work at our training, and, I am sure we will correct the mistakes we committed during the first round of the competition,” he told Sportscrusader.com.

Bashiru, who is also a member of the local national team, expects to see his side finish high up on the table when the competition ends.

“I am not saying we are going to win it, but, I can tell you that we will fight for every three points when the second half of the season begins,” the former Accra Hearts of Oak player said.

Of the 15 games that Dreams FC played during the first round, they won six, drew five and lost four. They scored 15 goals and conceded 18, and this is a record the captain said they are keen on improving on in the next round.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Abdul Bashiru Targets Strong Second Round With Dreams FC

We Will Open More Fire In The Second Round – Robin Gnange

Accra Hearts of Oak captain Robin Gnange is adamant the league is not over adding that the players will work extra hard to get more points on board in the second round.

The first round of the 2015/2016 Ghana Premier League (GPL) came to an end on Sunday, with the Phobians dropping from second to fourth on the league log after playing a 1-1 draw game with Dreams FC at Dawu.

Speaking after the game, Gnange revealed that the players are not disappointed with the point but insists they will do more in the second round to make the fans happy.

“The game was not a bad game,” the Hearts defender told the club’s official newspaper, the Hearts News.

“We came all out to win the game but unfortunately we only had one point but we are not disappointed”.

“We wanted to get all the three points but we got one but we are not that disappointed.

The season is not over; the second round is just around the corner so we are not down.  We are going to work hard so that in the second round we will get more points”.

On the game, he said; “In the first half, things were not going on well for us but the coach talked to us and we came all out in the second half and we improved more”.

“We created a number of chances in the second half. We deserved the point we got because we created a number of chances but we got only one goal”.

Gnange assured the fans that the league is not over. “We are going to work hard to make the fans happy,” he assured.

 

 

 

We Will Open More Fire In The Second Round – Robin Gnange

Dominic Oduro Earns Praise Of Team-mates, Coaches

Montreal Impact’s Ghanaian forward, Dominic Oduro has earned the praise of his team-mates and coaches for his excellent display for the Major League Soccer (MLS) side.

Oduro, an MLS veteran who’s played with seven different clubs over the last 10 seasons, has always been known primarily for his superlative quickness and great speed.

And, the 30 year old has displayed that to great effect this season as the Canadian side makes wakes in the competition and, this has not gone unnoticed by those around him.

“He’s one of our key players,” said defender Maxim Tissot. He added: There’s a lot of competition too at his position and he’s been doing great. He’s been making Coach Mauro Biello’s choice very difficult and he’s been helping us a lot on the counter and he’s been defending well too”.

Similar views about the Ghanaian player have been said by other players in the team including Ivorian legend, Didier Drogba who Oduro looks up to for inspiration.

Coach Biello said of his striker; “Dominic is always a big threat, I he’s been able to understand how he can be effective with his qualities. He understands his limits – he works extremely hard, he knows how to use his speed, the timing of his movement, his runs, and how he’s putting himself in situations where he becomes decisive, whether it’s with a pass or with a goal”.

Oduro himself believes this has been one of the strongest seasons yet, and, says he is grateful for the recognition he is getting.

“I can’t say this is my best season, because every season is different; when I was in Columbus I thought I had a great season. When I was in Chicago I thought I had a great season. Every year brings its challenges, but I will say this has been one of my best seasons because it’s been a good start and it’s a blessing to hear my team-mates associate me as one of the key players.”

 

 

 

Dominic Oduro Earns Praise Of Team-mates, Coaches

GPL To Resume Late June

The second round of the 2015-16 Ghana Premier League (GPL) season will begin on Saturday June 25.

It was reported the three-week break will end on June 26, but Sportscrusader.com that there will be a match on Saturday, June 25 to commence the second round.

The Ghana Football Association (GFA) and the Premier League Board (PLB ) are satisfied with the first round and will outline sessions to better the first round.

Tue FA says they are confident spectatory will be at its apex in the second, and that they are doing all they can to acquire a sponsor for the league before the second round.

Some telecommunication companies as well ad other corporate bodies have contacted to consider sponsoring the league, but the response has been poor.

However, the heads of the country’s football governing body are ‘working seriously’ to find sponsor to help leverage the financial burden on the clubs.

GPL To Resume Late June

GHALCA To Call On GFA And Two Others

The New Executive Council of the Ghana League Clubs Association (GHALCA), will pay a courtesy call on the Ghana Football Association (GFA), Sports Ministry and National Sports Authority (NSA) on Wednesday June 1.

The Association, which is the mother body of all league clubs in Ghana, held it’s elections about two months ago to elect officials to steer the affairs of the association for the next four years.

Mr. Kudjoe Fianoo, Chief Executive Officer of Ghana Premier League (GPL) side, Ashanti Gold, won the elections at the expense of Kofi Poku, Nana Oduro Sarfo and Isaac Wilberforce Koomson who also contested for the seat.

He was sworn into office earlier this month with his team, and they will pay a visit to the football governing body of Ghana, the Youth and Sports Ministry and NSA to introduce themselves officially.

The team will pay the call to the offices of the FA first before calling on the other two heads of the country’s sport.

The new executive council include:

Kudjoe Fianoo – Chairman

Alex Akumey – Vice Chairman

George Amoako – Treasurer

John Ansh – Premier League Representative

George Offosuhene Peprah – Premier League Representative

Somtymer Otuo-Acheampong – Division One Representative

Samuel Aboabre – Division Two Representative.

GHALCA To Call On GFA And Two Others

Kenichi Kick Against Adams Signing

Sadick Adams is is close to joining Hearts of Oak on a two-year deal after agreeing personal terms with the Phobians.

Sportscrusader.com revealed that a deal with the 2001 CAF Champions League would be completed within the week, but talks has cooled due to Kenichi Yatsushashi unreadiness to sanction the deal.

This portal can confirm that Kenichi Yatsushashi, head coach of the Phobians has kicked against the Strategic Committee’s decision to sign the former Black Starlet, and is in a loggerheads with his employers.

According to sources, the former Aspire players development coach told the Strategic Committee he has players good enough to provide him results.

He also added that he has not ‘given Ibrahim Musah enough playing time’ to prove his worth and he will not sign players who will hamper their development into regulars for the team.

The management are said to be livid at his decision, and sources have said they will consider his future soon if he doesn’t change his stand.

The Phobians have spoken to Yussif Abubakar who has problems with the supporters, and have also asked former coach, Kosda Papic if he is interested in returning to the club.

Kenichi Kick Against Adams Signing

EURO 2016: Turkey Names Final Squad

Barcelona midfielder Arda Turan leads Fatih Terim’s final 23-man squad for Euro 2016, with Nuri Sahin also making the cut despite an injury-plagued season.

Borussia Dortmund’s Sahin had to wait until February 18 to make his first start of the campaign after a persistent tendon problem, managing just six subsequent starts in the Bundesliga.

However, the playmaker makes Fatih Terim’s final selection, along with Bayer Leverkusen ace Hakan Calhanoglu and surprise inclusion Emre Mor, who made his full international debut in last Sunday’s friendly against Montenegro after impressing for Nordsjaelland.

Eight players, included Gokhan Tore of Besiktas and Galatasaray’s Yasin Oztekin have been cut from Terim’s initial party.

Turkey start their Euro 2016 campaign against Croatia on June 12, before meeting Spain five days later and Czech Republic in their final Group D game on June 21.

 

Turkey’s Final 23-man Squad:

Goalkeepers: Volkan Babacan (Medipol Basaksehir), Onur Recep Kivrak (Trabzonspor), Harun Tekin (Bursaspor)

Defenders: Gokhan Gonul (Fenerbahce), Sener Ozbayrakli (Bursaspor), Semih Kaya (Galatasaray), Ahmet Calik (Genclerbirligi), Hakan Balta (Galatasaray), Caner Erkin (Fenerbahce), Ismail Koybasi (Besiktas)

Midfielders: Mehmet Topal (Fenerbahce), Selcuk Inan (Galatasaray), Ozan Tufan (Fenerbahce), Oguzhan Ozyakup (Besiktas), Hakan Calhanoglu (Bayer Leverkusen), Nuri Sahin (Borussia Dortmund), Arda Turan (Barcelona), Olcay Sahan (Besiktas), Volkan Sen (Fenerbahce), Emre Mor (Nordsjaelland)

Strikers: Burak Yilmaz (Beijing Guoan), Cenk Tosun (Besiktas), Yunus Malli (Mainz)

 

EURO 2016: Turkey Names Final Squad

Ukraine"s Euro 2016 Squad Announced

Head coach of the national team of Ukraine Mykhailo Fomenko announced the squad to participate in the final tournament of EURO-2016 in France.

Ukrainian final list consists of 23 players:

Goalkeepers: Andriy Pyatov ( “Shakhtar” Donetsk), Denys Boyko ( “Besiktas” Turkey), MykytaShevchenko (“Zorya” Lugansk)

Defenders: Artem Fedetskyi (“Dnipro” Dnipro), Vyacheslav Shevchuk, Oleksandr Kucher, Yaroslav Rakytskyi, Bohdan Butko (all – “Shakhtar”), Yevhen Khacheridi ( “Dynamo” Kyiv)

Midfielders: Andriy Yarmolenko, Serhiy Sydorchuk, Denys Garmash, Serhiy Rybalka (all – “Dynamo”), Ruslan Rotan ( “Dnipro”), Taras Stepanenko, Victor Kovalenko (both – “Shakhtar”), Oleksandr Karavaev ( “Zorya”) Anatoliy Tymoschuk ( “Kairat”, Kazakhstan), Yevhen Konoplyanka ( “Sevilla”, Spain), Oleksandr Zinchenko (“Ufa”, Russia)

Forwards: Roman Zozulya (“Dnipro”), Pylyp Budkivskyi ( “Zorya”), Yevhen Seleznyov ( “Shakhtar”)

Ukraine"s Euro 2016 Squad Announced

EURO 2016: Injured Joe Ledley Makes Wales Final Squad

Wales have confirmed their 23-man squad for the European Championships, with Joe Ledley included in the squad despite breaking his leg this month.

Manager Chris Coleman, who was recently rewarded with a two-year extension by the Welsh FA, has worked wonders in charge of the national team.

Coleman guided his country to the Euro 2016 finals during the group stages over the last 18 months, which in turn will be Wales’ first finals since the 1958 World Cup.

Coleman has lost just one of his last 11 qualifiers and he will be hoping to carry that sort of form into the Championships next month.

A big boost ahead of the tournament is the return of Ledley, although it is not believed the Crystal Palace midfielder will start the opening game or two.

The 29-year-old, remarkably, missed the FA Cup final loss against Manchester United after breaking his leg on the 7 May.

Adam Matthews, Paul Dummett, Emyr Huws and Wes Burns are the ones who have been cut from Coleman’s training camp group, whilst three players withdrew with injury.

Real Madrid superstar Gareth Bale, who won the Champions League on Saturday night, linked up with the squad on Tuesday and is included as expected.

 

Wales’ 23-man Squad For Euro 2016:

Goalkeepers: Wayne Hennessey, Danny Ward, Owain Fon Williams.

Defenders: Chris Gunter, James Chester, Ashley Williams, Ben Davies, Neil Taylor, James Collins, Jazz Richards.

Midfielders: Joe Allen, Joe Ledley, Aaron Ramsey, Andy King, David Edwards, Jonny Williams, David Vaughan, George Williams.

Forwards: Gareth Bale, Hal Robson-Kanu, Sam Vokes, Simon Church, David Cotterill.

EURO 2016: Injured Joe Ledley Makes Wales Final Squad

GFA Set For Showdown Talks With GN Bank

Ghana Football Association (GFA) will hold a showdown with the management of GN Bank, sponsors of  the Division One League (DOL), to find a solution after their threat to suspend their relationship.

GN Bank feel hooliganism in the league has become rampant without serious treatment by the GFA thus suspending their deal with the Football Association.

But Ibrahim Saani Daara, Communication Director of the Ghana FA, believes both parties need to hold clear the air talks as the GFA have put measures in place to curb hooliganism.

“We as the Ghana Football Association say that we want to engage him, tell him the measures we have put in place to ameliorate it if not completely eradicate it,” he told Joy FM.

“The measures will basically take in to stem it. We want to get to the bottom of this matter.

“Within the powers of the GFA, what must be done has been done and we will continue to do it.

“We need to go the next step and that is the security agencies particularly the police who are paid to come to our matches, to police our matches to be able to arrest some culprits and put them before the law court.” he said.

GFA Set For Showdown Talks With GN Bank

Lionel Messi Tax Fraud Trial Opens In Spain

The trial of Argentina and Barcelona footballer Lionel Messi on tax fraud charges has begun in Spain.

Messi and his father Jorge, who manages his financial affairs, are accused of defrauding Spain of more than €4m (£3m; $4.5m) between 2007 and 2009.

The authorities allege that the two used tax havens in Belize and Uruguay to conceal earnings from image rights.

The Spanish tax agency is demanding heavy fines and prison sentences. They deny any wrongdoing.

The trial is expected to last for three days, with Messi appearing in court on Thursday.

The income related to Messi’s image rights, including contracts with Banco Sabadell, Danone, Adidas, Pepsi-Cola, Procter and Gamble, and the Kuwait Food Company.

Messi’s lawyers had argued that the player had “never devoted a minute of his life to reading, studying or analysing” the contracts.

But the high court in Barcelona ruled in June 2015 that the football star should not be granted immunity for not knowing what was happening with his finances, which were being managed in part by his father.

Messi and his father made a voluntary €5m (£3.8m, $5.6m) “corrective payment” – equal to the alleged unpaid tax plus interest – in August 2013.

Messi is the five-time World Player of the Year and one of the richest athletes in the world.

BBC

Lionel Messi Tax Fraud Trial Opens In Spain

The Old Memphis Will Soon Be Back Again - Depay

Manchester United winger Memphis Depay has refused to blame Louis van Gaal for his disappointing debut season in the Premier League, and backed himself to show his worth next term.

The Holland international was signed from PSV Eindhoven for £25million last June but failed to live up to expectations at Old Trafford, despite a promising pre-season.

But, having spent much of the second half of last season on the substitutes bench, Depay is reluctant to point the finger at his compatriot ex-manager Van Gaal, and vowed to impress new boss Jose Mourinho this summer.

The 22-year-old told Fox Sports: ‘It’s never nice to be criticised, but it’s part of the game and I have to deal with it. The season did not go as planned and that hurt my confidence a bit.

‘I do not want to blame the manager for it, he added. ‘I played some good games and some bad matches.

‘I do not want to blame anyone for it. I have not been in touch with Van Gaal yet. I might give him a call or send him a text.’

‘It’s now up to me to deal with this situation and get back on track. I think every attacker is intuitive,’ he continued.

‘You have to make decisions on when to go for an individual action. The old Memphis, who beat every opponent, will soon be back again.

‘I did not play as many games as I hoped and I am obviously disappointed about that. I had different expectations. But I have to deal with that.

‘It’s now on to next season. I have to prove my worth during pre-season.’

Depay will not be involved in Euro 2016 in France this summer as Holland embarrassingly failed to qualify in October.

The Old Memphis Will Soon Be Back Again - Depay

EURO 2016: Rashford Makes England Squad, Drinkwater Axed

Marcus Rashford’s sensational rise to prominence has continued after Roy Hodgson named the teenage striker in his final 23-man squad for Euro 2016 at the expense of Danny Drinkwater, Fabian Delph and Andros Townsend.

Hodgson has named five strikers for the summer tournament with Rashford joining Manchester United teammate Wayne Rooney, Leicester’s Jamie Vardy, Tottenham’s Harry Kane and Liverpool’s Daniel Sturridge in the squad.

Delph was expected to be left out of the final squad after he picked up a groin injury in training, but Drinkwater and Townsend will be disappointed to miss out following their impressive form for both Leicester and Newcastle in the Premier League.

 

England’s final 23-man squad:

Goalkeepers: Fraser Forster (Southampton), Joe Hart (Manchester City), Tom Heaton (Burnley).

Defenders: Ryan Betrand (Southampton), Gary Cahill (Chelsea), Nathaniel Clyne (Liverpool), Danny Rose (Tottenham), Chris Smalling (Manchester United), John Stones (Everton), Kyle Walker (Tottenham).

Midfielders: Dele Alli (Tottenham), Ross Barkley (Everton), Eric Dier (Tottenham), Jordan Henderson (Liverpool), Adam Lallana (Liverpool), James Milner (Liverpool), Raheem Sterling (Manchester City), Jack Wilshere (Arsenal).

Forwards: Harry Kane (Tottenham), Marcus Rashford (Manchester United), Wayne Rooney (Manchester United), Daniel Sturridge (Liverpool), Jamie Vardy (Leicester).

EURO 2016: Rashford Makes England Squad, Drinkwater Axed

Marco Reus Out Of Germany Euro 2016 Squad

Marco Reus played a full 120 minutes for Dortmund in the German Cup final on 21 May

Borussia Dortmund’s Marco Reus has been omitted from Germany’s Euro 2016 squad but Manchester United’s Bastian Schweinsteiger has been included.

Reus, 27, missed the 2014 World Cup and has had recent injury concerns. Fellow midfielder Schweinsteiger, 31, has not played since picking up a knee injury in March while away with Germany but has been selected by Joachim Low. Bayer Leverkusen’s Julian Brandt, Karim Bellarabi and Hoffenheim’s Sebastian Rudy have all been left out. “The medical staff could not give a clear prognosis for Marco,” Low said of Reus’s omission, which comes on his birthday. “He has massive injury problems and the medical staff was very sceptical about his ability to last through the coming weeks and such a gruelling tournament. “It is a bitter decision and bitter for Marco.” Liverpool midfielder Emre Can, Arsenal’s Mesut Ozil and former Gunners attacking midfielder Lukas Podolski, now at Turkish side Galatasaray, have all been included as the world champions search for their first European title since 1996.

Germany squad:

Goalkeepers: Manuel Neuer (Bayern Munich), Bernd Leno (Bayer Leverkusen), Marc-Andre ter Stegen (Barcelona) Defenders: Jerome Boateng (Bayern Munich), Emre Can (Liverpool), Jonas Hector (Cologne), Benedikt Hoewedes (Schalke 04), Mats Hummels (Borussia Dortmund), Shkodran Mustafi (Valencia), Antonio Ruediger (Roma) Midfielders: Julian Draxler (VfL Wolfsburg), Sami Khedira (Juventus), Joshua Kimmich (Bayern Munich), Toni Kroos (Real Madrid), Thomas Muller (Bayern Munich), Mesut Ozil (Arsenal), Lukas Podolski (Galatasaray), Andre Schurrle (VfL Wolfsburg), Bastian Schweinsteiger (Manchester United), Julian Weigl (Borussia Dortmund). Forwards: Mario Gomez (Besiktas), Mario Goetze (Bayern Munich), Leroy Sane (Schalke 04)

 

BBC

 

 

Marco Reus Out Of Germany Euro 2016 Squad

Marcus Rashford In England Euro 2016 Squad

Rashford only made his debut for Manchester United on 25 February

Manchester United striker Marcus Rashford has been included in Roy Hodgson’s 23-man England squad for the 2016 European Championship in France.

Rashford, 18, scored on his international debut in the 2-1 friendly victory over Australia on Friday.

Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge is also included, but Newcastle United’s Andros Townsend and Leicester City’s Danny Drinkwater both miss out.

England face Portugal in their last Euro 2016 warm-up match on Thursday.

Hodgson’s side begin their campaign in France by playing Russia on 11 June, before meeting Wales on 16 June and Slovakia on 20 June.

Rashford, who signed a new four-year contract with Manchester United on Monday, only made his professional debut on 25 February, but scored eight goals in 18 club games to earn an international call-up.

Sturridge, 26, missed England’s last two friendly matches but did take part in a training session on Monday.

Drinkwater helped Leicester claim a shock Premier League title, while Townsend was a member of the Newcastle team relegated from the top flight.

Hodgson initially named a 26-man squad after the final round of Premier League games, having intended to reveal his final selection on 12 May.

That was cut to 25 when Manchester City midfielder Fabian Delph was moved to the standby list after picking up an injury.

Squad:

Goalkeepers: Joe Hart (Manchester City), Fraser Forster (Southampton), Tom Heaton (Burnley).

Defenders: Gary Cahill (Chelsea), Chris Smalling (Manchester United), John Stones (Everton), Kyle Walker (Tottenham Hotspur), Ryan Bertrand (Southampton), Danny Rose (Tottenham Hotspur), Nathaniel Clyne (Liverpool).

Midfielders: Dele Alli (Tottenham Hotspur), Ross Barkley (Everton), Eric Dier (Tottenham Hotspur), Jordan Henderson (Liverpool), Adam Lallana (Liverpool), James Milner (Liverpool), Raheem Sterling (Manchester City), Jack Wilshere (Arsenal).

Strikers: Wayne Rooney (Manchester United), Harry Kane (Tottenham Hotspur), Jamie Vardy (Leicester City), Daniel Sturridge (Liverpool), Marcus Rashford (Manchester United).

BBC

Marcus Rashford In England Euro 2016 Squad

Former Hearts Defender On Napoli Radar

Ghanaian defender, Nuru Suley is on the radar of several European and Middle Eastern clubs including Italian giants Napoli.

The 23-year old former Hearts of Oak man was in terrific form in the 2015/2016 Turkish Second tier campaign helping his side, Alanyaspor secure top flight football via the playoffs.

Suley’s form however, has not gone un-noticed as several clubs in Europe and the Middle East are hot on his heels trying to secure his services for the 2016/2017 season.

“If I get a good offer and it is okay for me, I will move on. For now I am talking with a lot of agents and offers are coming from the Arab gulf and from Europe”, Suley told SportsCrusader.com in an exclusive interview from his base in Turkey.

“But I need to relax and see if everything works on well so I know where to go. Al-Jazira of Qatar and Napoli of Italy are all in the race with others still coming”, he added.

Nuru Suley is set to return to Ghana next week to continue his holidays as his agents continue to negotiate for a deal for him for the coming season.

Former Hearts Defender On Napoli Radar

Daley Blind and Juan Mata Set for Manchester United Exit

Daley Blind and Juan Mata will be high-profile victims of Jose Mourinho’s arrival at Manchester United this summer, Sky Sports News HQ understands.

Mourinho, who was shown around United’s Carrington training ground by executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward and Sir Bobby Charlton on Monday, is already planning his assault on the summer transfer market, and has identified a number of key targets.

Neither Mata nor Blind are expected to feature in Mourinho’s plans for the forthcoming season as he builds a team, which he believes, can win the Premier League.

It is understood Mourinho would approve the sale of both players this summer should United receive acceptable bids, with the expectation he can sign players to directly replace them.

Mourinho sanctioned Mata’s sale to Manchester United from Chelsea in January 2014 for a fee in the region of £33.5m, despite the Spaniard being named Chelsea’s Player Of The Season six months earlier.

Mourinho has a history of signing tall, fast, strong central defenders, such as Kurt Zouma and Raphael Varane at Chelsea and Real Madrid respectively. The physical attributes of both players were seen as key factors in their recruitment, and Mourinho had no qualms in introducing them to the first team at a young age.

Daley Blind and Juan Mata Set for Manchester United Exit

Arsenal Player In Spain Euro 2016 Squad

 

Hector Bellerin started his career in the youth system at Barcelona before joining Arsenal in 2011

Arsenal defender Hector Bellerin has been included in Spain’s squad for the defence of their title at Euro 2016.

The right-back has been promoted from the stand-by list after Dani Carvajal suffered a thigh injury in Real Madrid’s Champions League final win over Atletico Madrid.

Bellerin, 21, won his first full cap in a warm-up win over Bosnia and Herzegovina on Sunday night.

Spain have named 19 players with the last four to be named later on Tuesday.

Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea and Manchester City’s David Silva are both in Vicente del Bosque’s squad.

Dani Carvajal has made five appearances for Spain since making his debut in 2014

Carvajal, 24, will miss the tournament in France after being substituted early in the second half of Real’s penalty shoot-out win over Atletico in Milan.

“I had to leave and I knew there and then that I would probably miss Euro 2016,” Carvajal told Spanish radio station Cadena Cope.

Spain, who won the tournament in 2008 and 2012, are in Group D at Euro 2016 alongside the Czech Republic, Turkey and Croatia.

Arsenal Player In Spain Euro 2016 Squad

Kidnapped Mexican Footballer Freed

International football player Alan Pulido is “safe and sound” after police rescued him from kidnappers who seized him in north-eastern Mexico.

Pulido, 25, was abducted at gunpoint on Saturday night in his home town of Ciudad Victoria in Tamaulipas state.

The striker, who plays for Greek team Olympiakos, phoned police while his captors were distracted, officials say.

A 38-year-old man has been arrested. Officials say he confessed to belonging to a local criminal gang.

Police are searching for another three men believed to have been involved in the kidnapping.

Kidnapped Mexican Footballer Freed

In-Demand Everton Defender Asked To Focus on 2016 Euros

Roy Hodgson has warned John Stones to put his future on hold until after the Euros.

Everton defender Stones is a target for both Manchester clubs, Chelsea and Barcelona this summer and is likely to be wrapped up in another transfer saga.

But Hodgson says that his players must be fully “focused” on England while they are at the European Championship this summer.

England boss Hodgson said: “Whether agents come to the hotel or not is a moot point. They will be talking to the players face to face, on the phone or via Skype or Facebook. Who the hell knows?

John Stones in training as the England gear up for Euro 2016

“But the one thing this group of players know and have accepted is that when you are on England duty, you are on England duty. It’s not a question of you sorting out your future or diving off for medicals.

“We control all of that and you have to accept there is a good chance that if you say you want to go for a medical that we will say ‘we are not allowing that and you better bring your people here’.

“We can facilitate, we are not trying to block players’ futures or transfers.

“But as far as we are concerned our on-going theme is that England is England and your club is your club. While you are with England we want you to stay focussed on us.”

In-Demand Everton Defender Asked To Focus on 2016 Euros

CAF Appoints Ethiopian Referee For Ghana-Mauritius Clash

Confederation of African Football (CAF) has appointed Ethiopian referees for Ghana’s final African Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2017 qualifier against Mauritius on Sunday, June 5. 

Bamlak Tessema Weyesa, 35, will be the man with the whistle and will be assisted by his compatriots, Kindie Mussie and Temesgin Samuel Atango.

The Black Stars only need to avoid defeat against Mauritius to seal qualification to the 2017 AFCON finals to be hosted by Gabon.

 

The match will be played at the Belle Vue Stadium in Belle Vue.

CAF Appoints Ethiopian Referee For Ghana-Mauritius Clash

AIBA Meets WADA To Address Anti-Doping Compliance

AIBA, the governing body for Olympic boxing, has received recommendations from the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) to improve its anti-doping programme.

 

AIBA representatives met with WADA at the end of last year as part of a ‘Partnership to Quality’ programme. WADA subsequently issued a report to bring AIBA’s anti-doping programme up to international standard.

“We can confirm that an operational delegation from WADA met with AIBA’s anti-doping administrators over two days on 11-14 December 2015 as part of WADA’s Partnership to Quality Program.

 

This program, which was initiated earlier in 2015 – the year of the coming into force of the 2015 World Anti-Doping Code – goes above and beyond WADA’s daily support of International Federations (IFs) and other Anti-Doping Organizations (ADOs) and is intended to assist the participating IFs more closely in developing Code-compliant anti-doping programs,” a WADA spokesperson said. “Following this visit, as is the case with all visits of this program (a dozen to date), WADA provided AIBA with a report a few weeks later, which included in particular recommendations of improvements and enhancements of the IF anti-doping program in order for the IF to meet the Code and International Standards’ requirements.”

It does seem unlikely that boxing could be barred from the Olympic Games. “In terms of the Olympics, WADA does not have the jurisdiction or the power to take such decisions,” the spokesperson said but noted, “When a signatory to the Code is declared non-compliant by WADA’s Foundation Board following recommendation from WADA’s independent Compliance Review Committee, WADA reports the decision and informs its stakeholders including the IOC – which has control over the Olympic Games – accordingly.”

AIBA Meets WADA To Address Anti-Doping Compliance

Medeama Appoint Prince Owusu

Medeama SC has apppinted Prince Owusu to take over haad coach of the club after he agreed a two-year contract.

The Mauve and Yellows appointed Mr.

Owusu to succeed Tom Strand who left the club unceremoniously earlier this month.

Mr. Owusu had a two-year stint with Sudanese side Khartoum SC, serving as understudy to former Black Stars coach James Kwesi Appiah.

Announcing the appointment, Chief Executive James Essilfie said: Prince is one of the outstanding Ghanaian coaches at the moment. We are delighted he has re-joined us for the next two seasons.

“I like to take this opportunity to welcome him again to Medeama. He is a great coach with an enviable eye for spotting talents.

“We believe he’s the right man to steer the side to success in both the league and on the continent.”

Prince Owusu said: To return to Medeama is exciting for me and I look forward to working with a group of talented youngsters.

“To be a coach of Medeama again is an honour for me. It’s a club I admire and I look forward to a successful tenure.

“I have always felt an affinity with this wonderful club.I have always enjoyed a rapport with the Medeama fans. I’m looking forward to being their coach and enjoying their magnificent support.

Medeama Appoint Prince Owusu

Mourinho Keen On Arsenal"s Player As a Start To Revamp Man. United

Jose Mourinho wants former Manchester United striker Danny Welbeck back at Old Trafford. According to The Express.

 

Mourinho is keen to sign the Arsenal star to start the overhaul of the United squad this summer. Welbeck’s finest two game in a United shirt were against Mourinho’s Real Madrid side when the Englishman was preferred instead of Wayne Rooney to start as the number 10 by Sir Alex Ferguson.

Welbeck who was given the specific duty to mark Xabi Alonso by Ferguson had a major impact during the second leg even though United lost the match and the tie. Alonso was Real’s engine at that time and Welbeck denied him the space and time to operate normally like the Spaniard does.

 

Mourinho has a penchant for players who can carry out specific tactical orders and Welbeck has proved himself in this regard. But Welbeck moved to Arsenal because he felt that he was neglecting his talent as the lead striker and it remains to  be seen whether Mourinho is able to convince him to to return to Old Trafford where he won’t be the lead striker.

Mourinho Keen On Arsenal"s Player As a Start To Revamp Man. United

We Are Ready To Pass Mauritius Test - Agyemang Badu

Ghana Black Stars combative midfielder, Agyemang Badu has promised Ghanaians nothing short of victory when they face Mauritius in CAF African Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier.

The Black Stars will seal qualification to the next AFCON cup in Gabon should they avoid defeat against the Eastern Africa side on Sunday June 5.

Badu who will be making his fifth nations cup tournament appearance should Ghana qualify spoke to the media after training on day 1 at the Accra Sports Stadium of the mood in camp and the players readiness to do battle for the country.

Agyemang Badu (middle) trained with the rest of the team at the Accra Sports Stadium ahead of the AFCON Qualifier

“it is going to be a difficult game considering their home form (no defeat at home) and that stands them in a good position as favourites for this game but we have quality to beat them come Sunday.”

 

He added, “the training session was good today though was not a full house but the arrival of the rest of the players will make us even stronger and ready for battle.We are poised for action, we don’t need a draw but a win so that we can seal qualification to Gabon 2017 with a huge statement to the rest of Africa and make the nation proud.”

We Are Ready To Pass Mauritius Test - Agyemang Badu

Twumasi Deserves Black Stars Call-Up - Grant

Ghana Black Stars head coach, Avram Grant has admitted young forward, Patrick Twumasi deserves the national team call up he received.

The Astana FC striker was called up for the first time as Ghana prepares to play the Mauritius on June 5 in an African Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2017 qualifier.

Twumasi, 22, received the call up as a replacement to injured duo, Asamoah Gyan and Majeed Waris with the Astana striker boasting of a fine form in front of goal with 4-goals in 6 UEFA Champions league games the highlight of his season.

And this Grant believes warranted his call up and hopes he makes the best of the opportunity when called upon to make his debut.

“Asamoah Gyan and Waris’ injury meant other players have the opportunity to show their quality and Patrick (Twumasi) has been doing well since the commencement of the just ended season.”

“He has scored lot of goals in both the champions league and the domestic league (in Kazahkstan). The injury has given him the chance to represent Ghana and I hope he will grab this with both hands,” he added.

The Black Stars will hold the second day training session at the Accra Sports Stadium.

Twumasi Deserves Black Stars Call-Up - Grant

Carrick Offered United Extension

Manchester United midfielder Michael Carrick has reportedly been offered a one-year extension by the club. The 34-year-old’s current contract expires this summer and there has been major doubt surrounding his future at Old Trafford.

But new manager Jose Mourinho is apparently keen to retain Carrick’s services as he looks to rebuild the United squad this summer. The midfielder, who joined the club from Tottenham Hotspur in 2006, is currently considering whether to accept United’s offer.

Carrick recently spoke in glowing terms about United’s new manager, although he confessed he was disappointed to see former boss Louis van Gaal and his backroom staff lose their jobs.

“Mourinho’s track record speaks for itself. He’s a good fit for the club and hopefully he’ll do very well,” the United veteran said, according to The Guardian. “I have to say it’s sad to see anyone lose their job, the manager and staff, but good times are ahead.”

The report comes shortly after Mourinho was given a guided tour around United’s training base at Carrington by Ed Woodward, the club’s executive vice-chairman. During the visit, Mourinho was introduced to long-serving staff members and United director Sir Bobby Charlton.

The Portuguese manager will start his work at United on 4 July, when the team return to pre-season training. However, those United players involved in Euro 2016 or the Copa America are set to return at a later date.

Carrick Offered United Extension

Payet"s Stunning Free Kick Earns France A Victory Over Cameroon (Highlights)

Dimitri Payet’s stunning last-minute free-kick clinched France a 3-2 win in an entertaining friendly against Cameroon in Nantes.

West Ham midfielder Payet picked up where he had left off in the Barclays Premier League this season to steal the plaudits after Maxim Choupo-Moting’s late equaliser looked to have sealed Cameroon a draw at Stade de la Beaujoire.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I0PVFqL0pNk

 

Blaise Matuidi’s first-half opener had been cancelled out by Cameroon striker Vincent Aboubakar before Olivier Giroud gave Les Bleus an interval lead.

Cameroon drew level a minute later with a superb move involving Eyong Enoh, whose throughball found Allan Nyom and the over-lapping full-back’s excellent low cross to the far post was swept home first time by Aboubakar.

 

The game had reignited in the closing stages and Cameroon appeared to have secured a creditable draw in the 88th minute when a defensive mix up left substitute Choupo-Moting in the clear and he despatched the ball into the bottom corner.

But in the 90th minute France were awarded a free-kick when Franck Kom fouled Kante 25 yards out and Payet curled his superb free-kick into the top corner to win it for Les Bleus.

 

Payet"s Stunning Free Kick Earns France A Victory Over Cameroon (Highlights)

West Ham Wrestle Chelsea For AC Milan Striker

West Ham have made an offer of £16million for AC Milan striker Carlos Bacca.

 

The Colombia international is one of several names on the club’s wishlist as they try lure a top class striker to the Olympic Stadium for next season.

London rivals, Chelsea are rumoured to the former Sevilla forward’s favourite destination but the transfer fee and age seems to have the Blues reluctant on pushing for the move.

 

Carlos Bacca celebrates scoring for AC Milan

Milan want £20m for the 29-year-old which would leave no re-sale value and Bacca is understood to be chasing £60,000 a week after tax. He is prolific though and scored 24 goals in all competitions last season.

Carlos Bacca in Colombian colours

Slaven Bilic and co-chairmen David Sullivan and David Gold have been scouting the market for different strikers and have been rebuffed in their efforts to sign Alexandre Lacazette from Lyon.

 

They remain in talks with Toulouse over a deal for Martin Braithwaite but he would be a secondary striker with Diafra Sakho likely to leave and a target for Sunderland among others.

West Ham Wrestle Chelsea For AC Milan Striker

Golden State Reach NBA Finals With Victory Over Thunder (Game 7 Highlights)

Splash Brothers Curry and Klay Thompson carried the 73-win Warriors right back to the NBA Finals, as Golden State beat the Oklahoma City Thunder 96-88 on Monday night in Game 7 of the Western Conference finals, completing the rally from a 3-1 series deficit.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9RdLmnNXhKg

The MVP scored 36 points with seven 3-pointers to finish with an NBA-record 32 in a seven-game series, and he added eight assists.

 

Thompson added 21 points and six 3s, two days after his record 11 3-pointers led a Game 6 comeback that sent the series home to raucous Oracle Arena for one more.

Game 1 is Thursday night in Oakland.

Golden State Reach NBA Finals With Victory Over Thunder (Game 7 Highlights)

Hiram Boateng Misses On League One Promotion

English born Ghanaian forward Hiram Kojo Boateng saw his league one promotion ambitions dashed by Wimbledon at the Wembley sports stadium.

The talented attacking prodigy missed out on the sole ticket to the third tier of English football with a painful 2-0 defeat in the play off grand finale.

The Ghanaian forward rejoined the Pilgrims from Premiership side Crystal Palace after an impressive stint at the start of the campaign but was powerless to stop his side from a final day heart break in Wembley.

The london based attacker passed through the ranks of the Eagles in his formative years as a professional but was shipped out to Plymouth Argyle at the start of the season.

The 20 year old was however given a lifeline when Allan Pardew promoted him to the top flight of English football as a reward for his high grade football in the English league two.

Lyle Taylor and Adebayo Akinfenwa however dented the promotion ambitions of Boateng and his Plymouth Argyle team mates with the goals for Wimbledon.

The sprouting young forward racked home two strikes to his name in his 30 appearances across the two stints.

Hiram Boateng Misses On League One Promotion

Manchester United Legend Welcomes Mourinho to Old Trafford

Manchester United legend Sir Bobby Charlton appears to have given new manager Jose Mourinho his seal of approval after the pair were pictured together on Monday.

Charlton, alongside executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward, welcomed the former Real Madrid and Chelsea boss to United’s training base in Carrington.

Mourinho, who replaced Louis van Gaal as manager at Old Trafford earlier this month, was joined by long-time assistant Rui Faria on a tour of the club’s training facilities.

Sir Bobby Charlton (middle) congratulates on his appointment as head coach of Manchester United 

Charlton has previously questioned Mourinho’s style of management, most notably after the Portuguese pokedBarcelona assistant coach Tito Vilanova in the eye during an El Clasico match in 2011.

“A United manager wouldn’t do that,” Charlton was quoted as saying at the time. “Mourinho is a really good coach, but that’s as far as I would go really.

He pontificates too much for my liking. He’s a good manager, though.”

However, Charlton appeared happy to welcome Mourinho to Carrington on Monday, telling the 53-year-old he was “very happy” to see him at the club.

Manchester United Legend Welcomes Mourinho to Old Trafford

Dennis Agyare Antwi Extends Scoring Run In Norway

Norway based Ghanaian hotshot Dennis Agyare Antwi extended his free scoring run for Jerv with another strike in a 1-1 drawn game at Ullensakur.

The rampant forward took his goal tally to three in the opening nine fixtures to secure his side an unlikely point on the road.

The Jerv attacking prodigy cancelled out an early strike from Truls Jorstand on the 74th minute to rescue his side from the claws of defeat.

The 22 year old followed up an impressive end to last season with a promising start to the current campaign with a goal every three games.

The Ghanaian import is expected to shoulder more scoring responsibilities as the senior most attacker in the team.

His late equalizer for Jerv kept their qualification hopes alive after a slow start to the second tier season.

Compatriot Mohammed Fuseini could not make the grade for the 1-1 thriller at Ullensakur but look set to return for the weekends home clash.

Dennis Agyare Antwi Extends Scoring Run In Norway

Twumasi Honoured With Black Stars Call-Up

Newly invited Ghana Black Stars forward, Patrick Twumasi has expressed delight at being invited to represent the nation.

Coach Avram Grant called up a 23-man squad to prepare for African Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2017 qualifier against, Mauritius on Sunday, June 5 but had 18 players present as he led the side train at the Accra Sports Stadium.

Twumasi who plays for FC Astana in the Kazakhstan Premier League joined the Black Stars for the first time after a impressive season in both the domestic league and the 2015/16 UEFA Champions league (especially in the group stages).

Speaking to the media after the sides training, the 22-year-old mentioned of his excitement to represent the nation.

“It is a great feeling and I am honoured, feel very good and was happy to receive the call up. It does not matter the position I am made to play in the team, what matters the most is the team performs well and qualify for the AFCON 2017 in Gabon.”

He added, “to have received the call up is just a dream come true for me.”

Twumasi Honoured With Black Stars Call-Up

Jose Mourinho"s First Day As Man United Manager

Jose Mourinho has paid his first visit to Manchester United’s training ground – more than a month before he officially starts his new job.

The Portuguese boss, 53, signed a three-year deal to take charge at Old Trafford last Friday, understood to be worth £15million-a-year.

Mourinho will meet the players for the first time on July 7 before they head out for their summer pre-season tour of China 12 days later.

But he was pictured holding a Manchester United-branded bag of goodies outside the club’s multi-million pound AON training complex on Bank Holiday Monday.

It is believed the former Chelsea manager was there to greet staff and survey his new surroundings.

Ryan Giggs will be offered a role within that but it is not known yet whether the United legend will leave.

Former defender Rio Ferdinand has also been identified by Mourinho to join his trusted inner circle which should be propped up by long-term lieutenant Rui Faria as his No 2.

Jose Mourinho"s First Day As Man United Manager