Avram Grant To Return To Ghana Next Week

Ghana’s senior national team coach, Avram Grant will return to Ghana next week to name a squad for the upcoming Afcon 2017 qualifier against Mozambique, sportscrusader.com can confirm.

Avram Grant was given the Christmas period off and additional days after the new year to enable him participate in a League Managers Association conference in the United States.

The conference ended in mid-January and Avram Grant was expected to return to Ghana, but the Israeli has spent almost two months, contrary to the agreement signed with the FA.

Media reports emanated yesterday (Tuesday) that the football governing body has written to the former Chelsea manager to end his leave and return to the country.

And sportscrusader.com checks on when  Avram Grant will respond to the call has revealed that he will be in Ghana early next week to name a squad for the Black Stars Afcon 2017 qualifier against Mozambique later this month.

Sports crusader sources also added that the FA will ensure he stays in the country after the double header to monitor the national league which began two weeks ago.

Avram Grant was appointed on December 1, 2014 to succeed Kwesi Appiah who masterminded Ghana’sdismal performance in Brazil duringthe 2014 FIFA World Cup.

He led the Black Stars to Afcon 2015 in Equatorial Guinea, and finished second behind Cote d’Ivoire.

Avram Grant To Return To Ghana Next Week

You Have Over-stayed Your Leave - GFA Tells Avram Grant

The Ghana Football Association has written to Avram Grant, coach of the senior national team, Black Stars to return to Ghana and monitor the national league, according to pulse.com.gh/sports

The Israeli has been out of town since December when he was granted a one month leave by the GFA but letters sighted by Pulse.com.gh has revealed he has long overstayed on the grounds that he is monitoring Ghanaian players in Europe despite the GFA insisting that it has not authorised any such exercise.

And in an escalation of the issue, the former Chelsea boss and the GFA have exchanged at least three correspondences over the past weekend that lays bare the deepening cracks in relationship between the two parties

A letter addressed to Grant from deputy general secretary Alex Asante on Saturday February 26th said “I have been authorised by the Emergency Committee to remind you that your leave days are over and as such you should report to Ghana as soon as possible.”

The letter goes on to explain how Grant was due to report back to work in January but was granted an additional seven days to enable him participate in a League Managers Association conference in the United States which the GFA says ended in mid-January.

Avram Grant on SkySports TV

PulseSports has not sighted Grant’s emailed response to the letter on February 26th but it is clear from the GFA’s follow up letter on February 29th that Grant disputed the GFA’s account of the issues.

The response of the GFA in a letter signed by the acting general secretary Isaac Addo to that email pulls no punches. “The position of the Emergency Committee is that you have not been given any permission or approval to perform any monitoring work in Europe for the months of January, February and March, 2016.

“In the light of the above we kindly ask you to return to Accra as soon as possible to monitor some of the players in the national leagues”, the letter concluded.

The GFA letter does not put a deadline on when Grant is due to return neither does it spell out any potential sanctions if he fails to do so but it clear from the correspondence that the two parties are not on greatest of terms.

Grant’s regular stay abroad has been a constant source of criticism since he became Ghana boss with some journalists mocking him for inviting himself whenever he invites players for Ghana games.

He has defended his regular stay in Europe on the grounds that it allows him to easily monitor Ghanaian players based there and that his assistant Maxwell Konadu can do a competent job of keeping an eye on talents in the local Ghana league too.

Credit: pulse.com.gh/sports

You Have Over-stayed Your Leave - GFA Tells Avram Grant

I"m Going To Levante For Playing Time - Atsu

Chelsea FC winger Christian Atsu has explained that his decision for choosing Spanish La liga side, Levante is because he wants enough playing time.

The Ghanaian attacking winger since his move to London, had a brilliant season in Netherland with Chelsea sister side Vitesse Arheim.

But a return to England has curtailed his blistering career. He had a spell at Everton last season to forget, and a move to newly promoted premier league side Bournemouth was worse due to recurring injuries.

Chelsea recalled the 2015 Africa Cup of nations player of the tournament and has loaned him out to Levante.

Christian Atsu, confirming his next move said: “I wished the team [Chelsea] good luck and I told the players i will be going to Levante,” the former FC Porto midfielder said.

Christian Atsu is hopeful that the style of the La liga suits him, but he ia not interested in the kind of game played in Spain.

“I am going to Spain and I think is a new challenge for me and I’m going to work harder. I believe Spanish football will suit my style of play, but as a player you should be able to play in any league.

“Right now, is not about the league that suits you or not where it doesn’t suit you, now is where I will get enough playing time.” He said.

The 24-year-old also revealed that he had a heart-to-heart chat with interim Chelsea boss Guus Hiddink and is convinced a good performance in Spain will earn him first team football with the London club.

“I spoke with the coach and we had a very good chat and I think if i work hard there at least he will give me a chance.”

Christian Atsu moved to Chelsea from FC Porto in the 2013, and a move to Levante will be his fourth move away from the club.

I"m Going To Levante For Playing Time - Atsu

Anthony Baffoe Eulogies Primeval Media For Peaceful Year Initiative.

Former Ghana international, Anthony Baffoe has eulogised Primeval Media, organisers of the Unity Match 2016 for a wonderful initiative to unite the people of Ghana ahead of the general elections.

Anthony Baffoe, a FIFA and CAF general co-ordinator, was in attendance at the State House, Ghana for the launch of a peace match which will played in June this year.

The initiative by Primeval Media, in conjunction with former Black Stars skipper Stephen Appiah, is to use football as the driving tool to build peace and togetherness.

And Anthony Baffoe, father of the Professional Association of retired footballers congratulates organisers for the seeing football a vehicle to drive peace.

“It is a very good initiative. This is an initiative to pass the message of peace, unity and stability through the life skills of football and is always a fantastic idea,” Anthony Baffoe told sportscrusader.com

“I am very happy that our own captain is involved. He is the son of the soil and we have George Boateng who is Ghana affiliated and Sol Campbell is around. I think many fans are happy to see him around.” He added.

The architects of the the Unity Match for peace, Primeval Media is leading brand for oneness, and ex-Black Stars recognized their good service to Ghana.

“Congratulations to Primeval Media for doing such a great thing. Football is very powerful and using the tool and footballers who are the biggest stakeholders to bring people together is very wonderful idea.

“Without the players you can’t play the game. I am very happy more and more footballers are recognized to promote football in many different ways: peace, corporate social responsibility and many others.” He said.

The FIFA general match co-ordinator also hinted at Pofessional Footballers Association of Ghana will gladly come on board to assist in anyway possible.

“I am very happy to grace the occasion. If PFAG can support we will gladly take the opportunity to do that. Already our vice president, Stephen Appiah is the peace ambassador and I am very happy this thing (Unity Match) is going to help Ghanaians to unite.” He noted.

Sol Campbell and George Boateng were invited into the country to help launch the Unity Match 2016 at the State House, Ghana.

Anthony Baffoe Eulogies Primeval Media For Peaceful Year Initiative.

Amartey To Leicester City Is Good News For Ghana - GFA Veep

Vice president of Ghana football association, George Afriyie says Daniel Amartey’s move to English Premier league side Leicester City is good news for the senior national team, the Black Stars.

The Ghanaian international will move to London to join English Premier league surprise package this season, Leicester City.

The former Dujargen versatile defender was scouted by Liverpool and Chelsea, but Leicester City beat off competition from the premier league giants to snatch the 21 year old.

And Vice president of the Ghana FA says he is not surprised to see the youngster in the English Premier League because he knew he had great potential to succeed in his career when he saw him four years ago.

“Is a welcoming news for us and I’m so happy for this boy. He is a boy I personally spotted way back in 2012,” George Afriyie said to a cross section of the media after the Unity Match launch at the forecourt of State House, Ghana.

“He was part of the u-20 that toured South Africa to play an 8 nation tournament and paird the likes of Lawrence Lartey in central defense, that was when some of us knew that he has the potential to be a great player and he’s future star player.

“I am not surprised three years down the line now and he is a big player, now in the EPL, wonderful news for us (as Ghanains) and great news for  the Black Stars.”

Daniel Amartey move to England is reported to be in the region of £ 6 million. He will join national teammates Andre and Jordan Ayew, Jeffrey Schlupp and Christian Atsu in the English top flight.

Amartey To Leicester City Is Good News For Ghana - GFA Veep