David Luiz and Thiago Silva Out Of Brazil Copa América Squad

Brazil Coach Dunga has announced a preliminary squad for the Copa América with the Paris Saint-Germain duo of David Luiz and Thiago Silva being left out.

The good performances of Paulo Henrique Ganso in recent games for São Paulo seems to have convinced Dunga to include him.

In the preliminary list of 40 players released for the Copa América Centenário, the coach included the number 10 of São Paulo, who’s been absent from the national team since 2012.

Other new names on the list by Dunga are Fágner [Corinthians], Rodrigo Caio [São Paulo], Casemiro [Real Madrid] and Walace [Grêmio].

The squad also includes Gabigol, Gabriel Jesus and Grêmio attacker Luan. As expected, Neymar was left out, as Barcelona would only release the player for the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.

The final list of 23 players for the tournament will be released on Thursday.

Goalkeepers: Álisson (Inter), Diego Alves (Valencia), Marcelo Gröhe (Grêmio) and Éderson (Benfica).

Full-backs: Daniel Alves (Barcelona), Fagner (Corinthians), Fabinho (Monaco), Luis Filipe (Atletico Madrid), Alex Sandro (Juventus) and Douglas Santos (Atlético-MG).

Defenders: Miranda (Inter Milan), Gil (Shandong Luneng), Marquinhos (PSG), Jemerson (Monaco) and Gabriel Paulista (Arsenal).

Defensive-midfielders: Rodrigo Caio (São Paulo), Luiz Gustavo (Wolfsburg), Casemiro (Real Madrid), Walace (Grêmio), Elias (Corinthians) and Fernandinho (Machester City).

Attacking-midfielders: Ganso (São Paulo), Rafinha (Barcelona), Renato Augusto (Beijing Guoan), Kaká (Orlando City), Philippe Coutinho (Liverpool), Oscar (Chelsea), Lucas Lima (Santos), Willian (Chelsea) and Felipe Anderson (Lazio).

Forwards: Lucas (PSG), Douglas Costa (Bayern), Luan (Grêmio), Hulk (Zenit), Firmino (Liverpool), Jonas (Benfica), Alex Teixeira (Jiangsu Suning) Gabigol (Santos), Gabriel Jesus (Palmeiras) and Ricardo Oliveira (Santos).

David Luiz and Thiago Silva Out Of Brazil Copa América Squad

David Luiz Buoyant Ahead Of Manchester City Tie

Paris Saint Germain defender David Luiz is in buoyant mood ahead of his team’s Champions League quarter-final tie against Manchester City tomorrow.

The Brazilian identified Sergio Aguero as City’s main threat and Luiz knows he will have his hands full marking the Argentine.

“City have had a tough season but they are still a big club with amazing players. We know Sergio Aguero is amazing. We need to pay attention because he can decide a game and he’s a match-winner,” he said.

“It will be a great game, a classic maybe and everybody is buzzing to take part in it. It is really important that we are at home first. OK, it is two games, 180 minutes but we have to start well and get ourselves into a good position,” he added.

But Luiz thinks that training with Zlatan Ibrahimovic every day will stand him in good stead, ‘You know, this guy is brilliant,’ David Luiz told the Daily Mail, “He’s an amazing player but he’s intelligent and clever with it too. He is getting better with experience, I think. He knows the positions to pick up, how to conserve energy, how to exploit defences and win games.

“’How do I cope in training? I kill him!’ Luiz joked. ‘But no, we are doing an amazing season here, we are not conceding many goals, we have had a lot of clean sheets. I’m happy with my game and with my team-mates,” Luiz concluded.

Credit: Sambafoot

David Luiz Buoyant Ahead Of Manchester City Tie

David Cudjoe Powers Starlets Past Germany In Independence Cup

Ghana’s U-17 football side, the Black Starlets extended their impressive form at the ongoing Independence Cup in Namibia with another triumph over much fancied Germany.

The Starlets edged out their European counterparts thanks to a late strike from the rampant David Cudjoe for Paa Kwesi’s newly assembled side as they won 2-1.

The national U-17 side followed up their 8-0 demolition of hosts Namibia with a hard earned 2-1 win over the young Manshaft from Germany on Thursday afternoon.

The Germans withstood their free scoring Ghanaian opponents in the opening half but could do little to prevent Ibrahim Sulley from opening the account for the Starlets two minutes into the second half.

German born Ghanaian youth winger Gabriel Kyerementeng drew parity for the Europeans six minutes after going behind only for the four goal hero in the opening match, David Cudjoe to win the match for the Ghanaians late on.

David Cudjoe Powers Starlets Past Germany In Independence Cup

David Atanga returns with a stunning goal in a friendly

Ghana Youth international David Adoona Atanga confirmed his return to Salzbug with a stunning strike in 1-1 friendly clash with Sandhausen.

The 20 year old attacking gained promotion to the senior side for the second time this season after hid impeccable form for the second tier side.

The Black Satellites dribbling magician laid the gauntlet ahead of the season with a dream finish in a pre-season encounter with German second tier side Sandhauson in Austria.

The Leifering attacking sensation was handed a starting berth on his return to the first team and he pounced on it with an equalizer for the Austria based top flight campaign.

Damian Rossback shot Sandhauson into 31st minute lead only for the impressive Attanga to to silence the visiting fans with a sumptuous finish worthy of deflating the egos in any side three minutes later.

He told sports crusader, “I am very happy for myself with the goal and hopefully it opens the floodgate for more goals to come”.

Compatriot duo of Atti Ziggi watched proceedings from the bench whiles Ralph Dwamena missed the squad for the home clash with Sandhauson.

David Atanga returns with a stunning goal in a friendly

David Atanga inspired by Amartey"s move to Leicester City

Ghana youth international David Adoona Atanga is poised for a future move to the premiership after Amartey’s arrival at the King Power stadium.

The Leifering attacking wide man has set his sight on joining the ever growing Ghanaian contingent in the English top flight in the near future.

The Black Stars forward is enjoying a breakthrough season in Austria but has his sight firmly fixed on Premiership football as he continues to develop his career.

The 19 year old dribbling wizard tasked the teaming Ghanaian contingent in England to raise the image of their compatriots with commanding performances to incite more clubs into the Ghanaian market.

The ambitious forward relish the chance to flex muscles with the top notch players but believes it all depends on the current arrivals in English football if more Ghanaian players are to follow.

Atanga highlighted the arrival of FC Copenhagen defender to the King Power as a source of motivation for young players with Ghanaian decent.

“I am really happy for him(Amartey)as his move to Leicester City will move Ghana football forward. It is good for Ghana football and we now have lots of players plying their trade in good leagues.” Atanga told sports crusader exclusively.

On the essence of the teaming Ghanaian players in the Premier league, Atanga revealed the need for impressive performance from his compatriots if they are to open the gate wider for future Ghanaian players.

“If they perform very very well then clubs in England will start to look for more Ghanaian players and I may be that lucky one too”, Atanga concluded.

The midfield sensation was recently promoted to the senior side of Leifering but he decided to stay with the second tier side as continues to blossom in Austria. Atanga holds the record of the fastest league goal in the 2015/16 Austria Liga 1 to add to his blistering treble earlier in the campaign.

Amartey joins five other Ghanaian players in Christian Atsu, Baba Rahman, Jordan Ayew, Andre Ayew and Jeff Schlup.

David Atanga inspired by Amartey"s move to Leicester City