Kwadwo Asamoah Undergoes Successful Surgery

Juventus have confirmed that Kwadwo Asamoah’s knee surgery was a success and expect the player to return to action in six weeks.

The 27-year-old ruptured his meniscus cartilage in a 1-0 win away to Palermo this past weekend yet another setback for a player who has spent most of the last two years on the sidelines due to injury.

 

The versatile Ghanaian midfielder was earlier reported of staging a possible comeback for the Black Stars as they are due to play Uganda Cranes in the 2018 World Cup qualifiers next month.

“Kwadwo Asamoah today underwent successful meniscectomy surgery on his right knee,” Juventus confirmed on their official website.

“The operation was conducted by Professor Cugat in Barcelona in the presence of Juventus club doctor Claudio Rigo.

“The midfielder will begin his rehabilitation programme immediately and the time frame for his return to action remains the same as originally estimated, namely around 45 days.”

Kwadwo Asamoah Undergoes Successful Surgery

Revealed: Kwadwo Asamoah Set For Stars Return

Ghana international midfielder, Kwadwo Asamoah, is set for a surprise return to the senior national team, the Black Stars, Sportscrusader.com can reveal.

Ghana has two crucial 2018 World Cup qualifiers against the Cranes of Uganda and the Pharoahs of Egypt next month.

Coach of the Black Stars, Avram Grant is reported to have been monitoring the player’s progress at Italian giants, Juventus and, he is certain to be a possible replacement for Dede Ayew who has been ruled out after suffering a thigh injury.

The 27-year-old has been out of the national team for more than two years after battling series of injuries but has been consistent for the Bianconneris in this season’s Italian Serie A, replacing Paul Pogba, who left for Manchester United.

Grant is expected to name his squad for the qualifiers early next week and it will be expected that versatile midfield sensation, Kwadwo Asamoah, will beef up Ghana’s squad in its quest to qualify for its fourth successive World Cup to be staged in Russia in 2018.

Revealed: Kwadwo Asamoah Set For Stars Return

Black Stars Job Most Challenging of All - Grant

Black Stars head coach, Avram Grant has admitted coaching the senior national team of Ghana is the toughest challenge of his coaching life.

The Israeli trainer has had stints with English Premier League clubs – Chelsea and Portsmouth and his native Israel’s national team.

Grant, who’s in the final year of his 18-month contract with Ghana said, coaching the four-time Africa Cup of Nations champions has been the most difficult task of his life.

“I wanted to come to Africa and coach a team as I knew the continent has enormous football talents,” he told the media before Ghana’s last AFCON 2017 qualifier match against Rwanda.

“With this pool of talent, I found it difficult to understand why no African country has made it beyond the Quarter finals of a world cup.

“And this got me to accept the Black Stars challenge and hope to make history with Ghana if we qualify to Russia for the 2018 FIFA World Cup,” he added.

Black Stars Job Most Challenging of All - Grant

Match Report: Ghana Held By Rwanda

Ghana Black Stars failed to win their last Africa Cup Of Nations (AFCON) 2017 qualifier against Rwanda as they were held 1-1 at the Accra Sports Stadium.

Samuel Tetteh scored his first international goal and what seemed to be the opening goal as well as a prelude to a mauling by the Black Stars, failed to materialise.

Coach Avram Grant’s side started the game so well and bossed every department of the match from the blast of the referee’s whistle as David Accam missed a sitter by kicking a goal-bound chance at the on-rushing goal keeper, Eric Ndayishimiye.

A game of two halves saw the Rwanda side up their performance in their second period of the match as they attacked the Black Stars at the least chance gained.

And with 5 minutes to end the game, star man, Muhadjir Hakizimana found the right corner of goalkeeper Razak Braimah’s goal to get a deserved one point to end the qualifier in second place.

Substitute, Jordan Ayew appeared to have got the winning goal but the upright came to the rescue of the Amavubi Stars.

With the draw, Ghana completes the group’s fixtures on 14 points with the highest point accummulation. A win, however, would have reinforced the Black Stars’ dominance in the qualifiers.

Match Report: Ghana Held By Rwanda

EPL Club Interested In Ghana Captain

An unnamed English Premier League club has joined a Turkish side as suitors seeking the services of Shanghai SIPG forward, Asamoah Gyan according to his manager and Chief Executive Officer of Baby Jet Promotions, Samuel Anim Addo.

The former Sunderland forward has struggled with injury since he joined Chinese Super League (CSL) side, SIPG, reportedly leading the club to replace him with Brazil international, Hulk, from Russian club, Zenit St Petersburg.

Addo, in a radio interview with Accra-based Joy FM, admitted European clubs are interested in securing the services of the Ghana Black Stars captain.

“Gyan’s next destination is between England and Turkey but negotiations are still on-going between the clubs and the player. There are others [speculation] that should be treated as rumours.

“The most important thing is that, when a deal is agreed, we [management] will communicate that. Until then, any transfer news from impostor agents or media reports should be regarded as mere rumours.”

A Turkey-based journalist reports that Besiktas has started negotiations to sign Gyan on loan as the club is willing to meet his huge wage demands but not the transfer fee due to UEFA’s Financial Fair Play rule.

EPL Club Interested In Ghana Captain

Move To Austria Won"t Affect Me - Tetteh

Ghana striker Samuel Tetteh insists his spot in the Black Stars team will not be affected despite his move from Ghana to Austria.

Tetteh has joined Red Salzburg on a four year contract from Ghana Premier League side WAFA but has been loaned to lower tier side FC Liefering.

The young striker has made Black Stars coach Avram Grant’s last five call ups but there are doubts he will maintain his place following the move to lower league.

But Tetteh is confident he has a chance with hardwork.

“I earned all my call ups whiles I was in Ghana but many are saying that since I have moved to Red Bull and with the second team for that matter I will not be called up again,” he said

“I just need to play very well here and leave everything to the coach ( Avram Grant) and see how things go.”

Samuel Tetteh made his debut for  FC Liefering in a pre-season match against TSV St. Johann.

Move To Austria Won"t Affect Me - Tetteh

Sports Ministry Lied - Saani Darra

The Sports Ministry “lied” about not knowing the local Black Stars were scheduled to play Japan in an international friendly match, according to the Communication Director of the Ghana Football Association (GFA).

The Ministry of Youth and Sports, in a leaked official letter, accused the GFA of neglecting them in the administrative running of the national teams, notably the Black Stars.

The letter also warned the FA to put up “better behaviour” going forward, lest experience the wrath of the Ministry in any future act(s) of negligence.

Saani, in a radio interview with Kumasi-based Boss FM, denied the ministry’s claims of having no fore knowledge of the game (against Japan).

“The Sports Ministry’s claim of not knowing about the friendly game against Japan some months ago is untrue. We had a meeting about preparations prior to the game.”

“The minister (Nii Lantey Vanderpuye), during the meeting, asked coach Avram Grant to travel along with the team and help with his technical advice,” he added.

Sports Ministry Lied - Saani Darra

uniBank Appoint Dede Ayew as Brand Ambassador

uniBank (Ghana) Limited, commonly known as uniBank, an indigenous private bank in Ghana has named Ghana Black Stars deputy captain, Andre Ayew as the bank’s brand ambassador on a five year deal.

 

The two parties after a smooth negotiations decided to put pen to paper and make their newly found relationship official.

The Swansea City midfielder who finished his debut season in the English Premier League (EPL) as the club’s top scorer in all competitions will use his fame, image and value as a player to help boost that of the Ghanaian owned bank outside the shores of the West African country.

The Chief Operating Officer (COO) of the bank Dr Kwabena Duffuor Jnr said after the signing, “they are looking forward to a fruitful relationship with the former Marseille play-maker whose values are in line with the bank.”

The financial benefit details of the contract were not disclosed; the short but memorable ceremony was witnessed by officials of the award-winning bank and Maya Ayew – mother of the Ayews and wife of former Ghana Black Stars captain and arguably Ghana’s best ever player, Abedi Ayew ‘Pele’.

Current Black Stars captain, Asamoah Gyan and first ever Ghanaian coach to qualify the Black Stars to a World Cup final, Kwesi Appiah, were previous ambassadors of the official bank of the senior male Ghana national team on a two year deal each.

uniBank is one of the twenty-eight (28) commercial banks licensed to operate in Ghana.

uniBank Appoint Dede Ayew as Brand Ambassador

David Accam"s Brace Earns Chicago Fire US Cup Quarters

Returning to form Ghanaian forward, David Accam extended his Major League Soccer (MLS) goal scoring form into the cup ties as his brace book Chicago Fire a quarter final berth.

The striker cum winger registered two quick goals to earn Chicago Fire a 2-1 win over Columbus Crew.

The former Right to Dream Academy forward took his season tally to 8 goals in 9 matches with two stupendous strike to extend Chicago’s US cup journey.

Accam accounted for his lost time on the treatment table with four goals in his last four matches since returning from injury for the high flying Chicago based MLS.

Ethan Finley’s 79 minutes spot kick for Columbus had little impact on the game as the Ghanaian import carted his side into the last eight.

David Accam"s Brace Earns Chicago Fire US Cup Quarters

Egypt Has Changed - Konadu Warns

Ghana Black Stars assistant coach, Maxwell Konadu has warned that Ghana will need to prepare very well for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers.

The four time Africa champions were paired with the most successful side in the history of the Africa Cup of nations, Egypt, Uganda and Congo for the 2018 World Cup qualifiers.

And Maxwell Konadu says the team must prepare well to stand a chance of booking a fourth successive World Cup ticket.

“Preparation is very key and it’s everything. It’s a very tight draw,” the former Kotoko coach told Happy FM.

Prior to Ghana’s qualification to the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil, Ghana defeated Egypt 6-1 at the Kumasi sports stadium before losing the second encounter 2-1 in Cairo on the final round.

However, a new Egypt has been born since Hector Cuper took over, leading the Pharoahs to return to the continent’s flagship football, Africa Cup for the first time in six years.

Congo and Uganda have been a tough nut to crack in recent years, and Konadu says the Black Stars dominance over the three countries is history.

“A lot has changed. Consider the factors between that time and now.

“The mood around the team was different with massive support from the fans and the government so we must place premium on preparations.” He stated.

Ghana’s campaign will begin on September 1, 2016.

Fixtures and dates.

Ghana vs Congo : 1st September 2017

Congo vs Ghana : 5th September 2017

Ghana vs Uganda : 10th October 2016.

Egypt vs Ghana : 15th November 2016.

Uganda vs Ghana : 10th November 2017

Ghana vs Egypt : 14th November 2017

Egypt Has Changed - Konadu Warns

Ayew Honoured at Winning SWAG Gong

Swansea City and Black Stars forward, Andre Ayew was today officially presenter with his accolades by the Sports Writer Association of Ghana (SWAG) for winning the 2015 Sports Personality and Footballer of the Year.

The deputy Black Stars captain won the awards beating off competition from national team colleague(s) captain Asamoah Gyan and 2014 SWAG personality and Footballer of the Year, Harrison Afful.

 

At a special event organised at the Headquarters of headline sponsor of the 41st SWAG Sports Personality Awards, MTN Ghana, th3 former Olympique De Marseille attacker was presented with the gong by president of SWAG, Kwabena Yeboah.

 

And Swansea City’s top goal scorer of the 2015/16 expressed delight and acknowledged been honoured to be bestowed with such laurels.

“I am happy to have won the award. This is the second time am winning the footballer of the year and the first time winning the personality of the year. I am really honoured.”

Ayew Honoured at Winning SWAG Gong

Nyantakyi Eyes Afcon Glory

Ghana FA Boss Kwesi Nyantakyi is adamant the target for Ghana in the 2017 African Cup of Nations is to win gold.

The Black Stars have been narrowly defeated in two finals in the last five years of the continental competition.

This has prolonged Ghana’s wait for an AFCON title to 33 years but the FA boss believes they are focused on winning the title in 2017 in spite of all the pressure around the team.

“We thank God because since 2006 we have been able to participate in every AFCON tournament so we are grateful we have been able to gain another qualification,”he told Asempa Sports.

“We are looking forward to winning the trophy in Gabon. Even though there is pressure around but we have to get used to that and work around it.”

Ghana qualified for Gabon with a game to spare.

Nyantakyi Eyes Afcon Glory

Grant Praises Black Stars

Avram Grant has hailed the stupendous performance of the Black Stars for their 2-0 win over Mauritius on Sunday.

The four times Africa champions laboured for 70 minutes before finding their way through the back line courtesy of Andre Ayew and Christian Atsu to seal qualification to the continent’s flagship football competition scheduled for Gabon next year.

 And Avram Grant stated that he was happy with the performance of the Black Stars and hopes they would repeat it in subsequent games.

“It was a one sided game. We dominated play and created a lot of chances, so I am hoping we continue to play like this. I am happy for the results,” Avram Grant said after the game.

The Back Stars thrashed the Mauritians 7-1 in the first leg played in Accra last year.

Avram Grant has been tasked by the Ghana Football Association to win the 2017 African Cup of Nations to be staged in Gabon in January, 2017.

Grant Praises Black Stars

Ghana Through To AFCON 2017 After 2-0 Win In Mauritius

Ghana advanced to the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) football tournament in Gabon next year after beating Mauritius 2-0 at the Anjalay Stadium in Mapou.

The Black Stars went into this game needing a point to secure qualification to the tournament, and, they duly delivered with victory over a very stubborn opposition.

Second half goals by Captain Andre Dede Ayew and Christian Atsu were enough to see Ghana join Senegal, Morocco, Egypt and Cameroon as well as the hosts for next year’s event.

The goals came within a two minute spell midway through the half with both being assisted by Baba Abdul Rahman of Chelsea fame.

Ghana dominated most periods of the game, but, found it difficult to break down the hosts for over an hour before the two goals blitz.

Goalkeeper  K. Jean-Louis was in inspired form for Mauritius throughout the game as he pulled off several important saves to deny the Ghanaians of a heavy win.

With qualification now secured, Coach Avram Grant will look to build on this as Ghana seeks a first title at the continental level for the first time since 1982.

The Black Stars will play their last Group H qualifier against Rwanda at home to complete the round of qualifying ties.

Ghana XI

Razak Braimah

Harrison Afful

Baba Rahman

Jonathan Mensah

John Boye

Afriyie Acquah/Emmanuel Agyemang Badu

Christian Atsu/Jeffrey Schlupp

Mubarak Wakasu

Andre Dede Ayew

Frank Acheampong/Thomas Teye Partey

Jordan Ayew

Ghana Through To AFCON 2017 After 2-0 Win In Mauritius

Russia 2018 Africa Qualifiers Seeding

Ghana have been seeded in Pot 1 for the 2018 FIFA world cup final phase of the qualifiers.

The Black Stars are housed in pot 1 alongside, Algeria, Egypt, Côte D’ Voire and Senegal.

The draw means the four times Africa champions will not be drawn in the same group with any of the four teams.

However, the Stars may be paired with Cameroon, Nigeria, and host of other powerhouses in the continent.

1. Algeria

2.  Côte d’ Voire

3. Ghana

4. Senegal

5. Egypt

*POT 2*

1. Tunisia

2. Cape Verde

3. DR Congo

4. Guinea

5. Cameroon

*POT 3*

1. Congo Brazzaville

2. Nigeria

3. Morocco

4. Mali

5. South Africa

*POT 4*

1. Uganda

2. Burkina Faso

3. Zambia

4. Gabon

5. Libya

Russia 2018 Africa Qualifiers Seeding

Ayew Relishes The Pain of The Minimal Support From Ghanaian Fans

Interim captain of the senior national team, Andre Dede Ayew has expressed his pain towards the lack of zeal in terms of support from majority of Ghanaian whenever the Black Stars play in Ghana. Ghana in its last home game against Mozambique had one of the worst attendances ever recorded with approximately 1500 fans attending the match out of 40,000 capacity of the Accra Sports Stadium.  

In a post training interview with media on Thursday, Ayew said; “the past year and a half has been difficult with our fans we have to be honest, and for me as a leader is very painful together with other leaders as well as my colleagues”.  

“As you all saw the last match against Mozambique, there was poor attendance, but the stadium was full when i watched Hearts play Kotoko at this same venue and i must say it is painful, Ghanaians  always want us to win and we have being winning games and we still don’t feel support due to issues that might be true or  false”.  

He also pleaded to fans to try as much as possible to put things behind them because they need them at this crucial moment especially through prayers and they are confident of coming out successful.

Ayew Relishes The Pain of The Minimal Support From Ghanaian Fans

Ayew Unhappy With Lack of Support For Black Stars

Andre Ayew is unhappy with the lack of interest in Black Stars these days, especially during matches.

The senior national team has lost its national adulation since the fiasco in Brazil about two years ago.

And Ayew, who will lead the team to Mauritius on Sunday for the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier in the absence of skipper Asamoah Gyan, says is being difficult for the team since the world cup disaster.

“This past one and a half year its been difficult between the Black Stars and fans and we have to be honest,” Ayew told the media.

“For me as a leader and with other leaders and my colleagues its very painful.”

“When we played against Mozambique the stadium wasn’t full but when Hearts of Oak played Kotoko i was in France but i saw the stadium was full its painful.

“I have to be honest Ghanaians want us to win and we have been wining but we still don’t feel the support.

“There are different issues that are true or false but i am just pleading that we all put things behind us and move on and that they should support us in prayers.”

Ghana needs a point to book qualification ticket to Gabon 2017.

Ayew Unhappy With Lack of Support For Black Stars

AFCON 2017 Qualifier: Mauritius Name 25-Man Squad to Face Ghana

Mauritius has named a 25-man squad to prepare for their upcoming Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON 2017) qualifier against Ghana on Sunday.

 

Coach Joe Tshupula named, Ipswich Town midfielder Kevin Bru as the high profile player in the squad to face the Ghana Black Stars in the penultimate round of matches ahead of the tournament final in Gabon.

 

Mauritius nicknamed Club M and Les Dodos (The Dodos) are yet to lost a game at home in the qualifiers but have no chance progressing to the 2017 finals in Zambia as the Black Stars need just a point to seal qualification to Gabon.

Mauritius team to face Ghana:

Goalkeeper: Kevin Jean-Louis, Aboobakar Augustin

Defenders: Damien Balisson, Marco Dorza, Emmanuel Vincent, Cédric Permal, Francis Rasolofonirina, Brendon Citorah, Kylian Yrnard, Jovani Vincent

Midfielders: Cédric Théodore, Jonathan Aza, Jonathan Bru, Kevin Chan Yu Tin, Christopher L’Enclume, Colin Bell, Arassen Ragaven, Guiyano Chifonne, Kevin Bru, Adel Langue, Kevin Perticots,

Attackers: Adrien Botlar, Gianno Li Tien Kee, Gary Noël, Jesson Rungassamy

AFCON 2017 Qualifier: Mauritius Name 25-Man Squad to Face Ghana

Honoured With Black Stars Call Up But... - Thomas Partey

Atletico Madrid midfielder, Thomas Partey, has acknowledged being honoured to have received a first national team call up but quickly cooled talks of being under pressure for his maiden appearance.

Partey, 22, was part of three players to have been handed their maiden Black Stars call ups for this month’s 2017 AFCON qualifiers against Mauritius with the others being AshantiGold’s defender Mohammed Kadri and Kazakhstan based forward Patrick Twumasi.

Ghana will seal qualification to Africa’s biggest football showpiece in Gabon next year with a point against the Island nation on Sunday, June 5 and Partey who joined the team for the second day’s training at the Accra Sports Stadium told the media that, he is under no pressure to perform for Ghana.

He said, “I am excited with the call up and happy to give my all to the success of the team and the country as a whole.

I am not under any pressure joining the team for the first time as I know we have a good team and along with hard-work and the coaches tactics, we will surely excel in our quest to seal qualification to the AFCON 2017 in Gabon next year.”  

Coach Avram Grant and his team are expected to depart Ghana for Mauritius on Thursday.

Honoured With Black Stars Call Up But... - Thomas Partey

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