2018 FIFA WC : Grant Names Squad To Face Uganda

Black Stars head coach, Avram Grant has named a 23-man squad for the upcoming 2018 World Cup qualifier against Uganda in Tamale on Friday,7th October 2016.

Norway-based midfielder Gilbert Koomson was handed his first Black Stars call-up in the squad.

Midfielder Enoch Adu Kofi, who plays in Sweden, returns to the national team for the first time since December 2014.

Captain Asamoah Gyan will lead the team that is dominated by players who have played recently in the Black Stars.

Coach Grant invited Hearts of Oak defender Inusah Musah and Emmanuel Ocran of Wa All Stars to join the team to be closely observed. The duo has only been called up to be observed as their status is non-residential.

Squad

Goalkeepers: Razak Braimah (Cordoba, Spain), Adam Kwarasey (Rosenborg, Norway) Richard Ofori (Wa All Stars)

Defenders: Harrison Afful (Columbus Crew, USA), Daniel Amartey (Leicester City, England), Jeffery Schlupp (Leicester City, England), Baba Rahman (Schalke, Germany), John Boye (Sivasspor, Turkey), Jonathan Mensah (Anzhi, Russia), Edwin Gyimah (Orlando Pirates, South Africa)

Midfielders: Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu (Udinese, Italy), Afriyie Acquah (Torino, Italy), Thomas Partey (Atletico Madrid, Spain) Enock Adu Kofi (Malmo, Sweden) Samuel Tetteh (Leifering, Austria), Mubarak Wakaso (Panathinaikos, Greece), Frank Acheampong (Anderlecht, Belgium), Christian Atsu (Chelsea, England), Gilbert Koomson (Songdal, Norway)

Forwards: Asamoah Gyan (Al Ahli, UAE), Jordan Ayew (Aston Villa, England), Abdul Majeed Waris (Lorient, France), David Accam (Chicago Fire, USA).

 

The team will train in Accra on Monday and Tuesday before flying out to Tamale as they prepare to face the Cranes.

2018 FIFA WC : Grant Names Squad To Face Uganda

Video : Black Maidens Annihilated By Defending Champions Japan

The Black Maidens of Ghana were annihilated by the Japanese counterparts as they  suffered a 5-0  defeat in their 2016 FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup group stage opener.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OSndJya7MEM

Japanese Forward Riko Ueki opened the scoring in the 7th minute before Jun Endo added the second goal in the 11th minute.

A defensive lapse from Ghana  allowed Jun Endo to score her second and Japan’s third goal of the day.

Just when Ghana looked to have settled into the game, Saori Takarada scored in te 27th minute to see the first half end 4-0 in favor of the defending Champions.

Ghana came into the second half strongly but failed to beat the Japanese defense despite the opportunities that came their way.

Substitute Remina however capitalized on another defensive blunder to  score for Japan towards the end of the game.

Ghana are therefore bottom of Group D with Japan leading with 3points followed by USA with  3points after beating Paraguay 6-1 in the other group D match.

Video : Black Maidens Annihilated By Defending Champions Japan

Ghana Qualify For African U-17 Championship

The Black Starlets have qualified for next year’s African Under 17 Championship in Madagascar after holding Ivory Coast 0:0 in the second leg of the final qualifier.

The national under 17 male side went into the match with a commanding 3:1 advantage from the first leg victory in Cape Coast, and thus qualify on a 3:1 aggregate.

Ghana will be making a return to the juvenile competition after missing the previous edition through disqualification.

The Starlets knocked out Cameroon to qualify for the last tournament held in Niger, but the Confederations of African Football (CAF) later disqualified Ghana after Cameroon lodged a protest over alleged disparities in MRI results of some players.

Source : GFA

Ghana Qualify For African U-17 Championship

Allardyce Set To Face FA Fine and Ban

Sam Allardyce could face English Football Association charges and even a ban following the controversy that brought his England reign to an abrupt end.

Exiting Euro 2016 at the last-16 stage to Iceland should have been the Three Lions’ lowest ebb this year, yet Roy Hodgson’s successor managed to add another embarrassing chapter.

Allardyce’s dream job came to an end after just 67 days as the Daily Telegraph released secretly-filmed footage of him making controversial remarks about a variety of subjects, including side work and circumventing FA regulations.

 

It was a galling end to the briefest of spells and one which FA chairman Greg Clarke said would be investigated, with chief executive Martin Glenn announcing charges could be brought against Allardyce.

“It is realistic,” he said when asked if charges could follow. “I am pleased that the Telegraph are releasing (the full transcripts) to the police first because that is what has to happen.

“Once we get access to that, we have a separate integrity unit. It’s very good.

“We’ve treated Sam as an employee. Sam’s role as a participant in the game will then be, potentially, part of this next process, if there is one.

“It’s not for me to call but once the evidence is clear, the decision will be based on the merits of the evidence.

Allardyce Set To Face FA Fine and Ban

I Am Grateful To All - GFA Boss

GFA President and newly elected FIFA Council member, Kwesi Nyantakyi has expressed immense gratitude to the football fraternity and Ghanaians in general for their support and prayers towards his election onto the FIFA Council.

The GFA President was elected onto the FIFA Council on Thursday by the General Assembly of CAF in Cairo, Egypt, and he returned home to a rousing welcome on Friday.

Speaking at a reception held in his honour by executives and staff of GFA, Nyantakyi said he was humbled by the reception accorded him, as well as the show of support he has received from Ghanaians.

“I thank the people of Ghana for the support they have showed me. I have received a lot of support from so many people from all walks of life; some of them I don’t even know.”

“I feel humbled by the wonderful reception accorded me since I arrived from Cairo.

It shows the love my folks and countrymen have for one of their own in times like this and I really appreciate this great show of support,” Nyantakyi said.

The GFA President underlined the unique role football plays as a unifying force, saying his election bid brought Ghanaians together to offer him their support.

“Football commands wide following, it is so huge and it has so many effects on our lives. Itbrings us together as a people.”

“The support for me cut across political, social and religious. The country came together to offer me their support and prayers and I am so grateful to all.”

Nyantakyi described his victory as one not for only himself, but the entire country.

“My election is not only for Kwesi Nyantakyi, it is an election for Ghana. It is an honour, which brings Ghana to light.”

The FIFA Council member assured his audience, which included the President of the Sierra Leone Football Association Isha Johansen, that he will justify the huge confidence the entire African continent has placed in him so that he will be re-elected for a full term of office in March 2017.

Nyantakyi also thanked executives and staff of GFA for their continuous support, as well as the media.

Source : GFA

I Am Grateful To All - GFA Boss

Jonathan Opoku Ends Goal Drought In Netherlands

Ghanaian youngster, Jonathan Opoku, ended his four-match run without a goal in the Dutch Eredivise league.

The 22-year-old enjoyed a spectacular outing across the 2015/16 season but has since cooled off in the current season with a lower goal return in his opening 6 games.

The VV Venlo attacker, however found his scoring boot for the promotion-chasing side with the third goal for his club in a 0-3 away win at Archile 29.

Opoku led the promotion ambition for VV Venlo last season with 14 goals to his name but has yet to replicate that ruthless form in front of goal in the current season.

Earlier goals from Torino Hunte and Ralf Seuntjen handed VVV an unassailable lead before Opoku registered his second of the season with just over 10 minutes left on the clock.

The win took VVV back into the second slot with 18 points from 9 games.

Jonathan Opoku Ends Goal Drought In Netherlands

Samuel Tetteh Nets Double In Six-Goal Thriller

Rampant Samuel Tetteh bagged his seventh league goal of the season for Leifering in a six-goal thriller.

The Austria-based free-scoring striker opened the flood gate for his high-flying side just one minute into the game before again restoring the lead after an equaliser from Fabian De Lima for LASK.

The former WAFA SC wide man sumptuously sent the goal keeper the wrong way to hand Leifering the lead just 60 seconds into the tie but came back to complete his brace 19 minutes into the clash.

The Black Stars forward seems to have found his missing soul in Austria with regular scoring form exhibited in the second tier league.

It was the Ghanaian hitman’s seventh goal in his 12 league appearances as Leifering tears away at the summit of the log.

Fellow Ghanaian, Gideon Mensah, saw 90 minutes as well for the Bundesliga II side as they panned out a 3-3 thriller with LASK to consolidate their lead in the championship.

Samuel Tetteh Nets Double In Six-Goal Thriller