Ghana’s Sports Minister, Mustapha Ussif, claims that an estimated $5.1 million was spent on the country’s 2022 World Cup campaign, which ended in the group stage after the Black Stars failed to beat Uruguay.
The four-time African champions were eliminated in the first round after falling to Uruguay 2-0 in a match that Ghanaians had hoped to win to avenge the painful defeat at the hands of the South Americans in South Africa 12 years ago.
Prior to the tournament in Qatar, Ussif revealed that the government had budgeted $8.1 million for the group stage campaign. Thus, his latest revelation of $5.1 million spent means they saved $3 million, which he described as “prudent management”.
“Our estimated budget at the group stage was $8.1 million,” he said in Parliament.
“Out of this estimated budget Mr Speaker, our total expenditure for the group stage participation amounted to $5,171, 840.
“These expenditures covered appearance free, per diem, flight arrangements, medicals, equipment logistics, and hospitality.”
“Mr Speaker the reason for the surplus of $3 million after our exit from the group stage is the result of the ministry’s prudent management of resources as well as the ministry’s decision to negotiate on qualification bonus for the next round instead of paying winning bonuses per match.”
“What this means is that in spite of our black stars defeating South Korea in our second group match we did not pay any winning bonus for that game”.
According to reports, FIFA will pay Ghana $9 million for their group stage exit. Meanwhile, champions Argentina are set to take home more than $40 million.
Ghana winger, Osman Bukari has explained how he missed out on getting Cristiano Ronaldo’s jersey after the Black Stars defeat to Portugal at the World Cup.
The Red Star Belgrade star was part of the 26 players that represented Ghana at the global showpiece in Qatar, where Ghana bow out at group stage.
The winger who has been in a rich vein of form registered his name on the scoresheet when Ghana lost 3-2 to Portugal in the World Cup opening game.
Ronaldo opened the scoring after a controversial penalty just over an hour into the thrilling clash in Doha.
But Andre Ayew equalized for Ghana, before Fernando Santos’ side went on to score two more goals.
In an interview with Kumasi-based Sompa FM monitored by Footballghana.com, the Red Star Belgrade asserted he had requested for Ronaldo’s jersey during the warm-up session but unfortunately missed out.
Explaining why he did not get Ronaldo’s jersey, the former FC Nantes player said, “It was the first time seeing Ronaldo physically. In fact, I was happy when I saw him because I have always watched him on TV. During the warm-up, the first thing I thought off was to see Ronaldo but he came late, later on, I saw him warming up with the Portugal team. Messi, Mbappe and Neymar are players that I have seen physically so I wanted to see Ronaldo at all cost”
“I approached him and had some talks with him because I needed his jersey but unfortunately for me, I didn’t get it. I went to him after game thinking I will get it but Ronaldo told me one of our players (Black Stars) who requested for his jersey through another Portugal player has taken it so he pleaded” he said.
The 2o22/23 Ghana Premier League resumed with mid-week fixtures after the 2022 World Cup held in Qatar came to a close over the weekend.
Matchday 9 did not disappoint with drama and goals witnessed by all across the venues.
Champions Asante Kotoko bounced back to winning ways as they came from behind to beat Berekum Chelsea 2-1 at the Baba Yara Sports stadium on Wednesday.
The Porcupine Warriors who were on a two-game winless run following a draw against Legon Cities (1-1) and a 2-1 loss to Real Tamale United – put up a good display to pick the points at stake.
Black Stars goalkeeper Danlad Ibrahim returned to the starting line up while Steven Mukwala partnered Georges Mfegue upfront. But it was Berekum Chelsea who shot into the lead through Emmanuel Sarpong in the 27th minute.
Asante Kotoko equalized on the half time mark as substitute Eric Zeze drilled home Steven Mukwala’s shot in the 45th minute.
Back from recess, Steven Mukwala increased the tally for Asante Kotoko in the 65th minute. The Ugandan attacker soared above everyone to head home Enock Morison’s free kick but his second goal did not account as he was flagged offside in the 86th minute. Asante Kotoko have now climbed to the second spot with 17 points – two points behind leaders Aduana FC who are in first place with 19 points.
At Dawu, Abduc Jalilu and Agyenim Boateng Mensah got on target as Dreams FC beat King Faisal 2-0 at the theatre of Dreams.
Karela United threw away a first half lead to draw 1-1 with Medeama SC at CAM Park. Isaac Donkor opened the scoring in the 24th minute before Kwadwo Amoako restored parity for the visitors in the 45th minute.
Meanwhile, Legon Cities continued their impressive form in the League as they scored in either half to post a 3-0 win over Oda Kotoku Royals at the Cape Coast stadium. Jonah Attuquaye drew the first blood for Legon Cities before Kofi Kordzi and Alex Aso scored in the second half to condemn Kotoku Royals to their 6th defeat of the season.
In another match – Bechem United dropped valuable at home as they were held 0-0 by Tamale City at the Nana Fosu Gyeabuor Park at Bechem.
Scores at a glance
BIBIANI: Bibiani Gold Stars 1-0 RTU
Scorer: Noah Martey
Man of the match: Samuel Amofa (Goldstars)
sOGAKOPE: Accra Lions 1-1 FC Samartex
Scorers: Hagan Frimpong | | Giyasu Ibrahim
Man of the match: Seidu Abubakar (Samartex)
SOGAKOPE: Great Olympics 0-1 Aduana Stars
Scorer: Raymond Oko Grippman (OG)
Man of the match: Joseph Addo – GK (Aduana Stars)
NSOATRE: Nsoatreman 0-1 Hearts of Oak
Scorer: Kwadwo Obeng Jnr
Man of the match: Kwadwo Obeng Jr. (Hearts Of Oak)
ANYINASE: Karela United 1-1 Medeama
Scorers: Isaac Donkor || Kwadwo Amoako
Man of the match: Abdul Rahman Yahaya (Karela United)
KUMASI: Asante Kotoko 2-1 Berekum Chelsea
Scorers: Eric Zeze, Steven Mukwala | | Emmanuel Sarpong
Man of the match: Steven Mukwala (Asante Kotoko)
DAWU: Dreams FC 2-0 King Faisal
Scorers: Abdul Jalilu, Agyenim Boateng
Man of the match: Collins Boah (Dreams FC)
CAPE COAST: Kotoku Royals 0-3 Legon Cities
Scorers: Jonah Attuquaye, Kofi Kordzi (pen) & Alex Aso
Former Ghana international, Prince Tagoe is in the grips of Police for allegedly defrauding a formal footballer, George Antwi Boateng.
This week, the Circuit Court in Accra presided over by His Honour Mr. Samuel Bright Acquah has remanded the ‘Prince of Goals’ into lawful custody until next year, January 4, 2023.
Tagoe who appeared in court pleaded not guilty to the charge of defrauding by false pretense of former footballer George Antwi Boateng to the sum of $40,000 dollars.
While his Counsel, Lawyer George Asamani would pray the court to admit the accused to bail, the Presiding Judge denied it.
His Honour Mr. Samuel Bright Acquah agreed to oppose the bail request after the prosecutor, Chief Inspector Agartha Abena Asantewaa argued that Prince Tagoe is a flight risk.
According to the case brief presented to the court by the prosecutor, George Boateng said he wanted to buy a 4×4 Lexus and Prince Tagoe offered to import the car for $40,000.
George Boateng paid the said amount to Prince Tagoe on January 8, 2021, which he acknowledged receipt for in a telephone conversation.
Tagoe promised to deliver the vehicle toward March ending, but he failed to fulfil the promise. He then called Boateng to plead for an additional two weeks to deliver the obligation but never did again.
Boateng came down to Ghana on April 27 to receive the vehicle, but it was still not delivered. Tagoe told Boateng he couldn’t honour the promise because he used the money to take care of an urgent personal issue.
As investigations were going on, Tagoe admitted being guilted for defrauding Boateng of $40,000 and pleaded for two weeks to pay the money, but never fulfilled the promise again. Hence, he was charged and arraigned before the court.
The former Hearts of Oak striker is now set to spend the Christmas period behind bars in Police custody.
Former Hearts of Oak midfielder Esme Mends has criticised management of the Phobians for not renewing the contract of Daniel Afriyie Barnieh all these years to this point.
The Black Stars striker joined the former Ghana Premier League champions in 2019, signing a three-year deal which is expected to expire this month.
According to reports, there has not been any breakthrough in contract renegotiation to extend Barnieh’s future with fears that the young striker may leave the club as a free agent.
Speaking in an interview with Kumasi-based LUV FM, Esme Mends, who was part of the Hearts of Oak league-winning team in the 2009/2010 season, stressed his former club should have convinced Barnieh to renew his contract before December 2022.
“This issue didn’t start today, it started a long time ago, why are we here? Why is this situation up now?” he questioned.
“We as a club, we knew Barniih’s contract will be running out this year, so why did you wait all this while to this point?
“People sign five-year contracts, three-year contracts, in between or just after a year, they call him for renewal to improve the contract.
”The boy kept improving, year-in-year-out, he kept improving so we [Accra Hearts of Oak] were supposed to be smart enough, tie him down.
“What we should know is that, all these players have families, they have people they listen to, they have advisors and they have friends who have travelled outside.
“They see, they hear and they know what they bring when they go outside so when you have such players, you tie them down,” he said.
Since joining Hearts of Oak, Daniel Afriyie Barnieh, has won the Ghana Premier League and MTN FA Cup trophies with the rainbow club.
Karela United were unable to make the home advantage count against Medeama in matchday 9 of the Ghana Premier League on Wednesday afternoon.
The domestic top-flight returned this week after a one-month break because of the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
Karela United were hoping to return to winning ways after suffering a defeat against King Faisal on home turf before the World Cup break but could not materialized.
The home team opened the scoring in the 24th minute mark through Isaac Donkor but were unable to hold unto the lead, with the Yellow and Mauves equalizing in the dyeing embers of the first half through Kwadwo Amoako.
Both teams had to go to recess with a 1-1 stalemate in the Western derby.
Despite creating numerous scoring opportunities in the second half, both teams were unable to find the back of the net again as the game ended in a 1-1 stalemate at the Crosby Awuah Memorial Park.
Karela United currently sit 15th position on the league log with 11 points whiles Medeama occupies 13th spot with 11 points.
Dreams FC finally halted their winless run in the Ghana Premier League, defeating in-form King Faisal in matchday 9 of the Ghanaian top-flight.
The domestic top-flight returned this week after a one-month break because of the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
The Still Believe lads who had not recorded a win in their last five games returned to winning ways after inflicting a 2-0 win over the Isha Allah club.
Prior to the game, Dreams FC had managed two draws and three defeat in their last five Ghana Premier League games.
Dreams FC opened the scoring after just eight minutes into the much-anticipated clash through Abdul Jalilu.
The Still Believe lads had to go to recess with a one goal advantage.
After the break, Dreams FC extended their lead through Agyenim Boateng who scored in the 46th minute mark to make it 2-0.
The win sends Dreams FC out of the relegation drop. They currently sit 12th position with 11 points after 9 matches so far.
Meanwhile, King Faisal’s winning run in the domestic top-flight has come to an end after defeat to Dreams FC.
Before the game, the Isha boys had managed three straight victories, including a 1-0 away win over Karela United.
King Faisal are back in the relegation drop after suffering defeat to Dreams FC. They sit 16th position with 9 points.
Asante Kotoko on Wednesday afternoon defeated Berekum Chelsea at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium.
The Porcupine hosted the Bibires in the betPawa Premier League matchday nine fixture and posted a 2-1 comeback win.
In the tough match that ensued between the two teams, both sides scored in the first half with Chelsea getting the opener in the 27-minute through Emmanuel Sarpong before Ivorian import Eric Zeze equalized for the Reds in the 45th-minute.
After recess, both teams played well and created a number of chances in search of a goal to merit the maximum three points.
Courtesy of a Steven Mukwala’s brilliant header in the 66th-minute, Asante Kotoko have cruised to a delightful 2-1 win that sees the team climb to the second position behind Aduana Stars on the league table.
Up next for Kotoko, the team will prepare for the clash against leaders Aduana Stars in Dormaa.
