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GFA President Kurt Okraku opens up on Hudson-Odoi’s nationality switch

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GFA President Kurt Okraku opens up on Hudson-Odoi’s nationality switch

President of the Ghana Football Association Kurt ES Okraku has finally spoken about the federation’s aim of getting Ghanaian players born abroad play for the Black Stars, including Chelsea star Callum Hudson-Odoi . 

Hudson-Odoi is currently in the West African country for the summer holidays after winning the Champions League with Chelsea last month.

His presence in Ghana has sparked rumours of a possible nationality switch after he was omitted from England manager Gareth Southgate’s squad for the ongoing Euro 2020.

While others are advising Hudson-Odoi to reject any request to change his mind and play for Ghana, others are putting pressure on the FA to persuade the English-born player to represent the four-time Africa champions.

Last week, President of the country, H.E Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, urged the Minister of Youth and Sports Mustapha Ussif to start the process of getting Hudson-Odoi to play for Ghana.

“We started the process of getting Ghanaian talents everywhere to represent Ghana, that included the collection of data on players from U-10 to senior level. The result is what we have now, we have Alex Djiku playing for Ghana, Tariqe Fosu also playing for Ghana and in the past we have had loads of players born in Europe play for Ghana,” Kurt Okraku on TV3’s Water Up Plus Show.

The FA president also explained the federation are in talks with UEFA Champions league winner Hudson-Odoi on several issues including providing support for talents in the country.

“I mean I spoke with Callum before he got to Ghana and we promised to speak again when we meet in Ghana, we have met, we’ve had discussions that centered beyond playing for Ghana and he has a crazy ambition of helping kids in Ghana and this is what excites me the most,”he said.

“We are looking forward to working with Odoi and his family and many other players who are interested in representing their country,” Mr. Okraku added.

“We have lot of them like that, we are talking to the technical team and the political authorities in getting them to play for Ghana,” he concluded.

Hudson-Odoi can switch nationality despite playing three times for England per the new FIFA rules concerning change of country.

Hearts, Kotoko may buy matches to end league title drought – Coach Ibrahim Sunday

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Hearts, Kotoko may buy matches to end league title drought – Coach Ibrahim Sunday

Former Ghanaian footballer and coach, Alhaji Ibrahim Sunday, says that the struggle between two of the country’s top clubs, Kumasi Asante Kotoko and Accra Hearts of Oak, to end their long wait for the Ghana Premier League title presents to both teams an opportunity to engage in match buying.

The Ghana Premier League is gradually coming to an end as all teams have just 6 more games. 

Hearts of Oak and Asante Kotoko are both tied at the top of the table with 50 points. 

However, it is the Rainbow boys who have the upper hand as they have a Goal Difference of 19 against Kotoko’s 16. 

Coach Ibrahim Sunday fears that either of the two clubs may succumb to the temptation of buying matches to boost their chances of winning the trophy which has eluded them, at least since 2015. 

“It is not too good. I fear that if it remains like this, with only goal average, one team can really buy their way at the last minute to score more goals against their opponent. It has happened before and it can happen again,” the former Kumasi Asante Kokoto coach told UniversSports

He has urged both teams to be fair. 

“If they should be fair, they should play fairly and win their matches as usual and not buy matches or goals from other teams. But it has been an interesting season this time,” he added. 

Medeama Sporting Club and Great Olympics are placed 3rd and 4th respectively on the table and are hoping to clinch the title. 

Medeama has garnered 45 points with Great Olympics scoring 45 after 28 games each.

Source: universnewsroom.com

INTERNATIONAL FRIENDLY: Black Stars Hold Final Training Session In Cape Coast Ahead Of Ivory Coast Clash

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INTERNATIONAL FRIENDLY: Black Stars Hold Final Training Session In Cape Coast Ahead Of Ivory Coast Clash

The Black Stars of Ghana have held their final training session at the Cape Coast stadium ahead of their game against the Elephants of La Côte d’Ivoire.

Ghana’s Senior National team, the Black Stars are done with their final training session ahead of their encounter against Ivory Coast in the ongoing international friendly.

The Black Stars who have been camping in Ghana, will lock horns with Ivory Coast, after playing and loosing 1-0 to the Atlas Lions of Morocco elsewhere in Rabat, Morocco.

Both teams will be using the international friendlies to assess their teams strengths and weaknesses ahead of the world cup qualifies in September.

Ghana hosts Ivory Coast in the international friendly on Saturday, June 12, 2021 at the Cape Coast stadium at exactly 16:00 GMT.

INTERNATIONAL FRIENDLY: Black Stars Take Part In Green Ghana Day Project

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INTERNATIONAL FRIENDLY: Black Stars Take Part In Green Ghana Day Project

The Black Stars of Ghana have engaged in the Green Ghana day exercise ahead of their friendly fixture against the Elephants of La Côte d’Ivoire.

Ghana’s Senior National team, the Black Stars have taken part in the Green Ghana day campaign to help in greening the country ahead of their friendly encounter against Ivory Coast in the international friendly.

The Green Ghana campaign is a project initiated by the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources Hon. Samuel Abu Jinapor and Minister for Education Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum to inculcate the habit of tree planting in the Ghanaian youth as tree planting saves the environment as well as produce the needed positive impact on climate change.

This, the Black Stars in collaboration with the University of Cape Coast and Forestry Commission embarked on a tree planting exercise to support the initiative as the country goes planting five million trees a day.

The Black Stars who have been camping in Ghana, will lock horns with Ivory Coast, after playing and loosing 1-0 to the Atlas Lions of Morocco elsewhere in Rabat, Morocco.

Both teams will be using the international friendlies to assess their teams strengths and weaknesses ahead of the world cup qualifies in September.

Ghana hosts Ivory Coast in the international friendly on Saturday, June 12, 2021 at the Cape Coast stadium at exactly 16:00 GMT.

Black Stars Pay A Courtesy Call onto Omanhene Of Oguaaman Traditional Area Ahead Of The Ivory Coast Friendly

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Black Stars Pay A Courtesy Call onto Omanhene Of Oguaaman Traditional Area Ahead Of The Ivory Coast Friendly

The Black Stars of Ghana have visited the Omanhene of Oguaaman Traditional Area earlier today at his palace in Cape Coast ahead of their friendly encounter against the Elephants of La Côte d’Ivoire.

Ghana’s Senior National team, the Black Stars have paid a courtesy call onto the Omanhene of Oguaaman Traditional Area Osabarima Kwesi Atta II to receive his blessings and supports ahead of their fixture against Ivory Coast in the international friendly.

Ghana, who have been camping in Cape Coast visited Osabarima Kwesi Atta II, who blessed and threw his support to the team as they [Black Stars] play Ivory Coast in their next game.

Ghana in their quest to play two international friendlies have already played one against the Atlas Lions of Morocco where Ghana lost 1-0 to the Atlas Lions elsewhere in Rabat, before traveling back to the country where they [Ghana] play Ivory Coast.

Both Ghana and Ivory Coast will be using the international friendly to assess their teams strengths and weaknesses ahead of the world cup qualifies in September.

Ghana hosts Ivory Coast in the international friendly on Saturday, June 12, 2021 at the Cape Coast stadium at exactly 16:00 GMT.

Euro 2020: Italy ease past Turkey in opener

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Euro 2020: Italy ease past Turkey in opener

Euro 2020 opened in spectacular fashion as Italy got their campaign off to an impressive start in front of their own fans with a comfortable victory against Turkey.

There were shades of Italia 90 before the match when Italian opera tenor Andrea Bocelli, against backdrop of a breathtaking firework display, graced the opening ceremony with a moving performance of Nessun Dorma.

In the first of 51 games to be played in 11 European cities over the next month at the rescheduled tournament, an own goal by Merih Demiral and strikes by Ciro Immobile and Lorenzo Insigne settled a one-sided Group A contest.

The Azzurri dominated the first half but could not find the net, Giorgio Chiellini going closest with a header from a corner which brought a fine save from Ugurcan Cakir.

They broke the deadlock when Demiral turned the ball past his own keeper trying to cut out Domenico Berardi’s second-half cross before Lazio’s Immobile, playing on his home ground, pounced after Leonardo Spinazzola’s shot was blocked by the keeper.

Italy wrapped up a satisfying win though Insigne’s powerful finish, after he was teed up by the impressive Immobile.

Before kick-off, the match ball was brought on to the pitch by a remote controlled car.

Source: BBC

Eleven Wonders coach Ignatius Osei-Fosu doubts referee Charles Bulu’s competence

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Eleven Wonders coach Ignatius Osei-Fosu doubts referee Charles Bulu’s competence

Eleven Wonders coach, Ignatius Osei-Fosu, has questioned the competence of FIFA referee Charles Bulu, who officiated in his team’s 2-1 loss to Elmina Sharks on match-day 29 of the 2020/21 Ghana Premier League on Friday afternoon.

An early first-half brace from Bernard Benjamin Boateng ensured that the home side secured the maximum three points with Ganiu Abass scoring the consolation.

The high points of the game happened when the visitors had two clear goals disallowed.

Veteran Alex Asamoah tapped in from Felix Akolor’s cross on the 37th minute but was ruled out by the assistant referee one for offside.

Then in the second half, Ganiu Abass nearly netted a brace too after his shot outside the box went off the crossbar with the whole circumference of the ball crossing the goal line but again wasn’t given.

 Television replays show the ball crossed the line.

And those decisions by the referee have elicited a bitter reaction from the outspoken gaffer who indicated that, they lost not based on performance but incompetence on the part of the referees.

He said; 

“I don’t think we lost. Everybody that watched the game knows out first goal was a clear one and should have stood, again we scored another clear goal in the second half but was not given.

“We didn’t loose because we weren’t good but we lost due to incompetence, for me we have beaten them 2-3. The centre-man is a FIFA referee and wasn’t at the right place on most occasions in a tough gave me like this. He should be ashamed of himself.”

Techiman Eleven Wonders will next play against Dreams FC in Dawu.

2020/21 GPL: Match Report: Elmina Sharks secure win over Eleven Wonders

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2020/21 GPL: Match Report: Elmina Sharks secure win over Eleven Wonders

Eleven Wonders succumbed to Elmina Sharks at the Nduom Sports Stadium in Elmina in a 2020/21 Ghana Premier League match week 29 clash on Friday afternoon.

Two early first-half goals by Bernard Benjamin Boateng did the magic for the home team as they held firm to claim all the three maximum points.

Ganiu Abass snatched the consolation goal for the visitors.

Wonders had a lot of confidence going into the game but they. got unsettled quickly with Boateng opening the scoring in the 2nd minute.

The prolific attacker doubled his side’s lead three minutes later to make it 2-0.

They were presented with opportunities but fluffed them.

The visitors reduced the deficit, nine minutes after recess through Ganiu Abass.

The visitors will feel ‘cheated’ after they had two goals disallowed.

Watch one of the goals in the video below:

Television replays show the goal crossed the line to highlight calls for goal-line technology.

Sharks coach Nii Odartey Lamptey was forced to make an early substitution, bringing on John Nyamekye to replace Clean Afful.

Wonders coach Ignatius Fosu kept faith with evergreen striker Alex Asamoah and former Kotoko defender Amos Frimpong.

Wonders kept pushing and created some decent chances but failed to grab the equalizer.

Sharks have now moved above Wonders sinking the visitors into the drop zone.

Euro 2020 starts today as Turkey face Italy [Check All Fixtures & KickOff Time]

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Euro 2020 starts today as Turkey face Italy [Check All Fixtures & KickOff Time]

The anticipation for the UEFA EURO 2020 is almost over, with the tournament finally starting in Rome on Friday 11 June.

The unique installment will for the first time ever be hosted across 11 different countries, with 24 teams set to battle for the trophy between 11 June and 11 July.

Additionally, the event has been delayed by a whole year due to the worldwide Coronavirus pandemic that ravaged Europe.

France and defending champions Portugal are some of the favourites tipped to go all the way, not forgetting the likes of Germany and Italy’s abilities to master tournament football.

The game of the group is without France taking on Germany, followed by Portugal vs Germany as well as England taking on Croatia.

Here are all the Group Standings:

Group A: Turkey, Italy, Wales, Switzerland
Group B: Denmark, Finland, Belgium, Russia
Group C: Netherlands, Ukraine, Austria, North Macedonia
Group D: England, Croatia, Scotland, Czech Republic
Group E: Spain, Sweden, Poland, Slovakia
Group F: Hungary, Portugal, France, Germany.

Euro 2020 Fixtures:

Friday 11 June 2021
21:00 Turkey vs Italy

Saturday 12 June 2021
15:00 Wales vs Switzerland
18:00 Denmark vs Finland
21:00 Belgium vs Russia

Sunday 13 June 2021
15:00 England vs Croatia
18:00 Austria vs North Macedonia
21:00 Netherlands vs Ukraine

Monday 14 June 2021
15:00 Scotland vs Czech Republic
18:00 Poland vs Slovakia
21:00 Spain vs Sweden

Tuesday 15 June 2021
18:00 Hungary vs Portugal
21:00 France vs Germany

Wednesday 16 June 2021
15:00 Finland vs Russia
18:00 Turkey vs Wales
21:00 Italy vs Switzerland

Thursday 17 June 2021
15:00 Ukraine vs North Macedonia
18:00 Denmark vs Belgium
21:00 Netherlands vs Austria

Friday 18 June 2021
15:00 Sweden vs Slovakia
18:00 Croatia vs Czech Republic
21:00 England vs Scotland

Saturday 19 June 2021
15:00 Hungary vs France
18:00 Portugal vs Germany
21:00 Spain vs Poland

Sunday 20 June 2021
18:00 Italy vs Wales
18:00 Switzerland vs Turkey

Monday 21 June 2021
18:00 North Macedonia vs Netherlands
18:00 Ukraine vs Austria
21:00 Finland vs Belgium
21:00 Russia vs Denmark

Tuesday 22 June 2021
21:00 Croatia vs Scotland
21:00 Czech Republic vs England

Wednesday 23 June 2021
18:00 Slovakia vs Spain
18:00 Sweden vs Poland
21:00 Germany vs Hungary
21:00 Portugal vs France

By Duah Michael

INTERNATIONAL FRIENDLY: Black Meteors Arrive In Jehu Ahead Of The South Korea Game

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INTERNATIONAL FRIENDLY: Black Meteors Arrive In Jehu Ahead Of The South Korea Game

Ghana’s Olympic team has arrived in Jehu, South Korea ahead of their two friendly games against South Korea’s Olympic team.

Ghana U24 team, the Black Meteors have arrived in South Korea where they [Black Meteors] will play two games against South Korea U24 team in the international friendly.

The Meteors already played and lost two games to Japan U24 team before traveling to South Korea.

Both Japan and South Korea are using the Ghana friendly to prepare formidable sides for the Tokyo Olympics which commence in few days to come.

Ghana, who couldn’t qualify are preparing a strong side towards the forthcoming All African Games which will be staged in Ghana in 2023.

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