Nigeria and Ghana are scheduled to clash in an international friendly on March 22 in Marrakech as both teams aim to recover from their disappointments at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations held in Ivory Coast.
The Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) has unveiled its squad for the upcoming match.
The Super Eagles, who finished as runners-up in the tournament following a heartbreaking loss to hosts Ivory Coast in the final, seek to rebound and establish momentum for future engagements.
However, the NFF has yet to appoint a new coach following the resignation of Portuguese trainer Jose Peseiro.
Meanwhile, Ghana had a dismal outing in the Africa Cup of Nations, exiting the competition in the group stage with only two points from three matches.
The Black Stars are currently without a permanent head coach, but the Ghana Football Association (GFA) is anticipated to announce a new appointment before the friendly against Nigeria.
In the video, fans of the Super Eagles team tease their opponents by pouring water on themselves and singing the song “Water” by South African singer Tyla.
On Sunday, she won an award for Best African Music Performance at the Grammys, by doing better than many famous Nigerian singers.
Upset Nigerians promised to get back at the Afcon semi-final.
The hashtag #NGARSA is popular in Nigeria and South Africa as people make jokes about each other.
Nigerians and South Africans have been joking with each other that their Jollof Rice is tastier than South Africa’s Bobotie dish.
Jimmy Odukoya, a well-known Nigerian pastor, has also joked about Bafana Bafana’s performance, praising them despite their loss. He told the South African players that they need water.
He said: “If it helps, it’s really good water. ”
Nigeria will play against Ivory Coast on Sunday in the final match.
Many people in South Africa will probably support the team from Ivory Coast.
Ivory Coast emerged victorious in a thrilling Africa Cup of Nations quarter-final against Mali, securing a spot in the semi-finals despite playing with 10 men for most of the game.
Kossounou’s Challenge: Defensive Stand and Dilemma
Odilon Kossounou faced a tough situation with two yellow cards for fouls on Lassine Sinayoko. Despite his dismissal, Ivory Coast showcased remarkable defensive resilience, thwarting Mali’s efforts and maintaining composure.
Diakite’s Emotional Heroics: Late Equalizer and Winner
Oumar Diakite became the hero for Ivory Coast, scoring the equalizer in the 90th minute and securing the win in extra time. However, his second yellow card in the celebration means he will miss the upcoming semi-final against DR Congo.
Mali’s Missed Opportunities and Frustration
Mali failed to capitalize on their numerical advantage and adopted a defensive approach after taking the lead through Nene Dorgeles. The post-match scenes of protest and a red card for Hamari Traore highlighted Mali’s frustration and disappointment.
Elephants’ Unbelievable Journey: From Struggles to Semi-finals
Ivory Coast’s journey in the Afcon has been remarkable, surviving the group stage with two defeats and overcoming defending champions Senegal in the last 16. The quarter-final win against Mali adds another chapter to their incredible escape act.
Bitter Pill for Mali: Another Setback Against Neighbours
Mali faced bitter disappointment with their exit, marked by protests and a defeat against Ivory Coast. The loss emphasizes their recent struggles against West African neighbours, marking another setback in their Afcon journey.
Black Star’s goalkeeper Joseph Wollacott will be absent from Ghana’s crucial 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier against the Central African Republic due to a thigh injury,.
The team’s doctor has indicated that the Hibernian goalkeeper is expected to be sidelined for approximately eight weeks.
Wollacott sustained this injury during his debut match against Inter d’Escaldes in the Europa Conference League qualifiers at the beginning of August.
In preparation for the Central African Republic game, Black Stars head coach Chris Hughton has announced his squad without the inclusion of the 26-year-old.
According to a statement from the Ghana Football Association (GFA), Black Stars team doctor Prince Pambo explained, “Joseph suffered a thigh (quadriceps) injury in mid-August during training. We anticipate he will be out of action for eight weeks from the date of the injury.”
Ghana is set to host the Central African Republic in their final Group E fixture at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium on Thursday, September 7, 2023.
The Black Stars require just one point from this game to secure their qualification for the tournament scheduled to take place in Ivory Coast in January.
Ghana U23 forward, Zubairu Ibrahim, has seeked forgiveness from Ghanaians for the Black Meteors’ underwhelming performance in the 2023 U23 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
Despite the disappointment, Zubairu is hopeful and envisions a future where the team brings glory to Ghana by winning the FIFA World Cup.
Having faith in the squad’s potential, Zubairu, formerly of King Faisal, believes that with proper long-term planning and progression to the senior national team, Ghana can achieve World Cup success.
Seeking forgiveness from Ghanaians, Zubairu Ibrahim, reflecting on the underwhelming performance of the Black Meteors at the U23 AFCON in Morocco, urges the Ghanaian public to support the team wholeheartedly in their future endeavors.
“We aimed winning the U23 Afcon and possibly qualify Ghana to the Olympics game but unfortunately our desire couldn’t materialize.
“With the quality we have in the team and proper long term planning, I’m very confident that we can even win the world cup for Ghana some years to come.”
Rwanda’s president, Paul Kagame mentioned in a televised “Ask the President” session with the Rwanda Broadcasting Agency (RBA), the need for immediate action to tackle various challenges affecting Rwandan football, including the issue of witchcraft.
President Kagame expressed his concerns about unethical practices, specifically mentioning the involvement of certain individuals, particularly coaches, in activities related to witchcraft within the sport.
He called for measures to address these issues and ensure the promotion of ethical conduct in Rwandan football.
“Instead of adequate training, you find them engaging in witchcraft or bribery, which is the first thing that needs to be addressed,” he said.
Despite substantial investment in the sports sector, the country’s teams have struggled to achieve success.
Rwanda’s national football team have only qualified for the Africa Cup of Nations once, in 2004, and are currently bottom of their qualifying group having yet to win a match.
Mr Kagame is a well-known football fan, and follows English club Arsenal. Rwanda’s Tourism Authority has had a controversial £30m ($42m) sponsorship deal with the club since 2018.
The Black Stars players have reported for their training camp in preparation for the Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Madagascar.
Pictures shared on social media by the official Black Stars handle depict the players arriving at the team hotel, dressed in casual attire.
As of now, the Ghana Football Association has not confirmed the exact number of players who have arrived out of the 24-man squad that was announced for the national team.
However, from the images posted on social media, skipper Andre Ayew, Lawrence Ati-Zigi, Salis Samed, Kasim Nuhu, Majeed Ashimeru, Osman Buakri, Hafiz Konkoni, and Joseph Aidoo, Gideon Mensah, Joseph Paintsil have all arrived.
The team is currently lodging at the Alisa Hotel and will train at the Accra Sports Stadium before they departGhana for Madagascar.
The game is scheduled for June 18, 2023.
Players in photos:
Black Stars Capt.Andre Dede Ayew arrives at campAte Zigi is here Jordan Ayew steps out of carSaliz abdul Samed Joseph PaintsilHafiz Konkoni
The only member of Chris Hughton’s 24-man squad who hasnot yet reported to the Black Stars camp as they get ready for their Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Madagascar is Arsenal star and deputy captain Thomas Teye Partey.
With the exception of Partey, who is anticipated to arrive on Tuesday, June 13, following a fantastic season with the Gunners, all players who were invited have dutifully reported to the team’s camp at the Alisa Hotel in Accra as of Monday, June 12.
The former Tema Youth player played an integral role for Mikel Arteta’s side in the just-ended 2022–23 English Premier League. He made a total of 39 appearances in all competitions and scored three goals.
The team led by skipper Andre Ayew will open their first training sessions at the Accra Sports Stadium later on Monday, June 11, and will continue for the next four days before they jet off to Madagascar.
The match will take place on Sunday, June 18, at the Mahamasina Municipal Stadium in Antananarivo, Madagascar’s capital city.
The Black Stars lead Group E with eight points, having won two and drawn two.
Ernest Nuamah, a promising young forward, has received his first call-up to the Ghana national team, known as the Black Stars, for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Madagascar in June.
National coach Chris Hughton has included the winger in the 24-man squad for the crucial match in Antananarivo on June 18.
Nuamah, who has been in outstanding form for FC Nordsjaelland in the Danish Superliga, has caught the attention of the coaching staff, leading to his inclusion in the Black Stars team.
The talented player has been a standout performer for the Ghana U23 team, which has further boosted his chances of making it to the senior national team.
In addition to Nuamah, the squad list released on the official Ghana FA website also features the return of Alidu Seidu from Clermont Foot and Kwasi Okyere Wriedt from Holstein Kiel.
Mohammed Salisu and Tariq Lamptey have not been included in the squad due to their respective injuries while Kamal Sowah was seemingly not invited.
Captain, Andre Ayew and his brother, Jordan Ayew are also part of the team alongside Arsenal’s Thomas Partey.
In-form Inaki Williams will be hoping to break his goal-scoring duck with the national team, exactly a year after announcing his nationality switch.
The four-time African champions need one point to secure qualification to the tournament in Ivory Coast next year.
Ajax head coach, John Heitinga, has described Mohammed Kudus as a player that will always have fans paying to watch him play.
The Ghana international has been instrumental for club and country this season and overcame an early season struggle for game time to become one of Ajax’s first names on the team sheet.
In the 2022/23 season, the 22-year-old has been directly involved in 25 goals across all competitions for club and country, scoring 20 times and providing five assists.
Since returning from the 2022 FIFA World Cup, Kudus has scored seven goals under Heitinga, who believes the player is one that everyone enjoys watching.
“Mohammed Kudus is a player that fans buy a ticket for.
He is the player who entertains the fans. He is a proud human being and someone that wants to get the most out of his career,” he told the Ajax media team.
Kudus failed to add to his tally during the international break where he featured in the Black Stars’ doubleheader against Angola in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.
However, with the club football returning this weekend, the attacking midfielder will be seeking a return to the scoresheet.
With a dominating 4-0 victory over Tunisia’s U-20 squad earlier today, Nigeria’s U-20 national team, the Flying Eagles, earned third place at the ongoing 2023 U-20 Africa Cup of Nations.
After failing to advance to the tournament’s finals, the Flying Eagles, who had already qualified for the U-20 World Cup, were offered the opportunity to place third.
Against their Tunisian rivals, who were also competing for a medal, they had an uphill battle.
However, Coach Isa Ladan Bosso’s side showed their dominance early in the game as Ibrahim Muhammad scored the opening goal at the 9th minute. The goal proved to be the only difference between the two sides at half-time.
In the second half, the Flying Eagles came back stronger and scored three more goals, with Ahmed Abdullahi and Sunday Jude both getting on the score sheet. Sunday Jude scored twice to seal the victory for Nigeria’s U-20 team.
The win sees Nigeria’s U-20 team finish in third place at the U-20 Africa Cup of Nations, adding to their impressive record at the tournament.
The Flying Eagles will now shift their focus to the upcoming U-20 World Cup, where they will be looking to make an even bigger impact.
The African Games are held every four years in different countries, and now it is set to be in the largest cities of Ghana, including Accra, Cape Coast, and Kumasi. Generally, the 13th Accra African Games was set for 2023; however, it has been postponed due to the conflict between the event’s shareholders, the African Union (AU), and the AASC.
When the issues were resolved, the stakeholders decided that Ghana would remain the host of the said event, which will be held next year in March 2024. In addition, the Local Organizing Committee (LOC) complimented Ghana for its excellent ongoing renovation and facility preparation for the upcoming African Games.
What Are African Games?
African games, also known as the All-African Games (AAG), are one of the largest continental sports events worldwide, approved by the International Olympic Committee. The African Games feature the sports, talent, and strength of many African countries and athletes worldwide.
In addition, the African Game represents not only the sports athletes’ talent and their country’s independence and unity. On the other hand, the African Games are now on their 13th; The last event was held in 2019 in Rabat, Morocco.
What Types of Sports are Seen in All-African Games?
You may be wondering what sports athletes play in the All-African Games. In the 12th AAG event, they were able to organize 24 different sports, some of which are the following:
Football
Football is a sport that will never be left out in all Olympic games. Many people are head over heels for African football teams, making them place a bet on numerous betting sites. In addition, the best betting apps in Ghana are always available online, mainly when the 13th African Games starts in 2024.
Chess
Aside from physical sports, mind games are also included in AAG. Many nations participated in the chess tournament, including Egypt, which won the gold medal awards.
Swimming
One of the best sports organized by the African Games is swimming. Many people feel the fun, enjoyment, and tension are worth it because of the athletes’ outstanding performance. The techniques and preparation of the swimmers are also shown in the event.
Tennis
Another physically-related game organized by AAG is tennis. The leading country that brought home many gold medals in Egypt. On the other hand, some countries won silver and bronze medals.
Who Will Participate?
Ghana will lead the 13th African Games, and three large cities will participate in the event, Accra (The Capital City), Kumasi, and Cape Coast. Since AAG is postponed, other Nation participants are not yet disclosed. On the other hand, in the last All-African Games, 54 countries participated in the event.
2024 will be the Best Year!
The upcoming All-African Games excites many people, including the athletes, organizers, audience, and the country of Ghana. Hosting an Olympic event is an honorable experience for Ghana because of the numerous advantages AAG provides. Indeed, longer preparation is a great help to organize such a big event.
The son of a fisherman, Christian Atsu never got caught in the trappings of fame.
Humble beginnings meant the Ghana midfielder, who lost his life in the recent earthquakes that devastated Turkey and Syria, tried to use his success to help others in their lives.
His generosity and charitable nature led one former international team-mate to describe Atsu as “one in a million”.
“He helped a lot of people solve their problems, gave cash out to those in need,” John Paintsil told BBC Sport Africa.
“Atsu’s mind was so good that it could come up with different ideas.
“He was jovial and creative, like a movie star,” the former Fulham and West Ham defender added.
“We have lost a great soul. He was one in a million because he sometimes put others before himself.”
The ‘Ghana Messi’
Perhaps the highlight of Atsu’s international career came at the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) in Equatorial Guinea where he scored two goals en route to the final which was won by Ivory Coast on penalties.
Nonetheless, the left-footed midfielder picked up two awards of his own for best goal and best player at the tournament.
“He was a joy to be with and a great team-mate, someone who had an abundance of skill and quality,” said Kwesi Appiah, who played alongside Atsu at that 2015 Afcon.
“He was nicknamed Ghana’s Messi for his style and also the way we relied on him as a team,” revealed the former Crystal Palace striker.
“He was an exceptional player and I’m really honoured to have shared some special moments with him on the pitch.”
In total, Atsu represented his country 62 times, scoring 10 goals.
“Away from football, he was very caring and supportive and would go out of his way to help anyone,” Appiah continued.
“He’d light up any room.”
From fishing in Ghana to finding the net in Europe
Atsu was born in January 1992 in Ada Foah, a town on the south-east coast of Ghana where the Volta River joins the Atlantic Ocean to create the delta that allowed his late father to eke out a living fishing and farming.
Growing up, he shared a cramped bedroom with his mother, twin sister Christiana and four other siblings.
Like other African kids, football was the dream ticket out of poverty.
Atsu cut his teeth at local clubs Cheetah FC and Feyenoord Fetteh – the African academy of Dutch side Feyenoord – before a move to Portuguese giants FC Porto in 2009.
Atsu was just 17 when he arrived in Portugal, initially struggling to break into the first team.
But a successful loan spell at Rio Ave saw him finally make the breakthrough at his parent club during the 2012/13 campaign.
25 appearances in all competitions for Porto, as well as playing every match as Ghana finished fourth at the Afcon in South Africa, convinced Chelsea to snap him up in September 2013.
But the move to London, for a reported fee of £3.5 million, did not work out as planned because Atsu never played a senior game for the Blues.
Instead, he became part of Chelsea’s loan army, with temporary spells in the Netherlands, England and Spain at Vitesse Arnhem, Everton, Bournemouth and Malaga.
But his stop-start club career did not impact Atsu’s performances on the international stage; it was during this time that he shone so brightly for the Black Stars at the 2015 Afcon.
During another loan, Atsu helped Newcastle United win promotion back to the Premier League, scoring in the game which clinched an immediate return to the English top flight.
The move was made permanent soon after.
Christian Atsu played over 100 games for Newcastle United and had a key role in the club’s promotion back to the English Premier League in the 2016/17 season under Rafa Benitez, a coach who thought highly of the midfielder
“He was someone who was very gentle, quite softly spoken,” said BBC Radio Newcastle commentator Matthew Raisbeck, who remembers Atsu from that successful promotion campaign.
“(He) was often singled out by Rafa Benitez and Steve Bruce [both former Newcastle managers] for his hard work in training and a really high level of physical fitness.”
After five years at St James’ Park, Atsu suffered an injury-blighted season in Saudi Arabia with Al-Raed before joining Turkish Super Lig side Hatayspor in September last year.
In a poignant twist of fate, he scored a winning goal in the 97th minute of Hatayspor’s match against Kasimpasa just hours before the first earthquake struck to claim his life.
He was 31 years old.
‘A truly unique and wonderful man’
But perhaps Atsu’s biggest success came off the pitch, where he led a life that was very much the opposite of the bling stereotype associated with modern day footballers.
He returned to Cheetah FC, where he learned his trade, donating boots and other items to the Ghanaian second-tier side’s academy.
He also focused on rehabilitating criminals, people who were desperate for food and ended up convicted of petty crimes.
Atsu believed that prison should not damage people and he was responsible for reuniting several impoverished families in Ghana after paying out thousands of dollars in fines and bail money.
In one example, he helped free a 62-year-old grandmother and her daughter, jailed for stealing two dollar’s worth of corn to feed their family.
He gave some of the prisoners money to get them started in business and also upgraded the football pitch in Awutu Prison.
But Atsu’s philanthropy was not limited solely to helping those in trouble with the law.
“He was such a giver, such a super human being,” Ellie Milner, chairperson of Arms Around the Child, told the BBC when asked about the midfielder’s work with vulnerable children.
“When he visited the children, he would arrive and kick off his shoes and play barefoot.
“They would welcome him like a hero, but also like a father, uncle or brother.”
Atus had been an ambassador for the charity since 2016 and was the main benefactor of a Ghanaian school supporting abandoned children, orphans, the chronically ill and those rescued from trafficking.
“He was a truly unique and wonderful man,” added Milner.
“One of the kindest, most talented, humble people to enter this world.”
“His legacy will live on through the many hundreds, if not thousands of lives he has helped.”
Christian Atsu’s success at the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations in Equatorial Guinea has been discussed by former Ghana coach Avram Grant.
Prior to the competition, Atsu had been dealing with injuries, and his selection for the team caused some controversy because of the limited playing time he had received at the club level.
Grant mentioned Atsu’s outstanding play at the competition, where he was honoured with the best player and goal of the tournament awards.
After losing on penalties to Ivory Coast, Ghana came in second.
Grant praised Atsu’s mental strength and character, saying, “It’s a story that also shows his character and how strong he is mentally because I received the team very short time before the AFCON after the crisis in the World Cup in 2014 and he was not even on the list because he didn’t play half a year. The first half of the year he didn’t play, he didn’t find a team, partly because of injury.”
Grant had taken notice of Atsu’s talent during his time playing for Chelsea and in the Netherlands. Despite scepticism from others, he decided to include Atsu in the team and worked with Jamie Lawrence, the fitness coach, to prepare him for the tournament.
“So, we put him in a special program with Jamie Lawrence, the fitness coach, to prepare him, and I remember that I had a conversation with him; he said to me if you decide to take me, I don’t care if I play one minute, five minutes, or 10 minutes. I’m a Ghanaian. I’m proud of my team, and after what happened at the World Cup, the supporters don’t believe in us. I want to give my contribution.
Kwesi Appiah, a former coach for Ghana, has stated that he is in negotiations to take the position of technical director at Tanzanian club Simba SC.
The 62-year-old is now unattached after being informed that his tenure as the Black Stars’ head coach will end in 2019.
After Appiah underwhelmed at the Africa Cup of Nations [AFCON] in Egypt and the squad was eliminated against Tunisia in the Round of 16, his contract was not renewed.
However, in an interview, the Ghana legend confirmed that talks are in the advanced stage to become the new technical director for Simba SC.
“We are still talking and we are in advanced negotiations. It’s about 70% now,” he told Kumasi-based Oyerepa FM.
“Hopefully, we conclude everything soon,” he added.
Kwesi Appiah, who has had two separate stints with the Black Stars applied for the vacant position after Otto Addo left the role but the Ghana Football Association [GFA] has appointed Chris Hughton as the new head coach of the four-time African champions.
Appiah, who is also Asante Kotoko legend is famously remembered for leading the Black Stars to book a qualification for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
Final preparations are being made by CAF, the Egyptian Football Association (EFA), and the Local Organising Committee (LOC) for the TotalEnergies U20 Africa Cup of Nations, one of CAF’s premier youth competitions.
The competition will kick off on 19 February 2023 with the opening match between hosts Egypt and Southern African side, Mozambique at Cairo International Stadium at 16h00 local time (14h00 GMT).
Three stadiums will host the competition that will run until 11 March 2023. The venues are Cairo International Stadium, Suez Canal Stadium and Alexandria Stadium.
About the Venues:
Cairo International Stadium – Cairo (75,000 capacity). Built in 1960, the Cairo International Stadium is the home of the Egyptian national team. The venue is used by the two Egyptian giants, Al Ahly and Zamalek.
Suez Canal Authority Stadium – Ismailia. (21,000 capacity). The newly-built stadium was inaugurated in September 2022.
Alexandria Stadium – Alexandria (20,000 capacity). This is one of the venues that hosted the 2019 TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations hosted by Egypt.
The full groups:
Group A: Egypt, Mozambique, Senegal, Nigeria
Group B: Uganda, Central Africa Republic, South Sudan, Congo
Communications Director of the Ghana Football Association [GFA], Henry Asante Twum has revealed that the country had $9.5 million after exiting at the group phase of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
The West African country made a return to the Mundial after securing qualification at the expense of Nigeria.
Having been housed in Group H, Ghana opened their campaign with a defeat against Portugal.
In the second group game, the Black Stars recorded a 3-2 win over South Korea.
Heading into the final group game, Ghana needed a draw against Uruguay to book a place in the last 16 but the team suffered a 2-0 defeat against the two-time world champions.
However, Asante Twum speaking in an interview revealed that the country received the said amount despite exiting at the group phase of the tournament in the Gulf country.
“Ghana earned $9.5 million at the group stage of the World Cup,” he told Asempa FM.
Meanwhile, the Black Stars are expected to reassemble in March for the doubleheader against Angola in the 2024 Africa Cup of Nations [ACFCON] qualifiers with a new head coach expected to be announced this month.
It was Senegal’s year in the African football arena as they finally conquered the Africa Cup of Nations, but their achievements overshadowed by Morocco’s barnstorming run to the World Cup semifinal.
What many predicted might be another horror year for the African game, turned into anything but at the World Cup in Qatar as Morocco became the first African country to reach the last four.
Senegal also went through to the second round as Africa made up for the disappointment of not getting a single team past the first round in Russia in 2018.
Although Cameroon, Ghana and Tunisia did not advance they were all close with Ghana losing a decisive game to Uruguay while the Indomitable Lions left the tournament despite upsetting Brazil and Tunisia handing defending champions France a 1-0 defeat in the group phase.
Morocco had been the most convincing of the teams to come through the qualifiers, which were concluded in March when the 10 group winners from 2021 were paired into five playoff ties.
There were upset defeats for Algeria, who conceded a last gasp goal at home to Cameroon to miss out on Qatar, and Nigeria, edged by Ghana on the away goals rule after a goalkeeping howler.
Senegal narrowly edged Egypt on post-match penalties to book their place at a second successive World Cup tournament after a two-legged stalemate, which came only six weeks after edging the Egyptians on penalties as well to win the Cup of Nations.
Senegal lived up to their pre-event billing as favourites although it was by no means a convincing triumph for the continent’s top ranked team.
But their success will forever have the stain of the deadly stadium stampede that overshadowed the troubled tournament and condemned Cameroon to one of the worst continental championships in decades.
The deaths of eight people, with a further seven seriously injured, came as a result of poor organisation, lax security controls and general dereliction of duty.
This was an event that came close to being cancelled less than a month before kickoff because of concerns over Cameroon’s hosting ability, which were then realised in horrific tragedy.
Yaounde’s newly-built Olembe Stadium, where police stood idly by while a surge of spectators attempted entry into the ground causing a crush, was still being hastily completed days before the kick off of the tournament, itself twice delayed by Cameroon’s failure to be ready and then the Covid pandemic.
A barely playable pitch saw the other showpiece new stadium in Douala prematurely shut in another embarrassing setback and there were a litany of tales about poor training facilities, inadequate accommodation and severe food poisoning that hit two sides staying at the same hotel.
The folly of Zambian referee Janny Sikazwe twice blowing short a key early match between Mali and Tunisia also rained down ridicule and there were some overzealous red cards and VAR referrals.
But it would be disingenuous to write off Cameroon 2021 as a disaster. The first week of football produced a bizarre sequence of 1-1 scorelines but then came intriguing twists and turns, highlighted by some fairytale shocks that brought the competition to life and will have put to bed the argument that a 24-team tournament means too many mediocre matches.
At club level, Wydad Casablanca won a third African Champions League as they ended a record-breaking bid by Egypt’s Al Ahly in the final and at the end of another tournament mangled by administrative machinations.
The choice of Casablanca to host the one-off final was clouded in Machiavellian deceit and prove another example of the Confederation of African Football shooting itself in the foot without provocation.
This was the third Champions League final to be decided at a neutral venue after CAF changed from the tried and tested format of a two home-and-away legs in a bid to replicate the success of their Uefa equivalent.
But the contrast with Europe in terms of fan travel and resources are stark and bidding by African cities to host the final has not proven plentiful, in contrast the wide array of options European football’s controlling body have annually.
While Uefa decide on the venues of its European club competition finals well in advance, CAF left the decision until the Champions League was already at the semifinal stage – just three weeks before the final when it was already clear that Al Ahly and Wydad would contest the final.
CAF claimed Morocco were the only football association to bid for the match after Senegal withdrew but the truth is Casablanca and Dakar were both on the table and a vote of the CAF executive committee gave it to Morocco despite the fact there were two Casablanca teams in the Champions League while none from Senegal, making Dakar the perfect neutral venue.
Predictably the Egyptians were up in arms about having to play the final in Wydad’s back yard and took the matter to the Swiss-based Court of Arbitration for Sport but had their appeal dismissed.
“I suppose the powerful got what they wanted in the end,” said a bitter and sarcastic Ahly coach Pitso Mosimane after his side lost 2-0 in the final and in a reference to Morocco’s considerable sway on the African game. Casablanca’s Mohamed V did deliver an extraordinary one-sided atmosphere with the 12th man factor proving considerable as Wydad won, thereby denying Ahly the distinction of becoming the first club to take the Champions League three years in a row.
Abdul Razak feels that if he had been in command of the national team, the Black Stars would have won the Africa Cup of Nations, which has eluded the nation for many years.
In the past ten years, the Black Stars have come dangerously close to ending their trophy drought. In 2010, Angola lost the final to Egypt, and in 2015, Equatorial Guinea-Gabon saw the Stars lose to Ivory Coast in a penalty shootout.
The Asante Kotoko legend who feels he is competent to lead the team has been ignored many times when he applies for the vacant job.
“What do we want to win? Cup of Nations, we would have won it if I were to be the coach of the Black Stars. Even if I will not give me the coaching job, let me be there in spirit with them and I believe wherever we want to go, we can”
“I cannot force them to give me the Black Stars job. I have not been given any job to do not to even serve on the management. I think my presence can push the boys”
Abdul Razak won the AFCON with the Black Stars in 1978 and was named the African Best Player of the year later in that year.
The Black Stars were eliminated after the first round of the tournament following a 2-0 defeat to Uruguay.
After defeating South Korea in their second group game, the Black Stars needed a draw or win against Uruguay to advance to the last 16 stage.
But the team failed to negotiate for points against their ‘enemies’ Uruguay.
Ghana made a strong start to the game, but fell apart after captain Andre Ayew missed a penalty in the 21st minute, a repeat of what happened in the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
The Black Stars is currently without a coach after the exit of Otto Addo.
Abdul Razak, a veteran in Ghanaian football, has voiced his unhappiness at repeatedly being passed up for the Black Stars coaching position.
When he applies for the open position, the legendary Asante Kotoko player who believes he is qualified to manage the team has frequently been rejected.
“I have applied for the Black Stars job for three times with my CV. I’m a proud Ghanaian and not a foreigner. They’ve snubbed me all three times for reasons best known to them”
“I remember before the second coming of coach Kwesi Appiah, they asked interested coaches in the vacant Black Stars job to submit their CV’s which I did. After I applied, a journalist called me and told me on phone that he has seen my application but it’s unfortunate I won’t get the job. That was when realization hit me that it’s true I won’t get the job”
“I have achieved a lot both as a player and a coach. Football is all about winning trophies and it’s sad if a coach doesn’t win trophies”
Meanwhile, Abdul Razak believes the Black Stars could have won the Africa Cup of Nations that has eluded the country for many years if he had been in charge of the national team
.
The Black Stars have come close to ending the trophy drought in the last decade, 2010 Angola losing to Egypt in the finals and in 2015 Equatorial Guinea- Gabon as the Stars lost to Ivory Coast on penalty shootout.
“What do we want to win? Cup of Nations, we would have won it if I were to be the coach of the Black Stars. Even if I will not give me the coaching job, let me be there in spirit with them and I believe wherever we want to go, we can”
“I cannot force them to give me the Black Stars job. I have not been given any job to do not to even serve on the management. I think my presence can push the boys”
Abdul Razak won the AFCON with the Black Stars in 1978 and was named the African Best Player of the year later in that year.
The Black Stars were eliminated after the first round of the tournament following a 2-0 defeat to Uruguay.
After defeating South Korea in their second group game, the Black Stars needed a draw or win against Uruguay to advance to the last 16 stage.
But the team failed to negotiate for points against their ‘enemies’ Uruguay.
Ghana made a strong start to the game, but fell apart after captain Andre Ayew missed a penalty in the 21st minute, a repeat of what happened in the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
The Black Stars is currently without a coach after the exit of Otto Addo
English Championship outfit, Wigan Athletic, have announced the appointment of Ivory Coast great, Kolo Touré, as their new manager.
The 2015 Africa Cup of Nations winner takes over the Manchester-based club on a three-and-a-half-year deal following a spell with Premier League club Leicester City as one of Brendan Rodgers’ assistant coaches.
He replaces Leam Richardson, who was sacked after only seven games in charge.
Wigan Athletic confirmed the 44-year-old’s appointment in a statement on their website on Tuesday in what is his first head coaching role.
“Wigan Athletic Football Club is delighted to confirm the appointment of Kolo Touré as the Club’s new First Team Manager,” the statement said.
“Touré arrives at the Club on a three-and-a-half-year deal from Leicester City, where he was operating as First Team Coach as part of Brendan Rodgers’ coaching staff.
“Also arriving at Latics will be Kevin Betsy and Ashvir Johal, with both joining the backroom coaching staff at the Football Club that includes Rob Kelly – who has agreed to continue in his role as Assistant Manager.”
Wigan are currently third from bottom on the Championship table after 21 games into the 2022/23 season.
The club adds that Kolo Touré will travel to Turkey to join Wigan in their mid-season training camp as they look to turn things around when the season resumes from the World Cup break.
The former defender started his career at Ivorian club ASEC Mimosas in 1999 and had an illustrious playing career with Arsenal, Manchester City, Liverpool and Celtic, as well as 120 caps for his native Ivory Coast.
Touré made more than 500 senior appearances over a 15-year period, with an honours list that includes two Premier League titles – one as an Arsenal ‘Invincible’, two FA Cups, and two Scottish Premiership titles.
Tunisia will compete in the 2022 FIFA World Cup for the second time, and they will be eager to improve on their performance in 2018.
At the tournament in Russia, they were drawn with Belgium, England, and Panama and finished third, losing their first two matches before winning their last game against Panama.
Hannibal Mejbri of Manchester United is one of Tunisia’s outstanding players, with the 19-year-old poised to compete in his debut World Cup as Kadri’s youngest player in Qatar.
Mejbri has assisted two goals in 15 games for Birmingham City this season on loan, and he is already a seasoned senior international with 18 Tunisian caps.
The Red Devils youth has previous big tournament experience, having represented Tunisia at the 2022 Africa Cup of Nations, and he is the only English-based player in the ranks.
Two Ligue 1 players will also compete for Tunisia this winter, with Montpellier HSC’s Wahbi Khazri expected to lead the charge.
Khazri scored twice and assisted on two more goals for Tunisia in the 2018 World Cup, giving him 24 goals for the country, second only to Issam Jemaa’s 36.
Along with Khazri, Lorient defender Montassar Talbi has been a regular for Les Merlus throughout their blazing start to the season.
The 24-year-old has played every minute for early-season surprise package Lorient, who now sit sixth in Ligue 1, and he has 22 Tunisian caps to his record.
However, after scoring twice and setting up two more goals for Clermont in Ligue 1 this season, Saif-Eddine Khaoui remains a glaring absence.
Other noteworthy Tunisian players include FC Koln midfielder Ellyes Skhiri and Dylan Bronn, as Kadri’s team prepares to face Denmark in their first game on November 22.
Below is the full squad:
Goalkeepers: Aymen Dahmen (CS Sfaxien), Bechir Ben Said (US Monastir), Mouez Hassen (Club Africain), Aymen Mathlouthi (Etoile Sahel)
Charles ‘CK’ Akonnor discusses how someone did not want him at the helm of the Ghana national team and pushed for his sacking ahead of the 2021 Afcon.
WHAT HAPPENED: The tactician was fired on September 13, 2021, after the Black Stars suffered a 1-0 loss away against South Africa in Group G’s 2022 World Cup qualifiers.
The move happened about four months before the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations which was eventually held in Cameroon.
THE BIGGER PICTURE:
Milovan Rajevac was eventually appointed 11 days later, making a return to the team he had coached in 2010.
However, his stay was short-lived as Ghana performed poorly at Afcon and collected just a point in their group. The then 67-year-old was shown the door with Otto Addo taking his place.
The latter helped the Black Stars qualify for the 2022 World Cup.
Akonnor has now stated he was hurt by the changes, insisting there was foul play.
WHAT HE SAID: “[Being the head coach at the 2021 Afcon] was a dream but one way or the other, somebody shut it down, who that person is, I don’t know,” Akonnor told Joy Sports’ Prime Take.
“I wouldn’t say so [I would have done better than what Rajevac did], but I had a plan and if that plan had worked, maybe we would have done better than we did.
“At least, the FA should have allowed me to go to the Afcon and come back because my contract was even running out. I was hurt but I am better now.”
The 48-year-old had overseen the Black Stars for a year and a half before he was shown the exit door by the GFA following a 1-0 defeat to South Africa in the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifier.
Coach Akonnor is owed eight months outstanding arrears and was reportedly set to report GFA to the World governing body, FIFA, over unpaid salaries following the termination of his contract.
“It’s frustrating,” Akonnor told Joy Sports. When I was actively working, I wasn’t paid regularly.”
“Sometimes, it is embarrassing to talk about it.”
He added, “I will answer all those questions at the appropriate time. People questioned “then why did you do it when you were not paid? those questions, I will answer them, but for now, silence is golden.”
CK Akonnor, who qualified Ghana for the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Cameroon was replaced by Milovan Rajevac who oversaw Ghana’s worst-ever performance at an AFCON at the last edition of the tournament in Cameroon.
Black Meteors of Ghana held their final training session on Saturday ahead of their game against Mozambique in Kumasi.
Coach Ibrahim Tanko and his charges will host Mozambique in the the second leg of their TotalEnergies CAF U-23 qualifiers on Sunday.
Ghana defeated the Mozambicans 2-1 in the first leg to enhance their chances to advancing to the final stage of the CAF U-23 qualifiers.
The win puts Ghana on a strong footing ahead of the return leg which will be played at the Baba Yara Stadium on Sunday, October 30,2022 and will kick off at 3:00pm.
A win for Ghana in the return encounter will take Ghana into the final round of the qualifiers where the Black Meteors will face either Ethiopia or Algeria.
The fourth edition of the U-23 Africa Cup of Nations will take place in Morocco in June 2023.
Tanko was in charge of the team which finished fourth at the 2019 tournament won by hosts Egypt, which ensured Ghana missed out on the 2020 Olympic Games.
President of the Ghana Football Association Kurt Okraku has urged the Black Meteors to win their away match against Mozambique in Maputo on Sunday.
On Thursday, October 20, 2022, coach Ibrahim Tanko left Accra for Maputo in preparation for the CAF U-23 Championship qualification versus Mozambique.
A delegation made up of Twenty- two players, technical staff and officials left Accra on Thursday evening for the game which is scheduled for Sunday, October 23 at the Estadio Nacional do Zimpeto.
Kurt Okraku was at the airport to see off the team as they embark on a journey to ensure qualification to the U-23 Championship in Morocco.
The winner will move on to play the winner of the tie between Algeria and DR Congo.
The fourth edition of the U-23 Africa Cup of Nations will take place in Morocco in June 2023.
Tanko was in charge of the team which finished fourth at the 2019 tournament won by hosts Egypt, which ensured Ghana missed out on the 2020 Olympic Games.
Former Asante Kotoko captain Felix Annan says he lost his Black Stars spot because of Maxwell Konadu.
The shot stopper who had been Kotoko’s safest pair of hands for four seasons was dropped to the bench under the then coach Maxwell Konadu.
Annan had asked for permission to marry his longtime girlfriend, which saw him losing his role to the former Inter Allies goalkeeper Kwame Baah.
In an interview with Nhyira FM, Felix Annan, who now plies his trade in the USA said he lost his position in the national team because of Maxwell Konadu who limited his game time at Kotoko at the time.
“I felt I was too good enough but the coach at (Kotoko), (Maxwell Konadu) didn’t give me much playing time and that’s why I lost my position in the Black Stars.
Since his debut, Felix Annan has made three appearances for the Black Stars and was part of Ghana’s team at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations.
The 27-year-old currently plies his trade for American side Maryland Bobcats FC.
In an official statement, the continent’s football governing body says it has reopened bids for the next two editions of the tournament.
The decision was taken on Saturday, October 1, in Algeria on the back of the decision to strip Guinea off the hosting rights.
“The Confédération Africaine de Football (“CAF”) Executive Committee (“EXCO”) met on Saturday 1 October 2022 in Algiers, Algeria and announced the re-opening of bids for the TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations 2025,” an official club statement from CAF has said.
Meanwhile, CAF has extended best wishes to all five teams that have qualified for the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
“CAF wishes Senegal, Tunisia, Ghana, Morocco and Cameroon all of the best in the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022,” the CAF statement concludes.
The former FA Cup chairman was elected as the country’s football governing body in 2019.
Under his administration, the Black Stars have made a return to the World Cup after missing out in 2018.
Kurt Okraku however came under intense criticism following Black Stars’ poor performance at the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations [AFCON] in Cameroon.
Takyi Arhin affectionately known as Thunder in the football circle says Kurt Okraku deserves to be re-elected as the Football Association’s capo due to his achievement so far in office.
“You don’t need to be told. Kurt Okraku should be handed a second term based on his work. If there is even a third term, he should continue, there are no two ways about that,” he told Kessben FM/TV.
“He has done an excellent job. Take a look at the coaching courses he’s implemented, the catch-them-young programs he’s set up for aspiring refs, and the partnerships he’s secured. My impression is that Kurt’s administration is doing well,” he concluded.
The Black Satellites have also won the WAFU Zone B Championship under the administration of Kurt Okraku.
Meanwhile, Kurt Okraku’s fate will be decided when they go to the polls next year
Nigeria’s visit to Algeria will provide a good test for the Super Eagles with Ghana vs Brazil the glamour fixture involving a team from the continent.
Nigeria’s clash with Algeria in Oran headlines a number of high-profile friendly matches involving African countries during this international break.
The Super Eagles will visit Algeria next Tuesday as Jose Peseiro tests a host of players but that will come after Ghana have faced Brazil in France on Friday.
The Black Stars will use the match to prepare for the 2022 World Cup with the Samba Boys set to stretch them to the limit.
Looking at the facts and numbers ahead of Nigeria and South Africa‘s opening match at the 2002 Women Africa Cup of Nations
African champions Senegal have a date with Bolivia on Saturday while South Africa host Sierra Leone in another friendly encounter the same day.
Getty Images | Super Eagles
Algeria vs Nigeria
Nigeria coach Peseiro will seek to make it three straight wins when the Super Eagles take on the Desert Foxes in Oran next Tuesday.
Nigeria beat Sierra Leone 2-1 before thrashing Sao Tome and Principe 10-0 in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers in June but the 2019 African champions will provide a different kind of test.
Nigeria and Algeria have faced each other six times with the Super Eagles winning thrice while the North Africans have managed one victory, the win coming during the 2019 Afcon semi-final when they won 2-1 en route to the final.
Both teams missed out on a ticket to the World Cup in disappointing fashion during the playoffs, Nigeria falling to Ghana on away goals, while Algeria were edged out courtesy of a last-minute goal by Cameroon, having looked like they had sealed their ticket to Qatar.
For Peseiro, it will also be an opportunity to test a host of new players, especially upfront, where captain Ahmed Musa, Samuel Chukwueze and Emmanuel Dennis were the latest to withdraw from the squad due to injuries, joining long-term injury absentees Victor Osimhen and Umar Sadiq.
That leaves Lorient striker Terem Moffi, Cremonese’s Cyriel Dessers, Nottingham Forest forward Taiwo Awoniyi and Kelechi Iheanacho of Leicester City to battle it out for a starting berth.
BlackStars of Ghana
Brazil vs Ghana
The glamour tie involving an African team, the five-time world champions will certainly provide Ghana with the one of their biggest tests in recent years during Friday’s meeting at the Stade Oceane in Le Havre, France.
Brazil lined up with Thiago Silva and Marquinhos at centre-back with Alex Telles (left-back) and Eder Militao (left-back) as Casemiro and Lucas Paqueta were paired in central midfield while Neymar played just behind Richarlison as Vinicius Jr and Raphinha occupied the wings during Tuesday’s training.
That might give Ghana coach Otto Addo a hint on how to line up or where to exploit as he prepares his charges for the high-profile encounter. Ghana have conceded five goals without reply in their three meetings with Brazil, losing 1-0 twice in 2007 and 2011 as well as 3-0 defeat in the 2006 World Cup at the Round of 16.
While history favours the South Americans, Addo has a number of experienced players in his squad who can hold their own against the Selecao such as Thomas Partey, Daniel Amartey and the in-form Mohammed Kudus.
He was also recently boosted by the availability of Inaki Williams, Tariq Lamptey and Mohammed Salisu who switched allegiance to the Black Stars in June.
Ghana have Portugal, Uruguay and South Korea in their World Cup group and after falling to Japan and Chile in their last two matches, Brazil should give them a taste of what to expect in Qatar.
Safa | Bafana Bafana
South Africa vs Sierra Leone
Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos can get some of his critics off his back with a victory against Sierra Leone in a friendly match at the FNB Stadium on Saturday.
Broos was criticised for his selection and tactics following South Africa’s 2-1 loss to Morocco in the 2023 Afcon qualifiers in June and had to apologise for saying the PSL’s lack of ‘quality’ was the reason for the national team’s struggles.
The Belgian coach has included Mamelodi Sundowns talisman Themba Zwane into the squad that has several newcomers, among them Melusi Buthelezi (TS Galaxy), Sibongiseni Mthethwa (Stellenbosch FC), Luke le Roux (Varbergs), Cyprus-based Mihlali Mayambela and Orlando Pirates marksman Zakhele Lepasa.
Zwane was among the players Broos was criticised for not including and he will hope the 33-year-old can replicate his good club form with national team against the Leone Stars, whose last game was a 2-1 loss to Nigeria three months ago.
BackpagePix | Sadio Mane
Senegal vs Bolivia
France will also host another top African nation this weekend as Senegal take on Bolivia at the Stade de la Source in Orleans, using the match as a tune up for the World Cup.
Aliou Cisse’s men will face the Netherlands, the hosts and Ecuador in Group A in Qatar and the tactician has called up five new players, including Noah Fadiga, the son of Khalilou Fadiga, and Nottingham Forest defender Moussa Niakhate, as he looks to shake things up.
Eight players from the victorious 2021 Afcon squad are missing due to injuries or a lack of game time with right-back Bouna Sarr out of the World Cup with a knee injury and left-back Saliou Ciss without a club. Spartak Moscow forward Keita Balde has also been handed a three-month ban due to a doping violation.
However, with Chelsea pair Edouard Mendy and Kalidou Koulibaly, Everton’s Idrissa Gueye, Crystal Palace midfielder Cheikhou Kouyate, Watford’s Imaila Sarr and Bayern Munich superstar Sadio Mane available, the Teranga Lions have enough to cause Bolivia problems.
Mane became his country’s top scorer with 33 goals when he scored a hat-trick in the 3-1 win over Benin before his penalty earned a 1-0 over Rwanda in the Afcon qualifiers in June and despite his goal drought at Bayern, he is still the man to watch against the South Americans.
Getty Images | Vincent Aboubakar
Cameroon vs Uzbekistan
The Indomitable Lions are under pressure to improve following their lacklustre 1-0 win over Burundi in June’s 2023 Afcon qualifiers when Fecafoot boss Samuel Eto’o read the riot act to the players for taking their positions in the team for granted.
Rigobert Song’s men can start righting those wrongs against Uzbekistan in South Korea’s northern city of Goyang on Friday with Vincent Aboubakar set to captain the team.
Song has handed Brentford forward Bryan Mbeumo his first call-up after he switched allegiance from France to Cameroon in August and he will likely make his debut against Uzbekistan.
Cameroon are in a race against time to be ready for their return to the World Cup after missing the 2018 edition and have Switzerland, Serbia and Brazil to contend with in their group in Qatar.
Getty Images | Hakim Ziyech
Morocco vs Chile
Another World Cup-bound side taking on a South American team in this window, the Atlas Lions are under new management after former Wydad Casablanca coach Walid Regragui replaced Vahid Halilhodzic this month.
Regragui’s first task was to repair strained relationships between players and the technical bench and that was seen from his selection of Chelsea winger Hakim Ziyech, who had retired from international duty after falling out with Halilhodzic, and the inclusion Bayern Munich full-back Noussair Mazraoui.
Morocco will also have a number of youngsters for Friday’s friendly against Chile in Barcelona in what will be the first meeting between the two countries as the North Africans prepare for the global tournament in Qatar where they have Croatia, Belgium and Canada in their group.
Antoine Semenyo of Bristol City celebrates after scoring a goal to make it 1-2 – Rogan/JMP – 29/01/2022 – Deepdale – Preston, England – Preston North End v Bristol City – Sky Bet Championship.
The Bristol City striker has been on the radar of several clubs for the past season due to his exploits in the English Championship.
Crystal Palace have made an offer to sign the young striker in the ongoing summer transfer.
However, the Cherries are now challenging their Premier League rivals for Semenyo.
Everton have also been registered with an interest in the 22-year-old Ghana international.
Semenyo was named in Ghana’s squad for the 2024 Africa Cup of Nations [AFCON] qualifiers against Madagascar and the Central African Republic [CAR].
He is expected to be named in Black Stars squad for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar later this year.
Bristol City are said to want £15 million upfront and a total fee of £20 million to allow the highly-rated young forward to leave Ashton Gate this summer.
Semenyo’s current deal is set to expire in the summer but it is thought the Robins have the option of a one-year extension.
The next Africa Cup of Nationswill be played in Ivory Coast in 2024, and not 2023, Confederation of African Football (Caf) President Patrice Motsepe said on Sunday.
The tournament was to be hosted in June-July 2023, which is the height of the rainy season in Ivory Coast.
“We cannot take the risk,” the South African said in the Moroccan capital Rabat.
With the World Cup in Qatar taking place in November and December this year, the decision has been taken to postpone the finals rather than bring them forward.
It means the Nations Cup will be held in January and February for the second time in a row, after this year’s tournament in Cameroon.
In 2017, Caf announced that it would move the finals from their traditional January-February slot to June-July in a bid to avoid repeated disputes with European clubs forced to release players in the middle of the season.
“January is not the ideal time because of the European clubs, but it is the only choice we have,” Motsepe added.
Under former Caf president Issa Hayatou, who was overthrown in 2017, African football’s ruling body refused to countenance any possible change of date for the months the continent’s flagship sports event is hosted.
Yet just four months after taking charge, Hayatou’s successor – Ahmad of Madagascar – turned this policy on its head following consultation with the continent’s officials.
Caf Secretary-General Veron Mosengo-Omba said there are no plans to permanently move the finals back to January-February given the contrasting weather patterns across the continent at different times of the year.
When asked why it took Caf so long to make a decision on this matter, given that June and July have been the rainy seasons in Ivory Coast for many years, Motsepe failed to directly address the question – saying the choice had been made ‘out of courtesy’ with Ivorian organisers.
Both Motsepe and Mosengo-Omba were speaking in Morocco, which is hosting the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations.
African Super League
On the agenda since Fifa President Gianni Infantino hinted at its possibility in 2019, the African Super League will get underway in August 2023.
The tournament will feature 24 teams and carry total prize money of $100m, said Motsepe, adding that just over $10m will go to the winner.
Citing ‘financial challenges’ in Caf which he inherited from Ahmad, whom he replaced last year, Motsepe said that businesses are interested in sponsoring the event.
“The key issue for us is the abnormal interest we’ve been exposed to from some of the biggest and most prominent investors and sponsors,” he said.
Caf also said that the African Champions League, which is open to all countries in Africa, will continue alongside the new African Super League, where the top 24 teams will be determined according to their Fifa ranking.
Following huge criticism by beaten finalists Al Ahly following the decision to stage this year’s Champions League final in the home stadium of eventual winners Wydad Casablanca, Caf has also announced that the decisive clash will return to being a two-legged format.
“I appreciate the huge amount of unhappiness that the president of Al Ahly expressed in relation to the hosting of the African Champions League final here [in Morocco].”
After over half a century of staging two-legged finals, Africa’s leading club match became a one-off final from 2020-2022.
Ghana coach Abdul Karim Zito expects a giant-screen classic when is side take on Morocco on Friday in their CAF U20 Cup of Nations Group C table-topping clash.
The Black Satellites will secure early qualification to the next stage of the competition if they add the north Africans to their list of victims.
On Tuesday, Zito’s side made an electric start with a 4-0 win over Tanzania while Morocco beat Gambia 1-0.
This has set the stage for a tantalizing contest.
”I think it will be an interesting game because we are coming in as champions of West Africa B and they are champions of their zone as well. We all want to win and confirm qualification so it will be tough. But we are ready for them,” Zito told the press at Thursday’s pre-match conference.
”Football is football and we all have unique styles of play but Morocco plays quite similarly to us.
”I study the game based on how the opponent sets up and how they approach the game. So once I see their team tomorrow I will know how to position my team.
”It will be a very crucial match and we know winning the game will depend highly on taking our chances in the game.”
Senegalese official Marguette Ndiaye will be the center man for the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier between Ghana and Sudan.
The game scheduled for Friday March 27th, will be played at the Cape Coast Stadium.
Marguette Ndiaye will be assisted on the lines by compatriots El Hadji Malick Samba (Assistant 1), Serigne Cheikh Toure (Assistant 2) and Daouda Gueye (fourth official).
Sanusi Mohammed from Nigeria will be the Match Commissioner.
The experienced referee has in the past officiated in a game involving the Black Stars, when Ghana hosted Ethiopia in the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier.
He was also the referee that handled the CAF Confederation Cup match between Medeama and MO Bejaiai in 2016.
Ghana are top of Group C of the AFCON qualifiers after wins against South Africa and Sao Tome and Principe.
Real Valladolid defender Mohammed Salisu has been handed his debut call-up following his splendid display for the Spanish side.
Real Mallorca midfielder Iddrisu Baba, German-based Christopher Antwi-Adjei as well as TP Mazembe star Jorric Jibril are among the surprised inclusion in the squad.
2019 Ghana WAFU star Shafiu Mumuni has also been included in the final squad.
