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Tag: Laryea Kingston

  • Laryea Kingston now America’s RPS Academies coach

    Laryea Kingston now America’s RPS Academies coach

    Former Ghana international, Laryea Kingston, has secured a new coaching role at RPS Academies in the United States, where he will focus on grooming young football talents.

    Based in Saint Lucie, Florida, Kingston will collaborate with a team of coaches to mentor and develop rising stars in the multi-sport institution.

    With a UEFA Licence B coaching certificate and vast experience from his playing and coaching career, Kingston is set to bring valuable insights to his new role.

    Despite the disappointment of stepping down as head coach of the Black Starlets during the U-17 WAFU B Championship in Accra, Kingston shared his excitement about embracing this new opportunity in an interview with Graphic Sports.

    “I had other coaching opportunities, but this option is very good for me,” he said.

    Kingston explained how his new employers had been following his progress for some time before approaching him with the opportunity.

    With his deep understanding of the Right to Dream model, Kingston feels confident in his ability to lead RPS Academies.

    “I am very much at home working in an environment that combines education with sports performance, but with even bigger responsibilities this time,” he shared.

    “We have a few US-based African players here, but we must widen our talent search. I want to give them a scout in Africa, like we had at Right to Dream, where players are scouted across the continent, especially in West Africa,” he said.

    Kingston, who has been awarded a five-year deal, is expected to begin work on September 1.

    He has previously worked with Right to Dream Academy and as a coach for the under-18 side of Danish club Nordsjaelland.

    RPS Academies offers a broad range of sporting disciplines including football, tennis, golf, volleyball, and pickleball, while placing significant emphasis on academic development.

  • Semenyo, Kudus, others have a difficult time playing for Ghana – Laryea Kingston explains

    Semenyo, Kudus, others have a difficult time playing for Ghana – Laryea Kingston explains

    Ghanaian football legend Laryea Kingston has expressed his concerns over the quality of the pitch at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium, attributing it as a key factor in the Black Stars’ loss to Angola on September 5, 2024.

    In a match that ended in a 1-0 defeat due to a late goal by Felicio Milson, Kingston highlighted that the poor state of the pitch hindered Ghana’s ability to play fluid, build-up football from the back.

    He specifically pointed to how the playing surface disrupted ball progression, impacting players like Mohammed Kudus and Antoine Semenyo from delivering performances comparable to their club displays.

    Kingston’s comments resonate with a broader conversation about the quality of pitches in Ghana, which has often been cited as a challenge for the national team in executing their game plan effectively.

    The defeat also marked the Black Stars’ first loss at the Baba Yara Stadium in over 20 years, adding to the significance of his critique.

    “Football has changed. Previously, we could launch long balls and get results, but now the game has changed. Now teams and coaches have advanced; teams are able to deal with long balls.

    People might say that we previously got results from playing on these same bad pitches, but we should know the style of play is different. The more you put the ball on the ground, the more advantage you have as a team.

    “If you look at the goal we conceded, the ball was not on the ground.

    They whipped in a cross from the wide area, and I have no doubt that if the ball was on the ground, Mumin would have stood and cleared the ball.

    “Look at Kudus at West Ham and Semenyo at Bournemouth. They perform fantastically for their clubs, but when they come here, they struggle because of the poor quality of our pitches,” he said.

    The Black Stars have landed in Morocco to continue preparations for their next match in the 2025 AFCON qualifiers.

    The team is focused on bouncing back from their recent loss as they face Niger on Monday, September 9, 2024, with hopes of returning to winning form.

  • Kwasi Appiah’s Sudan side will have an advantage over Black Stars in AFCON qualifiers -Laryea Kingston

    Kwasi Appiah’s Sudan side will have an advantage over Black Stars in AFCON qualifiers -Laryea Kingston

    Former Ghanaian midfielder Laryea Kingston believes that coach Kwasi Appiah holds a significant advantage ahead of Sudan’s clash with Ghana in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers.

    Following the recent draw placing Ghana in Group F alongside Sudan, Angola, and Niger, discussions have intensified due to the pairing of current Ghana coach Otto Addo and former Ghana coach Kwasi Appiah, now managing Sudan.

    Appiah, who led Ghana to the 2014 World Cup and the 2019 AFCON, is seen by Kingston as having an edge due to his deep understanding of Ghanaian football mentality and strategies.

    “Kwasi Appiah being Ghanaian gives him a unique insight into our approach to games,” Kingston remarked to 3Sports after the draw. “He understands many positives about Ghanaians and our mindset, making it challenging for us. His familiarity with us could give him an advantage over Otto, who may not be as well-versed with the Sudanese players.”

    Kingston’s observations are reinforced by Appiah’s success with Sudan in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, where Sudan currently leads Group B with 10 points from four matches.

    “If I were in Kwasi Appiah’s position now, this would be a game I’d eagerly anticipate,” Kingston continued. “There’s much I would need to demonstrate and prove about my abilities to lead. It promises to be one of the standout matches during Otto’s tenure with the Black Stars.”

    The AFCON qualifiers are scheduled from September to November 2024, with the top two teams from each group advancing to the finals in Morocco, slated for December 2025 to January 2026.

  • Video: A reunion as Laryea Kingston, Charles Taylor, others display their skills on grassless pitch

    Video: A reunion as Laryea Kingston, Charles Taylor, others display their skills on grassless pitch

    Former Black Stars legends Laryea Kingston, Sulley Muntari, Charles Taylor, and Derek Boateng reunited for a casual football match on a rugged field.

    The group showcased their skills on the uneven surface, reliving their days as professional footballers and enjoying the camaraderie.

    They were joined by sports broadcaster Dan Kwaku Yeboah and other notable figures for the friendly game.

    In a video shared online, Laryea and Sulley lined up for a free kick, reminiscent of their national team days.

    However, Laryea’s attempt was saved by the goalkeeper, much to Sulley’s amusement.

    Among the quartet, Sulley Muntari retired most recently, while Laryea Kingston has transitioned into coaching.

    Derek Boateng currently serves as a scout for Right To Dream, and Charles Taylor has taken on punditry duties at Angel FM since retiring from professional football.

  • GFA accept Laryea Kingston’s resignation; makes allegations against him

    GFA accept Laryea Kingston’s resignation; makes allegations against him

    Ghana Football Association(GFA) has accepted Laryea Kingston’s resignation as head coach of the Black Starlets, though it has shed light on some allegations that reveal the nature of his relationship with the Football Association.

    In a recently revised press release, the Ghana Football Association stated that Laryea Kingston informed the Black Starlets of his resignation “using inappropriate language.”

    The Ghana Football Association also claimed that “Coach Kingston got off the team bus while the team was on its way to the team hotel.

    “He failed to attend the team’s evening meeting with the Management Committee and has since not reported to the team hotel. The GFA duly accepts Laryea’s resignation,” reads part of the statement issued on Sunday, May 26, 2024.

    Laryea Kingston announced his resignation from the Black Starlets following their 2-1 defeat to Burkina Faso in the WAFU Zone B Under-17 championship.

    The Starlets, who coasted through their first two matches in the competition, fell to the Burkinabes in the game played at the University of Ghana Sports Stadium on Saturday, May 25, 2024.

    “I know Ghanaians know me as a player and are familiar with the sacrifices I made for the country during my playing days. I gave my all as a player, but in the end, I wasn’t happy.

    I put more focus on my coaching career and educated myself to make sure I came back to change the narrative around Ghanaian Football.

    “Within these past seven months as Head Coach, I’ve given my all. I decided when we came back from Russia that I would resign after the WAFU competition. The explanation will come later,” he said.

    Under Laryea Kingston, the Black Starlets scored 54 times and conceded 15 goals.

  • Laryea Kingston’s abrupt resignation is a calamity – Coach Opeele

    Laryea Kingston’s abrupt resignation is a calamity – Coach Opeele

    Former Kumasi Asante Kotoko coach, Isaac Adade Opeele Boateng, has criticized Laryea Kingston’s resignation as the Black Starlets coach, calling it a feeble attempt to gain public sympathy.

    In a social media post, Coach Opeele outlined his reasons for considering Laryea Kingston’s resignation a poor decision.

    Opeele emphasized that a key quality of a competent coach is the ability to navigate behind-the-scenes politics, an area where he believes Kingston lacked proficiency.

    Additionally, Opeele criticized the way Kingston communicated with his players, referencing the language used in some viral videos.

    “Laryea, in a video, was seen shouting at two of his players for running slowly. He should understand that not all players respond well to being yelled at.

    Yelling at players at that level can undermine confidence and have negative psychological effects.

    Laryea achieved good results but chose to quit abruptly after a loss. The GFA alleges he left the team bus, abandoning the kids en route to the team hotel.

    “No matter what he’s experiencing, Ghanaian coaches endure worse at the club level but they adapt. Many coaches haven’t even had the chance to lead a national team, yet Laryea got the opportunity and left the team.

    “Such actions have consequences, and this particular one will likely have a detrimental effect on his future employment with club owners.

    Seeking public sympathy in this manner will only result in future critics dubbing you as the ‘Coach Who Abandoned His Team’ after failing to qualify.

    It’s a disaster that the next generation will use to criticize you. Laryea Kingston must reconsider!” he stated.

    Laryea Kingston declared his resignation from the Black Starlets after the team’s defeat to Burkina Faso in the semi-final of the 2024 WAFU Zone B Championship.

    The Black Starlets fell 2-1 to Burkina Faso in the match held at the University of Ghana Sports Stadium on Saturday, May 25, 2024.

    “I know Ghanaians remember me as a player and the sacrifices I made for the country during my playing days. I gave my all as a player, but ultimately, I wasn’t satisfied.

    I focused more on my coaching career and educated myself to ensure I could return and change the narrative around Ghanaian football.

    “Over the past seven months as Head Coach, I’ve dedicated myself completely. I decided when we returned from Russia that I would resign after the WAFU competition. I will provide an explanation later,” he said.

  • Laryea Kingston misconducted himself during, after resignation as Black Starlets head coach – GFA

    Laryea Kingston misconducted himself during, after resignation as Black Starlets head coach – GFA

    The Ghana Football Association (GFA) has disclosed that former Black Starlets coach Laryea Kingston behaved improperly while resigning from his position as head coach of the team.

    Kingston announced his resignation to the media shortly after the team’s 2-1 loss to Burkina Faso at the ongoing WAFU B U-17 championship.

    His decision came as a surprise to many, leading to questions about the reasons behind the resignation of the former Black Stars player.

    In a statement released on Sunday, the GFA accused the 43-year-old of using foul language and engaging in other forms of misconduct.

    See the full statement below

    The Ghana Football Association has taken note of the decision of the Head Coach of the National U17 Team, the Black Starlets, Laryea Kingston, to leave the team following his behaviour after the WAFU ZONE B U17 qualifier Semifinal match against Burkina Faso on 25th May 2024.

    Laryea Kingston’s decision has been supported by his subsequent actions.

    Coach Kingston announced to the players and the coaching staff that he has resigned whilst using inappropriate language.

    He subsequently said same in his post-match Press Conference.

    Coach Kingston also got off the Team Bus whilst the team was on its way to the Team Hotel.

    He failed to attend the Team’s evening meeting with the Management Committee and has since not reported at the Team Hotel.

    For the 3rd place play off match between Ghana and Nigeria scheduled for Tuesday , 28th May, 2024 , the current Assistant Coaches will take charge with support and from the Technical Director of the GFA.

  • Laryea Kingston resigns as Black Starlets head coach

    Laryea Kingston resigns as Black Starlets head coach

    Laryea Kingston has announced his resignation from his position as Head Coach of Ghana’s Under-17 national team, the Black Starlets.

    The decision comes after Ghana failed to qualify for a third successive U-17 AFCON competition, following a 2-1 defeat to Burkina Faso in the semifinals of the WAFU Zone B Championship.

    Kingston, who took charge of the team in October 2023, stated that he had always planned to resign if he could not qualify the team for the AFCON, and he is now following through with that vow.

    ”I know Ghanaians know me as a player and are familiar with the sacrifices I made for the country during my playing days. I gave my all as a player, but in the end, I wasn’t happy.”

    ”I put more focus on my coaching career and educated myself to make sure I came back to changed the narrative around Ghana football.”

    ”Within these past seven months as Head Coach, I’ve given my all. I decided when we came back from Russia that I would resign after the WAFU competition. The explanation will come later,” he said.

    During his tenure as Head Coach of the Black Starlets, Laryea Kingston oversaw 17 matches, winning 12, with 3 draws and 2 defeats.

    Under his leadership, the Black Starlets scored 54 goals and conceded 15 times.

  • Video: Smash them! Laryea Kingston’s intense talks with Starlets during Benin clash

    Video: Smash them! Laryea Kingston’s intense talks with Starlets during Benin clash

    Laryea Kingston’s growing reputation as a coach is being highlighted by the impressive performance of his Black Starlets team in the ongoing WAFU Zone B championship.

    The team’s attractive style of play, coupled with videos showcasing Kingston’s passionate and intense half-time talks, has earned him widespread admiration among Ghanaians.

    A recent video shows Kingston fervently delivering tactical instructions to his players during the half-time break of their match against Benin’s Under-17 team.

    The video captures the former Black Stars winger pointing to a tactical board, explaining the deficiencies in their first-half performance and suggesting improvements for the second half.

    In their match on Tuesday, May 21, the Black Starlets took the lead in the 19th minute with a goal from Mark Mensah.

    Shortly after the second half began, Benin lost possession, and Theophilus Ayamga capitalized, extending the lead for the Black Starlets.

    With this victory, Kingston’s team has secured a spot in the semi-finals, finishing at the top of their group with 6 points from 2 matches.

    They are scheduled to face Burkina Faso in the semi-final on Saturday, May 25, 2024.

  • Laryea Kingston want ‘praise’ from Ghanaians for win over Ivory Coast

    Laryea Kingston want ‘praise’ from Ghanaians for win over Ivory Coast

    Coach of the Black Starlets, Laryea Kingston, is urging Ghanaians to savor the team’s impressive 5-1 triumph over Ivory Coast in the opening match of the WAFU B U17 Cup of Nations.

    The Ghana U17 side secured a commanding victory with goals from Joseph Narbi (2), Godfred Sarpong, Harve Gbafa, and Mark Kagawa Mensah.

    Following the match, Coach Kingston acknowledged the formidable challenge posed by the Ivorian team, recognizing their quality.

    Despite the convincing victory, he highlighted the challenges his team faced during the game.

    “It’s a cause for celebration. We must take pleasure in it. The game was challenging. The Ivorians are a tough team. They complicated things for us. It was hard to control the game due to their playing style.

    I’m thrilled. Now it’s time for Ghanaians to celebrate because it’s a significant win against a strong team,” Coach Laryea Kingston commented.

    With this win under their belt, the Black Starlets now turn their focus to their upcoming clash against Benin in the WAFU B U17 Cup of Nations.

    This triumph sets Ghana on course to potentially return to the U17 Africa Cup of Nations, a tournament they last featured in back in 2017.

  • Laryea Kingston named head coach of Ghana’s under-17 national team

    Laryea Kingston named head coach of Ghana’s under-17 national team

    Former Ghanaian international footballer Laryea Kingston has been appointed as the coach for the Black Starlets, Ghana’s under-17 national team.

    Kingston, who had a successful playing career with clubs like Accra Hearts of Oak and Accra Great Olympics, brings a wealth of experience to the role, having earned 42 caps for Ghana and participated in two Africa Cup of Nations tournaments in 2006 and 2008.

    Joining Kingston in the coaching setup are former Hearts of Oak captains Jacob Nettey and Nana Agyemang.

    Nettey, known for his leadership on the field, boasts an illustrious career, including leading Hearts of Oak to victory in the CAF Champions League in 2000.

    He also represented Ghana at the 2000 Africa Cup of Nations and the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta.

    Agyemang, a holder of CAF Licence A and UEFA Licence B, brings his coaching expertise from his previous stints with various football academies and clubs, including Adenta United, Barbarossa Academy, Lizzy Sports Complex Academy, and ProGen Football Club.

    Together, this new technical team has been entrusted with the task of assembling a competitive squad for upcoming tournaments, including the WAFU B U-17 Cup of Nations and the TotalEnergies U-17 Africa Cup of Nations, with the aim of achieving success on the international stage.

  • Hearts of Oak to appoint Laryea Kingston as coach

    Hearts of Oak is looking at former Ghana international Laryea Kingston for the coaching position ahead of the upcoming football season.

    Currently the team is without a permanent head coach after parting ways with David Ocloo.

    Reports suggest that talks are underway with the assistant coach of the Ghana U-17 team to take over as head coach for the 2023-24 season.

    Laryea Kingston previously played for the Accra-based team for two seasons, in 2001-2003 and 2012-2013.

    Earlier this year, he was selected to replace Paa Kwesi Fabin’s backroom staff as the Black Starlets’ assistant coach and led the team to victory in the UEFA four-nation tournament in 2023.

    With the new season expected to begin in September, Hearts of Oak is looking to finalize the coaching position to prepare for the upcoming challenges.

    Laryea Kingston’s experience as a former player and his coaching success make him a potential candidate to lead the team in the upcoming Ghana Premier League season.

  • Hearts of Oak to announce Laryea Kingston as new coach – Reports

    Former Ghana international, Laryea Kingston, is being considered for the vacant coaching position at Hearts of Oak ahead of the upcoming football season.

    The club is currently without a permanent head coach following the departure of Davis Ocloo, and the mutual agreement to part ways was confirmed by the club on Wednesday.

    Reports suggest that Kingston, who serves as the assistant coach of the Ghana U-17 team, is engaged in discussions with Hearts of Oak to potentially assume the role of head coach for the 2023/24 season.

    Kingston has previously had two spells as a player with the Accra-based club, first from 2001 to 2003 and then during the 2012/13 league season towards the end of his career.

    Earlier this year, he was appointed as the assistant coach of the Black Starlets, taking over from the previous backroom staff led by Paa Kwesi Fabin.

    He was in charge of the team during their participation at the 2023 UEFA four-nation tournament where they ended up as winners, winning all of their games.

    David Ocloo who initially joined the side as an assistant coach was named the interim coach after Slavko Matic was forced to resign midway through the 2022/23 betPawa Ghana Premier League campaign.

    Hearts of Oak finished 12th, only escaping relegation on the season’s final day.

    The 2023/24 Ghana Premier League is expected to get underway in September.

    Kingston was a member of Ghana’s Black Stars from 2002 to 2010. He has previously served as a youth team coach at the Right to Dream Academy.

  • Absence of Laryea Kingston cost the squad at the World Cup – Stephen Appiah

    Absence of Laryea Kingston cost the squad at the World Cup – Stephen Appiah


    Former captain of the Black Stars, Stephen Appiah, has revealed that the Ghanaian national team felt incomplete during the 2006 and 2010 World Cups due to the absence of Laryea Kingston.

    Kingston, a key player who played a crucial role in the team’s qualification, was unfortunately suspended and missed Ghana’s opening game in the 2006 tournament.

    However, despite his significant contributions, he was surprisingly excluded from the final squad for Ghana’s historic first-ever World Cup appearance.

    Appiah, speaking on Joy Sports, attributed the decision to naivety, suggesting that the team could have benefited from Kingston’s presence, similar to how England relied on Wayne Rooney during the same period.

    “We were naive [in 2006] about the rules… England took Rooney to the World Cup despite him being on suspension.


    “If we had that knowledge in 2006, we would have pleaded with the GFA to add Laryea to the team because it was two games,” he told Joy Sports’ Prime Take.

    Laryea yet again missed out on Ghana’s final squad for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa after he was drooped from the provisional squad.

    “I am [pained] because Laryea was one of the players that when I look back, even though we played at the World Cup in 2006 and 2010, it looks as if we were not complete.

    The former Juventus midfielder believes Kingston deserved and earned the right to play at the World Cup due to the sacrifices he made for the team.

    “Not because of his football but he should have been there because of his sacrifices. He was part of those who sacrificed. To date, I still feel bad.”

    Laryea Kingston disclosed that he was pained by the decisions to drop him for the two edition but that of the 2010 World Cup left him devastated.

    “The 2010 World Cup was the one that finished me. Immediately after the 2006 World Cup, I joined the team again and I played all the games in the qualifies the friendly games and I was out again,” he said on MX24.

    He added, “I was not on suspension and I don’t know what happened. A day before they moved to South Africa, I was asked to go home. I am still searching for answers and criteria they used to take me out.”

  • Laryea Kingston appointed as Black Starlets assistant coach

    Laryea Kingston, a former Ghanaian international, has been named the Black Starlets‘ assistant coach.

    Abdul Karim Zito, a former Dreams FC manager, has been selected as the team’s head coach.

    Meanwhile, Jacob Nettey has also been named as the second assistant coach for the Ghana U-17 side.

    They will serve for the next one year according to the Ghana Football Association.

    The new technical team has been tasked to assemble a formidable squad for the next edition of the WAFU B U-17 Cup of Nations and the U-17 Africa Cup of Nations.

  • It was like a cabinet meeting – Laryea Kingston on 2010 World Cup exclusion

    Former Ghana midfielder, Laryea Kingston has opened up on how his exclusion from the Ghana squad for the 2010 World Cup was communicated to him.

    Contrary to reports that Laryea got to know about his exclusion via radio, the former winger said that he was informed a day before the squad left for South Africa.

    Laryea said that he was called into a meeting that had some of the management members of the Black Stars. It was there that it dawned on him that he was not going to be on the plane to South Africa.

    The former Hearts of Oak winger said that as bad as the news was, he took it in his stride and walked away without causing scenes.

    He was disappointed as he felt that was the only chance he was ever going to get to play at the biggest football festival in the world.

    Laryea said on GhanaWeb’s Sports Check program that he gave up on national team football after the episode and decided to fully commit to club football.

    The winger who entertained Ghanaians with his flicks and passes said that he has channeled the disappointment into his coaching career and hopes to lead the Black Stars to the World Cup someday.

    Laryea despite the blot of not going to the World Cup, is confident that one day he will handle the team there.

    Source: Ghanaweb 

  • It was bad and terrible to see Laryea Kingston miss 2010 World Cup – Stephen Appiah

    Former Ghana captain, Stephen Appiah has revealed that the camp of the Black Stars was terrible after Laryea Kingston was dropped from the squad ahead of the 2010 World Cup.

    Having missed out in 2006 due to suspension, Laryea was hoping to make the Black Stars squad for the Mundial in South Africa.

    However, he was again dropped for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa by coach Milovan Rajevac despite being part of a provisional squad that camped in France ahead of the tournament.

    Appiah, who was the skipper of the side at the time, has disclosed that the mood around camp was terrible after the winger’s axe.

    According to him, many of the players expected Laryea to make Ghana’s World Cup squad, having played a key role in the qualifiers.

    “In France 2010 when Laryea Kingston was dropped, it was very difficult because when we talk about the World Cup, Laryea Kingston was one of the players who made it possible for Ghana. In 2006 he couldn’t get a chance to go to Germany,” Appiah told JoyNews.

    “In 2010 we camped in France and he was dropped, it was bad to see Laryea Kingston that evening. It was difficult because you don’t know what was going through his head that night because he did everything possible for the team to qualify.

    “I went to his room with Richard Kingson his brother and it was terrible. I went to sleep thinking of Laryea Kingston, it was bad, very bad.”

    Laryea was a mainstay in the Black Stars between 2002 and 2010, making 41 appearances and scoring six goals.

    Source: Ghanaweb 

  • I was left broken into pieces – Laryea Kingston opens up on being axed from Black Stars squad for 2010 World Cup

    Former Ghana international, Laryea Kingston has revealed he was left broken into pieces after he was dropped from Black Stars squad for the 2010 Fifa World Cup in South Africa.

    The former Hearts of Oak midfielder was one of the biggest names in the national team and was instrumental in the country securing a second consecutive World Cup spot.

    Four years earlier, Kingston had missed Ghana’s maiden appearance at the World Cup in Germany due to suspension for an altercation with Senegal’s defender Habib Beye in a group encounter at the Nations Cup.

    He may have accepted the reasons for being omitted from Ghana’s squad at the 2006 tournament due to a suspension he carried over from the Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt months earlier.

    However, Kingston, who believed he was in the best of shape to make his debut at the biggest stage of his career, is yet to come to terms with Coach Rajevac’s decision to leave him out of the Black Stars team to the 2010 World Cup and he says the Serbian owes him an explanation for omitting him.

    “I was very disappointed in the decision to take me out of the team for the 2010 World Cup, but I had no one to provide me with some answers,” Kingston told the Daily Graphic in an interview.

    “It broke me into pieces because I had done everything possible and I was in good shape to play for the Black Stars, so I was surprised at the coach’s decision to omit me from the squad.

    “What can you do when a coach says you are not in his plans? It was one of the saddest moments of my career, but I had to deal with it.

    “We held a meeting to discuss the final list for the tournament and all Coach Milovan Rajevac told me was that I was not in his plans.

    “I felt he owed me an explanation because with our squad at the time, I didn’t see the reason why I should not make it to the World Cup,” he added.

    Source: Footballghana

  • Black Stars must see Portugal and Uruguay games as revenge – Laryea Kingston

    Former Ghana international, Laryea Kingston has charged the Black Stars to settle scores with Portugal and Uruguay to qualify for the knockout phase of the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

    Ghana lost 2-1 to Portugal in the 2014 edition and narrowly exited the 2010 World Cup at the hand of Uruguay through penalty shootouts.

    Black Stars, who make a return to the tournament after missing out on the 2018 edition in Russia take on Portugal in their first game in Group H on November 24 before playing South Korea and Uruguay on November 28 and December 2 respectively.

    “It is going to be interesting at the World Cup because I see our games with Portugal and Uruguay as an opportunity for the boys to perform beyond their expectation,” Kingston told Daily Graphic.

    “Against Portugal, the team must see it as a chance to seek revenge after losing to them in 2014 but Uruguay’s game will be something else.

    He added, “I believe the team must do everything to beat Uruguay to put the entire continent at peace after what Suarez did to Africa in 2010. It is possible and I believe having that at the back of their minds alone should be enough to win that match.”

    Black Stars will play Switzerland in an International friendly on November 17, before travelling to Qatar for the World Cup.

    The 2022 FIFA World Cup takes place between November 20 and December 18

    Only three sides from the continent have ever progressed to the quarter-finals; Cameroon in 1990, Senegal in 2002, and Ghana in 2010.

    Source: Ghanaweb

  • Ex-Ghana winger Laryea Kingston disappointed to miss out 2010 World Cup

    Former Ghana international Laryea Kingston says he put in enough effort to make Ghana’s squad for the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa.

    The 41-year-old was as one of the biggest names in the national team and was instrumental in the country securing a second consecutive World Cup spot.

    In 2006, Kingston missed Ghana’s maiden appearance at the global showpiece in Germany due to suspension for an altercation with Senegal’s defender Habib Beye in a group encounter at Africa Cup of Nations.

    “I was very disappointed in the decision to take me out of the team for the 2010 World Cup, but I had no one to provide me with some answers,” Kingston told Daily Graphic.

    “It broke me into pieces because I had done everything possible and I was in good shape to play for the Black Stars, so I was surprised at the coach’s decision to omit me from the squad.

    “What can you do when a coach says you are not in his plans? It was one of the saddest moments of my career, but I had to deal with it.”

    He added, “We held a meeting to discuss the final list for the tournament and all Coach Milovan Rajevac told me was that I was not in his plans.”

    “I felt he owed me an explanation because with our squad at the time, I didn’t see the reason why I should not make it to the World Cup.”

    Source: Footballghana

  • I never played at the World Cup but I will coach there one day – Laryea Kingston

    Former Ghana international, Laryea Kingston has opened up on his dream to coach to the highest level in football.

    According to him, although he never had the chance to play at the FIFA World Cup, he is confident he will coach a side at the global tournament one day.

    “I know I did not go to the World Cup as a player but I believe deep in my heart that I will be at the World Cup as a coach one day,” Laryea Kingston told Radio Gold Talk Sports in an interview.

    The now trained tactician continued, “I have educated myself well. I have my style and I believe if I preach my style to my squad Ghanaians will see something different.”

    During his playing days, Laryea Kingston played in several World Cup qualifiers but was excluded from the final squad for the tournament in 2006 and 2010.

    Source: Football Ghana

  • I have educated myself well in coaching – Laryea Kingston

    Former Ghana international, Laryea Kingston has expressed optimism in his ability to succeed as a coach.

    According to the former Hearts of Oak and Black Stars midfielder, he has educated himself well to ensure he enjoys a successful coaching career.

    “I have educated myself well. I have my style and I believe if I preach my style to my squad Ghanaians will see something different,” Laryea Kingston told Radio Gold Talk Sport in an interview.

    In his interview, the retired footballer also opened up on his ambition to go to the World Cup as a coach.

    Although he has always admitted missing two world cups during his playing days was tough for him, he is aiming to coach at the global tournament to make up for the disappointment.

    “I know I did not go to the World Cup as a player but I believe deep in my heart that I will be at the World Cup as a coach one day,” Laryea Kingston added.

  • Otto Addo should know Ghana’s starting line-up for World Cup by now – Laryea Kingston

    Former Ghanaian international Laryea Kingston stated that after playing in two friendlies in September, coach Otto Addo should have a good notion of his starting lineup for the World Cup.

    He thinks that the technical staff should pay attention to the players they now have and choose who would be on the World Cup reserve team.

    The World Cup is rapidly approaching, so I must unambiguously state to the world that this is the squad I support.
    I believe it is currently too late to make any more judgments.

    “I would prefer the technical team to already have their team, the main team that Ghanaians know that this is my starting eleven, these are the players that if things are not going on well, they will replace others,” Laryea Kingston told Radio Gold Talk Sport.

    Coach Otto Addo named two different starting line-ups for Ghana’s friendly matches against Nicaragua and Brazil match.

    However, for Laryea Kingston, there is no time again for coach Otto Addo to try new players and must make Ghanaians aware of the players he is taking to the World Cup before their final friendly match against Switzerland.

    “For me, I will be very happy to see Otto [Addo] show Ghanaians that this is his team that he is taking to World Cup because it’s very close, he still has one more friendly to play than you are in the main tournament.

    “I will prefer him focusing on the core team, a team that is going to appear and is going to play for the Black Stars in the tournament,” Laryea Kingston told Radio Gold Talk Sport.

    Ghana will come up against South Korea, Portugal and Uruguay in Group H at the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

  • Stephen Appiah made the game easy – Laryea Kingston

    Former Ghana midfielder Laryea Kingston has named ex-international colleague Stephen Appiah as one of “the best” he has played alongside.

    Appiah represented Ghana between 1995 and 2010, playing at two Africa Cup of Nations tournaments and two World Cup finals.

    At the 2006 Afcon in Egypt, Appiah and Kingston formed a formidable midfield partnership with Sulley Muntari and Michael Essien, even though the Black Stars suffered a first-round elimination.

    Nevertheless, they propelled Ghana to a maiden World Cup qualification in Germany, where Appiah scored a decisive match-winning penalty at the championship as the Black Stars beat the USA 2-1 in their last group game to book a place in the Round of 16.

    “Tornado [Stephen Appiah] is someone I grew up with. For me, he is one of the best technical players that I have played with,” Kingston, on Euro 2020 Championship punditry duty with the 40-year-old Appiah, said on Joy TV.

    “It is not because he is in the studio with me, but I have so much respect for him as a player.

    “I feel honoured to have played with him. His technical ability, you cannot take it away from him.

    “These are the guys that when you are playing with, they make the game easy for you.”

    Appiah, who won the U17 World Cup with Ghana, made his senior debut in 1995 against Benin.

    He made his tournament debut for the Black Stars at the 2000 Africa Cup of Nations on home soil, and went on to become captain of the side two years later.

    He missed out on the 2008 Afcon tournament on home soil due to injury, just as he did with the 2010 edition, but returned to national duty for the World Cup as Ghana marched on to the quarter-final.

    At club level, Appiah, who played for Hearts of Oak during his time in Ghana, featured for Italian sides Juventus, Parma, Cesena, Udinese, Brescia and Bologna.

    Outside Italy, he was on the books of Turkish outfit Fenerbahce and Serbian outfit.

    Source: goal.com

  • Laryea Kingston tours US to assess Right to Dream Academy model

    Ex-Ghana international Laryea Kingston has heaped praise on Tullow Oil for their partnership with the Right to Dream Academy to produce the next generation of stars.

    Kingston, a coach at the Old-Akrade based soccer academy, recently embarked on a trip to the United States where several graduates are on sponsorship combining education and soccer.

    He was joined by the Executive Vice President of Tullow Oil, Kweku Awotwi, to visit some of their partner schools.

    As many as 30 Right to Dream girls and boys have won full scholarships to high schools and ivy league universities in the United States and the UK.

    “I had known about Right to Dream for a long time and always respected what they do for the kids. For them, it is not just about football but their education and their character development,” Kingston said.

    “The trip was unbelievable. The opportunity these kids are getting, in my time we did not have that opportunity. It was humbling and inspiring to see the kids and what they are achieving and then getting to meet their families in Ghana.”

    “You can see that the professional players coming out of Right to Dream are not just talented but also ambassadors.

    “That is why I enjoy working with them so much. They are the next generation of leaders for our country.”

    Tullow is the headline education partner for the Right to Dream Academy in Ghana over the past six years.

    Source: Ghana Soccernet

  • Science or Luck: Laryea Kingston talks about penalty taking

    Former Ghana international, Laryea Kingston, has waded into the age-long debate about penalty taking in football being much more about strategy or sheer luck.

    According to the ex-Black Stars winger, the art of taking penalties amounts to luck, and its therefore not necessary spending time practicing it.

    The topic of penalties often evokes painful memories for Ghanaians.

    After winning the Africa Cup of Nations tournament in 1982, Ghana has had major heartbreaks in competitions following defeats via penalty shootouts -with the only exception being in 2009, when the Black Satellites won the ultimate at the FIFA U-20 World Cup.

    The Black Stars lost the AFCON 1992 and 2015 titles to Ivory Coast via shootout and as well missed out on being the first African team to make the world cup semi-final stage after suffering elimination in the last 8 in 2010 following a penalty shootout defeat to Uruguay.

    These occurrences and others have led to conclusions that Ghana has been unlucky with penalties.

    Speaking on the Football Made In Ghana show on Citi TV, Kingston said“Some people think penalties are between you and the goalkeeper but it is the most difficult thing in football,” Laryea Kingston said.

    “Sometimes you may get the decision right but your decision may be the same as that of the goalkeeper. So if you have noticed, all the great players in the world have missed crucial penalties in their career,” he remarked.

    “For me, I do not see it as very important to practice it because it is not scientific. Sometimes you will go in with an advantage and still lose. An example is the 2015 AFCON against Ivory Coast. We led by two and you expect it to be easy but we lost. If practicing it and perfecting it makes you win then we should have won that. So it is not scientific,” he concluded.

    Laryea Kingston played for Ghana at 2 Nations Cup tournaments (2006 and 2008).

    Overall the 49-year old amassed 41 caps for the Black Stars scoring 6 goals in a national team career running from March 2005 to October 2009.

    He currently works as a coach with the famed Right to Dream Academy.

    Source: footballmadeinghana.com

  • Laryea Kingston lands coaching job at Danish side Nordsjaelland

    Ex-Ghana international Laryea Kingston has given his coaching career a shot in the arm after joining Danish top-flight side Nordsjaelland, GHANASoccernet.com can exclusively report.

    The country’s leading football website, www.GHANASoccernet.com, understands Kingston will start with Nordsjaelland’s U19 side but he will also be attached to all of the club’s age groups.

    Read:Ex-Ghana winger Laryea Kingston gives thumbs up to Black Stars despite AFCON exit

    The former Heart of Midlothian midfielder, who holds multiple CAF certificates, is expected to hone his coaching skills at the Right to Dream Park.

    Kingston will benefit from countryman Mas-Ud Dramani who is in-charge of Nordsjaelland’s U19 team.

    Read:Laryea Kingston makes big impression on SuperSport punditry debut

    Nordsjaelland owner Tom Venon, who is also the brainchild of Right to Dream Academy, wants to build the capacity of local coaches.

    During the summer, he worked as a pundit for Africa’s leading Pay TV channel Supersport on the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations which was played in Egypt.

    Source: GHANAsoccernet.com