Brentford striker Ivan Toney has expressed his frustration with the Football Association (FA) for what he considers a “spiteful” act of leaking his betting charges.
Toney has recently spoken openly about the situation, marking the first time he has addressed the issue since receiving an eight-month ban. He admitted to 232 breaches of the FA’s betting rules.
In the previous month, Toney was handed a £50,000 fine and suspended from all football-related activities until January 17 due to his betting offenses spanning over four years.
The allegations against the 27-year-old initially surfaced in late 2022 and had significant consequences, as it cost him a place in Gareth Southgate’s England squad for the upcoming World Cup in Qatar.
Toney’s discontent stems from the manner in which his charges were made public, deeming it a malicious act by the FA. His focus now lies on serving his ban and moving forward from this challenging period in his career.
Toney opened up in the Kick Game YouTube channel, where he claimed missing out on the World Cup was more painful than the 8-month ban that was imposed on him.
He also faulted the FA for the manner in which his betting offences were publicized, describing it as ‘spiteful’.
‘People try to break people down,’ He said as per BBC.
‘It came out, just before the England camp, obviously missing out on the World Cup… In a way, it was kind of like: ‘get out now so you don’t go [away with] England’.
‘And then all of a sudden they want to wait until the end of the season… but it is what it is. They wanted to do it that way. I call it a bit spiteful. You just have to get on with it.
According to Toney, missing out on the World Cup was a ‘bigger punishment’, but he hopes to make the next one, when he will be 31.
FA chief executive Mark Bullingham had previously stated there was no relationship between the timing of the betting charges and Toney’s omission from the England squad, which he claimed was for sporting reasons.
Toney’s plan B to keep fit
It was also reported on Ivan Toney’s next course of action to stay fit after he was banned from footballing activity.
The 27-year-old could join a rugby team for pre-season ahead of his return to training on September 17, as their core fitness training regime is fundamentally similar to football.
Brentford boss, Thomas Frank and England national team head coach, Gareth Southgate both frowned at the ban on training, claiming it is not the best rehabilitation process to leave him out of the football community.
Goalkeeper Lawrence Ati-Zigi of theBlack Stars was listed among the best saves at the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
In the second group games against South Korea, the St. Gallen goalkeeper’s stop from a free kick made the cut.
Ati-Zigi gave a great performance in the contest, making four crucial saves to lead Ghana to a slim 3-2 victory.
His save from the free-kick came in the 75th minute when the Black Stars were leading 3-2. Ati-Zigi superbly tipped Kang-In Lee’s goal-bound freekick around the post to keep Ghana in the lead.
Ghana eventually grabbed the win but failed to progress from the group after losing to Portugal and Uruguay to finish bottom of Group H.
Lawrence Ati-Zigi played all three games and conceded a total of seven goals at the tournament.
Fabinho believes Liverpool are well-placed to benefit from the World Cup break as Jurgen Klopp’s team look to chase down their Premier League rivals.
Having fallen narrowly short of winning a second title of the Premier League era when amassing 92 points last season, Liverpool now sit sixth in the top flight, seven points adrift of a top-four place.
Jurgen Klopp’s side did improve before the Premier League paused in November, and they could win three consecutive games for the first time this season when they visit Aston Villa on Boxing Day.
With France’s Ibrahima Konate the only Liverpool player to remain involved beyond the quarter-finals at the World Cup, Fabinho believes the break has benefited the Reds.
“It can be good,” he told the club’s website. “I hope this will be good for the team because, as I said before, our position in the Premier League is not the position that we wanted it to be.
“But this is the reality. We have to face it, we have to try to close the gap to the other teams and yes, game by game, try to play better and win.”
Fabinho played 45 minutes as the Reds returned to competitive action with a 3-2 EFL Cup defeat to Manchester City on Thursday, and he was pleased to resume with a game of that magnitude.
“In the game against City it was [important] to show that we are there, that we will fight with the best teams because we are one of the best teams as well,” Fabinho said.
“I hope that we will keep this level because we will need it. To have this as the first game back from the World Cup, I think, was good for us. The intensity of the game was really good.”
Kalvin Phillips returned from World Cup duty with England “overweight” and not ready to feature against Liverpool, according to Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola.
The midfielder has endured a frustrating season hampered by injury issues after moving to the Etihad Stadium from boyhood club Leeds in the last transfer window.
Phillips was still selected by Gareth Southgate for Qatar 2022 but played just 40 minutes across the tournament before England suffered quarter-final heartbreak against France.
The 27-year-old, who has been restricted to just one substitute appearance in the Premier League for City, missed the Carabao Cup fourth-round win over Liverpool on Thursday.
While England team-mates Jack Grealish, John Stones and Phil Foden all featured in the first game after the World Cup, Guardiola suggested Phillips’ fitness was far below the standards expected.
“He’s not injured. He arrived overweight. I don’t know [why],” Guardiola said when asked about Phillips’ omission.
“He didn’t arrive in the condition to do training sessions and to play.”
Guardiola is not giving up on Phillips yet, though, adding: “When he will be ready, he will play, because we need him, we need him a lot.”
As for Guardiola’s disappointment with him, he said: “It’s a private conversation with Kalvin.”
Guardiola confirmed Ruben Dias joined Phillips on the sidelines after sustaining a hamstring injury in Portugal’s World Cup quarter-final defeat to Morocco.
City visit Phillips’ former side Leeds on Wednesday as Guardiola’s men aim to cut Arsenal’s five-point lead at the top of the table.
As England prepared to return home from the World Cup in Qatar,captain Harry Kane said the team would be “mentally and physically stronger for the next challenge.”
England lost 2-1 in the quarter-finals, with Kane missing an 84th-minute penalty after matching England’s scoring record of 53 goals.
Gareth Southgate’s team checked out of their hotel in Al Wakrah before flying home.
“Absolutely gutted,” said Kane.
Writing on social media, the Tottenham forward added: “We’ve given it everything and it’s come down to a small detail which I take responsibility for. There’s no hiding from it, it hurts and it’ll take some time to get over it but that’s part of the sport.
“Now it’s about using the experience to be mentally and physically stronger for the next challenge. Thanks for all the support throughout the tournament – it means a lot.”
Speaking about Kane’s penalty miss, former England striker Alan Shearer told BBC Radio 5 Live: “That’s the life of a center-forward. You put yourself in those positions and it will haunt Harry for the rest of his life.”
England departed their hotel in Qatar at about 12:30 pm local time and is expected to land in the UK later on Sunday.
Players waved to fans gathered outside the hotel as they boarded a coach, with midfielder Jude Bellingham taking the time to sign memorabilia.
England center-back Harry Maguire echoed his captain’s words and also paid special tribute to Southgate, who has said he will “review and reflect” on his side’s exit with the Football Association before making a decision on his future.
Southgate, who has been England’s manager since 2016, has a contract that runs until the Euro 2024 finals.
“Last night hurt. Absolutely gutted. Special thanks to Gareth and you amazing fans who kept believing in me. I love my country and I hope we made you proud,” said Maguire on social media.
Under Southgate, England reached the 2018 World Cup semi-finals and the Euro 2020 final before their elimination by the defending champions in Qatar.
“Gareth has been amazing with me, amazing with every player in the team,” Maguire said in an interview.
“I’m sure if you asked every player in the team they wouldn’t be able to speak highly enough of him, his man-management, the way that this team has been built and developed over a period of time.
“Over the last five or six years with Gareth in charge, you can really see the development. I know being an England manager is so tough, they get every decision they make scrutinized, every squad they make, ‘he should be in’ or ‘he shouldn’t be in’. Every team he picks, ‘he should play or ‘he shouldn’t play’… that is being an England manager.
“He knows how to handle it. He handles everything really well and tactically he gets all the big decisions right and he has proven that again this tournament.”
Southgate was also backed by midfielder Declan Rice, who said he hoped his manager continued in the job.
“If you guys could come in and see how well everyone’s been on it, you would have thought we would have gone the whole way as a collective but for me, personally, I hope he stays,” he said.
“Obviously, I don’t know. There’s a lot of talk around that. I think he’s been brilliant for us. I think there’s a lot of criticism that’s not deserved. I think he’s taken us so, so far. Further than what people can expect.
“He got everything spot on again, it’s not on him. It’s not on him at all – the tactics were right, and we played the right way.
“I really hope he stays because the core group that we’ve got and what he’s made for us, it’s so special to be a part of. I love playing under him and I love playing for England.”
‘We will come again’
Marcus Rashford was among a host of England players who posted on social media on Sunday, with the Manchester United forward promising that the Three Lions “will come again”.
Rashford was England’s joint-top scorer with Bukayo Saka in Qatar, scoring three goals.
“The last few weeks have been a rollercoaster of emotions, each and every one of our team gave everything we had to be ready for what was thrown at us, we got close, but not close enough,” he said.
“I’ll make a promise that we will come again.”
Midfielder Jordan Henderson said it was a “tough one to take”, adding “sometimes football isn’t fair”.
Earlier, FA chief executive Mark Bullingham said the team was “hurting” after the last-eight defeat.
“Like all England fans we feel the pain of losing a quarter-final, along with the coaches, players, and support team who are hurting this morning,” he said in a statement.
“Gareth and Steve [Holland] prepared the team exceptionally well throughout the tournament. The players were committed to winning the trophy and were very well led by Harry Kane.
“But sport can have fine margins and on the day, against the current world champions, it was not to be.
“This is a very exciting young English squad and, despite the intense disappointment of last night, they should be very proud of their performances in Qatar.
“We are incredibly proud of Gareth, the players, the coaches, and the support team and appreciate all the hard work they put in. “
Gareth Southgate leaves the hotel
James Maddison and Kyle Walker share a hug
Jude Bellingham waves to fans gathered outside England’s hotel
As the game between Argentina and the Netherlands entered extra time on Friday, Grant Wahl, 48, passed out.
He may have experienced a heart attack, according to early reports, but this has not yet been formally confirmed.
.Last month Mr Wahl was briefly detained by Qatari authorities for trying to enter a stadium wearing a rainbow shirt, in support of LGBT rights.
In a statement, the US Soccer Federation said it was “heartbroken” by the news.
“Fans of soccer and journalism of the highest quality knew we could always count on Grant to deliver insightful and entertaining stories about our game, and its major protagonists,” it said.
In a tweet, Mr Wahl’s wife, Céline Gounder, said she was in “complete shock”, adding that she was “so thankful” for the support she had received from friends.
Mr Wahl celebrated his 48th birthday on Thursday with friends in Qatar, a day before he collapsed. He wrote on his website on Monday that he had been unwell in the last 10 days and was on a course of antibiotics for suspected bronchitis.
“My body finally broke down on me,” he wrote. “What had been a cold over the last 10 days turned into something more severe on the night of the USA-Netherlands game, and I could feel my upper chest take on a new level of pressure and discomfort.
“I didn’t have Covid (I test regularly here), but I went into the medical clinic and the main media centre today, and they said I probably have bronchitis.”
FIFA President Gianni Infantino said Mr Wahl’s love for football was “immense”, adding that his reporting would be “missed by all who follow the global game”.
Tributes have poured in from several UK journalists. Piers Morgan described Mr Wahl as a “brilliant journalist”, while the Times’ Henry Winter said he was a “fine man” and “giant of the press box”.
BBC Sport’s Dan Roan tweeted: “Grant Wahl was a renowned and hugely respected journalist and the flood of tributes is testament to the esteem in which he was held.”
Major League Soccer commissioner Don Garber tweeted: “We are shocked, saddened and heartbroken over the tragic passing of Grant Wahl. He was a kind and caring person whose passion for soccer and dedication to journalism were immeasurable.”
US tennis icon Billie Jean King also paid tribute to Mr Wahl, describing him as an “advocate for the LGBTQ community and a prominent voice for women’s soccer”.
A spokesperson for the Qatari body responsible for planning the World Cup, the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy, said: “We are deeply saddened by the death of the US journalist Grant Wahl.
“Grant was known for his enormous love of football and was in Qatar to cover his eighth Fifa World Cup.
“He fell ill in the Lusail Stadium media tribune, during last night’s quarter-final match between Argentina v Netherlands. He received immediate emergency medical treatment on site, which continued as he was transferred by ambulance to Hamad General Hospital.
“We are in touch with the US Embassy and relevant local authorities to ensure the process of repatriating the body is in accordance with the family’s wishes.”
Earlier this week, Mr Wahl was presented with an award by Brazilian football legend Ronaldo for reporting on eight consecutive World Cups – his first was in the US in 1994.
While covering the World Cup in Qatar, a well-known football journalist from the United States passed away.
As extra time in the Friday night match between Argentina and the Netherlands began, Grant Wahl, 48, passed out.
Although it hasn’t been officially confirmed, initial reports indicate he may have suffered a heart attack.
When Mr. Wahl attempted to enter a stadium last month while wearing a rainbow-colored shirt in support of LGBT rights, Qatari authorities temporarily held him.
In a statement, the US Soccer Federation said it was “heartbroken” by the news.
“Fans of soccer and journalism of the highest quality knew we could always count on Grant to deliver insightful and entertaining stories about our game, and its major protagonists,” it said.
In a tweet, Mr Wahl’s wife, Céline Gounder, said she was in “complete shock”, adding that she was “so thankful” for the support she had received from friends.
Mr Wahl celebrated his 48th birthday on Thursday with friends in Qatar, a day before he collapsed. He wrote on his website on Monday that he had been unwell in the last 10 days and was on a course of antibiotics for suspected bronchitis.
“My body finally broke down on me,” he wrote. “What had been a cold over the last 10 days turned into something more severe on the night of the USA-Netherlands game, and I could feel my upper chest take on a new level of pressure and discomfort.
“I didn’t have Covid (I test regularly here), but I went into the medical clinic and the main media center today, and they said I probably have bronchitis.”
FIFA President Gianni Infantino said Mr Wahl’s love for football was “immense”, adding that his reporting would be “missed by all who follow the global game”.
Tributes have poured in from several UK journalists. Piers Morgan described Mr Wahl as a “brilliant journalist”, while the Times’ Henry Winter said he was a “fine man” and “giant of the press box”.
BBC Sport’s Dan Roan tweeted: “Grant Wahl was a renowned and hugely respected journalist and the flood of tributes is a testament to the esteem in which he was held.”
Major League Soccer commissioner Don Garber tweeted:“We are shocked, saddened, and heartbroken over the tragic passing of Grant Wahl. He was a kind and caring person whose passion for soccer and dedication to journalism were immeasurable.”
US tennis icon Billie Jean King also paid tribute to Mr Wahl, describing him as an “advocate for the LGBTQ community and a prominent voice for women’s soccer”.
A spokesperson for the Qatari body responsible for planning the World Cup, the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy, said: “We are deeply saddened by the death of the US journalist Grant Wahl.
“Grant was known for his enormous love of football and was in Qatar to cover his eighth Fifa World Cup.
“He fell ill in the Lusail Stadium media tribune, during last night’s quarter-final match between Argentina v Netherlands. He received immediate emergency medical treatment on site, which continued as he was transferred by ambulance to Hamad General Hospital.
“We are in touch with the US Embassy and relevant local authorities to ensure the process of repatriating the body is in accordance with the family’s wishes.”
Earlier this week, Mr Wahl was presented with an award by Brazilian football legend Ronaldo for reporting on eight consecutive World Cups – his first was in the US in 1994.
According to The Athletic, the Filipino national died after collapsing while performing maintenance at a resort that served as a base of operations for the Saudi Arabian team.
The organization that governs football worldwide stated that it had been informed of an accident but withheld further information.
It stated that it was speaking with the local authorities to get additional information.
“Fifa is deeply saddened by this tragedy and our thoughts and sympathies are with the worker’s family,” it said.
“Fifa will be in a position to comment further once the relevant processes in relation to the worker’s passing have been completed.”
Qatar’s treatment of migrant workers has been one of the main controversies overshadowing the build up to the World Cup.
A report by the Guardian newspaper last year said 6,500 migrant workers had died in Qatar since the country was awarded the World Cup in 2010.
That figure has been rejected by the Qatari authorities, who say there have been three work-related deaths in construction related directly to the tournament and a further 37 non work-related deaths.
World Cup officials say a number of reforms to improve the health and safety standards for migrant workers have been implemented in recent years, and that they are “committed” to making more improvements as a legacy of the tournament.
Human rights organisations and a number of football associations whose countries are involved in the tournament say they will “continue to press” Qatar and Fifa to establish a compensation fund for migrant workers and their families, as well as the establishment of a migrant worker centre in Doha.
Member of Parliament for Bolgatanga Central Constituency, Honourable Isaac Adongo compared Maguire’s performance for the Devil Reds to Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia’s handling of the Ghanaian economy.
Honourable Adongo went viral for claiming Dr Bawumia is an economic Maguire.
“Harry Maguire, he’s a defender. He was tackling everybody and throwing his body everywhere,” Adongo said in Parliament.
“He was seen as the best defender in the world. Manchester United went and bought him. He became the biggest threat at the centre of the Manchester United defence, tackling Manchester players and giving assists to opponents.
“Mr. Speaker, you remember in this country we also have an economic Maguire. We’re clapping saying this man is the best in managing foreign terms. Mr Speaker why we gave this Maguire the opportunity to be at the centre of our defence? He became the rest of our own goals. Our economic Maguire is taking control of the fundamentals of our economy and destroying all of them.”
Rooney responded to the MP’s joke, claiming Maguire has been at his best at the World Cup in Qatar.
“On social media this week I saw someone in the Ghanaian parliament making fun of Harry Maguire. It was crazy, because Harry has been outstanding at this World Cup. I predicted he would do well – because he always does well for England and never lets Gareth Southgate down. He’s simply a very good defender with a strong mentality,” he told The Times.
#FreeKwakuNow is trending at number one on Twitter as many tweeps have taken to the platform to demand for justice after allegations that a man identified as Seth Asante Asiedu, aka Kwaku Rafik, has reportedly been picked up at his residence at Amasaman by National Security,
This comes on the back of series of posts on Twitter that seemingly addressed government and some related issues.
The incident is reported to have happened on Thursday dawn at about 3.30am.
On November 6, Kwaku Rafik is said to have, in a post, suggested that Ghana was downgraded by major banks in Ghana because of risk levels, adding that commercial banks may be next to struggle.
“Investment firms are struggling, you know who is next? I believe commercial banks. It will be difficult for them to pay depositors. Moody’s has downgraded major banks in Ghana because of their risk levels,” he said.
In a more recent one posted on Wednesday, Kwaku Rafik suggested that some government officials had abandoned their official duties to go and witness the World Cup in Qatar.
“And so they left official duties to watch the World Cup. Really? A caring government indeed,” he posted 19 hours ago. Ban on foreign travels but they are in Qatar,” he posted on November 30, 2022.
He is reported to have been picked up by the National Security in the wee hours of Thursday but his whereabouts are currently not known.
Twitter users have since been reacting to the issue.
Below are some of the tweets:
“Dear National security, I guess you guys would have to build a bigger cell to arrest all of us b’cos there is more fire coming from some of us.
With this arrest of @kwakurafiki2, ‘the energy has come’ in Twene Jonas voice
#FreeKwaku
#FreeKwaku” Yaw Eduful Tweeted
“How harmful is this simple tweet to warrant an arrest? Then,arrest us all? Shameful and wasteful government!#FreeKwakuRafik #FreeKwaku” Rambo tweeted
“The youth have an equal stake in how the country is governed. We are not only tools used for political power. Our importance doesn’t stop at voting. …we have a voice to speak, and we must be given the right and freedom to speak about the happenings in the country. #FreeKwaku” Kojo Bawuaj shared
Neymar is set to miss the rest of the group stage of the World Cup in Qatar after learning of his sprained ankle injury, which forced him off in the opener against Serbia, a match that Brazil won 2-0.
His ankle has been plaguing the Brazilian striker for almost his entire career and has kept him out for almost 300 days since he signed for Barcelona in 2013.
Neymar perfectly controls a ball dropped by a drone from 35 meters
The doctors of the Brazilian national team are aware of the problems he has there and that is why there is real concern around an area that is a torment for the player.
Neymar’s photos on social media
Neymar wanted to share with all his followers the state of his ankle on Instagram, where a large swelling can be seen.
The Brazilian had to be substituted after the tackle, but luckily he was able to leave the field limping on his own feet.
Brazil are optimistic that their star player will be available for the last 16 of the World Cup, should they confirm their qualification.
Capped 22 times by Argentina, Correa was not selected in Scaloni’s initial 26-man squad for the tournament, which kicks off on Sunday, but was among a provisional 55-man list.
Scaloni said on Wednesday that late changes to the squad could be required ahead of their opening game against Saudi Arabia, with FIFA rules allowing changes before a team plays their first match at the tournament.
Fiorentina’s Gonzalez suffered a muscle injury in Thursday’s training session, Argentina announced, with Correa joining the squad ahead of Tuesday’s first game for them in Group C.
Correa has not been a regular starter for Diego Simeone’s Atletico side this season, with 10 of his 14 appearances across all competitions coming off the bench.
Argentina’s campaign at the World Cup also sees them face Poland and Mexico, with the defeated 2014 finalists widely regarded to be among the favourites for this year’s tournament.
Cristiano Ronaldo remains optimistic about Portugal’s chances at the World Cup in Qatar, who he thinks will host a “good tournament” despite ongoing human rights concerns.
Portugal captain Ronaldo missed Fernando Santos’ side cruise past Nigeria 4-0 in their final warm-up game on Thursday before FIFA’s global tournament.
Coach Santos cited illness issues for the 37-year-old amid the furore of his scathing interview on Manchester United with Piers Morgan on TalkTV.
While the former Real Madrid forward hit out at United, their staff and directors, Ronaldo suggested Portugal have a chance at the World Cup, where they face Ghana in their Group H opener next Thursday.
“I am very optimistic. We have a fantastic coach, we have a good generation of football players,” the five-time Ballon d’Or winner said.
“I’m looking forward to it, we’re going to an amazing World Cup… [It’s] going to be tough. Extremely difficult. But everything is possible, of course we’re going to compete.”
After labelling a host of pre-tournament favourites, such as Argentina, Spain and Brazil, Ronaldo said he would retire immediately if Portugal won the tournament.
The United forward believes England also have a “chance” in Qatar, who came under widespread scrutiny for their human rights treatment after being awarded hosting rights by FIFA.
Captains of 10 European sides will wear heart-adorned armbands, raising awareness for the OneLove campaign against discrimination in a country where same-sex relationships are prohibited.
FIFA has repeatedly called for nations to focus on football, much to the disappointment of many supporters and countries, though Ronaldo feels Qatar will prove a capable host.
“All the national teams, the people will be welcomed in Qatar, and I see a good tournament to be honest,” he added.
“I think Qatar; they are prepared. They are prepared for that [the backlash].
“It will be weird to play at the beginning of the season. But in the same way, it is a challenge. I think it’s good. I feel good and with good energy.”
Former Black Stars defender Habib Mohammed has reacted to the omission of Jeffrey Schlupp from Ghana’s final squad for World Cup in Qatar.
Schlupp was not included in the final 26-man squad for the tournament despite his impressive form at Crystal Palace in the Premier League this season.
Speaking in an interview, the former King Faisal star expressed his displeasure about the exclusion of the Crystal Palace star from the final World Cup squad.
“For me, Schlupp is the only player his exclusion surprised me looking at his form at club level but I think this is not the time to discuss this. We cannot change anything at the moment but truth be told, Schlupp should have been included in the squad no matter how it is” he said.
Meanwhile, the Black Stars coach Otto Addo has explained why he left out the Crystal Palace player from his final team for the tournament kicking off on Sunday.
“I am a person who’s very much on principles and one principle is that I wouldn’t like them to do to me. So I hope you understand that I would not like to talk about players who are in the squad,” Addo said at the press conference.
“As I said before, I have reasons on and off the pitch which were all communicated to the players so it is between me and the player. For me, that is it and they know why they are not in the squad.
The versatile player last played for the Black Stars in 2017 but was named in the 55-man preliminary squad.
Ghana will open their campaign against Portugal on November 24 at Stadium 974 in Doha.
Four days later, the Black Stars return to action with a clash with South Korea at the Education City Stadium in Al Rayyan.
Ghana will wrap up their group stage adventure with their much-anticipated encounter with Uruguay at Al Janoub Stadium in Al Wakrah.
The Black Stars having missed out in the last edition hosted in Russia in 2018 will be hoping to improve their performance in Qatar after exiting the group phase during the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
Only three sides from the continent have ever progressed to the quarter-finals; Cameroon in 1990, Senegal in 2002, and Ghana in 2010.
Ghana will be hoping to progress from the group stage at this year’s tournament.
The Bristol City forward is one of the strikers named in Otto Addo’s squad for the World Cup in Qatar.
And according to him, he sees the Portugal defender as one who can pose threat to him at the mundial.
Semenyo is expected to play a role in the opener against Portugal on November 24 and the 22-year-old has already set sights on the clash against Manchester City’s Ruben Diaz.
“Portugal, Ruben Diaz, he will be a tough opponent and one of the best world. I want to see where I am at against him and push myself to the limit. I can’t wait,” he told Bristol City media
.
Ghana will open their campaign against Portugal on November 24 at Stadium 974 in Doha.
Four days later, the Black Stars return to action with a clash with South Korea at the Education City Stadium in Al Rayyan.
Ghana will wrap up their group stage adventure with their much-anticipated encounter with Uruguay at Al Janoub Stadium in Al Wakrah.
The Black Stars having missed out in the last edition hosted in Russia in 2018 will be hoping to improve their performance in Qatar after exiting the group phase during the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
Only three sides from the continent have ever progressed to the quarter-finals; Cameroon in 1990, Senegal in 2002, and Ghana in 2010.
Ghana will be hoping to progress from the group stage at this year’s tournament.
Gareth Bale is “100 per cent fit and ready to go” for Wales at the World Cup in Qatar after battling injury issues.
The former Real Madrid winger’s fitness had been a concern before Robert Page named his 26-man squad for Wales’ first appearance at the World Cup in 64 years.
Bale has only started twice for Los Angeles FC since joining from Madrid in July, managing just 370 minutes on the pitch.
However, he scored an extra-time equaliser as a substitute against Philadelphia Union in the MLS Cup final, which LAFC won on penalties on November 5.
Bale initially gave Wales reason to be concerned after the final as he said he felt “not 100 per cent fit”, but has since backtracked on those comments before travelling to the Middle East.
“I’m 100 per cent fit and ready to go,” the Wales international told Sky Sports after revealing his struggles with a “slight issue”.
Bale suggested playing the United States, England and Iran in Group B in the space of nine days would be “no problem”, with the mental aspects of being sidelined more of a problem than the physical side.
“I’m fully fit and ready to go. If I need to play three 90s, I’ll play three 90s,” he added. “It’s been difficult, mentally more than anything.
“I guess for everybody, the last three or four weeks, it’s been difficult, even hearing stories of players going down and knowing they’re going to miss the World Cup.
“Speaking to a few of the boys, even for them having to play this weekend was tough mentally, and we’re just praying not to have an injury at all because it’s such a big occasion.”
The tournament has been somewhat overshadowed due to human rights issues in Qatar.
Bale will be among eight captains to wear a distinctive heart-adorned armband, raising awareness for the OneLove campaign against discrimination in a country where same-sex marriage is prohibited.
“For us as footballers, it’s been a difficult subject to talk about,” said Bale. “But we can shed a light on the problems there that are going on.
“We’ve spoken to the FAW [Football Association of Wales] and they’ve been speaking to Welsh government, who’ve been speaking to Qatar and FIFA, working on these issues.
“For us as players, we’re fully behind and support everything we can do. As footballers, the most we can do is raise awareness and it’s for people higher up to make those decisions, and hopefully make change for the better.”
Eden Hazardacknowledged the World Cup in Qatar will be the “last chance” for Belgium’s ‘Golden Generation’ to triumph and says he wants to stay at Real Madrid.
With the likes of Hazard, Thibaut Courtois, Kevin De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku to call upon, Belgium have been unable to get their hands on a major trophy.
The Red Devils have ended five of the past seven years at the top of the FIFA rankings, though they suffered quarter-final eliminations at the past two European Championships.
Belgium were also knocked out at the same stage in the 2014 World Cup before reaching the semi-finals of Russia 2018, where they were beaten by eventual winners France.
Hazard, who has endured a difficult time in Madrid following his move from Chelsea, believes Qatar will be Belgium’s last opportunity to succeed with the current star-studded squad.
“I keep smiling. There are people who doubt my qualities, but not me and we will see them again,” the 31-year-old said.
“For us the World Cup is the last chance to show that we can still win something with this generation. It will be complicated, but we will give our all.”
Hazard suggested “it is possible” Qatar could be his last World Cup with Belgium and says he has no intention of leaving Madrid by his own choice any time soon.
“I don’t want to leave Real Madrid. The answer is clear, but it’s not just up to me,” he added.
Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti has previously stated Hazard, who has started just one LaLiga game this season, is aware of the reasons for his lack of minutes with fierce competition for places.
The former Chelsea winger has struggled with injuries and fitness issues following his arrival in June 2019.
Hazard has managed just 29 starts in his four LaLiga seasons with Madrid, who trail Barcelona by two points.
Kyereh, who plays for Freiburg is Germany has been battling illness which has kept him out for almost two weeks while Baba picked up a knock during Real Mallorca La Liga clash against Atletico Madrid in midweek.
Meanwhile, Ofori after winning the MTN 8 Championship with Orlando Pirates last week felt some discomfort.
The trio’s injury situation has left the technical team worried ahead of the announcement of the final 26-man squad for the World Cup in Qatar.
It is yet to be known if all three will be fit before the competition begins on November 20, but Addo could take a gamble with the three players who are key to the national team.
Southgate wants to take England and the country on another journey.
England manager Gareth Southgate says it is “optimistic” of Fifa to expect nations to concentrate solely on football at the World Cup in Qatar.
World football’s governing body Fifa wrote a letter telling the 32 teams to “now focus on the football” following a controversial build-up to the World Cup, which begins on 20 November.
“I think we have always spoken when we have felt it is appropriate,” Southgate told BBC sports editor Dan Roan.
He added: “I don’t see that changing.”
Former Fifa president Sepp Blatter said this week that it was a “mistake” to award the 2022 World Cup to Qatar.
Qatar has been criticised for its stance on same-sex relationships, human rights record and treatment of migrant workers in the lead up to the tournament.
Speaking following England’s World Cup squad announcement on Thursday, Southgate said it was “highly unlikely” England would comply with Fifa’s plea to “let football take the stage”.
He told the BBC: “We would also like to concentrate on the football, frankly, because to go to a World Cup is an unbelievable honour and a privilege.
“And for the players it is a massive moment. You don’t want it tarnished by having to think about off-the-field things.
“But we recognise those things are there and we should discuss them when asked.
“Of course we have also got to focus on the football and trying to make it a success for our country.”
Why is Qatar 2022 controversial?How has Qatar treated foreign workers?Qatar ambassador comments on homosexuality ‘harmful and unacceptable’
Peaceful protests have been planned by some players, while England’s Harry Kane and the captains of nine other European teams will be wearing ‘One Love’ armbands.
Fifa’s letter to the World Cup teams has been criticised by Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International and LGBTQ+ campaigners in England and Wales.
Meanwhile, 10 European football associations – including those of England and Wales – said “human rights are universal and apply everywhere” in response.
Amnesty International saysexternal-link that since 2010, hundreds of thousands of migrant workers have faced human rights abuses while employed to build wider infrastructure necessary to host the tournament.
Asked whether hosting a World Cup can inspire social change in a country, Southgate said: “I think we have seen that. There have been improvements, there has been change.”
The England boss added: “We have released statements already saying that change could improve in certain areas and we are very clear on that.
“But I think the process of the World Cup being in Qatar will of course put them under the spotlight and that will be uncomfortable for them.
“At times that will be a bit harsh for them but I think the whole thing has improved certain areas that I think everyone will recognise has helped.”
England’s Lotte Wubben-Moy will not watch the men’s World CupAfrican football governing body supports Fifa’s call for unityUkraine FA wants Fifa to ban Iran from tournament
Human rights organisation Equidem has alleged further abuses and exploitation of migrant workers in Qatar before the World Cup, claiming construction firms working on tournament infrastructure projects evaded labour inspections.
The organisation has called for a migrant workers’ centre to be set up in Qatar and a compensation fund to help those affected by the alleged abuse.
This echoes the FA and Uefa’s Working Group, who have backed calls for compensation to be awarded to migrant workers and their families – while a survey in September by human rights organisation Amnesty International found that almost three quarters of UK adults would support a compensation fund.
Qatar’s Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy has criticised Equidem’s report, claiming it is “littered with inaccuracies” and added they were “committed to fair and lasting labour reforms”.
The 2022 World Cup will be the first to be hosted in the Middle East in the tournament’s 92-year history – and the first during the Northern Hemisphere winter.
How to follow the Fifa World Cup on the BBCWhat the stats tell us might happen in Qatar
Are natural deodorants healthier? Sliced Bread breaks into a sweat to find out’He isn’t the monster people think’: The fascinating story of ‘Michael X’ – a preeminent Black Power leader of his age
An ambassador for the World Cup in Qatar has described homosexuality as a “damage in the mind” in an interview with German public broadcaster ZDF only two weeks before the opening of the soccer tournament in the Gulf state, highlighting concerns about the conservative country’s treatment of gays and lesbians.
Former Qatari national team player Khalid Salman told a German reporter in an interview that being gay is “haram,” or forbidden in Arabic, and that he has a problem with children seeing gay people.
Excerpts of the television interview were shown Monday on the ZDF news program Heute Journal. The full interview, which is part of a documentary, will be shown Tuesday on ZDF.
Germany’s interior minister condemned Salman’s remarks.
“Of course such comments are terrible, and that is the reason why we are working on things in Qatar hopefully improving,” Nancy Faeser said Tuesday.
About 1.2 million international visitors are expected in Qatar for the tournament, which has faced criticism and skepticism ever since the gas-rich emirate was selected as host by FIFA in December 2010. Concerns about LGBTQ tourists attending the World Cup have also been expressed for a long time.
In the interview, Salman also said that homosexuality “is a spiritual harm.”
“During the World Cup, many things will come here to the country. Let’s talk about gays,” Salman said in English, which is simultaneously dubbed into German in the TV segment. “The most important thing is, everybody will accept that they come here. But they will have to accept our rules.”
The interview was cut short by a media officer of the World Cup organizing committee after Salman expressed his views on homosexuals, ZDF reported.
Faeser, who is also responsible for sports, said when she visited Qatar a week ago that the country’s prime minister had given her a “safety guarantee” for fans “no matter where they come from, whom they love and what they believe in.”
Faeser said there has been no change to that stance from the prime minister, who is also Qatar’s interior minister. She plans to go ahead with a trip to Germany’s opening World Cup match against Japan.
Last month, Germany’s ambassador to Qatar was summoned by the government there after Faeser appeared to criticize the country for its human rights record.
In Washington, State Department spokesperson Ned Price called the remarks by the Qatari official a “great concern.”
Jurgen Klopp believes it is unfair to expect players to engage in political protests at the upcoming World Cup in Qatar.
The decision to host the tournament in Qatar – where male homosexuality is illegal – has long been criticised due to concerns about the country’s human rights record.
England’s Harry Kane will be among eight European captains to wear a distinctive heart-adorned armband at the tournament, in order to raise awareness of the OneLove campaign against discrimination.
Meanwhile, tennis great Billie Jean King has called on players to act as “influencers” in Qatar, but Klopp believes handing down that level of responsibility is unjust.
“I understand 100 per cent that we talk about it,” Liverpool manager Klopp told Sky News after receiving the Freedom of the City on Wednesday.
“But it’s not fair to talk now to the players and give responsibility to them, because it’s more than 10 years ago that other people decided [to host the World Cup in Qatar], and we all accepted the decision.
“I watched documentaries recently about the election of Russia [in 2018] and Qatar, so it’s not about this generation of players to say now that ‘we don’t go’ or ‘we don’t do that’.
We are uniting with nine other European countries in support of OneLove, a campaign that will use the power of football to promote inclusion and send a message against discrimination.
“These are the players. The tournament is in Qatar. The players go there and play the game.
“The decision was made by other people and if you want to criticise anybody, then criticise the people who made the decision. Not the sport, not the competition and for sure, not the players.
“It’s not fair that we expect from them that they go there and make big political statements or whatever. It’s just not fair.”
Klopp did offer his support when asked about the OneLove campaign, but reiterated his belief players should not be expected to protest the initial decision to stage the tournament in Qatar.
He said: “That’s absolutely fine, but what I don’t like is that we expect them [the players] to do something. They go there to play football. The big tournament was organised and planned by other people.”
Last week, Australia’s players launched a campaign to highlight World Cup host Qatar’s human rights record.
Host of the E-Forum show on GhanaWeb TV, Benefo Buabeng Abrantepa is anticipating an all-star song for the Black Stars’ campaign in the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
Kweku Flick and Akwaboah have already released their songs aimed at creating awareness and soliciting support for the Black Stars.
Reacting to the songs and their impact on generating support for the Black Stars, Abrantepa lauded Kweku Flick and Akwaboah for the amazing pieces of work they have put out.
Abrantepa made this statement when he joined GhanaWeb Sports Editor, Perez Erzoah Kwaw, and host Joel Eshun to discuss the Importance of supporters at the World Cup and the most memorable Black Stars’ World Cup song on the third episode of the GhanaWeb Mundial show.
Tema Youth President Wilfred Osei Kwaku Palmer has predicted doom for the Black Stars ahead of the 20222 World Cup in Qatar.
Ghana has been housed in Group H against Portugal, Uruguay and South Korea.
The West African powerhouse who are returning to the global showpiece after missing out in Russia 2018 will begin their campaign against Portugal on November 24 before taking on Uruguay and South Korea respectively.
Speaking to Happy FM, the former Black Stars management committee member was of the opinion Ghana may not be able to achieve anything at the World Cup in Qatar if the necessary structures and systems to achieve goals are not properly laid.
“We will go and come back empty handed if we don’t put in the necessary structures and systems to achieve our set goals as a national team”,
The biggest soccer mundial has been scheduled between November and December this year, with 32 countries set to battle it out for the covetous trophy.
Ghana will make their fourth appearance at the FIFA World Cup tournament in Qatar next month hoping to do better than 2010 squad in South Africa.
Medical expert Ben Dinnery has explained placenta healing which has been adopted by Thomas Partey.
The Ghana midfielder has battled with injuries this season and was recently sent home from Ghana’s national team camp in the friendlies against Brazil and Nicaragua.
The 29-year-old was billed to start in Ghana’s game against Brazil but was left out of the squad due to a precaution.
The former Atletico Madrid midfielder is currently to be relying on placenta treatment to tackle his recurring injuries situations.
Ben Dinnery in an interview with Football Insider has explained the pros and cons of the left-field treatment method.
“This involves electrical impulse therapy and the massaging of placenta fluid into the joint.
“What we know about the placenta is that is high in amino acids, vitamins, and nutrients. It can help with pain reduction and tissue generation, and it has anti-inflammatory properties.
“The theory behind why you would use this treatment is there. What isn’t plain for all to see, however, is the research to back up the effectiveness of this treatment.
“That is down to several reasons. You have to consider how the treatment is administered, different regimes, and different treatment plans. There is just a lack of consistency to categorically conclude the effectiveness of this treatment.
“However, it’s a safe procedure. There are no red flags in terms of this treatment plan. There are signs that it can help orthopedic injuries, so the joint in the knee.
“So, for a relatively low downside, there is a potential for there to be some kind of benefits. It is safe and when all other avenues have been exhausted and you want to give it a go, why not.“
Ghana is set to hire placenta healer Mariana Kovacevic to help Thomas Partey ahead of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
The Arsenal star is one of the key players for the Black Stars going into the competition.
The 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar will be historic for the African continent as all five representatives for the quadrennial extravaganza will be handled by local coaches.
Although it is a source of pride, it is also the first time that all African teams have called on local tacticians to lead their respective campaigns, with coaches Otto Addo, Aliou Cisse, Rigobert Song, Walid Regragui and Jalel Kadri having a fine opportunity to make a stronger case for homegrown solutions.
Walid Regragui, Morocco
Morocco will be led by Walid Regragui who joins a stellar cast of other African coaches to lead their countries. This is a massive step for the growth of African coaches, who have now gathered the courage to take over at the highest level.
The 47-year-old trainer, a former Morocco international who amassed 45 caps for the national team, took over from Vahid Halilhodžić who had helped the team to secure qualification for Qatar. He took over the Atlas Lions after a successful season in the Moroccan top flight where he led Wydad Athletic Club (WAC) to the CAF Champions League title and the local championship. He however faces a bigger challenge in Qatar as the Moroccans have been pooled in Group F with Croatia, Belgium and Canada.
Born in Corbeil-Essonne in the Southern suburbs of France, Morocco coach Regragui started his career playing for several French clubs, including Toulouse, Ajaccio, Dijon and Grenoble. He earned his caps for the Moroccan national team as well.
After retiring from football, 46-year-old Regragui began his coaching career as an assistant coach with the Moroccan national team in 2012-2013 under Rachid Taoussi. He went on to become the head coach of FUS Rabat until 2020 when he moved to Qatar to coach top tier side Al Duhail.
Aliou Cissé, Senegal
African champions, Senegal, have been led by a local coach since 2015 when Aliou Cissé was handed the mantle. The decision paid off eight years later when the former national team captain led the Teranga Lions to their first-ever Africa Cup of Nations title and was also named the African Coach of the Year at the CAF Awards in July this year.
Now, the veteran coach leads the Teranga Lions to the World Cup for the second straight time, having led the team to qualify for the 2018 showpiece in Russia. Senegal earned qualification after turning round a first leg loss to Egypt’s Pharaohs, winning 3-1 on post-match penalties following a 1-1 aggregate draw.
Rigobert Song, Cameroun
Rigobert Song is not new to the FIFA World Cup. He played for Cameroun in the 1994 tournament in USA and at the next two tournaments in 1998 and 2002 and returned in 2010 as the most experienced player in the tournament and made just 27 minutes appearance against the Netherlands after which he called time on his international career.
For many years as the mainstay of the Indomitable Lions as the captain, 46-year-old Song returns to football’s biggest stage in a leadership position but from the touchline, a position he had held since his appointment on February 28, 2022. Song goes down in history as the second Camerounian coach (after the late Léonard Nseke who took the team to USA ’94) to have helped the Indomitable Lions qualify for the global showpiece.
Song’s team qualified for Qatar after overturning a 1-0 first leg defeat at the hands of Algeria to win 2-1 in the corresponding fixture in Algiers and qualified on the away goals rule. The valuable World Cup ticket proved to be the result the veteran needed to silence the doubters who had already queried the decision to hire him as national coach.
Jalel Kadri, Tunisia
Local boy Jalel Kadri helped Tunisia’s Carthage Eagles to the FIFA World Cup for the sixth time in their history. Appointed national team coach following their elimination from the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroun, Kadri embarked on a quick rebuilding mission and helped his country rise from that disappointment to qualify for the World Cup. The Tunisians waded off the young side of Mali to qualify with a slim 1-0 aggregate score.
The 50-year-old coach becomes the third local tactician after Abdelmajid Chetali (1978) and Nabil Maâloul (1998) to help Tunisia qualify for the FIFA World Cup.
Otto Addo, Ghana
Ghana’s Otto Addo displayed a brave coaching mettle to aid the Black Stars to the FIFA World Cup after victory over the highly fancied Nigeria in March, this year.
The former national star, who played for Ghana at the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany, was named head coach of the Black Stars shortly after their elimination from the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations, taking over from Serbian Milovan Rajevac, whom he previously served as assistant coach.
A 1-1 draw in Abuja following a 0-0 stalemate in Kumasi earned Ghana a ticket to the World Cup against all odds, with Ghana’s President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, appealing to the country’s FA to retain Addo to lead Ghana’s World Cup campaign.
Otto Addo guided Ghana to qualify for the World Cup against all odds after edging out Nigeria on the away goal’s rule after a 1-1 aggregate score.
The 46-year-old tactician, who is also an assistant coach at German Bundesliga side, Borussia Dortmund, managed to put up a perfect tactical plan to outshine a hugely talented Nigerian squad and now has everything to prove when he leads the Ghanaian side in Qatar.
The presence of the five African coaches at the FIFA World Cup in Qatar represents a giant step towards the development of African football.
This is enough proof that local expertise can also work well when and if given a chance. This will be an opportunity for the whole world to discover the ability of African tacticians and also a nod of approval to the training programme for African coaches at the Pro Licence of the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
The programme, launched for the first time in 2018, aims to obtain the highest certification of the CAF coach education system, the qualification of top level coaches in the world. –cafonline.com
Black Stars head coach Otto Addo admits the danger of integrating a number of new players into the squad ahead of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
Coach Addo handed debuts to Inaki Williams, Tariq Lamptey and Mohammed Salisu in Ghana’s pre-World Cup friendly defeat to Brazil last month. The Stars last 3-0 in France.
Williams and Lamptey are among five players who switched allegiance before the global showpiece.
“It’s always a danger to get new players, especially if the players who are there before achieve something really, really good,” said Addo, who oversaw the World Cup play-off win over Nigeria in March.
“There’s a group dynamic which I don’t want to break, but I think from what I saw they were welcomed well.
“They did well in training and get along with each other and it’s not like they were strangers. Before some knew each other from playing in the same league and everything is okay.”
Ghana will take on Switzerland in another preparatory game on November 17, seven days before their opening game at the 2022 FIFA World Cup against Portugal.
In a Facebook post on September 27, the singer observed that the ‘jama’ session which Asamoah Gyan frequently led played a crucial role in building team spirit.
He said since Gyan left, the morale which the celebrated striker brought has left the camp. Sonnie Badu maintained that the qualification of Black Stars to the World Cup may well have come on the back of luck having miraculously eliminated West African rivals, Nigeria.
He said Asamoah Gyan should be included in the Black Stars squad for the upcoming tournament before he is snatched for punditry duties.
“Soccer or football is off and on the pitch. Ever since he left the morale is gone. Who did he hand over the “Jama” singing to? It was all part of building the team sprit… I don’t know what has gone on, but he is needed before a pundit from super sport grabs him for the World Cup …
“Someone will say but we qualified against Nigeria without him , well hold on , That game was a no brainer .. I fear Ghana vrs IvoryCoast or Cameron but Ghana Nigeria has a history, luck is always on our side .. lol,” Sonnie Badu wrote on his Facebook page.
It will be recalled that Asamoah Gyan in an interview with BBC last month indicated his intention to play at the 2022 World Cup.
The comment by the football legend spilt heads as some argued that he will be of great help to the team with his experience whiles others argued that he is not fit to compete.
However former Black Stars winger Christian Atsu backed Asamoah Gyan’s intentions.
Atsu who took to social media and tweeted, “Honour @ASAMOAH_GYAN3 with his last wish.”
Gyan is Africa’s highest scorer at the World Cup with six goals and has played at three World Cups since 2006.
Gyan last played for the Ghana national team in 2019 at the AFCON where the Black Stars exited at the Round of 16 stage.
The striker last made a competitive appearance for Legon Cities in the 2020/21 Ghana Premier League season.
Pep Guardiola praised the “amazing” Lionesses of England, saying their victory at Euro 2022 has increased the pressure on Gareth Southgate’s team heading into the World Cup in Qatar.
With a 2-1 triumph over Germany in the Wembley final last month, Sarina Wiegman’s team ended 56 years of major tournament pain for England, outdoing the Three Lions’ performance in their Euro 2020 penalty shoot-out loss to Italy on the same field.
On home soil, the Lionesses shone throughout the competition, winning the title by scoring an incredible 22 goals in six games
According to Manchester City boss Guardiola, their achievements should serve not only as an inspiration to women across the country, but also as a marker for their male counterparts.
“I had the feeling every season, women’s football, the sport of women, is rising and getting better.
“It’s so nice for our daughters and for the next generations, what they have done. And thanks to all of you, because you pay more attention to what they do, and that’s why they get a final in their home country, at Wembley.
“[It was] a special moment, and I think it will put pressure on the men for the World Cup, and that is good, this is good.”
Guardiola’s praise comes in the same week as the retirements of two Lionesses legends, with the team’s record goalscorer Ellen White and second-most-capped player Jill Scott both hanging up their boots as European champions.
Southgate’s side will begin their World Cup campaign against Iran on November 21 before rounding off Group B by facing the United States and Wales.
Sam Johnson says he will support Asamoah Gyan’s desireto play in the Black Stars’ 2022 FIFA World Cup squad if he starts playing regularly.
Gyan in an interview with the BBC said he is keen on playing for the Black Stars at the World Cup in Qatar.
The 37-year-old last appearance for Ghana was during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations [AFCON] in Egypt where the team exited at the Round of 16 against Tunisia.
“All of us will start campaigning for Gyan to be part of the Black stars team if we see him playing active football before the start of the World Cup because we know what he can do,” Johnson told Otec FM.
Gyan is the all-time leading goalscorer of the Black Stars, with 51 goals. He represented Ghana at the 2006, 2010, and 2014 FIFA World Cups.
