GFA Foundation Supports Clubs And Communities Affected By Dam Spillage

GFA Foundation is supporting victims of the Akosombo and Kpong Dams spillage with an amount of One Hundred Thousand Ghana Cedis (GHS100,000.00).

The support will go to clubs of the Association and Communities affected by spillage. The amount is to be used to purchase relief items such as student mattresses, toiletries and food items (rice, gari, sugar and sachet water) and distributed to victims in the heavily affected areas.

The amount has already been transferred to the Volta Regional Football Association to enable them undertake the exercise on behalf of the Ghana Football Association within a period of a week.

The Volta Regional Football Association is the football administrative structure charged with the responsibility of developing football in both the Volta and Oti regions.

The Regional Football Association has been on the ground with some support after assessing the situation. The Volta Regional Football Association has since been sending daily updates and reports to the headquarters in Accra and coordinating the relief activities of the GFA.

The Board of Trustees of the GFA Foundation and the Executive Council of the Ghana Football Association approved and directed this humanitarian gesture.

President of the Ghana Football Association, Kurt Edwin Simeon-Okraku expressed the sympathies of the entire Association with victims of the spillage and further indicated the Association’s readiness to join any collective efforts to ameliorate the impact of future spillages.

The GFA Foundation is the social investment and sustainability management structure for the Ghana Football Association. The Foundation, coordinates all corporate social responsibility initiatives and charity projects and programmmes for the Football Association.

The GFA Foundation, launched in April 2023, has been undertaken several activities since the official launch.

Source : GFA COMMUNICATIONS

Ace Kickboxer and sports promoter, Steavano Tuekpe has promised to support young Ghanaians in rural areas with sporting talent and skill to become future champions and stars.

Speaking to Yours Truly in an exclusive interview on the future of Ghana Sports, he noted that talents abound massively, but these great talents need to be educated and managed to become heroes and super stars.

He said the youth who love sport need to be trained and exposed to modern games / sports and equipment as well as nutrition, discipline and other virtues and values.

He commended the Director General of the National Sports Authority (NSA), Prof. Peter Twumasi for his hard work and promised to start with the Ahafo Ano South West Constituency.

“I want to donate sports equipment to the youth of constituency. I want them to discover their talents and we shall support them to blossom” he expressed.

Steavano Tuekpe who organized the Africa Open Championship in July this year at Tema where five combat sports namely kickboxing, judo, karate do, taekwondo and MMA were competed is standing for the presidency of Ghana Kickboxing Association and urged all delegates to vote for him to change the face of the sport,

He promised to bring more equipment for training and organize more events and championships. He also pledged to take some of the best fighters out for seeding / ranking and international competition.

He wished the LOC for the 2023 African Games well and success.

He also commended the hardworking sports journalists of the Sports Writers Association of Ghana (SWAG) for their splendid elections.

Steavano is married to a German who is also very much interested in supporting Ghanaian sportsmen and women.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

Ghana and West Ham midfielder Kudus Mohammed has been nominated for the 2023 CAF awards. The continent’s football governing body revealed the list of nominees for the men’s categories for the CAF Awards 2023 as preparations for the Awards Gala scheduled for 11 December 2023 in Marrakech, Morocco, gather momentum.

A panel of CAF Technical Experts, African Football Legends and selected media representatives from a number of countries put together the preliminary list for the various categories with the performance of the nominees between November 2022 and September 2023 serving as the period under consideration.

Thirty (30) players made the cut for the top prize; CAF African Player of the Year, whilst 20 players have been nominated for the CAF Interclub Player of the Year. Coach of the Year, CAF National Team of the Year and Club of the Year have ten (10) nominees each just as CAF Young Player of the Year – for players under the age of 21.

For the first time, CAF has introduced the CAF African Goalkeeper of the Year Category (Men and Women) in the prestigious event that seeks to reward and celebrate exceptional Players, Officials and Administrators during the period under review.

It will be the first time that shot stoppers will be acknowledged for their performances, further expanding the network of winners for the annual event. 10 players have been nominated for the novel award.

The ultimate winner of each category will be decided after votes from a voting panel consisting of CAF Technical Committee, media professionals, Head Coaches & Captains of Member Associations and clubs involved in the group stages of the Interclub competitions.

The nominees for the Women’s categories will be announced in due course.

Senegal forward Sadio Mane was crowned CAF African Player of the Year whilst Nigeria’s Asisat Oshoala was coronated CAF African Women’s Player of the Year for a record fifth time during the last Awards Gala in July 2022 in Rabat, Morocco.

Full List of Nominees (in alphabetic order by Member Association):

Player of the Year (Men)

1. Ramy Bensebaini (Algeria and Borussia Dortmund)
2. Riyad Mahrez (Algeria and Al Ahli)
3. Edmond Tapsoba (Burkina Faso and Bayer Leverkusen)
4. Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa (Cameroon and SSC Napoli)
5. Vincent Aboubacar (Cameroon and Besiktas)
6. Ibrahima Sangare (Cote d’Ivoire and Nottingham Forest)
7. Seko Fofana (Cote d’Ivoire and Al Nassr)
8. Chancel Mbemba (DR Congo and Olympique Marseille)
9. Fiston Mayele (DR Congo and Pyramids)
10. Mahmoud Abdel Moneim “Kahraba” (Egypt and Ahly)
11. Mohamed Abdelmonem (Egypt and Al Ahly)
12. Mohamed ElShenawy (Egypt and Al Ahly)
13. Mohamed Salah (Egypt and Liverpool)
14. Mohammed Kudus (Ghana and West Ham United)
15. Thomas Partey (Ghana and Arsenal)
16. Serhou Guirassy (Guinea and VfB Stuttgart)
17. Yves Bissouma (Mali and Tottenham Hotspur)
18. Achraf Hakimi (Morocco and Paris Saint-Germain)
19. Azzedine Ounahi (Morocco and Olympique Marseille)
20. Hakim Ziyech (Morocco and Galatasaray)
21. Sofyan Amrabat (Morocco and Manchester United)
22. Yahya Jabrane (Morocco and Wydad Athletic Club)
23. Yassine Bounou (Morocco and Al Hilal)
24. Youssef En-Nesyri (Morocco and Sevilla)
25. Peter Shalulile (Namibia and Mamelodi Sundowns)
26. Victor Osimhen (Nigeria and SSC Napoli)
27. Sadio Mane (Senegal and Al Nassr)
28. Pape Matar Sarr (Senegal and Tottenham Hotspur)
29. Percy Tau (South Africa and Al Ahly)
30. Mohamed Ali Ben Romdhane (Tunisia and Ferencvaros)

Goalkeeper of the Year (Men)

1. Mohamed ElShenawy (Egypt and Al Ahly)
2. Yassine Bounou (Morocco & Al Hilal)
3. Andre Onana (Cameroon and Manchester United)
4. Ronwen Williams (South Africa and Mamelodi Sundowns)
5. Edouard Mendy (Senegal and Al Ahli)
6. Oussama Benbot (Algeria and USM Alger)
7. Youssef El Motie (Morocco and Wydad Athletic Club)
8. Djigui Diarra (Mali and Young Africans)
9. Pape Mamadou Sy (Senegal and Generation Foot)
10. Landing Badji (Senegal and AS Pikine)

Interclub Player of the Year (Men)

1. Aymen Mahious (Algeria and USM Alger/Yverdon-Sport)
2. Oussama Benbot (Algeria and USM Alger)
3. Zineddine Belaid (Algeria and USM Alger)
4. Fiston Mayele (DR Congo and Young Africans/Pyramids)
5. Makabi Lilepo (DR Congo and Al Hilal/Valenciennes)
6. Hussein El Shahat (Egypt and Al Ahly)
7. Mahmoud Abdel Moneim “Kahraba” (Egypt and Ahly)
8. Mohamed Abdelmonem (Egypt and Al Ahly)
9. Mohamed ElShenawy (Egypt and Al Ahly)
10. Mostafa Fathi (Egypt and Pyramids)
11. Djigui Diarra (Mali and Young Africans)
12. Yahia Attiyat Allah (Morocco and Wydad Club Athletic)
13. Yahya Jabrane (Morocco and Wydad Athletic Club)
14. Youssef El Motie (Morocco and Wydad Athletic Club)
15. Peter Shalulile (Namibia and Mamelodi Sundowns)
16. Percy Tau (South Africa and Al Ahly)
17. Ranga Chivaviro (South Africa and Marumo Gallants/Kaizer Chiefs)
18. Ronwen Williams (South Africa and Mamelodi Sundowns)
19. Ali Maaloul (Tunisia and Al Ahly)
20. Mohamed Ali Ben Romdhane (Tunisia and Esperance Sportive de Tunis /Ferencvaros)

Young Player of the Year (Men)

1. Dango Ouattara (Burkina Faso and Bournemouth)
2. Souleymane Alio (Burkina Faso and New Stars)
3. Ernest Nuamah (Ghana & Olympique Lyonnais)
4. Abdessamad Ezzalzouli (Morocco and Betis)
5. Bilal El Khannous (Morocco and Genk)
6. Gift Orban (Nigeria and KAA Gent)
7. Lamine Camara (Senegal and Generation Foot/Metz)
8. Pape Amadou Diallo (Senegal and Generation Foot/Metz)
9. Pape Demba Diop (Senegal and Zulte Waregem)
10. Amara Diouf (Senegal and Generation Foot)

Coach of the Year (Men)

1. Abdelhak Benchikha (USM Alger)
2. Marcel Koller (Al Ahly)
3. Juan Micha Obiang (Equatorial Guinea)
4. Tom Saintfiet (The Gambia)
5. Baciro Cande (Guinea Bissau)
6. Amir Abdou (Mauritania)
7. Walid Regragui (Morocco)
8. Chiquinho Conde (Mozambique)
9. Aliou Cisse (Senegal)
10. Pape Thiaw (Senegal – CHAN)

National Team of the Year (Men)

1. Cape Verde
2. The Gambia
3. Guinea Bissau
4. Equatorial Guinea
5. Mauritania
6. Morocco
7. Mozambique
8. Namibia
9. Senegal
10. Tanzania

Club of the Year (Men)

1. CR Belouizdad (Algeria)
2. USM Alger (Algeria)
3. ASEC Mimosas (Cote d’Ivoire)
4. Al Ahly (Egypt)
5. Raja Club Athletic (Morocco)
6. Wydad Athletic Club (Morocco)
7. Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa)
8. Marumo Gallants (South Africa)
9. Esperance de Tunis (Tunisia)
10. Young Africans (Tanzania)

CAF Communications

Ghanaian Kickboxers, S. Darku, A. E. Adjartey, A. H. Sani And Others To Represent Ghana  At  2023 World Classic Championship In USA

International Kickboxing Federation-PKB Ghana, will be representing at the upcoming International Kickboxing Federation (IKF) West Coast Classics in Los Angeles, California, USA from 26th to 29th January, 2024.

They also have other events and sparring sessions in February and April.

Amazing and highly ranked ranked fighter, Selom Darku of Accra Central is among the list of fighters who will make the trip alongside Basir Samir, Rahman Anang and Alfred Emmanuel Adjartey who  are fighters expected to travel to USA to defend the flag of Ghana..

Custom Championship belts, Men-Women- Junior, Full and semi contact, 4 Rule styles and 4 classes are the disciplines to be fought for with awards expected to be offered to fighters who makes a good mark.

FIGHTERS PROFILE

Alfred Emmanuel Adjartey aka Kila

Weight : 65kg

Fight record : 14-0-0(12 KO) 4 international fights with 2 gold medals

Former lightweight and light welter weight National and West African champion

Current Armed Forces best boxer.

Watch fights in the link below

https://youtu.be/lf6uxeNrWVs

Rahman Anang

First fight in 2018

African championship Bukum squad Accra (won)

Second fight on 8 Sept 2018

Fight 1 Accra sports stadium (won)

Third fight in July 2019, Mens championship Togo (lost)

Fourth fight in March 2021, Greater Accra championship (won)

https://twitter.com/ikfpkbg71392/status/1669071625667461169?s=46

Selom Darku aka ‘Spiderman’

Weight:76KG, Height: 5.9

Fights: Wins (14), Lose (1l) Draw (0) KO’S (0).

Had fights in Togo and Nigeria. In January, 2022 Won in Cote D’Ivoire.

The young fighter first made appearance in the ring sine September 17, 2011 in a global champion held in Togo an has since moved away from an amateur to a professional kickboxer and won glory for Ghana.

Darku, engaged in the 2012 Championship in Nigeria before appearing in the 2016 tournament in Ivory Coast four years later. In March, 30 2019 he made the squad for the Nigeria championship where he did not disappoint but won a medal for IKF Pkb.

Selom won his last fight in Lome, Togo where he was awarded a medal.

https://twitter.com/ikfpkbg71392/status/1667889441220837376?s=46

https://twitter.com/ikfpkbg71392/status/1667278102441996295?s=46

John Akurigo

The 38-year old fighter who begun a path for kickboxing made his debut in October, 29 2004, where he fought at the middle division is amongst the list of kickboxers who can not be overlooked with his hardwork and determination.

Akurigo, in 23 bouts recorded 17 Knockouts with 6 loses, having fought both in Ghana and outside the shores of the west Africa country. He had a per cent of 69.57 Knockouts in all his bouts.

He became a household name in Kickboxing after winning a major championship title in 2017 at the Accra Sports and couple of other silverware.

In 2013, he fought Steven Bendall where he defeated him in Cologne Germany.

He is a boxer and does kickboxing as well. Watch clips

https://twitter.com/ikfpkbg71392/status/1667274388629069825?s=46

https://twitter.com/ikfpkbg71392/status/1667274157778771971?s=46

Abdul Hadi Sani

Won is first professional fight in Accra sports stadium in 2016.

Won in Lome, Togo in 2017 another professional fight

He is one of the young fighters to watch with seven good years undefeated. Sani is one of the underground 50 fighters with three professional fights since 2017, featuring in National Ghana Mix Martial Arts Tournaments in 2022 and to Dubai and Abu Dhabi in 2018 as well as Togo Open Championship.

Ghanaian Kickboxers are very good and have been training very seriously for the up coming events.

Mr. Emmanuel Akpali, a member of IKF Ghana said the fighters from Ghana are poised for victory.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

The new slogan in Ghana football is ‘Oly Blue Jeans’ after the Wonder Club secured a lucrative sponsorship deal worth $50,000 from Bubget Cash & Carry, one of the oldest companies to produce energy drinks on the local market.

Nana Egyir Aggrey I, CEO of Budget Cash & Carry urged Olympics players to win the Premier League this season.

HE Amarkai Amarteifio ESQ thanked the company and the CEO and all the supporters of the club.

Present at the impressive ceremony was the chairman of GHALCA, Mr. Kudjoe Fianoo, Mr. Olloboi Commodore, Mr. Fred Pappoe and other top officials of the club.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

Lionel Messi wins eighth Men's Ballon d'Or award trophy, beating Erling Haaland to second position

Argentina and Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi has won the Men's Ballon d'Or for an eighth time.

The 36-year-old was recognised at the ceremony in Paris after helping his country win the World Cup in Qatar last year.

England and Real Madrid midfielder Jude Bellingham won the Kopa Trophy for the world's best player aged under 21.

Messi won his record-extending Ballon d'Or award ahead of Manchester City forward Erling Haaland.

France forward Kylian Mbappe - who became just the second man to score a World Cup final hat-trick in the 4-2 penalty shootout loss to Argentina - finished third.

"It's nice to be here once more to enjoy this moment," Messi said. "To be able to win the World Cup and achieve my dream."

The former Barcelona and Paris St-Germain star added: "I couldn't imagine having the career I've had and everything I've achieved, the fortune I've had to be part of the best team in history.

Norway international Haaland scored a record-breaking 36 goals in 35 league games and hit 52 in all competitions as City won the Treble of Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup.

He was recognised for his achievements with the Gerd Muller Trophy for best goalscorer.

"I want to thank Manchester City, the whole club," said Haaland.

"I also want to thank my family and all the people around me for making me who I am today."

Messi moves further out in front of the rest

The Ballon d'Or recognises the best footballer of the year and is voted for by 100 journalists from around the world.

As well as helping Argentina to World Cup glory, Messi also played a key role as Inter Miami won their first trophy - the Leagues Cup - and has scored 11 goals in 14 appearances for the Major League Soccer side.

He has now won three more Ballon d'Or awards than anyone else, with Cristiano Ronaldo having won it five times, most recently in 2017.

The Portugal international, who plays for Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia, was not named on the shortlist for the first time since 2003.

Martinez recognised as world's best goalkeeper

Argentina World Cup winner and Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez won the Yashin Trophy for the best goalkeeper in the world.

Martinez won the Golden Glove in Qatar, saving a spot-kick from Kingsley Coman in the penalty shootout win against France in the final.

He also helped Aston Villa finish seventh in the Premier League and secure a place in the Europa Conference League.

However, Martinez was jeered by some of the crowd at the Paris ceremony. The goalkeeper was criticised for this celebration after winning the World Cup against France last year.

Manchester City win club of year award

Manchester City were named the club of the year at the awards for the second year running.

Pep Guardiola's side became only the second English team to win the Treble of Champions League, Premier League and FA Cup last season.

They had seven players shortlisted for the men's Ballon d'Or award.

Vinicius Jr recognised as he vows to fight against racism

Real Madrid winger Vinicius Jr received the Socrates Award for his contribution off the field and vowed to keep speaking out against racism in world football.

Vinicius has been the target of racist abuse regularly in La Liga games for the past two seasons.

He was recognised for starting a foundation that is building schools in impoverished areas and investing in education in Brazil.

"I will remain strong in the fight against racism," said the Brazilian. "It is a very sad thing to talk about racism nowadays, but we have to continue in the fight so that people suffer less."

Beckham pays tribute to Sir Bobby Charlton

Former England and Manchester United midfielder David Beckham presented the men's Ballon d'Or to Messi, but before announcing the winner he paid tribute to Sir Bobby Charlton.

The England World Cup winner died at the age of 86 earlier this month.

"I probably don't have to tell this room how special Sir Bobby was to the world of football," Beckham said.

"He was respected on the field for what he won but was respected even more off the field for what he stood for.

"He will be missed. When we looked up into the stands he would always be there cheering us on.

"He started it off for me. If it was not for Sir Bobby turning around to Manchester United and saying 'watch this young man' I probably would not have played for Manchester United.

"I owe him everything."

Ballon d'Or top 10

1. Lionel Messi (Argentina and PSG/Inter Miami)
2. Erling Haaland (Norway and Manchester City)
3. Kylian Mbappe (France and PSG)
4. Kevin De Bruyne (Belgium and Manchester City)
5. Rodri (Spain and Manchester City)
6. Vinicius Jr (Brazil and Real Madrid)
7. Julian Alvarez (Argentina and Manchester City)
8. Victor Osimhen (Nigeria and Napoli)
9. Bernardo Silva (Portugal and Manchester City)
10. Luka Modric (Croatia and Real Madrid)

Source BBC

Ghana Olympic Committee Urges Black Queens To "Finish The Job" Against Benin

The Ghana Olympic Committee (GOC)has trumpeted a strong goodwill message to the senior women's national team of Ghana - Black Queens.

Ahead of the 2nd leg, second round of the 2024 Olympic Games Football qualifier between Ghana and Benin, the GOC has rallied support for the women with President Ben Nunoo Mensah urging the same total focus and commitment that has seen a remarkable sequence of victories for Ghana.

"I am urging all our supporters to turn up and raise their voices very loud to cheer on the girls to complete their assignment "

Ghana leads 3-0 after the first leg at the Friendship Stadium in Cotonou on Friday.

It would be recalled that the GOC first motivated the Queens with $ 8,990  dollars and just recently, added  $22.300 dollars to help with their preparations for  qualification.                             

Even with the emphatic 3-0 scoreline, the Swiss coach of the Black Queens, Nora Hauptle, said the game was very  iintense for her players and the coaching staff but they stuck to a well drilled game plan.

“We have to be 100% focused at home as well because Benin is a very strong opponent,”

The Black Queens remain on course for the prestigious football tournament in Paris after they beat Guinea 7-0 on aggregate to make it to the second round where they lead Benin by three unanswered goals.

Source GOC Communications

...Division 3 Steel Benders beat Division 1 Nadowli Utd

Football in the Upper-West is growing players like Kudus Mohammed and others from the region who need some attention and support

Most of these rising stars in the region are capable of rubbing shoulder, with others in other places.

According to James Thompson, a sports Organiser and Promoter, sooner than later, the country will fetch lots of good players from that part of Ghana to play for the national team.

He said it is time for the Member of Parliament of the area Hon. Seidu Dapilah the MCE and Chiefs and stake holders in the area turn their focus on all the football teams in the area and push them to the national premier league level.

On Sunday a cliffhanger match was played between division three side, Jirapa Steel Benders FC beat first division campaigners, Nadowli United 2-1. Nadowli FC in an entertaining and interesting friendly game.

The visitors took the lead in the early part of the second half, after a scoreless first half. The goal was equalized by Francis aka Messi, the team captain of the Jirapa Steel Benders FC..

In about ten minutes time, the home side added another beautiful goal through Akran to make it 2-1 in favor of Jirapa Steel Benders FC.

Captain of Jirapa Steel Benders who is a player to watch said they are ready to play any big club in Ghana, and the focus is on the national teams level.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

Tyson Fury was knocked down by Francis Ngannou in the third round

Fury got back to his feet and fought his way back into the contest

There was little to split the pair, but Fury just got the nod from the judges

By Jeff Powell

Tyson Fury, his massive paymasters, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the best laid plans of world heavyweight boxing were shaken to the roots before the Gypsy King staged the narrowest of escapes from the sensational loss of his unbeaten record.

A single point on the third card of a split decision saved the hundreds of millions of dollars in waiting for Fury to dispute with Oleksandr Usyk and preserved a shot at the honour of becoming the first undisputed world heavyweight champion for more than a decade.

The Ukrainian, holder of the other title belts not in the fiefdom of the Gypsy King, was sitting at ringside and how he must have been wishing this had been his night in the ring with a Fury as sluggish and disjointed as this.

And to think that this source of screaming alarm was a UFC fighter crossing over for his first official boxing match.

Francis Ngannou gave such a magnificent account of himself that no-one would have begrudged him the triumph of his life. Except the financiers with plenty to lose.

Has there ever been a boxing debut this remarkable? In the end he missed out by one score of 95-94 in his favour to two - 94-95 and 96-93 respectively - in favour of Fury. Technically I have to agree with the King keeping his crown but it was a closer call than any of us truly imagined. An exhibition match? This was a war.

Fury lives to make another mint and fight another day. Whether that day against Usyk will be December 23 remains to be seen by how quickly recovers from being flattened in the third round – he got up from a knock down as he usually does – and being banged about quite a bit by a supposedly cleverly-chosen opponent.

Whatever Iron Mike Tyson taught Ngannou in recent weeks, it came close to paying enormous dividends.

Dawn had broken over the desert to confirmation that the big fight had been sanctioned as on official boxing match by the British Boxing Board of Control.

The organisers had been pressing for this recognition for weeks - with Fury’s encouragement, even though this put him at risk of losing his cherished status as undefeated. So this fight suddenly materialised on his official record, awaiting only the result. That would be a while coming on this long night.

It all began in the so-called Undercard Arena, an understatement in massive contrast to the concerted advertising of the main event.

This was situated in the mild outdoors in front of the vaulted stage and monster screens which had been the setting for the star-studded events of fight week. Many a world title fight has been disputed in far less salubrious surroundings.

But this was not good enough for the Battle of the Baddest. So in Saudi Arabia you get two arenas for the price of one.

A few steps away, the Boulevard Yard Hall awaited Fury and Ngannou. A 20,000 seater venue which had been constructed on virgin soil in only 90 days, in astonishing contrast to the three years it would have taken to build in London or Las Vegas. And just in time.

They were still putting the finishing touches to Riyadh’s latest sporting mecca as the first supporting bout began outside. Unlike many an Olympic venue, this complex will not go to rot after its first big night. The Undercard Arena will be busy again before Fury fights Usyk on December 23. With more of its ilk to come.

The big hall is designed not only so it can keep putting on the mega-fights and big bands but also to be transformed into an indoor football stadium for the Saudi League team in which Neymar now plays. First match next week.

On opening night it was a cathedral fit for a king. The Gypsy King.

The Undercard Arena had been a hive of excitement and when the last bell sounded the full crowd of some 3,000 went charging over to join the biggest collection of all-time greats, principally from boxing but also from showbiz and other sports, ever gathered in one place.

JEFF POWELL'S SCORECARD

ROUND 1 - Fury 10-9 Ngannou

ROUND 2 - Fury 9-10 Ngannou

ROUND 3 - Fury 8-10 Ngannou

ROUND 4 -  Fury 10-9 Ngannou

ROUND 5 - Fury 10-9 Ngannou

ROUND 6 - Fury 10-9 Ngannou

ROUND 7 - Fury 10-9 Ngannou

ROUND 8 - Fury 9-10 Ngannou

ROUND 9 - Fury 10-9 Ngannou

ROUND 10 - Fury 10-9 Ngannou

FINAL SCORE: Fury 96-93 Ngannou

That arena was already heaving in anticipation of the electrifying song, dance, fire and light show which opened the Riyadh season - a festival packed with concerts, art, culture and multiple sports which runs well into the New Year all across the capital.

Here was emergent Saudi Arabia revealing its new self to the world.

The show was a stunning spectacle of thunderous noise and pounding dancers and it came to a crescendo as the ring rose through the floor to greet the gladiators.

But if there is a single sportsman on earth with the raging charisma to make himself the star of a night such as this it is Tyson Fury. At well past one in the morning it was his turn to take the stage. Rising from a golden throne shedding the robes and crown of a monarch and jogging to confront Ngannou.

Fury was stripped and itching to go while Michael Buffer was still getting us Ready to Rumble. Then he told Ngannou: ‘I’m gonna bash you up.’ The first bash, a right, came from Ngannou but after some fending Fury imposed his left jab and took the round with a hefty right.

Ngannou was showing better ringcraft than expected, however, and in the second round Fury switched to southpaw to try to confuse. It worked to some extent but not enough to save the round.

Round three, if in any doubt, proved this was no exhibition. A serious fight. Tyson was rocked back by a heavy left. Then a monster of the same variety and here was the first sensation delivered by the former UFC star. Down went Tyson and although he rose from adversity as usual, the shock was as palpable in the crowd as in the ring.

Ngannou had the confidence to turn southpaw at times, and hurt Fury on multiple occasions

Ngannou had the confidence to turn southpaw at times, and hurt Fury on multiple occasions

Caught again by the heavy handed Ngannou in round four, Fury was having to clinch at times to keep him at bay. Although he edged the round with a late burst of action.

Sensing his fortunes and a career were in jeopardy, Fury responded in the fifth with two huge rights which rocked Ngannou. In the sixth, he went into hit and dance mode but this was now about winning somehow, no matter how it looked.

There were cheers for Mike Tyson when his face went up on the screen during the seventh, and whatever the Iron Man had taught Ngannou, it had turned this from a show into a war.

Ngannou was back in business in round eight with two massive left hooks which sent Fury reeling and then a flurry of punches which had the Gypsy King close to being floored again.

Was disaster pending? Fury kept the left jab working to keep the points mounting  and stay of trouble in the ninth, ensuring we went the distance.

To the last and Fury boxed it through with his left, presumably believing he had done just about enough. He had. Though only just.

Source www.dailymail.co.uk/sport

Fouzi Lekjaa, Pedro Rocha, and Fernando Soares Gomes da Silva at the signing ceremony.

The president of the Moroccan, Spanish, and Portuguese football federations gathered in Rabat on Saturday to sign the letter of intentions for their hosting of the 2030 World Cup.

President of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) Fouzi Lekjaa, President of the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) Pedro Rocha, and President of the Portuguese Football Federation Fernando Soares Gomes da Silva attended the signing ceremony.

Speaking at the event, Lekjaa said the tournament will be "exceptionally historic" and that the three countries are aiming to organize the best edition of the World Cup.

He additionally highlighted the historic nature of the competition as it will bring together two different continents and three cultures.

The Moroccan official added that the joint candidature of the three countries will be immortalized in football history in “golden letters” as it brings together three countries with “ties in the past, the present, and the future.”

The sentiment was echoed by da Silva, who described the signing as “historic” and recalled that the 2030 World Cup will also mark the 100th anniversary of the global competition.

Rocha also said the joint Morocco-Portugal-Spain bid to organize the World Cup is evidence of “unity and cooperation” as it brings different cultures together to organize a successful event.

The three countries were awarded the hosting rights by FIFA earlier this month, while Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay are set to host the tournament’s three opening games. This means the tournament will be the first to take place across three continents.

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