Head coach of the Black Stars, Chris Hughton and his assistant George Boateng, have arrived in Charlotte ahead of Ghana's friendly against Mexico.

The former Brighton manager and the ex-Aston Villa midfielder inspected the training facilities of MLS side, Charlotte FC, where the Black Stars will be preparing for the Mexico.

The Black Stars will face the North Americans at the home venue of Charlotte FC on October 14, 2023 before engaging the United States three days later.

The four-time African champions are preparing for next month's World Cup qualifiers as well as the Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast next year.

Ghana will find out their group opponents at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in a draw to be held on October 12 in Abidjan.

Coach Chris Hughton has invited 23 players for the friendlies against the United States and Mexico.

ghanasoccernet

For all his wealth and worth, George Zhu is also known to be a very low key man and some have even suggested that he is media shy.

The founder and President of Tecno Telecommunications may easily come across as a trusted primary school teacher who quietly motivates his students without fuss or hype.

He prefers to talk about gadgets, technology business and numbers; allowing instead, his vastly talented pool of staff, consultants and managers to follow the template which has worked to perfection so far.

I must confess without apologies, that I was struggling to find the right questions initially to ask the man. After all, we don't sit around a table with a billionaire very often.

But once I quickly regained my composure, it was back to factory settings.

I asked Mr Zhu if he had  always dreamt of building this mega brand called TECNO ?

"I did not build it alone. It is always team work. That's our philosophy"

It was evident that he did not want to talk about himself but rather the business. A common trait often found in great achievers because they are always looking to discover, unveil or create the next big thing.

According to Forbes, TECNO over the years has secured their position as the leading smartphone provider in African markets such as Nigeria, Ghana, Tanzania, Egypt, Kenya and Cameroon.

Smart evolution and loyalty to their customer base has been key to sustaining the rise of TECNO Mobile as they embark on venturing to other emerging markets such as Latin America, Southeast Asia, India and the Middle East.

The pioneer was born and raised in the southern Chinese city of Kaiping, with a population of just over 600,000 people within the Guangdong province.

It is not an industry secret that Mr Zhu started from scratch, literally at ground zero,  working his way up with a clear vision at a frightening pace.

Zhu has earned his status and his place as a  BILLIONAIRE  businessman in an exclusive class of technological gurus.

So naturally, expectations were high, ahead of the multi launch related  programmes held in Singapore which was excellently put together by some of the smartest Tech-event organisers in the business.

Each session was very well attended giving participants good opportunities to network and engage with industry stakeholders, managers, CEOs and media representatives from five continents.

The expanding empire of George Zhu also includes Transsion Holdings based in Hong Kong; producing exquisite mobile phones and high quality electronic appliances.

In addition, Zhu is co-founder of Zhima Tech, a wireless company made specifically for the collections of data.

Addressing a gathering of business leaders in Asia, the  technology guru chose rather to thank pioneers as well as Tecno Mobile partners across continents including Ghana's Maxwell Techie Franko Trading and Kumasi based dealer  MichFrim; known in private life as Michael Osei Frimpong.

On consecutive nights that the future of Tecno was projected in Singapore, there was also ample time for sober reflections as well as honoring the pace setters on the African continent for their immense contributions to the spread of the Tecno brand in Ghana and beyond.

The biggest take away for me was the few minutes of conversation with George Zhu which  made me realize that apart from his brilliant visionary mind, the simplicity and humility of the man is what actually makes him so great.

By Yaw Ampofo Ankrah

Mark Addo has been re-elected to serve as Vice President of the Ghana Football Association (GFA) for another term.

The decision to retain him in this role was reached through unanimous approval from the GFA's Executive Council.

Dr. Ransford Abbey nominated Mark Addo for the position, with Frederick Acheampong seconding the nomination. Following these formalities, the other members of the Council unanimously voted in favour of Mark Addo's continued tenure as Vice President.

This re-election adheres to Article 37(3) of the GFA Statutes 2019, which stipulates that "The Vice President of the Executive Council shall be elected from amongst the Members of the Executive Council at its maiden sitting. He shall act in the absence of the President."

In response to his reappointment, Vice President Mark Addo expressed his gratitude to the Council members and called for their support to carry on the positive work.

"I am humbled by the gesture from my brother Dr. Randy Abbey and my colleagues that I have worked with for the past four years. I have learnt a lot from you and I know you have also learnt a bit from me in our first term," he said.

"It’s not been easy but with the guidance of the President, we have been able to go through it. On the fact that we have started something special in the football ecosystem and the overwhelming support and affirmation from the football family speaks volumes of our work in the last four years."

"The reality is that we have made a positive impact in Ghana Football. I will seek your support to back the President so that our football will be among the best if not the best in Africa" he added.

Ghanasoccernet

    The president of world's football governing body, FIFA, Gianni Infantino has sent his congratulatory message to Kurt Okraku following his re-election as GFA boss.

Mr Okraku was retained as Ghana Football Association president after securing 97.5% of votes during the elective congress in Tamale last week.

The GFA chief will lead the federation for another four years.

‘’Dear President, Please accept my warmest greetings and sincerest congratulations for your recent re-election as President of the Ghana Football Association (GFA)," a statement for the FIFA boss reads.

"I would be grateful if you could please convey my felicitations to the Members of the Executive Council elected with you, while I seize the opportunity to thank you for all your efforts, your work and your important contribution to the development of our sport and the promotion of its values in Ghana.

"Sending you and your team my best wishes for this new mandate and every success for all the challenges that lie ahead, I look forward, dear President, to continuing to work with you for the growth and prosperity of football in Ghana in the years to come.”

Ghanasoccernet

The Main Event has been confirmed that Antoine Vanackère will box on November 25 at the Charleroi dome and will be the hand event against an undefeated opponent from Ghana called Faisal Abubakar on 15 fights.

Faisal Abubakar aka ‘Ponco Power’ fights from the Charles Qyartey Boxing Foundation at Timber Market and he is one of Ghana’s hopes for a world title.

Speaking to him yesterday, Abubakar said he will not let this opportunity to launch himslf on the international scene slip.

“Am going to Belguim in Europe to vim” he expressed

According to the 12 Rounds Promoters, this is a fight not to be missed under any circumstances.

More Information on the bout and boxers as well as tickets are in the pipe line.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

The newly elected executives of the Ghana Athletics (GA) have paid a courtesy call on the Director General of the National Sports Authority, Prof Peter Twumasi, yesterday.

Led by the newly elected President of the Association, Mr Bawa Fuseini, they expressed their appreciation to the DG for his guidance to ensure peaceful electoral congress that produced the leadership, and also his immense support for the GA since 2019 when he led the NSA.

They shared their vision for the next 4 years and appealed for stronger collaboration with government. Prof Twumasi congratulated them and assured them of his agency's continuous support for development and promotion of athletics.

Courtesy NSA

✅ Youngest player to play for Barcelona

✅ Youngest player to score for Barcelona

✅ Youngest player to play for Spain

✅ Youngest player to score for Spain

✅ Youngest player to score in LaLiga history

Former Black Stars coach Kwesi Appiah will take charge of the Sudan national team as the head coach and operate from Saudi Arabia due to political instability in Sudan.

Appiah, aka Mayele and known for his coaching experience, having led the Black Stars to two Africa Cup of Nations tournaments and the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil, is set to transform the Sudanese national team.

He will be assisted by former Techiman Eleven Wonders and Dreams FC coach, Ignatius Osei Fosu, and ex-Black Stars goalkeeper, Fatau Dauda, who will serve as the team’s goalkeeper trainer.

Appiah’s immediate tasks will be to prepare the Sudanese team for their upcoming international fixtures against Togo and DR Congo in the World Cup qualifiers.

Despite his new responsibilities with Sudan, Appiah will continue to oversee activities at Asante Kotoko, where he currently holds the position of technical director.

Coach Appiah has also been voted on the Ghana Football Association’s Executive Committee after the Elective Congress last week.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

CAF President Patrice Motsepe sends Kurt Okraku congratulatory message after re-election

President of the Confederation of African Football, Patrice Motsepe has congratulated GFA boss, Kurt Okraku, on his re-election.

Kurt Okraku secured an overwhelming 97.5% of votes cast to retain his seat as the president of Ghana's football federation.

In a statement to Mr Okraku, Dr Motsepe wished the GFA capo the best while adding he is looking forward to work with him in his new tenure.

‘’My dear Brother Kurt, It is my pleasure to express my most sincere congratulations to you on your re-election for four more years as President of the Ghana Football Association (“GFA”) which took place on Thursday 5 October 2023 in Tamale, Ghana," the statement read.

"Your re-election is an indication of your memberships’ trust and confidence in your leadership. You have done excellent work to promote and develop football in Ghana and on the African Continent. I wish you everything of the best during the new period of your leadership and look forward to seeing you again.’’

Kurt Okraku will serve as FA president till October 2027.

ghanasoccernet.com

Veteran Ghanaian coach Joseph Emmanuel Sarpong, has commended the re-election of Kurt Okraku as the President of the Ghana Football Association (GFA).

Okraku secured his second term by standing unopposed and earning 117 out of 120 votes in the presidential election held in Tamale.

Sarpong expressed his support for Okraku's re-election, emphasizing the positive direction he believes it signifies for Ghanaian football.

He noted that Okraku's tenure had faced challenges and criticism but stressed that many football enthusiasts recognized his dedication and plans for the sport's improvement.

Sarpong stated, "Choosing Kurt again is a very good decision for Ghana Football because one who climbs a good tree always gets a push."

He further pointed out that, over the past four years, Okraku had worked to address issues within the football administration and deserved the opportunity to continue his efforts.

"It’s a human institution and by own means, there will be enemies and obstacles. Some may dislike you and others may like you just because of what you have.

"Kurt Okraku has gone through bashing. Some of us have spoken about him but the football people have seen that he can do something if they give him the opportunity because of his plans and what he is doing.

"Don’t forget that things were not good four years ago. I always say that they should allow him to go. Maybe he has other things to do. It is the continuation of the system. Is a very good decision for the football lovers," he ended.

The veteran coach's endorsement reflects the sentiment of many in the Ghanaian football community, who believe that Okraku's leadership will contribute to the positive development of the sport in the country.

Source Ghanasoccernet