The Ghana Football Association (GFA) has announced that the Black Stars will face off with the national team of the USA in October.

In an official Communique from the Ghana FA, it said the friendly will be played on October 17.

It will be four days after the USA national team also locks horns with former world champions Germany.

“USA face Germany on October 14 at Rentschler Field at Pratt & Whitney Stadium in Hartford; US Men National Team Will Make First Visit to GEODIS Park in Nashville on October 17 against Ghana

“The U.S. Men’s National Team will host four-time World champions Germany and Ghana in two high-profile friendly matches in October 2023 in preparation for its quarterfinal matches in the Concacaf Nations League the following month.

“The U.S.A first face Germany on Saturday, October 14 in Hartford, Conn. Kickoff from Rentschler Field at Pratt & Whitney Stadium is set for 3 p.m. ET and the match will be broadcast live on TNT and Telemundo and streamed on Max and Peacock. The Yanks will later player the Black Stars of Ghana three days later, in its first visit to GEODIS Park in Nashville, Tenn. TNT and Universo will televise the match with Max and Peacock streaming at 8 p.m. ET, followed by kickoff at 8:30 p.m. ET,” parts of a communique on the website of the Ghana FA said on Tuesday.

For now, the attention of the Black Stars is on the Africa Cup of Nations qualification match against Madagascar.

That game will be played on June 18.

Footballghana

The Association of Africa Sports Confederation (AASC) has re-confirmed the sports code to participate in next year’s Africa Games to be held in Accra, Ghana from March 8-23.

A total of 25 sporting disciplines have been selected to compete in the 13th edition of the Games which was originally scheduled to take place this year.

Out of the 25 disciplines, nine of them would be an Olympic qualifying event while eleven would be non-Olympic qualifiers and the remaining five would be a demonstration sport.

In a statement issued and signed by the President of AASC, Major General Ahmed Nasser, to the selected disciplines and sighted by the Ghana News Agency congratulated the selected disciplines.

The various sports codes were confirmed during the last meeting of the TCAG of the African Games convened on the 17th of May 2023 between the stakeholders AASC, AU, ANOCA, and the LOC.

He mentioned that the Olympic qualifying disciplines are Badminton, Basketball (3X3), Cycling, Swimming, Table Tennis, Taekwondo, Table Tennis, Triathlon, and Wrestling.

The non-Olympic qualifying event would also be armwrestling, athletics, beach volleyball, boxing, cricket, football, field hockey, judo, rugby, volleyball, and weightlifting.

E-Sports, Mixed Martial Arts, Speedball, Sambo and Teqball would also be played as demonstration sports.

Major Nasser added that “Sports have always been an important part of Ghana’s culture, bringing people together and fostering a sense of community, and the Local Organizing Committee of Ghana Games has been instrumental in promoting and developing sports in the country.”

He said they believed the African Games 13th Edition in Ghana would provide a significant opportunity for athletes from respective confederations to connect with their peers and showcase their talents, in addition to bringing all of Africa together.

Ghana won the bid to host the 13th edition of the Africa Games over five years ago but could not get facilities ready to host the Games hence the postponement. The Borteyman Stadium, a new facility earmarked to host the Games is still under construction as well as the University of Ghana Sports Stadium.

Several activities and events like volunteering and other human resources needed for the Games are yet to be recruited. Communication and sensitization of the citizens about the Games has not been effective but the LOC headed by Dr Kwaku Ofosu-Asare is optimistic that the Games would be a success.

Although timelines and dates for test events to be held to assess the readiness of Ghana’s facilities for the Games are yet to be announced, the country is hoping to host about 5,000 athletes and officials from the continent during the Games period.

NewsGhana

Ghana coach Chris Hughton has invited 24 players for the penultimate 2023 Africa Nations Group E qualifier against Madagascar next month.

Hughton has made some notable selections for the crucial match, set to take place on Sunday, June 18, 2023, at Stade Kianja Barea in Antananarivo.

Two players, Alidu Seidu and Kwasi Okyere Wreidt, have earned a return to the squad after their impressive performances.

Additionally, Ernest Nuamah, who plays for Nordsjaelland in the Danish Superliga and scored 15 goals this season, has received his first senior national team call-up due to his eye-catching displays in Denmark.

Some familiar faces have also made their way back into the squad. Nicholas Opoku, a defender from Amiens, has been recalled, along with Patrick Kpozo, who currently plays in Moldova. Majeed Ashimeru, a midfielder for Anderlecht, will also make a return for Ghana.

The Black Stars enter the match sitting at the top of their group, having accumulated 8 points from two wins and two draws in their previous four matches.

The upcoming fixture against Madagascar will be crucial as Ghana aim to secure their place in the prestigious tournament to be held in Ivory Coast next year.

The squad: 

Goalkeepers: Lawrence Ati-Zigi (St. Gallen), Joseph Wollacott (Charlton Athletic), Abdul Manaf Nurudeen (KAS Eupen)

Defenders: Denis Odoi (Club Brugge), Alidu Seidu (Clermont Foot), Gideon Mensah (Auxerre), Patrick Kpozo (Sheriff Tiraspol), Daniel Amartey (Leicester City), Joseph Aidoo (Celta Vigo), Alexander Djiku (Strasbourg), Nicholas Opoku (Amiens)

Midfielders: Thomas Partey (Arsenal FC), Mohammed Kudus (Ajax Amsterdam), Majeed Ashimeru (Anderlecht), Salis Abdul Samed (Lens), Edmund Addo (Spartak Subotica)

Wingers: Joseph Painstil (Genk), Osman Bukari (Red Star Belgrade), KamalDeen Sulemana (Southampton), Ernest Nuamah (FC Nordsjaelland)

Attackers: Andre Ayew (Nottingham Forest), Jordan Ayew (Crystal Palace), Inaki Williams (Athletic Bilbao), Kwasi Okyere Wriedt (Holstein Kiel).

Ghanasoccernet

Former spokesperson of the Ghana Football Association Randy Abbey has applauded the current administration for doing a good job.

Mr Abbey, a member of the Executive Committee believes the Kurt Okraku administration is on the right track after four years of work.

“The Kurt Okraku administration has done extremely well; I think they could have done better," he told Citi Sports.

“I mean this is Kurt’s first time at being an FA President, there are many decisions that this is the first time they have been confronted with.

“There are many situations and scenarios, that it was his first time, he could have gotten some of them wrong.

Mr Abbey also believes Kurt Okraku could do more in improving the state of football in Ghana.

He continued: “In hindsight, he could have done some other things differently, he could have taken some other decisions, and he would have learnt a lot from many other things that have happened.

“So yes, I think the administration has done extremely well, if you ask me, if he deserves to continue, I think that yes!

“I think that the mistakes that have been made, the benefit of hindsight that has been achieved would only make him much better.

“I mean he will now be confronted with things he’s been confronted with before and so he will be in a better decision-making situation.

“He would be able to build many of the good things that he’s done and even make it better.”

Ghanasoccernet

The Black Queens of Ghana have been paired with Guinea in the first round of the Paris Olympic Football Tournament Qualifiers.

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) revealed the road-map and the drawing of lots for the first round on Tuesday, May 30, in Cairo, Egypt.

Ghana will first travel to Guines before hosting their West African neighbours in the return leg with the winner of the two legged tie set to face the winner of the game between Guinea – Bissau and Benin.

The Queens are likely to meet Zambia / Mali in the third phase of the qualifiers before advancing into the fourth and final stage if they are able to go past the first hurdle.

Here is the road-map for the qualifiers as revealed by CAF.

GFA Communications

The IBF’s 38th Annual Convention will take place at The Fairmont Chicago Millennium Park, in Chicago, Illinois from May 28 – June 1, 2023. After 38 years, we will be returning to the Midwest to celebrate the IBF’s 40th year. The IBF celebrated its 2nd Annual Convention in Dearborn, Michigan in 1985 and our return to the region is long overdue. We are excited for this milestone event and are looking forward to connecting with the boxing community in Chicago and the Midwest.

Having been voted Best Big City for 6 years in a row by CondéNast Traveler, Chicago is a great destination for our convention with convenient airlift and lots to explore. Chicago boasts one of the best food scenes in the world with a multitude of excellent restaurants, unbeatable arts and attractions, exciting nightlife, and miles of public green spaces as well as a beautiful lakefront and lively Riverwalk for you to enjoy.

The Fairmont Chicago Millennium Park is located in the heart of Downtown Chicago, is easily accessible form Chicago O’Hare and Chicago Midway Airports, and within walking distance of the city’s many attractions and eateries. The room rate for our convention is $189.00 and includes complimentary Wi-Fi, use if the fitness facilities, discounted valet parking and a 15% discount on food items at the hotel restaurant. Taxes are not included in this rate. The discounted room rate is available from May 26 to June 3, 2023, based on availability.

The IBF team are working on preparations to make this an excellent convention. Aside from the informative meetings and seminars, the attendees can look forward to the always anticipated Meet the Champions Cocktail and the Annual Awards Gala. More detailed information will be sent in the coming weeks regarding reservations and discounts.

We hope that you can attend our 38th Annual Convention and look forward to seeing you in Chicago!

Source IBF

Ace Power Promotions At 2023 IBF Convention

The ACE team is fully represented at this year’s IBF Convention in the United States of America (USA).

Mr. Isaac Amankwah, the General Manager of Ace Power Promotions said it is a privilege and great opportunity to be represented at the Convention of one of the big boxing bodies in the world, and they are looking forward to stage an IBF title bout in Ghana and the USA.

He commended the media in Ghana for promoting and supporting boxing promoters and the rising star boxers.

Mr. Amankwah believes Ghana still has the good boxers who can become world champions, and wants opportunities to be created for them.

Ace Power manages rising stars like Holy Dorgbetor, Daniel Aduku and Samuel Martei Laryea.

He called for more investment in boxing as Ghana has young talents who must be groomed well both physically and psychologically to face the big challenges in the boxing world.

Mr. Abraham Neequaye is also representing the Ghana Boxing Authority (GBA) at the Convention.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

Ghana international, Kamaldeen Sulemana has revealed plans he has for his future.

According to the talented winger, he is ready to stay at Southampton despite the team’s relegation from the English Premier League.

Speaking in a post-match interview after Southampton’s 4-4 draw with Liverpool on Sunday, Kamaldeen Sulemana said he is also open to leaving the Saints to sign for a different club if the opportunity presents itself.

“I'm ready for whatever's next. If I stay, I'll stay and help the team bounce back. If there's an opportunity to explore I will take it,” Kamaldeen Sulemana told Solent Sports in an interview.

In the 8-goal thriller with Liverpool on Sunday, Kamaldeen Sulemana bagged a brace.

It was the first time the forward scored a goal in the English Premier League since his January move from French Ligue 1 side Stade Rennais.

Kamaldeen Sulemana is expected to be part of the Black Stars squad that will be announced by coach Chris Hughton this week for the AFCON qualifier between Madagascar and Ghana.

FootballGhana

Ghanaian high jumper, Yamoah Cadman earned All-American recognition on the final day of the 2023 season of the NCAA D-II season.

Cadman, currently in his senior year at the University of Central Missouri (UCM), with his third and final attempt, cleared a school record height of 2.21m.

It bested UCMs old outdoor record of 7-2.50 set by former Mules, Leander Toney (2012) and Ivan Varbanov (2004).

The leap also left the former University of Ghana athlete in second place at the Outdoor National Championship, but delivered him his second All-American honour.

Cadman competing for University of Ghana at the 2022 GUSA games

Meanwhile 100m sprinters, Joseph Manu and Isaac Botsio, are members of NCAA-II fastest 4x100m team in history.

Alongside Jerry Jakpa and Jalen Purcell, they ran 38.70s – also the fifth fastest time at all collegiate division records this season – at the Outdoor National Championship.

The pair also recorded their best individual season times in the 100m event, with Isaac Botsio clocking 10.3s. He’s currently tied fifth all-time in WT history.

Joseph Manu on the other hand, hit 10.5 seconds to finish 4th and 8th fastest all-time in WT history.

Their times helped West Texas A&M University finish as runner-ups for a second year in a row.

Meanwhile, Abdul Rasheed-Saminu was crowned National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) national 100m champion, after beating the defending champion with a time of 10.23s.

Phemelo Matlhabe clocked 10.27s. However, he beat the Ghanaian to first place in the 200m final, recording 20.51.

Saminu finished in third, with a time of 20.74. Finishing second was Donte Sol (20.72).

Yamoah Cadman wraps up 2023 NCAA-II outdoor season as All-American, other Ghanaians impressAbdul-Rasheed in black (with teammates)

Source: Joy Sports 

Why Bellingham is 'worth £130m' - The view from Dortmund

Bellingham, 19, was key in his side's title challenge but a 2-2 draw with Mainz on the final day of the season saw them lose out to Bayern Munich.

He scored eight goals and provided five assists in 31 league appearances this season as Dortmund finished runners-up.

"Every year that I've played at the club my responsibility has increased," said Bellingham.

"I have to continue to be everywhere on the pitch and try my best to contribute going forwards and backwards and try and control games and dominate the midfield.

"My team-mates, the coaches and the staff have helped me to develop. I came to the club as a talented lad but I have added elements to my game that have taken it to the next level and I think that's down to them, mainly."

Bellingham is being tipped to join Real Madrid this summer in a deal worth more than 100m euros.

Last month, Liverpool dropped out of the race to sign the teenager because of the cost involved but Premier League champions Manchester City are still believed to be interested.

He joined Dortmund from Birmingham City in 2020 for £25m and has made over 130 appearances for the club.

Bellingham has won 24 caps for England and was one of the stand-out performers for Gareth Southgate's side in their run to the quarter-finals at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

BBC