Coach of the new Ghana National Super Flyweight Champion, Michael Abban is very sure his ward will become a continental champion very soon.

Coach Ebenezer Adjei aka ‘Killer’ who currently controls the Black Panthers Gym at James Town said Abban will become one of Ghana’s best boxers.

According to Adjei, the new champion missed the chance to become the best boxer at the Imax Media Promotions to Charles Tetteh, but there is more time and in 2023, they are going to shock Africa and the world.

“We are going to fight steadily for the African and Commonwealth titles to gain experience and then move to the world ranks” he expressed.

“We hope to attract credible promoters to push us up higher” he added.

Michael Abban defeated Isaac Aryeetey in an exciting bout on the final day of season one of the De-Luxy Paint Professional Boxing League at the Bukom Boxing Arena.

He has won all his six bouts, registering four knock outs and focused on moving out to meet the best in Africa and then meet the world ranked fighters.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

Shortlists for players’, goalkeepers’, coaches’, fans’ and best goal prizes announced

• Public voting via FIFA+ : votes can be cast until 3 February 2023
• Two expert panels selected the candidates for the players’, goalkeepers’ and coaches’ categories.

FIFA has revealed the candidates shortlisted for The Best FIFA Football Awards™ 2022.

The nominees are listed below in alphabetical order:

The Best FIFA Women’s Player:

Aitana Bonmatí (Spain / FC Barcelona)

Debinha (Brazil / North Carolina Courage)

Jessie Fleming (Canada / Chelsea FC Women)

Ada Hegerberg (Norway / Olympique Lyonnais)

Sam Kerr (Australia / Chelsea FC Women)

Beth Mead (England / Arsenal WFC)

Vivianne Miedema (Netherlands / Arsenal WFC)

Alex Morgan (USA / Orlando Pride / San Diego Wave)

Lena Oberdorf (Germany / VfL Wolfsburg)

Alexandra Popp (Germany / VfL Wolfsburg)

Alexia Putellas (Spain / FC Barcelona)

Wendie Renard (France / Olympique Lyonnais)

Keira Walsh (England / Manchester City WFC / FC Barcelona)

Leah Williamson (England / Arsenal WFC)

The Best FIFA Men’s Player:

Julián Álvarez (Argentina / Club Atlético River Plate / Manchester City FC)

Jude Bellingham (England / BV Borussia 09 Dortmund)

Karim Benzema (France / Real Madrid CF)

Kevin De Bruyne (Belgium / Manchester City FC)

Erling Haaland (Norway / BV Borussia 09 Dortmund / Manchester City FC)

Achraf Hakimi (Morocco / Paris Saint-Germain FC)

Robert Lewandowski (Poland / FC Bayern München / FC Barcelona)

Sadio Mané (Senegal / Liverpool FC / FC Bayern München)

Kylian Mbappé (France / Paris Saint-Germain FC )

Lionel Messi (Argentina / Paris Saint-Germain FC)

Luka Modrić (Croatia / Real Madrid CF)

Neymar (Brazil / Paris Saint-Germain FC)

Mohamed Salah (Egypt / Liverpool FC)

Vinícius Junior (Brazil / Real Madrid CF)

The Best FIFA Women’s Coach:

Sonia Bompastor (France / Olympique Lyonnais)

Emma Hayes (England / Chelsea FC Women)

Bev Priestman (England / Canadian National Team)

Pia Sundhage (Sweden / Brazilian National Team)

Martina Voss-Tecklenburg (Germany / German National Team)

Sarina Wiegman (Netherlands / English National Team)

The Best FIFA Men’s Coach:

Carlo Ancelotti (Italy / Real Madrid CF)

Didier Deschamps (France / French National Team)

Pep Guardiola (Spain / Manchester City FC)

Walid Regragui (Morocco / Wydad AC / Moroccan National Team)

Lionel Scaloni (Argentina / Argentinian National Team)

The Best FIFA Women’s Goalkeeper:

Ann-Katrin Berger (Germany / Chelsea FC Women)

Mary Earps (England / Manchester United WFC)

Christiane Endler (Chile / Olympique Lyonnais)

Merle Frohms (Germany / Eintracht Frankfurt / VfL Wolfsburg)

Alyssa Naeher (USA / Chicago Red Stars)

Sandra Paños García-Villamil (Spain / FC Barcelona) 

The Best FIFA Men’s Goalkeeper:

Álisson Becker (Brazil / Liverpool FC)

Yassine Bounou (Morocco / Sevilla FC)

Thibaut Courtois (Belgium / Real Madrid CF)

Ederson (Brazil / Manchester City FC)

Emiliano Martínez (Argentina / Aston Villa FC)

The FIFA Puskás Award:

Mario Balotelli (Italy): Adana Demirspor v. Göztepe Spor Kulübü [Süper Lig] (22 May 2022)

Amandine Henry (France): FC Barcelona v. Olympique Lyonnais [UEFA Women's Champions League] (21 May 2022)

Théo Hernández (France): AC Milan v. Atalanta Bergamasca Calcio, [Serie A] (15 May 2022)

Alou Kuol (Australia): Iraq U23 v. Australia U23 [AFC U23 Asian Cup] (4 June 2022)

Kylian Mbappé (France): Argentina v. France [FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™] (18 December 2022)

Francisco González Metilli (Argentina): Club Atlético Central Córdoba v. Club Atlético Rosario Central [Primera División] (1 August 2022)

Marcin Oleksy (Poland): Warta Poznań v. Stal Rzeszów [PZU Amp Futbol Ekstraklasa] (6 November 2022)

Salma Paralluelo (Spain): FC Barcelona v. Villarreal CF [Liga F] (2 April 2022)

Dimitri Payet (France): Olympique de Marseille v. PAOK Thessaloniki FC [UEFA Europa Conference League] (7 April 2022)

Richarlison (Brazil): Brazil v. Serbia [FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022] (24 November 2022)

Alessia Russo (England): England v. Sweden [UEFA Women's EURO 2022] (26 July 2022)

The Best FIFA Fan Award:

Abdullah Al Salmi (Saudi Arabia): Abdullah journeyed by foot from his hometown of Jeddah to Qatar, hiking across the Saudi Arabian desert, to support his national team at the FIFA World Cup.

Argentinian National Team fans (Argentina): Argentina fans travelled to Qatar in impressive numbers to provide incredible support for their team's ultimately victorious FIFA World Cup campaign, and millions of fans then welcomed their heroes home to Buenos Aires and across the country.

Japanese National Team fans (Japan): Japan fans earned worldwide recognition for their tradition of staying behind to help clean the stadium after World Cup games.

Two expert panels – one for women’s football and one for men’s football – selected the candidates for the players’, goalkeepers’ and coaches’ categories.

Voting open now!

Public voting is open on FIFA+ and will run until 23:59 CET on 3 February 2023.

FIFA will announce the three finalists in each of the seven categories listed above in early February 2023.

The full voting and award process is detailed in the Rules of Allocation.

To keep up with the latest news about The Best FIFA Football Awards 2022, check out FIFA+ and FIFA’s accounts on Facebook, YouTube and Twitter.

You can join the discussion about who should win the awards by using the hashtag #TheBest.

Source FIFA

Ghana's top rated featherweight boxer, Isaac Dogboe says he wants to fight in great Championships bouts so that he will be remembered as one of the best boxers in the world.

Speaking to Yours Truly in an exclusive interview, he said most local boxers have remarkable records, but when the go out they just run around.

"I want to fight the best and put up memorable shows to please the fans. I want to be seen as one of the best and greatest boxers so I go out there to prove myself " he said.

According to the current WBO International Featherweight title holder, he chose to go in for the WBO Featherweight Championship on April 1st 2023 because he wants to meet the best boxers like Ramirez, who is a Cuban two times Olympic Games gold medalist and a worthy opponent.

Dogboe who has lost twice in his career to Mexico Emmanuel Naverrete and won 24 with 15 knock outs to his credit said Robeisy Ramirez has not fought anyone like him, and will prove that he is the best.

Ramirez has a record of 11 wins against one defeat and 7 knock outs..

Isaac Dogboe also held the WBO Super Bantamweight before losing it to Naverrete. He represented Ghana at the London 2012 Olympic Games.

His fight with Ramirez which would be promoted by Top Rank comes up in Tulsa, Oklahoma in the United States of America.

Meanwhile, the President of the Ghana Boxing Authority, Mr. Abraham Kotei Neequaye has asked Ghanaians to pray for Dogboe to win his second world title in a different weight for Ghana so that he can be in the history books..

He said Dogboe is the eye of Ghana Boxing and Boxing is the strength of Ghana Sports.

He commended Dogboe for his discipline and shining example as a role model for young Ghanaians.

He also hailed the Ghana Boxing Supporters Union GHABSU for showing true love and massive publicity for ‘The Royal Storm’ during a Press Conference held at the African Regent Hotel in Accra last Wednesday.

Nana Akyere Agyakor, Communications and PR Manager of Team Dogboe has also saluted the media in Ghana for the massive support poured on the  boxer who also loves to be called 'Neho'.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

Defending Champion Morocco Reportedly Pulls Out Of Chan Competition

Two time champion of CAF’s African Nations Championship (CHAN) Morocco, has reportedly pulled out of competing in the 2022 edition of the competition eligible to only players competing in national leagues on the African continent.

The news comes a day to the commencement of the tournament to be played out in Algeria from January 13 to February 4 with 18 nations set to participate.

Per reports gathered, the Moroccan authorities were denied access to direct flights from Morocco to Algeria forcing the withdrawal.

Morocco’s withdrawal from the tournament stems from a long standing row between Morocco and Algeria over the status of Western Sahara.

The territory is claimed by Morocco but the North African nation’s claims over the former Spanish territory are heavily disputed by separatists The Polisario Group.

The Polisario Group calls the territory the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic and is strongly against the claim the Sahrawi Republic is part of Morocco’s territory.

Morocco has won the past two editions of the CHAN and is in Group C with Ghana, Sudan and Madagascar.

From Sammy Heywood Okine

Ghana’s Black Galaxies jersey numbers have been confirmed for the 2023 Championship of African Nations (CHAN) by the Confederation of African Football (Caf).

Ghana are making a return to the tournament for the first time since 2014.

Annor Walker and his charges have been preparing for the tournament with 25 players since the team left Ghana on Christmas Eve for Egypt.

Caleb Amankwah, who was recalled by his club Hearts of Oak while the team was in Ghana, as well as Great Olympics midfielder Amos Acheampong, have had their names on the squad list.

Per the Caf release, Amankwah and Acheampong will wear Number 27 and 28 shirts respectively.

Goalkeeper Stephen Kwaku, who joined camp last weekend as a replacement for new Azam FC signing Abdulai Iddrisu, has been handed the No. 1 shirt while first-choice Danlad Ibrahim retains his favourite 16.

Hearts of Oak defender, Dennis Korsah will be seen in No. 9 shirt while Daniel Afriyie Barnieh has been handed the No. 18 jersey.

Captain for the team, Gladson Awako will be donning No. 11.

Solomon Adomako, Konadu Yiadom, David Abagna, Jonathan Attuquaye and Razak Yusif will also wear numbers 4, 5, 8, 10, and 19.

The Black Galaxies have switched camp base from Algiers to Constantine where they are scheduled to play all their group games – at the Mohamed Hamlaoui Stadium.

Ghana face Madagascar in their opening match in Group C at 19:00 GMT on January 15. Games against Sudan and defending champions Morocco will follow at four-day intervals at the same kickoff time.

Meanwhile, Ghana's group opponent, Morocco have pulled out of the tournament.

The tournament has been scheduled to kick off from January 13 to February 4 in Algeria.

Ghana squad numbers for CHAN 2022:

1 Stephen Odai Kwaku (Great Olympics)

2 Augustine Randolf (Karela United)

3 Benjamin Abaidoo (Medeama SC)

4 Solomon Adomako (Great Olympics)

5 Konadu Yiadom (Hearts of Oak)

6 Kwame Otu (Vision FC)

7 Sylvester Simba (Dreams FC)

8 David Abagna (RTU)

9 Dennis Korsah (Hearts of Oak)

10 Jonah Attuquaye (Legon Cities)

11 Gladson Awako (Hearts of Oak)

12 Augustine Agyapong (Asante Kotoko)

13 Dominic Nsobila (Accra Lions)

14 Sherif Mohammed (Asante Kotoko)

15 Henry Ansu (Berekum Chelsea)

16 Danlad Ibrahim (Asante Kotoko)

17 Augustine Boakye (Kotoku Royals)

18 Daniel Afriyie Barnieh (Hearts of Oak)

19 Razak Yusif (Great Olympics)

20 Maxwell Arthur (Dreams FC)

21 Razak Kasim (Great Olympics)

22 William Essu (Legon Cities)

23 Kofi Kordzi (Legon Cities)

24 Suraj Seidu (Hearts of Oak)

25 Kwadwo Addai (Karela United)

27 Caleb Amankwah (Hearts of Oak)

28 Amos Acheampong (Great Olympics)

Source Footballghana

The Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC) has honoured one of its outstanding veterans, Joe Lartey, for his contribution to the development of sports journalism in Ghana.

The national broadcaster, tweeted a photo of Mr. Lartey, sitting in front of a portrait painting of himself with the logo of the state broadcaster boldly showing on his right side.

Over to you, Joe Lartey! #CelebratingALegend pic.twitter.com/PN4k71dLb2

— GTV Ghana (@GTV_Ghana) January 9, 2023

Highly revered in the sports journalism fraternity, Joe Lartey was the first president of the Sports Writers Association of Ghana (SWAG).

Joachim Awuley Lartey (born in Accra on 6 June 1927) began his education at the Accra Royal School before relocating to Tamale with his parents. His father, Emmanuel Akushey Lartey, worked at the Gold Coast Treasury Department.

In 1938, he returned to Accra and was enrolled in Government Senior Boys School in Kinbu. After completing his middle school education in 1943, he got admission to Accra Academy in 1944.

In 1961, he joined the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation.

With his experience on the field, Joe Lartey became famous for writing about professional sports and politics.

He excelled as a football commentator and brewed a partnership and friendship with Festus Addae who made the phrase ‘Over To You Joe Lartey’ popular.

Joe Lartey was the Chief Commentator of Ghana’s first Africa Cup of Nations in 1963, the second in 1965 and countless matches in the Ghana Premier League.

He joined Radio Nigeria in Lagos in 1977, staying there until 1990, when he returned to Ghana to host programmes such as Sports Digest and Hall of Fame on the nation’s only television station, GTV.

citisportsonline.com

Isaac Dogboe aka ‘Neho’ aka ‘The Royal Storm’ has met the press in Ghana to inform them about his journey so far, and preparations towards his next misson.

The well attended Press Conference took place on Wednesday at African Regent Hotel where  the former WBO Super Bantamweight Champion assured Ghanaians of victory on April 1st 2023 in the USA.

He said the championship bout against Robeisy Ramirez of Cuba who is a two times Olympic Games gold medalist will be promoted by Top Rank in Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA.

According to ‘The Royal Storm’, his next opponent is a legend and tough boxer, but he is not perturbed as he wants to face the best and beat them to rule again.

“I am very proud, emotional and inspirational to have the opportunity to fight for the world title again. I thank my team, we are prepared and ready to win again” he said.

Isaac Dogboe who is sponsored by Niche Cocoa was hailed by the President of the Ghana Boxing Authority (GBA) Mr. Abraham Neequaye for his discipline and readiness to make name for mother Ghana.

Mr. Abraham Neequaye said boxing is still the number one sport in Ghana and urged the media to give boxers full publicity and mileage.

He thanked the Sports Writers Association of Ghana (SWAG)  for recognizing the achievements of the GBA and adding them to the best five sports disciplines in the nation.

Mr. Neequaye appealed to Ghanaian Boxing fans to pray for Dogboe on his next mission to win the WBO Featherweight title.

“Dogboe is the current eye of Ghana Boxing and everyone should pray for him to win” he expressed.

Communications Manager / PRO for Team Dogboe, Nana Akyere Agyako thanked the media for the support. She also commended Niche Cocoa and African Regent Hotel for all that they do for the champion boxer of Ghana.

Jeff, a representative of the National Sports Authority (NSA) also urged Dogboe to know that Ghanaians are behind him, so he should not relent in his training.

Present at the event to offer morale and entertainment were the Ghana Boxing Supporters Union (GHABSU).

Robeisy Eloy Ramírez Carrazana is a Cuban professional boxer. As an amateur, Ramírez won gold medals at the 2012 and 2016 Olympics as a flyweight and bantamweight respectively. His pro record is 11-1-0.

Dogboe who holds the WBO International title has a recod of 24-2-0.

He was recently named best professional boxing for 2022 by boxinghana.com.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

More investment by CAF in content to drive enhanced viewer experience

• 60% increase in number of cameras in CHAN including high tech super slomo cameras and spider cam
• Ex-football stars join CAF commentary team: first for CHAN
• ENG Crews to follow teams for more insight: a first
• Over 66 countries to watch opening match at Nelson Mandela Stadium

A number of African football legends including Ghana’s John Paintsil, Siaka Tiene of Cote d’Ivoire, former Algeria star Nouredinne Bounaas and Zambian Clifford Mulenga will form part of the historic on-site commentary team for CAF during the TotalEnergies African Nations Championship (“CHAN”) Algeria 2022 starting from 13 January 2023 in Algiers.

CAF is introducing a number of elements that will enhance the product. For the first time, CAF will have on-site commentary and also introduce the use of ‘colour analysts’ – most of whom are African football legends.

Algeria’s EPTV will be the host broadcaster working closely with CAF TV partners to produce the competition.

At least 66 countries will watch the opening act from Algiers on Friday, 13 January at 20h00 (19h00 GMT) where over 24 cameras will be used including extra ENG crews around the stadium that will be giving more coverage to the first ever CHAN to be played on Algerian soil.

Mozambique’s Tico-Tico Bucuane, Ivorian Eric Babou, former Botswana international Dipsy Selolwane and ex-Cameroon midfielder Joel Epalle are the other former top African footballers to be used by CAF as 'colour analysts' for the first time in the history of the competition.

CAF Chief Operations Officer, Abi Ijasamni: “One of the areas we knew we had to strengthen was Television. When we say that African football must be globally competitive, we also mean that the TV product must be the best. Our Broadcast and TV team has been working hard to ensure that we produce world class productions. The team is exploring modern technology including spider cameras.”

More investment is being made in the production of the product. While in the past a standard 10 to 14-camera plan has been used, CAF is now doubling the number of cameras including the use of a spider cam for all the matches in the Nelson Mandela Stadium.

CAF introduced colour-commentary using legends at the TotalEnergies Women’s Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2022 for the first time – in July 2022.

CAF | Communication Department

Former Black Stars Skipper Stephen Appiah has urged the youth and kids of Chorkor not to allow anyone to deceive them about any short route to success.

Speaking on January 7th 2023 at the Extra O Park, he said the five things to do to be successful are fasting, focus , hard work, commitment and discipline.

He recalled his past when things were very hard and had to play football at Mighty Victory also known as Fattal Babies with no boots, but bandage his feet and play on gravel.

"Today you people are very lucky because you have good turfs to play on with modern boots " he said.

According to the Super Star who led Ghana to the first FIFA World Cup in 2006 in Germany, things have really changed because when he was growing up at Chorkor, there was no one to motivate or mentor him till he joined Accra Hearts of Oak where he had to jog home from the Arts Center in Accra because there was no money for transportation "trotro" and no food.

"You people are very lucky now because when we were growing up there was no social media or networking or phones that can take pictures, but now things are easy, which means many of the youth in Chorkor can make it even bigger than Stephen Appiah " he expressed.

He advised the children not to allow any one to deceive them because the route to success is hard work.

He recalled traveling to Italy and other places where he knew of one and did not know about their food and culture, but through humbleness had to cope and succeed.

Stephen Tornado Appiah encouraged them to take education very seriously as that is the key to open the doors of success, because not everyone may be a sports man or tennis star.

He noted that many people were better than him but because they were not disciplined, they could not reach far.

He was invited to an event where children were introduced to Table Tennis and prayed that Chorkor will produce more champions in different fields of sports and other sectors.

Appiah who was born and bred in Chorkor played for many clubs in Europe including Juventus, FK Vojvodina Novi Sad, Cesena FC, Bologna FC, Fenerbahçe Spor Kulübü, FC, Brescia Calico and Parma Calico.

He captained Ghana Black Stars to the World Cup, and also featured at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, Greece. He has won many awards and accolades.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

Young Ghanaian defender, Samuel Ofori is celebrating a hugely successful first season in Tajikistan after being named the best foreign player, having guarded his side, FC Ravshan Kulob to a historic AFC Cup qualification.

23 year old Ofori played 20 of 22 league games for Kulob in the 2022 Vysshaya League campaign, missing the other two only through suspension for accumulated yellow cards, and earning many man-of-the-match accolades enroute.

In the end, the lanky 6'1 ft defender's aerial prowess and presence at the back greatly propelled Kulob to the runner-up finish in the Asian country, just a solitary point ahead of both 3rd and 4th placed, FK Khujand and FK Khatlon respectively.

Not did it come with qualification by Rashvan Kulob to a playoff spot in next season's AFC Cup, Asia's second tier club tournament, it also helped Samuel Ofori leap over about 70 foreign players as the very best in the Tajik league in 2022.

A battle with some top players from across the globe including Glib Grachov of Ukraine, Gonzalo Ritacco of Argentina, Kosmynin of Belarus,  Samandor Ochilov of Uzbekistan,  Sergey Garanzha of Russia, Tony Bikital of Cameroon, Innocent Kouassi of Ivory Coast, came down to a battle between three Ghanaians, all of whom excelled in the Vasshya 2022 campaign.

Striker Iddris Aminu fired in the goals to power champions Istiklol Dushanbe to the title by a massive 13 points, and deservedly made the top 3 of the best foreign player race alongside compatriot Godson Quaye, goalkeeper of 4th placed FC Khatlon but it was defender Samuel Ofori who got the nod to become the first African player to win the award.

"I feel great because I worked really hard for this and it makes me so happy to be recognised considering the many good foreign players in the leagu. Hard work pays so I'm going to work even harder to achieve my dreams," said Ofori who is back on holidays in Ghana.

His local manager, Accra based businessman and sports investor, Evans Bernie-Johnson, is waxing lyrical amid utopian dreams for the player who played the previous season at South Africa second tier side, Dolphins before switching to Tajikstan last year.

"I'm extremely proud of him, so many great players but my boy was able to beat them all to the award, glory be to God. This is just the beginning. I can't wait to see him play for a top club in Europe and the Champions League soon, not forgetting even the Black Stars," stated a very confident Mr. Bernie-Johnson, CEO of Accra based BJ Wise Electronics.

Newsdesk report