Ghana coach Charles Akonnor has named Kotoko defender Christopher Nettey for the youngster's debut in his severely depleted starting line-up to face Sudan on Thursday in their 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier.

Several returnees will also be starting the match that kicks-off at 1600GMT as the Black Stars boss has sturggled to put together his favourite starting team.

Defender John Boye is joined in the starting line up with Baba Rahman and Afriyie Acquah in the Black Stars team to play the Nile Crocodiles in the match at the Cape Coast Stadium.

Also making the starting line-up is midfielder Emmanuel Lomotey who plays for French side Amiens.

Two players - who impressed in the recent Black Stars friendlies against Qatar and  Mali - Alexander Djiku and Tarique Fosu regain their places in the starting line up as Akonnor seeks some experienced players to stop the East Africans.

However experienced players in the side goalkeeper Richard Ofori, captain Andre Ayew and his brother Jordan will start the match to inject the much needed experience in the game.

The Black Stars coach has been forced to make do with the squad because of injuries, withdrawals and the outright decision of European clubs not to release players for the match.

With Ofori starting in posts, he will be protected at the heart of the defence by John Boye and Alex Djiku who impressed in the previous matches for the Black Stars.

Kotoko youngster Nettey get the chance to start the match from the right-back because players pencilled to compete with him for that position like Harrision Afful were not released by their clubs.

On the left side of the defence Chelsea star Baba Rahman get to start becasue Jeff Schlupp failed to turn up at the camp while Gideon Mensah could not travel because he has not been released by his club because of ailment.

In central midfield Acquah partners Lomotey who get the chance to play becasue all midfielders called like Mubarak Wakaso and Thomas Partey are not available.

Ghana, coached by Charles Akonnor, have so far made a perfect start to their qualification campaign and sit atop the group, beating both South Africa and Sao Tome and Principe in November last year.

Their opponents on Thursday come in the form of Sudan, who have clinched a resounding 4-0 win over Sao Tome and Principe, as well as a loss at the hands of South Africa, who are just above them in the group with a better head-to-head record.

If Ghana make it three wins from three, they could qualify for a ninth straight Africa Cup of Nations. Meanwhile, Sudan will be looking to cause an upset and improve upon their chances of making the tournament for the first time since 2012.

Starting line-up

Richard Ofori, Christopher Nettey, Baba Rahman, John Boye, Alexander Djiku, Afriyie Acquah, Emmanuel Lomotey, Samuel Owusu, Tarique Fosu, Jordan Ayew, Andre Ayew.

ghanasoccernet.com

Former President, Jerry John Rawlings has passed on.

He died in the early hours of Thursday, November 12, 2020 at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital.

This was confirmed to Citi News by sources close to the family of the former President.

Jerry John Rawlings buried his mother Madam Victoria Agbotui in October 2020.

Madam Agbotui died at the age of 101.

About Jerry John Rawlings

Jerry John Rawlings was born June 22, 1947.

He was a former military leader and subsequent politician who ruled Ghana from 1981 to 2001 and also a brief period in 1979.

He led a military junta until 1992, and then served two terms as the democratically elected President of Ghana.

Rawlings initially came to power in Ghana as a flight lieutenant of the Ghana Air Force following a coup d’état in 1979.

Prior to that, he led an unsuccessful coup attempt against the ruling military government on 15 May 1979, just five weeks before scheduled democratic elections were due to take place.

After initially handing power over to a civilian government, he took back control of the country on 31 December 1981 as the Chairman of the Provisional National Defence Council (PNDC).

In 1992, Rawlings resigned from the military, founded the National Democratic Congress (NDC), and became the first President of the Fourth Republic. He was re-elected in 1996 for four more years.

After two terms in office, the limit according to the Ghanaian Constitution, Rawlings endorsed his Vice-President John Atta Mills as presidential candidate in 2000.

Education and military career

Rawlings finished his secondary education at Achimota College in 1967.

He joined the Ghana Air Force shortly afterwards.

In March 1968, he was posted to Takoradi, in Ghana’s Western Region, to continue his studies.

He graduated in January 1969, and was commissioned as a Pilot Officer, winning the coveted “Speed Bird Trophy” as the best cadet in flying the Su-7 ground attack supersonic jet aircraft as he was skilled in aerobatics.

He earned the rank of Flight Lieutenant and in April 1978.

During his service with the Ghana Air Force, Rawlings perceived a deterioration in discipline and morale due to corruption in the Supreme Military Council (SMC).

As promotion brought him into contact with the privileged classes and their social values, his view of the injustices in society hardened.

He was thus regarded with some unease by the SMC.

After the 1979 coup, he involved himself with the student community of the University of Ghana, where he developed a more leftist ideology through reading and discussion of social and political ideas

Citinewsroom.com

Celta Vigo star defender Joseph Aidoo and Turkey based defensive midfelder, Joseph Attamah are the latest to arrive in the Black Stars camp in Cape Coast adding up the number of players to 20.

The duo who arrived on Wednesday afternoon, will take part in this evening’s training session at the Cape Coast stadium as preparations continue for the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Sudan.

The full list:

Goalkeepers: Richard Ofori, Lawrence Ati-Zigi, Razak Abalora

Defenders: John Boye, Baba Abdul Rahman, Kwadwo Amoako, Christopher Nettey, Alexander Djiku, Joseph Aidoo, Joseph Attamah, Nicholas Opoku

Midfielders: Emmanuel Lomotey, Afriyie Acquah, Clifford Aboagye

Strikers/Forwards: Jordan Ayew, Andre Ayew, Tariqe Fosu, Samuel Owusu, Caleb Ekuban, John Antwi.

Ghana will host Sudan on Thursday, November 12, in a match day three tie at the Cape Coast stadium, a match scheduled for 16:00 GMT kick off.

Coach Akonnor is seeking to continue with the teams flying start to the qualifiers following victories against South Africa and Sao Tome and Principe in November 2019.

GFA COMMUNICATIONS

Mauritania’s football federation (FFIRM) president, Ahmed Yahya, has announced his run for CAF presidency in 2021.

Yahya has been at the helm of the FFIRM since 2011 and was re-elected for a third term last year following Mauritania’s recent success.

They were named CAF’s team of the year in 2018 after earning qualification for the 2019 AFCON in Egypt.

Despite crashing out of the tournament from the group stages, Mauritania managed to get draws against Angola and Tunisia.

And on Monday, Yahya became the fourth candidate to announce his candidacy for CAF’s presidential elections next year.

“After much thoughts and discussions, I have decided to present my candidacy,” Yahya announced on Twitter.

He is set to face competition from current CAF president Ahmad Ahmad, Ivory Coast’s Jacques Anouma, and Mamelodi Sundowns president Patrice Motsepe.

Ahmad Ahmad will reportedly be banned from football after allegedly breaching various FIFA ethic codes, something the Malagasy has denied on many occasions, meaning that he might not be able to run.

The CAF elections are set to take place in March as nominees have started submitting their candidacy ahead of the deadline next Thursday, November 12th.

By Kingfut.com

Players and Officials of Ghana Premier League side Legon Cities had a grand get together to prepare for the upcoming 2020/21 season.

The Royals were busy in the just ended transfer window and got busier last night as they held a dinner for the various role players within the club.

The club’s hierarchy organised a dinner event that saw players and officials fraternize to foster togetherness as they bid to make a meaningful impact in the upcoming season.

Legon Cities have emerged a team to watch out for after massive signings in the recently ended transfer window. The Royals have acquired the services of Ghana’s legendary striker Asamoah Gyan, alongside other household names on the local front namely Jonah Attuquaye, Nicholas Gyan, Baba Mahama, and Michael Ampadu.

Observe some of the pictures –

Source FootballmadeinGhana

The second 2020 Bicycle / Riding Show in Accra, now dubbed ‘Okor Okpe’ Festival comes off in the heart of the capital at Ussher Fort (Shatta Beach) at Ussher Town at 7 am on Sunday, November 15.

According to the organisers, Tune Africa and Gamashie Network, the event is free and the only thing a participant needs is a bicycle.

The theme for the 2020 edition is – Cycling for a peaceful election.

Von Nii Otto Cofie of Tune Africa said the event is recreational and invites all political and social leaders to come along on their bicycles to have fun and entertainment, however there would be no party colours.

He said there is no age limit and both males and females who wish to promote a peaceful election are welcome.

He expressed that special tee shirts to commemorate the day will be on sale at a discounted price for guests and participants at 25ghc.

Meanwhile, Mr. Stephen Ashie, President of the Ghana Boxing Supporters Union (GBSU) has hailed the Festival as a good initiative and promised to support by coming on the street to join the convoy to preach the peace, love and unity message.

The Festival is also being promoted by African Sports Media Network with Sammy Heywood Okine as the Ghana Country Director.

By Elizabeth Alhassan.

Playmaker Clifford Aboagye has joined the Black Stars of Ghana camp in Cape Coast ahead of 2021 AFCON qualifiers against Sudan.

The talented midfielder Clifford Aboagye and goalkeeper Richard Ofori were in high spirit as they joined the Black Stars camp to prepare for the Sudan clash.

It now means the players available at the Black Stars camp in Cape Coast has risen to eighteen.

Aboagye who is expected to be one of the world best players will be one of the players football fans would be looking out to watch.

Born in Accra, Aboagye made his senior debuts for International Allies, being promoted to Ghana Premier League in his first and only season.

In July 2013 the club accepted a $800,000 bid from Udinese, and he signed a five-year contract with the Serie A club; he was subsequently loaned to Granada CF, linking up with the Andalusians also until 2018 and being assigned to the reserves in Segunda División B.

Aboagye made his professional debut on 8 January 2015, coming on as a second half substitute for Riki in a 1–2 home loss against Sevilla FC, for the campaign's Copa del Rey.

On 2 January 2017, he signed a six-month loan deal with Liga MX side Club Atlas.

Aboagye appeared with Ghana under-20s in 2013 FIFA U-20 World Cup, being named the Bronze Ball of the tournament as his side finished third.

The Black Stars have already undergone the mandatory Covid-19 tests which is part of protocols to be observed before the encounter.

Ghana face Sudan in 2021 AFCON qualifiers at the Cape Coast Sports Stadium on Thursday, November 12, 2020.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

Ghana Premier League giants Asante Kotoko have entered into a partnership agreement with pharmaceutical company Cedar Point Chemist Ltd.

The deal is expected to last for three seasons and will begin immediately.

Kotoko have now made Cedar their official pharmaceutical partner ahead of the new campaign.

The Porcupine warriors have secured a huge number of partnerships this year. InStat, VEO, Adonko next level energy drink, Hisense, Errea and others have joined the Porcupine Warriors ahead of the new season.

They are currently preparing for the new campaign.

FootballGhana

Arsenal brought Gunnersaurus back from the brink of extinction on Tuesday, barely a month after the club's beloved mascot was made redundant as part of a cost-cutting effort aimed at mitigating the financial impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Jerry Quy, who entertained home fans at the Emirates Stadium by dressing up as a green dinosaur, was let go by the club at the start of October and his departure did not go down well, with fans flocking to social media to make their feelings known.

Arsenal said they would bring back Gunnersaurus when fans were allowed to return to the Emirates Stadium, but the team have suffered two dispiriting home defeats in a row since his departure, to Leicester City and Aston Villa.

Gunnersaurus posted pictures of himself giving a thumbs up at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday, along with the caption, "Back at Emirates Stadium today."

Fans will no doubt hope he will be around when Arsenal host Wolverhampton Wanderers in their first home game back after the international break on November 28 and can help bring about an immediate improvement in their flagging home form.

By Reuters

Ernest Thompson, the longest-serving board secretary of Accra Hearts of Oak has appealed to fans of the club not to waver in their love and support for the club.

Speaking in an exclusive interview with GhanaWeb on the club’s 109th anniversary, Ernest Thompson entreated the fans to be resolute and committed in their support for Hearts.

While admitting that the club is going through a challenging phase, Ernest Thompson assured the fans that the storm will be weathered soon and Hearts will assume its rightful as one of the continent’s most decorated and greatest football clubs.

“The fans should remain resolute, they should never say die. There difficulties around the corner and the club is going through some challenges but they should never say die. They should not allow anybody or anything to push them away from the club. They should support the club wherever they are”, he told GhanaWeb.

Ernest Thompson has been associated with Hearts of Oak for decades. He rose through the ranks to become the club’s board secretary, a role he played distinctly.

He has in this interview opened up about how it feels to associated with the 19-time Premier League champions.

He disclosed that being part of a club like Hearts of Oak fills him with great joy and he is honored to have served the team.

“It feels great to be a member of the Hearts of Oak family. It’s one club I always tell people to be part of because we have a good history. Once a Phobia, always a Phobian. I’m proud to be associated with Hearts because it’s a great club”.

Hearts remain the oldest existing club in the country’s football history with ten FA cups to their credit.

Hearts are also the first and only Ghanaian club to have the CAF Confederation Cup, a feat that came at the expense of Kotoko in 2005.

ghanaweb.com