Halifax Ladies Now Known As Berry Ladies

Ghana Women’s Premier League team Halifax  Ladies FC have been renamed Berry Ladies FC following a change of ownership.

Gifty Oware Aboagye, a member of the ruling National Patriotic Party has successfully taken over the club and has renamed the club to Berry Ladies ahead of the new season..

She is currently the Deputy Executive Director of the National Service Scheme in Ghana..

The club has also relocated from Nungua to Madina

Berry Ladies FC will fearure in the Ghana FA Women’s Premier League.

From Elzabeth Alhassan

CAF has confirmed the African Nations Football Championship (CHAN) in Cameroon to take place with fans allowed into the stadia with COVID-19 measures implemented.

Initially scheduled to have taken place in April 2020, the tournament was postponed to early 2021 due to the ongoing pandemic.

It is now set to run from January 16 to February 7 2021.

According to the Journal du Cameroon, the Sports and Physical Education Minister Narcisse Mouelle Kombi was informed of this decision during a working visit to the Amadou Ahidjo Stadium in Yaoundé.

Mouelle Kombi stated that during group matches, the stadiums will be filled at 25 per cent capacity.

"CAF has delivered a satisfactory certificate to Cameroon in which she indicates the percentage of stadia occupation in line with health exigencies outlines by FIFA," said Mouelle Kombi.

"Twenty five per cent of spectators will be admitted in the different stadia during the first phase of the competition, that is group matches."

He suggested that this could rise to 50 per cent in the knockout phases of the competition.

In a previous stadium visit in Douala, Cameroon Prime Minister Joseph Dion Ngute added that he was "sure" that by the time the competition starts, the COVID-19 situation in Africa will have improved.

To date, there have been more than 26,000 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Cameroon, resulting in the deaths of 448 people.

The cities of Yaounde, Douala and Limbe are set to host matches at the Championship.

CHAN is one of two international continental men's football competitions sanctioned by CAF along with the Africa Cup of Nations.

The Africa Cup of Nations allows all players who play internationally for African teams to compete, while the CHAN only permits players involved in domestic leagues to compete.

Cameroon's side will be solely made up of Cameroonian players playing football in their home league.

Abdul Hayye Yartey, president and owner of Cheetah FC, a division two club based in Kasoa on Sunday, December 27, 2020 received accolades from renowned football administrators during the official opening of the Cheetah Direct Store.

The Cheetah Direct Store will now see fans of Cheetah FC patronising the club's replica jerseys, tracksuits, holes among other merchandise at the club's office in Kasoa in the Central Region.

According to the president of the club, Cheetah Direct Store will also embark on delivery service across the country.

Cheetah FC becomes the first football club in Ghana to own a club store.

Mr Ashford Tettey Oku, former Ghana Premier League Board Chairman who also served as the Chairman for the event in his address commended Mr Yartey for his visionary role and the can-do spirit.

He also urged the leaders in the football business to emulate his branding skills.

"I'm very delighted to be here with you and I must also say that Mr Yartey through his Cheetah FC is taking Ghana football to the next level which needs serious attention. We need more of him to turn things around in the football world,” Mr Oku added

The Member of Parliament-elect for the Awutu Senya West, Gizella Tetteh-Agbotui in her remarks pledged to collaborate with Cheetah FC to unearth more talents in her constituency.

"What I have seen today is commendable and I must collaborate with Mr Yartey and his Cheetah FC to nurture the hidden talents in the Awutu Senya West Constituency and I promise to make this laudable initiative happen in the first term in Parliament. Mr Yartey through his Cheetah FC is taking football to another level," Madam Gizella stated.

On his part, Mr Robert Duncan, the Central Regional Football Association Chairman hailed the young football administrator Mr Abdul Hayye Yartey for setting the pace in the Central Region with his branding skills.

"It is a great honour to the Central Regional Football to have intellectuals like Mr Yartey who is always available to set a record as far as football is concerned. I will urge him to open his doors for others to tap into his branding skills so that together Central Regional football can be transformed".

Mr Duncan further appealed to the MP-elect to join hands with stakeholders for the construction of more pitches in the region to help nurture talents.

Mr Abdul Hayye Yartey, bankroller and president of Cheetah FC in his remarks expressed his overwhelming gratitude to the President of the Ghana Football Association, Kurt E.S Okraku and Ashford Tettey Oku for their unflinching support.

"As a Manchester United Fan, I planned to make this Cheetah Direct Shop Similar to Manchester United's Shop in the UK. Everything about Cheetah FC will be available at the shop and all that you have to do is just a call and your request will be delivered to you as your doorsteps. It will also help us in data collection of our supporters. This project will draw the supporters closer to us,” Mr Yartey added.

Other dignitaries that graced the event were, veteran Coach J.E Sarpong; Ghanaian international Ishamel Yartey; SWAG General Secretary Charles Osei Assibey and representatives from Dreams FC.

From Cheetah FC

Black Stars and Ajax superstar, Mohammed Kudus has paid a courtesy call on the National Chief Imam, His Eminence Sheikh Dr. Osman Nuhu Sharubutu while on a short holiday period in Ghana.

The Ghana international in the last summer transfer window sealed a sensational move from Danish Superliga side FC Nordsjaelland to the Dutch Eredivisie giants.

Following an explosive start to life in the Eredivisie, Mohammed Kudus would later suffer an injury setback on his Uefa Champions League debut in a game against Liverpool in October.

Since then, the forward has been out of action until recently when he started training.

While on a short holiday in Ghana, Kudus Mohammed has taken time to visit the National Chief Imam, His Eminence Sheikh Dr. Osman Nuhu Sharubutu to seek blessings from the revered Islamic leader.

The 20-year old has made significant progress in the treatment room and expected to return to action for Ajax in January 2021 when the Dutch Eredivisie resumes.

modernGhana

Barcelona captain Lionel Messi says he hopes to one day play in the United States but is unsure of his future when his contract runs out in June.

The Argentina forward, 33, can begin negotiations with overseas clubs in January.

Speculation over his future has been intense since he handed in a transfer request in August.

"I don't know what I'm going to do yet," Messi told Spanish television channel La Sexta.

"I'm going to wait until the season ends. I would like to play in the United States and experience life and the league there but ultimately come back to Barcelona in some capacity.

"Right now the most important thing is to focus on the team and finish the season well, to focus on trying to win trophies and not get distracted by other things."

Barcelona, who did not win a trophy last season, are fifth in La Liga after their worst start to a league campaign in 33 years.

Since joining at the age of 13, Messi has become the club's record goalscorer, won 10 La Liga titles, the Champions League four times and the Ballon d'Or - awarded to the world's best player - six times.

His controversial summer request to leave Barcelona followed clashes with club president Josep Maria Bartomeu, who resigned in October.

Messi described Bartomeu's reign "a disaster".

"It's a difficult moment for the club, for everyone, but those inside the club know that it's in a really bad situation, things are very bad and it's going to be difficult to return the club to where it used to be," he added.

By BBC

Lionel Messi has to score 448 more goals with Barcelona to break Pele's long-standing record, Santos say

Lionel Messi has not broken Pele's goalscoring record for a single club and will have to score 448 more Barcelona goals to do so, according to a Santos club statement.

Messi scored his 644th goal for Barcelona against Real Valladolid on Tuesday last week, seemingly eclipsing the Brazilian great's long-standing record of 643 official goals for Santos.

However, the South American club released a statement on Sunday claiming the official tally stands at 1,091 goals, as the 448 scored in friendly matches should be counted.

Santos claim that "a goal against Transvaal (from Suriname) has the same value as a goal scored at Real Madrid, in the middle of the Santiago Bernabéu".

"In the accounts of the specialized press, the King of Football scored 643 in competitions and the 448 goals scored in matches and friendly competitions were ostracized as if they had less value than the others," the statement read.

"The argument of some analysts is that so many of these 448 goals scored in friendly matches were faced with weak opponents, such as small or regional teams. Even so, the matches were played in official uniforms, with the official rules of the game and with a score sheet.

"We have to remember that clubs could only play friendly matches with the endorsement of regional and national federations, one of the rules imposed by FIFA, the organizer of world football.

"Taking subjective attributes into account, such as the weakness of opponents, is not ideal for compiling statistical data. The numbers are absolute."

Despite the debate over who holds the current record, Pele posted on social media to congratulate the Argentine when he matched his tally with a goal against Valencia earlier this month.

"When your heart overflows with love, it is difficult to change your path," Pele wrote.

"Like you, I know what it's like to love wearing the same shirt every day. Like you, I know that there is nothing better than the place we feel at home.

"Congratulations on your historic record, Lionel. But above all, congratulations on your beautiful career at Barcelona. Stories like ours, of loving the same club for so long, unfortunately, will be increasingly rare in football. I admire you very much."

Lionel Messi has revealed he will make a decision over his Barcelona future at the end of the season.

Messi came close to departing the Nou Camp after handing in a transfer request in the summer but he reluctantly decided to stay at the club. Barcelona's former president Josep Maria Bartomeu insisted that Messi's €700m release clause had to be met for him to leave.

His comments, given in an interview with Spanish TV station La Sexta, could alert Manchester City, who were heavily linked with a move for the player during his summer of uncertainty.

Messi said: "Nothing will be crystal clear before the end of the year. I'll wait until the season is over."

skysports   

Najat Norley Lokko, an 11 year pupil of Happy Days Academy at James Town was adjudged the best female boxer at the exciting and well organized Besesaka Amateur and Juvenile Boxing Tournament at the Bukom Square on Boxing Day December 26, 2020.

Fighting on the weight of 39kg, she defeated all her opponents and emerged as the Best in her category, she did not only win but displayed real boxing artistry and mastery footwork.

She was presented with prizes including a trophy and products from Twellium Industrial Ltd Ghana, producers of Rush Energy and other drinks.

With reading and cooking as her hobbies, one may ask how she became a boxer.

But her dad, Coach Carl Lokko will be the best person to answer, and he says it is in the blood.

According to Lokko all his children love boxing and she, the second born is taking the footsteps of her darling senior brother Hakeem Lokko who is 13 years and one of the marvelous juvenile boxers in Ghana.

After three years training in boxing, she has already winning awards, and the father is so happy.

He said his daughter combines education with sports and at her leisure time, she reads or watches something educative on TV.

He hinted that if she continues to impress and progress, she would be prepared for the 2028 Olympic Games.

Incidentally, Rahaman Nortei Lokko, the third child of the hard working coach also has love for boxing.

For Carl Lokko who is Technical Director of the Ghana Boxing Authority (GBA) it goes beyond family, as so many people and personalities with positive spirit are behind the world acclaimed Bronx Boxing Gym Empire.

He expressed that the future is very important and bright, so life must be made better now.

He appealed to people with interest in boxing and corporate Ghana to support the Bronx Gym which has produced world champions hand currently handle over 70 boxers; professionals, amateurs and juveniles.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

 Brazilian midfielder, Fabio Dos Santos Gama played his first competitive match  for Asante Kotoko on Sunday afternoon when they drew 1-1 with Medeama SC in the Ghana Premier League at the Akoon Park at Tarkwa to clear an outstanding match.

Prior to the start of the game, Asante Kotoko interim coach Johnson Smith named new signing Fabio Gama on the substitute bench.

In the second half of the encounter, the Brazilian was introduced to take the place of attacker Godfred Asiamah in the 81st minute.

Playing a cameo role, Fabio Gama made some decent touches but couldn’t have enough time to influence the game.

On the matchday, striker Kwame Poku scored for Asante Kotoko in the 75th minute before a late penalty converted by Mohammed Abass earned a point for Medeama SC at the end of the game.

With his debut finally out of the way, Fabio Gama is expected to be in action for the Porcupine Warriors in their next outing when they take on Al Hilal in the CAF Champions League.

From Lizzy Alhassan

Super Featherweight, Seidu Issufu Yusuf of Akotoku Academy has fought twice as a professional boxer and won all,

His last fight was against Joshua Owusu at the Idrowhyt Events Centre on Boxing Day, December 26, 2020 where his power punch nearly sent his opponent to the hospital.

Doctors at the ringside had to work hard to revive Owusu who for a moment did not know where he was.

Seidu left the amateur ranks to join the professionals because he felt time was against him, and he must win a big title in the shortest possible time.

He was discovered by scouts of the Akotoko Academy, led by Theo Edwin Addo now based in Australia and they are grooming him to stardom.

He is currently taking instructions from young trainer, Elvis Robertson who says Seidu is a potential champion, so they are keeping their eyes on him, and hope he gets the opportunity to reach the top of his career.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

Besasaka Boxig projects led by Samuel Plange of the Sea View Boxing Club on December 26, 2020 staged an amateur boxing tournament at the Bukom Sports Field in Accra.

The project featured mostly juvenile boxers and those wearing the gloves to box in public for the first time.

The task is to identify and discover new boxing talents for the nation.

Many budding young male and female boxers took part and the patronage was very high.

President of the Ghana Boxing Federation, George Lamptey expressed his satisfaction with the programme and commended the organisers.

He announced the appointment of Duke Micah as an ambassador of amateur boxing having participated in the 2012 Olympic Games.

Tokyo 2020 bound Samuel Takyi was also introduced to the fans.

By Sammy Heywood Okine