Majeed Ashimeru joins Black Stars in camp ahead of Sudan showdown

Red Bull Salzburg midfielder, Majeed Ashimeru has joined the Black Stars in camp ahead of the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Sudan.

The 23-year-old missed the West African giants 2-0 first-leg victory over Sudan in Cape Coast after his club gave him the permission at the eleventh hour.

He joined his teammates in camp today ahead of their trip to Omdurman on Sunday, November, 15.

His arrival will serve as a huge boost for Ghana coach Charles Akonnor after their relatively disappointing performance last Thursday.

He has played 7 times for the Austrian giants so far this season, providing three assists.

From Elizabeth Alhassan

Asante Kotoko have officially unveiled their partnership deal with electronic giants, Hisense Ghana worth three million cedis for three years.

The Electronic Appliance Company will be paying 1million to the club every year.

Hisense had already paid Ghc500,000 to the club for the first year and a second trench of payment to be made within the first year period.

An amount of two hundred thousand cedis will be given to the club to complete the ongoing Adako Jachie project to uplift the infrastructural development of the club.

Asante Kotoko have already secured eight sponsors under the belt of Nana Yaw Amponsah's administration believed to be worth nine hundred and fifty thousand cedis (GHc950,000) including InStats, Veo, Next Level Energy Drink, Hisense Ghana, Cedar Points Pharmaceuticals.

Asante Kotoko will represent the country in the 2020/21 Caf Champions League and will begin the Ghana Premier League campaign against Karela United at the Accra Sports Stadium.

From Sammy Heywood Okine

The Senior Women’s National team, Black Queens and U-20 side, Black Princesses are scheduled to host Moroccan counterparts in international friendly matches in Accra, Ghana.

The Royal Morocco Football Federation will visit Ghana later this month with both women's teams and will play the two games during the visit and also to strengthen an already existing relationship between the two football federations.

The Black Princesses will host the U-20 side of Morocco while the Black Queens takes on the senior side, Atlas Lionness in two games on the 26th November, 2020 and on 30th November 2020 in Accra.

From Elizabeth Alhassan

Mr. George Lamptey, President of the Ghana Amateur Boxing Federation (GABF) has expressed his condolence on the death of former President Jerry John Rawlings.

He said the whole national boxing team, the Black Bombers including the technical staff and administration are shocked and sad, but it is the doing of the Almighty who gives and takes away.

He recalled that the late J. J. Rawlings was a keen boxing lover who contributed to Ghana boxing greatly when he was team manager of the Ghana Armed Forces Boxing team.

He added that during the reign of Rawlings, he inspired boxers like Azumah Nelson, Ike Quartey, Nana Yaw Konadu and Alfred Kotey to become world champions.

He prayed that His Excellency will get a fitting burial as it is a great loss not only to Ghana, but Africa and the world.

“Chairman Rawlings was a great leader, and we loved him for his charisma and inspiration, May he rest in peace” he said.

He revealed that the Black Bombers have begun non residential camping and are training at the Accra Sports Stadium against up coming international competitions.

He prayed for one or two boxers qualify to join Samuel Takyi and Suleiman Tetteh for the 2020 Olympic Games.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

Ghanaians in the British Army, the GH Squaddies have expressed shock and dismay at the reports on the death of former President Jerry John Rawlings who passed on Thursday morning, November 12, 2020.

Sergeant William Sakyi Ofei, frontrunner of the GH Squaddies said they take a lot of inspiration from the ex charismatic personality and could not believe the news of the death of the ex soldier who became one of the most admirable statesmen in Africa.

He said ex President Rawlings was an epitome of a brave and disciplined soldier, who motivated many people in Ghana, Africa and elsewhere.

“We Salute Him” he stressed.

According to Sakyi Ofei, a member of the Sports Writers Association of Ghana (SWAG) they are touched by the loss, and can take inspiration to work harder to save humanity.

He expressed that a big tree has fallen, and he can not be replaced like the late Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, who was the founder of the nation, J. J. Rawlings who reigned for over 20 years was the architect of the fourth republic.

His Excellency Jerry John Rawlings was an award winning military (pilot) man, who led to the re - institution of democracy in Ghana. He believed in government by the people.

He was affable, assiduous, gentle, strict, a performer, meticulous and a sportsman; he loved athletics, boxing, horse riding and above a flying. He died at the age of 73.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

The Ghana Football Association (GFA) has announced that clubs will observe a minute silence for former President Jerry John Rawlings this weekend when the new Premier League season starts.

On Thursday November 12 2020, the entire country was thrown into a state of mourning and intense wailing when news broke that the former leader of the Republic had joined his ancestors.

As the football fraternity joins the entire populace to mourn the ex-President, the Ghana FA has directed clubs to pay tribute to him before their Matchday 1 fixtures in the 20/21 Premier League this weekend.

“Premier League Clubs will observe a minute silence before kick-off at all match venues this weekend as a mark of respect for His Excellency, Jerry John Rawlings who passed away on Thursday, November 12, 2020,” a statement from the country’s football governing body has said.

The new Ghana Premier League season is scheduled to commence on Saturday, November 14, 2020, with defending champions Aduana Stars hosting Hearts of Oak.

Then later on Monday, November 16, 2020, Inter Allies will play against Dreams FC for the final fixture of the Matchday.

From Sammy Heywood Okine

Black Stars captain Andre Ayew has dedicated Ghana’s win against Sudan to Jerry John Rawlings as he notes that players fought hard to get the result to honour the deceased former President.

The founder of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) passed on Thursday hours before the Black Stars faced off with their counterpart from Sudan in the qualifiers to the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament.

At the end of 90 minutes at the Cape Coast Stadium, a brace from Andre Ayew handed Ghana a 2-0 win against Sudan.

Speaking after the game, the Swansea City star says the team dedicates the win to the decease former president Jerry John Rawlings.

“I think we fought hard to get a win in honour of His Excellency J.J Rawlings. We know the history and his contribution to the growth of Ghana so the win is dedicated to him,” Andre Ayew said in a post-match interview.

The attacker continued, “These are hard times for the family but we wish them well. May God comfort and bless them.”

The entire country continues to mourn the former president with clubs extending their condolences to the family of Jerry John Rawlings.

From Sammy Heywood Okine

Black Stars coach Charles Kobina Akonnor has expressed his appreciation to his players after registering a 2-0 win against Sudan in his first competitive game since taking over of the team.

Earlier this year in January, the former Hearts of Oak and Asante Kotoko trainer was appointed as the new head coach for the Black Stars by the new Ghana Football Association (GFA) administration.

Due to the Coronavirus pandemic, he has had to wait 10 months to play his first competitive game with the Ghana male senior national team.

On Thursday evening, he won against Sudan at the Cape Coast Stadium by 2 goals to nothing from captain Andre Ayew.

Reacting to his first competitive win in charge of the Black Stars, he thanked his players for showing commitment on the field of play.

“I feel good, I am grateful to the players for showing a lot of commitment. The preparation was a difficult situation but in the end, we won and it feels good,” Coach CK Akonnor said at the post-match press conference.

Ghana will play the second leg of the tie against Sudan in the qualifiers to the 2021 AFCON tournament in Onduman.

That game which could see Ghana seal qualification to the tournament is scheduled to be played on Tuesday, November 17, 2020.

From Sammy Heywood Okine

Experienced boxing trainers, Ofori Asare and Carl Lokko as well as renowned promoter, Alex Ntiamoah Boakye all believe 31 year old Emmanuel 'Game Boy' Tagoe (31-1, 15 KOs) now based in the US has the best chance of being Ghana's next world champion:

“Tagoe has been there for a very long time. With the experience he has garnered over the years, he stands tall for me among the other fighters,” Coach Lokko told BoxingAfrica.com.

Coach Ofori Asare added “Tagoe is a very tactical fighter and that alone could have secured him a world title but he is not getting any younger. He needs to start fighting the top opponents.”

Alex Ntiamoah Boakye, CEO of Box Office Sports Promotions :

“He has everything needed in a fighter to be a champion. I’m sure that is why he is finding it difficult to get his chance. Tagoe is the one I see to as Ghana’s next champion. The only thing left is for him to get a tune up fight to stay in shape.”

From Don Plato