AFCON Archives - Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always https://citifmonline.com/tag/afcon/ Ghana News | Ghana Politics | Ghana Soccer | Ghana Showbiz Fri, 10 Nov 2017 11:17:55 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.0.8 https://citifmonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/cropped-CITI-973-FM-32x32.jpg AFCON Archives - Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always https://citifmonline.com/tag/afcon/ 32 32 Rex Danquah heads to court over AFCON bid document cash https://citifmonline.com/2017/09/rex-danquah-heads-to-court-over-afcon-bid-document-cash/ Wed, 20 Sep 2017 10:45:07 +0000 http://citifmonline.com/?p=354933 Sports consultant, Rex Danquah, says he will resort to the law courts to get an amount of USD 525, 000 from the Sports Ministry for work done in relation to Ghana’s failed bid to host the 2017 AFCON tournament. Danquah’s firm, RICS Consult, was paid an amount of GHS 125,000 for putting the bid together […]

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]]> Sports consultant, Rex Danquah, says he will resort to the law courts to get an amount of USD 525, 000 from the Sports Ministry for work done in relation to Ghana’s failed bid to host the 2017 AFCON tournament.

Danquah’s firm, RICS Consult, was paid an amount of GHS 125,000 for putting the bid together but the payment was questioned by the Auditor-General’s report due to a lack of a contract.

The Sports Ministry has also said that it did not have any written contracts with RICS Consult.

Danquah’s decision to head to court is based on his belief that his work was fully backed by word from the Sports Ministry and the debt owed him was as a result of discussions held in order to find a resolution after Ghana did not win the rights to host the tournament.

“We delivered on what we were expected to do. We had a meeting with the then Chief Director and it was agreed that my company should discount the debt because we did not win the bid and we discounted the debt and minutes of that meeting are available.”

“So for me, to be told that there was no contract when the people themselves admit and accepted that the spirit of the work was done is a subject for the court.”

The 2017 AFCON was eventually awarded to Gabon.

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By: Nathan Quao/citifmonline.com/Ghana

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]]> Ahmad says Cameroon needs ‘to convince CAF’ it can host Afcon https://citifmonline.com/2017/08/ahmad-says-cameroon-needs-to-convince-caf-it-can-host-afcon/ Sun, 06 Aug 2017 16:48:01 +0000 http://citifmonline.com/?p=342721 The Confederation of African Football (CAF) president, Ahmad, says Cameroon still needs “to convince CAF of its ability to host” the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations. Speaking on a trip to Burkina Faso, the CAF President gave his clearest indication yet that Cameroon could be stripped of hosting rights for the newly extended event. The […]

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]]> The Confederation of African Football (CAF) president, Ahmad, says Cameroon still needs “to convince CAF of its ability to host” the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations.

Speaking on a trip to Burkina Faso, the CAF President gave his clearest indication yet that Cameroon could be stripped of hosting rights for the newly extended event.

The 2019 Nations Cup will feature 24 teams instead of 16 and president Ahmad confirmed an inspection team will visit Cameroon later this month.

“Cameroon will have to work to convince CAF on its ability to host the event,” Ahmad said.

“We will send the experts and we will decide at the end of their inspection mission” he added.

On Friday, Cameroon government spokesman Issa Tchiroma Bakary revealed details of the eight-day inspection visit which will begin on 20 August and played down fears of sanctions if preparations were deemed to be behind schedule.

But Ahmad says CAF will put much weight behind the inspection team’s report.

“We have decided that it is no longer the CAF Executive Committee who will inspect the countries selected for the organization of the AFCON.

“It is now experts who will do it and CAF will decide based on their report,” Ahmad said.

President Ahmad also announced that a symposium for women’s football will take place in Morocco in 2018.

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Source: BBC

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]]> Expanded Nations Cup will not ‘reduce quality’ of play https://citifmonline.com/2017/07/expanded-nations-cup-will-not-reduce-quality-of-play/ Wed, 26 Jul 2017 06:54:38 +0000 http://citifmonline.com/?p=339345 The Africa Cup of Nations will not suffer in quality after its expansion to 24 teams, says a top Confederation of African Football (Caf) official. Amaju Pinnick believes the African game can only benefit, even if the tournament may suffer early on. “At the beginning, you will see some problems but later it will start […]

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]]> The Africa Cup of Nations will not suffer in quality after its expansion to 24 teams, says a top Confederation of African Football (Caf) official.

Amaju Pinnick believes the African game can only benefit, even if the tournament may suffer early on.

“At the beginning, you will see some problems but later it will start building up to the quality people know it for,” the Nigerian told BBC Sport.

“Trust me – it is not going to reduce the quality.”

Last week, Caf chose to both expand the Nations Cup – by an additional eight teams – and move its timing from January/February to June/July.

Pinnick, who presides over Caf’s Nations Cup Organising Committee, believes African football will be ‘redefined’ as a result of the changes, citing benefits with regard to business, infrastructure and the sport itself.

He says African companies are excited about the changes, that African players will become more prized and that more countries will benefit from new and/or reconstructed stadiums.

Concerns over the quality of football aside, there are also questions about how many African countries have the capacity to actually stage a 24-team Nations Cup.

The Caf executive committee member believes ’10-12′ countries could host on their own right now, but he also introduced the concept of ‘regionalising.’

“We are trying to encourage co-hosting and regionalising,” said the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) president in a wide-ranging interview.

“If Nigeria and Ghana were to put up a bid for example, I would also advocate that they accommodate (neighbours) Togo and Benin. Nobody is pushing that for now but I am just giving an example of the possibility.”

In the meantime, the next Nations Cup hosts – Cameroon – must deliver a finals, in 2019, for 24 teams despite having bid for a 16-team event.

Last week, the country denied reports it was behind schedule but Pinnick is not unduly concerned.

“Cameroon is a major footballing nation and I believe they are going to be able to do it,” he said. “They are very eager and excited.”

Firstly, the format for qualifying for the 2019 Nations Cup – which has already started – needs to be changed.

Caf will meet in Morocco later this week to begin talks on how that process will change, with the next qualifiers set for next March.

The switch of timing, meanwhile, has been broadly welcomed – with both African players and agents set to benefit given the Nations Cup will no longer clash with the middle of a European season.

“You will now starting seeing big money for African players – massive transfers because they are now in line with the footballer calendar,” said Pinnick.

Nonetheless, any footballer in a team that qualifies for Nations Cups either side of a World Cup could find himself playing three extended seasons in a row.

“I don’t think there is any major concern,” argued Pinnick.

“I called nine Nigeria internationals (to check) and they said it was not an issue. I also asked my marketing agent who called some big African names in the Premier League and they said the same thing.”

The argument of adverse weather – whether being too host in the North, too rainy in the West or too cold the Southern Africa – was regularly used by the previous Caf regime, under Issa Hayatou, as a reason to not move the timing.

Pinnick believes infrastructural improvements can help solve some of the issues.

“If you have a world-class pitch, you won’t bother about rain because within minutes it will drain away,” he said.

Pinnick, who says many companies have backed the expansion, does not believe the Nations Cup will increase in size again – with any potential increase likely to feature over half the teams on the continent.

“Anything can happen but I want to believe that this is where it should end.”

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Source: BBC

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]]> Black Stars coach Kwesi Appiah hails summer AFCON https://citifmonline.com/2017/07/black-stars-coach-kwesi-appiah-hails-summer-afcon/ Tue, 25 Jul 2017 13:27:06 +0000 http://citifmonline.com/?p=339171 Head coach of the Black Stars Kwesi Appiah has lauded the decision by the Confederation of Africa Football (CAF) to move the Africa Cup of Nations from January to June. The change was made last week at a CAF symposium in Morocco and will take effect from June 2019 as Cameroon host the tournament. “It […]

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]]> Head coach of the Black Stars Kwesi Appiah has lauded the decision by the Confederation of Africa Football (CAF) to move the Africa Cup of Nations from January to June.

The change was made last week at a CAF symposium in Morocco and will take effect from June 2019 as Cameroon host the tournament.

“It is a good decision because many Clubs in Europe do not like African players because they lose them during the Competition in January.”

“I don’t think any player will fake an injury to remain with their clubs because most leagues will be over before June,” he spoke in an interview played on Asempa FM.

CAF has also increased the number of teams to participate in the tourney from 16 to 24.

Caf president Ahmad has overseen sweeping changes in African football this week

That move has however been met with mixed reactions as some think it will be a huge burden for host Nations while others feel it will evoke some form of competition.

There has always been a great confusion as Clubs in Europe have over the years complained bitterly about the timing of the AFCON and this will come as a great a news for them.

Coach Kwesi Appiah has been in the USA monitoring the performance of Ghanaian players in the Major League Soccer and expressed satisfaction with the level of their output.

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By Rahman Osman/citifmonline.com/Ghana

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]]> AFCON to be held in June and July https://citifmonline.com/2017/07/afcon-to-be-held-in-june-and-july/ Thu, 20 Jul 2017 19:56:55 +0000 http://citifmonline.com/?p=338183 The Executive Committee of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has passed a proposal shifting the scheduling of the AFCON from January to June and July. This follows the decision to expand the number of teams in the tournament from 16 to 24 teams. The new format for the competition will now take effect with the […]

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]]> The Executive Committee of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has passed a proposal shifting the scheduling of the AFCON from January to June and July.

This follows the decision to expand the number of teams in the tournament from 16 to 24 teams.

The new format for the competition will now take effect with the 2019 edition in Cameroon.

The decision will come as a breath of fresh air for many figures in the football fraternity as many had been calling for this change for years.

The proposal for the change was discussed at the just ended historic CAF symposium in Rabat Morocco which saw 55 members of the continent’s most influential football figures gather to discuss possible major changes on the continent.

The Nations Cup’s timing in January and February has long angered clubs in Europe, where many Africans play, as it is right in the middle of the European league season.

Former CAF president Issa Hayatou opposed the move several times suggesting the weather patterns in Africa favoured the January/February period.

The AFCON, before this change, was the only continental competition which was not played in the summer.

The competition will continue to be contested every two odd years with only African teams participating and exclusively held in Africa.

The timing of the CAF club competitions will also be changed and will be held from August to May, coinciding with the European calendar although the format will be unchanged.

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By: Daniel Koranteng/citifmonline.com/Ghana

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]]> CAF expands AFCON team slots to 24 https://citifmonline.com/2017/07/caf-expands-afcon-teams-slot-to-24/ Thu, 20 Jul 2017 16:12:49 +0000 http://citifmonline.com/?p=338116 The CAF Executive Committee has passed a resolution to increase the number of participating teams in the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) from 16 to 24. The change will take effect from 2019 when Cameroon hosts it. The 55 members of the committee met in Rabat, Morocco earlier this week to discuss the growth of […]

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]]> The CAF Executive Committee has passed a resolution to increase the number of participating teams in the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) from 16 to 24.

The change will take effect from 2019 when Cameroon hosts it.

The 55 members of the committee met in Rabat, Morocco earlier this week to discuss the growth of African football and the possibility of expanding the tournament as well as changing the timing and scheduling of the showpiece competition.

The CAF President, Ahmad Ahmad hinted on Wednesday that some of the discussion at the symposium could be implemented within days and this is the first of many major changes expected to take place in the continent’s football.

This development would mean that the qualifying rounds for that tournament will be adjusted to accommodate all 24 teams, with the main tournament structure also taking a different shape.

The decision to increase the slots which had received mixed reactions from the football fraternity is said to be aimed at crafting new and innovative ways of making the competition more attractive.

Meanwhile, Cameroon risks losing out in hosting the tournament as it is still behind in its preparations.

Some have suggested that the tournament will be moved to Morrocco if the West African nation is unable to meet the deadline to complete its preparations.

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By: Daniel Koranteng/citifmonline.com/Ghana

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]]> Agyemang Badu urges Gyan to win AFCON for Ghana https://citifmonline.com/2017/06/agyemang-badu-urges-gyan-to-win-afcon-for-ghana/ Wed, 21 Jun 2017 16:58:31 +0000 http://citifmonline.com/?p=330438 Black Stars midfielder, Emmanuel Agyemang Badu has implored Asamoah Gyan to win the Africa Cup of Nations for the country before hanging up his boots. The Black Stars last tasted glory in the continent’s football showpiece in 1982 when they defeated host nation Libya 7-6 on penalties. Since then, Ghana has made the final on […]

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]]> Black Stars midfielder, Emmanuel Agyemang Badu has implored Asamoah Gyan to win the Africa Cup of Nations for the country before hanging up his boots.

The Black Stars last tasted glory in the continent’s football showpiece in 1982 when they defeated host nation Libya 7-6 on penalties.

Since then, Ghana has made the final on three occasions but have failed to add to their four trophy haul, with the latest finals being the 9-8 penalty shoot out loss to the Elephants of Ivory Coast in 2015.

Badu, who has lined up alongside Gyan on several occasions, urged the Shanghai SIPG striker, who recently scored his 50th goal for Ghana to win the coveted trophy for the country before calling it a day on his illustrious career.

“Gyan has been a wonderful leader, he is great and has done a lot for the national team,” Badu said on GHone.

“For now he is the all-time top scorer and just recently he was able to score his 50th goal which is a very wonderful achievement.”

“I I just hope he wins the Nations Cup title with the Black Stars to crown his achievement. I will be happy if he leads the team to win the trophy.”

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By Rahman Osman/citifmonline.com/Ghana

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]]> Starlets will be honoured if they win AFCON – Deputy Sports Minister  https://citifmonline.com/2017/05/starlets-will-be-honoured-if-they-win-afcon-deputy-sports-minister/ Fri, 26 May 2017 15:42:32 +0000 http://citifmonline.com/?p=322757 Deputy Minister of Sports, Pius Hadzide has revealed that the ministry will honour the Black Starlets in the new National Center for Sports Tourism in Cape Coast if they manage to win the U-17 AFCON in Gabon. Ghana qualified for the final for the first time since 2005 after a 6-5 penalty shootout win over […]

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]]> Deputy Minister of Sports, Pius Hadzide has revealed that the ministry will honour the Black Starlets in the new National Center for Sports Tourism in Cape Coast if they manage to win the U-17 AFCON in Gabon.

Ghana qualified for the final for the first time since 2005 after a 6-5 penalty shootout win over Niger after the game ended 0-0 after 90 minutes.

The Starlets have been in scintillating form throughout the tournament and take on holders Mali in the final on Sunday for a chance to end Ghana’s 18 year wait for the title.

Addressing the team during his visit to their base in Port Gentil, Pius Hadzide urged the team to do the nation proud by claiming the trophy on Sunday.

“The country today is a trophy hungry country and we haven’t won a trophy in a long while. We are yearning to see and hold a trophy so we are begging you to do us proud and bring us a trophy. The instructions of the Minister is that when you are able to do this you will be the first young national heroes whose names and pictures will be embossed in the National Center for Sports Tourism which we have just opened in Cape Coast,” he said.

The Black Starlets have scored the most goals in the tournament with 9 and are still yet to concede.
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By Daniel Koranteng/citifmonline.com/Ghana

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]]> U17 AFCON: Starlets sail into semis after five star showing against Gabon https://citifmonline.com/2017/05/u17-afcon-starlets-sail-into-semis-after-five-star-showing-against-gabon/ Thu, 18 May 2017 06:19:59 +0000 http://citifmonline.com/?p=320247 Ghana’s Black Starlets sealed a place in the semi-finals of the ongoing Under-17 AFCON tournament after a 5-0 mauling of hosts, Gabon, in Port Gentil. The Starlets produced a scintillating display, completely outclassing their opponents on the night. Captain Eric Ayiah got the first goal of the game through a penalty after he was brought […]

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]]> Ghana’s Black Starlets sealed a place in the semi-finals of the ongoing Under-17 AFCON tournament after a 5-0 mauling of hosts, Gabon, in Port Gentil.

The Starlets produced a scintillating display, completely outclassing their opponents on the night.

Captain Eric Ayiah got the first goal of the game through a penalty after he was brought down in the box.

Emmanuel Toku added a second before the break with a composed close-range finish after a defensive error from Gabon’s Silvain Mba Edou.

The second half mirrored the first and ended with the Starlets showing their overall class, creating chance after chance with some intricate skill and passing.

Eric Ayiah scored his second of the game with a brilliant lob over on rushing Gabonese keeper Brunel Ilagou Ilagou after another defensive mix up.

Emmanuel Toku also grabbed his brace with a neat finish after a one-two with Ayiah.

Late substitute Patmos Arhin made sure he was in on the party, completing the scoring after yet another defensive mix up from the Gabonese.

The victory means the Starlets have secured a place in the Under-17 FIFA World Cup in India later this year.

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By: Daniel Koranteng/citifmonline.com/Ghana

 

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]]> U17 AFCON: Starlets overpower Cameroon in Port Gentil https://citifmonline.com/2017/05/u17-afcon-starlets-overpower-cameroon-in-port-gentil/ Mon, 15 May 2017 06:04:32 +0000 http://citifmonline.com/?p=319201 “Two -time champions, Ghana turned on the style on Sunday at Stade de Port Gentil to crush Cameroon 4-0 in the second match of the on-going Total U-17 African Cup of Nations Gabon 2017. Captain Eric Ayiah and midfielder Ibrahima Sulley both grabbed a brace to shoot the Ghanaians to the top of Group A […]

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]]> “Two -time champions, Ghana turned on the style on Sunday at Stade de Port Gentil to crush Cameroon 4-0 in the second match of the on-going Total U-17 African Cup of Nations Gabon 2017.

Captain Eric Ayiah and midfielder Ibrahima Sulley both grabbed a brace to shoot the Ghanaians to the top of Group A with a superior goal difference after Guinea had earlier saw off hosts Gabon 5-1 in the tournament’s opener.

Ayiah shot the Black Starlets into the lead in the 25th minute courtesy of a lively pass from Emmanuel Toku who breached the Lions’ defence with ease.

Sulley got the second with another well-taken shot in the 32nd; and two minutes later, he completed his brace with a remarkable calmness after breaking the Lions’ off side trap as he lobbed the ball over on-rushing goalkeeper Boris Junior Essele. Ayiah completed the route with a stunning angular shot in the 64th minute.

Yet both sides came into this match knowing a win would be good for their aspirations but it turned out to be a contest of flair against force with the Black Starlets turning on the style while the Cubs stuck with their gusty display.

Much to the prediction of Ghana’s Head coach Samuel Fabian that they have the ammo to neutralise their opponents, the Black Starlets’ spontaneity and trickery was too much for their Cameroonian counterparts to deal with.

In fact, the   trio of Ayiah, Sulley and Toku were thorn in the flesh of the ‘Baby Lions’ as they freely broke away from their markers.

The second stanza barely started when Cameroon made their three changes but the introduction of Rosin Bella, Steve Kingue and Jules Ngah had little or no bearing on the complexity of the match as the Black Starlets shine under floodlight much to the delight of the crowd who cheered them throughout to the end.

Ghana will now face bottom-placed Gabon on Wednesday, May 17 at the same venue and a win will be enough to seal their place in the last four as well as a ticket to the forthcoming 2017 FIFA U-17 World Cup in India.

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Source: CAF

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