Coach Mercy Tagoe Quarcoo largely has kept faith with the team that won the WAFU tournament in Abidjan last month, with just two changes in the 18-player squad as she continues with the team building exercise towards this year’s Africa Women’s Cup of Nations.

The team is expected to return on April 3.

List of Players:
1.      Patricia Mantey
2.      Nana Ama Asantewaa
3.      Janet Egyir
4.      Rita Okyere
5.      Philicity Asuako
6.      Gladys Amfobea
7.      Ellen Coleman
8.      Justice Tweneboaa
9.      Juliet Acheampong
10.     Priscilla Okyere
11.     Portia Boakye
12.     Leticia Zikpi
13.     Grace Asantewaa
14.     Alice Kusi
15.     Jane Ayieyam
16.     Ernestina Tetteh
17.     Mavis Owusu
18.    Grace Asare

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With 8 months to the start of the tournament, most conversations surrounding the event have been about infrastructure and facilities and there have been concrete steps in that direction.

The Accra Sports Stadium is currently being refurbished and there are plans to put the El-Wak Stadium and the Achimota School Park in good shape for the competition but until last Friday’s official launch of the tournament in Accra, not a lot had been said in relation to publicity.

Madam Prempeh stated what would be done to create the needed buzz of the event.

“In order to whip up interest before, during and hopefully after the tournament, the LOC will be engaging the general public in various activities including an all-women jama competition, quizzes, exhibitions, quizzes etc.

In due time, we will roll out some of our projects. We will soon unveil our mascot and our theme song.”

The theme song for the tournament will be done by singer Wiyaala, Grace Ashie and Black Stars captain, Asamoah Gyan.

The 2018 Women’s African Cup of Nations will serve as qualifiers for the 2019 World Cup in France and the top three teams from competition will represent the continent.

The competition runs from November 17 to December 1, 2018.

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By: Nathan Quao/citifmonline.com/Ghan

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The FA Cup champions were given three weeks off following their commanding 3-1 victory over rivals Hearts of Oak in Tamale.

Head coach Steve Polack flew out of the country last week on holiday and is expected back in the country next weekend.

Kotoko, who will be competing in the CAF Confederation Cup competition next season, have been largely quiet on transfer activity. While several players are rumored to be on their way out, Kotoko have yet to confirm any signings with the new Ghana Premier League season expected to kick off in February 2018.

By: Fentuo Tahiru/citifmonline.com/Ghana

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Gyan has captained the Black Stars since 2012 when he was given the role by Kwesi Appiah during his first stint with the national team.

Gyan has since gone on to captain the team at four AFCON tournaments and one World Cup, as well as becoming the country’s all time leading goal scorer during that period.

Many questions have been raised over the 31-year old’s ability to continue to carry out the task as team leader as his fitness has been a huge problem in recent times, but Kwesi Appiah, said he is still keeping faith with the former Udinese man.

“Asamoah is the captain now, and until I say he is not he will remain so. Everybody plays a captain’s role in my team.”

“Defenders talk and control the midfielders, and midfielders control the attackers. So everybody is a captain in my team, and the players are aware of this,” he told Accra based Metro TV.

Gyan earlier this week revealed that he plans to retire after the 2019 AFCON tournament.

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By: Daniel Koranteng/citifmonline.com/Ghana

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The Russia 2018 World Cup Qualifiers have officially ended,which means that the timing could not be better for Kwesi Appiah to embark on the rebuilding process he promised when he accepted the job.Indeed the process has already been set in motion with a number of promising youngsters including the likes of Thomas Agyepong and Ebenezer Ofori having been giving the opportunity to showcase their talent.

However,the final match against Egypt in Cape-Coast exposed the team’s most glaring deficiency of all,leadership.

This goes beyond wearing an elastic band around the bicep or persistently clapping hands during the course of a match.The twin towers: Asamoah Gyan and Andre Ayew have had their moments leading the Black Stars but unfortunately more than half that time has been spent tussling for power and claiming turf while the real substance has been ignored.

The Black Stars seek positive change heading into the future but for that to happen the reigns of power must first be handed over. Gyan despite his ability to lead by performance has never been the exemplary captain figure who younger ones could look to model while Andre has succeeded in showing everyone how incapable he is of suppressing his appetite for power.

Together they both have radiated the energy that has kept this team from making the required jump to the next level.

The form of Andre has been sketchy in the last two years when he has suited up for Ghana while Gyan has been delivered in a cast and sling whenever he has been called upon since the 2015 Afcon in Gabon.

Tactics might be impeccable,remuneration issues might be thoroughly sorted out and even the goodwill of Ghanaians might be restored but an army cannot go to war with two generals that are suspicious of each other because there will be movement but no direction.

Thomas Partey and Daniel Amartey have emerged as strong eligible candidates in recent matches but one who could also be an unsuspecting leader is goalkeeper Richard Ofori who has been vocal in a role where others have fallen short in the past.

Partey’s temperament,recent surge in form,ability to take responsibility in tough situations on the pitch and his unchained potential puts him a head above his peers.It remains to be seen how he himself will handle all the extra attention brought on by his improved form.

He recently missed out on CAF’s best XI, but it is only a matter of time before he puts the whole continent and the world on red alert.

Just as the team required inevitable change after the situation with Avram Grant, the time has come for that same type of change with the playing body.

Green Revolution

Sometimes turmoil and disaster are good,Kyrie Irving and the Celtics would have found this out in the most bizarre manner possible but I doubt even they believed a 12 win streak this early was feasible.

First requesting the trade to be his own man that instantly triggered backlash and then losing fellow star Gordon Hayward to a broken tibia and dislocated ankle.

These pivotal events have combined in some weird manner to motivate the Boston Celtics to play the best basketball while owning the best record of  the young 2017/2018 NBA season.

What makes the streak even more impressive is the fact that the Celtics have been without Irving in their last two games after suffering a facial injury that has put him in line to wear a mask indefinitely .

It almost looked like his team mates were eager to prove to him their hunger and ability to perform in his absence which bodes well for the franchise going forward.

They own the best defense in the league on surface value,holding opponents to an average of 94.0 points for the season.

The best part about the Celtics form is the huge strides in development made by key guys in the team like Marcus Smart and Jaylen Brown and Stevens will be the first to admit that Tatum has barely looked like a rookie.

I knew the Celtics would be a good regular season team but did not pen them down as one of the teams to take seriously come the post season.

The little I have seen is enough to have me recalibrate my expectations.

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By: Benjamin Nketsia/citifmonline.com/Ghana

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Banku was finally ‘eaten’

After 27 bouts, the unbeaten run held by Ghana’s most popular boxer in modern times, Braimah Kamoko aka Bukom Banku, was torn apart in rather spectacular fashion on Saturday at the Bukom Boxing Arena.

He came up against rival, Bastie Samir, in a much-hyped “Make Or Break” bout and truly, it was made for Bastie and it broke for Banku but it was not without incident. How could it have made headlines if it was all smooth?

First, there was a hold up for close to 20 minutes due to disagreements over the size and mass of Bastie’s gloves and I found it very distasteful since the bout was live on SuperSport and by extension, the whole of Africa.

But eventually, the bell went and it was seven rounds of great action. Banku won the first two rounds and perhaps, it was because he was looking to end it quickly and make good on the promise of a knockout.

That did not happen and Bastie gathered himself and boxed on the front foot. His strengths and skills from years of boxing at an amateur level (including the 2008 Olympic Games where he captained Ghana’s boxing team) began to show and he landed great combinations to win the 3rd, 4th and 7th rounds when he finally sent Banku down to the canvas and leave fans either stunned or standing for joy.

Takeways? Yes. It seems Banku’s fall has excited a lot of people. The trash talking and the overt disrespect towards Bastie seems to have either rubbed people the wrong way or they just wanted to see a good contest and they got one for sure.

The other point for me is the Bastie Samir’s exhibition on the day. He proved that he could really slug it out and that he had the ability to succeed but I wonder if it not too late for that. I do not know if he is considering making a push for bigger recognition but with good management and his own application, a good try will be worth his time.

The bout goes into the top ranks of my favourite boxing bouts but as for Bukom Banku, the trolls will continue. He needs to take them on the chin.

The teams in red

On Saturday’s installment of the Premier League which was live on Citi 97.3 FM, I saw a sickening performance from Man United at Huddersfield and it sent my day into a dark spiral. There was no attitude, no guts and certainly, no urgency leading to a 2-1 loss and to add to that, my taps at home ere left unclosed and so, I was called home to meet a flood.

But the water could not cool the rage in my mind as I reflected on Juan Mata’s silly error of losing a pass and failing to stop Aaron Mooy from going on a run that led to Huddersfield’s first goal.

I was even angrier at Victor Lindelof at his school-boy decision not to clear a long ball which set up Huddersfield’s second goal.

I think Jose Mourinho said it well when he underlined the fact that a loss to a team which fared better on attitude was a bad loss. I side totally with him. I would rather lose to a super team than one which ran more and showed more willingness.

I hope the manager will take hard decisions to punish the unserious players. Plus, we do need players back from injury. The team will look, feel and play better, I believe.

But then, I looked at Liverpool and I kept shaking my head. They gave four goals to Tottenham Hotspur at Wembley. Dejan Lovren gave two away, Joel Matip handed one over and the entire defensive group gave the fourth away in the second half after a free kick.

It is now reaching laughable levels when Liverpool’s defence is mentioned and Jurgen Klopp has to do something now. The odd occurrence will be glossed over and not a lot of sleep will be lost. They will be fixed quickly because it is out of character. A quick jolt to the system will put things right.

But when a problem keeps showing its head very often after only 9 rounds of a 38-game league season, then the manager must wake himself up first, see the reality and work on his charges until they are immune to sleep.

Until Liverpool do that, a lot more of the comedy shows will be aired for the world to see.

Spurs, though, were brilliant. Knowing when to hold their shape and when to break forward accentuated their readiness for the match and it further underlined their willingness to adapt and succeed.

And when they were breached, Hugo Lloris was magnificent.

Arsenal get high marks for their classy away victory at Everton. Even after conceding a goal from Wayne Rooney, their old enemy, they never looked in danger.

They pulled it even through Nacho Monreal and it was an onward march towards the three points from that point.

Ozil and Sanchez reprised their roles from seasons past with some great passing and movement while Lacazette and Ramsey played with energy and great tempo.

The future is unclear when Sanchez and Ozil are mentioned but while the Gunners have them in their hands, they need to get the best from their most creative sources.

Bye bye to Olympics and Tema Youth

It was never in doubt and on Sunday, what was known was confirmed. Great Olympics performed their usual routine of getting themselves relegated a season after promotion.

The stumbles were too many at the start of the season and the confusion involving Godwin Attram and Tom Strand in the head coach’s role rocked the boat too strongly.

Attram tried to set things right but that was not to be.

However, Tema Youth started well but they went on a skid and even when they knew the value of beating Elmina Sharks at home in Week 28, they failed woefully.

The departure of Joseph Paintsil to Hungary affected them but a better collective effort was needed. Their coach, Edward Odoom, complained of poor officiating a few times but he should have built his team to withstand the tough nature of the league.

Thumbs up to the survivors: Bechem United, Berekum Chelsea, Inter Allies, Liberty Professionals and Elmina Sharks. Some took advantage of their final home games and others were tough on their travels.

However, the people at Bechem United should be strongly reprimanded for the shenanigans surrounding the inability to broadcast the match live. They claim a truck blocked the entrance of the stadium and that prevented the Startimes television crew from getting in to beam the match.

Are there no towing services in Bechem? Are there no mechanics? Fans of the team team vowed to prevent the game from aired live and the episode clearly shows that they delivered on the promise.

Will we see any punishment? Aduana Stars essentially walked away unscathed when their fans went down the same  road so Bechem United could walk as well and we say we want corporate bodies to sponsor the league? I do not think we are serious about that objective.

Congrats to AshGold’s Hans Kwofie for winning the top scorer’s award. He scored four times against Aduana Stars to bag 17 goals and beat Stephen Sarfo who was leading the chart with 15 goals heading into the final round of matches.

That’s it folks!!!

Hit me up on Twitter @nathan_quao

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Boakye-Yiadom played 80 minutes for Red Star Belgrade in their 1-0 loss to Arsenal. He came close to adding to his 31 goals this calendar year but his first half header hit the woodwork. Eventually, Olivier Giroud got Arsenal’s winner after 85 minutes.

Boakye-Yiadom was subbed due to an injury but he confirmed via a tweet that it was not major and he was looking ahead to the return clash in England.

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My injury is minor. Arsenal were lucky. We fought & will fight again next time out at the Emirates. @crvenazvezdafk will advance. #UEL #fkcz

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Patrick Twumasi, who played 90 minutes, was luckier than Boakye-Yiadom on the night as he scored twice for Astana in their 4-0 win over Maccabi Tel Aviv.

Astana’s forward from Ghana Patrick Twumasi celebrates a goal during the UEFA Europa League Group A football match between FC Astana and Maccabi Tel-Aviv FC at the Astana Arena stadium in Astana on October 19, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / STANISLAV FILIPPOV (Image credit: STANISLAV FILIPPOV/AFP/Getty Images)

He got a first half penalty and a close-range finish in the second  before Junior Kabananga got two more to help Astana win the match.

Joseph Attamah Larweh played 90 minutes for Istanbul Basksehir in their 3-1 loss to Hoffenheim. He featured at centre-back but could not save his team from going down to their second loss of the competition.

Kassim Nuhu saw 90 minutes for Swiss side, Young Boys, in their 2-2 draw with Dynamo Kiev. With the result, Young Boys failed to win their first away match in the UEFA competition in 12 attempts.

Former AshGold defender Kadri Mohammed played 90 minutes for Austria Vienna as they lost 3-1 to Rijeka of Croatia. Mohammed’s team is now 4th in the group and is yet to win a match in the competition.

Mohammed came up against fellow Ghanaian, Maxwell Acosty, who played 79 minutes for Rijeka.

All these players are expected to play for their teams when the competition returns on November 2.

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By: Nathan Quao/citifmonline.com/Ghana

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The Black Stars B team put up a patchy performance and needed a 95th minute penalty converted by Vincent Atingah to win the match after Matarr Ceesay was adjudged to have handled the ball inside the box.

The Gambian Football Federation released a statement hours after the game ended, and it highlighted their displeasure at the result.

“The Gambia Football Federation wishes to express our disappointment in the strongest possible
terms in the manner in which the Ghana Vs The Gambia match was decided.

A non-existent penalty robbed the Scorpions and secured Ghana a place in the group stages of the competition.

In this regard, the GFF wish to condemn the abhorrent officiating by the Burkinabe referee, Boukari

Ouedraogo, who after giving several contentious decisions against our team and with the game heading to the penalty kicks and in the 99th minute, awarded a non-existent penalty to the home side.

This decision by the referee prompted a Ghanaian news site, Joy Online, to write in its post-match report:

“With 5 minutes of time added on and the game heading for the lotteries of penalty, a single kick from the spot was rather used to decide the game.

Referee adjudged The Gambia defender to have handled theball in the box, a decision which is even being disputed by the [Ghanaian] supporters.”

Considering the fact that this is the second consecutive time that we were robbed in broad daylight in a WAFU competition, the GFF therefore, shall formerly protest to WAFU and CAF for necessary action.

We may also consider our participation in future WAFU competitions unless justice is seen to be done.

In conclusion therefore, the GFF would wish to commend the spirited performance of the Scorpions in keeping the adversary at bay. We also wish to commend the efforts of the Head Coach Omar K. Sise, the Technical Team, the Players and the entire delegation.” the statement read.

Head Coach of the Scorpions Omar Sise expressed disgust at the decision taken by Burkinabe referee Boukari Ouedraogo when he spoke to the press following the encounter.

“I am sorry for Africa,so sorry for African football,an upset Sise yelled.

“The time was up but he gave away a penalty.

“Shame of them and shame on African football,this is why we don’t perform at the World Cup.

“Ghana did not win this game because they deserve to but because it was handed to them by the referee.

“Everyone watched the game and the Ghanaian citizens that believe in God know that this was no penalty and time had run out.

“They have advantage of playing at home,let them go,”he raged as he walked off.

Ghana however progress to the Group stage of the competition while The Gambia will head home as they put their case together.

By:Benjamin Nketsia/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post The Gambia to drag Ghana to CAF over controversial penalty appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

The match is the third in the series for the Black Stars as they chase a place in the next year’s World Cup.

CAF revealed the appointments on Monday on its website.

Ghana is currently third in the group with one point from the first two matches following a goalless draw in Tamale with Uganda and a 2-0 loss in Cairo to Egypt.

It is expected that the Black Stars head coach, Kwesi Appiah, will name his team for the match by the last week of August.

The two teams will meet again on September in Brazzaville for the return leg after which Ghana will face Uganda in Kampala in October and close the qualifying series out at home to Egypt in November.

Ghana is hoping to book a ticket to its fourth straight World Cup since 2006.

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By: Nathan Quao/citifmonline.com/Ghana

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Aryee was knocked down by a Police vehicle in a hit-and-run incident in May this year leading to injuries to his head and neck.

The former Sports Minister, Nii Lante Vanderpuye, donated GHS 14,000 through the Ghana Boxing Authority to the boxer to cover the cost of surgery.

GHS 4,000 was paid in May and when the outstanding amount was paid on Tuesday, Zweenes made his intentions known.

“The Ghana Boxing Authority is planning to take civil action against the Ghana Police Service and the Attorney-General’s department. I have already written to the Police for a copy of the Police report.

As soon as we get it, we will bring a civil action in court and ask for liquidated damages not only for the current injuries he suffered but for the loss of the opportunity to box into the future.

The court will look at how many boxing years he has left, how much potentially he would have made and what chances would he have had to get a world title. These are the things the court will look at in calculating the damages to be awarded.”

By: Nathan Quao/citifmonline.com/Ghana

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