The 77-year-old was due to travel to London this weekend for a dinner held in his honour by the Football Writers Association (FWA).

Pele – the only player to win three World Cups – withdrew and the FWA said he was being monitored by doctors.

But his spokesperson called reports of his hospitalisation “fake news”.

“He just didn’t want to make a long and stressful trip to London, in and out of who knows how many planes and airports,” said Jose Fornos Rodrigues. “That’s all.”

Pele has been taken to hospital for kidney and prostate problems in recent years.

Widely regarded as the greatest player of all time, he scored 1,281 goals in 1,363 appearances during his 21-year career, including 77 goals in 91 appearances for Brazil.

He helped his country win the 1958, 1962 and 1970 World Cups and was named Fifa’s Player of the Century.

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Source: BBC

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The German tactician ensured that Nigeria sealed their ticket to the global showpiece ahead of all others on the continent and will be hoping to guide them out of a difficult Group D which also has Iceland, Croatia and Argentina.

Nigeria will come up against Argentina a record fifth time in the group stages but Rohr remains adamant that his charges have what it takes to navigate the challenge of the first stage.

“The first target will be for us to get out of the group.

“The second step, we will see, let’s work to come out of the group because it’s a very difficult group.

“There is Argentina, Croatia and Iceland so it’s difficult.

“I had a dream that the five African teams are all in the quarterfinals.

“It is a period of visions so let’s hope that it will arrive,” he told Kwese Sports as he departed the Accra International Conference following the CAF awards.

Rohr was however pipped to the CAF Coach of the year award by Egypt’s Hector Cuper.

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By: Benjamin Nketsia/citifmonline.com/Ghana

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Ricardo Rodriguez scored with a penalty just before the hour mark after Corry Evans was deemed to have handled inside the area.

Though that decision was harsh as the ball clearly struck the defender’s shoulder, the visitors were dominant throughout and might have won by a greater margin had they converted a series of other chances.

They are now strong favourites to reach a fourth consecutive World Cup when the two sides meet again in the second leg in Basel on Sunday.

The result was a disappointment for Northern Ireland, who followed an impressive qualifying campaign with a below-par performance in their first major finals play-off.

Michael O’Neill’s side had finished second in Group C behind Germany. Six wins from their 10 matches was more than they had mustered in any previous World Cup qualifying campaign.

Switzerland led Group B throughout, having won nine fixtures in a row, but lost their last game 2-0 to Portugal to miss out on automatic qualification on goal difference.

In front of a raucous crowd of more than 18,000, Northern Ireland posed little threat for most of the game in the country’s biggest match at Windsor Park for 36 years.

The Northern Irish have only reached the World Cup three times – in 1958, 1982 and 1986 – but are aiming to take part in back-to-back major tournaments for the first time, having played at Euro 2016 in France.

Northern Ireland boss Michael O’Neill on Sky Sports: “The referee has no-one in his line of sight. Corry’s arm isn’t in an unnatural position, it’s by his side. The ball hits him on the back more than anything. I thought the referee had blown for a foul or an offside. Nobody had claimed for it.

“I’m staggered by the decision, staggered by the yellow card.

“It’s such a defining moment in the match. The opening tackle by Fabian Schar was borderline. I thought it was a red card. The referee hasn’t done us any favours.”

Northern Ireland midfielder Evans: “It’s disgraceful. I clearly didn’t put my hand up. I’m gutted. It’s devastating.”

O’Neill’s men boasted a formidable recent home record and had kept four clean sheets in their five qualifying games at Windsor Park, with last month’s 3-1 defeat by Germany their first competitive home defeat for more than four years.

They had also won seven of their past 10 competitive matches in Belfast, but on this occasion they were never a match for three-time World Cup quarter-finalists Switzerland.

Kyle Lafferty headed over in the first half but the men in green’s best chance fell to Josh Magennis, who headed off target from a Chris Brunt free-kick late in the game.

Rodriguez appeared to handle in the area soon after but referee Ovidiu Hategan waved play on, one of a number of baffling decisions made by the Romanian official.

Away goal puts Swiss in control

Switzerland – who are 11th in the Fifa rankings, 12 places above their opponents – controlled proceedings, stamping their authority on the game from the outset and eventually securing the away goal to swing the tie firmly in their favour.

AC Milan defender Rodriguez sent goalkeeper Michael McGovern the wrong way from the spot to put his side well on their way to an 11th World Cup finals and their fourth in succession.

The visitors made light of the absence of Udinese midfielder Valon Behrami and ex-Arsenal defender Johan Djourou, with Gunners midfielder Granit Xhaka a prominent figure throughout.

He volleyed over the bar in the first half, while Haris Seferovic saw his close-range effort brilliantly saved by McGovern.

Early in the second half, Shaqiri curled an effort just off target and Seferovic was unable to connect with a cross from three yards out with the goal gaping.

But it was the penalty award that had everyone talking.

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Source: BBC

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A Commission of Inquiry set up in 2014 after the shambolic showing in the World Cup that year, revealed the country spent approximately $700,000 on unclassified payments and subsequently recommended such payments be scrapped.

While the government whitepaper issued on the findings rejected the recommendation, the Ministry of Youth and Sports has since ceased allocating money for such purpose.

Speaking on Citi FM’s Sports Panorama show on Friday night, Wilfried Kweku Osei, a Ghana Football Association Executive Committee member, believes the unavailability of budgetary allocation to cater for referees is the reason the country missed out on a 4th successive World Cup appearance.

“I was quite surprised that Ghanaians and the media sided with former Sports Minister Nii Lante Vanderpuye [about not budgeting for indemnities] when the government whitepaper on the Dzamefe Commission report clearly indicated that unclassified payments were legal in the concept of our budget.

“If we had spent around $300,000 dollars [on referees], and stood to benefit about $8 million [by appearing at the World Cup], I see nothing wrong with it,” he said.

When pressed on why such an amount of money should be spent on referees, Kwaku Osei clarified that the essence of the payment to the referees is to ensure fairness.

“When we say unclassified payments, it’s not necessarily giving money directly to the referee. It can be in kind, it can be in cash. The essence of it is not for the referee to be biased towards your opponent.”

“…But if that was a necessary concomitant to create convenient atmosphere for the referee to be fair-minded in the course of the game, then I see nothing wrong with it,” he added.

Kwaku Osei, owner of Ghana Premier League side Tema Youth, which is currently fighting a battle to escape relegation from Ghana’s top division, went on to suggest Egypt and Uganda could have influenced referees’ decisions to disallow goals scored by Ghana in games against Congo and Uganda.

“Are you telling me the first goal Ghana scored against Congo in Kumasi was a bad goal? But the referee disallowed it. Do you know what motivated him to do that? It clearly points to the fact that he was being influenced by an invisible force. That could be Egypt; that could be Uganda or any of the countries we were competing against,” he said.

“When we went to Uganda, you saw clearly that the push on Frank Acheampong was a penalty. The first goal Amartey scored was a clean goal, the last goal Dwamena scored that was disallowed was a clean goal. So we’re not asking for anything beyond the referee being fair,” he concluded.

The Black Stars failed to qualify for Russia 2018 after winning just one game in their four qualifying matches. They host Egypt, who qualified from Ghana’s group, on November 12, 2017 in Kumasi.

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By: Fentuo Tahiru/citifmonline.com/Ghana

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The US started the night in the third qualifying place but ended up fifth after losing 2-1.

Panama jumped up to third after an 88th-minute winner against Costa Rica to reach their first World Cup finals.

However, it was their opening goal that caused debate with Gabriel Torres’ header not appearing to cross the line.

The 52nd-minute equaliser came from a corner with Torres’ effort hitting the post and as Blas Perez tried to force the ball over the line, Ticos defender Ronald Matarrita looked to have cleared it.

However, despite complaints from the visitors, referee Walter Lopez of Guatemala gave the goal.

Honduras beat already-qualified group winners Mexico to also leapfrog the US and secure fourth spot in the table and a two-leg play-off against Australia.

The US beat Panama 4-0 just last Friday but, despite playing a Trinidad & Tobago side with just three points from nine games before kick-off, never looked close to securing a place in Russia.

“We had everything there for us,” coach Bruce Arena said.

“We failed on the day. No excuses. We failed today. We should have walked off this field with at least a point. We should not be staying at home for this World Cup and I take responsibility.”

Omar Gonzalez stretched to cut out a cross and only succeeded in steering the ball past veteran goalkeeper Tim Howard, before Alvin Jones rocketed in a superb 35-yard strike to double the hosts’ lead.

Borussia Dortmund teenager – and star of the win in Panama – Christian Pulisic gave the US hope soon after the restart with a fine long-range goal of his own, but with Honduras beating Mexico it looked like a play-off place for the States.

And then, with time running out in Panama City, Torres – who plays his club football in Seattle – latched on to a long ball forwards and smashed in off the crossbar to send Panama through and leave the US in the wilderness.

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Source: BBC

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A 2-1 win over Congo Brazzaville saw them qualify for the global showpiece for the first time since 1990.

The president announced the reward on Monday as he met the Argentine coach Hector Cuper and the players.

“Maybe we don’t play beautiful football but we are at the World cup and that’s the most important thing,” Cuper said.

Al-Sisi had special praise for match-winner Mohamed Salah, who scored a penalty in injury time to secure the qualification.

“I am proud of all the players but especially of Mo Salah who was brave enough to take the crucial penalty,” the president said.

“Also thank you to coach Cuper who has made our dreams come true.”

Liverpool forward Salah was already looking ahead to Russia.

“We are determined to make the country and continent proud in Russia,” Salah said.

“I am very happy to lead Egypt to a World Cup after 28 years and to make a 100 million proud of us.”

The Pharaohs have won a record seven Africa Cup of Nations titles but have only been to the World Cup twice in 1934 and 1990 and are yet to win a game at the finals.

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Source: BBC

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The team includes regulars captain Eric Ayiah, Ibrahim Danlad and Emmanuel Toku.

Manchester City target Aminu Mohammed and Mohammed Kudus, both of whom were not involved in the African Championships in Gabon, get to start in this encounter.

Also named in the starting lineup is Cheetah’s FC midfielder Mohammed Iddris, and robust defender Yakubu Najeeb of New Town Youth.

The match will be played at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in New Delhi at 11:30 GMT.

Ghana’s starting line-up (4-3-3): Danlad Ibrahim- Najeeb Yakubu, Rashid Alhassan, Gideon Mensah, Abdul Razak Yusif -Mohammed Iddris, Ibrahim Sadiq, Kudus Mohammed-Eric Ayiah, Aminu Mohammed, Emmanuel Toku.
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By: Daniel Koranteng/citifmonline.com/Ghana

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The Director-General of the NDPC, Dr. Nii Moi Thompson in an interview on Metro TV’s Good Evening Ghana program on Tuesday night, revealed that the bid is dependent on the country fulfilling other financial and infrastructure targets set in the draft National Development Plan which was handed over to the government last month.

According to Dr. Thompson, as part of the long-term development plan, Ghana plans to host international events like the World Cup and Olympic Games.

As part of the 40-year development plan, a new stadium called the “Black Star Stadium” will be constructed with the “best 21st Century technology while the roof would be made up of solar panels”. The stadium will be connected to road and rail networks.”

Ghana has not hosted a Fifa World tournament or the Olympic Games in its 60-year history.

If successful, Ghana will become the  only second African country after South Africa in 2010, to stage the FIFA World Cup.

President Akufo-Addo, who received the 40-year national development plan on September 26, 2017, admitted that it “presents my government and subsequent governments with a daunting task, not so much the implementation, but to stay on track and ensure we have the desired outcome. We must be able to monitor our progress, and redirect our paths when we seem to be deviating from them.”

He continued, “We must, therefore, make rapid progress, and do things to ensure that we achieve it.”

Without pre-empting the contents of the plan, President Akufo-Addo in stating some of his aspirations was hopeful of a Ghana with “a strong, buoyant economy that will provide decent jobs for all; and that our school leavers from secondary and university will not spend an inordinate amount of time, as they do now, to get a job or create one for themselves and for others.”

He added further that he was hopeful of that being a Ghanaian “will be associated with tangible benefits, such as free basic education, a good healthcare system, the rule of law and security in the country; and that, reciprocally, the citizens will exude levels of discipline and professionalism that engender efficiency in the management of our institutions and the development of our society”, amongst others.

One thing which is certain, according to the President, is that “we must not and cannot fail in taking up this journey. We need to seek out those who are not yet convinced and bring them on board; and we need to have people to champion the different aspects of the plan, in particular the key milestones. We must figure out how we sustain the interest of key constituents, especially the youth, who will be at the helm of affairs in the not too distant future.”

President Akufo-Addo, on behalf of the people of Ghana, government, and on his own behalf, expressed his sincere gratitude to the Chairperson for the policy direction provided, and to the Director-General, Dr Nii Moi Thompson, for the organisational and technical leadership that got this document out.

“From the little I know of the operations of the Commission, I am aware that each and every one of you, the members of the Commission, have made significant input into this document. Your experience and knowledge have no doubt been brought to bear in the drafting of the document. I wish, again, to thank you all for the contribution you have made,” he said.

President Akufo-Addo also expressed his “sincere appreciation for the collective decision you have made, without the compulsion of law, to submit your collective resignation to allow the principle of ‘new King, new Law’ to operate. It is a mark of high patriotism and I am grateful for it.”

Background of the 40-year national development plan

Former President John Mahama in August 2015 launched a process for the preparation of a long-term National Development Plan for the country which will span within a period of 40 years.

The plan, which was being spearheaded by the NDPC, is aimed at shaping Ghana’s future and complementing the existing medium-term development plans of the country.

Dr. Botchwey had prior to the December 2016 general elections advised the various political parties not to neglect the implementation of Ghana’s National Development plan.

According to him, the plan must be incorporated into political parties’ manifestos to ensure the country’s set development targets are met in spite of political transitions.

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Source: Graphic.com.gh

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Gabon fielded an ineligible player – Merlin Tandjigora, who should have been suspended – in the 3-0 home defeat by Ivory Coast on 2 September.

The Panthers effectively escape with a fine as the main sanction for the error is to forfeit the match 3-0.

Several teams suffered similar sanctions in 2014 World Cup qualifying.

Meanwhile, the Nigeria Football Federation has been fined just over US$30,000 and issued with a warning after fans invaded the pitch when they beat Cameroon 4-0 on 1 September.

DR Congo were also given a warning and also handed a major fine, forced to pay Fifa around US$20,000, for incidents during their match against Tunisia on 5 September.

Fifa ruled that there had been “improper conduct among spectators – throwing objects [bottles] and letting off incendiary devices” at the match, which ended 2-2, in Kinshasa.

The Congolese federation was also sanctioned for failing to fly national flags at the stadium and for not displaying a mandatory “central advertising board”.

There was a US$15,000 fine and a warning for Mali after their home match against Morocco also suffered from “improper conduct among spectators – throwing objects [bottles and chairs]”.

Elsewhere, Zambia must pay US$7,000 after their fans threw objects when they played Algeria in Lusaka.

Morocco’s punishment of US$3,000 and a warning was given after spectators whistled during the national anthem ahead of their match against Mali in Rabat.

Both Burkina Faso and Senegal were issued warnings for delayed kick-offs in their matches against each other on 2 and 5 September respectively.

And South Africa’s Erick Mulomowandau Mathoho had his suspension for a straight red card against Cape Verde increased from one match to two and also fined US$5,000.

He was dismissed in Praia for kicking out at an opponent after the ball had already gone into touch and missed the return match a few days later through suspension.

The increased ban means Bafana Bafana coach Stuart Baxter had to drop him from his squad to face visiting Burkina Faso on Saturday.

He has been replaced by Cape Town City captain Robyn Johannes, who has earned his first call-up since 2008.

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Source: BBC

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Ghana’s Black Stars face an uphill task to qualify for the global showpiece after a draw and a defeat that has left them six points behind Group E leaders Egypt.

The upcoming match against Congo at the Baba Yara stadium in Kumasi on September 1 will offer the Black Stars the opportunity to make up lost ground while hoping that other results go in their favour.

Osei Kofi however believes that despite the uncertainties that exist in football,the idea of Ghana qualifying to Russia 2018 is an insult to the Egyptians.

“I wonder how Ghanaians are still hopeful that we can qualify.

“The question I ask people who say we can qualify is,If we were in the shoes of Egypt what would be the reaction of Ghana.

“I know what we do before qualifying for the World Cup,It means we have to do double of that,”he told Kwese Sports in an interview.

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By:Benjamin Nketsia/citifmonline.com/Ghana

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