Tottenham 2 - 1 Aston Villa

Rafael Van der Vaart scored twice to earn Tottenham a come-from-behind win that ended ended Gerard Houllier's 100% record as Aston Villa manager.

The visitors were rewarded for a strong start when Emile Heskey robbed Sebastien Bassong and squared for Marc Albrighton to slide in and convert.

Tiero to return to the Stars

Resplendent midfielder William Tiero is relishing his return to the senior national soccer side the Black Stars soon, “Where are they” can confirm.

The former Kotoko, Liberty Professionals player after a successful three year stint with Portuguese side, Academica Coimbra joined Bulgaria giants CSKA Sofia, and indications are that Tiero is one of the key performers; endearing himself to the Bulgarian fans with his deft touches.

Yegoala eyes premier league

Kumasi-based Division One club, Yegoala FC, bankrolled by former Ghana striker Anthony Yeboah, are leaving no stone unturned in their bid to qualify for the premier league in the next two years.

Kotoko confirms open talks with Aziz

Ghana Premier League giants Asante Kotoko have confirmed they are in talks to sign former defender Aziz Ansah.
The 29-year-old has begun serious training with the club and was featured in last Wednesday’s 2-0 win over second-tier side West Ham in a friendly.

Video: Watch Scolari Talks About Coaching National Team

Video: Watch Scolari Talks About Coaching National Team

The former Chelsea coach wants to coach a national team.

Seedorf raves about KP Boateng form

Ghana international Kevin-Prince Boateng continue to earn full marks in his outing for AC Milan with experienced Dutch star Clarence Seedorf the latest to join in the praise.
The 23-year old Ghanaian international has slotted in well at Milan since a loan move there from Genoa after the 2010 World Cup.
He was a second substitute for AC Milan in their Champions League game at Ajax and missed a great chance to take all three points in the Italians in the last ten minutes of the game.
Veteran midfielder Clarence Seedorf has also been impressed by what the Ghana international has put in so far.

France U21 defender Vandam opts for Ghana

French youth defender Jerry Vandam has opted to play international football for Ghana rather than France, his country of birth, Ghanasoccernet.com can reveal.
The 21-year-old, who plays for Ligue 1 giants Lille, has snubbed the European country to play for the country of his parents.
The France youth international has decided to commit to the West African country after his affinity for Ghana was nurtured following his recent visits.

Essien's to return for Ghana very soon

Ghana defender John Mensah believes midfielder Michael Essien will soon end his international retirement and return for the remainder of the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
The Chelsea ace decided to take a temporary break from the Ghana national team after a knee injury kept him out of the World Cup finals and also missed the greater part of last season in the English Premier League.
Essien has regained his old form and scored two Premier League goals this term as the Blues lead the pack.
Mensah is confident his close pal will not prolong his retirement after a bright start to the season.

Ghana plays Sudan in Kumasi

The Ghana Black Stars will continue the qualification to the 2012 AFCON when the take on their visiting opponent fron Sudan in Kumasi.
A faulty floodlight at the Ohene Djan Stadium in Accra has forced the Ghana FA to move the match to the country’s second biggest city.

AC Milan hold Ajax ;Chelsea wins over Marseille

Ajax were held to a 1-1 draw by AC Milan as the Italian giants kept their UEFA Champions League campaign on course.
After enduring defeat to Real Madrid in their opening Group G game, Eredivisie club Ajax were forced to settle with a point from Tuesday night’s clash as the Italian visitors came back from 1-0 down.

Ghana FA Cup is back

Ghana’s FA Cup will return this season atfer a nine-year absence thanks to sponsorship from continental telecommunations giants MTN.

The Ghana football authorities sealed a three-year sponsorship deal worth US$3m on Tuesday night to revive the highly popular competition which was last played in 2001.

The lucrative sponsorship means all clubs playing in the competition will benefit financially,  the first time in the country’s history.

Caf distance herself from MTN nomination list.

The Confederation of African Football (Caf) has disowned a purported list of players named for the 2010 African Player of Year which was originated by MTNFootball.com.
The publication has seriously infuriated Glo, the sponsors of the event, who are archrivals of MTN in the telecommunications industry in West Africa.
MTNFootball.com, which is owned by South African giants MTN, published on Sunday that 17 players were included in the preliminary list that is dominated by Ghanaians and Ivorians.

Desailly to Work With Locals

A front runner in the fierce race to the vacant Black Stars coaching job, Marcel Desailly, has denied that he has asked for a salary of €100,000 before he accepts to handle the national team.

According to a source very close to the former France Captain and member of the triumphant 1998 World Cup team, Desailly has not talked to anyone about remuneration since he declared his interest in the job left vacant by Serbian Milovan Rajevac.

Ayew warns Essien ahead of clash

Ghana and Marseille winger Andre Ayew has warned his friend Michael Essien of Chelsea that he will not have it easy when they clash on Tuesday night. Ayew is Essien’s close friend after they nurtured their camaraderie while playing for the Black Stars.
Chelsea are the favourites as they host the French champions in the Uefa Champions League game in London.

Hearts of Oak hunts for Obeng Darko

Ghana Premier League side Hearts of Oak are interested in landing unObeng Darko.
attached striker Kwame. The 24-year-old is a huge target for coach Paa Kwesi Fabin who is reeling under pressure following Sunday’s ignominious home League defeat to New Edubiase FC.

Muntari in Ghana plans

Stand-in Ghana coach Akwesi Appiah claims the national team doors are not shut on Sulley Muntari despite being overlooked in his 20-man squad for next month’s 2012 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier.

Muntari fell out with departed Ghana coach Milovan Rajevac for his persistent disruptive behaviour at the World Cup finals in South Africa.

Appoint Kwasi Appiah as Black Stars Coach – Kwabena Yeboah

Renowned Sports Writer Kwabena Yeboah is urging the Ghana Football Association to appoint Kwasi Appiah as the head coach of the Black Stars.

Ghana close in on Africa U-20 qualification

Winger Ebo Andoh punished Benin on 20 minutes when he toe-poked a ball from 20-yards atfter wriggling his way through two markers.

The Beninois rarely threatened the Ghana goal area and were booed by the partisan home crowd who were left frustrated by the team’s inability to keep possession.

Kessben draw to stay top; Hearts shocked

Kessben maintained top spot on the Ghana Premier League with a one-all draw with champions Aduana Stars; Kotoko ended a five-year jinx at AshGold and Hearts were shocked at home New Edubiase.

Kessben shared the spoils with defending champions at the Sekondi Stadium on Sunday night whistled their lead to one point. 

C'wealth Games 2010: Athletes warned of rising terrorism threat

Athletes and business leaders planning to attend the Commonwealth Games in Delhi have been privately warned to expect terrorist attacks on tourist sites and public spaces across India, the Observer has learned.

After a week in which the Games appeared to be in serious danger of cancellation, some athletes have now started to arrive in Delhi. The first representatives of England arrived on Thursday, while Scottish and Welsh competitors were due to fly in yesterday.

Champions Eduana faces League leaders Kessben

Ghana league leaders Kessben will host defending champions Aduana Stars in the fourth round of the top-flight in the biggest game of the weekend.

Both sides are unbeaten and among the current top flight, making the match very cagey and dicey.

In addition, Kessben, who are leading the log with a maximum 100 percent record, beating both Hearts and Kotoko, have in their fold Bashiru Hayford whose eyes are set on coaching the Black Stars.

He faces Aduana’s Herbert Addo who is also regarded as one of the best brains on the local front.

The former Kotoko coach says they are sticking to their work ethic which has produced results in the league.

Four Ghanaians namesd for CAF awards

For the first time in the history of African football, four Ghanaian players have been shortlisted for the CAF African Player of the Year Award, a report on MTNfootball.com claims.

According to the report the list is dominated by players from Ghana and their neighbors Ivory Coast.

New Sunderland striker Asamoah Gyan, Kevin Prince Boateng, Kwadwo Asamoah and Micahel Essien were named as the Ghanaian players in the report.

Glo mactch day 4 Fixtures

GFA Demands Kwarasey Endorsement

Ghana will put a case in front of FIFA for the young goalkeeper to play for them, and not Norway, at full international level.

The GFA (Ghana FA) will this week ask FIFA to endorse Adam Larsen Kwarasey’s switch from Norway to Ghana.

GFA vice-president Fred Pappoe told KickOffGhana that the FA will be seeking the switch, expecting the process to be a formality due to the player’s own expression of interest.

The process will involve providing proof of the player’s Ghanaian roots and evidence that he has not appeared for Norway in a competitive senior game. The 21-year-old expressed his desire to play for Ghana in November 2007, however, he only made his interest official with a written letter to the GFA recently.

Algeria Set Semi's Target

Ghana’s Africa Women’s Championship Group opponents Algeria has set a modest target of reaching the last four of the tournament which begins next month.
The Lady Fennecs open their campaign against Ghana on 1 November before playing champions Equatorial Guinea and Cameroon.
“Women’s football in our country is still in the development process. Algeria are considered outsider when it comes to advancing to the semi finals,” Algeria Football Association Technical Director Tikanowine Foudil told Supersport.com.

Akwesi Appiah to coach Stars for Sudan Game

Accra, Sept. 23, GNA - Deputy coach of Ghana's Black Stars, Akwesi Appiah will be in charge of the team when they play Sudan in the qualifiers of the 2012 Africa Cup of Nation in Ghana on October 10.

Ghana has been without a head coach since Milovan Rajevac refused to renew his contract, after the 3-0 victory over Swaziland in the first match of the qualifiers.

Fred Pappoe, Vice President of the Ghana Football Association (GFA) and Chairman of the Black Stars Management Committee told the GNA Sports in an interview in Accra on Thursday.

Carlo Ancelotti To coach Ghana

Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti has a desire to turn his hand to African football, and would like to coach the Ghana national team, claims his friend Domenico Ricci.
Ancelotti has proven a hit in Italy and England, and in future wants to grapple with the illusions and reality of African football as he widens his reach.
For his part, Ancelotti has maintained his immediate future rides on Chelsea as he continues to attract riches at Stamford Bridge following their impressive start to the season.
Ricci though has other ideas.

Sunderland can add to Hodgson's woes

Under pressure: Roy Hodgson - Liverpool v Sunderland

You look at this Liverpool side and they are very ordinary. Fernando Torres isn't firing while Steve Gerrard is having to do it all himself. They were fortunate to get a draw at Birmingham, while the 3-2 scoreline in losing at United flattered them. If Roy Hodgson thinks he can take anything positive from the defeat at Old Trafford, then I'm Polish.

He told the press he wanted to rest players for the game against Northampton. Didn't

David Beckham's management company says it is taking legal action against a U.S. magazine that published claims the former England captain slept with prostitutes.

The company says in a statement the allegations in the weekly In Touch are "completely untrue and totally ridiculous as the magazine was clearly told before publication.

"Sadly we live in a world where a magazine can print lies and believe they can get away with it. We are taking legal action against the magazine," the statement said.

Beckham has been married for 11 years to former Spice Girl singer Victoria Beckham. The couple have three sons.

The former Manchester United and Real Madrid midfielder plays for the Los Angeles Galaxy of the MLS.

The magazine quotes a 26-year-old woman, identified as Irma Nici, as saying she was a prostitute who slept with Beckham five times in 2007. She claims he also slept with a second prostitute.


Source: MSNBC

Caf names young secretary general

Morocco’s Hicham el Amrani has been appointed interim secretary general of the Confederation of African Football.

The appointment was confirmed after a meeting of Caf’s executive committee in Cairo, Egypt, on Thursday.

The 31-year-old replaces Mustapha Fahmy who is leaving Caf to join Fifa as the Director of Competitions.

Amrani’s appointment is with effect from 1 October, marking a swift rise for the man who joined Caf in 2009.

He left his job as the Asian Football Confederation’s Marketing Manager to become Caf’s assistant secretary general, working closely with Fahmy.

Caf president Issa Hayatou praised the outgoing Fahmy’s 28-year tenure as chief executive of the continental body.

“This house will always be yours ,” Hayatou told the departing Egyptian Fahmy.

An emotional Fahmy then broke down in tears and spoke of how “difficult” it had been for him to leave the confederation.

He said he will “continue to be a faithful servant of African football” while working for Fifa.

source: ghanasoccernet

Essien Reveals How he was snub by Manchester United

Chelsea star Michael Essien has revealed he was snubbed twice by Manchester United as a youngster due to fears about his size.

Essien, 27, has developed at Stamford Bridge into one of the finest defensive midfielders in the game since making the move from Lyon five years ago. It could have been a very different story, however, with the then teenager being trialled at United on repeat occasions.

Speaking to Match of the Day magazine, Essien stated manager Sir Alex Ferguson turned him down as he didn't see the physical power that would make him garner the label 'The Bison'.

He said: "I had two trials at United, but I was seen as too small.

"I think Sir Alex was looking for a certain type of player and I wasn’t the one then."

Essien also described his contentment living in London and how this happiness has benefited his game.

"I love the city of London, as there’s always something different to do," he continued.

"People are friendly here and they’ve always been good to me – that’s what I love about England."


Source: Goal.com

The Saga of Glo Sponsorship Contract Continues

The never ending GFA/Midsea and GLO sponsorship saga has taken another turn as another firm, ABN Marketing Consulting LTD claims to be the initial agents that brokered the GFA/GLO sponsorship deal.

Directors of ABN Consulting at a news conference yesterday said the GFA sidestepped them after mandating them in 2006 to solicit for sponsorship for the Ghana league which they did.

ABN has written to the FA to pay it 10% of the 15 million dollars sponsorship for acting as the agent and also abrogate the contract between them (GFA) and Midsea/Afrisat.

ABN also wants to be recognised as the official agent for the GFA/GLO sponsorship deal.

Source: Joy Sports/Ghana

Milo Marathon 2010

Excitement is building up in Accra ahead of Saturday’s 24th edition of the Milo Marathon.

The marathon, which is the nation’s biggest mass sporting event, starts at 7am from the Nungua Police Barrier for all adults and the juniors U-15 starts from New Times Corporation at 6am.

This year will witness a twenty percent increase in participants for both races with major sponsor Nestle Ghana Limited increasing prices in the various categories for all participants.

Meanwhile, organizers of the event, Dansoman Keep Fit Club, believe the Saturday event will have the biggest patronage in the history of the event.

“We are well poised, we’ve put everything in place, virtually everything about the event on Saturday [is in place,]” said Daniel Welbeck Tackie, the Chairman of the Dansoman Keep Fit Club.

He said the number of participants has increased from last year's 3,000 to 5,000 this year.

Source: Joy Sports/Ghana

Ghana named Squard to face Sudan in Accra

The Ghana Football Association has named an unchanged pack of players to face Sudan next month in the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier.
In-form striker Mathew Amoah returns to the team after missing the opening qualifier against Swaziland due to inury.
Goalkeeper Isaac Amoako and teenager Jordan Ayew who earned debut call-ups have been retained in the 22-man squad.
Also defender John Boye has been called up as a back-up for injured John Mensah.
Ghana play Sudan in Group I qualifier on 10 October in Accra.
Assistant coach Akwesi Appiah will be confirmed to take temporary charge of the team for the qualifier after a meeting with the Ghana FA on Friday following the exit of Milovan Rajevac.
Full squad:
Goalkeepers: Richard Kingson(Blackpool FC), Daniel Agyei(Liberty Professionals), Isaac Amoako(Asante Kotoko).
Defenders: David Addy (Academica de Coimbra), Lee Addy (Red Star Belgrade), Jonathan Mensah(Granada FC), Isaac Vorsah(TSG Hoffenheim), John Boye(Stade Rennes), Hans Adu-Sarpei(Schalke 04), Samuel Inkoom(FC Basel), JohnPantsil(Fulham).
Midfielders: Anthony Annan (Rosenborg BK, Norway), Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu (Udinese, Italy), Kwadwo Asamoah (Udinese, Italy) Andre Ayew (Marseille, France) Kevin-Prince Boateng (AC Milan, Italy) Jordan Ayew (Marseille, France) Bernard Kumordzi (Panionios FC, Greece)
Attackers: Asamoah Gyan (Rennes, France), Matthew Amoah (NAC Breda, Holland) Prince Tagoe (Hoffenheim, Germany) Yaw Antwi (FK Vojvodina, Serbia).

Ghanasoccernet:

The Ghana Coaching Job

Ghana has being seen as a pace setter and yet can not trust her own people to do the Black star coaching job. After all Ghana has a history of being a four times African champions which they never got any of the trophies under a foreign coach but with local coaches. Ghana won the Under twenty world cup with a local coach, and yet can not trust the same local coach with the senior team. The GFA has said any body will be given the job no matter the race or colour, which means that they are not yet ready to give the job to a local coach. History tells that no foreign coach have been able to gain even a bronze medal for Ghana and yet we keep chasing then to take charge of the team. This time the whole of Ghana and Africa in general is pleading with the Ghana Football Association(GFA) to elect a local coach for the senior team. God bless Ghana, God bless Black star.

Ways to qualify for the 2013 AFCON

The Confederation of African Football (Caf) has revealed on Thursday the qualifying format for the 2013 African Cup of Nations.
The African governing body announced on May that the Nations Cup would be held in every odd year starting from 2013.
This means that there will be two tournaments in successive years with Equatorial Guinea and Gabon co-hosting the next one in 2012 and Libya holding the 2013 event.
It was not known whether the ongoing qualifiers would qualify the teams for the 2012 Nations Cup only or both tournaments but CAF moved to clear up confusion.
“Countries that do not qualify for the 2012 tournament will play a first round eliminatory, with direct elimination, with a view to finding fifteen teams,” CAF said on its website after a meeting of its executive committee.
“If necessary, if the number of teams involved exceeds 45, a preliminary round would be organised. In this case, the criteria for the teams to undergo a preliminary round will depend on FIFA ranking.
“The second round of qualifiers, also through direct elimination, will witness the fifteen qualified teams of the first round qualifiers to play against the fifteen teams (except Libya, host country of the 2013 edition and by consequence already qualified) that would have participated at the 2012 CAN, after complete draws.
“If the Libyan team qualifies for CAN 2012, the fifteen other teams will directly play the second qualifying round of the 2013 CAN.
“If Libya doesn’t qualify for the Orange CAN 2012, Gabon and Equatorial Guinea will play home and away play-off and the winner will participate in the second round qualifiers.”
CAF also said that the qualifiers’ old format would come into effect again before the 2015 Nations Cup.
Egypt have won an unprecedented third consecutive Nations Cup title in Angola last January.

Desailly refute the claim of $120,000 to coach Ghana

Marcel Desailly has vehemently rejected reports of astronomical salary demands to coach Ghana which has severely affected his bid to take the vacant post.
The ex-France captain, who was born in Ghana, is still the overwhelming favourite for the job with the Ghana FA and Sports Ministry officials keen on him taking over as the Black Stars coach.
Various amounts of money Desailly wants as his monthly salary with figures ranging from US$120,000, US$70,000 and 90, 000 Euros have been quoted in various media circles.
Ghanasoccernet reported that he wanted US$100,00 and the two reported conditions have left him reeling.
The other condition of bringing in two assistant coaches from France has also been pointed as his initial demands for the job.
The Africa Sports pubalso reported that a Top Official of the Ministry of Youth and Sports has discussed Desailly’s financial demands with the President of the Ghana Football Association Kwesi Nyantakyi.
But a statement from his company MD Investments has vehemently denied demanding US$120,000 for the job insisting he wants to serve the country.
“Marcel has not been on any platform or in any meeting anywhere and asked for a salary of $120,000 as being speculated in the mass media,” a statement signed by MD Investments General Manager, Solomon Kludge said.
“Marcel has not been on any platform or in any meeting, be it formal or informal and asked to bring two French assistant coaches as part of a possible backroom staff.”
He added “If given the chance, Marcel will serve Ghana to the best of his ability.”
Over fifty coaches have so far applied for the post.

Boateng sure of AC Milan come back

AC Milan midfielder Kevin-Prince Boateng insists there is no need to panic, despite seeing his side fall five points behind Inter.
Boateng witnessed his side drop two valuable points when they drew 1-1 at Lazio on Wednesday.
Adriano Galliani had expressed concern earlier when he said he expected more from the team.
The Ghana international though feels it’s still too early to raise the alarm.
“The team played and ran hard for the whole game. We hardly risked anything,” he told Milannews.it.
“In any case, I think we are on the right track.”