The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Black Stars

  • Ghana set to reappoint Addo as Black Stars coach

    Ghana set to reappoint Addo as Black Stars coach

    Ghana are set to reappoint Otto Addo as head coach of the Black Stars.

    The 48-year-old will leave German Bundesliga club Borussia Dortmund, where he is a talent coach, at the end of the season.

    Addo previously had a stint as Ghana coach in 2022, combining the job with his role at Dortmund.

    He guided Ghana to qualification for the 2022 Fifa World Cup but resigned after the West Africans were knocked out in the group stages in Qatar.

    Read Also: GFA  boss rallies Ghanaians  for Black Stars’ quest

    The Ghana Football Association (GFA) said on Facebook that Addo “will be offered a 34-month contract” with the option of a further two years.

    “It wasn’t easy for me to make this decision, but I’m very grateful and happy that those responsible at Borussia Dortmund are allowing me to take this step,” Addo said in a statement on the Dortmund website.

    “It’s a great privilege to be able to take on the role of head coach of my national team.

    “I’ve already gained a lot of experience in my role as [Ghana] interim coach and I’m looking forward to the task that lies ahead of me from the summer.”

  • Gyan’s Baby Jet Airlines to fly soon

    Gyan’s Baby Jet Airlines to fly soon

     

    Baring last minute change of plans Baby Jet Airlines, the brainchild of Black Stars Captain Asamoah Gyan will begin operation very soon. Gyan who recently acquired license from the government to operate an airline in the country is hoping that the Airline will first begin as cargo and later begin the real business of carrying passengers.

    Information about the new airline was revealed the 2017 African Airshow a the Kotoka International Airport where over 126 exhibitors participated

    Ghana President Akufo-Addo had at the event revealed that the former Sunderland ace who now plays for Turkish side Kayserispor was on the verge of floating a commercial airline.

    The 31 year old striker who  will be missing the world Cup in Russia following Ghana’s third position finish in the Group E of the qualifiers is no doubt planning big for his retirement.

    The Black stars ganered six points in five matches, Uganda finished in the second position with eight points in the five matches with only Egypt who finished in the first position with 12 points in five matches qualifying from the Group for the 2018 world cup.

    Ghana filed a protest with FIFA after their goalless draw with Uganda saw them crash out of the world cup.  The federation had complained that South African referee Daniel Bennett and his assistants, Eldrick Adelaide and Steve Marie, both of the Seychelles denied them of a perfect 93rd minute goal that would have earned the Black stars three points and improve their chances of qualifying

    FIFA however rejected the protest to have a replay against Uganda following an alleged ‘poor officiating’ insisting that no traits of manipulation of the game were found after initial investigation.

    The Black Stars host already qualified Pharaohs of Egypt November 12 at the Baba Yara Stadium, Kumasi in a match where they will merely be playing for pride.

  • WAFU FINAL: Ghana defeats Nigeria

    WAFU FINAL: Ghana defeats Nigeria

    The Black Stars of Ghana have defeated the Super Eagles 4-1 at the 2017 WAFU Cup of Nations final which was held on Sunday at the Cape Coast Stadium Ghana.

    However, Niger had claimed the bronze medal earlier in the day after it beat Benin 2-1 in third place game.
    In a report by allnigerisoccer.com, ‘both sides had clashed in Group A match last week with Nigeria winning 2-0 but the hosts overpowered their rivals in the final played at the Cape Coast Stadium on Sunday.

    The Black Stars started the game sharper than they did in the semifinals win against Niger on Thursday.

    Super Eagles number 10 Rabiu Ali had a sight of goal but Samuel Sarfo blocked his shot to corner.

    In the 33rd minute, goalkeeper Ezenwa Ikechukwu pulled a great save to deny Isaac Twum.

    The Super Eagles suffered a crushing blow when hardworking defender Adeleye Aniyikaye was injured and Ariwachukwu Emmanuel took his place.

    Sarfo made the dominance of Ghana count with a clinical finish after he cooly controlled the ball on the edge of the box and fired in a low shot in the 44th minute. There was no chance for Ezenwa.

    Early in the second half, Super Eagles coach Yusuf Salisu threw on Gabriel Okechukwu for Ubong Friday, who was on a yellow card.

    The switch didn’t deter Ghana who continued to run down the Nigerian team.

    The Black Stars had the chance to increase their lead, when substitute Patrick Razaq was tripped in the box.

    Vincent Atinga sent Ezenwa the wrong way from the penalty spot to make the scoreline 2-0 two minutes before the hour mark.

    The woes of Nigeria increased as Sarfo kept his cool to put his spot kick past Ezenwa in the 77th minute.

    The Black Stars were reduced to ten men in the first minute of additional time when Atinga was sent off for a second bookable offense.

    Ghana continued to be ruthless and added another goal. Winful Cobbinah tapped home following a lovely work from Patrick Razak.

    Nigeria reduced the deficit with what seemed to be the last action of the game thanks to Ali.’

  • WAFU Final: Super Eagles to lock horns with Black Stars  

    WAFU Final: Super Eagles to lock horns with Black Stars  

  • Ghana coach launches plan to support retired players

    Ghana coach launches plan to support retired players

    The Head Coach of the Black Stars, Ghana’s senior national men’s soccer team, Kwesi Appiah, on Friday in Accra launched an initiative to support retired national footballers and other athletes.

    Inaugurating the five-member board of trustees for the ‘Kwesi Appiah Foundation’, the former Ghana skipper said he dedicated a portion of his monthly salary to a fund the foundation.

    According to him, the foundation is set up solely to cater for the welfare of the ex-national stars.

    “Today marks the inauguration of my board of trustees, the foundation begins a journey that I hope will change many lives,” he said.

    The standard of living of most Ghanaian retired players and athletes has been deplorable, despite fighting hard to defend the flag of the country at international events with some winning laurels.

    Critical to the losses that retired footballers face is finance because they don’t make enough money after retirement which has led many to depression.

    Ghanian Deputy Minister of Youth and Sports Pius Hadzide applauded the coach for the initiative.

    He called on the corporate world to support Appiah in providing financial assistance, medical aid and skills development to the retired players through the foundation.

    Appiah was reappointed the Black Stars coach in April after mutually parting ways with the Ghana Football Association in 2014, following an abysmal performance at the World Cup in Brazil.

  • Strictly Personal: Asamoah Gyan flaunts customised armband

    Strictly Personal: Asamoah Gyan flaunts customised armband

     

    Asamoah Gyan scored his 50th international goal for Ghana as the Black Stars thrashed Ethiopia 5-0 in their World Cup qualifier on Sunday afternoon.

    Gyan, who is Africa’s all-time scorer at World Cups with six goals, seemed to have allowed his ego to overshadow the win as he wore a captain’s armband with his own face on it.

    In the second half, Gyan was substituted for Abdul Majeed Waris at the Baba Yara Stadium. As he was walking off, Gyan failed to pass the customised captain’s armband over to Vice-captain Andre Ayew, meaning the West Ham striker had to receive a different one from a Ghana official instead.

    In the post-match press conference, Gyan told reporters Ayew looks up to him as an idol.

    The Al-Ahli striker said: “I was in the national team before he came. I’ve been his idol since day one. His father likes me so much.

    “As human beings, you don’t know what people think [of you], sometimes, you may see me and you may not like me. It’s normal; we’re talking about the reality.”

  • Grant quits Ghana’s job

    Grant quits Ghana’s job

    Avram Grant has quit his job as Ghana’s head coach after more than two years in charge of the Black Stars, the country’s football association said on Tuesday.

    The Ghana Football Association (GFA) said in a statement that “the two parties will mutually part ways after their contract ends on February28.”

    “Both parties have mutually agreed not to renew the contract upon its expiry,” GFA added.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Grant’s resignation came five days after his side was eliminated in the semi-finals of the 2017 Africa  Nations Cup (AFCON) in Gabon.

    The Black Stars lost 0-2 to eventual winners Cameroon, and was defeated 0-1 by Burkina Faso in Saturday’s third-place match.

  • Grant hails Emenalo’s ability

    Grant hails Emenalo’s ability

     

     

     

    Former Chelsea manager Avram Grant has described Nigeria’ Michael Emenalo as a true professional whose ability to identify good players remains unique.

    Grant who is leading Black Stars of Ghana at the ongoing Nations Cup in Gabon, noted that Emenalo has been buying good players for the Blues but regretted that the club’s revolving door policy has made achievement minimal.

    He wondered what would have happened had the club extended such ugly policy to Enenalo who is club director of football.

    “I think the problem is that Chelsea don’t have an identity of how they play,” Grant told ESPN FC at Ghana’s team base at the African Nations Cup. “Arsenal have, Pep Guardiola has; they don’t.

    They want to buy players and win titles but they cannot have an identity because they change coach every year or two.

    “On the other hand they have the director of football [Michael Emenalo] doing a good job, buying good young players, so the squad is fantastic — the most balanced in England. The one thing that is stable there is the owner [Roman Abramovich], Marina [Granovskaia, a club director] and the director of football.

    Black Stars battle Congo DR in Saturday’s quarterfinal as they attempt to have a go at the Nations cup for the 5th time, after emerging champions in 1963, 65, 78 and 82.

    Grant who took the Blues to the Champions League final after replacing Jose Mourinho in 2007 was sent packing afterwards, ironically the club has paraded 11 different coaches on either temporary or permanent basis.

  • Pharoahs, Black Stars hit Q/finals

    Pharoahs, Black Stars hit Q/finals

    Egypt qualified for the Africa Cup of Nations quarterfinals yesterday with a 1-0 victory over Ghana in Port-Gentil.

    Roma attacker Mohamed Salah rifled a free-kick into the net on 11 minutes for a win that lifted his team to the top of the final Group D standings, one point ahead of fellow qualifiers Ghana.

    Egypt stay in Port-Gentil for a last-eight showdown with Morocco on Sunday and Ghana face the Democratic Republic of Congo in Oyem the same day.

    On Saturday, Burkina Faso meet Tunisia and Senegal tackle Cameroon in the other quarterfinals.

     

  • New bonus structure for Black Stars

    New bonus structure for Black Stars

    Ghana players have agreed to a proposal by the government to slash their winning bonuses at the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations in Gabon.
    The Black Stars had demanded for $10,000 at the group stage, $12,000 and $15000 at the quarter-finals and semi-finals respectively. However, they have come to terms with a 50 per cent reduction following a meeting with the new sports minister designate Isaac Asiamah at their base in Port-Gentil.
    Asiamah commended the players after the negotiations, revealing that other national outfits representing the country will have their bonuses reviewed as well.
    “We are going to have a stakeholders meeting to discuss payments for all national teams but in the interim we have held a meeting with the players of the senior national team,” Asiamah said.
    “And they have agreed to a 50 per cent slash in their bonuses. They have understood the situation we are in and also understand that the fans and the general public have spoken. The players understand this and must be commended for their cooperation,” he added.
    The new development will see the Black Stars earning $5,000 per win in the group stage, $6,000 in the quarterfinal and $7,500 for the semi-final.
    Ghana have qualified to the quarter-finals ahead of their final group game against Egypt on Wednesday after defeating Uganda and Mali.
    Goal understands that each player will take home $50,000 and a brand new jeep if the Black Stars happen to win the 2017 AFCON in Gabon.