The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Black Stars

  • AFCON: Ghanaians in Lagos confident of Black Stars’ victory

    AFCON: Ghanaians in Lagos confident of Black Stars’ victory

    Ghanaians in Lagos on Monday expressed confidence that the Black Stars of Ghana would win the ongoing 2017 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Gabon.

    The Black Stars of Ghana were drawn in group D alongside Mali, Uganda and Egypt.

    Ghana has already won two of their group matches against Mali and Uganda with 1-0 goal margin respectively, while the team will lock horns with Egypt in their last group match on January 25.

    With the victory in the group matches so far, the Black Stars have qualified for the quarter-finals of the competition in Gabon.

    Peter Agbasi, a Ghanaian who resides and works in Lagos, told newsmen that the Black Stars possessed the qualities needed to lift the trophy in Gabon.

    “I have watched virtually all the teams in the competition play, none of them can withstand my country’s team.

    “This is the right time for Ghana to lift the cup again and I strongly believe the players will not disappoint,’’ he said.

    Also, Bright Amedume, a Ghanian who lives in Ikotun, a suburb of Lagos, said it was long overdue for the Ghana to lift the cup again.

    Amedume said their performance so far in the competition showed that the players were determined to win.

    “It may be too early to say this because we still have a match to play in the group stages but I know we have the right players who can win the tournament,’’ he said.

    Similarly, Bernard Kuffour, a Ghanian trader in Lagos said if the players maintained their method of play, the team would be victorious at the end.

    “The only obstacle to the Black Stars is the North Africa countries but I believe we can humble any of them,’’ he said.

    Recall that Ghana won the competition last in 1982 in Libya, making it the fourth time the Black Stars lifted the trophy having won it in 1963, 1965 and 1978.

    The tournament will end on February 5, 2017.

  • Gyan fires Ghana into last eight

    Gyan fires Ghana into last eight

    A solitary goal through Asamoah Gyan handed Ghana a 1-0 win over Mali in their second 2017 CAF Africa Cup of Nations Group D match at Stade de Port-Gentil on Saturday evening.

    The second win for the Black Stars consolidates their top spot on the log with six points, thus booking a spot in the quarterfinals.

    In the opening 10 minutes, the Black Stars pushed to get into Mali’s final third and they were awarded a corner as Jordan Ayew delivered, only to see John Boye failing to connect with Andrew Ayew’s flick on.

    In the 17th minute, Christian Atsu displayed a brilliant piece of skill from the right flank as he beat two Malian defenders, but it ended with a disappointing finish by Andrew Ayew as he fired wide from close range.

    However, a minute later, the Eagles pushed forward and they were awarded a corner and defender Molla Wague’s header went inches over the cross bar.

    Exactly in the 21st minute, Gyan handed the Ghanaians the lead when he netted with a fine header, beating goalkeeper Oumar Sissoko, which resulted from a sweet delivery through Jordan Ayew on the right wing.

    Despite their dominance, Avram Grant’s men failed to bag a second goal and went to the interval leading 1-0.

    Just after seven minutes in the second half, Moussa Marega disappointingly failed to keep his shot on the ground as he ballooned his effort at the back post over the cross bar.

    The second half was a different affair altogether as Mali dominated the proceedings towards the last 20 minutes, but the Ghanaian defence stood firm.

  • Ghana’s Asamoah opts out of AFCON

    Ghana’s Asamoah opts out of AFCON

    Juventus midfielder, Kwadwo Asamoah, has reportedly asked to be left out of Ghana’s squad for the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations in Gabon.

    Asamoah, who has over 60 caps for the Black Stars and represented the team at four AFCON tournaments and two World Cups, has reportedly asked Coach Avram Grant not to consider him for the tournament in Gabon.

    GHANASoccernet reports that a radio station in Kumasi, where Asamoah hails from, claimed Grant was considering the midfielder for his final 23-man squad.

    However, Asamoah has asked the Black Stars boss not to consider him for the tournament while he is still recovering from a career-threatening knee injury.

    The 28-year-old, africanFootball.com reports has spent much of the last two years on the sidelines due to injury and fears that a trip to Gabon for the AFCON could cause a relapse of the injury.

    Ghana faces Uganda, Mali and Egypt in Group D of the continental tournament starting on January 14.

  • Black Stars stop Eagles on penalties

    Black Stars stop Eagles on penalties

    Stephen Adams saved two penalties to send Ghana through to the final of the African Nations Championship following a goalless draw after extra time.

    Ghana’s Seidu Bansey was inches away from opening the scoring in just the second minute when his long-range effort drifted just wide of the target.

    Despite plenty of attacking intent from both sides in the first half, chances proved to be difficult to create in the opening 45 minutes.

    Abubakar Ibrahim came closest for Nigeria with a powerful strike from 35 yards but he was denied by the post.

    Ghana were dealt a blow in the second half when Kwabena Adusei was shown a red card for a second bookable offence in the 64th minute of the match.

    Despite being forced to play with 10 men for the remainder of the 90 minutes, Ghana managed to hold on to force extra time.

    Imenger Barnabas had a great opportunity to put Nigeria ahead early in the first extra period but the forward somehow managed to scoop his shot over the crossbar from six yards out.

    The same player missed another chance in the closing stages of extra time when Stephen Adams displayed impressive reactions to tip a header over the crossbar.

    Penalties were needed to split the two teams and Adams proved to be the hero for Ghana as he denied both Solomon Kwambe and Ugonna Uzochukwu help his side to a 4-1 win in the shootout and set up a final with Libya.

  • ‘Eagles are mentally ready for Ghana’

    By Taofeek Babalola

    Super Eagles media officer Ben Alaiya has said that the team’s technical crew are working on the players’ psychology ahead of Wednesday’s 2014 African Nations Championship semi-final clash against Black Stars of Ghana.

    Alaiya said the players are in the right frame of mind and ready for the epic encounter.

    “Everything is working well for the team ahead of Wednesday match. The team’s coaching crew are taking them to daily routine as expected of them. The team’s Psychologist Robinson Okoson is also doing all he could to work on their confidence. All things being equal Super Eagles are ready to face Ghana,” Alaiya said.

    Alaiya also admitted that Eagles gave too much respect to Morocco in the quarter-final clash on Sunday which resulted in their 3-0 deficit in the first half before the miracle come-back to seal the victory on 4-3.

    He reiterated that the Eagles have learnt their mistakes from Morocco’s game and will confront Ghana with all seriousness.

    “The players gave too much respect to Morocco that was why they conceded many goals in the first half but coach Stephen Keshi told them at half time to go and play their game with no respect to their opponents and we all saw the results at the end of the day. Eagles can’t afford to slip against Ghana because they are strong team too. And by the grace of God Eagles won’t disappoint Nigerians,” he said.

  • Black Stars declare Eagles tie must win

    By Julius Okorie

    Black Stars have been told to put in all the arsenals in the armory when they face Super Eagles in the semi-final of the ongoing African Championship on Wednesday.

    Kumasi Asanti Kotoko midfielder, Rahim Ayew who gave the charge, said beating the rampaging Eagles who came from three goals down to edge out Morocco 4-3, will be the icing on the cake for Ghana and will even ginger the side to go for the trophy.

    Ayew who was part of Ghana’s squad that played in the maiden tournament hosted by Ivory Coast in 2009 admitted that the tie will be tough even as he called on his compatriots to be alert to every Super Eagles move.

    He expressed satisfaction with the team’s performance so far, noting the side has been good in defending against opponents and conceding fewer goals.

    “In my point of view, what I have seen they are doing really good because they are defending and they don’t really concede a lot of goals”, he enthused.

    He however cautioned the side against seeking to score many goals adding that a victory is the ultimate.

    Ayew, who joined Kotoko in the second transfer window of the season in Ghana, added: “Whether you win by one zero or two it is still a win and it all makes up the game; they should continue to be themselves.”

  • Ghanaians tip Eagles, Black Stars for CHAN final

    Ghanaians tip Eagles, Black Stars for CHAN final

    •As Stars commences training in Namibia

    Despite the problem of moulding a strong Super Eagles team to represent Nigeria in the Africa Nations Championship (CHAN) in January 2014, by the Eagles’ handler, Stephen Keshi, Ghanaians have tipped Nigeria and Ghana to play in the final of the competition come February 1st, 2014.

    A cross section of holidaying Ghanaians that came to the Labadi Beach on Sunday unanimously agreed that both Ghana and Nigeria has the pedigree to win all their matches and move to the final to face each other for the CHAN Trophy at stake.

    “Well, I believe the Black Stars and Nigeria have quality players to leave up to their billings as a strong force to reckon with in African football. So I believe the two countries should play in the final of the competition in February 1st, 2014 at Cape Town Stadium”, David Homeku a young Pastor and football fan told SportingLife at Labadi, Accra on Sunday.

    Also George Ocloo, a Computer Engineer based in Teshie, Accra also supported Homeku. “Yes I agree with my friend David, if not for a small mistake we made in last Africa Nation Cup in South Africa in February, we (Black Stars) should have played against Nigeria in the final. So this time around our expectation here in Ghana is to meet Nigeria in the final of CHAN”.

    A holidaying Italy-based Civil Engineer; Frederick Nai did not hide his preference for the two teams to meet in the final. “You won’t believe it that this is what I and my friend Tayo discussed in Milan where we are based. I told him that I foresee Ghana and Nigeria playing in the final of CHAN but the Black Stars would eventually carry the day by emerging winner of the competition”, Freddy as he is fondly called boasted.

    According to our source, Ghana had been tripped as favourite to win the competition, while some football fans in Accra tipped Nigeria and Ghana to play in the finals of the competition.

    While the Super Eagles Chief Coach, Stephen Keshi continued to voice it loud and clear that he has no team in place for the Africa Nations Championship holding in South Africa from January 11, 2014, the West Africa neighbors and football rival, the Black Stars of Ghana have commenced final camping in Namibia for the same competition.

    SportingLife discovered in Accra yesterday that the team left the shores of Ghana on Friday for Namibia to put finishing touches to their preparations.

    A 27-Man local team left Accra for a training tour of Namibia as part of their preparations for the Africa Nations Championship in South Africa next month. The tournament kicks off on January 11th and ends on February 1st, 2014.

    The Stars, who were silver medalists in the 2009 edition face a tough Group (C) which include Ethiopia, Congo and Congo, while Nigeria will play in Group A against host team Bafana Bafana of South Africa, Mali and Mozambique.

  • Eagles, Black Stars ’ll be in S/Africa —Yeboah

    Eagles, Black Stars ’ll be in S/Africa —Yeboah

    Former Black Stars of Ghana star, Anthony Yeboa has tipped both the Super Eagles and the Black Stars of Ghana to pick the tickets for the 2013 Africa Nations Cup holding in South Africa from January next year.

    The Ghana football legend stormed Abuja on Saturday as a member of Ghana’s Team, Achimota Golf Club (1934) participating in this year’s edition of Nigeria’s Independence Cup, a three-day Match Play staged to mark the 52nd year Independence Anniversary of Nigeria holding at the IBB International Golf and Country Club

    Yeboah said that in as much as he is confident that Nigeria and Ghana would eventually qualify for the finals of the continent’s biggest football competition, he, however, wants the two countries to be serious with their football development programmes and preparations for major tournaments in other to maintain their dominance in the continent.

    “Definitely, I see Nigeria and Ghana playing in the finals of the 2013 Africa Nations Cup in South Africa. As for me, I don’t think there is going to be any problem booking the final tickets for both countries”, he said with full optimism.

    He, however, warned that, “Years ago when you talked about qualifications for (Africa) Nations Cup you couldn’t count Nigeria and Ghana out, but at the moment football has totally changed if you look at the performances of other countries in Africa. Other countries are also doing very well. So, we have to do our preparations very well. When everything is going well I don’t think Nigeria and Ghana will have any problem at all to deal with qualification situations”, Yeboa told SportingLife.

    The former Black Stars striker also pointed out that since football is a big business that brings big money to nations and has also enriched players, coaches and officials, the so-called minnows have buckled up and taken seriously the aspect of development and preparations for football competitions.

    “Zambia as a nation has attracted a lot of money as a result of winning the last Africa Nations Cup so other countries in Africa all mean business this time round, a reason why they are fast catching up with their big brothers in the continent”, he also explained.