Liverpool legend John Barnes has urged Ajax star Mohammed Kudus not to rush a move away from the Dutch giants despite numerous interest from top European clubs.
The Black Stars midfielder has been in magnificent form scoring 20 goals and providing seven assists for club and country this season and has been on the wishlist of Manchester United, Arsenal and Liverpool among others.
However, John Barnes, a two-time League and FA Cup champion with Liverpool believes it is in Mohammed Kudus’ best interests to stay longer in order to be grounded in his skill set.
“I advice every player to learn their trade, to be disciplined and humble. To stay at their club for a long period of time – so they can do that [learn their trade],” but football is different now anyways, it has changed. And we see that all the time, where a footballer has one good season and is transferred,” Barnes said to Joy FM.
“I use myself as an example; when I played, you have to show a level of consistency over a period of time, before you were transferred. Because of course when you are transferred, there’s going to be a lot of pressure on you, so unless you are able to show you can handle the pressure or do this [perform at a top level] over a period of time, and not five or six matches, I advice every player to learn their trade.”
Kudus’ future may strongly be dependent on Ajax since the 22-year-old still has two years left on his contract.
Black Stars coach Chris Hughton on Tuesday invited 24 players to begin preparations ahead of the team’s crucial tie with Madagascar in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers.
The list saw the return of Alidu Seidu who failed to make the cut for the previous call-up due to injury as well as Kwasi Okyere Wriedt who played a part in Ghana’s World Cup qualification by featuring in the all-important clash against Nigeria.
While the call-up brings huge excitement to 19-year-old Ernest Nuamah following his magnificent display for FC Nordjaelland as well as his recent performances for the Black Meteors, there was no representative from the local scene.
Meanwhile, due to injury, Chris Hughton will also miss the services of a number of players who have been instrumental for the Black Stars in recent times including their contribution to Ghana’s World Cup campaign in Qatar last year.
Here are the five key players who won’t be featuring for Ghana against Madagascar due to injury.
Antoine Semenyo
He was the hero for the Black Stars in the previous international break as he came off the bench to strike home arguably the most important goal for Chris Hughton since he assumed his role as the team’s coach to give Ghana all three points against Angola in Kumasi.
Semenyo had been struggling to adapt to the demanding nature of the Premier League but finally found the net in a similar way as he did for Ghana a few months ago by climbing off the bench to score against Leeds United.
However, he picked up an injury in the next game against Chelsea and has undergone surgery as confirmed by manager Gary O’Neil. Semenyo is expected to return before the next football season begins.
Tariq Lamptey
The Brighton and Hove Albion defender after the 2022 World Cup has battled with injuries keeping him out of the last 17 matches.
He was also ruled out of Ghana’s previous games against Angola as he got replaced by Kingsley Schindler in the squad.
Just like Semenyo, Lamptey is also expected to recover in time for the upcoming season as his team prepare to play in the UEFA Europa League.
Abdul Baba Rahman
Baba Rahman’s situation is similar to that of Tariq Lamptey having missed 17 matches and made just 10 appearances for Reading in the Championship after Ghana’s World Cup exit.
His chronic injury problems have in disguise paved the way for a new player Patrick Kpozo who was introduced in the previous call-up.
He is expected to return to his mother club Chelsea to nurse his injury and hopes to bounce back to action soon.
Mohammed Salisu
Salisu who can be remembered for his crucial goal against South Korea at the World Cup has equally battled with injuries in the second half of the season.
Even though it wasn’t expected to be serious, the Southampton centre-back’s injury has grown to be a major issue even his future with the club.
Salisu has missed so many games begging the question of his return. He missed six straight games, Three to injury and warmed the bench in the other three. However, after returning to the line-up he sustained another injury which has kept him out in Southampton’s last ten games. He was also replaced by Nicholas Opoku for the Black Stars game against Angola due to the injury.
The midfielder last played in February and has gone on to miss 20 matches for Freiburg in all competitions after sustaining a cruciate ligament rapture during a training session.
Prior to his injury, he had been a key member of the squad under both Milovan Rajevac and Otto Addo and also featured in all matches at the 2022 World Cup.
Kofi Kyereh will see his position taken by the likes of Majid Ashimeru and Mohammed Kudus as witnesses in previous matches.
The highly anticipated AfroSports Summit is set to take place in Ghana on the 2nd and 3rd of August, 2023.
The summit intends to raise awareness of Ghana’s potential for sports tourism and investigate ways for the nation to establish itself as a top travel destination for sports fans from across the world.
The AfroSports Summit will bring together key stakeholders in the sports industry, including athletes, sports management professionals, government representatives, and tourism experts.
Through panel discussions, presentations, and networking sessions, the summit aims to foster dialogue and collaboration to harness the untapped potential of sports tourism in Ghana.
Speaking on the Africa Sports Report Podcast, CEO of the AfroSports Summit, Prince Narkortu Teye says the goal is to make the AfroSports Summit the number one Sports science and business summit in Africa, and by bringing sports brands and major stakeholders from across the world, attention will be drawn to the nation.
Ghana, a nation famous for its lively sporting traditions and rich cultural heritage, offers a unique blend of opportunities for sports tourism.
The summit will delve into various aspects of sports tourism in Ghana, focusing on topics such as infrastructure development, event management, marketing strategies, and community engagement.
By exploring these areas, the summit aims to identify ways to enhance the country’s sports tourism offerings and attract a greater number of international visitors.
Moreover, the AfroSports Summit will facilitate discussions on policy frameworks, investment opportunities, and partnerships with international organizations.
By strengthening collaborations between sports federations, tourism boards, and private enterprises, Ghana aims to enhance its sports infrastructure, host world-class sporting events, and develop a sustainable sports tourism ecosystem.
As the countdown to the AfroSports Summit begins, all eyes are on Ghana. The summit is expected to provide a roadmap for the future of sports tourism in the country and propel Ghana’s global reputation as an exciting and vibrant destination for sports enthusiasts.
The first round of speakers for the event has already been announced with lots of high-level dignitaries expected to attend the event.
For more information about the AfroSports Summit and to register for the event, visit the official website at www.afrosportssummit.com.
Ghanaian actor and political aspirant, John Dumelo has shared his feeling over the behaviour of his former friend and best man, Frederick Nuamah in the run-up to the Ayawaso West Wuoguon NDC parliamentary primaries.
Responding to a question on Twitter on Tuesday, May 30, 2023, by a fan who was curious about his relationship with his opponent, Dumelo revealed that “betrayal is an understatement,” fueling further tension between the two prominent figures.
The feud between Dumelo and Nuamah originated in March when Nuamah accused Dumelo of breaking his promise to abstain from contesting in Ayawaso West Wuogon.
This was after the latter granted an interview to Graphic Showbiz, publicly disclosing his disappointment with Dumelo’s alleged turnaround.
According to Nuamah, Dumelo even gave his blessings when Nuamah decided to pursue his own candidacy.
The revelation struck a nerve with Dumelo, who vehemently denied the accusations and expressed a profound sense of betrayal.
As the dust settles, the duo now finds themselves vying for the chance to represent the party in the 2024 general elections at a yet to be announced after it was put on hold by the Functional Executive Committee (FEC) of the National Democratic Congress (NDC).
Despite their fallout, Fred Nuamah had indicated plans to salvage his relationship with Mr Dumelo but it seems nothing has worked so far.
“John Dumelo is not my friend, he is my brother and I would never allow politics to come between us nor would I allow politics to destroy our brotherhood,” he said.
According to Mr Nuamah, their political party, the NDC, was an institution that advocates for unity so it will be in his best interest to settle the matter amicably.
“Aside from John being a brother to me, the NDC is one party, so this controversy between John and I, would be settled at home and for all you know, the issue may have already been resolved,” he pointed out.
The alleged betrayal has strained their once budding friendship and it remains to be seen if John Dumelo will forgive his former best friend and smoke the peace pipe in the future.
Winner of 2022 Ghana’s Most Beautiful (GMB) contest, Dahamani Tung-Teiya, has partnered REEdAfrica to educate students in Zogbeli Block C on menstruation.
She also distributed sanitary pads to the female students after teaching them how to make period beads to better understand and track their cycle.
The main objectives of her action were to raise awareness of menstruation health hygiene and also to assist students who could not afford sanitary pads on Menstrual Hygiene Day.
Men need to know that menstruation is a natural and normal occurrence, thus Queen Teiya grasped the chance to include the male students in this seminar.
Menstrual Hygiene Day was observed this year on Sunday, May 28, 2023, a day set aside to end harmful taboos around menstruation and promote awareness of the existing shortages of menstrual goods, services, and facilities.
Most female youngsters have struggled with good menstrual hygiene over the years, especially those who live in impoverished communities.
‘Making menstruation a normal reality of life by 2030’ was the focus of Menstrual Hygiene Day 2023.
Ghanaian music icon, Ofori Amponsah has urged Ghanaians to shift their focus from investing in the dead to celebrating the living in a poignant message on TV.
Mr. All4Real who was a special guest on Onua Showtime with Mcbrown, shared his thoughts on the importance of acknowledging and appreciating artists during their lifetime, rather than waiting until they are no longer with us.
With a remarkable 25-year journey in showbiz set to be commemorated in 2024, Ofori Amponsah expressed his preference for honouring individuals during their lifetime rather than attending funerals, believing that genuine celebration should happen in the present moment.
“Sometimes people want you to die before they celebrate you and say oh as for this guy he was good. I really don’t like funerals that much, so I rarely attend,” he shared.
According to the ‘Otoolege’ crooner, it is important to extend a helping hand to others whiles the are alive instead of waiting for them to depart from this world before offering support.
“I believe in celebrating the living. If someone wants a cup of water, offer it to them, don’t wait for them to leave this earth before you go and buy stuff for their funeral,” he admonished.
As Ofori Amponsah approaches the milestone of 25 years in the entertainment industry in 2024, his call for celebrating the living takes on even greater significance, especially at a time when many veterans have been neglected t,o their fate and only celebrated after their death.
“You can ask someone for 1 cedi and they’ll not give you but wait and let me die, they’ll find large sums of money to buy a coffin or give donations, I don’t understand this behaviour, we really need to celebrate the living,” he added.
Speaker of Parliament (Left) Alban Bagbin and Chair of the EC Jean Mensa
Ghana’s Parliament has notified the Electoral Commission (EC) of a vacancy in the Assin North Constituency.
A letter written to the Commission by the Clerk on Tuesday, May 30 said “In the exercise of the power conferred and the duty imposed on the Clerk to Parliament by Section 3 of the Constitution of the Republic of Ghana (Amendment) Act 1996 (Act 527), I Cyril Kwabena Oteng Nsiah, Clerk to Parliament do hereby formally notify you of the occurrence of a vacancy in the Assin North Constituticny necessitated by the Judgement of the Supreme Court dated 17th May 2023 vide Writ No. J1/11/2022 issued in respect of James Gyakye Quayson in the case of Micaheal Ankomah Nimfah vrs James Gyakye Quayson, the Electoral Commission of Ghana and the Attorney General request you to take appropriate consequential actions as required by law.”
The Supreme Court ordered Parliament to remove the name of Assin North Member of Parliament, James Gyakye Quayson, from the records of the Legislature.
The apex court on Wednesday, May 17 unanimously ruled that the name of Gyakye Quayson, should be expunged from the records of Parliament.
This was after plaintiff Michael Ankomah Nimfah filed an application early this year, seeking among others, a true and proper interpretation of Article 94(2)(a) of the 1992 Constitution.
He sought to invoke the original jurisdiction of the apex court of the land to declare the election of Mr Gyakye Quayson as unconstitutional.
Article 94(2)(a) of the 1992 Constitution states: “A person shall not be qualified to be a member of Parliament if he owes allegiance to a country other than Ghana.”
Black Stars coach Chris Hughton on Tuesday named a 24-man squad for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier against Madagascar in June.
Surprisingly, the squad does not include any players from the Ghana Premier League, despite Hughton’s extensive presence at numerous league games this season. Hughton’s dedication to attending these matches has garnered widespread acclaim from fans and observers.
The squad has left many perplexed by the absence of local players. Hughton has not provided any explanation for this decision, leaving room for speculation among fans and pundits alike.
It is possible that the former Brighton & Hove Albion manager deems the local talents not yet prepared for the intensity of such a crucial match.
The Black Stars must secure either a victory or a draw against Madagascar away from home to secure qualification for next year’s AFCON tournament in Ivory Coast.
The last inclusion of local-based players in a Black Stars squad occurred in November 2022, when Daniel Afriyie Barnieh of Hearts of Oak and Ibrahim Danlad of Asante Kotoko were called up for the 2022 World Cup.
As anticipation builds for the upcoming match on Sunday, June 18, 2023, at Stade Kianja Barea in Antananarivo, Hughton’s squad selection continues to spark discussion and intrigue.
Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia has picked his nomination forms to enable him to contest in the upcoming flagbearer elections of the New Patriotic Party (NPP).
He picked the forms on Tuesday, May 30. The forms were picked on his behalf by former Vice Chairman of the NPP, Fred Oware and former National Organiser Sammy Awuku.
The NPP opened nominations for its flagbearer elections on Friday, May 26.
The nominations will close on Saturday, June 24, according to a press release issued on Thursday, May 25.
“Consequently, an Aspiring Presidential Candidate shall obtain the Nomination Forms after payment of a non-refundable nomination fee of Fifty Thousand Ghana Cedis (GH¢50, 000.00) only, through a Banker’s Draft,” the statement said.
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