by Emmanuel Atanga | Jan 24, 2025 | Africa, Europe, Ghana, International, Soccer
Ghanaian football legend Michael Essien has offered valuable insights into Real Madrid’s unparalleled success, emphasizing the club’s relentless winning culture. Widely celebrated as the most successful football club globally, Real Madrid boasts an incredible record, including 14 UEFA Champions League titles.
Essien, who spent the 2012/13 season on loan at Madrid under Jose Mourinho, revealed the secret behind the club’s dominance. Speaking to Sporty FM, he explained, “At Real Madrid, it’s all about winning. There’s no alternative. Sometimes, the coach doesn’t need to say much because the players have the quality to solve problems on the pitch.”
Reflecting on his time with the Spanish giants, Essien acknowledged the intensity of playing for a club with such high expectations. He also touched on the challenges Real Madrid has faced in recent times but expressed confidence in their ability to bounce back. “I don’t know what’s wrong with Madrid at the moment, but they’ll find their feet,” he said. “Matches against rivals like Atletico Madrid can get especially intense.”
During his stint at the Bernabéu, Essien made 21 appearances and scored two goals, further cementing his reputation as a reliable midfield powerhouse.
by Emmanuel Atanga | Jan 24, 2025 | Africa, Europe, Ghana, International, Soccer
In a surprising turn of events, football legends Michael Essien and Emmanuel Adebayor have come forward with intriguing revelations about Ghanaian stars Thomas Partey and Iñaki Williams. While the specifics of their statements remain under wraps, the duo’s comments have sparked widespread speculation within the football community. Both Partey, a midfield maestro for Arsenal, and Williams, a standout forward for Athletic Bilbao, have been pivotal figures for Ghana’s Black Stars. The revelations hint at personal or professional dynamics that could reshape fans’ perspectives on these players.
The football world eagerly awaits further clarification as these revelations unfold, promising to shed light on the lives and careers of two of Africa’s brightest talents.
by Emmanuel Atanga | Jan 21, 2025 | Africa, Ghana, Soccer
A New Era for Ghanaian Sports Leadership
In a pivotal move aimed at revitalizing Ghana’s sports sector, President John Mahama has nominated Kofi Adams, Member of Parliament for Buem Constituency, as the Minister of Sports and Recreation. The announcement came as part of the third wave of ministerial appointments submitted to Parliament for vetting and approval.
Adams, 49, replaces Mustafa Ussif, who served under former President Nana Akufo-Addo’s administration. With a Bachelor of Science degree in Zoology, specializing in the Epidemiology of Parasitic Diseases, Adams brings a unique blend of academic rigor and political experience to the role.
Known for his passion for grassroots development, Adams has long advocated for a return to the foundational aspects of sports. In a recent interview with GhOne TV, he affirmed his readiness for the challenge, saying, “I will gladly accept the Sports Minister position if appointed. Let’s return to grassroots sports and implement it effectively.”
As Ghana’s new sports leader, Adams faces a daunting but exciting task. Priorities on his agenda include improving sports infrastructure nationwide, securing sustainable funding for national teams, and driving Ghana’s success on the global stage in various sports disciplines.
Adams’ nomination has sparked hope among stakeholders who believe his fresh perspective and dedication to grassroots sports could redefine the future of Ghanaian athletics.
by Emmanuel Atanga | Jan 21, 2025 | Africa, Europe, Ghana, International, Soccer
Italian Serie A club Genoa is preparing to terminate the contract of Mario Balotelli, the Italian international of Ghanaian descent, during the ongoing January transfer window.
Balotelli, who joined Genoa as a free agent in October 2024, has struggled to make an impact at the Rossoblu. The 33-year-old striker has managed just six appearances without scoring a single goal, leading the club to consider him surplus to requirements.
The decision to part ways with Balotelli comes in the wake of Genoa’s acquisition of Ivorian forward Maxwell Cornet. Cornet joins the team on loan from West Ham United for the remainder of the 2024/25 season, further limiting Balotelli’s chances of featuring in the squad.
Reports suggest that Genoa is keen to free Balotelli to seek opportunities elsewhere. His release would mark another chapter in a career that has seen him represent prominent clubs such as Inter Milan, AC Milan, Manchester City, Liverpool, and Marseille.
In addition to Balotelli’s impending exit, Genoa is also set to cut short the loan spell of goalkeeper Pierluigi Gollini. The Atalanta shot-stopper is reportedly close to sealing a move to AS Roma before the transfer window closes.
Balotelli’s time at Genoa will likely be remembered as a missed opportunity for both the player and the club, leaving fans wondering what lies ahead for the mercurial striker.
by Emmanuel Atanga | Jan 21, 2025 | Africa, Ghana, International, Soccer, World Cup
Abeiku Quansah, a key member of Ghana’s historic Black Satellites squad that clinched the U-20 World Cup in 2009, has voiced his disappointment over the returns from a government investment made on behalf of the players 15 years ago.
In an interview with Glorious Sports Today, Quansah detailed how the government’s decision to invest GH₵10,000 per player initially seemed like a prudent plan, but the outcome has fallen far short of expectations.
“The money we got was GH₵77,000 after 15 years. You can’t even buy land in Accra with that amount. Maybe in my village, but even then, you can’t build anything substantial,” he lamented.
Quansah suggested that the players could have done better by managing the funds privately, adding, “If we had saved that amount ourselves, the returns would have been much greater. This entire situation is disheartening.”
Beyond the financial disappointment, the former winger expressed frustration at the government’s inability to honor promises made to the team. He believes this failure has undermined the motivation of younger athletes.
“They should have fulfilled their promise so that the younger generation would be inspired. It’s unfortunate, but this is a good lesson for the young ones coming,” Quansah said.
