by Emmanuel Atanga | Dec 27, 2024 | Africa, Europe, Ghana, International, Soccer
Ghanaian Forward Reflects on Fighting Spirit After Scoring in Defeat
Ghana international Jordan Ayew has expressed pride in his Leicester City teammates despite their 3-1 loss to Liverpool at Anfield in a fiercely contested Premier League clash.
Ayew, who has been in impressive form since joining the Foxes from Crystal Palace, opened the scoring just six minutes into the game. The Ghanaian forward latched onto a perfectly placed pass from Stephy Mavididi, displaying composure and precision as he slotted past Liverpool’s defense to give Leicester an early lead.
However, Liverpool responded with resilience. Cody Gakpo’s equalizer in the dying minutes of the first half leveled the score heading into the break. The second half saw Liverpool take control, with Curtis Jones striking early and Mohamed Salah sealing the victory in the 82nd minute.
Speaking after the game, Ayew acknowledged the areas where Leicester fell short but commended the team’s effort and determination. “We need to adjust better,” he said. “We started the second half not too well because they were on top of us. We could’ve made better decisions as a team, but we will learn from this key moment. Overall, I’m proud of the boys, their fighting spirit, character, and mentality. If we keep this up, we’ll be fine in the league.”
Despite the defeat, Ayew’s contributions continue to shine. The forward has registered five goals and one assist in 20 appearances for Leicester this season, underlining his importance to the team.
Leicester City remains focused on building momentum as they navigate their return to the Premier League, with performances like Ayew’s offering hope for a strong campaign.
by Emmanuel Atanga | Dec 27, 2024 | Africa, Europe, Ghana, International, Soccer
Bayer Leverkusen Star Aims to Nurture Talent On and Off the Pitch
Dutch international and Bayer Leverkusen standout Jeremie Frimpong has announced a transformative initiative called “Pathway,” aimed at empowering Ghanaian youth to pursue their dreams in football and beyond.
Frimpong, 24, introduced the project during his visit to Ghana, where he participated in a vibrant community football event in Dansoman. Speaking to 3 Sports, the Bundesliga champion shared his motivation for launching Pathway.
“It’s all about the youth because they are the future. We want to help them not only in football but in whatever they aspire to be. Pathway is like a platform where services are provided to support young people. Football is central because so many love it, but the vision is bigger than that,” Frimpong explained.
The initiative comes as no surprise, given Frimpong’s personal journey. Born in the Netherlands to Ghanaian parents, he moved to England at the age of seven and rose through the ranks at Manchester City’s academy. Now an established professional, Frimpong has made a name for himself at Bayer Leverkusen, playing a pivotal role in their historic unbeaten Bundesliga title-winning season.
With 10 caps for the Dutch national team, Frimpong is determined to give back to the country of his heritage. He expressed hope that Pathway will provide a platform for young Ghanaians to access opportunities and achieve their potential.
The event in Dansoman served as a launchpad for the project, showcasing Frimpong’s commitment to community engagement and the development of young talent.
by Emmanuel Atanga | Dec 27, 2024 | Uncategorized
Portsmouth Boss Criticizes Winger’s Antics in Heated Boxing Day Clash
Watford’s 2-1 Boxing Day victory over Portsmouth was marred by post-match drama as Kwadwo Baah’s controversial celebration drew sharp criticism from Portsmouth manager John Mousinho.
The 21-year-old German-Ghanaian winger was sent off after the final whistle for taunting Portsmouth fans with the viral “Take the L” Fortnite dance. The gesture, performed in front of the away supporters, added fuel to an already fiery encounter, which had been overshadowed by a contentious penalty decision.
The turning point in the game came when Baah, involved in the lead-up to Watford’s equaliser, went down under pressure from Freddie Potts. Initially deemed a goalkick, the referee reversed the call after consulting the linesman and awarded a penalty, despite replays suggesting the foul occurred outside the box. Edo Kayembe converted from the spot, and Rocco Vata scored a late winner to secure all three points for Watford.
However, Baah’s post-match actions stole the headlines. His celebration incited fury among Portsmouth fans, some of whom attempted to storm the pitch. Players from both teams clashed, with stewards stepping in to restore order before Baah was shown a second yellow card and dismissed.
John Mousinho, visibly frustrated, didn’t hold back in his criticism. “We will never, ever do that,” he said. “If one of my players behaved like that, they’d be in serious danger of never playing for this club again. It’s a sackable offence in my eyes.” Mousinho also voiced dissatisfaction with referee Geoff Eltringham’s overall performance, calling it “well below standard.”
Watford manager Tom Cleverley acknowledged the incident, defending Baah’s contributions during the game but condemning his lack of professionalism after the final whistle. Cleverley promised to address the matter internally, emphasizing the importance of humility and respect in the game.
Baah, already on a yellow card for a first-half foul on Matt Ritchie, now faces disciplinary action as Watford look to manage the fallout from his actions.
by Emmanuel Atanga | Dec 27, 2024 | Africa, Europe, Ghana, International, Soccer
Watford Manager Tom Cleverley Defends Winger After Fiery Post-Match Incident
Watford’s 2-1 Boxing Day triumph over Portsmouth at Vicarage Road was overshadowed by controversy involving 21-year-old winger Kwadwo Baah.
The Ghanaian winger, who played a pivotal role in the lead-up to Watford’s match-winning goal, was sent off after the final whistle for his provocative celebration. Following the Hornets’ 16th consecutive unbeaten game at home, Baah approached the away section and performed the “Take the L” dance—made famous by Fortnite—taunting the Portsmouth fans.
The situation escalated quickly, with Portsmouth players confronting Baah on the pitch, while stewards intervened to prevent fans from invading the field. The referee issued Baah a second yellow card, resulting in his dismissal.
Portsmouth manager John Mousinho didn’t hold back, labeling the winger’s behavior “sackable.” The tensions were heightened by an earlier contentious decision that had handed Watford a penalty. Despite replays suggesting the foul occurred outside the box, the referee—after consulting the linesman—awarded Watford the decisive spot-kick.
In the aftermath, Watford manager Tom Cleverley came to Baah’s defense. While acknowledging the celebration was inappropriate, Cleverley stressed the need for discipline and humility, adding that the incident would be handled internally. He expressed confidence that Baah, still young, would learn from the experience.
by Emmanuel Atanga | Dec 26, 2024 | AFCON, Africa, Ghana, Nigeria, Soccer
Interim head coach of the Super Eagles, Augustine Eguavoen, has thrown down the gauntlet to Nigeria’s home-based national team players, urging them to seize the opportunity to secure a spot in the senior team.
Eguavoen’s comments come ahead of the crucial second-leg tie against Ghana’s Black Galaxies in the African Nations Championship (CHAN) qualifiers. Following a lackluster goalless draw in Ghana, the Super Eagles B team will host their West African rivals at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo this Saturday. A victory would guarantee their participation in the 2025 CHAN tournament.
Speaking during a special Christmas edition of Sports Salsa on Kennis 104.1FM, Eguavoen highlighted the significance of CHAN as a platform for showcasing local talents from the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL).
“This is a golden opportunity for the boys to showcase their talent and even break into the senior national team,” Eguavoen shared. He revealed his recent conversations with NPFL coaches Daniel Ogunmodede and Fidelis Illechukwu, emphasizing the importance of promoting domestic league players.
Eguavoen also addressed the challenges of integrating home-based players into the Super Eagles, citing tight schedules and the high stakes of competitive fixtures. “The games have been delicate, and we couldn’t afford to take risks with players we hadn’t tested. But with CHAN, they can show what they’re made of,” he explained.
The former Super Eagles coach expressed confidence that the CHAN Eagles have what it takes to make a statement. “I’m optimistic. Maybe four or five of them can break into the senior team if they seize this moment. I’m sure they won’t take this opportunity lightly.”
As the Super Eagles B team prepares for this pivotal clash, fans and stakeholders alike will be watching closely, hoping for a victory that not only secures CHAN qualification but also paves the way for the next generation of Nigerian football stars.
