by Silas Boahene | Jul 30, 2024 | Africa, Europe, Ghana, International, Soccer
Austrian club LASK Linz has successfully signed Wesley Frimpong, the younger brother of Bayer Leverkusen star Jeremie Frimpong, from Bolton Wanderers.
The 19-year-old Frimpong, a promising talent, had drawn interest from several clubs, including the German Bundesliga champions, Leverkusen. LASK’s acquisition of Frimpong is seen as a significant coup, as the club aims to bolster its squad with young and talented players.
Frimpong’s versatility and potential have made him a standout prospect, and his move to LASK provides an exciting opportunity for him to develop further in a competitive environment. The signing aligns with LASK’s strategy to invest in young talent, hoping to cultivate future stars and strengthen their team for the upcoming season.
As Frimpong embarks on this new chapter in his career, both fans and analysts will be keen to see how he progresses and adapts to Austrian football. This move also adds an intriguing subplot to his family’s football legacy, with his brother Jeremie already making a name for himself in one of Europe’s top leagues.
by Silas Boahene | Jul 30, 2024 | Africa, Boxing, Ghana, International
Fast-rising pugilist Daniel Sellasie Gorsh is determined to enhance his reputation and secure his third title as he prepares to face a Beninois opponent in Labone, Accra, on August 24.
The 22-year-old undefeated national super bantamweight champion and UBO Africa Super Bantamweight titleholder sees no competition on the continent and is now setting his sights on a world title.
“Nothing can stop me now. I have already conquered the continent. My next fight at Labone is just a cakewalk. I am looking for the world title now,” Gorsh told Graphic Sports in an interview in Accra.
Popularly known as ‘The Emperor,’ Gorsh is currently ranked fifth on the WBO African ranking. His last fight saw him stop challenger Samuel Danso in a five-round contest in Kumasi on July 5.
“The Danso fight was just a tune-up for my fight on August 24. I didn’t want him to waste my time, which is why I stopped him in the first round,” he confidently remarked.
Under the guidance of famed coach Lawrence Carl Lokko, Gorsh has blossomed into one of the nation’s most prized boxers and a leading prospect for a world title.
With a professional record of 12 bouts without a loss, Gorsh believes his time has come to become a world champion.
“I believe this is my time to become a world champion. I have been training hard for this for the past five years. I will wait for the opportunity, and I won’t fail Ghanaians when the time comes,” he stated.
He appealed to his supporters to pray for him and urged them to continue supporting him to victory.
by Silas Boahene | Jul 30, 2024 | AFCON, Africa, Ghana, International, Soccer
Prominent football administrator Samuel Anim Addo has raised serious concerns about the potential damage to the Baba Yara Stadium’s pitch due to a recent six-day religious event, just weeks before crucial Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers against Algeria.
The stadium, Ghana’s only approved venue for international matches, hosted a crusade led by William Kumuyi, General Superintendent of the Deeper Christian Life Ministry, last Thursday. Thousands attended the event, and the decision by stadium managers to allow the erection of a stage, canopies, and hundreds of seats directly on the pitch has alarmed the football community. They fear extensive damage could prompt the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to relocate Ghana’s AFCON qualifier on September 2 to another country.
Mr. Addo, a former member of the Ghana Football Association (GFA) Executive Council, criticized the National Sports Authority (NSA) for failing to ensure the pitch was properly protected. Despite repeated calls from the football community and recent recommendations from Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee, the NSA neglected to implement best practices for renting out stadiums for non-sporting events such as political rallies, concerts, and religious activities.
“It’s a big disappointment,” said Mr. Addo. “This [protection of the pitches] has been an issue for discussion for a long time, but the National Sports Authority appears not ready to do the right thing to preserve the pitches. As a country, we must begin to sanction duty bearers to serve as a deterrent.”
The situation worsened when a vehicle carrying Pastor Kumuyi and his entourage drove across the athletics tracks on the opening day of the crusade, further highlighting the disregard for the stadium’s integrity.
In February, Parliament reprimanded the former Director-General of the NSA, Prof. Peter Twumasi, for poor management of national stadiums during social events. Despite assurances that measures would be implemented to protect the pitches during non-sporting events, the recent events at Baba Yara Stadium suggest otherwise.
With Ghana’s AFCON clash with Angola barely a month away, and Nsoatreman FC set to host Chadian side Elect-Sport FC in the CAF Confederation Cup preliminary round on August 16, Mr. Addo fears the NSA’s actions could endanger these matches if CAF deems the pitch unsuitable for international fixtures due to severe damage.
He suggests that club administrators and the FA must pressure the NSA to establish a policy for renting out stadiums and ensure proper measures are taken to protect and maintain the pitches, which require significant time and money to repair.
“Do we want to play our home matches in another country because our stadiums are unfit for international matches due to the authorities’ negligence?” questioned the president of the premier league side, Young Apostles FC. “We invest heavily in building stadiums, but we are not protecting them for sports. We love the game, but we don’t want to protect it.”
In February, the NSA faced criticism from Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee for closing the Accra Stadium for a month to host social events, including the BHIM musical concert, which resulted in significant damage to the playing field.
by Silas Boahene | Jul 30, 2024 | Africa, Basketball, Ghana, International
The UCC Wildcats, the esteemed men’s basketball team from the University of Cape Coast (UCC), have secured a spot to represent Africa at the International University Sports Federation (FISU) 3×3 University World Cup, to be held in Xiamen, China, this November.
Returning home this evening, the Wildcats, reigning champions of the Federation of African University Sport (FASU) 3×3 Basketball Challenge, narrowly lost the final of the sixth Afro Varsity 3×3 Basketball University Championship to Ugandan Christian University (UCU) with a score of 16-18 in Kampala, Uganda, on July 28, 2024.
Guided by coach Dr. Eric Opoku Antwi and captain Frederick Asante, the UCC team triumphed over eight African universities en route to the final. The team includes Henry Xorlali, Francis Darke, and Emmanuel Essel.
On the first day of the competition, the Wildcats defeated The American University in Cairo (20-11), East Africa University, Rwanda (21-8), Victoria University (21-14), and University of Abuja (21-11). The following day, they overcame Makerere University (21-4), Kisii University, Kenya (21-12), United States International University-Africa (17-13), and University of Ibadan (21-16).
Speaking to Graphic Online shortly after their arrival at Kotoka International Airport, Dr. Antwi described the competition as challenging but expressed satisfaction with qualifying to represent Africa in China.
“Last year, we lost two of our key players and introduced two new ones who performed excellently. We faced some formidable teams and managed to beat them all until the final. We will review our performance, learn from it, and aim to bring home the first-place trophy next time,” he said.
Dr. Antwi also extended his gratitude to the management, staff, and students of UCC, stating that the team is determined to make a significant impact at the FISU 3×3 University World Cup in China and hopefully return with a trophy.
Team captain Frederick Asante shared a similar sentiment, confident in their prospects and aiming for at least a podium finish in China.
“It wasn’t an easy journey to the final, but we prepared well and did not disappoint despite losing the final,” Asante remarked. “As our coach mentioned, we hope to bring something better to the University and the country as a whole.”
Background on 3×3 Basketball
3×3 basketball, a fast-paced and shorter variant of traditional basketball, has gained substantial popularity since its official inclusion in international competitions. Played on a half-court with three players on each team, the game emphasizes speed, agility, and tactical skill. The first team to reach 21 points, or the team with the highest score at the end of a 10-minute game, wins.
Originating from street basketball, 3×3 was first recognized by the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) in 2007 and has since become a staple in various global tournaments, including the FIBA 3×3 World Cup and the Olympic Games, where it made its debut in Tokyo 2020. The format’s dynamic nature has attracted a diverse audience and encouraged widespread participation, particularly among university teams worldwide.
by Silas Boahene | Jul 30, 2024 | Africa, Europe, Ghana, International, Soccer, USA
Young English midfielder Freddie Potts has praised his West Ham United teammate Mohammed Kudus after a friendly match against fellow Premier League side Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Potts commended Kudus following his impressive performance, where he scored West Ham’s consolation goal in their 3-1 loss to Wolves during the team’s preseason tour in the US.
The match, held at the EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Florida, featured a memorable moment where Kudus blessed a fan’s son in a manner reminiscent of Lionel Messi’s iconic 2007 photo with Lamine Yamal. Yamal, who recently won the Young Player of the Tournament Award at the 2024 Euros, scored a goal and provided four assists in the tournament.
