by Silas Boahene | Jul 25, 2024 | Africa, Ghana, Soccer
Great Olympics goalkeeper Benjamin Asare is reportedly close to joining Hearts of Oak, according to sources. Asare was one of the standout performers in the 2023/24 Ghana Premier League season, despite his team’s relegation.
The Phobians are actively seeking a new goalkeeper and are eager to complete the deal, as Asare has garnered considerable interest. Reports suggest that Hearts of Oak and Great Olympics have reached an agreement for his transfer.
Asare is expected to meet with Hearts’ Managing Director to finalize personal terms and potentially sign his contract. The Phobians aim to bolster their squad ahead of the 2024/25 season after a challenging campaign that nearly resulted in relegation.
by Silas Boahene | Jul 25, 2024 | Africa, Europe, Ghana, International, Soccer
Ghanaian forward Bernard Tekpetey started the season brightly by scoring his second goal of the campaign in the second round of the UEFA Champions League qualifiers. The 26-year-old opened the scoring for Bulgarian champions Ludogorets in their first-leg victory over Dinamo Minsk.
Tekpetey skillfully navigated into the box and curled a shot into the net to give the Green Eagles the lead in the ninth minute. Todor Nedelev doubled the advantage on the stroke of half-time, securing a 2-0 home win for Ludogorets before their trip to Belarus for the second leg.
Tekpetey has now netted two goals in three matches since the start of the competitive season. Despite reports linking him with a move away from the Bulgarian giants during the summer transfer window, the former Schalke attacker appears focused on the new campaign.
Meanwhile, Swiss-Ghanaian forward Kwadwo Duah returned to the club this week but was not included in the squad for last night’s game, following an extended break after Euro 2024.
by Silas Boahene | Jul 25, 2024 | Africa, Athletics, Europe, Ghana, International, Other Sports
Samson Deen, President of the National Paralympic Committee of Ghana (NPC-Ghana), revealed that four relatives of George Gyamfi Gyasi, the deceased coach of the “fake paralympic team,” have also absconded after arriving in Norway to retrieve his body.
In an interview on Asaase Radio on Monday, July 22, Deen cited information from the Norwegian Embassy, explaining, “The first application involved six or seven people who were initially denied visas. They forged the letters they wanted and absconded upon arrival, with one of them dying.”
Deen continued, “They later wrote to the Norwegian Embassy again, requesting to send the families of the deceased. The four relatives went to Norway but absconded without bringing the corpse back. These individuals have been identified.”
The NPC-Ghana has faced criticism after para-athletes who traveled for the Fjordkraft Bergen City Marathon disappeared upon arrival in Oslo. According to a statement from the Ministry of National Security, 11 athletes were supposed to participate in the marathon but failed to register.
A member of the group was arrested while attempting to enter Sweden, and the team’s coach, George Gyamfi Gyasi, passed away at Oslo University Hospital. Deen described the supposed athletes as imposters and disclosed that the relatives sent to retrieve the coach’s body have also fled.
by Silas Boahene | Jul 25, 2024 | Africa, Europe, Ghana, International, Soccer, USA
Ghanaian international Antoine Semenyo came off the bench to score as Bournemouth secured a 1-1 draw against Arsenal in a pre-season friendly held at LA Galaxy’s Dignity Health Sports Park in Los Angeles.
The match ended with a penalty shootout, which Bournemouth narrowly lost 5-4 despite Semenyo finding the net again. Arsenal initially took the lead in the 18th minute through a Fabio Vieira strike. Reiss Nelson set up the goal with a strong run down the left, delivering a cross to the back post, where Vieira volleyed it into the bottom corner.
Bournemouth created several opportunities, with Dominic Solanke and Dango Ouattara coming close to scoring. It was Semenyo who leveled the score in the 73rd minute, driving forward down the left and taking a shot that deflected off Ben White, looping over the goalkeeper into the net.
Arsenal fielded a mix of youth and experience, with Thomas Partey and Ben White starting alongside four academy prospects. Partey was replaced by Italian international Jorginho Frello in the 62nd minute.
Both teams had chances to secure a winner in the closing stages. Ouattara’s shot was blocked by Jakub Kiwior, while Bournemouth’s keeper Neto denied Leandro Trossard. This draw follows another 1-1 result for Bournemouth against Wrexham on Saturday, highlighting a competitive pre-season tour for the Cherries.
by Silas Boahene | Jul 25, 2024 | Africa, Athletics, Europe, Ghana, International, Other Sports
Minister of Youth and Sports, Mustapha Ussif, has declared that he cannot be held accountable for the controversy surrounding the Norway Scandal, which has impacted Ghanaian sports.
In April, a group of individuals posing as para-athletes, who were expected to represent Ghana at the Bergen Marathon in Oslo, Norway, absconded, with one individual passing away and another apprehended by Norwegian authorities while attempting to move to Sweden. This incident was detailed in a letter from the Ministry of National Security, which was shared with the Sports Ministry and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and National Integration.
Samson Deen, President of the National Paralympic Committee-Ghana, claimed in a video that his signature was forged on the letter used by the individuals to apply for visas.
Earlier this week, the Ministry condemned the actions of the alleged para-athletes and promised to enforce “punitive measures” against the impersonators.
In a press briefing at the Ministry of Youth and Sports, Mustapha Ussif emphasized that he cannot be held responsible for the scandal, as due processes were not followed. “You follow protocol by writing to the National Sports Authority, and the National Sports Authority will write to the Ministry. In this case, I have just told you that nothing of such nature happened until I even got the reportage; we didn’t know.”
He added, “Secondly, the Norwegian authorities who issued the visas to the athletes didn’t see it prudent to even verify from the Ministry to see whether these are genuine athletes or not, so to your question of whether I will take responsibility, I’m sorry I can’t.”
