by Silas Boahene | Jun 28, 2024 | Africa, Europe, Ghana, International, Soccer
Arsenal journalist Charles Watts has cast doubt on the rumors linking the Gunners to a big-money move for Spanish winger Nico Williams.
Williams’ impressive performances at Euro 2024 have thrust him into the spotlight, attracting interest from top European clubs.
Despite his 50 million euro release clause being seemingly enticing, Arsenal is wary due to the anticipated high salary demands.
The competition for Williams is fierce, and his success at the Euros is likely to intensify it. Last season, the 21-year-old shone at Athletic Bilbao, contributing five goals and 11 assists in La Liga, and celebrating a Copa del Rey victory.
Besides Arsenal, Barcelona has shown strong interest, while Premier League giants Chelsea and Liverpool are also in the mix. With Kylian Mbappe’s departure, PSG is also monitoring Williams.
Former Athletic Bilbao star Julen Guerrero has advised Williams to stay at the club, highlighting its potential for continued growth. “I want him to stay at Athletic,” Guerrero said, emphasizing the recent Copa del Rey win and European qualification as ideal conditions for Williams’ development.
“It’s his decision,” Guerrero acknowledged, while expressing his hope that the young talent will remain and pursue challenges within Athletic Bilbao.
Williams, who joined Athletic Bilbao at 17 and debuted in 2021, has become a key player for both club and country, with his brother Inaki providing valuable support.
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by Silas Boahene | Jun 28, 2024 | Africa, Ghana, International, Soccer
Tamimu Issah writes: Love for Asamoah Gyan from the Sacred City of Mecca
It’s now common for me to be bombarded with names of famous Ghanaian footballers whenever I disclose my nationality.
The Maestro, Abedi Pele, is undoubtedly the most famous Ghanaian sportsman globally among the older generation of football fans, and his name often comes up upon mentioning you are a Ghanaian, anywhere in the world.
But for both the old and young generations of football fans around the world, the names Asamoah Gyan and other contemporary stars are most recognizable.
Last year, I shared a story of how a taxi driver, taking me from Mecca to Jeddah, was on cloud nine and waved off a percentage of the fare upon discovering my nationality and also finding out I knew his idol, Michael Essien, after showing him a picture of Essien and me!
This year, it’s been the turn of Asamoah Gyan, the man who prefers to be called Baby Jet. The love for Asamoah Gyan here in Mecca has been amazing!
Gyan is well known and appreciated here, and almost every taxi I pick, the driver mentions Asamoah Gyan as soon as I mention my nationality.
But last night was on another level.
I met a young man who surely must be Asamoah Gyan’s biggest fan in the city of Mecca! Something interesting happened.
Here it is!
I walked into a perfume shop right on the premises of Masjid Al Haram, the Sacred Mosque. After completing my transaction, the young shop attendant asked, “Which country are you from?”
“Ghana,” I replied proudly.
“Oh Ghana, Asamoah Gyan, Asamoah Gyan,” screamed the shop attendant in excitement.
“Do you like Asamoah Gyan?” I asked him, and he enthusiastically responded, “Yes!” and proceeded to show me pictures and videos of Asamoah he had taken himself during a match Asamoah Gyan played in Saudi, with his then UAE team Al Ain, against Saudi’s Ahly.
Realizing how the shop attendant idolized Asamoah Gyan, I planned a big surprise for him! I brought out my phone and told him I was calling Asamoah Gyan for him.
“Oooh, do you know Asamoah Gyan?” he asked me with absolute disbelief and excitement on his face.
“Yes, I know him,” I responded confidently.
At that moment, it was nearly 2 am in Saudi (shops are more active at night than day in Saudi), and with Ghana 3 hours behind, it was nearly 11 pm back home in Ghana. I was not really comfortable calling the Baby Jet at such an odd hour.
First dial on WhatsApp, no response!
Second dial, no response, and third dial, still no response! At this stage, both the guy and I looked dejected, and I wondered whether the guy thought I was only bragging. Nonetheless, knowing Asamoah Gyan, I assured him that Gyan would call back if he was not asleep.
Truly, within seconds, my phone rang, and it was the Baby Jet! I picked up and screamed his name so proudly. I told him where I was and why I called! I then sought his permission to switch the call to video so his loyal fan could see him.
Gyan agreed, but he asked me to give him a minute to wear something as he was not properly dressed.
Within 2 minutes, Asamoah Gyan called back on video, and here he was live, speaking to Ali, his Saudi fan. The Baby Jet spent some time on the phone with the shop attendant, who played back Gyan’s video he captured, to Gyan himself.
You can just imagine how excited the guy was after the call. He was on cloud nine! He hugged me! And he kept screaming Gyan’s name, even after the call. For my reward, for letting him speak to his idol live on the phone, he gave me a gift.
The whole thing reaffirmed my belief in one thing: our football heroes are our country’s greatest ambassadors internationally. However, it is sad and shocking how, back home, some Ghanaians do not appreciate our legends! They are locally lampooned but globally revered and idolized.
Asamoah Gyan, Ghana’s highest international goal scorer, and Africa’s highest goal scorer at the FIFA World Cup is a true legend who ought to be appreciated. Like the other legends we have, he is an iconic ambassador of our country outside Ghana, and in the past weeks here in Saudi Arabia, I have been a witness, with the climax being last night.
Thank you, Asamoah Gyan, for your kindness and humility in calling back, and agreeing to speak to Ali on video at such an odd hour.
by Silas Boahene | Jun 27, 2024 | Africa, Ghana, International, Soccer
Former Manchester United star Gary Neville is urging England manager Gareth Southgate to give young midfielder Kobbie Mainoo a starting role in the upcoming Euro 2024 round of 16 match.
Mainoo, who came on as a substitute against Slovenia, impressed Neville with his ability to change the tempo and create chances, addressing a key issue in England’s goalless draw.
Neville believes that the Manchester United midfielder’s impact warrants a starting position, especially when compared to the initially chosen midfielder for energy, Conor Gallagher.
“Every time England made a change, they got better,” the former England defender told ITV Sport.
“I am certain Mainoo will start the next game. Southgate thought Gallagher was the option for energy, but it was quite obvious we needed someone out there to get us playing, and Adam Wharton is capable of doing that as well.”
“The more substitutions we made, the less rigid we looked. We looked so basic in the first half; it was a struggle to watch that, and I think we moved forward in the second half,” Neville added.
This isn’t the first time Mainoo has impressed off the bench at the Euros, having made substitute appearances in two of England’s three group stage games.
England will play either the Netherlands or the third-placed Group E team in the last 16, after securing the top spot in Group C with a 0-0 draw against Slovenia.
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by Silas Boahene | Jun 27, 2024 | Africa, Europe, Ghana, International, Soccer
SS Arezzo has officially announced the permanent signing of Ghanaian midfielder Shaka Mawuli from Sudtirol.
The 26-year-old midfielder, who played a crucial role in the team’s success last season, will continue to don the amaranth colours, much to the delight of the club and its supporters.
The transfer deal, initially a loan with an obligation to buy, has now been finalized into a permanent agreement. This move underscores the club’s confidence in Mawuli’s abilities and their commitment to keeping him as a key player in the team.
Shaka Mawuli made significant contributions to the team last season, appearing in 35 games and scoring two goals. His impressive performances on the field have made him a fan favourite and a valuable asset to the club.
Expressing his satisfaction with the deal, Sporting Director Nello Cutolo said, “I am grateful to Sudtirol for their cooperation and to the player for expressing his desire to return to our colours.”
Mawuli made his Serie C debut for Fano on August 27, 2017, against Bassano. He then moved to Catanzaro on loan in July 2018 and later signed with Ravenna in January 2020.
With Mawuli’s permanent transfer, SS Arezzo looks forward to building on their successes and achieving greater heights in the upcoming season.
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by Silas Boahene | Jun 27, 2024 | Africa, Ghana, Soccer
The Ghana Football Association (GFA) Referees Manager, Alex Kotey, has detailed the association’s strategies for reintegrating suspended referees back into the officiating system once they have completed their penalties.
This initiative aims to ensure that referees meet the required standards before returning to officiate matches.
Kotey explained that referees currently serving suspensions must undergo rigorous training overseen by Regional Fitness Instructors before they can officiate in the upcoming season.
“Referees who are serving suspension will undergo training by our Regional Fitness Instructors before they return to officiate matches,” Kotey stated during an interview with the Ghana FA media team.
Addressing concerns about the integrity and competence of Ghanaian referees, Kotey dismissed any doubts, asserting, “We have Match Officials whose levels of integrity are very high,” emphasizing the professionalism and dedication of the country’s referees.
In addition to reinstating suspended referees, the GFA is focused on enhancing the skills and capabilities of its match officials. Kotey highlighted the association’s ongoing efforts to provide international training opportunities for Ghanaian referees. “We are building the capacities of our referees. We are looking for more opportunities to take our referees on international training courses,” he added.
The GFA’s commitment to training and professional development underscores its dedication to maintaining high standards in officiating, ensuring that referees are well-prepared and capable of handling matches with integrity and competence.
This comprehensive approach to referee training and development is expected to enhance the quality of officiating in Ghanaian football, fostering a more robust and respected refereeing community.
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