by Silas Boahene | Jun 4, 2024 | Africa, Ghana, International, Soccer
Former Ghana captain Stephen Appiah believes the arrival of legendary coach Jose Mourinho to Fenerbahce could have a huge impact on Black Stars defender Alexander Djiku.
The Portuguese gaffer was announced as the new coach of the Turkish giants on Sunday, three months after leaving Italian outfit AS Roma.
According to Appiah, who played for Fenerbahce between 2005 and 2008, Mourinho’s relationship with African players has helped transform many footballers into World Cup-class stars.
“Jose Mourinho has been very good with African players and I think everyone he’s worked with proves themselves including Didier Drogba, Solomon Kalou, Michael Essien, Mikel Obi and a lot of them,” Appiah told RG.
“We have Djiku who has been able to win the hearts of the fans with the way he carries himself around and the way he approaches the game and I hope that with the arrival of Mourinho, he will be able to take his game to the next level.”
Djiku enjoyed a decent first season with Fenerbahce, winning the hearts of the fans with some swashbuckling performances. Fenerbahce amassed 99 points in the league and were only beaten to the title by rivals Galatasaray, who finished the campaign with 102 points.
by Silas Boahene | Jun 4, 2024 | Africa, Europe, Ghana, International, Soccer
Anderlecht’s CEO of Sports, Jesper Fredberg, has praised Ghanaian midfielder Majeed Ashimeru for his exceptional skills but expressed frustration over his recurring injury problems.
Ashimeru endured another challenging season in Belgium, with injuries limiting him to just six appearances. His troubles began with a muscle injury, followed by a leg injury mid-season, and another combination of muscle and leg injuries later on, causing the 26-year-old to miss a total of 154 days.
“He has something that few players have: he plays football directly and vertically. Unfortunately, he is out of action too often. His contract expires at the end of next season, and we are looking at his situation,” Fredberg said.
Fredberg’s comments highlight Ashimeru’s potential and the significant impact he could have when fit. Despite his injury struggles, Ashimeru’s direct and vertical style of play makes him a valuable asset to the team when available. Ashimeru joined Anderlecht in 2021, and his current contract runs until 2025.
As Anderlecht evaluates Ashimeru’s situation, the club remains hopeful that he can overcome his injury issues and contribute significantly in the upcoming seasons.
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by Silas Boahene | Jun 4, 2024 | Africa, Europe, Ghana, International, Soccer
Anderlecht’s Chief Executive, Jesper Fredberg, has clarified that the club will not force Ghanaian forward Francis Amuzu to leave despite recent speculation about his future.
Amuzu, who has been with Anderlecht since 2015 and has risen through the ranks to become a first-team player, is reportedly unhappy and contemplating an exit. Last season, he made just 12 appearances in the Belgian Jupiler Pro League, scoring three goals. His current contract with the club runs until the summer of 2025.
Fredberg acknowledged that some players might feel ready for a new challenge but emphasized that any decision would require agreement from all parties involved.
“Some players are ready for a new step in their career. A new challenge can be enriching for them. The condition is that the three parties like it and that we have an alternative that is just as good or better. I will certainly not push them to the exit,” Fredberg stated.
This assurance comes amid ongoing speculation about Amuzu’s future at Lotto Park, as the 24-year-old weighs his options after a challenging season.
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by Silas Boahene | Jun 4, 2024 | Africa, Europe, Ghana, International, Soccer
Italian-Ghanaian midfielder Justin Kumi expressed his delight after helping Sassuolo secure their first Italian U-19 league title with a 1-0 victory over Roma.
Following the decisive match in the Primavera Championship, Kumi shared his excitement with Sportitalia, stating, “Yes, it’s the first time that Sassuolo has won the Primavera Championship, we are super happy.”
He continued, “We followed [coach] Bigica’s teachings and managed to win.”
Kumi had an impressive season, contributing five goals and four assists in 26 games.
by Silas Boahene | Jun 4, 2024 | Africa, Europe, Ghana, International, Soccer
Austria defender Kevin Danso, who has emerged as one of Ligue 1’s top central defenders with RC Lens, is set to make his debut in a major tournament with the Austrian national team at Euro 2024.
Danso, of Ghanaian descent, has impressed with his performances against top-tier talents in France and now aims to bring that experience to the international stage. The 25-year-old has faced some of the world’s best footballers, including Lionel Messi, Neymar, and Kylian Mbappe.
Reflecting on these encounters, Danso remarked, “Against Mbappe, he is currently the best player in the world for me. With Messi, I was impressed by the matter-of-factness with which he does little things that you would never have thought possible. I can remember exactly how he ran towards me in my first game against him. He opened his hips, so to speak, as if he was aiming for the far corner and then shot past me on the inside. The goalkeeper, I, everyone just stood there and couldn’t believe how that was possible. Luckily, the shot only hit the post. It’s always the best to play against players like that.”
Despite his awe, Danso uses psychological tactics to gain an edge on the pitch. “I try to start a conversation with Mbappe during games to throw him off track. Once I took the ball from him and then shouted: ‘My arm is just too strong for you, you can’t get past me!’ He said: ‘Yes, yes!’ Then I said: ‘Okay, try again!’ Situations like that give me confidence,” he shared.
Danso’s performances have attracted interest from clubs like FC Bayern Munich, but he remains focused on his current role. “I don’t worry about that. Of course, it’s nice to hear something like that. But I don’t know if the rumors were true. My agent takes care of that. My focus is on my performance,” he said.
As Austria prepares for Euro 2024, Danso is optimistic about the team’s chances, even in a challenging group that includes France, the Netherlands, and Poland. “It’s a difficult group, but if we show our quality, we’ll definitely get through. A group stage exit would be a disappointment,” he stated.
Austria has been in excellent form, recently achieving convincing friendly match victories against Germany, Slovakia, and Turkey. Danso attributes this success to coach Ralf Rangnick’s approach. “Ralf Rangnick’s philosophy fits us perfectly. When he came in 2022, we played well straight away, but we didn’t always win – now we’re winning, too. We play bravely against every opponent, no matter how good they are,” he explained.
Rangnick’s meticulous preparation, including unique strategies like recommending players bring their own pillows to ensure better sleep, has made a significant impact. “Rangnick strives for perfection in every respect and always thinks of everything,” Danso noted.
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