by Silas Boahene | Feb 10, 2024 | Africa, Europe, Ghana, International, Soccer
Vice President Mark Addo has emphasized the strategic significance of the partnership between Ghana and France in fostering growth and development, particularly in women’s football. The collaboration between the Ghana Football Association (GFA) and the French Football Federation (FFF) has paved the way for the national U-20 Women’s team, the Black Princesses, to embark on a 7-day tour in France.
During a speech at the France Embassy, Vice President Mark Addo commended the France Embassy for the initiative and encouraged the Black Princesses to maximize the opportunities presented by the project. He highlighted that the initiative aligns with the GFA’s Women’s football strategy, aiming not just at participation but also at promoting excellence on the global stage and enhancing the cultural and economic ties between Ghana and France.
“The qualification of the Black Princesses to the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Colombia is a testament to how women’s football has developed in Ghana,” Vice President Addo remarked. He emphasized that the benefits of the program extend beyond football, fostering mutual understanding and showcasing football as a unifying force.
Expressing gratitude to the French embassy, the French Government, and the French Football Federation, Vice President Addo encouraged the Black Princesses to remember their roots and represent Ghana as noble ambassadors. He urged them to view the experience as a stepping stone to greater achievements for themselves and women’s football in Ghana.
Vice President Addo acknowledged the unwavering support from the French Ambassador, the French Government, and the French Football Federation, expressing hope for the continued strengthening of the cordial relationship between the two nations.
The “Ghana Olympique-GO!” project, led by the France Embassy, is set to professionalize women’s football for over 20 Ghanaian players, coaches, and referees. The Black Princesses will depart from Accra for France on Saturday, February 10, 2024, and will stay until February 17, 2024.
by Silas Boahene | Feb 10, 2024 | Africa, International, Nigeria, Soccer
The scheduled friendly match between Argentina and Nigeria in Hangzhou has been canceled following the fallout from Lionel Messi’s absence during an Inter Miami match in Hong Kong. The Super Eagles of Nigeria and Cote d’Ivoire are now set to face Argentina in a friendly match in March in China.
Lionel Messi’s reported groin injury, which prevented him from participating in the friendly against a Hong Kong XI, led to widespread outrage among fans. Event organizers responded by offering 50 percent refunds to fans, incurring an estimated cost of around $56 million in Hong Kong dollars for Tatler Asia. The backlash extended beyond Hong Kong, with mainland China also joining in the criticism, hinting at potential political motivations behind Messi’s absence.
In response to the escalating discontent, Chinese sporting authorities announced the cancellation of the Argentina-Nigeria friendly in Hangzhou, citing the well-known reasons surrounding Messi’s absence. The fate of Argentina’s other scheduled friendly against the Ivory Coast in Beijing remains uncertain.
The statement from Chinese sporting authorities, as quoted by Sportblog247.com, reads: “In view of the current well-known reasons, according to the competent authorities, conditions to hold the friendly match are not mature; therefore, (we) have decided to cancel it.”
As the Super Eagles of Nigeria prepare for their final clash against the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations host, Côte d’Ivoire, there has been no information yet from the Nigerian football federation regarding the cancellation of the Hangzhou fixture.
by Silas Boahene | Feb 10, 2024 | AFCON, Africa, International, Nigeria, Soccer
Title: Nigerian Citizens Association in South Africa Praises Super Eagles for AFCON Semi-final Victory
Dr. Frank Onyekwelu, the President-General of the Nigerian Citizens Association in South Africa (NICASA), expressed admiration for the Super Eagles’ triumph against the Bafana Bafana of South Africa in the 2024 AFCON Semi-final on Wednesday.
In a telephone interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday, Dr. Onyekwelu commended the Super Eagles for showcasing a spirit of unity during the match and acknowledged the support received from compatriots both at home and abroad.
“The collective efforts demonstrated by Nigerians at home and abroad, along with their composure before, during, and after the Nigeria-South Africa AFCON Semi-final, are highly commendable,” stated Dr. Onyekwelu.
He also applauded the absence of reported attacks on Nigerians living in South Africa, attributing it to the adherence of compatriots to instructions provided by the Nigeria High Commission to remain calm.
by Silas Boahene | Feb 10, 2024 | AFCON, Africa, Europe, International, Nigeria, Soccer
Fulham’s head coach, Marco Silva, has acknowledged the absence of Alex Iwobi and Calvin Bassey from his squad, as the duo represents Nigeria in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final. The last time Iwobi and Bassey played for Fulham was in December 2023, contributing to a 2-1 victory over Arsenal in a Premier League match at Craven Cottage.
Throughout the AFCON tournament, both players have played crucial roles in helping Nigeria reach the final, where they are set to face Ivory Coast. Bassey has started every game for the three-time African champions, while Iwobi was named among the substitutes on one occasion, both demonstrating their significance to the Super Eagles.
Speaking during a pre-match conference ahead of Fulham’s upcoming clash with Bournemouth, Silva expressed the team’s mixed feelings about missing these key players but conveyed their support for Iwobi and Bassey in the final on Sunday.
“We’ve been watching closely. It’s been a considerable period without these two key players for us. Currently, we are fully supporting them in the final,” Silva stated.
Assuming all goes as planned, Iwobi and Bassey are expected to be available for Fulham’s upcoming Premier League match against Aston Villa at Craven Cottage next Saturday. The duo joined Fulham in the previous summer and has collectively made 19 and 18 appearances for the club, respectively.
by Silas Boahene | Feb 10, 2024 | Africa, Europe, Ghana, International, Soccer
Brighton has successfully finalized a ÂŁ16 million agreement to acquire Ghanaian winger Ibrahim Osman from the Danish club FC Nordsjalland.
The 19-year-old is poised to make the move to Brighton when the transfer window opens later this year, signing a contract that extends until June 2029.
Describing Osman as a “young and exciting prospect,” Technical Director David Weir emphasized the importance of allowing the player to concentrate on finishing the current season with Nordsjalland, where he has been performing well.
With four goals and five assists in 29 appearances this season, Osman has showcased his talent for his current club.
