by Silas Boahene | Jan 13, 2024 | AFCON, Africa, Ghana, Soccer
Senator John Owan Enoh, the Minister of Sports Development, has expressed gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the recent approval of a substantial N12 billion disbursement aimed at addressing long-standing outstanding payments to national teams. This financial support, covering coaches’ salaries and bonuses for both senior and junior national teams, is expected to uplift the spirits of the Super Eagles as they gear up for the African Cup of Nations starting this weekend.
The disbursement, which spans 15 months of overdue payments, has been hailed by Nigerians as a significant and well-timed gesture, coinciding with the final stages of preparations for the senior national football team. Minister Enoh conveyed his appreciation, emphasizing that President Tinubu’s approval not only serves as a morale booster for the teams but also underscores the government’s dedication to fostering excellence in Nigerian sports on the continental stage.
The Minister highlighted the President’s commitment to sports development, citing the establishment of a standalone Ministry for Sports Development as evidence of the administration’s focus on crucial sports-related matters. On behalf of the Ministry and the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF), Minister Enoh extended his thanks to President Tinubu.
Assuring the President of the team’s dedication, Enoh stated that they would spare no effort in making the nation proud at the continental showpiece. Nigeria is set to face Equatorial Guinea on Sunday, January 14, 2023, in its first game at the AFCON, followed by matches against Ivory Coast and Guinea Bissau on January 18 and 22, respectively.
by Silas Boahene | Jan 13, 2024 | AFCON, Africa, Nigeria, Soccer
Equatorial Guinea’s coach, Juan Micha, anticipates a challenging start to the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations as his team faces Nigeria in their opening match. Recognizing the formidable Nigerian squad, which boasts talents like Victor Osimhen, Micha emphasizes the importance of not losing their debut AFCON match. While cautious about predicting the tournament’s champion, he cites strong contenders such as CĂ´te d’Ivoire, Senegal, Egypt, and Morocco. Despite Equatorial Guinea’s past quarterfinal defeat to Senegal in 2021, Micha remains focused on confronting Nigeria with full strength in their bid for AFCON success
by Silas Boahene | Jan 12, 2024 | AFCON, Africa, Ghana, Soccer
Kurt Okraku, President of the Ghana Football Association (GFA), has affirmed the commitment of the Black Stars to bring an end to Ghana’s prolonged quest for success in African football. The Black Stars, set to make their 23rd Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) appearance in Ivory Coast, aspire to secure the country’s fifth title.
Having not clinched the AFCON trophy since 1982, Ghana has come close on two occasions in recent history, with runner-up finishes in 2010 and 2015. Speaking during the visit of Ghana’s Ambassador to Cote D’Ivoire, Okraku emphasized the dedication of the current players and the entire staff to break the 42-year wait for AFCON glory.
Okraku acknowledged the sacrifices made by the players during challenging qualification games, highlighting their commitment and determination to represent the country with pride. Expressing optimism, he stated, “This glory has been elusive for over 40 years, but we are very much committed to the cause. They will give off one million per cent on the pitch, and hopefully, the Almighty God will bless their significant effort in this enterprise and bring us the joy and love we have all been looking for.”
He extended gratitude on behalf of the team to the ambassador and expressed anticipation of the nation’s support throughout the tournament. Okraku concluded, “We will be looking forward to seeing you at all the games, beginning Sunday till we lift the trophy on the last day of the tournament.”
Ghana will initiate their AFCON campaign in Ivory Coast on Sunday, January 14, facing Cape Verde, followed by matches against Egypt and Mozambique.
by Silas Boahene | Jan 12, 2024 | AFCON, Africa, Ghana, International, Soccer
New World Television, the official broadcast rights holder for the upcoming 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), has appointed UK-based Ghanaian sports journalist George Addo Jnr. as the lead English commentator for the continental showcase in the Ivory Coast.
With extensive experience in calling matches from major international tournaments, Addo Jnr. will take the helm of New World’s coverage for AFCON 2023. His role will commence on-site as the primary commentator for the opening game between Ivory Coast and Guinea Bissau, alongside New World’s Anthony Pla, ex-Cameroon international SĂ©bastien Bassong, and former Togo captain Emmanuel Sheyi Adebayor.
Having joined the BBC World Service from Ghana’s Multimedia Group in early 2023, Addo Jnr. brings significant expertise to his new role. He has expertly commentated on various major sporting events, including five previous AFCON tournaments, two European football championships, five UEFA Champions League campaigns, three FIFA World Cup tournaments, and seven Ghana Premier League seasons.
Acknowledged as one of the best English commentators produced in Ghana by the esteemed Mirror newspaper, Addo Jnr.’s clear, distinct, and captivating commentary style on radio and TV has earned him three nominations for the PAV Ansah Communications Award under the prestigious EMY Africa Awards scheme.
Addo Jnr. has covered UEFA Champions League finals from 2016 to 2018 and made history in 2021 by providing commentary on the Euros final between England and Italy from Wembley for Ghana’s Joy FM. He also delivered television commentary for Joy Prime during that tournament, where they held exclusive TV rights to the games.
Excited about the opportunity, Addo Jnr. expressed his enthusiasm, saying, “I am thrilled at the opportunity to join this excellent group of professionals to showcase the AFCON, which is one of the world’s most exciting competitions, to the global audience. I look forward to a fantastic month of colorful stories, goals, and the making of legends.”
Under the terms of the agreement, Addo Jnr. will lead New World’s English-language commentary team throughout the tournament, providing insightful match analysis and sharing his passion for African soccer with a global audience. New World TV will also offer commentary for all 52 AFCON matches in six African languages: Wolof, Bambara, Lingala, Ewe, Swahili, and Hausa.
The 34th edition of the Africa Cup of Nations is set to kick off in Abidjan on Saturday, January 13, and will run until February 11, 2024.
by Silas Boahene | Jan 12, 2024 | Africa, Ghana, International, Soccer
Paolo Araujo, the Director of Scouting for Barcelona, has lauded the management of Kenpong Football Academy (KFC) for their outstanding facilities dedicated to nurturing young football talents in Ghana. Mr. Araujo expressed his admiration during the first day of his three-day visit to Ghana.
Speaking to players and officials at KFC in Winneba, Araujo described the players as fortunate to have access to state-of-the-art facilities crucial for their football development. He specifically praised the facilities at Kenpong Football Academy, deeming them among the best in Africa.
Impressed by the academy’s amenities, which include an office block complex, dormitories, a dining hall, a water production factory, a fishing pond, a mini-forest, a natural grass playing ground, a meeting room, a gym, dressing rooms, and a swimming pool, Araujo acknowledged the comprehensive environment provided for the young talents.
Araujo’s visit, extended by an invitation from Kenpong Football Academy, follows a previous delegation visit to FC Barcelona by representatives from the academy. During his stay, he observed a training session and delivered a motivational address to the players.
Emphasizing the core values of discipline, hard work, and humility, Araujo urged the young athletes to embody these qualities throughout their time in the academy. He shared the inspirational story of Ibrahim Diarra, captain of the Under-17 national football team of Mali, recently recruited by FC Barcelona. Araujo encouraged every player to aspire to emulate Diarra’s success, highlighting his achievements as the statistically best player at the Under-17 World Cup in Indonesia 2023.
With a can-do spirit, Araujo conveyed the message that the sky is the limit for these aspiring footballers.
