THE RETURN OF KWESI APPIAH REKINDLES THE NATION'S LOVE FOR BLACK STARS

BABA YARA SPORTS STADIUM

Coach Kwesi Appiah returned to Black Stars with an ardent 5-0 victory over Ethiopia in Group F AFCON 2019 qualifier at Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi.

It was a must win match for a team that has lost favour with its football mad supporters.

Kwesi Appiah’s side kicked off qualifying for the AFCON tournament in 2019 in style. 

Reappointment of Kwesi Appiah as Black Stars Head Coach seems to have restored the nation’s love for the team. The attendance at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium was something phenomenal, something we have not seen in a while. The fans were on their feet cheering Black Stars for the entire game.

The 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier between Ghana and Ethiopia generated a gross GH¢ 250,000 from gate proceeds at the Baba Yara sports stadium on Sunday according to the National Sports Authority. The Black Stars have had a low stadium attendance in recent times following their 2014 FIFA World Cup drama.

Following the return of Coach Kwesi Appiah, the Kumasi fans affirmed their intentions to unite with the team again after fans boost up players at the Baba Yara sports stadium.

Kwesi Appiah’s starting line-up on the day proved that no player is guaranteed a starting place. Appiah made changes to the squad, handing starting roles to three debutants, Lumor Agbenyenu, Raphael Dwamena and Thomas Agyepong, a brave decision to make on his return to the team but each one of them showed on the day, their selection was not on merit.

The omission of players like Jordan Ayew and Afriyie Acquah from the starting line-up together with the addition of four debutants was a clear and strong message from the Head Coach that everyone has to earn their place. 

KWESI APPIAH RETURN IS A CLARION CALL

Ghana's national football team is returning a familiar name to its management. Kwesi Appiah is the first black man to have qualify Ghana for the World Cup in Brazil 2014, has return to the Black Stars as coach again.

 His first stint as Black Stars coach ended in a mutual consent in September 2014 few months after the World Cup, where the team failed to qualify out of their group featuring Portugal, USA and champions Germany amid high profile off the pitch incidents involving player agitations for delayed bonuses.

The 57-year- old, officially starts his second coming on 1st May, 2017 and will be in charge for the next two years.

A statement from the Ghana FA said: “The decision was taken by the Executive Committee of the GFA on Tuesday after approving the report of the six-man coaching search committee and he will also take full charge of the Local Black Stars” and see the team through the qualifying rounds of the 2018 Chan to be hosted by Kenya.

The search for a new coach began late February after former Chelsea coach Avram Grant indicate his decision not to extend his expiring contract.

The Ghana FA subsequently instituted a six-man committee chaired by its President Kwesi Nyantakyi. Adopting a two-prong approach, over 100 applications were received while Appiah and Hugo Broos were headhunted.

Kwasi Appiah has received massive support for his return throughout the search process by GFA.

He is expected to revitalize the Black Stars and lead the team’s revival in the 2018 Fifa World Cup qualifiers as well as lead Ghana to the much elusive fifth Africa Cup of Nations title at the Cameroon edition in 2019.

Kwasi Appiah is an ex-Ghana international who played as a left-back for the Black Stars. He began his coaching career in 1993 and holds a FIFA/CAF License A certificate.

Former Ghana international and Cameroon assistant coach Ibrahim Tanko could be appointed as new assistant coach, with Black Stars' first choice shot-stopper at the 2006 and 2010 Fifa World Cup Richard Kingson becoming goalkeeping coach and former Juventus star Stephen Appiah team manager.

But I will label Kwesi Appiah’s imminent appointment as Black Stars head coach as failure. His second coming could be a total disaster to the team after what we witness in Brazil 2014.

 His appointment comes at a point when the Black Stars are almost out of the World Cup qualifying race and the team is in shambles and needs to be very careful in negotiating for his contract. If anything goes wrong under his care the consequence will be unbearable this time.

The strident call from the GFA and Ghanaians for the return of Kwesi Appiah is a good tiding for the gaffer. Kwesi Appiah returning as Black Stars head coach looks like a disillusioned prize in waiting especially since the Black Stars are almost out of the qualifying race for the 2018 FIFA World Cup and Avram Grant didn’t leave the team in a good position.

However, know that the GFA and Ghanaians will offer their unshrinking support to the Kwesi Appiah because it a strident calls from them and they have no option than to help him succeed.

                                                                                               

                                                                                                 Twitter @nanaakuab

FULL LIST OF CAF AWARDS 2016

photo: Caf online

 It was a historical moment for Riyad Mahrez on Thursday, 5 January 2017 at the International Conference Centre in Abuja as the Algerian crowned Africa best footballer of the year.

African footballer of the year

1. Riyad MAHREZ (Algeria & Leicester City) – 361 votes

2. Pierre-Emerick AUBAMEYANG (Gabon & Borussia Dortmund) – 313 votes

3. Sadio MANE (Senegal & Liverpool) – 186 votes

Riyad Mahrez Wins 2016 African Player of The Year Award

African Player of the Year – Based in Africa

1. Denis ONYANGO (Uganda & Mamelodi Sundowns) – 252 votes

2. Khama BILLIAT (Zimbabwe & Mamelodi Sundowns) – 228 votes

3. Rainford KALABA (Zambia & T Mazembe) – 206 votes

Women’s player of the Year

Asisat OSHOALA (Nigeria & Arsen Ladies)

Most Promising Talent

Kelechi IHEANACHO (Nigeria & Manchester City)

Youth Player of the Year

Alex IWOBI (Nigeria and Arsenal)

Coach of the Year

Pitso MOSIMANE (Mamelodi Sundowns)

Club of the Year

 Mamelodi Sundowns

National Team of the Year

Uganda

Women’s National Team of the Year

 Nigeria

Referee of the Year

Bakary Papa GASSAMA (Gambia)

Football Leader of the Year

Manuel LOPES NASCIMENTO, President of Guinea Bissau Footba Federation

Legend Award

Laurent POKOU – Former player of Cote d’Ivoire

Emilienne MBANGO – Former play of Cameroon

Platinum Award

His Excellency Muhammadu Buhar President of the Federal Republic Nigeria

Africa Finest XI – Glo-CAF 2016 Award

Africa Finest XI

Goalkeeper: Denis ONYANGO (Uganda & Mamelodi Sundowns)

Defenders: Serge AURIER (Cote d’Ivoire & Paris Saint-Germain), Aymen ABDENNOUR (Tunisia & Valencia), Eric BAILLY (Cote d’Ivoi & Manchester United), Joyce LOMALISA (DR Congo & AS Vita)

Midfielders: Khama BILLIAT (Zimbabwe & Mamelodi Sundowns Rainford KALABA (Zambia & TP Mazembe), Keegan DOLLY (South Africa & Mamelodi Sundowns),

Forwards: Pierre-Emerick AUBAMEYANG (Gabon & Borussia Dortmund), Sadio MANE (Senegal Liverpool), Riyad MAHREZ (Algeria Leicester City)

Substitutes

Aymen MATHLOUTHI (Tunisia & Etoile du Sahel), Kalidou KOULIBAL (Senegal & Napoli), Salif COULIBAL (Mali & TP Mazembe), Islam SLIMANI (Algeria & Leicester City), Mohamed Salah (Egypt & Roma), Kelechi IHEANACHO (Nigeria & Manchester City), Alex IWOBI (Nigeria and Arsenal).

GHANA DROPPED TO 53RD IN FIFA RANKINGS

Ghana suffered set back in the FIFA World ranking. The Black Stars slipped to the 53rd position in the world ranking and also fall to ninth in Africa.

Ghana defeat to Egypt in the 2018 World Cup qualifiers is the main outlay of the Black Stars fall in the FIFA ranking for the month of November.

Ghana is down eight places in the world ranking to 53rd position and went down 4^th places to ninth in the Africa due to the recent defeat to Egypt in the world cup qualifier at the Borg El-Arab Stadium in Alexandria losing grounds in Group E.

Egypt moved ten places to the 36^th position FIFA ranking and 4^th in CAF. Senegal remains the continent's number one ranked nation and 33rd in the world followed by Cote d'Ivoire and Tunisia, who are tied in the 34^th position and south Africa on 60^th position in FIFA.

Ghana can revive with few wins in the friendly matches before the African Cup of Nations in January 2017. Also, with impressive results at the Africa Cup of Nations will help Ghana to gain grounds.

Argentina is FIFA number one followed by the Brazilians.

Top 10 in the FIFA rankings:

1. Argentina

2. Brazil

3. Germany

4. Chile

5. Belgium

6. Colombia

7. France

8. Portugal

9. Uruguay

10. Spain

Top 10 in CAF rankings:

1. Senegal

2. Cote d'Ivoire

3. Tunisia

4. Egypt

5. Algeria

6. Congo DR

7. Burkina Faso

8. Nigeria

9. Ghana

10. Morocco

Black Queens Squad For 2016 African Women Championship

Photo: GFA

Thirty four players who have been invited to the black Queens camp ahead of preparation towards Africa Women Nations cup Cameroon 2016.

The players are to report at the Ghanaman Soccer Center of Excellence- Prampram Tuesday 27th September 2016 at 4pm.

The Black Queens have drawn rivals defending champions Nigeria, Kenya and Mali in Group B for this year’s African Women’s Championship.

The 2016 African Women’s Championship will be played from 19 November to 03 December in Yaounde and Limbe.

GOALKEEPERS:

Nana Ama Asantewa -Police ladies
Fafali Dumehisi -Police ladies
Patricia Mantey – Immigration ladies
Beatrice Ntiwa -Hasaacas ladies

DEFENDERS:
Hillia- Kobblah – Hasaacas ladies

Cynthia Adobea -Prisons.
 Rosemary Ampem -Immigration
Agnes Quaye – Immigration
Regina Antwi -Hasaacas ladies
Fauzia Mustapha -Faith ladies
Mabel Baffoe Eshun -Hasaacas ladies
Cynthia Adjei – Police ladies.

MIDFIELDERS:

 Safia Abdul Rahman -Lipo

 Alice Kusi -Fabulous

 Mary Essiful -Intellectuals

 Grace Asare -Prisons

Priscilla Saahene -Fabulous
Ruth Appiah -Ashtown

ATTACKERS:
Deborah Afriyie- Police

Alberta Asante -Police

 Faiza Ibrahim -Police
Ruth Anima -Ashtown

Rita Otchere -Prisons
Akyiaa Asante -Ampem Dakoa.

FOREIGN BASED PLAYERS WILL JOIN NEXT MONTH.

 Janet Egyir
 Samira Sule man
Linda Eshun(ICELAND )

 Portia Boakye
Juliet Acheampong
Elizabeth Addo(SWEDEN)

Priscilla Otchere (SERBIA)

Mercy Mylse (CANADA)

Eunice Beckmann (BAYERN MUNICH  )
Grace Adams(USA)

Ghana bid to host 2018 Africa Women's Championship

photo. Ghana FA website 

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has selected Ghana to host the 2018 Africa Women’s Championship.

Ghana was granted permission to host the competition for the first time after emerging as the only country to bid for the tournament.

The country’s experience of successfully hosting previous CAF tournaments in recent times, The 2009 African Youth Championship and the 2000 and 2008 Africa Cup of Nations was the main key.

The 2018 Africa Women’s Championship will also serve as qualifier to the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

TIMES FLY

PHOTO CREDIT: GOOGLE

Somehow, in recent times I have developed an extra liking for the gospel musician bernice offei's song "Life is short". Apart from the impact of the lyrics on me. I find the words so apt. In a very simple way, she reminds us and emphasis the shortness or transcience of life- from birth, through adolescence to adulthood, old age and inevitably death. Probably that accounts for my recent near addiction to the song on my phone.

The deaths of Muhammad Ali in U.S as well as the death of Stephen keshi brought back memories of my dear father and friend. My father (Nana Sanja Gyankware) my friend and daughter (Sarah Ofori). It also reminded me of the words of Bernice Offei's song “Life is short" which says.....

It was but yesterday you were a baby,

But so soon you’re growing, too,

And before you know it you’ve become a lady,

Or a man with children, too.

Then your health and strength begin to fail you,

And you say “Now, what shall I do?”

Because the days and years you may have wasted

May be memories haunting you.

Refrain

So you see, my brother, that life is so short.

It passes so quickly and soon it’s gone.

You just have one life to live on earth,

So remember your Creator while you have breath

(Repeat)

You part with a loved one and say “See you tomorrow!”.

Tomorrow comes, but he may be gone.

They tell you your friend has left you in sorrow,

And your world comes crashing down.

Life is just like a little flower:

Today it’s here tomorrow it’s gone.

So don’t just chase after riches and power,

‘Cause they’ll fail you when time is gone.

So you see my brother, that life is so short. It passes so quickly and soon its gone. You just have one life to live on earth. So remember your creator while you have strength.

Life is short

Life is indeed really short

You only have one life to live on earth;

Before you know it it’s come and gone.

So make the most of it while you can

And remember your Creator while you have breath.

— Bernice Offei

May God almighty forgive us our sins and show his mercy upon us whenever make excuse to go a place worship. Life is short dear friends. You only have one life to live on earth.