Rwanda Appeals Hearing Slated For August 27 by CAF

Rwanda

Rwanda's appeal against their disqualification from the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers will be heard by the Confederation of African Football on 27 August.

Caf overturned Rwanda's penalty shoot-out win over Congo after it ruled Daddy Birori had been ineligible to play in the tie.

Congo, who have been put through to the group phase in Rwanda's place, had argued that the player has a passport for both countries with two names and two dates of birth.

Birori plays under the name Etakiama Agiti Tady for his Congolese side AS Vita Club.

However, Rwanda coach Stephen Constantine told BBC Sport: "I think we have been mistreated. It's no news to us that the player was born in Congo - he has been playing for the Rwanda national team for the last five years.

"Last month, in the previous round, Libya tried to do the same thing (question Birori's eligibility) and that was rejected outright by Caf so I don't know why it has become an issue now.

"I don't think if I am confident we will win the appeal - I thought this was done and dusted after Libya's failed protest. Why it has been given more credence now I don't know, so I am worried.

"But my federation is telling me all is in order and I trust the judgment of my federation."

Credit : BBC

The English League - An African Delicacy

Tony Yeaboah

 

Growing up in the streets of Accra [capital of Ghana], names that ate my head off - back then - were players like Nana Arhin-Duah, Charles Taylor, Louis Agyemang, whose glowing qualities were much like the lighthouse that flooded everywhere, in the mid-2000s. Few weekends would pass without me yearning to watch a local league game. The hype and aura were just unreal.

In a larger though same vein, I trust many Africans of my contemporary sacrificed numerous activities to savour and patronize their local matches to the max, not forgetting how much woo was thrown behind their dear clubs respectively.

Yes - the good old days that!

Abruptly yet strategically and gradually, the cherished round ball much relished on the continent by folks, lost steam and gas. Our once loved diet lost all of its appetite-wetting-ingredients and sugary content. Debilitating and disheartening enough, only a handful of citizens cared to still throw their weight behind the game, even up till date.

The more they make heroes and legends out of our Black-African players gleefully, they'd perpetually maintain their status as the leading football-delicacy in our part of the world till an epoch when the much-anticipated-yet-never-coming revival of the African game takes seat.

Some new breeze had taken Africa by storm. We now had a substitute - chalk it off - now a primary focal point where a new sight was given continental-folks. One providing almost same, if not more of what we were acquainted with. 

Well, enough drama.

Amongst these new 'leagues of whitemen' the African-folk had embraced, there was one that was met with an overawing enthusiasm beaming spontaneously, the faces of Africans. Reasonably, it should be the Dutch Erevedise or French Ligue 1 given the amount of Blacks in both countries, but it wasn't the case.

The new delicacy that elicited incessant drool was the English Premier League.

A league that treated the Black-player as their very own darling-boy. Legends like Didier Drogba, Tony Yeboah, Bruce Grobbelaar have their names engraved in golden letters in the annals of the Premier League. Admittedly, nothing beats the feeling of having another race hailing a fellow 'race-man' for his commendable exploits. Sometimes, worth much-heralding a crusade than individuals appreciating themselves for similar reasons, yet belonging to the same class.

This epitomizes why many an African support English clubs than teams in the French Ligue 1 or the Erevidise. You might as well reckon, other top leagues like Spain's La Liga, Italian Serie A have a number of Africans steering affairs - but - the racial discrimination often perpetuated by fans and other white-players alike, make those leagues/clubs almost-unsupportable from a genuine pan-African point of view.

Not as though, the English League wholly is devoid of racial abuse whatsoever, no, but the quantum and heightening effect levelled against Blacks agreeably isn't on the rife relative to others.

Another attracting element in English clubs [and the league as a whole], is the pattern of play. More synonymous to Africa's own - but recycled and upgraded - blatantly. Little flair and less technique deployed [in comparison to the German Bundesliga et al]. Pragmatically, kick-and-run. Exuding robustness, grit and sheer zeal for success whether toiled for/not. Few will argue with me, that many African teams possess characteristics bigly different from the aforementioned. 

So indeed, if the English League will forever exhibit these desiring-attributes [from an African perspective], it sure will never trail any other league in our sight. The more they make heroes and legends out of our Black-African players gleefully, they'd perpetually maintain their status as the leading football-delicacy in our part of the world till an epoch when the much-anticipated-yet-never-coming revival of the African game takes seat.

Jeff Schlupp (version 2.00) ready to cross the 'red sea'

 

"I'm buzzing for Jeff. He's absolutely top-class and he's worked so hard for this opportunity, what with having to adjust to a new position."

Grinning Liam Moore, could not hold his glee for his mate who literally has one foot on the plane to this year's Mundial slated for Brazil in summer - deservedly as he recalls the scene to the Leicester
Mercury.

"I have every belief in him, and if he shows the kind of form he's shown for us recently, he will do brilliantly."

"We were in Thailand when he found out (about the call-up), and I knew he was hoping for a call so I was hovering around him to find out."

Moore further added:

"Then his phone went and he had the biggest smile on his face, he was so happy. He was over the moon, all the lads are so proud of him."

"The ones who have been to major tournaments before, like Marcin Wasilewski, came over to speak to him .... we're all hoping that he makes it (the final 23-man squad). "

Standing at a marquee height of 1.78m (of course, a rare figure for left-backs), weighing 72kg, the 21-year-old Hamburg-born capped an impressive 26 appearances in the Championship, catapulting his side Leicester City to the most-popular league next season - the English Premier League, as they annexed the second-tier division's title with couple of games to spare.

The ambidextrous Jeffrey Schlupp came to the limelight - from a Ghanaian perspective - in 2011 when he featured in a friendly game against Gabon, under coach Goran Stevanovic. The then-forward replaced Prince Tagoe in the match eventually making his coveted debut for the
country.

Jeffrey Schlupp went undercover for a pretty long while and had glimmering chance of returning to his beloved motherland.

Apparently, Ghanaians had wholly forgotten, there once existed a certain 19-year-old Jeff.

Fast-forward to 3 years down the lane, another Jeff pops up - and oh hold on - not the naive 19-year-old centre-forward Ghanaians once knew; rather a left-back who had ousted the injured-experienced English international, Paul Konchesky from his newly found-loved-playing-spot.

Jeffrey Schlupp (version 2.00) resurfaced somewhere, couple of days back when Ghana coach, Kwesi Appiah capped the lad's stupendous campaign with a potential World Cup squad player tag. His name heavily graved in the preliminary 26-man squad with three names to be shredded off someday before the tourney.

Jeff will hope to replicate his commendable form that has made him a darling boy to fans of Leicester, in Ghana colours, hence making the final cut.

However, it didn't take too long a time for Jeff to -fair to say- thwart the conceptions of many a pessimist as he bossed the entire left side of the field in Ghana's first friendly ahead of the tourney
- against a selected side from the local league. The latter were trounced by 1-6.

Schlupp exhibited glimpses of what Ghanaians had not seen the once kid-like attacker-turned-defender, had become of himself.

Marauding runs. Full of exuberance. Calm nerves. Aggression and relentlessness, though he looked to have improved his crosses and dribbling accuracy and upped his recovery rate which have been his flaws all this while in his newly found-loved-position.

Though most Ghanaians were impressed with his display last Friday, the state of agog was ephemeral as some brushed off saying ".... after all it was against a weaker side. Let's till next week when Ghana lock horns with the Netherlands on May 31".

Absolutely, that game would go a long way for Jeff to win the hearts and confidence of Ghanaians utterly and perhaps add his other foot to the flock en route to represent the nation in Brazil or otherwise.

Unlike most left-footed players, Jeff is able to play with his right foot as well, scoring against Milwall earlier in January with an instinctive stereotypical sublime finish of a striker-by-trade.

Schlupp would go toe-to-toe with Harrison Afful of Esperance of Tunis, rumoured to be on Olympique Marseille's radar for the left-back spot, given he crosses the 'red-sea' to that sacred land.

Indeed Afful, Inkoom and Opare have got a real chap brimming with talent, relishing any magnitude of competition for a potential starting berth.

Schlupp's versatility to play as left-winger together with his previous and current roles, makes him a clean-top blood for most coaches and would prove a handful for any opposition on any good day.

Vindicated! "The latter shall be greater than the former," like they say.

Version 2.00 of Jeffrey Schlupp looks more ready to don the national colours than version 1.00 - but ultimately, time has the final say.

GFA slaps King Faisal coach with touchline ban till the season ends

By Owusu Ansah Doe The Disciplinary Committee of the Ghana Football Association (GFA) has today handed a seven-match touchline ban to Kumasi-based King Faisal's headcoach - Dorian Marin, following an incident that took place in Week 21 encounter of the ongoing First Capital Plus Ghana Premier League versus Hearts Of Oak. Coach Marin, apparently splashed water on the face of a Hearts Of Oak player who was effecting a throw-in for the visitors. The game ended goalless, though - Marin was earlier in the season, cautioned in their game v Inter Allies at the Tema Sports stadium for similar misconduct. With seven games to end the season - the coach is expected to see those games off-the-touchline. A statement on the FA's official website reads: "Marin was also fined GH¢2,000.00. The King Faisal coach has to pay the fine within fourteen (14) days in line with Article 39(8)(b) of the GFA Regulations....in accordance with Article 41 of the Disciplinary Code of the GFA" The incident took place on March 16 at the Baba Yara Sports stadium - Kumasi. King Faisal occupy the 11th position on the league log with only 4 points above the relegation zone.

US recruit new backroom staff

The U.S national soccer team, have recruited Berti Vogts and Tab Ramos as part of coach Jurgen Klinsmann's coaching staff whiles the Yankees have parted ways with Martin Vasquez. The three changes in the national side's coaching room was announced on Sunday evening by the FA. Berti Vogts, the former Nigeria and Germany coach will serve as an advisor to his former trainee, Klinsmann(1996 European Championship where they both represented Germany). America's U20 coach, Tab Ramos, has also been added to Klinsmann's backroom staff whiles Martin Vasquez will be given a new role according to the FA within U.S soccer. In the official press release, Klinsmann stated "We are absolutely thrilled to have Berti join us as an advisor, he brings a wealth of knowledge and experience, both as a player and a coach" Berti Vogts, also a former coach of Scotland, doubles as the headcoach of Azerbaijan and will be part of the Yankees technical team that will attempt to oust, their nemesis - Ghana as well Portugal and Germany, in next summer's World Cup slated for Brazil - to book a knockout berth. The U.S will play two warm-up games prior to the Mundial with Nigeria and Azerbaijan before they kickoff their Group G encounters.

MVP Adams - elated yet eyeing more successes

Ghana goalkeeper, Azume Adams was a stalwart in post as they earned a hard fought victory against powerhouse Germany in Costa Rica in the group B encounter. A fine header from Gladys Amfobea in the first half, was enough to ensure Ghana qualified to the quarter finals of the ongoing FIFA U17 Women World Cup with a game pending. Adams had an exceptional game with series of top drawer saves that denied the Europeans an equalizer and also tamed top forward Shüller. Azume was awarded Most Valuable Player of the game by FIFA's technical committee. Elated Adams, speaking after the game said "I am not surprised. I knew that by the grace of God, I would win something more than this". The juggernaut in post for Ghana, further added "We planned and I know we can do something more than that. I am happy about it". Adams now joins Sandra Owusu Ansah who earned the MVP in Ghana's game against Korea [Ghana won 2-0 v Korea] as the two MVPs from Ghana so far. "We want to have goals so we need to score more goals [against Canada]. We need to take this Cup to Ghana", the agile goalie concluded.

Two up, one down - Ghana's position in latest FIFA rankings

Ghana have moved two places up on the latest FIFA rankings released on Thursday, March 13. The Black Stars, amidst losing 0-1 to Montenegro in a friendly recently are now 35th on the overall ranking log, two places better than the previous 37th. Ghana's point build up, previously at 733 is now 729 points. However the African giants, have slipped one place below her previous 4th spot on the continent. Ghana now trails Ivory Coast, Algeria, Egypt and Cape Verde chronologically. Costa Rica on 34th position, lead Ghana by 3 points whiles Honduras on 36th are only 4 points apart whereas Spain maintained the top spot with Belgium ousting Netherlands for the 10th position.

Ghana's striking conundrum - Ayew to miss out on World Cup?

Ghana and on-loan Marseille forward, Jordan Ayew is set to miss out on the plane to next summer's World Cup slated for Brazil this year, following a persistent decrease in form for both club and country. The 22-year old forward switched fortunes in January to Sochaux, a French first tier division club, but has since made an infinitesimal impact adding to the club's exacerbation on the league log. The younger brother of André Ayew also of Marseille, has since found the back of the net on one occasion but subsequently marred it with a sending-off in lastweek's league game against Monaco. A replica of such misfiring state has been exhibited in Ghana colours aplenty - scoring just two goals in as many games - with the latest of the series - an unconvincing display against Montenegro during the International Friendlies in midweek. The young forward has come under heavy chastisement from all and sundry over his abysmal display ahead of the Mundial. None other but the coach of Black Stars, Akwesi Appiah is said to be contemplating on dropping the forward for in-formed Seidu Bancey of local side Asante Kotoko. Bancey leads the goalking race on the local front with an average of 0.77 goals per game though he has played 7 games less. The lethal forward has scored 10 goals in 13 games for the Porcupine Warriors and has contributed half of his side's 30 league goals this campaign (assists inclusive). The former Dwarfs FC forward is said to be in line for a surprise ticket to Brazil by Coach Appiah, although, he is yet to receive a debut for the side. However, he has a handful of caps with the local Black Stars - the CHAN side and has propelled his club side to the apex of the league log with a whooping 12 points gap between the second placed team - Hearts of Oak. His speculated inclusion in the side sooner than later, could dim the chances of Jordan Ayew - perhaps earning the final berth in the attacking trio for World Cup - with captain Asamoah Gyan and Majid Warris already in the good books of the coach.

Ghanaian referee dies after massive assault by fans

21-year old referee, Kyei Andoh, met his untimely death few days after he was brutally assaulted in a second division league match in a suburb of Western Region. The young referee, also a teacher by profession was the subject of massive beatings and physical assault whiles refereeing a third tier match between Bordie-based Gold Stars and Naajoe United in the Western part of Ghana. The fans of the home-side, Gold Stars - obviously livid - launched attack on the referee for his 'unfair' officiating expressed through series of horrible slaps and dagger withdrawals - all aimed at the young referee amidst his other colleague referees (linesmen) on the day, running helter-skelter. Some onlookers came to his aide though, he could not swerve all the harassment from the apoplectic fans. He later went to hospital for treatment, but mild medications could only keep him alive for four days. Kyei Andoh's demise took place last Friday after vomiting blood believed to have accumulated via the assault on that infamous day - Sunday. His funeral is slated for next week whiles a post mortem will reveal the genuine cause of his death. Nonetheless, the police in conjunction with the Football Association(GFA) have put measures in place to bring to fore the perpetrators of this horrendous act for deserving sanctions.

Adams in, as Dauda is axed ahead of Montenegro game

Ghana and Montenegro will square off next month in a friendly match, as part of preparations prior to her third successive World Cup slated for Brazil. Aduana Stars goalkeeper, Stephen Adams has been included in the squad announced by coach Kwesi Appiah on Monday for the friendly with the Brave Falcons on 5 March after a scintillating display put up by the goalie with the Local Black Stars, in the just ended CHAN tournament, where he conceded a single goal in the entire campaign through to the grande finale. Elsewhere, Stade Rennes defender, John Boye returns to the side after sitting out in previous games due to injury. Meanwhile, the first choice goalie, Fatau Dauda of Orlando Pirates, failed to earn a berth in the side, after series of failing to keep the post for his club over months now. The game will be played at the Stadium Pod Goricum in Podgorica.The match will kick-off at 18:00GMT local time ahead of the Mundial tournament in June. FULL SQUAD: Goalkeepers: Adam Kwarasey (Stromgodset, Norway), Stephen Adams (Aduana Stars) Defenders: Harrison Afful (Esperance, Tunisia), Samuel Inkoom (Platanias, Greece), Daniel Opare (Standard Liege, Belgium), David Addy (Vitoria Guimaraes, Portugal), Jerry Akaminko (Eskisehirspor, Turkey), John Boye (Rennes, France), Jonathan Mensah (Evian, France) Midfielders: Michael Essien (AC Milan, Italy), Sulley Muntari (AC Milan, Italy), Kwadwo Asamoah (Juventus, Italy), Kevin-Prince Boateng (Schalke, Germany), Emmanuel Agyemang Badu (Udinese, Italy), Albert Adomah (Middlesbrough, England), Mubarak Wakaso (Rubin Kazan, Russia), Christian Atsu (Vitesse Arnhem, Holland), Andre Ayew (Marseille, France) Strikers: Asamoah Gyan (Al Ain, UAE), Abdul Majeed Waris (Valenciennes, Italy), Jordan Ayew (Marseille, France)

Chelsea, Dwarfs and Medeama progress as Kotoko exit

The quartet of Ghana clubs represented in the ongoing CAF Champions League and Confederation's Cup - across the African continent produced a collectively perfect performance but for one. Berekum Chelsea qualified past FC Atlabara of South Sundan after a drawn aggregate of two goals apiece over the two legs. The Ghana club defeated the Sudanese counterparts by two unanswered goals, a week back in Ghana whiles the same result was reversed by the Sudanese in the return encounter. Iddrisu Danjumah, Chelsea's goalie was the hero of the day, saving three penalties as his side progressed to the next round to square off with Al-Ahly Benghazi from Libya in the next phase of the CAF Champions League qualifiers. Ebusua Dwarfs also held ASC Jaraaf to a goalless drawn game at the Stade Demba Diop stadium in Dakar, Senegal as the Cape-Coast based-side, sailed through with a one goal aggregate earned in Ghana, a week back. The club advances to the next round of the CAF Confederation's Cup with a spirited display over the two encounters. Medeama SC, brushed aside their Equatorial Guinea counterparts with 4-1 aggregate. FC Panthers lost 2-1 in Guinea and were mesmerized in the return leg as the Ghana side handed them, double punches after seeing their player sent off. Debutants Medeama SC, advances to the next round of the Confederations' Cup. Another debutants, Barrack Young Controllers handed Ghana League Champions, Kumasi Asante Kotoko a shocker after edging them out of the CAF Champions league preliminaries with a late goal in Liberia. Kotoko won the first leg in Ghana by 2-1 but lost the return leg by a lone goal, wholly a an unpardonable blunder committed by their Burkinabe goalie - Soulama Abdulaye. Kotoko failed to progress to the next round of the CAF Champions League, for a successive numerous times in as many years.

New Ghana league sponsors to be unveiled on Tuesday - GFA

Following what appeared to be a marred relationship between the former sponsors of Ghana League, GLO Telecommunications and the Ghana Football Association, rumours have been on the rife with regard to who takes over the mantle as new headline sponsors of the nation's first-tier league. Speculations regarding the new title sponsors have escalated after some FA officials confirmed in recent weeks that, negotiations were in the pipeline to bring out the new sponsors. It seem as though, it would not take too long a time before the veil is taken off especially, after the official twitter handle of the FA confirmed the date to unveil the new sponsors, rumored to be either Vodafone Telecom or First Class Bank. "@ghanafaofficial : @ghanafaofficial will unveil new title sponsors of the #GHPL on Tuesday" - GFA official Twitter handle reads. Indeed Tuesday is not far from now. Soon, the league, needless to say though, dominated by Asante Kotoko and Hearts of Oak will have a new sponsor according to the FA on Tuesday.

Swansea City set to sign Ghana youngster, Jeffrey Schlupp

A bid worth £2.5million is said to have been tabled by English first-tier division club, Swansea City who hope to bolster their attacking front in the absence of injured talisman, Michu for Ghana's Jeffrey Schlupp according to Sky sources. Jeffrey is said to have been courted by the Swans and could be crossing carpet from Championship side, Leicester City to South Wales to enjoy the breeze of English Premier League before the transfer window is closed later today. The 21-year-old earned his solo cap on 15th November 2011 against Gabon coming on as late substitute for Prince Tagoe. Schlupp who represented Germany at U19 level was once rumoured to be interested by Manchester United, but an unsuccessful trials denied him a dream move. The 2010/2011 Leicester City Academy Best Player could not have made a better move than now - bar any unsuccessful negotiations - in light of the World Cup beckoning.

No longer coy over transfer saga - Michael Essien

Following what appeared to be an unclear state of how things had turned around, in lieu of a certain Michael Essien's protracted transfer from Stamford Bridge to San Siro, a clarification from 'the Bison' could not have come any time better. Ghana midfielder, Michael Essien has yet to complete a transfer though on a free, from Chelsea to AC Milan subject to passing of medical already undertaken. The results of the medical appeared to be marred by some media outlets in both Italy and Ghana after propagated stories of 'failed medical test'. The situation was unclear and any official news affirming the negative stories would have seen, the former Lyon man, return to England again. However, the initial rumours of failed test, turned out to be false after the Bison took to his Twitter account to clarify the issue in the absence coyness. Essien wrote: "Haters will broadcast your failure but whisper your success. Medicals done,looking forward to start my new life with AC MIlan. #jahbless" Indeed, it seem as though, all is set for Essien to start a new career with AC Milan on a speculated 18 months contract subject to official confirmations from all parties involved.

Seydou Bancey - Suárez's Mimicker

INTRODUCTION Reigning and record Ghana league champions, Kumasi Asante Kotoko sit comfortably atop of the league log, after the first half of the season came to an end recently. The second and third placed sides trail the Porcupine Warriors by 7 clear points thanks to players like Seydou Bancey. The club's leadsman. WHO'S SEYDOU BANCEY Seydou Bancey is a striker who few thought would not have come thus far given his wasteful and abysmal display some season(s) back. However, though not the dearest player in the 'Reds' family, he has established himself as the lynchpin of the side this year. Bancey opened his goal scoring campaign with a brace in the Super Cup match against Medeama SC. The former Dwarfs FC forward scored in the opening two games of the season with a thunderous strike against arch-rivals Hearts of Oak. However his free scoring season was brought to halt courtesy injury which sidelined him for months. DICHOTOMY : BANCEY AND SUAREZ. Seydou Bancey watched close to half of this year's campaign from sidelines just like Luis Suarez who also saw some fraction of the English League from the stands due to suspension. Suarez's story, everybody knows what happened when he returned, scoring 20 goals in as 'many' games and leads the goal- king race in England. Continuing Bancey's story, few anticipated, a striker of such misfiring status for sometime now could only be surviving on a nine-day wonder and surely the post-injury performance will indicate what he's known best for - inconsistency. However, these critique perhaps gingered Bancey to do what few predicted thus 5 goals in his last 6 games making a total of 7 goals in 8 games and leading the race for goal-king in a country where strikers are hard to come by. Bancey just like Suarez is brimmed with exuberance and sheer determination. What the two goal-machines share in common is their abilities to provide assists for other players to score. Bancey has provided not less than 3+ assists, similar to Suarez's performance though they featured less. Another trait these two share in common is their footworks. SEYDOU 'SUAREZ' BANCEY In as much as these two nimble-footed players have proven pivotal in this year's campaign for their clubs. It will be outrageous to compare the two players given they are in different leagues and standards and also Luis Suarez has more than enough national team experience with Uruguay whereas Seydou Bancey has yet to earn a call-up though got a recent late inclusion in the Local Black Stars team for the pre-CHAN tournament squad of Ghana. It is however very fair to say Bancey is clearly mimicking Suarez's performance. Therefore he's got every right to be dubbed Seydou 'Suarez' Bancey for the fun of the game and the beauty of its nature. Many accolades from the Kotoko family has emanated over the years, but expect Suarez Bancey to soar higher, all things being equal.