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.