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.

Michael Essien : Champions League bound

Ghana and Chelsea midfielder, Michael Essien has received what appears to be a morale-booster from his club manager Jose Mourinho, who has promised Champions League action for the former Olympique Lyon man this season, yet again. After what seemed like a shock, when the Portuguese manager omitted the midfield anchor from his initial Champions League squad submitted to UEFA earlier this season, the Ghanaian has worked tirelessly for his country and perhaps club though featuring in only League cup games and a cameo appearance against West Ham United in the English Premiership [thus, 3 appearance all season]. The former Real Madrid manager has highlighted Essien's professionalism in training. Agoronet understands, Jose Mourinho is planning on settling the Ghanaian in his 'good books' for regular soccer action once more. The manager reiterated his desire to feature the Ghanaian in this season's Champions League knock-out stage when the transfer window opens for new registration, early next year, January . Speaking to the official club website, chelseafc.com , the Portuguese manager said : "I will change Marco van Ginkel with Essien in the Champions League squad list. We are going to try to find balances. Our squad is our squad. Instead of thinking about the market, we will think about trying to work and trying to improve the team"

Who deserves the crown for the BBC African Footballer of the Year?

                                        

PREVIEW: 
The BBC African Footballer of the Year is an annual award given to the best footballer across the continent for the year. Voting is done by listeners of BBC Radio and also via SMS and online. The maiden award held in 1991 was won by Ghana and Olympique Marseille's legend, Abedi Ayew 'Pele'. Subsequently, other legends to have also won this noble award include: Emmanuel Amuneke of Nigeria, George Weah of Liberia, just to mention but a few. This year, 2013 has nominees from Gabon, Nigeria, Burkina Faso and Ivory Coast contesting for this prestigious award. We seek to unveil who really deserves this year's award as we journey on.

THE MEN:
The nominees are :
John Obi Mikel of Nigeria and Chelsea fame, Yaya Toure from Ivory Coast and Manchester City camp, Victor Moses also from Nigeria but on loan from Chelsea to Liverpool, Pierre-Emerick Aubemeyang of Borussia Dortmund and Gabon; and Jonathan Pitroipa of Burkina Faso and Stade Rennes.
From a glance, Yaya Toure stands tall considering the fact that, he's the only African footballer to be shortlisted by the game's world governing body FIFA for this year's Ballon d'Or.
Victor Moses also looks worthy of the award. He was Nigeria's 'Messi' in the 2013 AFCON tournament where Nigeria were crowned African Champions with a laudable performance against Ethiopia and also played an instrumental role for Chelsea en route to Europa League glory this year.
AFCON Best Player, Jonathan Pitroipa , single handedly sent Burkina Faso to the finals, an unprecedented feat and also played a crucial role for his French based club with trademark dazzling skills and sumptuous footworks.
Another player worth noting, is Nigeria's John Obi Mikel. It's a shame both his club and national team fans rarely acknowledge the effect and impact this midfield dynamo has on them. An unsung hero indeed. He lead Nigeria to surprising AFCON glory and silenced critics with his best performance in Nigeria shirt at the FIFA Confederation Cup with mouth opening displays and peak of a goal finish against the resilient Uruguay. He also was a stalwart for Chelsea as they won the top European Club trophies in reverse order consecutively. 'The Usain Bolt' of African football and also the 'Neymar' of Gabon football, taking his pace and fanciful hairstyle into account.
Pierre Emerick Aubemayang, has proven that, he's come of age and really a rare breed of talent across the continent. Aubameyang ended the French Ligue 1 season with 19 league goals and also set up the winner in the Coupe de La Ligue final, when St-Etienne won their first major domestic trophy for more than thirty years. His switch to European giants, Dortmund came in a memorable style with a hat-trick against Augsburg. The Gabonesse proved his worth in 2012 AFCON. Known for his lightening pace and flair, he remains my favorite player in the list though am not betting my money on him to win. That's about to be disclosed soon.

THE MAN:
It's time for Africa to give credit at least once to him in his entire career. He remains not a favorite amongst the Chelsea enthusiasts, however he has proven he's maturing season by season. Arguably the best box-to-box midfielder in London, he also has the flair to push forward when with the Super Green Eagles of Nigeria and occasionally scores for them. After Jose Mourinho's first term of office at Chelsea, John Michael Nchekwube Obinna has grown into a first team player and perhaps a starter under the subsequent club managers. Though not a flair-packed holding midfielder like Sergio Busquet or goalscoring Auturo Vidal nor a rugged midfielder like former award winner and club mate Michael Essien in his hay days nor a dynamic one like Bastein Schweinsteger, he certainly contains bits and portions of all those traits. In Chelsea shirt, he exhibits proper shielding when playing the deep lying midfield role infront of the defence and also exhibits his flair when in Nigeria shirt, where he has some level of freedom to join attack. He proved he could be very well, sublime infront of goal against Fulham and Uruguay this year. He steered Chelsea to lifting the Europa League by forming a wonderful partnership with either David Luiz or Ramires under Rafa Benitez this same year. He also powered Nigeria to AFCON glory , this year in a surprising style.

REVIEW:
Though, the Gabonesse still remains my favorite, if there's time to appreciate an unsung hero across the continent, I believe BBC and soccer fans should should look no further than Mikel Obi John. He truly and fairly deserves this year's award at least for his showpiece in the calendar year with both club and national team and also high time, soccer fans appreciate his efforts and impact in the game for once at least, before it's too late.
Obinna indeed, is his father's heart .

Chelsea fans heap praises on Michael Essien for his performance against Arsenal via Twitter

Chelsea defeated Arsenal in the League cup [Capital One] on Tuesday night, in the round of 16, to progress to the next phase of the competition with Michael Essien, the captain on the night for the Blues. Michael Essien made his second appearance for Chelsea when they traveled to defeat their city rivals Arsenal by 2-0. The Ghana midfielder lasted the entire duration of the game, in midfield, together with Nigeria's John Obi Mikel and other fringe Chelsea stars as the first team was apparently rested. The 30 year-old midfield dynamo was handed the captain arm-band just like the previous round in same competition against Swindon Town where he made his first season appearance. Spaniard amigos: Cesar Azpilicueta and Juan Mata's goals ,saw the Blues brush the Gunners aside. Michael Essien played a crucial role in the game per the following stats and subsequently was hailed by Chelsea fans on Twitter: Essien played all 90 minutes, touching the ball more times (79) than any of his fellow Chelsea midfielders. His 64 passes was more than any other player in the team, at an accuracy of 91 per cent. He won one tackle and 3 interceptions. "Essien was amazing!!! Good to see yet another big team beat Arsenal!!! #CFC— Benjamin Bell" , "Essien is old but he still out-muscled the young & agile Arsenal midfielders. CLASS IS PERMANENT #CFC— Shoggy Dee" , "Don't get me started on Wilshire, non existent... Dominated by Essien who is probably only 50% the player he once was #overrated #cfc #afc— Pel (@el_peligrino)". "Essien bossed the midfield tonight. Give him another look, Jose. #cfc— Nick Verlaney" , "Mikel and Essien played well together. Covered the back 4 so well in the game just now. #CFC— Johan Ikhlas" , "Mata getting the plaudits but Nigeria/Ghana combination of Mikel Obi & Essien were superb. Overpowered Ramsey & Wilshere in midfield. #CFC— John Bennett".

Has Africa still got the men for FIFA Ballon d'or ?

Yaya Toure was the only African player shortlisted by the world's football governing body, FIFA, for this year's prestigious Ballon d'or (World's best footballer). Unlike previous years where Africa could boast of at least, two or more players from the continent nominated for the award, this year featured only one; before a final voting session would pick the final three out of the nominated 23 for the award. Let's take a look at the past, present and future of African soccer stars in relation to this award to see if Africa's still got the men. THE PAST: Gone were the days when Africa had players like Ghana's soccer maestro, Abedi Ayew 'Pele' who won loads of laurels with Marseille back in France but had little or no chance to be included in this fame because of the 'exclusion' of African players from this noble award. Players from the continent of Africa, formed the core of clubs in Europe subsequently, until the award was finally given to a certain Liberian by name George Oppong Weah in 1995 who played for AC Milan. He once did an unthinkable in footballing history as he dribbled from end to end of the field and scored a sublime goal. The era of Samuel Eto'o Fils who was once 3rd best of this award as well as Didier Drogba and Michael Essien also came by. They were constant nominees for this award though they hardly made the final three. THE PRESENT: As stated earlier, this year featured Yaya Toure who even though played an integral part for his Manchester based club, Manchester City, had little or no trophy to brag about ,following their community shield cup success over Chelsea early last season. Eyebrows have being raised about the future of African players who are touted to be world-class yet gradually fading into the skies. There are doubts if individual magicians from this part of the world could storm the global scene yet again in terms of soccer. THE FUTURE: Amidst the suddenly yet gradual decline of the quality of African talents at the world stage, there are still quite a few that leaves the African fan, something to smile about. Though it may not be soon, but it may not be too far to see some Africans rise again to the world stage especially with players like Pierre Emerick Aubemeang of Gabon and Borussia Dortmund, Andre 'Dede' Ayew of Ghana and Marseille, Mohammed Salah of FC Basel and Egypt as well as Kwadwo Asamoah of Juventus and Ghana fame. Lest I forget, Victor Wanyama of Kenya and Southampton. 'Ceteris parabus', these boys, even at their tender ages have established themselves uniquely for both club and national side. If consistency remains their hallmark then why not? Africa will soon have loads of nominees for subsequent years' FIFA Ballon d'or.

First African Golden Foot Hall of Famer - Didier Drogba

Didier Drogba played an instrumental role when Ivory Coast beat Senegal 3-1, in the first leg tie of the final round of World Cup qualifier for Brazil 2014. He scored the opening goal from the penalty spot. On Tuesday, the former Chelsea forward flew to Monte Carlo, where he was inducted into the Golden Foot Hall of Fame. He competed with nine other world class players, at least of the age 28 and still in active soccer as the award regulations demand, for their immense contribution to the game: Cristiano Ronaldo, Andres Iniesta, Frank Lampard, David Trezeguet, Andrea Pirlo, Samuel Eto'o, Iker Casillas, David Beckham, and Miroslav Klose. Soccer fans around the world voted via Golden Foot website to select the winner for the year. The award was presented to the Galatassary forward by Prince, H.S.H Albert II of Monaco, in its 11th edition. He remains the only African to win such prestigious award and thanked supporters around the world via his instagram account: "And the 2013 GOLDENFOOT Award Winner iiiis.... Millions of thank you to all the people who voted". The 35-year-old joins previous winners as one of the game's greatest : Roberto Baggio, Pavel Nedved, Andriy Shevchenko, Ronaldo da Lima, Alessandro del Pierro, Roberto Carlos, Ronaldinho, Francesco Totti, Ryan Giggs and Zlatan Ibrahimovic.