The Super Eagles of Nigeria returned home after an impressive performance at the just ended 2023 African Cup of Nations tournament in Ivory Coast.

Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu took the opportunity to honour the gallant men on Tuesday following their second-place finish in the just-ended 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

The accolades included the Member of the Order of the Niger (MON), flats in the Federal Capital Territory, and a parcel of land.

The ceremony took place at the Council Chamber in the Presidential Villa, Abuja, where President Tinubu hosted the players and officials of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).

In his speech to the players, President Tinubu encouraged the team by emphasizing the importance of unity and resilience that paved the way to the  nation’s (Nigeria) victory in capturing the hearts of Africa and the world through the team’s determination on the field.

“We should not be disheartened by this recent event but rather come together and strive harder. As a nation, we are united by the green-white-green banner of resilience, joy, hope, duty, and unwavering love,” he said.

In his message, he reassured not only the senior national team but also the Nigerian youth and upcoming potential national heroes that may emerge from the grassroots sports of his government’s commitment to supporting the growths of their dreams and aspirations.

The three times Afcon champions live another day to change the narrative of their Afcon history.

The Super Eagles of Nigeria lost 1-2 in the afcon 2023 final against the host Ivory Coast.

Nigerian Football Federation

The black Queens of Ghana and the Copper Queens of Zambia will clash in the first leg of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games qualifier at the Accra Sports Stadium.

The Ghana Football Association (GFA) has announced a change in venue from Kumasi to Accra.

“Ghana were initially scheduled to meet the Copper Queens of Zambia at the Baba Yara Sports stadium on Friday, February 23 but the game will now take place at the Accra Sports Stadium,” parts of a statement from the GFA said on Wednesday, February 14.

The statement further explained, “This is because three sanctioned high-profile games cannot take place at the same match venue within a three-day period. Medeama SC and Dreams FC will engage in two CAF inter-club games at the Baba Yara stadium on the weekend of February 23-25, 2024.

“Medeama SC will host Al Ahly in the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League at the Baba Yara Sports stadium on Friday, February 23, while Dreams FC host Club Africain on Sunday, February 25, 2024.”

The game between Ghana’s Black Queens and the Copper Queens is on February 23.

From Sammy Heywood Okine

Melcom Care Foundation, a subsidiary of the Melcom Group of Companies has supported the John Agyekum Kufuor Foundation ahead of its highly-anticipated football event scheduled for February 18,2024.

The donation was an undisclosed free shopping vouchers for players who would be competing in the event.

Mr. Godwin Avenorgbo, Group Director of Communications at Melcom speaking during short ceremony said sport played an important role in bringing together people from all walks of life.

He expressed excitement having seen the John Agyekum Kufuor foundation contribute to the development of sports, hence the need to also come onboard and support the mission.

“Ghana Sports was the envy of Africa decades ago and we were leaders and reigning champions in the game of football in Africa but unfortunately our standards in football have sunk so low that we have now become a laughing stock in any arena where football is discussed,” he said.

He stated that the performance of the Black Stars at the just ended Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament in Ivory Coast was an indication of how football was declining in Ghana.

Mr.Avenorgbo called on the Ministry of Youth and Sports, the Ghana Football Association and other bodies  to put in efforts in making Ghana a football powerhouse again.

“I have observed also that an over concentration on football to the neglect of other previously useful sports disciplines like athletics, volleyball, boxing, hockey, basketball, table tennis, and others would make a tremendous impact on the nation’s psyche and influence high productivity at the work place,” the Group Director added.

He congratulated the JAK Foundation for the novel football  celebration in a competitive spirit for national cohesion.

Professor Baffour Agyemang-Duah, Chief Executive Officer of John Agyekum Kufuor Foundation thanked Melcom Group of Companies for the kind gesture.

“Melcom has always been there when it’s needed. This is not the first time we have met and the former President told me sometime ago that years back he was friends with the founder of Melcom so I am not surprised that you have come to our aid”, he added.

He said the main purpose of the games is to raise funds to aid the noble work the foundation was doing to support youth mentoring and education.

The J.A Kufuor Cup would be between Asante Kotoko and Nsoatreman FC at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium on Sunday February 18,2024.

The match is to honour the profound legacy of the former President and also climax his 85th birthday celebration.

Source Willie Ezah

Members of the United Boxing Coaches Association will go to poll on Thursday February 15th,2024 to elect new leaders to manage affairs of the Association from it's current state as it stands to a more reliable and firm body.

Head trainer of the Charles Quartey Boxing Foundation Mr. Charles Quartey who is vying for the Presidential position says he is ready to bring on board big foreign partners who are willing to send coaches outside the shores to train for fresh ideas.

He also wants to contest for this very elections so he can strengthen the Coaches Association with his zeal and solve their problems.

Also an experienced and popular coach and current General Secretary of the Coaches Association, Mr. Rashid Williams who is also vying for the Presidential position says if he is given the nod he will make sure he sets up an office for the Association.  

Secondly he also wants bring other good deals on board to help the coaches and make unity reign among all coaches,

Other members who are contesting for other positions are as follows.

Mr Lawrence Carl Lokko for first Vice President

Mr. Michael Benjamin Addy as second vice president

Mr. Ernest Ofori as General Secretary

Mr. Augustus Dodoo as Executive member

Mr. Gabriel Allotey as Executive member

Story Augustus Dodoo

The ceremonial inauguration and unveiling of the trophy for the J.A. Kufuor Cup Match was conducted by former President John Agyekum Kufuor on Tuesday, February 13, 2024, at Peduase,

The match is fixed for the Baba Yara Stadium on Sunday, February 18, 2024,and the highly-anticipated match will see Ghanaian premier league giants Kumasi Asante Kotoko against Nsoatreman FC.

The John A. Kufuor (JAK) Foundation, the organizer of the event, aims to pay homage to the legacy of the former President, who recently celebrated his 85th birthday.

The trophy unveiling was attended by former Black Stars captain Stephen Appiah, coach Kwesi Appiah, and Ghana Football Association President Kurt Okraku.

Eric Alagidede, the General Manager of Nsoatreman, expressed confidence in his club's ability to clinch the trophy from Kotoko.

But, Coach Kwesi Appiah of Kotoko assured that his team would put up a strong fight to honor the memory of the former president, who previously served as their board chair.

Stephen Appiah, who is also an ambassador for the J.A. Kufuor Cup, committed to purchasing 1,000 tickets for the match, while the GFA President pledged to buy 5,000 tickets for fans.

Kurt Okraku urged Ghanaians to show their support by turning up in large numbers to witness the match and encouraged both teams to give their best efforts.

Former President JA Kufuor wished both clubs his support and urged the best team to win on Sunday, February 18, 2024.

From Sammy Heywood Okine

Love Goes Where Love Is…

The organisers of the football protest could not have chosen a better date. The demonstration is planned for Wednesday, February 14, 2024, Valentine's Day. When Mr Kurt Okraku became the President of the Ghana Football Association, GFA, the target of the demonstrators, he devised a clever slogan – Bring Back the Love. It was apt. The fortunes of football – the league, national teams and infrastructure – were all in the doldrums. Bringing back the love summed up the task before him and his football executives. Now, he may have to ponder the wisdom in the saying, "Love goes where love is…"

The GFA is not the only target of the protest. Indeed, this demonstration is for, rather than against, something. It is for where the love is…

For many decades, Ghanaians had an abiding romance with the beautiful game. In the early years of statehood, under the first President Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah and his able Director of Sports, Mr Ohene Djan, football was one of the nation's articles of faith. We knew we could rely on football for a lift if everything failed us. Successive governments and football administrations have tried to sustain our self-belief. The difference is that now there is nothing to sustain.

Indeed, this has gone beyond football. There was a time when Ghana was the best boxing nation in the Commonwealth, the best table tennis team in Africa, the best sprint quartet in the Commonwealth, and, of course, the best footballing nation in Africa. We were the first to win the CAF Cup for keeps after clocking three wins. We failed to see the writing on the wall when the other disciplines' structures collapsed, not even with a whimper.

Today, we are not the best in anything; past glory can only take you so far. But the tragedy of our fall from grace is a human invention. It did not just happen. Those who know say that we have been blindsided by the people put into office to look after our football – the "football people". The phrase "the football people" has come to represent a football priesthood, an untouchable elite for whom the injunction is perpetual: touch not my anointed. Football people are anointed, not by experience on the playing field, but in the backrooms where the art of wheeling and dealing has become the flip side of our failure and shame. Think about it: someone made money, maybe a pile, when the Black Stars lost to Comoros.

So, it is right and proper that we rescue football before we lose it completely. The idea that those who have caused the failure can repair it is ludicrous. Anywhere else in the world, the football people would have offered to resign, if nothing at all, to test our pulse. It won't happen here, and cocooned in the touch not my anointed mentality, they have no desire even to share our pain.

The football protest must be a national endeavour. The message is simple: we want to go where the love is. We want our football back.

Indeed, bring back the love on St Valentine's Day.

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President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has revealed plans by the government to construct 100 new astro turf oitches in 2024.

He made the announcement during the official commissioning of the newly constructed Borteyman Sports Complex on Tuesday.

He said six of these stadiums, namely Wa in Upper West Dunkwa Offin in Central, Axim in western, Dormaa Ahenkro, in Bono, Ho in Volta, and Koforidua in eastern are ready with the Koforidua sports stadium, as it be recently commissioned by me. The remaining four are expected to be completed this year.

 “At the community level, the government has invested massively in the provision of astroturfs for various communities across the country. Thus far, government has built some 150 astroturf pitches across the country. It is important to note the winner assumed office in January 2017. Ghana had only three public astroturf in the country. We expect to construct another 100 as returns before the end of this year. This again, demonstrates the government’s commitment to the provision of supply chain infrastructure to engender the right facilities for the development of sports in Ghana.”

Nana Addo urged Team Ghana to excel at the 13^th African Games which starts on 8^th March to 23^rd March, 2024.

The main activities and Games Village will be at the Legon University of Ghana, however most competitions will be at Borteyman.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

The 34th edition of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations concluded in fine style at the majestic Alassane Ouattara Stadium on Sunday after Cote d'Ivoire came from behind to seal a magnificent third TotalEnergies CAF AFCON title against Nigeria.

With the curtains officially closed on the tournament, CAF awarded the best performers of the competition.

The creator of Cote d'Ivoire’s two assists in the final, Simon Adingra (22), was named the TotalEnergies Man of the Match for the final.

Despite not finishing at the summit as champions, Nigerian captain William Troost-Ekong walked away with the TotalEnergies Best Player award.

Equatorial Guinea danger man Emilio Nsue Lopez scooped the PUMA Golden Boot award for his five goals that saw him top the goal-scoring charts of the competition.

Bafana Bafana shot-stopper Ronwen Williams was voted the Ecobank Best Goalkeeper for his heroics which include a record four penalty saves against Cape Verde and another two against DR Congo.

In addition to finishing third in the competition, Bafana Bafana’s bronze medal is accompanied by the Air Côte d’Ivoire Fair Play Team.

The winner’s trophy, which was brought on by Togolese football legend Emmanuel Adebayor, was presented by Cote d’Ivoire President His Excellency Alassane Ouattara alongside CAF President Dr. Patrice Motsepe and FIFA President Gianni Infantino to Cote d'Ivoire skipper Max Gradel.

The ceremony also included the official handing over of the CAF Flag to the Royal Moroccan Federation to signify the handing over of the hosting rights to the next host country.

Below is the complete winners list for the CAN CAF TotalEnergies, Cote d'Ivoire 2023:

Winner: Cote d’Ivoire

Second: Nigeria

Third: South Africa

Fourth: Democratic Republic of Congo

TotalEnergies Best Player: William Troost-Ekong (Nigeria)

Puma Golden Boot: Emilio Nsue Lopez

Ecobank Best Goalkeeper: Ronwen Williams (South Africa)

Air Côte d’Ivoire Fair-Play Team: South Africa

Source Caf

President of the Republic of Ghana Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo o Tuesday, 13th February 2024, commissioned the beautiful edifice constructed for the organisation of the 13th African Games, to be held in our country, as well as to marked the 25th day countdown to the holding of the Games, arguably Africa’s biggest sporting event.

In its fifty-seven (57) years of existence, this is the first time that Ghana is hosting the games, despite Ghana being, under the leadership of our first leader, Dr.Kwame Nkrumah, a founding member of the African Games.

“Despite loud calls by some pessimists for our nation to withdraw from hosting the tournament, we remained resolute, and, today, our country can be proud of the massive sporting infrastructure we have put in place for the Games, which will be a huge legacy for the country.

“Our nation is expecting some five thousand (5,000) elite athletes, three thousand (3,000) experienced officials and thousands of fans in the country, together with an estimated global audience of 2.2 billion people watching through traditional and social media.

“The question is, why has Ghana not hosted the African Games until now? The answer is simple: there is a time for everything; and this is our time. We are now ready and capable of organising and hosting the rest of the continent, here in Ghana. The people and Government Ghana are honoured and grateful to the Africa Union for the opportunity to host the rest of Africa for the first time in our history” he addressed guests who turned up at Borteyman.

Minister of Youth and Sports, Hon. Mustapha Ussif, commended the consultant and contractor of the Borteyman facility for its rapid accomplishment.

He projected the Borteyman Complex as a centre for sports excellence, serving as a legacy for future generations and later turned into a University for Sports Development.

Mr. Ussif expressed hope for the facility's sustained maintenance to ensure that future generations also benefit from it.

"The African Games will foster unity among Africans and celebrate the beauty of our diverse culture, we are ready" he pronounced.

The state of the art Borteyman Sports Complex will host competitive sports, such as table tennis, handball, tennis, volleyball, swimming, badminton, and the triathlon. Notably, four of these events - table tennis, tennis, triathlon, and badminton - will double as qualifiers for the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France.

Also at Borteyman is a 1,000-seater capacity swimming pool, comprising a 10-lane competition swimming pool and an eight-lane warm-up swimming pool, plus a multi-purpose Sports Hall capable of seating 1,000 spectators for various events such as basketball, badminton, netball, table tennis, and weightlifting.

There is a 500-seater dome for handball, volleyball, judo, karate, taekwondo, fencing, arm-wrestling, and a five-tennis court complex, including a 1,000-seater Centre Court.

The 13th African Games is from March 8 to 23, 2024.

From Sammy Heywood Okine

Over 100 Sports Journalists And Volunteers Experience Simulation Exercise By Transport Sub Committee Of ‘Accra 2023’

Mr. Samson Deen, Chairman of the Transportation Sub Committee of the 13^th African Games LOC has commended sports journalists for the interest shown in promoting the upcoming African Games since they heard and saw that facilities for the Games are ready.

On Monday, he led the pressmen on a test drive through the routes that the buses for the first ever multiple sports event dubbed ‘Accra 2023’ would be using.

The media men who were drawn from Accra, Kumasi, Takoradi and Tamale met at the Games Village at the University of Ghana, Legon and were taken to the Trust Sports Emporium (Bukom Boxing Arena), Accra Sports Stadium and the Borteyman Sports Complex, before returning to Legon Sports Stadium for a Q and A session.

Mr. Evans Yeboah, President of Ghana Badminton who supported Mr. Deen in the showing the various facilities to the media and sports supporters said Badminton will be the first discipline to open the Games.

He briefed on the accreditation process and classifications, dates of arrivals for contingents, nine venues for the 28 disciplines, Games Village and roles of security, volunteers and the media.

Mr. Kwesi Mantey who is Head of Catering also talked about how their services would be carried out to produce one of the best African Games ever.

He assured that the Catering Sub Committee will deliver traditional, continental and other dishes plus deserts and other services.

On Tuesday, February 13, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo will launch the 25-day countdown to the 13th African Games with the ceremony to serve as a trial run for the facilities that will host the competitions.

By Sammy Heywood Okine