The much-anticipated J.A Kufuor Cup between premier league giants Asante Kotoko and Nsoatreman FC is set to be unveiled on Tuesday, 13th February 2024.

The match organised by the John A. Kufuor (JAK) Foundation is to honour the profound legacy of the former President and also climax his 85th birthday celebration.

The ceremony is expected to take place at the residence of the former President at Peduase before the main event in Kumasi.

The Ghana Football Association (GFA), Ministry of Youth and Sports (MoYS) and other associations have all pledged their support to make this year’s competition a memorable one.

The match would take place on Sunday, February 18,2024 at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium.

Source William Ezah

The 34th Africa Cup of Nations held in Cote D’Ivoire produced many amazing moments and records were broken at the exciting championship.

To highlight a few, André Ayew (Ghana) tied Rigobert Song (Cameroon) for the most matches played at the Africa Cup of Nations - 36 - and both Youssef Msakni (Tunisia) and André Ayew tied the record for the most appearances in the Africa Cup Of Nations with this being their 8th appearance.

Egypt extended their record as the nation with the most appearances at AFCON with this being their 26th appearance, while Nigeria extended their record for the most medals won (16 in total).

Ivory Coast ended the “record” for the longest streak of host countries not winning Africa Cup Of Nations, which has lasted since 2006!

To see the full list of records that were broken, have a look below. Feel free to use our data and please credit Bettors.co.za if you decide to do so. Thank you!

PLAYERS

Youssef Msakni (Tunisia) and André Ayew (Ghana) tied the record for the most appearances in Africa Cup of Nations with this being their 8th appearance, joining Rigobert Song (Cameroon) and Ahmed Hassan (Egypt)

André Ayew (Ghana) tied Rigobert Song (Cameroon) for the most matches played at the Africa Cup of Nations - 36

Oumar Diakité (Ivory Coast) joined Brighton Sinyangwe (Zambia) and Jaouad Zairri (Morocco) and now jointly holds the record for the latest goal scored - he scored in the 120th minute in a match against Mali

IVORY COAST

Ivory Coast ended the record for the longest streak of host countries not winning Africa Cup Of Nations, which has lasted since 2006 - Egypt was the last hosting country that won

NIGERIA

After placing 2nd, Nigeria extended their record as the nation with the most amount of medals (gold, bronze and silver) - they have now won 16 medals in total, with Egypt (13 medals) and Ghana (10 medals) in second and third place, respectively

After ending up second, Nigeria also tied Ghana as the nation with the most amount of silver medals since it was their 5th

EGYPT

Egypt extended its record for the most overall appearances at the Africa Cup of Nations since this was their 26th appearance

TUNISIA

Tunisia extended its record for most consecutive appearances - this was their 16th consecutive appearance in the Africa Cup of Nations.

GHANA

Ghana did not win a match at the tournament.

By Nicholas Albek

…  Triathlon Athlete Mercy Jane Adorkor Pappoe Motivates Young Runners

The Pho3nix Kids Fun Run 2024 Competition at the Efua Sutherland Children’s Park on Saturday, February 10, 2024 was revealing and exciting as future distance runners aged from five years to 16 years exposed their skills and talent.

The competition, collaboration between Ono Sports Foundation and Pho3nix Kids ranged from one kilometer, two kilometers, three kilometers, five kilometers and seven kilometers which was won by Joseph Bankam from Sekondi in the Western Region.

The other races were dominated by kids from the Ashanti Region who performed remarkably to win medals and cash prizes at stake ranging from 500ghc to 1000ghc.

Yours Truly spotted potentials like dazzling Dzakobo Elvis who won, 7yrs old Kadija Sulemana, 9yrs Sulamatu Sulemama, 11yrs Lawrentia Appiah, 12yrs Ester Yakubu, all from Kumasi as well as 12 yrs old Rashid Baffoe and 14 yrs Joseph Bankam from Sekondi.

Ms. Mercy Jane Adorkor Pappoe, a Triathlon athlete and manager at Ono Sports said she was overwhelmed at the massive participation as this is the first event in Africa and Ghana.

The beauty queen and model from Ghana crowned Miss International Africa in 2023 was however elated that the concept and message of sports and education and healthy living has caught up with many people from all over the country.

Mr. Evans Appiah, a member of the organisers commended the amazing enthusiastic pupils drawn from various schools, teachers and parents as well as media who came to watch.

Mr. Fiifi Appiah, CEO of Ono Sports Foundation promised that the next edition will be extra massive as they have learnt many lessons from the event.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

University of Education, Winneba To Host International Footvolley Competition

A special Training camp will usher in the maiden edition of the Ghana International Footvolley Cup 2024 which comes off at the University of Education at Winneba.

The Footvolley Training Camp is scheduled for February 17th-21st, 2024, to be held in the Morning: 8:00am-10;30am /Evening: 3:00pm-5:00pm at  the University of Education, Winneba North campus.

The first ever Ghana International Footvolley Cup comes up on 22^nd and 23rd February, 2024 from 10:00am-5:00pm at University of Education, Winneba North campus.

According to Hon. Mustapha Mohammed, President of Ghana Footvolley the participating countries are Austria, Finland, Benin, and local teams from Ghana.

The newly elected young Assembly member at Kasoa urged Ghanaian to love sports and start engaging in other disciplines like Footvolley which is very exciting.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

The University of Ghana will host Games Village for the 13th African Games and is undergoing renovations to improve the stadium’s facilities, such as the tracks for athletics and new rugby field is being built.

New and modern facilities have been put up at the University to accommodate and feed over 5,000 athletes and officials who are taking part in the Games.

Madam Joyce Datsa, a member of the Local Organising Committee in charge of Accommodation said preparations on going on smoothly and Ghana will deliver on of the best Games.

Legon will also serve as central point for transportation from the Games Village to event venues.

According to Mr. Samson Deen, arrangements have been made for smooth coordination with security and traffic officers to ensure smooth and safe movement during the period of the Sports Festival.

The Borteyman Sports site which boasts modern sports infrastructure, including sports hall for indoor games like handball, volleyball, badminton and combat sports, tennis courts and a swimming pool, reflects Ghana’s commitment to hosting a successful and world-class sporting event.

The Borteyman Sports Complex is set with equipped state-of-the-art facilities, the venue will be a key venue for the African Games.

Mr. Ernest Danso, the Chef du Mission has also disclosed that Ghana will present a large contingent of over 500 athletes and officials who will compete in most of the 25 events.

The 13th edition of the African Games will witness fifteen days of exciting contests of brain and brawn by 5000 elite athletes and coaches from fifty-five African countries in twenty-nine selected sports codes.

The event will also have over 3000 technical officers, journalists and global celebrities with TV and online audience of over 5.5 billion. The 13th edition of the African Games will be used as an official qualifier of some disciplines for the XXXIII Olympic Games Paris 2024.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

Ghanaian youngster, Ibrahim Osman expresses his elation following his transfer to the English Premier League.

The rising star has inked a lucrative five-year contract with Brighton and Hove Albion during the summer transfer window.

Osman will continue his current season with FC Nordsjaelland in Denmark until the conclusion of the 2023/24 campaign before making his move to England in July.

Speaking to FC Nordsjaelland's official website, Osman shared his excitement, saying, "I am incredibly happy and proud to have been given this opportunity to come to the Premier League. I am obviously very much looking forward to that, but I am also fully aware that my focus right now is 100 per cent on performing for FC Nordsjaelland until this summer."

Despite the anticipation of his upcoming venture with Brighton, Osman remains dedicated to his duties with Nordsjaelland for the remainder of the season.

"We have an important and exciting spring ahead of us, and I will give everything so that we can win as many games as possible. I want to use every match to fight for the team and at the same time build on my own development so that we can do the best we can and that I can be ready for my next chapter in England when the time comes. Therefore, the spring here at FC Nordsjælland is not only important for us as a team but also an important opportunity for me," he added.

The dynamic winger joins the ranks of talented players from the Right to Dream Academy in Ghana who have made strides in top European clubs.

"After all, I have seen what the other Right to Dream players have achieved. And those were big shoes to fill. Kamaldeen, Kudus, Adingra, Nuamah, and Diomande to name some of them. They have all helped to motivate me to go the extra mile to prove how good I am," Osman concluded.

From Sammy Heywood Okine

From Friday February 16th the Torch will go to Egypt, Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa then Tamale, Kumasi, Ho ending up March 6th Koforidua during the independence celebrations.

On March 7th it goes to Jubilee House and then on Friday March 8th it will be at the Opening Ceremony where it will light the Games Pot and the flame will burn till March 23rd when it is put out to signify the end of the Games.

Deputy Chief Operationg Office Reks Brobby said “we went with an Akrafena sword as the torch and an African Pot to hold the Games flames.

The Medals were also made in the Fihankra symbol and the winners podium was fashioned after traditional stools. Why be normal right. We are Ghana and proud”

By Sammy Heywood Okine

Paris 2024 medals to include 'piece' of Eiffel Tower. PARIS 2024

The 5,084 medals that will be awarded to athletes at this year's Olympic and Paralympic Games in Paris will include an original piece in the shape of a hexagon taken from the Eiffel Tower, organisers announced on Thursday as they unveiled the design created by Chaumet.

An original piece of the Eiffel Tower will be included in the medals awarded to athletes at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. A hexagonal piece of iron has been taken from the French capital's most emblematic monument, representing the image of the city. It will be an original piece that will be placed in the centre.

This was announced by the organisers when they presented their design on Thursday. The 5,084 gold, silver and bronze medals will have a six-sided metal medallion set like a precious stone. The medallion was designed by the elite French jewellers Chaumet. "We wanted to offer a piece of the 1889 Eiffel Tower to all the medallists of the Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games," said the head of the local organising committee, Tony Estanguet, in statements collected by AFP.

The ultimate reward for a victory or a podium finish!

They carry in their hearts an actual fragment of the Eiffel Tower.

Here are the #Paris2024 Olympic and Paralympic medals.@Olympics @Paralympics pic.twitter.com/08VLwyVwq6

— Paris 2024 (@Paris2024) February 8, 2024

They "combine our most precious metals - gold, silver and bronze - with our country's most precious metal, from this treasure that is Eiffel Tower".

The design by Chaumet, whose creations have adorned the aristocracy and the elite since 1780, is also characterised by a circular arrangement of ridges designed to catch the light and evoke the rays of the sun. The iron hexagon, a shape reminiscent of the outline of mainland France, is held in place by six spurs at each corner. These are designed to resemble the rivets used on the Eiffel Tower. A spectacular design.

The metal was taken from a scrap metal warehouse in Paris by the operating company that maintains the 330-metre landmark, affectionately known in France as the 'Old Lady'. "We found out that over the years, during the maintenance of the Eiffel Tower, they were forced to remove part of the original structure," explained Thierry Reboul, director of ceremonies, at a preview of the medals for AFP and other media.

"We used those pieces. There were more than enough," he added. It is undoubtedly a novel idea. And one that is full of affection, given the importance of the Eiffel Tower to Parisians and the French.

L’or olympique, le graal d’une vie d’un sportif de haut niveau !

Chaque édition des Jeux a sa médaille ????

Celle de #Paris2024 est française, rayonnante et unique avec un fragment de fer d’origine de la tour Eiffel de 1889 !@Olympics @jeuxolympiques pic.twitter.com/prp23OXWUa

— Paris 2024 (@Paris2024) February 8, 2024

The design of the medal is an important part of the aesthetic of each Games. Since 2004, the reverse of all medals has featured the Greek goddess Nike flying towards the historic Panathinaikos Stadium in Athens, the site of the original Olympic Games in ancient times.

The Paris organisers secured the approval of the International Olympic Committee. This allowed them to slightly modify the design to include the Eiffel Tower in the scene. The Eiffel Tower will also be there. All of the metal used to make the medals in Paris, which weigh about half a kilo each, has been recycled.

At the last Olympics in Tokyo, the Japanese organisers also used recycled metal, with each medal cast from alloys extracted from used consumer electronics such as mobile phones and laptops.

Although designed by Chaumet, the medals are manufactured by the National Mint, which has strongly denied a recent report that it had difficulty finding a non-toxic agent to coat each medal. In particular, the cast iron used in the construction of the Eiffel Tower must be protected from air and humidity to prevent it from oxidising. "We haven't had any problems with this," Joachim Roncin, design director of the Paris Games, told journalists.

Chaumet is one of more than 70 leading luxury brands owned by the French conglomerate LVMH, which is a major corporate sponsor and whose clients include the tower's designer, Gustave Eiffel, and his family. Headquartered in Paris's exclusive Place Vendome, the company's work typically involves one-off commissions from royalty and billionaires.

It creates high-end, diamond-encrusted jewellery for weddings and high society parties. "We knew that everyone would be watching the event and we knew we couldn't afford to fail," said Benoit Verhulle, head of Chaumet's jewellery workshop.

"We decided to treat the piece of the Eiffel Tower like a precious stone. We set it. We used our expertise as a jewellery house," he added. Other LVMH brands such as Berluti, Dior and Louis Vuitton will also be present at the Paris Olympics as part of the company's sponsorship deal.

The Eiffel Tower will play a central role during the Olympic Games, which run from 26 July to 11 August, and the Paralympics, from 28 August to 8 September. The opening ceremony will see sports teams sail down the Seine and disembark in front of the landmark. There is also speculation that the Olympic flame will be placed on the tower for the duration of the Games.

By Marcos Menocal Pareja                                        

Host nation, Cote D’Ivoire’s Elephants will face Nigeria’s Super Eagles in the finals of the 34^th African Nation Cup in Abidjan on Sunday, February 11, 2024.

The third and fourth place match between South Africa and DR Congo comes off on Saturday, February 10^th, 2024.

The Afcon 2023 will go down into history as one of the best well organized tournaments, and it witnessed some exciting moments from players, goalkeepers and officials.

It was a tournament marked by many historical achievements, like Ghana’s Andre Ayew equaling the most tournaments featured by a player.

Cape Verde surprised many fans with their games and made many people happy.

Host nation placed third in the Group Games and managed to qualify due to the calculations of other nations failing to amass the number of points to qualify to the round of 16.

Defending Champions, Senegal and 2022 World Cup Semi Finalists, Morocco seems to be dominating until they were surprised at the Quarter Finals Stage.

Out of the 629 players participating in the tournament, 60% hail from Europe, while 26% are plying their trade in Africa, with 12% representing Asia. Interestingly, a mere 1% of players come from the Americas and Oceania combined.

As far as Africa is concerned, there are 39 South African players, 19 Tanzanians and 19 Egyptians playing in the South African, Tanzanian and Egyptian leagues. There are also 4 players from the Moroccan league and 11 from the Tunisian league.

By Sammy Heywood Okine

With the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations drawing to a thrilling close, CAF President Patrice Motsepe expressed his heartfelt pride in the resounding success of this year's tournament.

As the final showdown looms, set to ignite the pitch with excitement, Motsepe took center stage in his last press conference before the climactic matches unfold.

Gathered before the media, Motsepe's sentiments connected with the conclusion of a month-long journey that has thrilled fans across the continent.

From the onset, African football enthusiasts have been treated to a spectacle of skill and passion in Ivory Coast, the host of the 34th edition. With the grand finale pitting the host nation against Nigeria, anticipation is hanging in the air, poised to crown a new champion.

Yet, before the final whistle, the battle for bronze will unfold between South Africa and DR Congo, promising yet another spectacle of football prowess.

“I thank the media and everyone for the great work they are doing for CAN 2023. Our goal is for Africa to be the best in the world and I was proud of the way several people at UEFA spoke highly of the competition,” he said.

Nigeria will clash with host country Ivory Coast on Sunday 11th February 2024 at the Stade Olympique Alassane Ouattara.

From Sammy Heywood Okine