Acquah plays down Gyan and Emma Boateng comparison

Evans Gyamera-Antwi
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Acquah plays down Gyan and Emma Boateng comparison

The midfielder believes Emmanuel Boateng is his own man amid comparisons with Ghana’s all-time topscorer

Torino midfielder Afriyie Acquah has played down comparison between Ghana captain Asamoah Gyan and new kid on the block Emmanuel Boateng.

The 22-year-old, who plays for Spanish side Levante, has been likened to the Black Stars all-time topscorer as his profile continues to soar, after scoring on his debut against Japan in a friendly match last month.

With Gyan now struggling with injuries, many pundits believe the youngster can step into the shoes of the former Sunderland star.

“I disagree with that comparison. Boateng is not the replacement for Gyan since their style of football is different,” Acquah told Ghanaweb.

“I cannot say Boateng can’t be like Gyan for Ghana [and achieve what he has done] but he is his own man and can be himself and still be successful.

“When he scored the hat-trick against Barcelona we were all happy and asked him how it came about but he admitted he wasn’t expecting the goals ahead of the game. He is a good player and can get far,” he added.

-Goal

Brazil will win 2018 Fifa World Cup, says Afriyie Acquah

Evans Gyamera-Antwi
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Brazil will win 2018 Fifa World Cup, says Afriyie Acquah

The midfielder believes Brazil have the men to lift a sixth World Cup title in Russia

Ghana midfielder Afriyie Acquah is backing Brazil to clinch the ultimate this time at the 2018 Fifa World Cup in Russia after they failed to do so at the previous edition which they hosted.

The Selecao suffered a humiliating 7-1 defeat to Germany in the semi-finals in 2014, but the Torino midfielder believes the five-time champions have what it takes to reach the top once more.

“Brazil are winning the World Cup, although, it won’t be easy on the road for them,” Acquah told Ghanaweb.

“They couldn’t win it at home but have good players to do it this time. Aside them, I’m supporting two countries because of my teammates at the club level who will be playing with their countries. One is Senegal because of [M’baye] Niang and Serbia since Adem [Ljajic] is part of the squad.

“Senegal will be the African country to go far in the tournament. This is not because of Niang but because they have a solid team with good teamwork too,” he added.
Acquah also debunked reports that he has issues with Ghana coach Kwesi Appiah after missing the Black Stars’ friendly against Japan.

“My relationship with the coach is good unlike reports that were circulating. With the issue that came up before the game against Japan, I think the media didn’t understand it,” Acquah said.

“Sometimes, the coach even calls me to know of my health and progress at club level, so we don’t have any problems,” he said.

-Goal

Neymar: I’m not worth world-record €222m

Evans Gyamera-Antwi
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Neymar: I’m not worth world-record €222m

The Paris Saint-Germain star feels too much attention is paid to his world-record transfer fee and admits he is not worth that much

Neymar is not worth the €222 million (£200m/$262m) Paris Saint-Germain paid to sign him, the star himself says.
The Brazilian attacker became the most expensive player in football history when the Ligue 1 side paid the release clause to free him from Barcelona.

Neymar impressed in the French capital in his first year until an injury brought a premature end to his campaign.

The 26-year-old feels PSG paid over the odds for him, but says he has always wanted to be seen as a “special” player.
“I’m not proud of the transfer fee, nor of the fact I’m the most expensive player ever,” he told Spox .

“That’s just money and nothing else. I cannot help it. Personally, I would have paid less for myself.

“I always wanted to be special. That was my goal very early – actually from the moment I started playing football for a club. That was at the age of 11. It may sound clumsy, but from then on I’ve tried to get better every single day and get to my best.

“I really worked and sacrificed every day of my life to become a professional one day. That was the only dream I ever had. I dreamed of playing for Santos’s first team, being invited to the national team and one day going to Europe. It was not foreseeable at the time that I would succeed, but I kept thinking about it. There was nothing else for me.

“I’m proud that I’ve achieved my childhood goal. That was, and is, most important to me. As a player you always have to show who you are and assert yourself. Just referring to the transfer fee does not help you and says nothing about how good you really are.”

Brazil are hoping for a more successful World Cup campaign this year after crashing out at the semi-finals in 2014 with a 7-1 loss to Germany.
Neymar missed that match four years ago due to a back injury, but still feels the hunger for revenge heading into the tournament in Russia .

“I felt as beaten as the team was and was affected like everyone else,” he said. “The expectations on us in our own country were almost inhumanly high and Germany are an excellent opponent.

“We knew it would be hard. Unfortunately, it went as it did. Now we finally have the opportunity to wipe out the last World Cup. Maybe we will meet Germany again – and then hopefully we will have a real revenge.”

_Goal

Nyantakyi’s bank accounts under investigation over money laundering ‘charges’

Evans Gyamera-Antwi
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Nyantakyi’s bank accounts under investigation over money laundering ‘charges’

The embattled football administrator’s troubles seem not to be all over, after a fresh investigation has been launched by government

Former Ghana Football Association president Kwesi Nyantakyi is under intense scrutiny following an action by Financial Intelligence Centre to investigate all transactions made by him between 2014 and 2018, AshesGyamera can confirm.

It has been alleged that the one-time Fifa Council member and Caf vice president was involved in money laundering, hence all his accounts across the country are being monitored to check how monies were transferred and received.

Following the exposè by undercover journalist Anas Aremeyaw Anas, it was captured that Nyantakyi was showing foreign investors how to transact monies into the country on the blind side of the security services. He has since resigned from all positions he once held in football.

Therefore, chief executive officer of the Financial Intelligence Centre in a letter dated June 11, 2018 sighted by us has directed all banks that Nyantakyi dealt with in the past to provide soft copies of his accounts statements.

“Pursuant to Section 28 of the Anti-Money Laundering Act, 2008 (Act 749), as amended, kindly furnish us with the following information on subjects and any other connected accounts:
“1. Mandate and Account opening forms.
“2. Business Registration Document.
“3. Legible copy of photo identity.
“4. Evidence of Know Your Customer (KYC) and Customer Due Diligence (CDD).
“5. All transaction details (bank statement) from January 2014 to date.
“6. Copies of all SWIFT Messages received for the same period (if any).
“7. Copies of Verification of Beneficiary Owners form completed in respect of transfers. ”

According to the letter, all the banks have up to Thursday June 14 to provide every details requested from them.

If found guilty Nyantakyi could be sentenced with a minimum of one to three years in prison with hard labour.

Spain sack Lopetegui on eve of World Cup kick-off; read why?

Evans Gyamera-Antwi
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Spain sack Lopetegui on eve of World Cup kick-off; read why?

The move threatens to destabilise one of the most highly-rated teams in the tournament, with La Roja set to play Portugal on Friday

Lopetegui was announced as Zinedine Zidane’s successor in a move that surprised many just days before the World Cup in Russia is due to start.

The announcement initially claimed that the 51-year-old would take the reins at Santiago Bernabeu after the conclusion of the tournament, but La Roja have acted now after calling a hastily-arranged press conference on Wednesday.

“We have decided to fire the national coach,” Spanish Football Federation president, Luis Rubiales, said. “What we have achieved in getting here is due in great part to him, and we must thank him and wish him luck.”

Rubiales insists he does not feel undermined, but has suggested that Real acted in a manner unbecoming of their status.

He added: “I don’t feel betrayed. Lopetegui has done impeccable work. How all this has been done is something else.
“I have spoken with the players and I can guarantee they will do everything, along with the new coach, to take the team as far as possible.

“Real Madrid look for the best coach, that is fine by me. I have no opinion about how Real Madrid act. But the federation have an obligation to represent all Spaniards.
“To win is very important, to have the best coach is very important, but above everything is acting in the right way. Maybe this is tough now, but in the end it will make us stronger.”

Lopetegui was unbeaten in his time in the Spain dugout, guiding his team to 14 wins and six draws from 20 matches, and he signed a new two-year contract to take him through to Euro 2020 in May.

The stunning development threatens to destabilise a team regarded as one of the favourites to win the tournament in Russia.

Spain face Portugal on Friday, and will also face Iran and Morocco in Group B.
Rubiales has not revealed who will be in charge for La Roja’s opening game of the tournament, but insists that an announcement will be made in due course.
“We are going to touch as little as possible,” he said. “We are working on it. When we know we will tell you.”

It has been reported that several Spain players were keen for Lopetegui to stay on throughout the tournament, but that Rubiales was keen to act after finding out of the manager’s agreement with Real Madrid mere minutes before the announcement was made.

_Goal

Ten people dead in gory accident near Suhum

Evans Gyamera-Antwi
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Ten people dead in gory accident near Suhum

Another unfortunate news have reached our desk with many people perishing due to a road accident

News reaching AshesGyamera.com indicate that almost ten passengers have given up their souls following a serious accident at Mankron, a community near Suhum, off the Accra-Kumasi highway on Wednesday morning.

According to eyewitnesses many passengers on board in the two buses have sustained serious degrees of injuries and have been rushed to nearby hospitals for treatment and possibly surgeries to save their lives.

The two buses which collided were with the registration numbers of GS 835-15 and GN 6600-17.

One was coming to Kumasi while the other was on its way to Accra but it is however unclear what caused the accident at this moment since police are tight-lipped on the unfortunate incident.

Ghana & Kosovo excluded from Fifa Congress ahead of 2026 World Cup vote

Evans Gyamera-Antwi
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Ghana & Kosovo excluded from Fifa Congress ahead of 2026 World Cup vote

The West African country will not be participating in the voting process to elect the 2026 World Cup host

With few hours to vote the host of 2026 Fifa World Cup, Ghana and Kosovo have been excluded, leaving 205 eligible voters out of 211 federations,
Goal understands.

This comes as a blow to Morocco who had won the support of Ghana over joint bidders United States, Mexico and Canada.

While Ghana’s former FA president Kwesi Nyantakyi has been handed a 90-day Fifa ban following corruption allegations, the country’s government is on the verge of dissolving the association, with two GFA officials barred from travelling to attend the congress in Russia.

Kosovo, on the other hand, will also not partake following the sudden death of its football federation’s president Fadil Vokkri on Saturday.

Bloc voting would be a huge factor to decide the eventual winner on Wednesday. CAF affiliated associations are expected to vote for Morocco while CONCACAF back the United Bid of United States, Mexico and Canada.

Also, South American associations are likely to vote for the United Bid while those from UEFA are split, with France and Belgium likely to throw their support behind Morocco.

The Fifa World Cup has been hosted once in Africa by South Africa in 2010.

Hendricks slams Ghanaian referees; believes they ended footballers’ careers prematurely

Evans Gyamera-Antwi
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Hendricks slams Ghanaian referees; believes they ended footballers’ careers prematurely

The 43-year-old believes many talented footballers couldn’t realise their dreams because of unfair treatments by referees

Former Asante Kotoko captain Joseph Hendricks says a lot of footballers ended their careers prematurely due to unfair officiating by referees in Ghana Premier League.

Over 77 referees including Fifa referees Samuel Sukah and Theresa Akongyram were captured in a video accepting bribes, following undercover journalist Anas Aremeyaw Anas’ investigations into the corruption that has taken over the top-flight.

The culprits have subsequently been suspended and the referees appointment committee dissolved.

“Majority of referees in Ghana are very wicked and heartless. They have ended the careers of many footballers through terrible decisions taken against them,” Hendricks told Goal .

“During my days at Kotoko, there were many games that we lost which shouldn’t have happened in that manner. After several weeks of training and mastering tactics, a lot of our bonuses were lost because certain decisions were taken against us and in the end lost important games.

“Referee Samuel Sukah in particular is very wicked and it wasn’t a surprise to me that he was captured on camera accepting bribes on numerous occasions to manipulate the results of football games,” he said.

“Who in his right frame of mind will try to fix a game involving Asante Kotoko and Hearts of Oak knowing very well that over 127 people had died in the past because of a poor decision by a referee in 2003? These people don’t think about Ghanaians but their selfish interest,” he added.

Hendricks boasts of five appearances with Ghana between 2000 and 2003.

Kwesi Nyantakyi resigns as Ghana FA president after public pressure

Evans Gyamera-Antwi
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Kwesi Nyantakyi resigns as Ghana FA president after public pressure

The football association chief has finally bowed to pressure from the public after being caught in a scandal

Ghana Football Association president Kwesi Nyantakyi has finally tendered his resignation from office on Friday after being caught in a bribery scandal.

The 49-year-old took $65,000 to influence decisions involving setting up an oil company by an Arabian businessmen who were later found out to be undercover journalists.

Although, he was reluctant to resign, he later took the decision after he was banned by Fifa.

“Ghana Football Association wishes to announce the resignation of Mr. Kwesi Nyantakyi as president of Association,”aa GFAsstatement said.

“Mr. Nyantakyi made this decision after a meeting of the Executive Committee of the Association on Friday afternoon. After a meeting of the Executive Committee this afternoon I decided to resign as President of the Ghana Football Association”.

“It stemmed out of the controversies generated by investigative report of Tiger Eye PI. In the said report I committeed a series of errors of indiscretion. I gravely associated the highest office of the land –the presidency- with private discussions I had with “Scammers” who deceived me into thinking they were genuine persons interested in investing in our country.”

“I hereby apologise unreservedly to the father of the Nation, H.E. Nana Akufo Addo, H.E. the Vice President, Dr. Mahamadu Bawumia, Hon. Ministers and Deputy Ministers of State for indiscretion in associating them with the private conversations on the video.”

“I wish to clarify that at no time prior to or subsequent to any deliberations on the video did I consult, contact or inform any Government official about discussions on the video. I take sole and personal responsibility for the proceedings on the video.”

“I wish to apologise to my family, work colleagues, friends, associates and the people of Ghana for the disappointment my indiscretion has caused them. This is by no means an admission of wrong doing for issues on the video”, Mr. Nyantakyi said in a statement sent to the GFA General Secretary on Friday.

The GFA will soon announce further developments on this situation.

‘GH₵25million is peanuts; I’ll pay Anas if I lose in courts’ – Kennedy Agyapong

Evans Gyamera-Antwi
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0
‘GH₵25million is peanuts; I’ll pay Anas if I lose in courts’ – Kennedy Agyapong

The Member of Parliament for Assin Central, Mr Kennedy Ohene Agyapong has responded to Anas Aremeyaw Anas’ defamation suit against him and said the GH₵25million damages he was demanding was peanuts.

According to Mr Agyapong, “that is peanuts…I’ll pay him [Anas] if I lose in court, I’ll display cash.”

In a radio interview with Accra based Asempa FM Friday afternoon, Mr Agyapong boasted that what Anas was demanding was “too cheap.”

He insisted he has evidence to support his allegations and was prepared to face him [Anas] in court since he was not afraid of him.

Mr Agyapong said he was happy about the development because it was falling in line with his plan to “unmask” Anas since in court, he was going to challenge Anas to take off his mask for the case to go ahead.

“I’m ready for him, ah! GH₵25million?, I’m guilty, I’ll put it down mehnnn!!” he added.

Ace investigative journalist Anas Aremeyaw Anas on Friday filed a defamatory suit against Mr Agyapong.

Anas is seeking reliefs including general damages for libel against Mr Agyapong, as well as aggravated damages arising from some libelous comments published by Mr Agyapong in the sum of GH₵25million.

It will be recalled that in the lead-up to the premiere of Anas’ #Number12 expose on Ghana football, Mr Agyapong criticised the investigative journalist on several media platforms accusing him of alleged corrupt acts in his operations.

Related: Anas slaps MP Kennedy Agyapong with GH₵25m defamation suit

Mr Agyapong, currently on a business trip in China responded to the suit via a telephone interview with the radio station.

He reiterated his allegations against the journalist and said he was not scared to face him in court.

Mr Agyapong said he was yet to be served with the writ but he was ready to face him in court “in style.”

“Nobody can intimidate me in Ghana,” he insisted.

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