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Bayern Munich & Germany legend Gerd Muller dies aged 75

One of the greatest strikers in football history sadly passed away on Sunday morning

Germany and Bayern Munich legend Gerd Muller has passed away at the age of 75.

The World Cup and European Championship-winning striker was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in 2015 and had been living in a specialised care home.

The Bundesliga giants announced the sad news on Sunday, with Muller survived by his wife, Uschi, and his daughter Nicole.

A statement on Bayern’s club website read: “Today the world of FC Bayern stands still. The club and all its fans are mourning the death of Gerd Muller, who passed away on Sunday morning at the age of 75.

“Muller made history with Bayern and the Germany national team. He scored an incredible 566 goals in 607 competitive appearances for Bayern and still holds the record for the most goals scored in the Bundesliga with 365, as well as being top scorer seven times. He got 68 goals in 62 caps for the national team.”

Bayern president Herbert Hainer expressed his sympathy with Muller’s family and promised the legendary striker will always be remembered by the club.
“Today is a sad, dark day for FC Bayern and all its fans,” he said.

“Gerd Muller was the greatest striker there’s ever been, and a fine person and character of world football. We’re all united in deep mourning with his wife Uschi as well as his family.

“FC Bayern wouldn’t be the club we all love today without Gerd Muller. His name and memory will live on forever.”

CEO and former goalkeeper Oliver Kahn added: “The news of Gerd Muller’s death deeply saddens us all. He’s one of the greatest legends in the history of FC Bayern, his achievements are unrivalled to this day and will forever be a part of the great history of FC Bayern and all of German football.

“As a player and a person, Gerd Muller stands for FC Bayern and its development into one of the biggest clubs in the world like no other. Gerd will forever be in our hearts.”

Muller is regarded as one of the finest strikers in football history and an icon across the game.

He spent 15 years with Bayern and helped fire them to European Cup success on three occasions.

Muller also guided the Bavarians to four Bundesliga titles, becoming the German top-flight’s all-time top scorer along the way.

The prolific attacker was pivotal in Germany’s success in the 1970s, too. He was the top scorer in Euro 72 and struck twice in the final as they beat Soviet Union 3-0.

He also netted the winning goal in the 1974 World Cup final as his side ran out 2-1 winners against Netherlands.

“My dad was the mallam for Hearts of Oak,” former GFA boss Jawula reveals

The country’s football association chief has revealed that his father was in charge of the spiritual aspect of the Phobians

Former Ghana Football Association president Alhaji Mohammed Nurudeen Jawula has revealed that his father was the spiritual head of Premier League champions Hearts of Oak.

Although, a section of Ghanaians believe juju doesn’t play a role in modern day football, Jawula insists it has some psychological urge over some people as it gives them extrinsic motivations ahead of games.

“My father came from Gonja, and he was then living in Accra and was then a mallam. He was working officially with Accra Hearts of Oak,” Jawula told Citi FM.

“My father was responsible for the club’s spiritual work (juju) at that time, and I am sure till now the club still believes in juju,” he said.

“All the clubs in Ghana practice juju. Let me be quick to add that even Brazilians and South Americans believe in that.

“I remember I took RTU to Korea in 1986 to play a game against Uruguay and the players spent the whole night praying under candles, reciting incantations and at the end of the game, they won 2-1. Maybe it is psychological, but the players believe it works, so that is what it is,” he added.

Hearts of Oak won their first Premier League title since 2009 in the just ended season and added the FA Cup trophy to it.

The Phobians will face Guinean club CI Kamsar in the preliminary stages of the Caf Champions next month.

Should they qualify after the two legs, Hearts will face Wydad Athletic Club of Morocco for a place in the group stage

Video: “Kotoko supporters should help Kamsar to eliminate Hearts of Oak,”says Amos Frimpong

The Porcupine Warriors former skipper says he will need their support and prayers in order to eliminate their rivals for them

Former Asante Kotoko captain Amos Frimpong has pleaded with the club’s supporters to rally behind him and his new club CI Kamsar as they prepare to take on Ghana champions Hearts of Oak in the Caf Champions League next month.

The 28-year-old joined the Guinean club this week and his first major assignment will be facing Hearts in the preliminary stages of the competition.

However, Frimpong believes with the support from the fans of Kotoko, Kamsar will be able to cause a major upset on the second leg on September 19 at the Accra Sports Stadium

“My message for my fans out there in Ghana is that we have been paired against Hearts of Oak coming on September 10 and 17 respectively,” Frimpong told club’s website.

“My message for my fans in the house especially Asante Kotoko supporters is that I know you love me very much but please I need your support during these two games to qualify to the next stage of the competition.

“Come in your numbers to the Accra Sports Stadium to support your darling player to qualify over Hearts,” he added.

The winner after the two legs will meet Wydad Athletic Club from Morocco in the next round for a place in the group stage.

Hearts, who won the competition for the first and last time, are making a comeback after several years in hiatus. The Phobians are in the form of their lives as they completed a double in Ghana by winning the Premier League and FA Cup trophies.

Ghana defender Djiku sees RED CARD against ‘Messi-less’ PSG in Ligue 1

The centre-back was shown the exit with nine minutes remaining as his side succumbed to a defeat

Ghana defender Alexander Djiku was sent off when PSG defeated Strasbourg 4-2 in French Ligue 1 at Parc de Prince on Saturday.

With PSG missing Lionel Messi who joined the club as a free agent from Barcelona this week due to fatigue, it was was fellow Argentine striker Mauro Icardi who sent them in front very early in the game.

Icardi handed PSG the first goal by the third minute after his strike took a deflection. Kylian Mbappe added another goal by the 25th minute against the run of play.

German Julan Draxler made it 3-0 three minutes later following an assist from Mbappe to relatively make the game look like a non contest.

However, Djiku’s side tried to stage a comeback after the break as Gameiro and Ajorque scored two goals by the 53rd and 64th minutes respectively to make it to 3-2.

However, with Strasbourg gradually pushing for the equaliser, Djiku picked up a red card by the 81st minute to halt their plans. The Ghanaian was ordered to take early shower after picking two yellow cards in quick succession.

Mbappe then helped to wrap the game up with a late goal on 86th minute as he calmly slotted in his effort after whizzing through the visitors defenders to pass it to Sarabia. The goal avoided any late late drama.

PSG have now picked six points from two games as they hope to win the league title and UEFA Champions League.

Ghanaian striker Majeed Waris was a second half substitute for Strasbourg

‘Wonderkid’ Rak-Sakyi makes EPL debut for Crystal Palace against Chelsea

The English-born youngster of Ghanaian descent made his Premier League bow against his former club as they left Stamford Bridge with a defeat

England young midfielder with Ghanaian descent Jesurun Rak-Sakyi made his English Premier League on Saturday for Crystal Palace when they lost 3-0 to Chelsea at the Stamford Bridge.

The 18-year-old, who actually started his career with Chelsea before joining Palace in 2018, was handed his maiden appearance in the Premier League by new coach Patrick Vieira.

Rak-Sakyi came on by the 76th minute for Dutch defender Jairo Riedewald as Palace were already down by three goals.

Goals from Marcos Alonso, Christian Pulisic and Trevoh Chalobah did the damage for the Blues who were playing in front of their fans for the first time since mid last year.

The youngster took inspirations from his countrymen Jordan Ayew and Jeffrey Schlupp who started the game but he could do little to save them from an embarrassing situation.

Palace coach Vieira was full of praise of Rak-Sakyi and believes he will come good in future.

“He’s a kid who spent pre-season with us and I was really pleased with what he’s been doing on the field,” Vieira told the club’s website.

“He’s a really lovely kid and when he came on at 3-0 I just wanted him to get on the ball. He’s a good dribbler, can score goals as well so I wanted him to be a bit more high on the field, but he spent most of the time behind the ball defending. The quality of Chelsea made it really difficult for us to get on the ball. He’s a young, talented player and we have to work with him to try to help him,” he added.

Rak-Sakyi is still eligible to represent Ghana at the international level despite playing for England at the youth stage.

Husband who murdered wife forced her to drink urine but mother asked her to stay

The husband who allegedly murdered his wife in cold blood at Bibiani Dagede in the Western North Region has been remanded into Police custody by the Bibiani Magistrate Court on Friday to reappear on August 27, 2021.

The Prosecuting Officer Chief Inspector Benjamin Owusu Agyemang told the Court Presided by His Worship Peter Dapileh Banoe that, on August 5, 2021, Police in Bibiani received a distress call from the Uncle of the deceased Mr. Enock Gyasi Ekoobah popularly known as Rasta that his nephew has been murdered in cold blood by unknown assailants in her room.

Police rushed to the scene and found the deceased in a pool of blood and after taken inventories, conveyed the body to the mortuary for preservation and autopsy.

The Prosecuting officer said preliminary investigation revealed that the deceased was allegedly killed by her husband Mr. Emmanuel Okyere Baffour, 28, a businessman who was married to the now-deceased Joyce Johnes Affi Jacika for two years and both resided in Kronum-Afrancho a suburb of Kumasi on Offinso Road.

According to him, the Police investigation further revealed that, before the incident, the deceased called her mother on phone to complain bitterly about the abuse she was suffering at the hands of the husband and stated among other things that, the husband beats her with a belt and sometimes even urinates into a Don Simon drink and forces her to drink.

However, the mother advised her to exercise patience and not to walk out of the marriage.

Fed up with the abuse, she packed out of the house early part of August this year to seek refuge in her parents’ house at Bibiani Dagede when the husband had travelled to Accra.

Upon the return of the accused husband on August 5, 2021, at about 11:45 am, he stormed the house of his in-laws and violently attacked the deceased with sharp metal and killed her instantly and went into hiding.

According to him on August 6, 2021, the police went to court for a warrant and through their collaboration with Kumasi Manhyia Zongo police, the accused was arrested at Oforikrom and handed over to Bibiani police.

He was arraigned before a court under a provisional charge of murder.

Source: Ghana/Starrfm.com.gh

Hearts of Oak sign teenager Salim Adams to replace Benjamin Afutu

The Phobians have secured the signature of the teenager as they are on the verge of losing their box-to-box midfielder

Hearts of Oak have signed New Edubiase United midfielder Salim Adams in a three-year deal according to reports in the local media.

The 19-year-old has been identified by Hearts coach Samuel Boadu as the replacement for influential midfielder Benjamin Efutu whose contract has expired this month.

Afutu was an integral part of Hearts squad that won the club’s first Premier League title since 2009 as well as FA Cup after defeating AshantiGold on penalties but it is likely he may not continue with the Phobians. Despite several meetings to finalise a possible contract renewal, negotiations have hit a snag.

Salim is one of the highly rated youngsters in the local scene and was part of the Ghana U20 squad that won the 2021 WAFU tournament staged in Benin.

“Yes. I can confirm that Salim Adams has joined Hearts of Oak,” a top official of New Edubiase told Ghana Sports Online in an interview.

Salim arrival makes him the fifth signing for the Phobians as he joins Enock Asubonteng, Gladson Awako, Kofi Kordzi and Isaac Agyenim Boateng.

Hearts are preparing to face Guinean side CI Kamsar in the preliminary round of the Caf Champions League. The first leg will be played on the weekend of September 10-12 in Kamsar before the return fixture takes place at the Accra Sports Stadium on September 19.

The winner after the two legs will play Moroccan giants Wydad Club Athletic for a place in the group stage.

Former soccer reality show star turns IGP’s personal photographer

The footballer now finds himself in the country’s security service and has risen through the ranks to work with Inspector General of Police

Former footballer Gershon K. Gbeve has been appointed as the official photographer to Inspector General of Police, AshesGyamera.com understands.

The one-time midfielder, who once had high hopes of representing the country at Africa Cup of Nations and Fifa World Cup, now finds himself at the pinnacle of Ghana Police Service as detective corporal Gbevu and was recently appointed to work with Acting Inspector General of Police George Akufo Dampare.

Corporal Gbevu

Gbevu, before this appointment, worked with the Director-General of CID, Commissioner of Police (COP) Maame Yaa Tiwaa Addo-Danquah (Mrs.) as well as the current CID Boss COP Isaac Ken Yeboah. He has been tasked to document all major activities of the acting IGP and by extension the Police Service throughout their daily visits.

“I use the realities of life to tell photographic stories to show people how I see things,” Gbeve disclosed.

“My passion for photography took me to places I never dreamt of going as well as people I never thought of meeting.”

“My new appointment will give me a bigger opportunity to continue inspiring a lot of young photographers to keep on doing their best because nobody knows what the future holds. I will make more compelling photos to highlight the good image of the Ghana Police Service.” he added.

Detective Corporal Gbeve, who was part of the MTN Soccer Reality Academy show in 2010, started his journey as a professional photographer in 2003 and joined Ghana Police Service in 2012 after football relatively didn’t work for him despite all efforts to hit the limelight after attaining a celebrity status at a younger age.

BREAKING NEWS: ‘Cash-strapped’ Eleven Wonders handed transfer ban after failing to pay Abu Sule despite GFA’s final warning

The Bono East club is in financial crises and that could lead them into more troubles with Ghana FA as they were unable to meet the final deadline given them to settle their former player

Ghana Premier League side Eleven Wonders are in financial crisis and have been automatically hit with a transfer ban and could even face demotion from the top-flight following their inability to raise to pay former player Abu Sule.

Eleven Wonders were fined GH₵5,000 by Ghana FA on July 24 after they failed to pay former midfielder Sule following the club’s wrongful termination of his contract a couple of months ago.

The disciplinary committee ordered Techiman to pay the midfielder his combined signing-on fee and salaries of GH₵33,300 cedis in June and followed it up with an enforcement letter in July but they have still defied that orders once again.

It will be recalled that Ghana FA’s disciplinary committee found Techiman guilty of illegally terminating the contract of Sule on June 2, and they were given fourteen days to settle the midfielder every penny owed him after an enforcement letter was sent to them.

However, with the club facing financial difficulties and reports suggest that it could be sold, they have been unable to settle the player, neither have they also paid their fine to Ghana FA.

Wonders’ fourteen days deadline expired on Friday, August 13 but according to Sule, nobody from the club contacted him nor pay the money to his personal bank account given them as at the deadline- Friday evening.

“Nobody have spoken to me or my representatives about the settlement. I checked my balance in my bank account very late on Friday and even this morning but nothing was paid,” Sule told AshesGyamera.com.

“I think they are trying to send a message across and it simply means that they won’t pay. They feel Ghana FA can’t punish them in spite of the warnings and letters given them.

“All I can say at this juncture is that I’m looking up to the FA because they hold the key to whatever can happen. All I need is my money and the FA are doing everything right to get it to me so I’m patiently waiting as things unfold. I trust those at the FA so things will end well for me,” he added.

According to Article15 (1)(c) of the Ghana FA Disciplinary Code, for Techiman Eleven Wonders failing to pay the amounts within the stipulated time, the following sanctions shall apply automatically:
i. the Club shall suffer a transfer ban (both domestic and international) for
a period of one (1) year.

“Article 15(1) of the GFA Disciplinary Code (as amended) states as follows:

“Anyone who fails to pay another person (such as a player, a coach or a club) or GFA a sum of money in full or part, even though instructed to do so by a body, a committee or an instance of GFA, CAF, FIFA or a CAS decision (financial decision), or anyone who fails to comply with another final decision (non-financial
decision) passed by a body, a committee or an instance of GFA, CAF, FIFA or by CAS:

a) will be fined for failing to comply with a decision; in addition:
b) will be granted a final deadline of 14 days in which to pay the amount due or to comply with the non-financial decision;
c) in the case of clubs, upon expiry of the aforementioned final deadline and in the event of persistent default or failure to comply in full with the decision within the period stipulated, a transfer ban will be pronounced until the complete amount due is paid or the non-financial decision is complied with.
A deduction of points or relegation to a lower division may also be ordered in addition to a transfer ban in the event of persistent failure, repeated offences or serious infringements or if no full transfer could be imposed or served for any reason.”

Wonders narrowly avoided relegation last season after a difficult campaign. Defender Amos Frimpong has left the club this week to sign for Guinean club CI Kamsar and reports suggest other top players will likely follow suit to reduce their wage bill.

Hearts of Oak Champions League opponents sign former Kotoko midfielder

The Crocodiles have in their set up another midfielder from Ghana as they prepare to face the Phobians next month

Hearts of Oak will be representing Ghana in the 2021/22 season of Caf Champions League after winning Ghana Premier League and FA Cup.

The Phobians were handed a relatively manageable opponents on Friday after a draw was held at Caf’s headquarters in Cairo, Egypt. Hearts will face Guinean club CI Kamsar in the preliminary stages of the competition with the first leg set for the weekend of September 10-12 in Kamsar and the return between 17-19 September at the Accra Sports Stadium.

Kamsar recently signed former Asante Kotoko captain Amos Frimpong in a one-year deal from Techiman Eleven Wonders to bolster their defence.

It has also been revealed that former Kotoko midfielder Martin Antwi has joined the club a couple of days ago but it looks as his signing was on the blind side of many Ghanaian journalists.

Antwi, who fell out with Kotoko’s top hierarchy and was even not part of the club’s programs last season, joined Kamsar on August 9.

The skillful winger, who also played for WAFA and Inter Allies, is expected to bring his experience on board when Kamsar prepare to host Hearts next month.

Antwi, unlike Frimpong, is not an outspoken player and always want to prove himself on the field when given the opportunity to play.

Aside the two Ghanaians, Kamsar have also signed Nigerian Damilola Sheyi Wilson, Camara Hassimidu, Kouakou Kanga, Sogbossi Caro and Sankoumba Sylla. Others also include Seydou Ndour, Moussa Bangoura and Ibrahim Cissoko.

Hearts coach Samuel Boadu will now have to deploy tactics that will factor these two Ghanaian players in the setup of Kamsar.

The winner between Kamsar and Hearts after the two legs, will face Moroccan giants Wydad Athletic Club (WAC) in the final elimination round for a place in the group stage.