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Black Stars: Recent nationality switch leaves Otto Addo with ‘selection headache’ – Ibrahim Tanko

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Technical director of Accra Lions, Ibrahim Tanko has asserted the current nationality switch of some Ghanaian players born abroad will leave technical handlers of the senior national team a lot to think about ahead of the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

Inaki Williams, Tariq Lamptey, Stephen Ambrosius, Patrick Pfeffer and Ransford Yeboah are headlined Ghanaian players in the diaspora who have switched nationality to play for the Black Stars. Meanwhile, Southampton defender Mohammed Salisu, also made himself available for selection after declining several invitations by the senior national team in the past.

In an interview with Kumasi-based Luv FM at the maiden edition of the Makam Inter-Tribal Football Gala in Kumasi, the former Black Stars assistant coach recognized the quality these players bring on board claiming there will be ‘selection headache’ as the team prepares for the Mundial in Qatar later this year.

“In terms of quality, they are going to help us and since they are Ghanaians, I don’t see anything wrong with it,” he intimated.

However, the for BVB Borussia Dortmund striker opined that these players are not guaranteed with automatic spots in the team and would have to fight for a place on the field of play.

“I don’t think they have a place in his squad so they also have to come and justify themselves.

“So, it’s going to be a tough decision for the coach because you have a pool of players to choose from, those who qualified and those who are coming, all of them are good.

“So, it’s a big headache for the coach, in terms of quality. It’s good and I think he has a very good squad to choose from, so the quality that came on board is going to help Ghana,” said Coach Tanko

 

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Kylian Mbappe named new France captain as he replaces retired Hugo Lloris

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Kylian Mbappe named new France captain as he replaces retired Hugo Lloris

Kylian Mbappe of Paris St-Germain has been named the new captain of the France national team.

He takes over for Tottenham goalkeeper Hugo Lloris, who announced his retirement from international football in January.

On Tuesday, the French Football Federation (FFF) confirmed Deschamps’ selection of Mbappe as captain and Atletico Madrid forward Antoine Griezmann as vice-captain via social media.

“Kylian meets all the requirements to have this responsibility,” France manager Didier Deschamps told French TV channel TF1 in an interview to be aired on Sunday.

“On the field as in the life of the group, by being a unifying element.”

On Tuesday, the French Football Federation (FFF) confirmed Deschamps’ selection of Mbappe as captain and Atletico Madrid forward Antoine Griezmann as vice-captain via social media.

Mbappe was the top scorer at last year’s World Cup, helping France to a second consecutive World Cup final, which they lost to Argentina.

He scored two goals against Croatia in the 2018 final and was named the tournament’s best young player as France won the World Cup for the second time.

Deschamps’ team faces the Netherlands in their first Euro 2024 qualifier at the Stade de France on Friday, before facing the Republic of Ireland on Monday.

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Joseph Amoako has returned to Asante Kotoko following his release from prison in Sweden

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Joseph Amoako has returned to Asante Kotoko following his release from prison in Sweden

After being released from prison in Sweden earlier this month, Asante Kotoko winger Joseph Amoako has returned to the club.

Amoako, who was on loan at relegated Swedish Allsvenskan club Helsingborgs IF for the season, was reportedly found guilty of statutory rape of a minor in Sweden and sentenced to two years in prison.

After being charged with having sexual relations with a minor, the 20-year-old was detained in Swedish Police custody in November 2022 for a court trial.

Due to the rape allegations, Helsingborgs IF cancelled his loan deal before the contract with his parent club, Asante Kotoko, expired in January 2023.

The Helsingborgs District Court initially found the talented young winger guilty on two counts and sentenced him to 24 months in prison, but the charges were dropped after an appeal.

Amoako, who arrived in Ghana last week, paid a visit to his teammates on Wednesday morning at the Adako Jachie Training Complex in Kumasi.

Joseph Amoako has returned to Asante Kotoko following his release from prison in Sweden

After Kingsley Sarfo and Kwame Bonsu, he was the third Ghanaian footballer to be wrongfully imprisoned in Sweden on rape charges.

Amoako struggled for playing time at Helsingborgs IF, where he appeared in only ten (10) games — 295 minutes — across all competitions.

Asante Kotoko did not register him for this season, so he is ineligible to play for the Porcupine Warriors in the 2022/23 Ghana Premier League.

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Black Stars Head Coach Chris Hughton to be unveiled in Kumasi today

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'Hughton is at work.' - Prosper Addo, General Secretary of the GFA

Chris Hughton, the new head coach of the Black Stars, will be introduced today in Kumasi at the SG Mall in Ayigya.

Following successful negotiations with the Sports Ministry and the Ghana Football Association, the 64-year-old who replaced Otto Addo has been in charge of the team since last month.

Hughton’s contract details and other pertinent information will be revealed at the unveiling.

Ghana will play Angola in a double header AFCON Qualifier at the Baba Yara Stadium on Thursday, March 23, 2023, before travelling to Luanda for the rematch on March 27.

Source: citinewsroom.com

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