Sports

Eddie Nketiah ready to deliver and lead Arsenal’s attack in Gabriel Jesus’ absence

Published

9 months ago

August 4, 2023

Majesty

Eddie Nketiah ready to deliver and lead Arsenal's attack in Gabriel Jesus' absence

Eddie Nketiah, an English-born Ghanaian striker, is eager to lead Arsenal’s frontline following Gabriel Jesus’ knee injury — and has got the opportunity to pick Arsene Wenger’s brain.

capped off their pre-season campaign by defeating Monaco in a thrilling friendly decided by a penalty shootout.

Arsenal’s Emirates Cup match against Monaco on Wednesday night, which they won on penalties following a 1-1 draw, was missing the Brazilian striker.

Jesus underwent a knee procedure after experiencing difficulty from a prior surgery in the same location during the World Cup in December, according to manager Mikel Arteta.

It caused him to miss a significant amount of last season, with Nketiah coming in to make nine consecutive Premier League starts, scoring four goals in those games.

The 24-year-old, who led the North London club for the first time on Wednesday, is now poised to have a similar impact. The opportunity to catch up with the man who handed him his Arsenal debut in 2017 during the Monaco match — ex-boss Wenger, who was in attendance — was an added bonus.

‘I made my debut under him,’ said Nketiah. ‘So it was so nice to really speak to him and he is obviously really proud of how far I’ve come from since then.
“It’s amazing and it’s always good to pick his brain, he is a genius and we’re really happy that he’s been able to come, been able to catch up with him.’

The England Under-21 all-time leading scorer believes he can replicate the impact he had when he replaced Jesus last season.

He said: ‘’Yeah (I did answer doubts last season) but I don’t think I’m here to fill in for anyone. I’m here to play and contribute to the team obviously, I believe in my abilities and I know I can contribute.
‘I just really enjoyed it (last season) and was able to improve myself. I played some really big games and I was able to help and contribute.
‘I pride myself on always being ready and whatever role the manager needs me to fill, I will always make sure I do my best so I can help the team — that’s what it’s all about.
‘’The manager has got a tough decision and whenever he calls me, he knows I can deliver and I can help the team.’’
On losing Jesus, he added: ‘We want him back as soon as possible. We need him, he is a big player for us.

“So whatever the manager does, we are all here to contribute and push to be out there to help the team.”

Sports

Black Stars fitness coach Ricky Roy reportedly dead

Published

1 week ago

April 29, 2024

Majesty

He remained with the national squad for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar and the current Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast. Roy rose to prominence as a member of the coaching staff for Division One League club Vision FC in February 2020, before joining the national squad.

Romeo Ricky Roy, the fitness coach for Ghana’s senior national team, has died.

According to Ghana Football Association president Kurt Edwin Simeon Okraku’s Facebook post, he died in Accra on Sunday, April 28, 2024.

Roy joined the Black Stars’ backroom staff in 2021, during Milovan Rajevac’s second spell as coach.

He remained with the national squad for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar and the current Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast.

Roy rose to prominence as a member of the coaching staff for Division One League club Vision FC in February 2020, before joining the national squad.

Sports

Veteran Sports Commentator Joe Lartey dies at 96

Published

1 week ago

April 27, 2024

Majesty

Joe Lartey was born on June 6, 1927, in Accra and attended Accra Academy. Lartey, often known as "Over to You," was a well-known broadcaster and SWAG's founding president. Lartey began his media career as a football commentator with the Ghana Broadcasting Cooperation (GBC) in 1961. He grew to be a popular figure in Ghana's sports community. He subsequently spent a decade at Radio Nigeria before returning to GBC in 1990. During his stint, he presented shows including Sports Digest on GTV.

The Sports Writers Association of Ghana (SWAG) has reported the death of Joe Lartey, a veteran Ghanaian football pundit and sports writer.

He passed away on Friday, April 26, 2024, at the age of 96.

Joe Lartey was born on June 6, 1927, in Accra and attended Accra Academy. Lartey, often known as “Over to You,” was a well-known broadcaster and SWAG’s founding president.

Lartey began his media career as a football commentator with the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC) in 1961.

He grew to be a popular figure in Ghana’s sports community.

He subsequently spent a decade at Radio Nigeria before returning to GBC in 1990. During his stint, he presented shows including Sports Digest on GTV.

In appreciation of his achievements in sports journalism, Lartey received the coveted “A Life in Sport” award from the International Sports Press Association (AIPS) during the AIPS Sport Media Awards ceremony in Doha, Qatar, in June 2022.

Lartey’s impact stretched well beyond Ghana, with numerous Ghanaian football analysts praising him for moulding their careers.

Fans and colleagues alike will remember him warmly for his pioneering work in sports broadcasting.

Sports

Xavi to stay as Barcelona’s coach until at least June 2025

Published

2 weeks ago

April 25, 2024

Majesty

Xavi took over as manager of Barcelona in November 2021, after leaving Qatari club Al Sadd, and led the team to the Spanish title in his first full season in charge in 2022–23. However, they are 11 points behind La Liga leaders Real Madrid with six games remaining in the current season. Barcelona was eliminated from the Champions League last week after losing to Paris St. Germain in the quarterfinals.

Barcelona coach Xavi will stay with the club until at least the end of his contract in June 2025, having changed his mind about this being his final season.

The 44-year-old stated in January that he will stand down as manager this summer.

However, with president Joan Laporta desperate for him to stay, the former Barcelona and Spain midfielder has made a U-turn.

Xavi took over as manager of Barcelona in November 2021, after leaving Qatari club Al Sadd, and led the team to the Spanish title in his first full season in charge in 2022–23.

However, they are 11 points behind La Liga leaders Real Madrid with six games remaining in the current season.

Barcelona were eliminated from the Champions League last week after losing to PSG in the quarterfinals.

Xavi, who won 25 honours during his brilliant playing career at Barcelona, said he felt “liberated” with the revelation that he would leave the position at the conclusion of the season.

When he announced his departure following the defeat to Villarreal, he felt he was not being safeguarded by the club and there was no clear direction.

However, the team’s fortunes have improved since Xavi felt comfortable taking a more casual attitude.

They went ten games undefeated in the league before falling 3-2 to Real Madrid on Sunday.

On Wednesday, there was a meeting at Laporta’s residence, and the club’s desire for him to stay was clear.

If Xavi is unable to strengthen the squad before the conclusion of the 2024-25 season, Barcelona will attempt to persuade one of the high-profile managers out of contract, including Pep Guardiola, Luis Enrique, and Mikel Arteta.