Sports
George Owu justifies the choice of Andre Ayew in Ghana’s team, emphasising the need of experience
Former Black Stars custodian George Owu has pleaded with Ghanaians not to be judgmental of Andre Ayew’s selection in Ghana teams, despite his uneven club activities in recent months.
The Ghana captain is now without a club after leaving Premier League team Nottingham Forest at the end of last season.
He was, however, included in Chris Hughton’s latest squad for Ghana’s matches against the Central African Republic in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers, as well as an international friendly against Liberia, which Ghana won 3-1.
Despite many Ghanaians’ reservations over the inclusion of the 33-year-old, George Owu agrees with Hughton’s reasoning, emphasising experience as a major aspect in the player’s invitation.
The club will require Ayew more at this level, according to the former Hasaacas shot-stopper, because the existing players are not properly grounded.
“This is a young team with only a few seasoned players. The only experienced players are Andre Ayew and Jordan. Kudus, for example, are suddenly finding their feet,” George Owu told Onua Sports.
“Andre Ayew has made significant contributions to Ghana football, winning the U-20 World Cup in 2009, but he appears unhappy whenever he plays for Ghana due to the way fans treat him.”
“We must be patient with [Andre Ayew].” He will undoubtedly declare his retirement at some point, but for the time being, he is still required.
“There are players who lack motivation to play because they are afraid of being criticised, and it will take people like Ayew to boost their morale.”
“The insults and criticisms are unnecessary, and they will not aid the new player’s adjustment,” he continued.
Sports
Black Stars fitness coach Ricky Roy reportedly dead
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
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
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.
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