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Iñaki Williams to make second international debut with Ghana

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Athletic Bilbao forward Iñaki Williams is set to make a second full debut at international level with Ghana after playing for Spain’s national team six years ago.

Williams, 28, first made his international debut back in 2016, playing 30 minutes in a friendly against Bosnia. He was also a regular in the Spanish youth international sides, making 17 appearances for their U-21 team and scoring three goals.

Williams was allowed to switch his allegiance per FIFA rules because the match he played was only a friendly.

After years of being courted by the Ghana Football Association, Williams in July this year confirmed that he had switched allegiances in search of “my origins within myself and with Africa and Ghana which means so much to me and my family”.

In a video released on his Twitter account Williams said: “Every step we take forward has its own meaning. An evolution. A glance into the future which leaves a trace itself. A legacy. My parents have raised me with values based on humility, respect and love.

“They have taught me to embrace life. In that constant quest to continue growing and working upon the pursuit of evolving personally and professionally as an individual.

“That’s why I feel the moment has come for me to find my origins within myself and with Africa and Ghana which means so much to me and my family. I want to return a small part of everything it has given to us because Ghana has played a significant part of becoming who I am as a person, as a son and as a brother.”

“Today a new challenge begins. From now on, I will defend Ghana’s T-shirt with all my will whilst I give my best. I’m one of the Black Stars.”

He was handed his debut call-up today by Black Stars coach Otto Addo today for friendlies against Brazil and Nicaragua ahead of the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

Williams was born to Ghanaian parents who emigrated across the Sahara desert to reach Spain and ended up raising Inaki and his brother Nico in the Basque country.

He is one of five players who have completed nationality switched to represent Ghana ahead of the World Cup. The rest are; Tariq Lamptey, Stephan Ambrosius, Patrick Pfeffer and Ransford Yeboah.

Source: Graphic Online

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Dani Alves released after paying €1 million bail for rape conviction

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Sources had informed ESPN last week that Alves was considering alternative options to raise the €1m, including freeing up some of his assets and asking money due to him by the Spanish tax office. Alves paid the payment on Friday, according to Spanish news agency EFE, citing judicial sources. On Monday, the court verified receipt of Alves' bail money and indicated he would be released within hours. To be released, Alves must surrender his Brazilian and Spanish passports, pay bond, and not leave the country. He still has a home near Barcelona.

Former Brazil player Dani Alves was freed from prison on Monday after paying the €1 million ($1.08 million) bail necessary while awaiting the outcome of an appeal to his rape conviction, according to Reuters and Spanish court records.

On February 22, Catalonia’s top court convicted Alves of sexually assaulting a woman in a Barcelona nightclub in 2022 and sentenced him to 4½ years in jail. He was granted bail on Wednesday but stayed in prison for the rest of the week after failing to come up with the funds on time.

Alves, accompanied by his lawyer, left the Brians 2 jail northwest of Barcelona soon before 4:30 p.m. local time, wearing a grey jacket over a white turtleneck, according to a Reuters videographer.

Sources informed ESPN last week that Alves was considering alternative options to raise the €1m, including freeing up some of his assets and asking for money due to him by the Spanish tax office.

Alves paid the payment on Friday, according to Spanish news agency EFE, citing judicial sources. On Monday, the court verified receipt of Alves’ bail money and indicated he would be released within hours.

To be released, Alves must surrender his Brazilian and Spanish passports, pay bond, and not leave the country. He still has a home near Barcelona.

Alves is also prohibited from approaching or communicating with the victim within 1,000 metres (3,280 feet), and he is required to visit the courts once a week.

Ester García, the victim’s lawyer, criticised the decision to give Alves bail until his appeal, calling it “scandalous”.

“It is justice for the rich,” she stated.

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Ghana’s Evans Yamoah wins gold in men’s high jump at the African Games

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Despite facing great opposition from competitors like as South Africa's Mpho Benjamin and Hammouda Saad, Yamoah's outstanding performance catapulted him to victory, attracting viewers' attention and solidifying his image as a rising star in the world of athletics. Notably, this historic victory marks the first time Ghana has won gold in both the Men's and Women's High Jump events at the African Games, with Rose Yeboah successfully defending her Women's title. Ghana's athletics delegation has considerably contributed to the country's total medal tally in the Games, with Yamoah winning the gold medal and Joseph Paul Amoah winning the Men's 200m final.

Evans Yamoah Cadman created history in the 2023 African Games by winning the gold medal in the Men’s High Jump for Ghana, demonstrating his exceptional leaping abilities and culminating in an excellent performance in the continental arena.

Yamoah, along with fellow Ghanaians Ebenezer Gyimah and Kennedy Ocansey, exhibited exceptional talent, outperforming countless opponents to cement his place in Ghanaian and African sports history.

Throughout the competition, Yamoah had exceptional consistency, clearing nearly every height on his first try. Even at the difficult height of 2.16 metres, he persevered, finally succeeding on his second attempt. Surprisingly, he was the only participant to surpass the height of 2.23 metres, earning his well-deserved gold medal.

Despite facing great opposition from competitors like South Africa’s Mpho Benjamin and Hammouda Saad, Yamoah’s outstanding performance catapulted him to victory, attracting viewers’ attention and solidifying his image as a rising star in the world of athletics.

Notably, this historic victory marks the first time Ghana has won gold in both the Men’s and Women’s High Jump events at the African Games, with Rose Yeboah successfully defending her Women’s title.

Ghana’s athletics delegation has considerably contributed to the country’s total medal tally in the Games, with Yamoah winning the gold medal and Joseph Paul Amoah winning the Men’s 200m final.

Ghana’s excellent athletic performance has increased its medal count to 54, including 14 gold, 24 silver, and 17 bronze.

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2023 African Games: Joseph Paul Amoah wins gold in 200m

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Consider Emmanuel of Nigeria finished third, clocking 20.80 seconds. Amoah's compatriot, Ibrahim Fuseini, also displayed his abilities by finishing fourth in the extremely tough race.

Ghanaian sprinter Joseph Paul Amoah electrified the track after winning the gold medal in the men’s 200m final on Friday at the University of Ghana Stadium.

Amoah, who had previously won bronze at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, showed impressive form in both the heats and the semifinals, establishing himself as a strong contender for the final. With drive and skill, he executed a magnificent performance to win the coveted gold medal.

Amoah crossed the finish line in 20.70 seconds, securing first place on the podium. Following closely after was Cameroon’s Claude Emmanuel Itoungue Bogognie, who won silver in 20.74 seconds.

Consider Emmanuel of Nigeria finished third, clocking 20.80 seconds.

Amoah’s compatriot, Ibrahim Fuseini, also displayed his abilities by finishing fourth in the extremely tough race.

The victory in the men’s 200m follows Ghana’s earlier success in the day, when the women’s hockey team defeated Nigeria in the final. William Amponsah also added to Ghana’s medal count, winning a silver medal in the marathon event.

Joseph Paul Amoah’s amazing performance not only earned him a well-deserved gold medal, but it also cemented his reputation as one of Ghana’s top athletes on the world scene.

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