Sports
Kudus joins West Ham; a look back at Ghana’s relationship with the Hammers
Mohammed Kudus, a Ghanaian midfielder, has joined West Ham United on a five-year agreement worth 38 million pounds from Ajax Amsterdam.
Kudus has been at the Dutch behemoth for three years after coming from Danish side FC Nordsjaelland. Before joining West Ham, Kudus had four goals and an assist in three appearances for Ajax this season.
In the 2022-2023 season, the 23-year-old had his most prolific season as a professional, scoring 18 goals and adding seven assists in 42 appearances across all competitions.
Apart from being colleagues with Edson Alvarez at Ajax, West Ham’s latest player addition has a few relationships with the London club after signing James Ward-Prowse and Edson Alvarez.
Kudus’ goal celebration of crossing his forearms to make a ‘X’ symbol is his technique of filtering off negativity, and the ‘X’ gesture also happens to reflect West Ham’s nickname, The Irons.
In addition, Kudus has become the latest Black Stars player to join West Ham, who are the defending UEFA Europa Conference League champions.
Chris Hughton, the Black Stars’ head coach, played for the Hammers as a full defender from 1990 to 1992, appearing in 32 games without scoring a goal.
Fullback for the Black Stars in the past Although John Paintsil’s English Premier League career is mostly associated with Fulham, the former Liberty Professionals FC player made 19 appearances for West Ham from 2006 to 2008.
Paintsil, like Kudus, wore the number “14” throughout his stint with the Hammers.
Andre Ayew, the Black Stars captain, played two seasons with West Ham United, where he scored nine goals in 43 games. Ayew moved to West Ham from Swansea City for a fee of £20 million.
Mohammed Kudus will be hoping to become the most productive Black Stars player in a West Ham United shirt after surpassing Andre Ayew’s transfer cost.
Source: citisportsonline.com
Sports
Harry Maguire accepts Isaac Adongo’s apologies
Harry Maguire, a Manchester United defender, has accepted Hon. Isaac Adongo’s apologies for dragging him through the dirt.
The Ghanaian politician previously rated the former Leicester City captain as the worst player recruited by the Red Devils.
Adongo was discussing the budget when he likened Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia’s economic management to Maguire’s on-field performances.
Mr Adongo, however, apologised to Maguire in Parliament on Tuesday, saying the Manchester United defender now performed better for his club than Dr Bawumia, whom he said had repeatedly supervised the country’s economic incompetence and had subsequently gone to the (IMF) for a bailout.
“I was very quick to compare my big brother Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia to Harry Maguire. Mr. Speaker, I now apologize to Harry Maguire…Today Maguire has turned the corner; he is a transformational footballer. Maguire is now scoring goals for Manchester United.”
“Mr Speaker, Harry Maguire is now a key player for Manchester United. As for our Maguire, he is now roaming at the IMF with a cup in hand,” he stated.
Following the apology, Maguire stated on social media, “MP Issac Adongo apology accepted.” “Hope to see you at Old Trafford soon.”
Meanwhile, Everton will play Manchester United in the Premier League on Sunday at Goodison Park.
Sports
Argentina’s World Cup-winning coach, Lionel Scaloni, has hinted that he may resign
Argentina’s World Cup-winning coach, Lionel Scaloni, has indicated that he is considering stepping down after five years in charge.
Scaloni made the stunning statement following Argentina’s 1-0 World Cup qualifying win against Brazil on Tuesday in Rio de Janeiro.
Before winning the World Cup in Qatar last year, the 45-year-old guided Argentina to the Copa America in 2021.
“Argentina needs a coach who has all the energy possible and who is well,” said Scaloni.
“I need to stop the ball and start thinking, I have a lot of things to think about during this time.
“It’s not goodbye or anything, but I need to think because the bar is very high and it’s complicated to keep going and it’s complicated to keep winning.
“These guys are making it difficult, so I need to think about it for a while. I will talk to the FA president and the players afterwards.”
Messi on fan-police clashes: “There could have been a tragedy.”
After a brief stint in command of Argentina’s under-20 team, Scaloni took over as manager in August 2018.
Argentina’s 2021 Copa America victory was their first major championship in 28 years, and it qualified them for the Finalissima against European champions Italy in June 2022, which they won 3-0 at Wembley.
Later that year, they won their third World Cup in Qatar, and first since 1986.
“We are sure and hope that Scaloni will continue,” said Argentina and Tottenham defender Cristian Romero.
“Let’s see now he will have time to think, he didn’t say anything in the dressing room about it. We will try to convince him.”
Argentina’s victory against Brazil on Tuesday was their first-ever away win over their rivals in World Cup qualification, and it took them two points clear at the top of the table.
The game at Rio’s Maracana stadium was delayed for 30 minutes due to a scuffle during the national anthems.
Sports
2026WCQ: Chris Hughton under pressure after Black Stars defeat in Comoros
Chris Hughton’s Black Stars suffered their first competitive loss as head coach, falling 1-0 to Comoros in the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers.
Myziane Maolida’s first-half goal was enough to give the hosts their second straight victory over the Black Stars.
Ghana is now in fourth position, three points behind early group leaders Comoros, who have won both of their initial qualification games.
Following a tense, late win against Madagascar at the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi last Friday, there was some hope that the Black Stars may capitalise on Mali’s slip-up against the Central African Republic to grab the group lead.
Ghana could have grabbed an early lead in Tuesday’s encounter when Inaki Williams set up Antoine Semenyo for a goal, but the Bournemouth striker hit the crossbar.