Sports

NDC MP claims Asamoah Gyan deliberately missed 2010 World Cup penalty

Published

2 months ago

March 1, 2024

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Mr. Dafeamekpor, a member of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), indicated that Gyan's alleged purposeful miss was motivated by his political affiliation with the New Patriotic Party. Speaking to Radio XYZ, Dafeamekpor stated, "I feel Asamoah Gyan purposefully wasted that penalty since it was during the NDC's regime. It is now evident to me that he missed the penalty in the 2010 World Cup and the African Cup on purpose so that the NDC administration would not earn recognition."

Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor, a Member of Parliament for South Dayi, has accused Asamoah Gyan of purposefully missing a critical penalty in the 2010 World Cup quarterfinal against Uruguay.

The Black Stars had a chance to move to the semi-finals in their second World Cup participation, with the score locked at 1-1.

However, Gyan’s penalty hit the crossbar, resulting in Ghana’s defeat in the subsequent penalty shootout.

Mr Dafeamekpor, a member of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), indicated that Gyan’s alleged purposeful miss was motivated by his political affiliation with the New Patriotic Party.

Speaking to Radio XYZ, Dafeamekpor stated, “I feel Asamoah Gyan purposefully wasted that penalty since it was during the NDC’s regime. It is now evident to me that he missed the penalty in the 2010 World Cup and the African Cup on purpose so that the NDC administration would not earn recognition.”

He went on to say, “Asamoah Gyan has joined the Bawumia campaign team. That’s an important problem because when a public figure turns politicised, I can confidently claim it was for political reasons that he missed the penalty, guaranteeing the NDC administration did not earn credit. It’s very disturbing.”

Mr. Dafeamekpor’s statements come after Gyan was recently selected to the New Patriotic Party’s 2024 manifesto committee.

These statements have reinforced continued allegations of Gyan’s impartiality since joining Dr Bawumia’s campaign team.

Despite the controversy, Gyan has an amazing record, including being Africa’s all-time highest scorer at the World Cup with six goals and the Black Stars’ all-time leading scorer with 51.

Sports

Black Stars fitness coach Ricky Roy reportedly dead

Published

1 week ago

April 29, 2024

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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

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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

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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.