Sports

Otto Addo names John Paintsil and Dauda as backroom staff

Published

2 months ago

March 16, 2024

Majesty

John Paintsil has 89 caps for the national team and brings both playing and coaching expertise to the table. Paintsil's experience playing for Fulham, West Ham United, and Kaizer Chiefs makes his understanding of the game essential. Furthermore, his coaching experience at Kaizer Chiefs and holding of a CAF Licence B demonstrate his suitability for this post. Fatau Dauda, known for his goalkeeping abilities, has represented Ghana 23 times and played a key role in the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. Dauda's experience as a former custodian, which has included stops at Voradep, Okwahu United, AshantiGold, and Orlando Pirates, is considered to be critical in improving the team's defensive qualities.

Otto Addo, the Black Stars’ coach, has selected two former Ghana players as assistant coaches: John Paintsil and Fatau Dauda, who will work alongside Joseph Laumann.

This follows Addo’s appointment, who will return to manage the squad on an interim basis in 2022.

Joseph Laumann, who holds a UEFA pro-license and had a successful playing career in Cyprus, Germany, and Vietnam, adds valuable expertise to the coaching group. His coaching career has included stops at prestigious clubs such as Standard Liege, VfL Bochum, and Barnsley in the English Championship.

John Paintsil has 89 caps for the national team and brings both playing and coaching expertise to the table. Paintsil’s experience playing for Fulham, West Ham United, and Kaizer Chiefs makes his understanding of the game essential. Furthermore, his coaching experience at Kaizer Chiefs and holding of a CAF Licence B demonstrate his suitability for this post.

Fatau Dauda, known for his goalkeeping abilities, has represented Ghana 23 times and played a key role in the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. Dauda’s experience as a former custodian, which has included stops at Voradep, Okwahu United, AshantiGold, and Orlando Pirates, is considered to be critical in improving the team’s defensive qualities.

Otto Addo’s hiring followed the retirement of Chris Hughton, whose tenure produced unsatisfactory results, including one of Ghana’s worst Africa Cup of Nations performances in Ivory Coast.

Otto Addo’s return to the head heralds a new era for the Black Stars, building on his prior leadership at the 2022 World Cup.

He will lead the squad in forthcoming friendlies against Nigeria and Uganda before taking on full responsibility in May.

His first competitive game will be against Mali and the Central African Republic (CAR) in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers in June.

Sports

Black Stars fitness coach Ricky Roy reportedly dead

Published

5 days 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

6 days 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

1 week 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.