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Thomas Partey, Mohammed Kudus, and Ernest Nuamah have been nominated for CAF Awards 2023
Three exceptional players from Ghana have been nominated for the 2023 CAF Awards. Thomas Partey, Mohammed Kudus, and Ernest Nuamah are all up for awards in different categories.
Partey and Kudus have been nominated for the coveted Men’s Player of the Year award. Both players made the CAF shortlist of 30 players. Partey shone during Arsenal’s Premier League season when the Gunners came perilously close to stealing the championship from Manchester City. He was also instrumental in motivating Ghana to qualify for the 2022 World Cup, and he performed well during the competition.
Kudus, on the other hand, was Ajax’s finest player last season, scoring 18 goals and providing seven assists in all competitions. The 23-year-old was also Ghana’s best performance in the World Cup.
They are up against heavy competition from excellent players, including Nigeria’s Victor Osimhen, who is the favourite after a stellar season with Napoli. Osimhen’s 26 goals were crucial in Napoli winning their first Serie A title in 33 years. Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah, triple winner Riyad Mahrez, Senegal’s Sadio Mane, and Moroccan defender Achraf Hakimi are also among the nominees.
Ernest Nuamah, who presently plays for French giants Lyon, has received a well-deserved nomination for Young Player of the Year. In the 2022-23 season, the 20-year-old winger performed admirably for FC Nordsjaelland in the Danish Superliga. He won three individual honours, including Young Player of the Year, Best Player for Spring (voted on by coaches), and Player of the Season (voted on by teammates). Nuamah’s stats in 34 games included an amazing 15 goals and 4 assists.
The list of nominees for the CAF Awards 2023 men’s categories has been unveiled as preparations for the Awards Gala, slated for December 11, 2023, in Marrakech, Morocco, gain traction. A team of CAF Technical Experts, African Football Legends, and media representatives from various countries meticulously chose the candidates, with performances from November 2022 to September 2023 taken into account.
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.