Gyan anticipates tough U.S clash

Ghana are not just satisfied with their berth in the last16 as the Black Stars aim to go a step better than they did in 2006 in their debut World Cup.

Striker Asamoah Gyan, who has so far been Ghana’s only goal scorer at the competition in South Africa with two goals, both coming from the spot, is targeting victory against the United States, in a game that he anticipates to be difficult.

A win over the Americans, who Ghana defeated 2-1 in the final group stage match of the World Cup four years ago would see the Black Stars become the first African country after Cameroon and Senegal to make it to the last eight of the competition.

Gyan is aware of the task ahead but is very confident of Ghana’s chances against the U.S at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium in Rustenburg.

"We are very happy (to have qualified), even if we wanted to have other African teams come through as well," said Gyan. 

"We are on the right path and we are representing our continent, which makes us very happy.

"The Americans, though, are a very good team, they expend a lot of energy and are strong physically. But we too have good players, it is for that that we have so much self-confidence." 

Source: Ghanafa.org

World marks Michael Jackson anniversary

Fans across the globe are paying tribute to singer Michael Jackson on the first anniversary of his death at the age of 50.

Thousands of people are likely to gather at the Los Angeles cemetery where the musician is at rest, along with members of his family.
Jackson's mother Katherine is expected at the family home in Gary, Indiana, where tributes will be paid.
A monument has also been dedicated to the star at London's Lyric Theatre.
In New York, the Apollo Theatre - where Jackson and his brothers won a talent contest and were subsequently signed to Motown Records - there will be a commemoration of his life.

Fans sing outside the Jackson family home

Flowers have been left in tribute to the late star in Tokyo, where 50 fans will have the chance to spend the night in an exhibition of his possessions.
Jackson devotees gathering at the Forest Lawn Cemetery in Glendale, California said they had come to both grieve and celebrate his life.
Evdokia Sofianu, who had travelled from Greece, told the Associated Press: "I came because I love Michael very much."
"I'm just hoping to embrace the fans from everywhere," added Julia Thomas.
Prisoners' tribute
Michael's brother Randy said he would also be at the cemetery to pay his respects.
The star's three children are expected to mark the anniversary along with their grandmother and guardian Katherine at the former family home in Indiana.
The house in Gary is likely to become a major focal point for fans to remember the star one year after his death.
Meanwhile, prisoners in the Philippines are marking the anniversary by staging a version of Thriller for invited members of the public on Saturday.
The inmates of Cebu jail became an internet phenomenon when they were filmed performing the dance in 2007.
Meanwhile, Jackson has been named as the biggest selling artist in the UK since his death last year, with 4.3 million sales.
That exceeds his chart performance during his 1980s heyday, the Official Chart Company has said.

Source: BBC

Statement: GFA speaks on Sulley Muntari attitude

Press Statement

The Ghana Football Association confirms that player Sulley Muntari is still a member of the Black Stars team at the World Cup in South Africa.

We wish to state that Sulley Muntari reacted angrily and in a manner that was offensive to the team’s Code of Conduct in the aftermath of Ghana’s game against Australia on the 19th June 2010 at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium, Rustenburg.

He was accordingly reprimanded for his behaviour with the player explaining that, his actions were borne out of his frustration by the team’s inability to record a win.

Sulley has since recognised his misconduct and apologised to the Management, technical team and playing body of the Black Stars.

The player has also reiterated his commitment and loyalty to the team and his readiness to play and give off his utmost best to the team.


Source: Ghanafa.org

No pressure on Kevin against Germany

Milovan Rajevac believes the controversy that followed Kevin-Prince Boateng's unfortunate tackle on Michael Ballack will not affect the Ghanaian in the clash against the Germans at the World Cup.

Boateng's attempted tackle left Ballack with an ankle injury during the English FA Cup final between Portsmouth and Chelsea and it cost the Germany captain his place at the World Cup.

Ahead of the potential knockout match against a German side which includes Boateng’s junior brother, Jerome, Rajevac insists the Black Stars midfielder has put the incident behind him. 

“I was in London to watch the FA Cup final between Portsmouth and Chelsea and I think the injury to Michael Ballack was not intentional. It’s become a big story but there are not enough reasons for that,” Rajevac said on Sunday.

The 23 year-old player, a former German youth international secured a nationality swap to enable him play for Ghana and is expected to be available for the game against the Germans at Johannesburg's Soccer City Stadium on Wednesday.

Milovan Rajevac explains that the Ghana player would be freed from the tensions that such situations come with.

“We talk to him and he’s preparing for the match. It’s our responsibility to prepare him for such a game. He’s a professional and he would be ready.”

Ghana goes into the final group game with four points and on top of the table in Group D, one better than Germany.

Source: Ghanafa.org

Kevin proud of Ghana spirit

Kevin-Prince Boateng is happy to be part of the Black Stars team, hailing the family spirit within the set-up.

The midfielder who is capped twice for Ghana is playing in his first major competition for the four-time African champions.

Boateng, 23, has slotted in well into the Ghana team and says he feels at home.

"I have not be here (Ghana team) for too long but already I feel like I have been here for long," he said.

"It's a big and great family and I proud to be a member of this family. There's a fantastic spirit within the set-up. We play for each other."

Boateng is expected to line up again for the Black Stars when they play Australia on Saturday at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium in Rusterburg in Group D as Ghana go in search of a second straight win at the World Cup.

Though the group has been thrown wide open after Serbia beat Germany 1-0 to join Ghana - who play pointless Australia - with three points, Boateng likens the up-coming clash to a Champions League final.

"We did it well against Serbia. But this is the game of the season. It's our Champions League final. We have to go out there and win the game."

Source: Ghanafa.org

Ayew enjoying African support

Ghana still stands out as Africa’s best bet at the World Cup with the rest of the continent’s representatives struggling to keep hopes alive. The Black Stars’ 1-0 victory over Serbia on June 13 remains the only win secured by an African side at the competition so far and it’s given the continent hope of an African success as the likes of Nigeria, Cameroon, Algeria, Ivory Coast and hosts South Africa all chase their first win after a set of disappointing results. For Andre Ayew, the Black Stars are enjoying massive support which compares to playing back home in Ghana. He says the team will continue to give off their best in their remaining group matches to make the continent proud. “It [game against Serbia] felt like we were playing in Ghana,” said Ghanaian midfielder Andre Ayew.  “We had that feeling that the people were behind us, they wanted us to succeed and we are going to try to make them proud,” he said. For the many fans, especially South Africans, despite the setbacks, they would be cheering every African team in support of the continent. “We don’t care which one—we want any African team to win the World Cup,” said South African fan Ali Chauke who is backing Ghana. “They say football unites a nation—here it is uniting a continent,” said Nigerian fan Ugonoma Ezulike.  Most fans said either Ghana or Ivory Coast would be the most likely teams to realise the African dream. Source: Ghanafa.org

Faulty aircraft leaves Vice-President Mahama stranded.

The Vice-President, John Dramani Mahama, was Wednesday morning left stranded and disappointed when the aircraft that was to convey him to the Northern Region for an official function was discovered with a fault at the last minute.

After Mr Mahama and his entourage boarded the aging Falker 28, the pilot discovered a fault with the aircraft.

The pilot, who said it was not safe to fly the plane, broke the news to the country’s second gentleman who disappointingly disembarked, ending the trip.

The Vice-President was billed to deliver the government’s policy statement on cotton production in the three northern regions – Northern, Upper West and East – Joy FM’s Northern Regional Correspondent, Maham Shaibu said. 

He said a gathering of farmers from the three regions with the Northern and Upper East regional ministers in attendance, was waiting for the Vice-President for the commencement of the programme, only to receive the disappointing news.

According to Mahama Shaibu, the event has been postponed but the Vice-President’s Spokesperson, John Jinapo, who confirmed the incident to Myjoyonline.com, said the programme will go on as planned with the regional ministers representing Mr John Mahama.

John Jinapo said while the Vice-President was disappointed with the abrupt cancelation of his trip, he accepted the situation as “one of the things in life.”

Meanwhile the faulty plane has been moved to the air force base hangar to be fixed.


Story by Malik Abass Daabu/Myjoyonline.com/Ghana

Two in court for World Cup 'stunt'

Two Dutch women have appeared in court in South Africa over an alleged "ambush marketing" stunt at a World Cup match. They were released on bail.

More than 30 women were ejected from the Johannesburg stadium on Monday during the match between Denmark and the Netherlands.

They were accused by Fifa of breaking strict rules on World Cup marketing.

They had all been wearing identical mini-dresses in Dutch orange, sold as part of a gift pack by a Dutch brewery. 

The two women appeared in a Johannesburg court on Wednesday under the Contravention of Merchandise Marks Act. They were released on bail and ordered to return to court next Tuesday.

Dutch Foreign Minister Maxime Verhagen called the criminal charges "disproportionate".

"It is outrageous that the two women have a jail term hanging over their heads for wearing orange dresses in a football stadium," he said in a statement.

"If South Africa or Fifa wants to take a company to task for an illegal marketing action, they should start judicial procedures against the company and not against ordinary citizens walking around in orange dresses."

The case has already led to the sacking of English football commentator and former footballer Robbie Earle.

He was found to have passed on some of the tickets used by the women from his allocation for friends and family, in breach of Fifa rules, and was promptly sacked by employer ITV.

Lucrative rights

Fifa, the world footballing body, said it had launched legal action against the Dutch brewery, Bavaria, but not the women in question. It said it was up to the police how they should proceed.

With a large chunk of Fifa's revenue coming from selling World Cup marketing rights, it vigorously pursues anyone who tries to associate itself with the tournament, reports the BBC's Jonah Fisher from Johannesburg.

Earlier this year a local low-cost airline was forced to withdraw an advertising campaign that boasted it was the "Unofficial National Carrier of the You-Know-What".

Bavaria board member Peer Swinkels told Reuters news agency that Fifa's reaction was "ridiculous".

"Fifa does not have the monopoly on orange and people have the freedom to wear what they want," he said. 


Source: BBC

Andre Ayew happy to fight for the team

Andre Ayew appears to be maturing game after game after another assured performance in Ghana’s opening World Cup game against Serbia.

Critics slammed the 20 year-old during his debut for the Black Stars at the 2008 Nations Cup for his inconsistent performances.

The youngster, son of Ghana legend, Abedi Pele has shown great signs of finally stepping out his father’s shadow to become a fine player in his own right.

Having played impressive roles, helping Ghana become the first African side to win the FIFA U-20 World Cup and runners up at 2010 African Nations Cup, the attacking midfielder insists that nothing has changed about his approach to the game.

“Nothing has changed about my approach to the game. I try to give my best everything. I was 17 at the time but now, I am 20. I have had time to progress,” Andre says as he talks about the gradual rise he has enjoyed his career.

“I always give 100% to the team. And I would be fighting for the team. The important thing it to stick to the coaches instructions and work for the team.”

Source: Ghanafa.org

World Cup fans executed in Somalia

Islamic miliants have executed two Somali football fans for watching Nigeria play Argentina on Saturday night.

The deaths happened in Central Somalia which is under strict Islamic law and forbids anyone in the region from watching World Cup matches.

Militants from Hizbul Islam arrested 10 fans who were also part of the group.

A further 30 people were arrested for watching the Australia vs Germany game the following night.

Sheikh Mohamed Abdi Aros, a spokesman for the militants, said that, "We are warning all the youth of Somalia not to dare watch these World Cup matches." He said that the people of Somalia should focus on pursuing jihad and not, "watching mad men jump up and down."

Hizbul Islam had previously invited Osama bin Laden to Somalia.


Source: Yahoo sports

Ghana off to winning start

Ghana beat ten-man Serbia 1-0 to register Africa’s first win at the ongoing FIFA World Cup, South Africa 2010. Striker Asamoah Gyan scored from the penalty spot in the 85th minute to give Ghana all three points from the Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria. 

The penalty came after Serbia defender Kumzmanovic handled Andre Ayew’s cross from the left flank. 

Refree Hector Baldassi did not hesitate in awarding the spot kick which was neatly tucked away by the inform Rennes striker. 

Four years ago, Asamaoh Gyan scored Ghana’s first ever goal at the World Cup when he scored against the Czech Republic. 

Ghana dominated the exchanges in the first half with Asamoah Gyan and Prince Tagoe twice coming close to giving the Black Stars the lead. 

Defender Isaac Vorsah attracted a yellow card for a foul on Serbian striker Zigic in the first half. Prince Tagoe also went into the referee’s book for persistent fouling in the second half. 

Ghana coach Milovan Rajevac made his first substitution pulling out Kwadwo Asamoah and replacing him with Stephen Appiah in the 75 minute. 

Asamoah Gyan who was a handful for the Serbian defence marshaled around the premiership duo of Vidic and Ivanovic, caused Lukovic’s sending off 16 minutes before time when he wrestled Asamoah to the ground. 

With Serbia a man down, Ghana pushed for the opener. A ball dropped to the left side of attack was swung in by Dede Ayew with Serbia’s hapless defender Lukovic handling the ball in the box for the tournament’s first penalty. 

With only minutes remaining to the end of the match, Kevin Prince Boateng who made his competitive debut for Ghana was pulled off and replaced with Lee Addy as Milovan moved to consolidate his lead. 

He followed up with a final substitution, taking off Asamoah Gyan who hit the upright twice in the second half and brought on Quincy Owusu Abeyie in his stead. 

Prince Tagoe could have sealed a convincing win for Ghana but missed narrowly after controlling well with his chest past Nemanja Vidic. 

Goalkeeper Richard Kingson who celebrates his 32nd birthday today pulled two saves to keep Ghana ahead to cap a great start to the tournament. 

Ghana plays Australia next in Group D on June 19 in Rustenburg. 

Line up: Richard Kingson, John Paintsil, Hans Adu Sarpei, Isaac Vorsah, John Mensah, Anthony Annan, Prince Tagoe, Kevin-Prince Boateng/Lee Addy, Asamoah Gyan/Quincy Owusu-Abeyie, Kwadwo Asamoah/Stephen Appiah, Andre Ayew

Subs: Daniel Agyei, Samuel Inkoom, Lee Addy, Rahim Ayew, Jonathan Mensah, Derek Boateng, Stephen Appiah, Sulley Muntari, Quincy Owusu-Abeyie, Mathew Amoah, Dominic Adiyiah, Stephen Ahorlu