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Tag: Black Stars

  • Friendly: Ghana’s Ayew speaks on his team’s loss to Super Eagles

    Friendly: Ghana’s Ayew speaks on his team’s loss to Super Eagles

    Crystal Palace and Ghana forward, Jordan Ayew has reflected on his team’s loss to the Super Eagles of Nigeria in Friday’s International friendly encounter in Marakech, Morocco.

    Rangers of Scotland  Cyriel Dessers and Atalanta of Italy’s Ademola Lookman were the goal scorers for the Super Eagles while Ghana’s consolation goal was scored by Ayew in the dying minutes of the encounter.

    Jeremy Opoku was sent off by the centre referee for a rash challenge in the 57th minute.

    The Black Stars dominated the second half despite their numerical disadvantage.

    Speaking in a post match conference, Ayew,  insisted that they deserved something from the game.

    His words “It didn’t really affect us, it gave us even more energy, more strength to keep on doing what we were doing because I had a feeling that we were the better team in the second half,” Ayew told reporters in the mixed zone after the game.

    “But you know in football, sometimes things go your way, sometimes don’t go your way and I think we put them under pressure, we went toe-to-toe.

    “We did a really good second half so we need to build on that and it’s a positive thing for the future.”

  • Int’l Friendly: Dessers, Lookman score as Super Eagles defeat 10-man Ghana 2-1 in Marrakech

    Int’l Friendly: Dessers, Lookman score as Super Eagles defeat 10-man Ghana 2-1 in Marrakech

    Cyriel Dessers scored from the Penalty Spot inside 38 minute, while Ademola Lookman added the second in the 84th minute  to earn Super Eagles a win  in today’s international friendly against the Black Stars of Ghana.

    Super Eagles was awarded a penalty in the 34th minute after the center referee from Morocco, Jalal  spotted an infringement against the Black Stars of Ghana.

    Interim Coach, Finidi George continued with the 3-4-3 formation adopted for the Super Eagles at the 2023 AFCON by former coach, Jose Peseiro.

    The Black Stars had an opportunity to equalize in the 42nd minute, when Antoine Semenyo was clear on goal but his shot went over the goal path.

    Upon resumption of the second half, Kelechi Iheanacho blew the Super Eagles opportunity to add to their tally when his shot went straight to the waiting hands of the Ghana goalie.

    However, in the 56th minute, the Black Stars went one man down when defender, Jerome Opoku was red carded for a very innocuous collision when challenging for a corner in the Super Eagles penalty area.

    Meanwhile, another opportunity fell to Dessers but he blew a goal scoring chance in the 62nd minute of the thrilling encounter.

    In the 84th minute, Atalanta forward, Ademola Lookman received a pass from the right flank and fired a shot that beat the Ghana goalie for Nigeria’s second goal of the night.

    Late in the match, Moroccan referee spotted an infringement against the Super Eagles and awarded a penalty to the Black Stars, Jordan Ayew stepped up to convert it with a right footed shot that beat Super Eagles goalie Stanley Nwabali.

    The Super Eagles of Nigeria missed a lot of Key players in this encounter with the likes of Troost Ekong, Victor Boniface,  Ola Aina all unavailable due to injury.

    The Super Eagles’ next match will be on Tuesday in Marrakech  when they face the Eagles of Mali in the second international friendly match in March.

  • Eagles, Black Stars duel in Marrakech with World Cup qualifiers in mind

    Eagles, Black Stars duel in Marrakech with World Cup qualifiers in mind

    Nigeria and Ghana will clash in a prestige international friendly match in Morocco on Friday with the minds of players of both teams attuned to their Matchday 3 and 4 encounters in the 2026 FIFA World Cup African qualifying campaign in the first week of June.

    The Super Eagles, with only two points from a possible six in their first two matches, entertain South Africa’s Bafana Bafana in Uyo before squaring up to the Cheetahs of Benin Republic away in the Matchday 3 and 4 games. Ghana’s Black Stars, with three points from beating Madagascar and losing away to Comoros, are up against Les Aigles of Mali in Bamako before hosting Central African Republic during the same international window.

    While Nigeria are in Group C of the FIFA World Cup race alongside South Africa, Benin Republic, Zimbabwe, Rwanda and Lesotho, Ghana are housed in Group I with Mali, Madagascar, Central African Republic, Comoros Islands and Chad.

    Both teams, with seven AFCON titles between them, will duel without their top-impact players. Reigning African Player of the Year Victor James Osimhen, Nigeria’s major fear-carrier to the opposition, has had to scratch the big game due to an injury, same as his opposite number in the Black Stars camp, Mohammed Kudus.

    The Black Stars will also play Uganda’s Cranes in Morocco, while the Super Eagles are up against Ghana’s group mates Mali on Tuesday.

    Both Nigeria and Ghana were tied 0-0 in their last friendly game – played in London in October 2011.

    Just as Thomas Partey’s first-half strike that went past Francis Uzoho’s flailing arms sent Ghana to the 2022 FIFA World Cup in a 1-1 draw with Nigeria in Abuja on 29th March 2022, Asamoah Gyan’s header that flew past Vincent Enyeama in Luanda on 28th January 2010 sent Ghana to the AFCON final and Nigeria to the third-place match.

    The Super Eagles have not beaten the Black Stars in an official match since the latter fell to a well-taken free-kick by Taye Taiwo in an AFCON group phase encounter in Port Said, Egypt 18 years ago.

    On Friday, opportunity arises for new heroes to emerge as Nigeria bank on AFCON 2023 stars Ademola Lookman and Moses Simon, as well as Kelechi Iheanacho and Sadiq Umar at the fore to light up the Grand Stade de Marrakech.

    Italy-based Lookman’s three goals sent Cameroon (two) and Angola (one) packing from the AFCON in Cote d’Ivoire and sent Nigeria to the last four.

    Cyriel Dessers, who scored a delight against Mexico in a friendly in Dallas in the summer of 2022, and Nathan Tella are also available to Coach Finidi George.

    At the rear, George is likely to stick to AFCON 2023 number one Stanley Nwabali in goal, and perhaps Chidozie Awaziem, Kenneth Omeruo, Semi Ajayi, Calvin Bassey and Jamilu Collins behind a midfield of Alex Iwobi and Frank Onyeka or Alhassan Yusuf.

  • Int’l Friendly: Number of Super Eagles players in camp swells to 22

    Int’l Friendly: Number of Super Eagles players in camp swells to 22

    All invited players for the upcoming international friendly matches between the Super Eagles and the Back Stars of Ghana and the Eagles of Mali have all hit camp.

    Wilfred Ndidi, Kelechi Iheanacho, Frank Onyeka, Francis Uzoho, Chidozie Awaziem and Bright Osayi-Samuel all arrived the team’s camp on Wednesday (today) to swell up the number.

    Interim head coach, Finidi George now has all the 22 invited players at his disposal.

    The new arrivals are expected to train with their teammates later on Wednesday evening.

    The session which is expected to last for an hour will start at 4:30 pm local time.

    Full List of Super Eagles players in Camp

    Stanley Nwabali, Ojo Olorunleke, Jamilu Collins, Bruno Onyemaechi, Semi Ajayi, Calvin Bassey, Benjamin Tanino, Alhassan Yusuf, Alex Iwobi , Fisayo Dele -Bashiru, Raphael Onyedika,
    Ademola Lookman, Moses Simon, Cyriel Dessers, Sadiq Umar, Nathan Tella,
    Wilfred Ndidi, Frank Onyeka, Francis Uzoho, Bright Osayi-Samuel, Kelechi Iheanacho, Chidozie Awaziem

  • Int’l Friendly: Iwobi, Nwabali, eight others storm Super Eagles

    Int’l Friendly: Iwobi, Nwabali, eight others storm Super Eagles

    Ten key players have hit the Super Eagles camp in Morocco ahead of the two international friendly games with the Eagles of Mali and the Black Stars of Ghana.

    The early arrivals in camp are Alex Iwobi, Moses Simon, Stanley Nwabali, Jamilu Collins, and Bruno Onyemaechi.

    The other players in camp are Cyriel Dessers, Nathan Tella, Calvin Bassey, Semi Ajayi and Fisayo Dele -Bashiru.

    The remaining 16 players are being expected in camp between now and Thursday.

    The players will have their first training session at 4:30pm local time.

    The Super Eagles will take on Ghana at the Grand de Stade Marrakech on Friday, March 22.

    The three-time African champions will face Mali four days later at the same venue.

  • Int’l Friendly: Black Stars getting ready for Super Eagles as 13 players hit camp

    Int’l Friendly: Black Stars getting ready for Super Eagles as 13 players hit camp

    Ahead of the much anticipated friendly game between the Black stars of Ghana and the Super Eagles of Nigeria, about thirteen Ghana players have hit camp in Marrakech, Morocco

    The players include Joseph Wollacott, Lawrence Ati-Zigi, Andre Ayew, Tariq Lamptey, and Antoine Semenyo.

    Others are Kassim Nuhu , Abdul Samed Salis, Abdul Fatawu Issahaku, Patrick Kpozo, Seidu Alidu, Ernest Nuamah, Jordan Ayew, and Denis Odoi.

    Videos and pictures show the Black stars players working out on Tuesday morning in preparation for the two games.

    Thirteen more players are still being expected in camp.

    Ghana will face eternal rivals Nigeria in their first friendly at the Grande de Marrakech on Friday.

    The Black Stars will also line up against the Cranes of Uganda at the same venue next week Tuesday.

  • SEE PHOTOS: Black Stars of Ghana arrive AFCON 2023 dressed in Kente

    SEE PHOTOS: Black Stars of Ghana arrive AFCON 2023 dressed in Kente

    The Ghanaian national football team on Wednesday arrived in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire for the 2023 African Cup of Nations (AFCON).

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports the Black Stars of Ghana arrived in Côte d’Ivoire for the AFCON 2023 dressed in Kente.

    Kente refers to a Ghanaian textile, made of handwoven cloth, strips of silk and cotton.

    Historically the fabric was worn in a toga-like fashion by royalty among the Ewe and Akan people of Ghana.

    TNG reports Andrew Ayew will lead the Ghanaian national football team for the 2023 AFCON.

    Ghana’s AFCON squad

    The Black Stars coach Chris Hughton named his 27-man squad to do duty in Ivory Coast.

    Hughton will miss the services of injured Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey who has been battling to recover from a hamstring strain.

    Also left behind is Brighton and Hove Albion utility player Tariq Lamptey who was injured back in November while in action for his club.

    Full squad

    Goalkeepers: Lawrence Ati-Zigi, Richard Ofori, Joe Wollacott.

    Defenders: Daniel Amartey, Alexander Djiku, Abdul Fatawu Hamid, Gideon Mensah, Denis Odoi, Nicholas Opoku, Mohammed Salisu , Kingsley Schindler, Alidu Seidu.

    Midfielders: Majeed Ashimeru, Osman Bukari, Baba Iddrisu, Ransford Koningsdorffer, Mohammed Kudus, Richmond Lamptey, Elisha Owusu, Joseph Paintsil, Salis Abdul Samed.

    Forwards: Andre Ayew, Jordan Ayew, Ernest Nuamah, Antoine Semenyo, Jonathan Sowah, Inaki Williams.

    AFCON group

    Ghana will be in Group B together with continental heavyweights Egypt, Cape Verde and Mozambique.

    On January 14, they will play Cape Verde before squaring up with Egypt on January 18 and finishing the group stage playing Mozambique on January 22.

    It is a tricky pool and they will have to be on top of their game to not suffer the same fate as Afcon 2021 when they were eliminated in the group stages.

  • AFCON 2023: Super Eagles of Nigeria, Black stars of Ghana to share same hotel in Abidjan

    AFCON 2023: Super Eagles of Nigeria, Black stars of Ghana to share same hotel in Abidjan

    The organizers of the 2023 AFCON have secured the same hotel for two eternal rivals in African football.

    Nigeria’s Super Eagles of Group A will will stay in the same hotel with the Black Stars of Ghana of group B for  the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.

    The two teams will be lodged at the 5-star Pullman Hotel, Abidjan.

    The Super Eagles have been drawn in Group A with hosts Cote d’Ivoire, Equatorial Guinea and Guinea-Bissau.

    Jose Peseiro’s men will play their first two games against Nzalang Nacional of Equatorial Guinea and Elephants of Cote d’Ivoire at the Alassane Quattara Stadium, Ebimpe, Abidjan.

    The three-time champions’ final group game against the Djurtus of Guinea-Bissau is slated for Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium, Abidjan.

    The Super Eagles are scheduled to arrive in Abidjan for AFCON 2023 on Wednesday, January 10.

    Ghana’s Black Stars are drawn in Group B with seven-time champions Egypt, Cape Verde and Mozambique.

    Chris Hughton’s men will play their group games at the Houphouet Boigny Stadium, in Abidjan.

    The tournament will start on the 13th of January and runs till 11th of February.

  • Qatar 2022: Resilient Black Stars of Ghana loses 3-2 to Portugal in five- goal thriller

    Qatar 2022: Resilient Black Stars of Ghana loses 3-2 to Portugal in five- goal thriller

    The last African representative, Ghana gave a good account of themselves but lost to an upstanding Portuguese side by 3-2.

     Cristiano Ronaldo had the ball in the net and spurned two early chances in a goalless first half as Portugal dominated Ghana but were unable to make a breakthrough in their World Cup Group H match at the Stadium 974 on Thursday.

    The 37-year-old Portugal captain might have had two goals inside the opening 15 minutes but missed both opportunities.

    He found the net from close range in the 31st minute but only after the referee had blown his whistle for an infringement against him.

    C.Ronaldo later on in the match scored from the Penalty spot to give Portugal the lead against Ghana. He becomes the first player to score in five different World Cups.

    kudus set up Andre Ayew  who scored in the 73rd minute to equalize for Ghana to become the first African to score a goal at Qatar 2022.

    Portugal again scored to restore the lead in the 78th minute with a stunning counter-attack that led to Joa Felix scoring the second for the Selecao.

    In the 81st minute, Rafael Leao scores within three minutes after his introduction to make it three for the Europeans.

    Although too late, Ghana’s Osman Bukari scores the second  goal for the West Africans to reduce the tally but Ghana goes back to their hotel in Qatar with no point.

    The result meant no African team has secured a point in their opening group  matches at the mundial.

  • Ghana’s Black Stars arrive Abuja for Super Eagles clash

    Ghana’s Black Stars arrive Abuja for Super Eagles clash

    The Black stars of Ghana have arrived Abuja to acclimatize against the feisty encounter with the Super Eagles of Nigeria.

    The two teams are set to clash in the Qatar 2022 Worldcup play-offs at the Moshood Abiola Stadium Abuja.

    Recall that the first leg ended goalless at the Babayara stadium Kumasi whilst the reverse fixture is billed to hold in Nigeria.

    CAF has approved the 60,000 capacity Moshood Abiola stadium to be filled up by Fans. The Nigerian government has also provided free buses to convey fans to the stadium from all nooks and crannies of Abuja.

    Five teams will represent Africa at the Qatar 2022 senior FIFA Worldcup with Nigeria and Ghana jostling for one of the tickets.