Breaking
Osikani Sports
Author

Osikanitv

Browsing
Football World

Chelsea is in chaos as Pochettino has NO IDEA who will be on the plane to the pre-season tour

By
Chelsea
Chelsea

Mauricio Pochettino’s CHELSEA will go to the United States on Monday to inaugurate the new era.

But with only four days till the start of their summer tour, there is still no official plane passenger list due to Chelsea squad’s current state of upheaval.

The lineup for the first game against League Two Wrexham in North Carolina on Wednesday will be completely different from the one that closed a season at home against Newcastle only seven weeks prior.

The matchday lineup from the lackluster 1-1 draw on May 28 has lost eight members.

Cesar Azpilicueta, the team’s captain, Kai Havertz, who scored the winning goal in the Champions League, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Edouard Mendy, Kalidou Koulibaly, Mateo Kovacic, Christian Pulisic, and Joao Felix are now only names in the past, along with Mason Mount, the team’s mascot.

Following Pulisic’s £20 million transfer to AC Milan, there were £210 million in sales, £91 million in pay savings, and some of football’s greatest stars gone.

Remember that N’Golo Kante also left, joining the Saudi rush once his contract expired. Others are waiting for new clubs at Stamford Bridge like uncomfortable teenagers hanging around by the radiators as they wait to be invited for a slow dance at a youth club party.

At Chelsea, there is no doubt that Romelu Lukaku, Hakim Ziyech, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Callum Hudson-Odoi, and Malang Sarr are excess players.

Conor Gallagher, a midfielder, has rejected a trade to Everton and is now desired by Tottenham. But if a deal isn’t reached for Moises Caicedo, he could decide to stay.

Chelsea’s squad appears light in central midfield, with Enzo Fernandez, Gallagher and rookie Carney Chukwuemeka — who has made just four Premier League starts — the only three options available to Poch.

Keep Reading
By
Transfer News

Hearts of Oak secure signing of Tamale City defender Liventius Arthur

By
Liventius Arthur
Liventius Arthur

Liventius Arthur, a defender for Tamale City, has joined Hearts of Oak and will play for them, according to Footballghana.com.

The 21-year-old, Liventius Arthur completes his required medical exams on Thursday and signed a two-year contract that would keep him with the Phobians until 2025.

The Phobians, who are eager to bolster their team for the next season, make Arthur their first acquisition.

Following his daring performance with the Tamale Citizens last season, the left-back became one of the most sought-after defenders in the nation.

Despite the Tamale Citizens’ relegation to the Division One League, he was great for the team. He appeared in 29 games overall, putting up several standout performances.

Dennis Korsah, an ex-teammate of Arthur’s, will have competition at Ebusua Dwarfs in the upcoming season.

Keep Reading
By
Football World

Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami contract (Details)

By
Lionel Messi
Lionel Messi

Argentine soccer superstar Lionel Messi is to earn between $50 and $60 million per year when he joins Inter Miami, the club’s part-owner Jorge Mas told Spanish publication El Pais in an interview.

The lower of those figures would make Lionel Messi the highest-paid player in Major League Soccer (MLS) by over $40 million, according to sports salary tracker Spotrac. According to that site, Xherdan Shaqiri currently earns the most in the league with an annual wage of $8,153,000.

According to Forbes, Messi’s potential on-field earnings are dwarfed by those of his longtime foe Cristiano Ronaldo, who received a $75 million playing wage after joining the Saudi Arabian side Al-Nassr.

Mas revealed to El Pais that the 35-year-old’s salary will be boosted by the promise of becoming a member of the club’s ownership once he retires, as well as a share of the revenue from the team’s sales of Adidas uniforms and Apple TV’s MLS broadcasting arrangement.

The managing owner noted that the Apple TV stipulation was “very important” in the completion of an agreement.

Mas revealed to El Pais that negotiations around Messi’s arrival lasted three years, involving Messi’s father and agent, Jorge, as well as Mas’ fellow co-owner David Beckham, who spoke to Messi “only about the football side of things.”

The owners are bullish about the league’s potential for growth following Messi’s arrival, with Mas stating in the El Pais interview that the World Cup-winning captain’s arrival “will elevate the league to another level” into “one of the two or three best leagues in the world.”

With regard to other players joining Messi and Inter Miami, Mas confirmed that former Barcelona teammate Sergio Busquets has signed to the team as “it was important for us to surround Messi with players of his caliber.”

Mas detailed that two more of Messi’s former Barcelona teammates had been in talks with Inter Miami. Mas named Jordi Alba and Luis Suarez as players the team had talked to, as well as Messi’s compatriot Angel Di Maria, most recently of Juventus.

Messi is reportedly due to make his debut for the club on July 21 against Mexican side Cruz Azul. 

SOURCE: cbsnews.com

Keep Reading
By
Football World

Lionel Messi arrives in South Florida, Inter Miami targeting July 21 for his debut

By
Lionel Messi
Lionel Messi arrives in South Florida, Inter Miami targeting July 21 for debut

Lionel Messi, the Argentine superstar and the new striker for Inter Miami CF, landed at Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport on Tuesday afternoon.

As Lionel Messi and his family descended from the plane, everything was caught on camera. They moved swiftly toward a waiting black truck that was only a short distance from the aircraft.

Inter Miami asked followers on Twitter to be ready for a big announcement on July 16. During this reveal, Messi is anticipated to be introduced to the crowd at DRV PNK Stadium.

Team officials said the event would include “exciting entertainment, speeches on the pitch and more.”

A debut game for Messi on July 21 is another goal for Inter Miami.

In anticipation of Messi making his club debut on July 21, some tickets for the Leagues Cup match against Cruz Azul on the 21st are selling for more than $10,000 each on secondary markets.

When the superstar revealed he would be joining MLS, he stunned the entire globe.

After spending two years with Paris Saint-Germain, the seven-time winner of the Ballon d’Or, which is awarded yearly to the world’s finest player, made the decision to join MLS.

Messi, who recently turned 36, led Argentina to the World Cup triumph in December, completing the one important unchecked box on his CV.

Keep Reading
By
Ghana Sports

Ibrahim Danlad does not deserve any national team call-up again – Charles Taylor

By
Charles Taylor
Charles Taylor

Due to his subpar performance in the just concluded 2023 U-23 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), Ghanaian football veteran Charles Taylor believes that goalkeeper Ibrahim Danlad should not be called up to any of the national teams.

The Asante Kotoko goalie was the Black Meteors’ preferred pick for the competition.

Despite starting their campaign with a 3-2 victory over Congo, Ghana—which was vying for a spot to participate in the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris—was eliminated from the competition after the group round.

In contrast, Morocco, the host nation, thrashed the Black Meteors 5-1 in their second group match.

Ghana’s U-23 team needed to defeat Guinea to advance to the tournament’s semifinals before their last group match, but they were held to a 1-1 draw.

Taylor, a veteran of Asante Kotoko and Hearts of Oak, believes that Danlad is not a good enough goalkeeper and needs to be entertained at any national team because he has already given up eight goals after three games.

“One goalkeeper (Danlad Ibrahim) conceded 8 goals in one tournament but here you guys say he is the best,” he said as quoted by Football View.

“So you can clearly see that we are joking here,” he added.

Meanwhile, the playing body and the technical team have been dissolved by the Ghana Football Association (GFA) after the team failed to secure qualification for the Olympic Games.

The last time Ghana played at the Olympics was in 2004 in Athens.

Keep Reading
By
Ghana Sports

GFA to host 29th Ordinary Congress

By
GFA
GFA

The Ghana Football Association (GFA) will hold its 29th Ordinary Congress later today in Kumasi.

The Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology’s Great Hall in Kumasi will serve as the venue for the Congress.

Over the years, the Ashanti Region, and Kumasi in particular, have provided the Black Stars and other national teams with tremendous support.

The Association chose that location for this year’s Congress in order to express its gratitude to Asanteman’s football enthusiasts and to inspire others to heed the GFA’s rallying cry to “BringBackTheLove” for the game.

Even before Ghana’s football leagues began, the Ashanti Region was well-known for its football talent and for Asante Kotoko SC’s achievements both in Ghana and outside the African continent.

The Hon. Mustapha Ussif, Minister of Youth & Sports, and other illustrious individuals from the Ashanti Region will attend this year’s Congress.

The Convocation comprising the agenda, activity report, audited accounts, and any other pertinent papers has been served to all delegates to Congress.

A successful 29th session of Congress is assured thanks to the participation and delegation of all members of Congress.

At 9:00 am, the 29th Ordinary Congress will get started.

GFA
Keep Reading
By
Ghana Sports

Ghana eyes 2038 FIFA World Cup bid as part of 40-year national development plan

By
national development plan
national development plan

As part of its comprehensive 40-year national development plan, Ghana has set its eyes on hosting the FIFA World Cup in 2038.

The National Development Planning Commission (NDPC) created a strategy that includes an ambitious proposal with the goal of making Ghana a popular sporting destination on a worldwide scale.

The NDPC’s Director-General, Dr. Nii Moi Thompson, discussed the nation’s plans on Tuesday night’s episode of Good Evening Ghana on Metro TV.

He highlighted, however, that the proposal is dependent on Ghana achieving particular financial and infrastructure goals stated in the recently filed draft National Development Plan.

According to the long-term development strategy, Ghana wants to host important international occasions like the Olympic Games and FIFA World Cup.

The strategy emphasizes the nation’s dedication to using sports as a catalyst for advancement on a global scale.

The construction of a cutting-edge stadium called the “Black Star Stadium” is one of the key infrastructure initiatives envisioned in the 40-year development plan.

Cutting-edge 21st-century technology will be incorporated into this contemporary building, and solar panels will cover the stadium roof. The stadium will be ingeniously connected to a vast road and rail network to provide seamless connection.

Notably, throughout its 60-year existence, Ghana has never had the chance to host the Olympic Games or the FIFA World Cup.

If Ghana is successful in its application, it will only be the second African country to host the famous event after South Africa did it in 2010.

Keep Reading
By
Football World

England forward doesn’t want to be known as Reece James’ sister

By
Reece James
Reece James

Lauren James, a striker for England, says she wants to become recognized as more than “Reece James’ sister” at this summer’s World Cup.

The 21-year-old Chelsea star frequently has her name associated with that of her elder brother, Reece James who also represents England in international competition.

“Even just ‘that’s Lauren James, that’s Reece’s sister’,” she said.

“But I want to carve out [my own name] and be known as ‘this is Lauren James’.”

James added: “At the moment, men’s football has a lot bigger profile and I’m sure there are times when I’ve said ‘oh, that’s so and so’s sister’, I think it’s just natural.

“But it doesn’t bother me too much because I know I have my own career.”

The World Cup, which begins on July 20, will provide James the opportunity to become the first member of her family to win a major international competition as she was not part in the Lionesses’ victory at Euro 2022. Despite this, she claims there is not much sibling rivalry with her brother.

“To be fair I think he’d just be proud. We’re just like best friends,” she said.

“His advice was just to enjoy it [the World Cup], have fun, try and score goals.”

James earned a spot in the Lionesses team after helping Chelsea win a third straight domestic double last season.

She said that missing out on Euro 2022 had strengthened her resolve to ensure that she boarded the plane to Australia.

“Watching it, going to the final last summer [as a fan], it obviously made me feel more like ‘I want to make sure I’m there’ this summer, and it gave me a bit more motivation and hunger,” she said.

“I’d like to feel the same as what they felt last summer.”

James played a starring role in England’s victory in the Arnold Clark Cup, an invitational tournament, where she scored her first international goal and she says she is enjoying playing under manager Sarina Wiegman.

“She’s been brilliant with me, she’s just allowed me to express myself and not tried to change me, which obviously plays a massive role because it allows you to just play freely and have confidence,” she said.

“I’m just someone who always wants to just play football so I try not to let the external noise get to me, I like to stay grounded.”

The former Manchester United player says she is relishing learning from the experienced players in the squad, such as Barcelona defender Lucy Bronze.

“I just like to keep learning and [listen to] what advice [Lucy] has and the other experienced players [too] – how she conducts herself, within training and within games,” said James.

Keep Reading
By
Ghana Sports

GHANA FORWARD ERNEST NUAMAH APOLOGISES FOR BLACK METEORS POOR PERFORMANCE

By

GHANA FORWARD ERNEST NUAMAH APOLOGISES FOR BLACK METEORS POOR PERFORMANCE

Nordsjaellad Star Ernest Nuamah has released an apology letter to Ghanaians for the disappointing performance of the Black Meteors at the 2023 U23 AFCON tournament.

The team suffered an incidental exit failing to achieve their mark of qualifying for the Olympic Games (Paris) next year.

He started, “No excuses, but our performances as a group were below expectations. But I could have done better to help the team. As a group, if we ever have the opportunity again, Ghana deserves better”.

He continue and said, “I made some wrong decisions but I am grateful for this opportunity”.

Black Meteors’ ineptitude to reach the planned goal for qualifying has sparked discussion and calls for reflection within the football community.

Black Meteors won their first game against Congo 3 – 2, with Nuamah on target, but were thrashed 5-1 by Morocco and a 1-1 draw with Guinea confirmed their elimination

Keep Reading
By
Football World

Manchester United close to signing Japanese-Ghanaian goalkeeper Zion Suzuki

By
Zion Suzuki
Zion Suzuki

Zion Suzuki, a Japanese goalie with maternal Ghanaian ancestry, is allegedly close to signing with English Premier League team Manchester United.

Zion Suzuki was born in Arkansas, USA, in 2003. His parents are an Ewe from Ghana and a Japanese man.

Erik ten Hag’s Red Devils have been keeping tabs on the Urawa Red Diamonds goalkeeper for the past six years, and they have finally made an official offer of £5 million.

Japanese news outlet Sponichi Annex broke the story on United’s interest in Suzuki, who the team has been keeping an eye on since 2017.

If the transaction is finalized, it would exceed the £4.5 million Celtic paid for Kyogo Furuhashi in 2021 as the highest transfer price ever for a J League team.

Suzuki has represented Japan at several youth levels, but he hasn’t competed for his country at the senior level yet.

He began his professional career with Urawa in 2018 at the age of 16, however he has only made eight J League games, mostly as Shusaku Nishikawa’s backup.

Andre Onana of Inter Milan has been the target of Manchester United’s pursuit in the past, but discussions have proven challenging due to budgetary limitations.

Suzuki, available at $5 million, satisfies the Red Devils’ need for a bargain with a rumored summer budget of £100 million.

Manchester United needs new goalkeepers due to the departure of David De Gea and the uncertainty surrounding Dean Henderson’s future.

Suzuki could be thought of as a player for the future, but his possible arrival might bring long-term stability to the team’s goalkeeping division.

Keep Reading
By