World football has been in shock following Fifas decision to ban Ghanaian referee Joseph Odartei Lamptey for life after being found guilty of influencing the result of a World Cup qualifying match. Lamptey incorrectly awarded a penalty during a qualifier for the 2018 World Cup between South Africa and Senegal in November last year. South Africa won 2-1, the first of their goals from a spot-kick awarded by Lamptey for a handball that never was. The ball hit Senegal defender Kalidou Koulibaly on

Black Stars skipper Asamoah Gyan believes the hunger exhibited by the youngsters in the team during their double header against Congo bodes well for the teams future. Individual players like Thomas Agyapong and Ebenezer Ofori look set to become a major components of the Black Stars going forward after their initial displays. He urged them to work harder to enable them maintain the intensity. We have a lot of hungry players that are eager to die for the nation and that is what we saw. The

By Anthony Bebli The Black Stars of Ghana are now third in Group E of the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifiers after walloping Congo by 5-1 in Brazzaville at the Kintl Stadium on Tuesday. A hat trick from midfielder Thomas Partey and a brace from Richmond Boakye Yiadom increased our points to 5-points with two games remaining what do the Black Stars need to do to secure qualification to their fourth ever World Cup qualification. What happens when Ghana wins all two matches? By deductions and

Former Bologna player Jonathan Binotto is pleased with the club's decision to hold onto sought-after midfielder Godfred Donsah. The Ghana youth international was linked with a move to fellow Serie A side Torino. But after protracted talks the Red and Blues decided against selling him. Donsah has made a bright start to the season having scored one goal in their first two matches. "I expected something more on the market. Avenatti and Falletti are a gamble but it's fair to bet

The Ministry of Youth and Sports have dismissed the assertion that shirking their duties resulted in the Black Stars making their own travel arrangements from Brazaville back to Ghana. Captain of the side Asamoah Gyan had to eventually rescue the situation by paying for a direct chartered flight back to Ghana after the emphatic 5-1 win over Congo after it emerged that government had allegedly failed to deliver on its promise. The alleged arrangement was to see government convey the players

Christian Atsu is delighted to have settled at Newcastle United after struggling initially in England. The 25-year-old is enjoying his career at St James' Park after struggling to hold down positions on a merry-go-round loans spells. The Ghanaian has had plenty of loans spells, including with Bournemouth and Everton in the Premier League. The move to St James Park has brought the best out of him. Atsu said: I'm very happy that I'm playing week in, week out. There's a lot

By Sy Lerman It would seem by all logic to constitute the final nail in the coffin for South Africa'sSoccer World Cupqualifying hopes after FIFA announced on Wednesday that the controversial game in whichBafana BafanabeatSenegal2-1 would now be replayed.The decree was delivered with the impact of a hammer blow, although not unexpected in view of the life ban imposed on shady match referee Joseph Lamptey for what was described by world soccer's controlling body as "manipulating the

A Chelsea starlet has become the latest player to switch allegiances from Europe to Africa. Here is a list of stars, including two CAF African Players of the Year, who represented European countries at youth level, but returned to their African roots in senior football. Ola Aina, who is on loan at Hull City this season, played for England at youth level from U16 to U20 but was recently cleared by FIFA to run out for Nigeria. The 20-year-old was born in London but his parents are from the

Ghana assistant coach Ibrahim Tanko has dismissed claims Andre Ayew confronted coach Kwesi Appiah after the Black Stars drew 1-1 with Congo in a 2018 World Cup qualifier last week. Widespread media reports had claimed the West Ham United forward confronted his boss and questioned his decision to drop 'friend' Mubarak Wakaso as well as Emmanuel Agyemang Badu. But assistant coach Ibrahim Tanko has rubbished the claims as false. "It's not true that he [Andre Ayew] confronted

Newcastle United winger Christian Atsu has called for aggression ahead of the side's trip to Swansea City on Sunday. The Ghanaian is back on Tyneside after playing in a 2018 World Cup double-header against Congo. The 25-year-old has been a bright spot so far in the Premier League after helping the side to beat West Ham United before the international break. And the wideman is hoping his teammates can maintain the momentum ahead of the trip to South Wales on Sunday. We're happy

On-loan Manchester City forward Yaw Yeboah has revealed his main aim is to help the Spanish second division side secure qualification to the Spanish the La Liga this season. Yeboah joined Real Oviedo mainly to play and enhance his chances of representing his national team after being invited twice recently. His career has recently slowed down mainly because has been a nomadic footballer having played with Lille and FC Twente. But at his official unveiling he revealed his aim is to help the

Former Sports Minister and Member of Parliament for Bawku Central Constituency, Hon. Mahama Ayariga has entreated all stakeholders in the region to invest in development of talents in sports. Ayariga said most of the young people in the area were talented in the various sporting disciplines and only needed to be supported to develop their skills. Mr Ayariga was speaking at the end of a week-long football gala organized by the youth of the area to unearth talents in sports and promote sustainable

Christian Atsu, Ciaran Clark and Mikel Merino have all been nominated for Newcastle Uniteds August Player of the Month award, with fans able to vote on who they think should win. Despite beginning the campaign with defeats against Tottenham Hotspur at St James Park and fellow newly-promoted side Huddersfield Town at the John Smiths Stadium, the Magpies bounced back with an impressive 3-0 win at home to West Ham United last time out. Even though Clark netted in the success against the Irons,

Ghana defender Lumor Agbeyenu failed to make Portimonense's match squad to face Benfica on Friday in the Portuguese Liga. The left back picked up an ankle injury on Tuesday in the FIFA World Cup qualifier against Congo in Brazzaville. Coach Vtor Oliveira has decided to exclude him from the 18-man squad. But countryman Emmanuel Hackman, who is yet to play his first league match this term, made the cut. Portimonense squad: Goalkeepers: Ricardo Ferreira, Carlos Henriques Defenders

FIFA is reportedly to be sued by its member,Burkina Faso Football Federation (FBF ) following a decision that the match between South Africa and Senegal will be replayed during the upcoming FIFA international day in November. The FBF is expected to argue that the decision to replay the match will have serious effect on their quest to get a place in the 2018 World Cup finals. The decision was hinted by Burkina Faso national team coach Paulo Duarte while addressing a section of press on Thursday.

Phoenix Rising coach Patrice Cateron says he's heartbroken over Gladson Awako's late miss in their goalless draw with Orange County. Awako joined the American lower-tier side earlier this week and made his bow as a second half substitute in their 0-0 home draw against Orange County in the United Soccer League on Thursday evening. The 26-year-old replaced Chris Cortez in the 60th minute and had a clear cut chance to fire the side to victory but he fluffed his effort. In the aftermath

Ghana defender Baba Rahmans star is raising again with his recovery finally taking shape and boss Antonio Conte willing to replace him with now departed French forward Loic Remy. The 23-year-old has shown vast improvement in the last few days and his attitude has tickled boss Antonio Conte. The Italian manager has accepted he will have to register the Ghanaian as an alternative to ever impressive Marcos Alonso. Rahman, signed for big money with hefty expectations was a victims of the Jose

Former Ghana captain Charles Akunnor has pleaded with coach Kwesi Appiah to hold talks with Kwadwo Asamoah into returning back to the Black Stars fold. The 28-year-old midfielder asked to be excused from national team duties after the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, turning down a couple of call-ups insisting that he wants to focus on club football. According to Akunnor, Ghana need the quality of the former Udinese ace hence coach Kwesi Appiah should hold talks with him as quickly as possible.

The South African Football Association wants to challenge the decision by FIFA to order a replay of the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifier between South Africa and Senegal. The result of the match played in November last year in Polokwane which South Africa won 2-1, has been nullified. According to FIFA, this decision follows the confirmation of the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) to uphold the lifetime ban of Ghanaian match referee Joseph Lamptey for match manipulation. SAFA says Bafana

Agent Oliver Arthur has confirms his client Afriyie Acquah will sign a contract extension at Torino with talks expected to start next week. Acquah was heavily linked with a move to Championship side Birmingham City but the Serie A side refused to sell. Head coach Sinisa Mahajlovic claims the Ghana international remains key to his plans and blocked his move. ''It's true, the President has confirmed a renew of the contract for Acquah. We would have discussions next week,''