Amartey deserved the red card against Manchester united - Mourinho

The Portuguese manager has hit out at Leicester City supporters who booed referee Moss for handing the Ghana international his marching orders

Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho has launched a scathing attack on Leicester City supporters insisting that Daniel Amartey deserved the red card he received in their 2-2 stalemate at the King Power Stadium on Saturday.

The home supporters charged on referee John Moss, booing him for the decision as well as ‘denying’ Leicester a penalty while trailing the visitors 2-1.

Harry Maguire eventually snatched a point for the Foxes following a late equaliser.

“I know that [referee] Moss had a very good performance,” said Mourinho, as quoted by Leicester Mercury. 

“A performance that the Leicester supporters were complaining with everything, without any reason.

“The red card [to Daniel Amartey] was a red card, the two yellows were two yellows. The free-kicks were free-kicks, the yellow card to Mahrez is a yellow card to Mahrez because he dived.

Michael Essien returns to Persib after doubts about future

Michael Essien has returned to Indonesia and rejoined Persib Bandung for the upcoming season.

He featured in 4-0 win over Sleman United on Boxing Day in a pre-season friendly.

The former Chelsea and Real Madrid star had his future speculated after ending a one-year contract last season.

Essien had also been linked with some stellar clubs in the Indonesian Ligue 1.

Atsu 'stabs Ayew in the back'

Newcastle ended a nine-game winless run thanks to Christian Atsu's 'betrayal' of his Ghana international colleague Andre Ayew.

Atsu chose loyalty to his club side Newcastle over his ties to Ghana after helping Newcastle United team-mate Rob Elliot save Andre Ayew's penalty in last Saturday’s Premier League clash at the London stadium.

The penalty miss ensured a 3-2 win over West Ham which afforded Newcastle fans to heave a sigh of relief and spared the coach who had a return to the Premier League any more bashing.

The scoreline could have been different for the Hammers, however, had Andre Ayew converted his penalty after the referee pointed to spot following Ciaran Clark’s late challenge on Michail Antonio.

Before Andre Ayew stepped up to take the penalty, Christian Atsu was seen in video footages that has now emerged talking to the Keeper.

It is believed he was lecturing the Newcastle stopper on which direction to go to save the penalty as his Ghanaian international compatriot looked set to pull one back for the Hammers.

With Elliot making the right move and denying Ayew, Toon fans were convinced that Atsu took advantage of his time with his the striker during national duty to second guess where he would strike the ball.

Andre Ayew later made amends for the penalty missed by scoring West Ham's second in the game that only ended as a consolation goal.

23 Dec

NUFCThreatLevel@NUFCThreatLevel

Penalty saved by Christian Atsu.

Blooded,Black&White@RockaToon84

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10:21 AM - Dec 23, 2017

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Swansea boss blasts Jordan, others after Liverpool defeat

Player-manager Leon Britton reflects on their Boxing Day humiliation at the hands of the Reds

Swansea City caretaker manager Leon Britton is livid by his team's performance in Tuesday's huge defeat against Liverpool in the Premier League.

The Jack Army were at sixes and sevens as they suffered a 5-0 shellacking at Anfield.

Phillipe Coutinho opened the scoring as early as the sixth minute when Jordan Ayew gave away possession in his own half.

“You cannot make basic errors, whether that’s your set-up at set-pieces, second balls or misplaced passes, because you give yourselves no chance,” Britton said, as reported by his club's official website.

“When you come to a place like Liverpool, you need a seven or eight out of 10 performance from everyone, and then you’ll have a chance of getting a result.

“But if you make basic errors that you would expect to see in academy football, a team like Liverpool are going to punish you.”

After the first goal, Swansea held their own for the remainder of the first half.

Back from recess, the pressure became just too much for the Swans, opening the way for a Roberto Firmino double as well as goals from Trent Alexander-Arnold and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.

“In the first half we didn’t do too badly after the goal and I felt our confidence was growing a little bit,” Britton lamented.

“But after the second goal, our confidence went completely. Even then, you have to make sure you give everything you have got.

“As players we have all been in difficult situations, but you still remain professional and do the right things for the team.

“But out there, I have to be honest and say I didn’t see that from a lot of players.”

Swansea sit bottom of the league as relegation stares.

Tuesday's defeat was their seventh consecutive away reversal in the topflight.

Kwesi Appiah to embark on player monitoring in January

Black Stars head coach, James Kwesi Appiah, has revealed that, he would embark on his routine player monitoring in January, as he seeks to build a formidable team for the future.

Appiah since his re-appointment back in May, has handed numerous call-ups to new players who have made a strong claim for a possible inclusion into subsequent future call-ups as Ghana target to win the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations having missed out on the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

According to the Black Stars gaffer, it is very important to undertake the player monitoring exercise in order to draw conclusions about players they are not sure about and give some players the opportunity to demonstrate their footballing prowess for the senior national team.

“Many Europeans teams are on break now, and hopefully by January they will start, so we will look around in January and go and monitor some of the players we’re not sure, we will go about and look at them.

“The ambition is to make sure you have good players emerging and at the same time, you the coach doing the best you can for the team,” Appiah said in an interview.

Meanwhile, the Black Stars are expected to be involved in some few international friendlies earlier next year as the prepare for the 2019 AFCON qualifier against Kenya.

Efia Odo opens up on 'intimate relationship' with Juventus star Kwadwo Asamoah

Ghanaian actress Efia Odo has denied reports of an amorous relationship with Juventus midfielder, Kwadwo Asamoah.

The actress triggered rumours that she slept with the former Black Stars player, after she posted photos of some shoes she claimed the midfielder bought for her. 

But according to her, she and Asamoah were just friends and there was nothing more to it. 

Explaining further, she said the got to each through a mutual friend and they have become close since then. 

During a recent visit to Italy, she saw Kwadwo Asamoah who bought her some shoes. Answering a question on whether she thought it was normal for a married man to buy shoes for his friend, she said, “it is normal for married men to buy things for their friends. That’s what he chooses to do so if his wife is worried about it, she should check him on that”. 

Born Andrea Owusu, Efia Odo who came into media limelight after she was found lying in bed with Dancehall King, Shatta Wale during the musicians recent visit to the United States, seem to have many close male friends. 

She is known to be also very close to actor, Toosweet Annan.

Jonathan Mensah reveals his toughest opponent in the MLS

Columbus Crew guardsman Jonathan Mensah has named New York City FC ace David Villa as his toughest opponent during last season's Major League Soccer campaign.

Mensah joined the Crew at the start of the MLS season from Russian side Anzhi Makachkala but had to struggle during the initial stages of his MLS career.

The 27-year-old, however, managed to make 24 appearances for the Ohio-based outfit where he helped them to the finals of the Eastern Conference.

Having faced several forwards in the league, Mensah picked former Valencia and FC Barcelona ace striker, David Villa, who netted 22 league goals, as the player who gave him a nightmare in the championship.

“That guy (David Villa) is something else, Villa tries to catch me on with his pace and I also try to stop him with my power,” he said on TV3's warm-up show.

“He is an amazing player and is difficult playing against him, he is very quick and got skill and very sharp as well," he added.

“For me I think he is one of the best strikers in the World and he is doing amazing in the MLS.”

LIVE UPDATES: Newcastle vs Manchester City

Manchester City can go 15 points clear in the Premier League title race with victory at Newcastle later tonight.

Pep Guardiola's men have won 17 top flight games on the spin and can extend their healthy title advantage after closest rivals Manchester United slipped up against Burnley on Boxing Day. 

Rafael Benitez earned a first win in 10 games with a 3-2 victory at London Stadium just before Christmas and the Magpies will end the year outside the relegation zone regardless of their result against the runaway leaders.

Start time 

Newcastle host Manchester City at St. James Park with kick-off scheduled for 7.45pm on Wednesday, December 27.

Follow all the Live Updates here…………………. 

Stoke City set to make £3million move for Daniel Opare

English Premier League side Stoke City are continuing to discuss a potential deal for Augsburg full-back Daniel Opare.

Stoke City manager Mark Hughes wants to upgrade his options at full-back and a £3million fee is being discussed.

The Ghana international, who joined the German outfit in 2015, is out of contract in the summer.

Swansea City are also in the running for the 27-year-old who can play as a right-back or on the left but Stoke are considered to be in pole position.

Manager Mark Hughes, buoyed by Saturday's crucial win over West Brom, will be backed by owner Peter Coates in the transfer window and is desperate to also add a striker and another midfielder.

Right-back Glen Johnson will be allowed to leave as will Charlie Adam.

Jordan Ayew to start for Swansea against Liverpool

Ghana striker Jordan Ayew will be handed a starting role against Liverpool in their English Premier League game on Tuesday evening.

Ayew has been missing in the starting line up of the SWANS in their last two games.

But the 26-year-old has been very impressive from the bench and rescued them with a stunner last Saturday against Crystal Palace.

Britton who appointed following the dismissal of f Paul Clement, lauded Ayew’s stunner and expressed his contentment with their performance last Saturday.

“It’s been difficult for us when we have gone behind this season,” Britton told the club’s official website.

“But the fans were right behind us even after we conceded.

“They were great. They kept going and gave the players a lift, and they got their reward with a fantastic goal from Jordan.

“We didn’t settle for a draw. We kept pushing for another one after that and I thought we looked the most likely team to score.”

Ayew blamed for West Ham's defeat to Newcastle

Winston Reid reckons the outcome of the game would have been "one hundred per cent" different but for the Ghanaian's wasted penalty

Like manager David Moyes, West Ham defender Winston Reid believes they could have salvaged something from Saturday's Premier League meeting with Newcastle had Andre Ayew converted his 56th-minute penalty.

The Ghanaian fluffed the spot kick in their 3-2 home reversal at the London Stadium, despite making amends with a goal moments later.

On a rare start, the 28-year-old spurned the opportunity to restore parity after Henri Saivet and Mohamed Diame gave the away side a 2-1 lead, Marko Arnautovic having opened the scoring for the Hammers in the sixth minute.

“It would have been a different ball game if we had levelled it at 2-2 [from the penalty or open play], one hundred per cent, but you have to take your chances and we didn’t, so we have to move forward and get some points away at Bournemouth," Reid said, as reported by his club's official website.

“It’s tough and tight down at Bournemouth, so we have to go down there and pick up some points.

"It’s not going to be easy, but we have to go there and do what we had done in recent weeks, minus Saturday’s game.

West Ham, thus, continue to flirt with relegation as they currently sit just one spot above the drop zone.

A Boxing Day win away at Bournemouth could catapult the Hammers to 13th on the log.

Atsu told Newcastle keeper how to save Ayew's penalty

Christian Atsu’s club loyalties trumped those associated with his country after helping Newcastle United team-mate Rob Elliot save international compatriot Andre Ayew's penalty in last Saturday’s Premier League clash at the London stadium.

Newcastle fans were over the moon after their 3-2 win over West Ham as the result marked the end of a horrendous nine-game winless run for Rafa Benitez’s side.

The scoreline could have been different for the Hammers, however, had Andre Ayew converted his penalty after the referee pointed to spot following Ciaran Clark’s late challenge on Michail Antonio.

As the Ghanaian looked set to pull one back for the Hammers, his international teammate Christian Atsu was seen talking to Newcastle keeper Rob Elliot just before the striker stepped up to take the penalty.


With Elliot making the right move and denying Ayew, Toon fans were convinced that Atsu took advantage of his time with his the striker during national duty to second guess where he would strike the ball.

However, Ayew made amends for West Ham by scoring the second consolation goal.

LIVE UPDATES: Boxing Day EPL matches

The festive Premier League schedule continues with Manchester City looking to strengthen their lead at the top.

The battle for top 4 finish continues unabated as Chelsea lock horns with Brighton, Manchester United battle Burnley while the likes of Arsenal and Liverpool will have to secure wins to keep up the chase.

Tottenham v Southampton

How Southampton fans must wish they had held on to Mauricio Pochettino for at least another season. Their loss has been very much Tottenham Hotspur’s gain over the past three seasons, but Pochettino needs to make sure his team come through the Christmas and New Year fixtures with their Premier League top-four hopes very much intact.

Chelsea v Brighton

Chelsea have Alvaro Morata back and will hope for a better conversion rate than they managed at Everton where they had eight attempts on target and no goals. Sixteen points off leaders Manchester City, they need to win. Brighton had their first win in eight against Watford and 12th place at the season’s halfway point exceeds expectations.

Manchester Utd v Burnley

Burnley have beaten Chelsea and Everton on their travels this season and claimed draws at Spurs and Liverpool so they have form for upsetting the established elite. United now trail leaders Manchester City by 13 points and can ill afford any more setbacks with the title already slipping away.

Watford v Leicester City

After such a spectacular start to the season, Watford are fast becoming potential relegation candidates. Saturday’s defeat at Brighton was their fourth in a row, and Marco Silva’s luck is unlikely to turn against a Leicester side who will be buoyed by their dramatic draw with Manchester United.

We will bring you live updates of all the games with a special focus on the Chelsea vs Brighton game.

6

Jordan Ayew delighted to break goal drought

Swansea City forward Jordan Ayew scored his first goal since August to help the club secure a point in the English Premier League on Saturday.

The Swans, rooted to the bottom of the log standings, looked on course to suffer another defeat, but Ayew emerged from the bench to great effect as the Welsh outfit held Crystal Palace to a 1-1 draw.

The Ghana international will be hoping that the goal sparks an upturn in form. The strike was the 26-year-old’s second against the Eagles having netted in a 2-0 win over their opponents earlier this season.

“I’ve been waiting for that goal for some time now,” Ayew told the club’s website. “Every weekend, you want to score but you cannot control the situation.

“My two league goals have come against Palace. I hope I can build on this and, more importantly, help things change for the team.

“It was a good game from us. We tried to get the win, but the most important thing was that we didn’t lose.

“We need to get out of this situation and will fight very hard to do so,” he concluded.

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Watch how Stephen Appiah graced the green turf with his dazzling skills

Ex-Black Stars skipper, Stephen Appiah is regarded as one of the best players in history.

He had a successful career, playing for some of the top clubs in Europe – he played for Udinese, Parma, Bologna, Brescia, Juventus and Fernerbache. Before moving to Europe he played for Accra Hearts of Oak.

Appiah began his career with Accra Hearts of Oak where he earned his name as one of Ghana's finest talents.

Appiah was known for his tailored passes that created openings in stubborn defences

He made a name for himself when he signed for Turkish giants Fernerbache from Juventus.

At the national team level, Appiah was part of the team that won the U-17 World Cup in 1995, he featured for Ghana in the U-20 World Cup held in Nigeria, and also played for the Black Meteors in the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens.

Appiah became the first captain to qualify the country to her first ever senior World Cup in 2006 in Germany, he was part of Ghana’s team for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

Appiah capped 67 times from 1995-2010, he scored 14 goals in the process. He retired from football in 2012.

Appiah is currently the Technical Coordinator of the Black Stars.

As he celebrates his birthday today, watch how Appiah graced the green turf with his dazzling skills:

Stephen Appiah is regarded as one of the best players in Ghana's football history

Kotoko completes signing of Wahab Adams

Kotoko have completed the signing of former Aduana Stars defender, Wahab Adams, in a 2 year deal.

The highly rated defensive pillar and former deputy captain of the Dormaa based club penned his signature at the Kotoko secretariat after passing the club's mandatory medical examination on Friday.


The well-built central defender enjoyed an impressive 7-year spell with the Brong Ahafo outfit and joins Kotoko after seeing through the expiration of his contract amidst interest from other clubs, including the 2016/17 Premier League champions, who were keen on extending his stay.


Wahab, though young, bags a lot of experience and is expected to strengthen the Kotoko defense ahead of the upcoming season which would see the Porcupines compete for both domestic titles and the CAF Confederations Cup.


Wahab Adams said: “I have played for Aduana Stars for 7 years and wanted to change environment. I chose Kotoko out of the numerous clubs (that wanted my signature) because it is the club I have always wanted to play. It is my favorite team. I have supported it from infancy and all my family members are Kotoko fans”.


Speaking on his targets, Wahab Adams told www.asantekotokosc.com: “I want to help the team to go far in the Confederations Cup and also win the league for the supporters”