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Cote d’Ivoire 2023 by far the best AFCON -Tshabalala

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• Siphiwe Tshabalala - Ex Bafana Bafana star

• Siphiwe Tshabalala – Ex Bafana Bafana star

 Following his wonder strike when Africa hosted its first ever FIFA World Cup back in 2010, South African football icon, Siphiwe Tshabalala successfully en­graved his name in the rich history books of African football when he became the first player to score a goal in Africa’s first hosting of the World Cup.

“Shabba” as the dreadlocked legend is affectionately known is among a star-studded list of CAF Legends that are present at the on­going TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Cote d’Ivoire 2023.

Speaking to Cafonline.com on the sidelines of the ongoing compe­tition in Korhogo where he is based in the same host city as Bafana Bafana, Tshabalala hailed CAF’s organisation and the warm recep­tion of the Ivorians in staging what has so far been an exceptional 34th edition of Africa’s biggest event.

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“Before coming to Korhogo, I attended the Opening Ceremony which was absolutely world-class in all aspects. The organisation, the venue, the fans and of course the football. Coming to the football, the quality of football has been impressive so far. I also have to commend the great officiating of matches and great organisation by CAF. This is by far the best AFCON that the world is witnessing,” de­clared Tshabalala.

The former Bafana Bafana star, who also shone brightly in the co­lours of South African club, Kaizer Chiefs played in three TotalEner­gies CAF AFCON competitions with Bafana Bafana in 2006, 2008 as well as in 2013 when South Africa finished in the quarter-finals as hosts.

“My fondest memory of AFCON is wearing my national team jersey of South Africa representing my country in the biggest tournament in the continent and competing against the best in the continent on three occasions. This is the greatest tournament on the conti­nent and every African footballer’s dream”, he added.

With the competition gradually approaching the exciting knockout stages, Tshabalala also touched on the competition’s evolution and highly competitive nature – pre­dicting that it will be a tournament of upsets.

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“It is a very difficult competi­tion for all teams. The standard is world-class. There have been big upsets by the so-called small teams. They rose to the occasion. This will definitely be a tourna­ment of upsets” said Tshabalala.

The former Bafana Bafana’s bold prediction has certainly come to fruition with recent results that saw some of the tournament favourites (Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana, Algeria) not getting the desired results against their less fancied opponents.

More dramatic outcomes are expected as the TotalEnergies CAF AFCON Cote d’Ivoire 2023 continues with the last round of group matches to determine the 16 nations that will battle it out in the knockout stages of the compe­tition.

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Justin Kodua Frimpong files nomination to seek re-election as NPP General Secretary

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General Secretary of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Justin Kodua Frimpong, has filed his nomination to contest the position of General Secretary again as the party begins its rebuilding efforts ahead of the 2028 general elections.

He was accompanied by party stalwarts and supporters who were in high spirits, expressing confidence that he is the right person to hold the position.

Speaking after filing his nomination, Mr Kodua Frimpong assured the rank and file of the party that he would not disappoint them.

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“I can assure you that the faith the rank and file of the party have had in me, I will never disappoint them,” he said.

He also pledged to run a clean campaign devoid of personal attacks.

“I can assure you that our internal campaign will be devoid of personal attacks,” he told his fellow contestants and the rank and file of the party as he seeks to retain his position.

His tenure has seen the party through the 2024 general elections, where the NPP lost power to the National Democratic Congress (NDC) after eight years in government.

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The party is currently in a rebuilding phase, with internal elections scheduled to elect new national executives to lead its reorganization towards the 2028 polls.

The General Secretary position is considered one of the most influential in the party’s administrative structure, responsible for the day-to-day running of the party secretariat and implementation of party decisions.

By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme

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UGMC disputes Michael Blackson’s claims over late mother’s treatment

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The University of Ghana Medical Centre (UGMC) has disputed claims made on social media by comedian Michael Blackson concerning the treatment given to his late mother, saying a review found that the allegations did not accurately reflect what happened during her stay at the hospital.

In a statement issued in Accra on August 5, 2026, the management of UGMC expressed condolences to Mr. Blackson and his family over the death of his 83-year-old mother, who died at the facility on July 16, 2026.

The hospital said it had taken the concerns raised by Mr. Blackson seriously and conducted a thorough review in line with its clinical and administrative procedures.

According to the statement, the facts presented by Mr. Blackson on social media contained “numerous inaccuracies” and did not accurately reflect the medical care provided to his mother.

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UGMC explained that she was referred to the facility from another hospital and received treatment there from May 27 to July 16, 2026, a period of about eight weeks.

The hospital stated that it would not release details of her diagnosis, treatment, medical records or other aspects of her care because it had a duty to protect patient confidentiality, even after death.

It said the decision was intended to respect the dignity of the deceased and the privacy of her family.

UGMC further stated that all clinical decisions at the facility are made by qualified healthcare professionals based on medical judgment, established standards of care and the best interests of the patient.

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The statement added that such decisions are made in consultation with authorised family representatives where necessary and that billing and financial procedures are governed by institutional policies and are separate from clinical decision-making.

The hospital noted that it values feedback from patients and their families and considers both positive and negative comments important for improving the quality of care.

Mr. Blackson had earlier used social media to criticise the care his mother received at UGMC, prompting the hospital’s response.

By: Jacob Aggrey

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