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#EIBQatar2022: “Be measured in your expectations” – Akonnor to Ghanaians
Ghana is one of 5 countries scheduled to represent Africa at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
Ghana qualified to the Mundial after topping a group which had South Africa, Zimbabwe and Ethiopia thereby progressing to the Play-off phase.
In the play-off phase, Ghana qualified at the expense of the much fancied Nigerian side via the away goal rule after playing out goalless draw in Ghana and a 1-1 draw in Nigeria.
Ghana’s Black Stars used 3 different managers to play the World Cup Qualifiers.
Charles Kwablah Akonnor started the World Cup Qualifiers as Ghana’s Head Coach overseeing Ghana’s 1-0 win over Ethiopia and the 0-1 loss to South Africa.
C.K. Akonnor was fired and Milovan Rajevac was brought in.
He was in the dugout for Ghana for 4 World Cup Qualifying Games. He was in charge when Ghana beat Zimbabwe 3-1, then beat Zimbabwe again 1-0, drew 1-1 with Ethiopia and beat South Africa 1-0 at home to top the group and qualify for the play-offs.
After Ghana’s worst ever AFCON showing, Milovan Rajevac was fired.
Borussia Dortmund’s Otto Addo then handled the 2 leg play-offs against Nigeria where Ghana qualified via the away goal rule.
Speaking on Soccer Chat with Fiifi Banson on GHOne TV, Charles Akonnor recognized the potential of Ghana’s team in staging an upset even though the odds do not favour Ghana performing well at the tournament.
However he was also quick to admonish Ghanaians not to demand a lot from this budding team.
“Our expectations shouldn’t be too high but of course I believe there’s a chance for us”, he said.
“I think that it is important that as a country we know where we are now. We played Brazil and lost and then beat Nicaragua. Therefore as Ghanaians, let us hide our differences and support the team because I saw what Ghana being at the World Cup to us in 2006 and 2010. I remeber the joyous celebrations in Ghana and I believe the Black Stars can reach similar goals this year or even do better”, C.K Akonnor added.
Charles Akonnor was of the view that his management style worked during his time with the Black Stars.
“I prepared and went in with a lot of faith believing that things will go on well. In my opinion, things went well.I managed to qualify the team to the AFCON. During rhe World Cup Qualifiers, Covid 19 and injuries led to me losing the job”, he explained.
Ghana’s first game is against Portgual on 24th November 2022 at the 974 Stadium.
Source: Starrfm.com.gh
Ghana’s First Lady, Lordina Mahama, has made a generous donation to the country’s national female Under-17 and Under-20 teams – Black Maidens and Black Princesses- as they continue preparations for major international assignments.
The donation, made on Friday, May 22, was presented on behalf of the First Lady by the Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, at the GFA Technical Centre in Prampram.
The gesture forms part of efforts to motivate and support Ghana’s young female footballers as they prepare to represent the country on the international stage.
The donation included essential food items and toiletries aimed at supporting the welfare and well-being of the players and technical teams.
The donation included cartons of Milo, T-rolls, soft drinks, toiletries, and a range of essential supplies aimed at supporting the welfare of the players, enhancing camp conditions, and easing preparations ahead of their respective assignments.
The Black Maidens are currently engaged in preparations for the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup qualifiers and are set to take on Liberia women’s national under-17 football team in the second-leg encounter in Liberia this weekend.
Meanwhile, the Black Princesses have already secured qualification to the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup after overcoming Uganda in the qualifiers, extending Ghana’s remarkable record to eight consecutive appearances at the tournament.
The donation by the First Lady was expected to boost morale within both camps while reinforcing national support for the young female footballers who continue to make the country proud.
The prosecution has officially rested its case in The Republic v Solomon Asamoah & Another, the high-profile legal battle commonly referred to as the “Sky Train” case.
The Deputy Attorney General Justice Srem Sai announced the development, praising the state’s team of hard-working prosecutors for successfully anchoring the state’s evidence before the High Court.
The criminal trial centers on the former Chief Executive Officer and the former Board Chairman of the Ghana Infrastructure Investment Fund (GIIF).
The duo stands accused of illegally authorizing and paying out US$2 million to a foreign company without obtaining board directives or other mandatory statutory approvals.
State investigators have confirmed that the disbursed millions cannot be found.
Following the closure of the prosecution’s case, the accused persons moved the court for an opportunity to file a submission of no case.
The presiding judge granted the application, ordering the defense to submit their arguments by June 8.
The outcome of the June 8 filings will decide the fate of the trial:
With this, if the judge finds the defense’s submission convincing, the accused will be acquitted and discharged however, If the judge dismisses the submission, the court will order the accused officials to take the stand and explain why they should not face prison sentences.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
