Sports
Hearts of Oak player Mohammed Hussein apologises for post-match behaviour
Accra Hearts of Oak midfielder Mohammed Hussein has issued a public apology following an incident after the team’s recent match against rivals Asante Kotoko.
In a personal statement, Hussein expressed regret for his actions after the final whistle, acknowledging that his behaviour fell short of the respect expected by his club, teammates, fans, and the wider football community.
“I sincerely apologise to the Ghana Football Association, the referee, my teammates, our cherished supporters, and the wider football community. What happened after the final whistle was unacceptable, and I take full responsibility for my behaviour,” he said.
Hussein explained that he became frustrated during the game, feeling he was repeatedly fouled without adequate protection from the referees.
“In that moment of emotion, I allowed frustration to cloud my judgment. Instead of showing restraint and respect, I reacted wrongly and I regret it deeply,” he added.
He offered a direct apology to the match referee, acknowledging the challenges referees face in ensuring fairness.
“To the referee involved, I am truly sorry for confronting you in the manner that I did. I respect the difficult role referees play and humbly ask for your forgiveness,” he said.
Hussein pledged to learn from the incident, promising to remain calm under pressure and uphold the dignity of both his club and Ghanaian football.
“I will work harder to remain calm under pressure, to honour the phobia badge I love and wear, and to uphold the dignity of our beautiful game,” he said.
By: Jacob Aggrey
Ashantigold SC has terminated the contracts of three members of its technical team with immediate effect.
The affected officials are head coach and technical director Abdul Karim Zito, assistant coach Ernest Okyere, and goalkeepers’ trainer Robert Dabo.
The decision was announced in a statement signed by the club’s Chief Executive Officer, Edward Kwasi Akuoko.
According to the statement, the decision was taken following a consultative meeting by the Interim Management Committee on Monday, October 26, 2026.
The club says a caretaker coach has been appointed to steer the affairs of the team until a substantive coach/technical director is appointed.
Management expressed gratitude to the affected officials for their contribution and service to the team and wished them well in their future endeavours.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
England captain Harry Kane says it was extra special to be presented with the Ballon d’Or by one of his childhood idols.
Kane made the comment after receiving the prestigious award from former Brazilian striker Ronaldo Nazario.
“Ronaldo was one of my idols growing up,” Kane said.
The Bayern Munich striker described the moment as surreal, being honoured by a player he looked up to as a young footballer.
Kane was announced as the 2026 Ballon d’Or winner on Monday, October 26, at the London Palladium, marking the 70th anniversary of the award and the first time the ceremony was held outside France.
The 33-year-old beat stiff competition from second-placed Kylian Mbappe and Barcelona youngster Lamine Yamal to win his first ever Ballon d’Or.
He becomes the first Englishman to win the coveted individual award in 25 years since Michael Owen in 2001, and only the fifth Englishman ever after Stanley Matthews, Bobby Charlton, Kevin Keegan and Owen.
He is also the first Bayern Munich player to win the award since Karl-Heinz Rummenigge in 1981.
Kane won the award after a remarkable season in which he scored 61 goals in 51 club matches, the most a Bayern player has ever scored in one campaign.
Including England matches, it was 73 goals plus eight assists in 65 matches. His 73 goals is the second-highest single-season total ever behind Lionel Messi’s 82 in 2011-12.
Despite the goal haul, Kane did not win the Champions League or World Cup, with Bayern losing 6-5 on aggregate to Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League semi-finals and England losing 2-1 to Argentina in the World Cup semi-final before finishing third.
The award was presented by Brazilian great Ronaldo Nazario, a two-time Ballon d’Or winner himself, adding what was described as a special dimension to Kane’s historic achievement.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
