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Kenya backs Ghana to win 2022 World Cup
Black Stars
Some Kenyans have expressed optimism in the ability of Ghana’s senior national team the Black Stars to do well and make history in this year’s FIFA World Cup in Qatar by being the first African country to reach semi-finals and possibly win the coveted trophy.
They said it was time for Africa to win the FIFA World Cup, adding the Ghana Black Stars, who were very close to securing a semi-finals place during the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa, were the best placed team to achieve this historic feat during this year’s tournament.
They expressed their optimism at Hurlingham, on the Argwings Kodhek Road, Nairobi when the Ghana News Agency sought their opinions on how they knew Ghana and Ghana’s influence on the African continent.
This year’s FIFA World Cup will be staged in Qatar from November, 20 to December,18.
The Ghana Black Stars are one of the teams representing the African continent during this global competition.
Mr. Erastus Kylu, an accountant and resident of Nairobi, said “Ghana is noted for shining so much in football; in the FIFA World Cup and African Cup tournaments. Apart from the last World Cup that Ghana didn’t shine very well, the previous World Cups; Ghana was performing well and that was the team that I used to wake up very early to watch.”
He talked about the composition of the Black Stars and what must be their focus to win this year’s World Cup saying “There are some young players coming up. They need to really look at how to motivate them so that they can have one team, which is well coordinating and which can make Africa very proud because all of us in Africa look up to the Black Stars”.
Mr. Boniface Ochieng, an electrical engineer, and resident of Nairobi, said 1 know the Black Stars. They have been representing us in the World Cup for some time now. In 2010,they were the closest to getting Africa to the semi-finals for the first time were it not for Suarez hand ball and penalty miss.”
He added that “I think this time, they have a good team. We stand a chance again. We try again to reach at least the semi-finals. I think they are ready for that elusive semis and maybe even the finals.”
He encouraged the Black Stars “To train hard and well, and prepare. It is going to be a very tough group but we believe in them as Africa. We believe they are the best team to take us to the semi-finals and maybe the finals, and definitely going to win this year’s World Cup.”
Others spoke about Ghana being noted for cocoa production saying during their lower classes level, it used to appear in lessons when mentioning higher cocoa producers in Africa.
Source: www.adomonline.com
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
