Governing Bodies
Ghana sports minister loses hope in World Cup qualification
Ghana’s Minister for Youth and Sports, Mustapha Ussif has admitted things might not go Ghana’s way when they face Nigeria in the World Cup play-off and has therefore called on Ghanaians to accept the outcome of the game.
The first leg of the potentially crunchy encounters are barely 24 hours away. Ghanaian publications revealed that the minister has already prepared the minds of citizens to accept the looming defeat.
Although he accepted things might not go Ghana’s way on Friday, he has complete confidence in the Black Stars to pick up a win against Nigeria.
“There are three outcomes when it comes to football. Our expectation is to win and we pray to God that we do so. It’s possible that we might go into the game and not deliver so we should be ready to accept that. I urge the players to lift the flag of Ghana high,” he said.
“On the 25th, the players are not only playing for themselves, but they are also playing for the 30 million Ghanaians. Everybody will be watching them. Whatever happens on the pitch will have an impact on every home in Ghana that day. I have no doubt, I have total confidence in the team to deliver that day.
The Minister also spoke about the importance of playing the game at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium after the game was moved there from the Cape Coast Stadium.
He believes the atmosphere in Kumasi and the size of the stadium will ensure the Black Stars have the best-possible support against Nigeria.
“Most of the World Cup qualification matches were played at Cape Coast. This playoff is huge, especially playing against Nigeria. In every aspect of our lives, we compete against Nigeria. A lot of Ghanaians want to come to the stadium and support the Black Stars,” he said.
“With Kumasi being the centre of our country, the location is a good thing because people coming all the way from Tamale will not have to travel too far. Kumasi is the heartbeat of sports.
“If you are talking of sports or football, majority of Ghanaian supporters are based in Kumasi. The stadium is very big and that is also good to get the numbers into the stadium to support our national team so that the team can lift the flag of our country high and I’m very confident of that.”
RELATED STORY: https://www.sportsvillagesquare.com/2022/01/31/ghanaian-prophet-prophesizes-super-eagles-defeat-of-ghana-in-world-cup-play-off/
The president of the Confédération of African Football, Dr. Patrice Motsepe, has announced five new CAF Vice Presidents. They are:
- CAF First Vice President: Mr Fouzi Lekjaa (Morocco)
- CAF Second Vice President: Mr Kurt Okraku (Ghana)
- CAF Third Vice President: Mr Pierre-Alain Mounguengui (Gabon)
- CAF Fourth Vice President: Ms Bestine Kazadi Ditabala (Democratic Republic of Congo)
- CAF Fifth Vice President: Mr Feizal Sidat (Mozambique)
In addition, the CAF President has co-opted Yacine Idriss Diallo, President of Fédération Ivoirienne de football, into the CAF Executive Committee.
The CAF Executive Committee also approved the names to fill vacant positions on several CAF Committees.
Organising Committee for the African Nations Championship (CHAN)
- President: Pierre-Alain Mounguengui (Gabon)
CAF Technical and Development Committee
- President: Samuel Eto’o (Cameroon)
- Vice President: Malouche Belhassen (Tunisia)
CAF Medical Committee:
- President: Dr. Mohammed Bouya (Mauritania)
- Vice President: Dr. Thulani Ngwenya (South Africa)
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Governing Bodies
Nigeria becoming an epicentre of global badminton as Francis Orbih enters the Badminton World Federation Council
Laurels on the courts and now glory in the boardroom sums up the mark that badminton is making in Nigeria.
The President, Badminton Federation of Nigeria (BFN), Francis Orbih, has been elected as a council member of the Badminton World Federation (BWF).
The election took place during the BWF Annual General Meeting on Saturday in Xiamen, China.
Orbih emerged victorious over top contenders from other African countries.
He will join Cameroon’s Odette Assembe Engoulou on the council, while Chipo Zumburani (Zimbabwe) and Hadia ElSaid (Egypt) missed out.
An elated Orbih expressed his gratitude to fellow badminton presidents across the globe for their trust and support.
He said, “I am deeply honoured by the trust placed in me by my peers across the badminton world.
“I look forward to quality representation, driving development initiatives, and strengthening badminton’s global reach over the next four years.”
Orbih also acknowledged the support of the Federal Government of Nigeria, particularly the National Sports Commission (NSC), which he said played a significant role in his successful bid.
“The Chairman and the Director General of the NSC monitored the entire process. I’m grateful for their involvement and confident Nigeria will benefit from this,” he stated.
He further appreciated the BFN board members and the Nigerian badminton community for their prayers and continued belief in his leadership.
“From the day I declared my intentions, the board members of BFN have been supportive, and I promise not to disappoint them,” Orbih concluded.
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A former member of the FIFA Council, Mamoutou Toure, has been released from jail in Mali after almost two years in detention for alleged corruption, Malian media reports said on Wednesday.
Toure, president of the Malian Football Federation since 2019, was released after 622 days in prison on Tuesday.
He served on the FIFA Council, world football’s all-powerful decision-making body, for four years until last month when he lost his seat after failing to contest new elections.
The 67-year-old was arrested in August 2023 on allegations of embezzling $28 million of public funds but was granted a provisional release order by the Malian courts, reports said.
He was accused of misconduct during his time as the National Assembly’s financial and administrative director from 2013-2019.
Toure denied all charges and, during his time in jail, was last August re-elected as Malian Football Federation president for a second consecutive term, with his supporters claiming he was a victim of a conspiracy fuelled by detractors.
While in jail, he received a letter of support from FIFA president Gianni Infantino. However, as of last month, Toure is no longer a member of the FIFA Council or the Confederation of African Football’s executive committee.
-Reuters
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