In Ghana, Kevin-Prince Boateng has been slammed by a number of Black Star players. The Spain-based midfielder set twitter ablaze with his jibe that the current Ghanaian team did not do enough.
The comment drew the ire of captain Gyan who let rip into his colleague, accusing him of never sacrificing for the country.
The UAE-based player is not particularly bothered by criticism towards the team from other quarters, but didn’t expect one from a fellow player in Boateng.
“Ghana deserves better. Fine we the players know that Ghana deserves better.
[perfectpullquote align=”full” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]”(But) from what I have seen, Kevin Prince Boateng has never sacrificed for this Ghana national team. I leave this comment for journalists to talk about.[/perfectpullquote]
“I respect Kevin Prince Boateng so much for the kind of player he is, but that comment he made surprises and amazes me. I was not expecting that from him,” Gyan told Kumasi-based radio, Angel FM.
Also trending is New Zealand-born Ghanaian footballer, Appiah Kwabena. The 24-year-old star said he nearly and desperately sought counseling from a psychiatrist, after going four years without scoring a goal.
Kwabena broke his shocking goal jinx last Sunday to secure points for The Mariners.
After the game, Appiah who plays in the Australian A-League told fourfourtwo,“I was starting to think I was cursed, I was going to start seeing a psychiatrist.”
Describing how he felt, an emotional Kwabena added, “I just couldn’t believe that I scored and I’m happy that I got the monkey off my back.
[perfectpullquote align=”full” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]“If you don’t keep the faith what else do you have? To be honest, I did lose a bit of faith here and there but I guess perseverance paid off.[/perfectpullquote]
“Coming on is not an easy thing to do but Paolo’s put a lot of faith in me. Coming on and helping us get the three points and cross that line and get our first back-to-back win in a long time, is a great feeling.”
Shifting to the domestic front, Ghana League Club Association boss, Kudjoe Fianoo is threatening to quit his job claiming he is being betrayed by some members in the umbrella body.
Fianoo believes he’s being let down over his ‘fight’ with Ghana FA concerning the sponsorship deal with Chinese firm, StarTimes.
Clubs agreed not to partake in the league in reaction to the secrecy in which the sponsorship package for the league is being handled by the FA.
But it appears Fianoo might have to fight alone with some teams namely; Astante Kotoko and Hearts of Oak, pulling away and accepting offers behind his back.
Clubs are demanding full disclosure of contract terms of the sponsorship deal before committing to play in the upcoming league season.
In Tunisia, ES Sahel are set to slug it out with Esperance in the finals of the Tunisia’s Volleyball Championship Super Play-off.
Sahel cruised over CS Safxien 3-2 and 3-1 in the first and second leg respectively, to set up a final clash with Esperance, who beat SS Bousaid in the other semi-final.
The final will take on as a double-legged tie with the first meeting scheduled for April 8th and the second, seven days later.
Topping talking points in East Africa is Rwanda’s vacant managerial job. The Rwandan FA is being bombarded with enquires with number of applicants vying for the job hitting up to fifty.
Rwanda’s football governing body is in the search for a new man to take charge of the Wasps for the CHAN. German gaffer Antoine Hey and ex- Algeria coach George Leekens are notable applicants.
The executive committee of the East Africa soccer body is set to meet to decide modalities used to undertake in selection of the best man for the job.
In Nigeria, Kelechi Iheanacho’s lack of game time at the Manchester City is the cover story on All Nigeria Soccer. According to the paper, the Nigerian Football Federation is considering sending Super Eagles’ coach, Gernot Rohr to investigate why the player isn’t being featured.
New signing, Gariel Jesus did not wait long to blossom and his performance is among the reasons for Kelechi’s recent snub.
Quoting an unnamed source, the paper’s feeder said, “We have decided to send Rohr to Manchester City to see Iheanacho and discuss his situation with him and the club.
[perfectpullquote align=”full” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]“He will be in England shortly to see Iheanacho and Pep Guardiola (Manchester City manager).”[/perfectpullquote]
Giving Guardiola uncompromising stance towards interference with his work, it will certainly be worth the wait to see the Spaniard’s reaction – if All Nigeria Soccer’s report is anything to go by – when coach Rohr approaches the ex-Barcelona tactician regarding Kelechi.
In southeast of Nigeria, fans of Premier league club Enyimba International Football Club are planning to stage a protest around the city over the non-completion of the club’s stadium, a situation which forces the team to play its home games in Calabar.
The group is ardent on holding the event in a bid to draw federal government’s attention to the plight of the team.
Over to South Africa, Super Sport United leads the way in the Rain Bow nation’s Absa Sponsored Premier Soccer League. The Swaky Boys beat Golden Arrow 5-2 Wednesday evening to go top.
Featured photo: Kevin Prince Boateng has been criticised for his comments made on Ghana’s AFCON performance. (Harold Cunningham – FIFA)
