Coach Appiah tasks local players to "impress" him to make his 2019 AFCON squad

Coach Kwesi Appiah

Black stars coach Kwesi Appiah has tasked local players to prove themselves to join his 2019 African Cup of Nations squad.  Coach Appiah in an interview revealed he is ready to give call ups to local lads as long as they ‘impress” him.

He believes a tournament going to be organized by the Normalization Committee, serves as the prefect opportunity to assess the local lads since football has been dormant in the country due to a documentary by Ace journalist Anas Aremeyaw Anas titled Number 12, which exposed corruption in the game.

"I am aware the Normalisation Committee will be starting a tournament this year for our clubs," Ghana coach James Kwesi Appiah told Kessben FM.

"Between now and May, any locally-based player who impresses me will have the chance to join the Black Stars to the 2019 African Cup of Nations."

The Normalisation Committee tasked by FIFA to bring football into normalcy last month revealed they will be organisng a tournament to keep clubs busy.

"The GFA Normalisation Committee is pleased to announce that it has outlined the way forward for the resumption of official domestic football activities in the country," a statement signed by president Kofi Amoah.

"The Normalisation Committee has created a new competition structure, which will involve all sixteen (16) Premier League and all forty-eight (48) Division One League clubs in the country.

"The new competition, which will keep all the clubs active during the GFA normalisation process, as well as produce Ghana’s representatives for the next Caf Champions League and Confederations Cup respectively, is scheduled to start on January 26, 2019, and end on April 21, 2019.

"The Normalisation Committee appreciates the quest of our members and football-loving Ghanaians for football to return, hence the extra effort we put in place to find the needed resources for this special competition.

"The competition will soon be launched and the full details of the format will be announced."

Bournemouth captures Solanke

Dominic Solanke

Bournemouth has completed the signing of striker Dominic Solanke for £19m from Liverpool, which will rise to up to £25m if bonus related targets are met.

Solanke winner of the player of the tournament at the 2017 Under-20 World Cup, signed for Liverpool from Chelsea in July 2017 making over 20 appearance  before joining Bournemouth.

"The club is going somewhere - it's a good club to be at, especially for someone of my age," said Solanke.

Cherries boss Eddie Howe expressed his excitement about his new signing.

"Dominic is technically gifted, very athletic and has the physical profile that will give us something different in our front line," said Howe

Tottenham exercise Alderweireld option

Toby Alderweireld (Picture Getty)

Tottenham hotspurs has triggered the one year option in Toby Alderweireld's contract. The Belgian centre back new extension will see him stay with the club until 2020.

An official statement from the club read, ‘The Club can confirm that we have activated the option to extend Toby Alderweireld’s contract until 2020".

‘The Belgium international defender has made 135 appearances for us to date since signing from Atletico Madrid in 2015.

‘Capped 88 times by his country, Toby began his professional career with Eredivisie side Ajax before moving to Madrid in 2013. His first introduction to the Premier League came during a season-long loan at Southampton in 2014/15 prior to joining us.’

"We were outstanding from the first minute" - Guardiola

Pep Guardiola has heaped praise on his players for their outstanding performance against Liverpool.

Manchester City beat league leaders Liverpool 2-1 at the Etihad Stadium in yesterday's  encounter.

Goals from Sergio Aguero and Leroy Sane helped Mancity to carry the day, with Roberto Firmino scoring the consolation goal for Liverpool.


"The game was a real game for both sides, we beat an incredible team," Guardiola told Sky Sports.

"We were outstanding from the first minute. We are happy for this victory to reduce the gap. Everything is open.

"Liverpool don't concede goals, and we scored two. We played with courage, so aggressive in our pressing. They are incredibly fast in behind, so dangerous.

"If we lost today it is almost done, it would be so difficult. But we are four points behind them and they are the leaders. We have to fight a lot, but this gives us a lot of confidence."

Kurt E.S.Okraku supports J.A. Kuffour Cup with 3000 tickets

Kumasi Asante Kotoko will battle with regional rivals AshantiGold at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium on Sunday 6th January 2019.

The match dubbed the J.A. Kuffour Cup will be played to commemorate his 80th birthday.

As part of activities to geared towards honouring the ex President, Dreams Fc Executive Chairman Kurt E.S.Okraku, has bought 3000 tickets to support him.

The tickets will be distributed to loving football fans to troop to the stadium.

This he deem it fit to thank him for having made  enormous contribution as President  of Ghana to the football industry from 2001 to 2009.

Proceeds from the match will be used for various developments and leadership projects.

Cristiano Ronaldo scoops two awards at the Globe Soccer Awards

Ronaldo's overhead kick was adjudged the best goal

Cristiano Ronaldo has began 2019 with a bang after scooping two awards at the Globe Soccer Awards in Dubai on Thursday night.

Ronaldo's overhead kick was adjudged the best goal of 2018. He also walked away with the overall best player for 2018.

Ronaldo took to his Instagram to thank all who made it possible to achieve another honour.

"What better way to start the new year. Thanks for the appreciation and the care that I have received today."

Coach of the year went to France's World Cup winning boss Didier Deschamps.

Atletico Madrid also had an evening to remember, with Los Rojiblancos voted as the best club of the year

Fabio Paratici was voted the director of the year, Jorge Mendes was chosen as the agent of the year and Blaise Matuidi was recognised for having the best career progress of the year.

Ronaldo Nazario Da Lima, Fabio Capello and Zvonimir Boban were also given awards for their past achievements in the game.


The Globe Soccer Awards are the annual awards given for excellence in football .

 It is organised by European Association of Player's Agents (EFAA) and  European Club Association (ECA).

Leroy Sane finish ends Liverpool unbeaten streak.

Sane finishes off a counter attack move

Manchester city has ended Liverpool unbeaten streak in the English premier league after a 2-1 win at the Etihad stadium.

City started the match better pinning Liverpool to that own half but it was Liverpool who had the better chance of the two sides.

A sublime pass from Salah unleashed Mane in the 17th minute only for his shot to hit the post in the 17th minute.

A cross from Bernardo Silva in the 40th minute was met with a touch and smash into the roof of the net by Aguero. This takes his tally to 250th goal in the premiership. This is also Aguero's 7th goal in 14matches against Liverpool.

A cross from Alexander Arnold cross split city's defence and met Robertson who them squared it for Firmino to head home the equalizer.

Sane made it 2-1 for city after a counter attack assisted by Sterling.

Vincent Kompany speaking to skysports after the match said "I'm even worried about the result, we went toe to  toe with them and matched them in everything".

This is the first lose for Liverpool in the 2018/19 premier league and has their 7 points  at the summit cut to 4points.

CAF Confederation Cup: Samir Guezzaz to handle Coton Sport vs Asante Kotoko tie

Referee Samir Guezzaz

Moroccan referee, Samir Guezzaz has been appointed as the centreman to officiate the CAF Confederation cup tie first leg, between Coton Sport de Garoua and Kumasi Asante Kotoko.

The match slated for January 13 2019, will be played at the Stade Militaire in  Cameroon, Yaounde.

This will be the second time referee Samir Guezzaz will be officiating a match involving a Ghanaian club as he officiated the CAF Champions League clash between Aduana Stars and Al Tahhady last year February.

Samir Guezzaz will be assisted by Lahcen Azgaou and Youssef Mabrouk on the lines.

4 out of 4 for Solskjaer : as manutd beat Newcastle

Manutd continued their resurgent run under interim manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as they beat Newcastle by 2-0 at the St James park.

Manutd who had found their mojo under Solskjaer haven beaten Cardiff 5-1, Huddersfield 3-1 and Bournemouth 4-1 failed to break the deadlock in the first half.

A tactical change by Ole Solskjaer in the 2nd half, bringing on Lukaku and Sanchez saw his charges break the jinx in 63rd minute through Romelu Lakaku.

Marcus Rashford added the second in the 80th minute to make it 3goals out of 4games under his current manager.

Solskjaer in his post match presser said he he is enjoying the atmosphere and does not want to leave the club.

'I don't want to (leave) - of course I won't,' Solskjaer said. 'It's such a great bunch of players, fantastic atmosphere, but it's the next game, it's the next game.

'I'm doing my job as long as I'm here. If you win four you can win another four with this club.

'That's the challenge, that's the standard we know. That used to be the challenge from the gaffer (Sir Alex Ferguson) he added.

Manutd next hurdle in the premiership is against Tottenham at the Wembley stadium.