AFCON 2017: Focus On Black Stars (End of the road)

[Senator WIRES]

I will be "muderating" and posting news from the BS Camp as we Gherneans countdown to the African Cup of Nations tournament next year.
Akwaaba!

GFA summons Grant to defend Stars AFCON list

The Ghana Football Association (GFA) has summoned the head coach of the Black Stars, Avram Grant, to fly down from the UK to defend his provisional list for the upcoming Africa Nations Cup in Gabon.

The Stars coach, as usual, forwarded a 30-man provisional list to the GFA yesterday for its perusal prior to the commencement of the team’s preparations towards the tournament in Accra next Tuesday.

But a source close to the FA told the Graphic Sports yesterday that members of the Black Stars Management Committee were not keen to discuss the list in the absence of Grant and, therefore, entreated the FA to impress upon the coach to fly down to defend his selection.

According to the source, the Committee will meet tomorrow afternoon to deliberate on the coach’s provision list, among other related issues regarding the tournament.

However, another grapevine source confided in this paper that he was not impressed with the provisional list submitted by the coach, which is the more reason why he needed to be around to defend the inclusion of some players in the squad.

Without mentioning names, the source noted that the list did not reflect the true picture of the quality of players the nation boasts of currently.

But as the management committee reassembles to scrutinise the calibre of players in the provision squad, whether or not Grant would be present remains to be seen.

The 30-man team is expected to be pruned down when the Stars begin non-residential camping in Accra on December 27. The final 23-man squad will be submitted to CAF during the final phase of the team’s camping in Dubai from January 2.

Among the players who are likely to make the final squad include skipper Asamoah Gyan and his deputy Andre Dede Ayew, Jordan Ayew, Baba Abdul Rahman, Daniel Amartey, John Boye, Harrison Afful, Afriyie Acquah, Mubarak Wakaso, Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu, Abdul Majeed Waris, Razak Braimah, Frank Acheampong and Samuel Tetteh.
http://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/S ... ist-496044

[Senator WIRES]

Gyan declares himself 'fully armed' for 2017 Africa Cup of Nations


Ghana captain Asamoah Gyan says he is mentally and physically ready for next month’s 2017 Africa Cup of Nations.

Gyan has battled injuries since joining Dubai-based side Al Ahli on loan from Chinese Super League side Shanghai SIPG.

But 31-year-old lasted the entire duration in their league match against Al-Ittihad Kalba.

Gyan said: ''I am ready for the tournament, physically and mentally. We all know what is at stake, the last time we came so close and this time we really want to end it.

''I have the hope and believe we will win next year’s title, we just have to go out there and work hard.''

Gyan will be playing in his sixth Africa Cup of Nations after making his debut on home soil in 2008.
http://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/N ... hp?ID=9924

[Bigpokey24]

Armed ke?

[truetalk]

I will be "muderating" and posting news from the BS Camp as we Gherneans countdown to the African Cup of Nations tournament next year.
Akwaaba!

GFA summons Grant to defend Stars AFCON list

The Ghana Football Association (GFA) has summoned the head coach of the Black Stars, Avram Grant, to fly down from the UK to defend his provisional list for the upcoming Africa Nations Cup in Gabon.

The Stars coach, as usual, forwarded a 30-man provisional list to the GFA yesterday for its perusal prior to the commencement of the team’s preparations towards the tournament in Accra next Tuesday.

But a source close to the FA told the Graphic Sports yesterday that members of the Black Stars Management Committee were not keen to discuss the list in the absence of Grant and, therefore, entreated the FA to impress upon the coach to fly down to defend his selection.

According to the source, the Committee will meet tomorrow afternoon to deliberate on the coach’s provision list, among other related issues regarding the tournament.

However, another grapevine source confided in this paper that he was not impressed with the provisional list submitted by the coach, which is the more reason why he needed to be around to defend the inclusion of some players in the squad.

Without mentioning names, the source noted that the list did not reflect the true picture of the quality of players the nation boasts of currently.

But as the management committee reassembles to scrutinise the calibre of players in the provision squad, whether or not Grant would be present remains to be seen.

The 30-man team is expected to be pruned down when the Stars begin non-residential camping in Accra on December 27. The final 23-man squad will be submitted to CAF during the final phase of the team’s camping in Dubai from January 2.

Among the players who are likely to make the final squad include skipper Asamoah Gyan and his deputy Andre Dede Ayew, Jordan Ayew, Baba Abdul Rahman, Daniel Amartey, John Boye, Harrison Afful, Afriyie Acquah, Mubarak Wakaso, Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu, Abdul Majeed Waris, Razak Braimah, Frank Acheampong and Samuel Tetteh.
http://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/S ... ist-496044

Na wah for these Bredas O!

You mean like day students, they will train & everyone will be dismissed to go to their houses. What of those that only have houses in Takoradi, Akosombo and Kumasi?

Trawlings, you won't see this one. First your people were crying over no chicken on their food in Nigeria, now this! Non residential 'day' footballers

[tfco]

[greg]

Dis thread could backfire spectacularly if Ghana win this AFCON. On the other hand, if the streak extends, then it will not be funny anymore. I'll be tired of laffing @ Ghena.....NOT

[Senator WIRES]

Majeed Waris allays injury fears ahead of AFCON

Ghana has been handed a major boost ahead of the 2017 AFCON after striker Abdul Majeed Waris confirmed his recent injury is not as serious as feared.

The 25-year-old was forced off the pitch in the 42nd minute as French midfielder Jimmy Cabot knocked him at the Parc des Princes in a clash with PSG.

It was feared he could be out for some time now but the in-form Ghana striker says he is set to return in a week's time.

“It is nothing serious. You know I am just returning from injury and did not want to worsen it. I felt some slight pain and didn’t want to force it."

Waris was adjudged the best player for Lorient last month.
http://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/S ... CON-496348

[Senator WIRES]

Will there be another heart break again ?

Afcon heartbreak: Five players who have hurt Ghana




Goal profiles the five occasions that Ghana have had their hopes at recent editions of the Nations Cup killed and the protagonists who made it happen
Goalkeeper Boubacar 'Copa' Barry saved and then scored respectively the two kicks which climaxed the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations final, helping Cote d'Ivoire to a first continental crown in 23 years.
In doing so, though, Barry became the latest in a long line of players who have practically single-handedly crushed Ghanaian dreams in Afcon history. Below are some of the more recent examples:
Siyabonga Nomvethe (Afcon 2000, Quarter-finals; South Africa 1-0 Ghana)
Ghana, when it co-hosted the 2000 Africa Cup of Nations with Nigeria, prayed to make its preparedness count. And, until the Black Stars faced off with South Africa in Kumasi, it was all going quite well; Bafana Bafana forward Siyabonga Nomvethe's effort just before recess sapped Ghana's expectations and truncated their participation at the tournament's quarter-final stage. It's been fifteen years already, but few are the Ghanaians who have forgotten that episode.
Garba Lawal (Afcon 2002, Quarter-finals; Nigeria 1-0 Ghana)
Two years later, Ghana showed up at the Nations Cup, hoping to make an impact in Mali. They didn't, again going no farther than the last-eight stage, courtesy Garba Lawal's late stunner on a day Ghana goalkeeper Sammy Adjei truly earned his 'Bamako' nickname. That it had to be at the hands of fierce foes Nigeria made it especially tough for coach Fred Osam Duodu's team to take.
Stephane Mbia (Afcon 2008, Semi-finals; Cameroon 1-0 Ghana)
When Ghana got to welcome the continent again, in 2008 and this time on their own, the country's hopes of claiming that elusive fifth Nations Cup title were higher than they'd ever been. Ghana FA President Kwesi Nyantakyi inspired a host-and-win mantra, yet Cameroon - and Stephane Mbia, their current skipper - apparently had little regard for that script. Mbia's winner in the semi-final ensured Ghana again had cause to grind their teeth.
Nagy Gedo (Afcon 2010, Finals; Egypt 1-0 Ghana)
Prior to Sunday's heartbreak against neighbours Cote d'Ivoire, Ghana had only once made the Afcon final since the turn of the century, and the memories were just as bad. A side nearly as lightweight as that which represented the West Africans at Equatorial Guinea 2015 upset the odds to go all the way, only to be undone by Egyptian super-sub Nagy Gedo, who crept up from the bench to score the last of the five goals which won him the topscorer's prize and a seventh Afcon crown for the Pharaohs.
Emmanuel Mayuka (Afcon 2012, Semi-finals; Zambia 1-0 Ghana)
Mayuka, only 17 when Ghana hosted the 2008 Nations Cup (no one was younger at that competition), sent Ghana reeling, away from the 2012 edition's final and into an eventually lost third-place match, with a solitary strike which sealed a 1-0 victory for Herve Renard's Zambia. The Chipolopolo would go on to beat Cote d'Ivoire - the very side Renard guided to conquest this year - in the Libreville championship
http://www.goal.com/en-gh/

[Senator WIRES]

Buhari: "since my Suffa Eagus cannot fly to Gabon, me and fellow Naigereans wish am the Flack Stars of Ghana all the best..Allahikemu!!

[Senator WIRES]

Sports Minister orders Black Stars to pitch camp in Equatorial Guinea

Ghana's Youth and Sports Minister Nii Lantey Vanderpauye has asked the Black Stars team and officials train in Equatorial Guinea ahead of their participation at next year's Africa Cup of Nations in Gabon.

Recent reports suggested officials of the team had opted to be in Dubai for two weeks but our sources reveal the outgoing Sports Minister insists they travel to Equatorial Guinea.

Although coach Avram Grant is yet to name his squad, the team will begin a non-residential camping here in Accra on December 28 before leaving for the yet to be confirmed destination for the pre-tournament camping on January 2.

The Black Stars will be hoping to end the country's 34-year wait for an African title after narrowly missing out the title to Ivory Coast at the last edition of the tournament in Equatorial Guinea. Ghana is in Group D with Mali, Egypt and Uganda.
http://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/S ... nea-496653

[Senator WIRES]

Spanish coach Nus joins Ghana for Afcon 2017
Spanish coach Gerard Nus will be part of Ghana's technical team at the 2017 Africa Cup Nations in Gabon, Goal can reveal.

The 31-year-old, who is the current assistant director of Spanish club Rayo Vallecano, is expected at the Black Stars pre-tournament camp in Dubai, UAE.

The former Liverpool backroom staffer is not new to the Black Stars and the Afcon, having been part of the West Africans' contingent for the 2015 tournament in Equatorial Guinea where the team fell to Cote d'Ivoire on penalties in the final.

The former Melbourne City assistant coach recently had a spell with American outfit Rayo OKC as head coach.

Fitness coach Jamie Lawrence, from England, who was also part of Ghana's 2015 Afcon party, is likely to join the team for Gabon.

The Black Stars will spend 12 days of camping in the United Arab Emirates, before heading for the tournament on January 13 - a day to the start of the competition.

In the quest for a fifth Afcon title, Avram Grant's men will play in Group D, alongside Egypt, Mali and Uganda.
http://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/S ... 017-497328

[1naija]

When is this AFCON Lite starting?

[bamenda boy]

Will there be another heart break again ?

Afcon heartbreak: Five players who have hurt Ghana




Goal profiles the five occasions that Ghana have had their hopes at recent editions of the Nations Cup killed and the protagonists who made it happen
Goalkeeper Boubacar 'Copa' Barry saved and then scored respectively the two kicks which climaxed the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations final, helping Cote d'Ivoire to a first continental crown in 23 years.
In doing so, though, Barry became the latest in a long line of players who have practically single-handedly crushed Ghanaian dreams in Afcon history. Below are some of the more recent examples:
Siyabonga Nomvethe (Afcon 2000, Quarter-finals; South Africa 1-0 Ghana)
Ghana, when it co-hosted the 2000 Africa Cup of Nations with Nigeria, prayed to make its preparedness count. And, until the Black Stars faced off with South Africa in Kumasi, it was all going quite well; Bafana Bafana forward Siyabonga Nomvethe's effort just before recess sapped Ghana's expectations and truncated their participation at the tournament's quarter-final stage. It's been fifteen years already, but few are the Ghanaians who have forgotten that episode.
Garba Lawal (Afcon 2002, Quarter-finals; Nigeria 1-0 Ghana)
Two years later, Ghana showed up at the Nations Cup, hoping to make an impact in Mali. They didn't, again going no farther than the last-eight stage, courtesy Garba Lawal's late stunner on a day Ghana goalkeeper Sammy Adjei truly earned his 'Bamako' nickname. That it had to be at the hands of fierce foes Nigeria made it especially tough for coach Fred Osam Duodu's team to take.
Stephane Mbia (Afcon 2008, Semi-finals; Cameroon 1-0 Ghana)
When Ghana got to welcome the continent again, in 2008 and this time on their own, the country's hopes of claiming that elusive fifth Nations Cup title were higher than they'd ever been. Ghana FA President Kwesi Nyantakyi inspired a host-and-win mantra, yet Cameroon - and Stephane Mbia, their current skipper - apparently had little regard for that script. Mbia's winner in the semi-final ensured Ghana again had cause to grind their teeth.
Nagy Gedo (Afcon 2010, Finals; Egypt 1-0 Ghana)
Prior to Sunday's heartbreak against neighbours Cote d'Ivoire, Ghana had only once made the Afcon final since the turn of the century, and the memories were just as bad. A side nearly as lightweight as that which represented the West Africans at Equatorial Guinea 2015 upset the odds to go all the way, only to be undone by Egyptian super-sub Nagy Gedo, who crept up from the bench to score the last of the five goals which won him the topscorer's prize and a seventh Afcon crown for the Pharaohs.
Emmanuel Mayuka (Afcon 2012, Semi-finals; Zambia 1-0 Ghana)
Mayuka, only 17 when Ghana hosted the 2008 Nations Cup (no one was younger at that competition), sent Ghana reeling, away from the 2012 edition's final and into an eventually lost third-place match, with a solitary strike which sealed a 1-0 victory for Herve Renard's Zambia. The Chipolopolo would go on to beat Cote d'Ivoire - the very side Renard guided to conquest this year - in the Libreville championship
http://www.goal.com/en-gh/

I thought Eto'o was there skipper and he gave a decisive pass to the guy that sunk Ghena.
Can't recall his name.

[Rawlings]

When is this AFCON Lite starting?

after TB Joshua predicts the winner and the video is made public on youtube

[Senator WIRES]

[quote][/quote]
Jordan Ayew to miss first phase of AFCON training

English side Aston Villa have pleaded with Ghana football authorities to delay the arrival of striker Jordan Ayew for the country's training camp for the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations, GHANAsoccernet.com can exclusively reveal.

The Championship have approached the Ghana Football Association (GFA) begging that they should be allowed to use the attacker for their match against Cardiff City on Tuesday.

Players must be released by their club for the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations training camp by 1st January.

That is because FIFA laws state that players must be released by their clubs two weeks before a major tournament.

With Aston Villa facing Cardiff City on the 2nd January insiders close to the player have told GHANAsoccernet.com that the Claret and Blues have asked the GFA to use Ayew for the match before he travel to join the Black Stars.

Jonathan Kodjia of Ivory Coast is the other Aston Villa who will travel to the Africa Cup of Nations and the coach of the English side Steve Bruce has confirmed that they have approached the two federations over the delayed arrival of the dup.

"They leave us on the second. We are trying to see if they can play against Cardiff. We have gone to their associations and are waiting for them to come back to us," Steve Bruce confirmed.

"Of course they are big players but we knew that when we signed them. The African Nations lasts a month. We have four or five games but there are plenty of others who, hopefully, can rise to the challenge. It’s a big opportunity."

Ghana have already started their pre-tournament camping in Accra with 22 players in attendance on the first day of training.

They will travel to Dubai with the final 23-man squad and will train there for two weeks before departing to Gabon for the competition.

Ghana will play Uganda, Egypt and Mali in their group and they expect all their top players to arrive in good time to ensure the squad is in top shape.

http://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/S ... ing-497562

[Senator WIRES]

Latest Photos from Black Stars' training at Aquinas park

Black Stars began preparations for 2017 Africa Cup of Nations with their first training on Wednesday 28 December 2016 at St. Thomas Aquinas School Park in Accra.

[jb]

Latest Photos from Black Stars' training at Aquinas park

Black Stars began preparations for 2017 Africa Cup of Nations with their first training on Wednesday 28 December 2016 at St. Thomas Aquinas School Park in Accra.

A Bunch of losers. They always show up in high spirit and before you know it, they chicken out. This would have been a great opportunity for them considering that Nigeria is not in the mix, but kenke will always disappoint. ANC go sweet o.

[Senator WIRES]

Black Stars Anthem for AFCON 2017 Enjoy!!

"O naapo"
[/video]

[Chimex101]

Has Grant released the squad for the Black stars yet?

[Senator WIRES]

Has Grant released the squad for the Black stars yet?

Avram Grant to name Black Stars squad for AFCON on Monday
The Ghana Football Association's press conference to announce the Black Stars squad for the 2017 African Cup of Nations has been rescheduled to Monday January 2, 2017.

Coach Avram Grant was expected to name his 23-man squad for the tournament on Saturday December 31 before the team departs for their training tour in UAE.

However, the press conference will now be held at the Conference room of the GFA on Monday at 11:00am.

The team will therefore hold a training session on Saturday December 31 at the St Thomas Aquinas Senior High School park as part of their unofficial training sessions in Accra.

[Senator WIRES]

LIVESTREAMING: Avram Grant names provisional team for AFCON 2017
[/video]

Ghana Coach Avram Grant has dropped Ghana Premier League best player Latif Atta Blessing and Fatau Dauda in 26-man provisional team for UAE training ahead of Gabon AFCON 2017.

Ghana named a 26-man provisional team for the Black Stars training tour of the United Arab Emirates ahead of the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations.Andre Ayew, Daniel Amartey, Jordan Ayew, Andy Yiadom, Thomas Partey, Christian Atsu, Adam Kwarasey and captain Asamoah Gyan who were not in the country will meet the team in Dubai to continue preparations for the tournament.

For the players that trained here, our sources reveal coach Avram Grant has put defenders Nuru Sulley and Rashid Sumaila on Standby-the two players can only make the squad should Jonathan Mensah and Edwin Gyimah not passed fit.

Austria Lustenau striker Raphael Dwamena and sensational Schalke 04 Bernard Terkpetey have made the squad. Another massive inclusion is Ebenezer Ofori of Swedish side AIK.

Several other players who all trained with the team including Ghana Premier League player of the season Latif Blessing, Godsway Donyo, David Accam and goalkeepers Lawrence Ati-Zigi and Fatau Duada have all been dropped

http://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/S ... uad-498245

[Waffiman]

[Waffiman]

Hmmmmmm....

Grant is toast if we get the slack stars during this AFCON.