YAYA TOURE MAKES IT FOUR IN A ROW

Ivorian midfielder Yaya Toure was on Thursday, 8 January 2015 crowned African Player of the Year for the fourth time in a row.

The England-based midfielder achieved the historic feat of being the first player to be decorated African Player of the Year for four successive times at the Glo-CAF Awards Gala held in the Nigerian capital, Lagos.

Ex-Cameroon star, Samuel Eto’o is the other person to have won it four times, completing a hat-trick from 2003 to 2005 and later in 2010.

The Ivorian eased past Gabonese forward Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Nigeria goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama for the most prestigious individual honour in African football, decided by votes from Head Coaches or Technical Directors of the National Associations affiliated to CAF.

Toure, who previously won the title in (2011, 2012 and 2013) polled 175 votes against 120 by Aubameyang whilst Enyeama settled for third-place with 105 points.

Spotting black pants with black blazers to match, an elated Toure was presented with the prize by CAF President Issa Hayatou and assisted by Emmanuel Uduaghan, Governor of Delta State.

An emotion-filled Toure said: “I thank Allah for all the achievements. I have been blessed all these years. I also thank my fans.”

Yaya Toure(Ivory Coast & Manchester City)

For the African Player of the Year (Based in Africa), DR Congo forward Firmin Mubele Ndombe got the crown at the expense of Algerian duo, Akram Djahnit and El Hedi Belamieri in a keen contest.

The AS Vita forward garnered 136 points, seven richer than Djahnit. Belamieri finished in third position with 126 points.

The ceremony was attended by CAF President Issa Hayatou, members of the CAF Executive Committee amongst other stakeholders.

The show to honour Africa’s finest football personalities was a fusion of musical performances from renowned artistes including sensational twins, P-Square who entertained the guests with their captivating dance moves.

The masked one and Afro-Calypso originator, Lagbaja, also performed just “Shake,” and “Ada Ada” crooner, Flavour, ASEM from Ghana, Fally Ipupa of DR Congo, global jazz icon Hugh Masekela, Hakim of Egypt, Soweto Gospel Choir from South Africa and Tanzania award winning singer, Diamond.

The Women’s Player of the Year went to Nigeria midfielder Asisat Oshoala, who also scooped the Youth Player of the Year prize. The Super Falcons also got the Women’s National Team of the Year award.

Algeria had their stellar year rewarded with the National Team of the Year whilst local side, ES Setif was named Club of the Year and their coach Kheireddine Madoui. Algeria midfielder Yacine Brahimi was crowned the Most Promising Talent of the Year for his exploits during the year under review.

There was an emotional part to the ceremony as three surviving members of Oryx Douala class of 1964, maiden winners of the CAF Champions League picked up the Legend award. The trio; Epete Maurice, Colbert Kotto and Moukoko De Cofiance accompanied by President of the club, Moudouthe to pick up the prize.

Below are the full winners

African Player of the Year

Yaya Toure (Cote d’Ivoire and Manchester City)

African Player of the Year – Based in Africa

Firmin Mubele Ndombe (DR Congo and AS Vita)

Women’s Player of the Year

Asisat Oshoala (Nigeria and River Angels)

Youth Player of the Year

Asisat Oshoala (Nigeria and River Angels)

Most Promising Talent

Yacine Brahimi (Algeria and Porto)

Coach of the Year

Kheireddine Madoui (ES Setif)

National Team of the Year

Algeria

Women’s National Team of the Year

Nigeria

Club of the Year

ES Setif (Algeria)

Referee of the Year

Papa Bakary Gassama (Gambia)

Football Leader of the Year

Moise Katumbi Chapwe - President of TP Mazembe (DR Congo)

African Legend award

Oryx Club (Cameroon) – winners of the maiden edition of CAF Champions League 1964

Stade Malien (Mali) - runner up of the maiden edition of CAF Champion’s League 1964

Platinum Award

Dr Kwame Nkrumah (First President of Ghana)

His Excellency Goodluck Jonthan (President of Nigeria)

CAF Finest XI

Goalkeeper: Vincent Enyeama (Nigeria)

Defenders: Jean Kasulula (DR Congo), Mehdi Benatia (Morocco), Stephane Mbia (Cameroon), Kwadwo Asamoah (Ghana)

Midfielders: Yaya Toure (Cote d’Ivoire), Yacine Brahimi (Algeria), Fakhreddine Ben Youssef (Tunisia), Ahmed Musa (Nigeria)

Forwards: Asamoah Gyan (Ghana), Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Gabon)

Substitutes
Raïs M'Bolhi (Algeria), Firmin Mubele Ndombe (DR Congo), Ferdjani Sassi (Tunisia), Yao Kouasi Gervais ‘Gervinho (Cote d’Ivoire), Abdelrahman Fetori (Libya), Akram Djahnit (Algeria), Roger Assalé (Cote d’Ivoire)

MALI NAME AFCON 2015 SQUAD

Seydou Keita

The Eagles will be captained by 34-year-old Seydou Keita, who is enjoying a fine season with Italian giants AS Roma, in what will be his seventh Afcon tournament.

Goalkeepers Germain Berthe and N'Tji Michel Samake are the only two locally-based players called up by coach Henryk Kasperczak, with Samake included despite not being named in the initial 35-man squad.

Other surprise inclusions include Metz forward Modibo Maiga, who did not feature in any of Mali’s qualifiers, as well as Bordeaux midfielder Abdou Traore, who has not represented his country for over a year.

Mali, who finished third in the last two Afcon competitions, have been drawn in a tough group alongside African giants Cameroon, Ivory Coast and Guinea.

They are currently ranked 50th in the latest Fifa rankings and 11th in Africa, one spot above 12th placed Bafana Bafana.

FULL SQUAD:

Goalkeepers: Soumaïla Diakite (Esteghlal Khuzestan, Iran), Germain Berthe (Eleven Creators), N'Tji Michel Samake (CS Duguwolofila Mali)

Defenders: Drissa Diakite (Bastia, France), Fousseyni Diawara (Tours, France), Molla Wague (Udinese, Italy), Ousmane Coulibaly (Platanias, Greece), Adama Tamboura (Randers, Denmark), Idrissa Coulibaly (Hassania Agadir, Morocco), Salif Coulibaly (TP Mazembe, DR Congo), Mohamed Konate (Renaissance Berkane, Morocco)

Midfielders: Seydou Keita (Roma, Italy), Tongo Hamed Doumbia (Toulouse, France), Yacouba Sylla (Erciyesspor, Turkey), Mamoutou N'Diaye (Zulte Waregem, Belgium), Abdou Traore (Bordeaux, France), Sigamary Diarra (Valenciennes, France)

Forwards: Cheick Tidiane Diabate (Bordeaux, France), Bakary Sako (Wolverhampton Wanderers, England), Mustapha Yatabare (Trabzonspor, Turkey), Sambou Yattabare (Guingamp, France), Abdoulaye Diaby (Mouscron, Belgium), Modibo Maiga (Metz, France)

ALGERIA NAME AFCON 2015 SQUAD

The coach of Algeria Christian Gourcuff has named a 23-man squad for the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations tournament in Equatorial Guinea.
Gourcuff’s roster has three goalkeepers, eight defenders, nine midfielders and the rest being strikers.

The Desert Foxes are in Group C with Ghana, Senegal and South Africa for the 30th edition of the continental showpiece which kicks of January 17 to February 8.

THE FULL SQUAD

Goalkeepers: Rais Mbolhi (Philadelphia Union, USA), Doukha Izzeddine (JS Kabylie) Mohamed Lamine Zemmamouche (USM Algeria)

Defenders: Essaid Belkalem (Trabzonspor, Turkey), Madjid Bougherra (Fujaira, UAE), Faouzi Ghoualm (Napoli, Italy), Rafik Halliche (SC Qatar, Qatar), Aissa Mandi (Stade Reims, France), Carl Medjani (Trabzonspor, Turkey), Djamel Mesbah (Sampdoria, Italy), Mehdi Zeffane (Lyon, France)

Midfielders: Nabil Bentaleb (Tottenham, England), Yacine Brahimi (Porto, Portugal), Medhi Lacen (Getafe, Spain), Saphir Taider (Sassuolo, Italy), Mehdi Abeid (Newcastle United, England), Foued Kadir (Real Betis, Spain)

Forwards: Abdelmoumene Djabou (Club Africain, Tunisia), Sofiane Feghouli (Valencia, Spain), Riyad Mahrez (Leicester City, England), Islam Slimani (Sporting Lisbon, Portugal), Hilal Soudani (Dinamo Zagreb, Croatia), Ishak Belfodil (Parma, Italy)

SENEGAL NAME AFCON 2015 SQUAD

Senegal leave Demba Ba out of AFCON 2015 squad

Senegal have released their 23-man squad for the 2015 African Cup of Nations tournament in Equatorial Guinea.

The group opponents of the Black Stars of Ghana made one popular omission in their squad with coach Alain Giresse leaving out former Chelsea star Demba Ba.

Mohammed Diame and Issa Cissokho also missed out in the revealed list of players.

Below are the full list of players called up for the competition set to kick off in January.

Goalkeepers:

Bouna Coundoul, Lys Gomis, Pape Demba Camara

Defenders:

Zargo Touré, Boukary Drame, Kara Mbodji, Lamine Sane, Papy Mison Djilobodji Cheikh Mbengue Ndiaye Pape Souaré, Lamine Gassama

Midfielders:

Idrissa Gana Gueye, Salif Sane, Stephane Badji, Cheikhou Kouyaté, Alfred Ndiaye, Sadio Mane, Pape Diop Quli

Forwards:

Papiss Demba Cisse, Moussa Sow, Dame Ndoye, Mame Biram Diouf, Diafra Sakho

KWESI APPIAH INKS $15,000 CONTRACT WITH AL KHARTOUM

Former Ghana manager, Kwesi Appiah has signed a two year contract with Sudanese side, Al Khartoum. 

The coach who was unveiled in Khartoum on Wednesday, will earn a monthly salary of 15,000 dollars. 

Appiah, the only Ghanaian to have qualified the Black Stars to the World Cup is expected to begin his new challenge in January 2015, with the side keen on counting on his expertise in their quest to impress at the continental club competitions.

Al Khartoum finished fourth in the 2014 Sudanese Premier League and will feature in the 2015 CAF Confederation Cup.

The source said “Kwesi Appiah has signed a two-year contract with Al Khartoum and was unveiled today. He will be earning 15,000 dollars a month. He is loved here and hopefully we have will have a successful time together.”

 Appiah, according to the source will have an option of considering other offers he deem attractive during the period as well as having his wages doubled if he decides to stay on beyond one year.

This is the first time, Appiah, 54, will be coaching a side outside Ghana.

Source: Ghana News Agency

FORGET ABOUT SULLEY MUNTARI, OTHERS IF YOU WANT TO SUCCEED - GRANT ADVISED

Football legend and Ghanaian-born French international, Marcel Desailly, has advised Black Stars coach, Avram Grant, to look beyond Sulley Muntari and others if he wants to succeed as a coach in the country.

In his view, although Muntari is a good player, he does not think his inclusion in the team would inure to the benefit of the Black Stars and for that matter he must be axed out of the team.

 “It is time the coach cuts Muntari and the others out. He does not need them to succeed, the 46-year-old former Chelsea of England captain said in an interview with Viasat 1 morning show programme last Monday.

The World Cup winning ex-France skipper said it was about time the coach started afresh by going round to look for quality materials to rebuild the team and overlook those who could potentially cause distraction in the team.

“We have the players, you just have to find the magic formulae to allow them to perform. Today we are still using some players that potentially should not be in the team anymore, and you should allow some players to express themselves to be the new generation of players to perform for Ghana”, he said.

Using South Africa as an instance, Desailly challenged Grant to take a cue from the rainbow nation who, in spite of their well organised league, had a weak team until new players were invited and suddenly have started performing much to the admiration of many.

Touching on the role he would play with the Black Stars, he said he won’t be in their camp during the AFCON because it could be a distraction but what he would be doing would be to psyche them up and motivate them ahead of the competition.

He also explained that he turned down the Black Stars job offer because it wasn’t the right time for him due to the controversy that surrounded Kwasi Appiah’s dismissal and the fact that he was not part of the shortlisted applicants.

Source: Daily Graphic

ROUND OF 32 DRAW (EUROPA LEAGUE)

BSC Young Boys (SUI) v Everton FC (ENG)

Torino FC (ITA) v Athletic Club (ESP)

Sevilla FC (ESP) v VfL Borussia Mönchengladbach(GER)

VfL Wolfsburg(GER) v Sporting Clube de Portugal (POR)

AFC Ajax(NED) v Legia Warszawa (POL)

Aalborg BK (DEN) v Club Brugge KV (BEL)

RSC Anderlecht(BEL) v FC Dinamo Moskva (RUS)

FC Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk (UKR) v Olympiacos FC (GRE)

Trabzonspor AŞ (TUR) v SSC Napoli (ITA)

EA Guingamp (FRA) v FC Dynamo Kyiv (UKR)

Villarreal CF (ESP) v FC Salzburg (AUT)

AS Roma (ITA) v Feyenoord (NED)

PSV Eindhoven (NED) v FC Zenit (RUS)

Liverpool FC (ENG) v Beşiktaş JK (TUR)

Tottenham Hotspur FC (ENG) v ACF Fiorentina (ITA)

Celtic FC (SCO) v FC Internazionale Milano (ITA)

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE DRAW (ROUND OF 16)

Paris(FRA)                 v           Chelsea(ENG)

Man. City(ENG)        v           Barcelona(ESP)

Leverkusen(GER)    v           Atlético(ESP)

Juventus(ITA)           v           Dortmund(GER)

Schalke(GER)          v           Real Madrid(ESP)

Shakhtar Donetsk(UKR)    v            Bayern(GER)

Arsenal(ENG)                        v        Monaco(FRA)

Basel(SUI)                              v               Porto(POR)

HOW GHANAIAN PLAYERS FARED ABROAD

Black Stars winger Andre Ayew returned from injury to score for French Ligue 1 leaders Olympique as they won against Kwame Nsor’s Metz on Sunday night.

There was a brace for Ghana captain Asamoah Gyan on Friday while Prince Buaben highlighted his impressive form for Hearts of Midlothian by scoring in their win.

In Tunisia, former Hearts of Oak playmaker Uriah Asante scored for Gafsa on Sunday.

GHANAsoccernet.com’s Akyereko Frimpong Manson has a comprehensive wrap on how Ghanaian players fared abroad over the weekend.

ENGLAND

Black Stars winger Christian Atsu was axed from the Everton 18-man squad by Roberto Martinez as they lost 1-0 against Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday.

Jeffrey Schlupp was in full-time action for Leicester City as they lost 2-1 at Aston Villa at the Villa Park.

Youngster Hiram Boateng watched from the screens as his Crystal Palace side managed a goalless drawn game at Tottenham Hotspur.

In the Championship, winger Albert Adomah was in full-time action for Middlesbrough as they hammered Millwall 5-1 on Saturday afternoon.

At the City Ground, Charlton Athletic held Nottingham Forest to a 1-1 draw. Former Arsenal youth team player and Ghana U20 invitee Zack Ansah could not make the Charlton squad for the game.

Koby Arthur played the last 20 minutes for Birmingham City who lost 1-0 at Blackpool on Saturday afternoon.

Norwich City further enhanced their form for the season by beating Wigan Athletic 1-0. Norwegian international of Ghanaian descent Alexander Tettey played the entire game for Norwich.

In the Conference League, Andy Yiadom was in full-time action for leaders Barnet who beat Torquay United 2-1. Watford loanee Bernard Mensah sat on the Barnet bench for the entire game.

SPAIN

Fatau Mohammed was not in the Rayo Vallecano side that lost 1-0 against Sevilla.

Black Stars goalkeeper Razak Brimah kept the post for Mirandes who won 1-0 against Osasuna in the Segunda Division.

In the Segunda B, Benjamin Akoto Asamoah was in full-time action for Atletico Madrid B when they won 3-0 against Amorebieta.

Michael Anaba was in full-time action for Elche II who lost 1-0 against Olímpic de Xàtiva.

Clifford Aboagye returned from injury to play in Granada B’s 2-2 draw at 0 San Roque de Lepe. Richard Boateng also played in the game but Jafar Yeboah Ibrahim was unused by Granada B.

SCOTLAND

Black Stars winger Wakaso Mubarak returned to the Celtic squad but was unused as they won 1-0 against Motherwell.

Abdul Osman was also in action for Partick Thistle when they drew 1-1 with Kilmarnock.

In the Championship, midfielder Prince Abankwa Buaben scored the third goal for Hearts of Midlothian who beat Queen of the South 4-1.

FRANCE

Andre Ayew returned from injury to score the second goal for Olympique Marseille who defeated visiting Metz 3-1 at the Stade Velodrome. Kwame Nsor was not in the Metz squad for the game.

Black Stars attacker Jordan Ayew was booked in the 71st minute and played the entire game for Lorient as they lost 3-2 at Bordeaux.

French-born Ghanaian defender Dennis Appiah was not in the Caen team when they lost 3-2 against OG Nice on Saturday.

Defender Jonathan Mensah could not make the Evian TG squad for their 3-2 home loss against Olympique Lyon on Sunday.

In the Coupe de France, former Ghana U17 captain Charles Boateng was a full-timer for Avranches who won 1-0 at Matoury on Saturday.

NETHERLANDS

AZ Alkmaar improved their standings on the Eredivisie table after beating Go Ahead Eagles 2-0. Dutch-born Ghanaian youngster Ray Gyasi could not make the AZ squad for the game.

Would-be Ghanaian attacker Elvis Manu made a return from injury to play for Feyenoord as they hammered Excelsior Rotterdam 5-2. He climbed off the bench in the 57th minute to play.

NAC Breda shocked themselves with a 1-0 away win over Cambuur. Jeffrey Sarpong played until the 91st minute for Breda but former AC Milan attacker Kingsley Boateng was unused by Breda.

Young defender Kenny Tete could not make the Ajax Amsterdam squad when they demolished Willem II 5-0.

PSV Eindhoven protected their lead at the top of the table at the expense of Dordrecht after beating them 3-1. Neither Erixon Danso nor Marvin Peersmann was not in the Dordrecht squad for the game.

In other games, youngster Rodney Antwi failed to make the FC Utrecht squad when they lost 4-2 against Heracles Almelo. Hull City target Edwin Gyasi could not make the Heracles squad for the game.

Defender Johan Kappelhof played the entire game for FC Groningen when they drew 1-1 Heerenveen.

The second-tier league, NEC Nijmegen maintained their place at the top of the table after beating Achilles 6-2. German-born Ghanaian defender Marcel Appiah missed the game with injury but former Newcastle United attacker Frank Wiafe Danquah came off the bench to play for Achilles in the 69th minute.

Jonathan Opoku played the entire match for Oss who beat PSV II 2-0.

Mustapha Yahaya could not make the Twente II squad when De Graafschap defeated them 6-3.

In the Topklasse, Sir Ralph Owusu and Kenneth Misa-Danso played the entire game for Ajax Amateurs when they lost 1-0 against GVVV.

ITALY

Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu was in top shape for Udinese as he played the entire match for the Zebras as they defeated Inter Milan 2-1 at the Giuseppe Meazza. Former Black Stars defender Masahudu Alhassan failed to make the Udinese squad for the game while young defender Isaac Donkor was not in the Inter team.

Kwadwo Asamoah watched from the screens as his Juventus side were held to a 0-0 draw by Fiorentina in the Serie A on Friday evening.

Raman Chibsah watched from the bench as his Sassuolo side held AS Roma to a 2-2 draw at the Studio Olimpico.

Richmond Boakye-Yiadom missed Atalanta’s 3-2 win over Cesena due to suspension.

Genoa handed AC Milan a 1-0 defeat. Michael Essien missed the game due to suspension while Sulley Muntari sat on due to injury.

Afriyie Acquah returned from suspension to play for Parma but they suffered a 2-1 home loss against Lazio.

In the Serie B, Moses Odjer came off the bench to play the last 3 minutes of the game Catania when they drew 2-2 with Bologna.

Ransford Selasi played the last 26 minutes of the game for Pescara who won 4-0 against Pro Vercelli.

Fiorentina loanee Nii Nortey Ashong warmed the bench for Latina when they drew 0-0 with Perugia.

BELGIUM

Dutch-born full-back Mitch Apau was in full-time action for Westerlo as they slipped to a 2-1 home defeat at the hands of Waasland-Beveren. Former FC Porto full-back David Addy last 76 minutes for Waasland-Beveren.

In the Second Division, AS Eupen shared the spoils in a 1-1 draw with Seraing Utd. Ghanaian midfielder Samuel Asamoah played the entire 90 minutes of the game for Eupen.

CYPRUS

Anorthosis Famagusta were shocked 1-0 at their favourite home grounds by APOEL Nicosia on Friday. Defender Razak Nuhu was in full-time action for Anorthosis.

GERMANY

On Saturday, Black Stars full-back Baba Abdul Rahman lasted the entire duration of the game for Augsburg who won their fourth straight game after beating FC Koln 2-1.

Kevin-Prince Boateng missed Schalke 04?s 4-0 away win Stuttgart due to injury.

In the Bundesliga II, versatile German-born Ghanaian defender Philemon Ofosu-Aryeh played full throttle for Aalen who won their second straight game of the season after beating ten-man Heidenheim 1-0 on Friday.

Manfred Osei-Kwadwo could not make the Kaiserslautern squad when they won 3-0 against Erzgebirge Aue.

In the Liga 3, German-born midfielder Reagy Ofosu was in full-time action for Chemnitzer FC who lost 2-0 against Hallescher FC.

Evans Owusu Nyarko came off the bench in the 90th minute to play for Borussia Dortmund II when they drew 0-0 with Rot-Weiß Erfurt.

Ghanaian-born Canadian international Randy Edwini-Bonsu played the last 17 minutes for Stuttgarter Kickers who won 2-1 against Wehen Wiesbaden.

PORTUGAL

Former Black Stars winger Quincy Owusu-Abeyie marked his debut for Boavista after he came off the bench in the 57th to play in their 3-1 home loss to Sporting Lisbon.

SAUDI ARABIA

Al Orubah were held to a 0-0 draw by Al Shabab. Ghanaian striker Emmanuel Banahene played the last 11 minutes of the game for Orubah. Midfielder Moussa Narry also failed to make the Orubah squad for the game.

On Thursday, former Hearts of Oak playmaker Winful Cobbinah assisted a goal for Najran as they won 1-0 at Al Khaleej to move further away from the drop zone.

Elsewhere, Samuel Owusu played 69 minutes for Al Shoalah who won 3-1 against Hajer. Former Berekum Chelsea defender Ahmed Adams failed to make the squad.

UAE

Black Stars captain Asamoah Gyan scored a double for Al Ain as they fought from behind to 4-1 against bottom-placed Ittihad Kalba on Friday.

SOUTH AFRICA

Maritzburg United were held to a 0-0 draw by Pretoria University on Saturday. Ghanaian trio John Paintsil, Awal Mohammed and Anas Mohammed all played for Maritzburg.

In other games, Kwabena Adusei and Edwin Gyimah were both axed from the Black Aces side that won 3-1 against AmaZulu. Ghanaian defender John Arwuah was not in the AmaZulu squad for the game.

TUNISIA

Former Hearts of Oak midfielder Uriah Asante scored the equaliser for EGS Gafsa who managed a 1-1 draw at Monastir on Sunday morning.

Ghana international defender Harrison Afful was in action for Esperance de Tunis when they won 2-1 against CS Sfaxien.

TURKEY

Crocked Black Stars center-back Jerry Akaminko watched from the stands as his Eski?ehirspor side lost 1-0 against Istanbul.

Black Stars striker Abdul Majeed Waris was axed and unused by Trabzonspor when they suffered a 3-0 away defeat at Besiktas on Sunday.

PORTUGAL

Daniel Opare failed to make the FC Porto squad for their 2-0 win at Academica de Coimbra but Richard Ofori played the entire game for Academica.

Quincy Owusu-Abeyie came off the bench to play for Boavista who lost 3-1 against Sporting Lisbon.

Bernard Mensah was booked in the 76th minute and played until the 92nd minute for Vitória Guimarães who held Sporting Braga to a 0-0 draw.

There was no Alhassan Wakaso in the Rio Ave team when they drew 0-0 with Gil Vicente.

RUSSIA

Rabiu Mohammed was booked on the hour mark and played the entire regulation minutes for Kuban’ Krasnodar who lost 1-0 against CSKA Moscow.

SWITZERLAND

In the Super League, Samuel Afum was benched by Young Boys who won 1-0 against Grasshopers.

Ebenezer Assifuah and Ishmael Yartey came off the bench in the second-half to play for FC Sion who lost 2-0 against St Gallen.

ROMANIA Astra Guirgui defeated Dinamo Bucure?ti 6-1. Neither Sadat Bukari nor Seidu Yahaya was in the Astra team for the game.

Sulley Muniru played the entire game for CFR Cluj who drew 0-0 with CS U Craiova.

KEVIN PRINCE BOATENG, SULLEY MUNTARI MUST APOLOGIZE - GFA INSISTS

The Ghana FA says Sulley Muntari and Kevin-Prince Boateng will not return to the Black Stars squad unless they apologise for their misconduct that led to their indefinite bans. The GFA insists there will be conditions on the return of the two players to the squad after new coach Avram Grant declared that the door is open for the Europe-based duo to return. Some Black Stars fans were angry over Grant’s declaration that the two players will return without stating that there will be conditions attached to their possible return to the Black Stars. But the Ghana FA spokesman, Ibrahim Sannie Daara, has backed the new coach’s declaration insisting that his quest for discipline as a key factor for call-ups is an indication that the two players must apologise before they are considered. “Coach Avram Grant has not said anything different from what pertains. The fact that he said the door is open for them (Muntari and Boateng) doesn't mean they will be considered for selection automatically, Sannie Daara told Muntea FM. “The coach said one of the key conditions for call-ups is discipline. This means the players must abide by the demands for apology before they are considered. “It is still on the files that the (two) players are suspended indefinitely so for them to be considered, that suspension must be overturned. “It is the reason why the coach said discipline will be a key factor in call-ups so the two players must do the right thing before they are considered.” The two players are currently serving an indefinite ban from the side, after being dismissed from Ghana’s World Cup squad in June for disciplinary problems. Muntari was punished for allegedly assaulting a member of the Ghana Football Association during a row over bonuses. Boateng paid the price for what the GFA called gross acts of insubordination towards then-coach Kwesi Appiah. Grant said inasmuch as he is willing to work with the Schalke and Milan players, who were sent home at the World Cup for various acts of indiscipline during the tenure of Kwesi Appiah, the two must prove their willingness to return. According to him, every Ghanaian has a chance to be called into the Black Stars once the player can prove “quality, good mentality and willingness to sacrifice for the nation.

Source: ghanasoccernet.com