However, no one was allowed to join the queue after 1700GMT.
Polling stations that are counting their results are doing so under tight security. Not only that there are wide spread jubilation going on in the country.
MORE SOON
Friday 7 December 2012
Counting underway in polling centres
However, no one was allowed to join the queue after 1700GMT.
Polling stations that are counting their results are doing so under tight security. Not only that there are wide spread jubilation going on in the country.
MORE SOON
NDC MAN CAUGHT IN ELECTORAL MALPRACTICE
An electoral officer at the Anwomaso Trinity Polling Station has been caught engaging in electoral malpractices.
Eye witnesses say that he was found stamping at the face of Nana Addo and giving it to the old women who couldn't read and write.
However his luck ran out when he accidentally gave it to a young and educated man who sounded the alarm.
The people in the polling station jumped on him and gave him the beating of his life.
The police has however come to his rescue.
Calm has however been returned to the polling station.
The ballot box has been taken to the police station.
Source; iNewsGhh
Eye witnesses say that he was found stamping at the face of Nana Addo and giving it to the old women who couldn't read and write.
However his luck ran out when he accidentally gave it to a young and educated man who sounded the alarm.
The people in the polling station jumped on him and gave him the beating of his life.
The police has however come to his rescue.
Calm has however been returned to the polling station.
The ballot box has been taken to the police station.
Source; iNewsGhh
Thursday 6 December 2012
Ghana heads for cliffhanger elections
As it is
the case every four years, since the coming into being of the fourth republican
constitution, Ghanaians will vote again to elect their President and
Parliamentarians. As was the case in the 2008 general election, this will be
keenly competitive with very high stakes.
The two
forerunners of this year’s election seem to be very confident of victory.
President John DramaniMahama of the NDC, the incumbent, seeksto retain the seat as the president of Ghana.
Meanwhile, the largest opposition party’s candidate is also seeking to wrestle
power from the incumbent after losing to the former president, the late Prof.
John Evans Atta Mills by a mere forty thousand votes. It is said to be the
closest ever elections held on the African continent.
The
other political parties are also hoping to make great strides in this year’s
elections. The Convention People’s Party(CPP), under the falgbearership of Dr.
Abu Sakara is hoping to improve their lot when they had 1.32% in the last election under
the flagbearership of Dr. Papa KwasiNduom. Interestingly, Dr. Sakara was his
runningmate in the 2008 election. Dr. Nduom, who left the CPP to found his own
political party known as Progressive Peoples Party (PPP), has done very well in
media campaigns and publicity. The only publicity of the CPP candidate is his
strong showing at the IEA organized debate thatwas held in Tamale and Accra.
The
other candidates who are worth mentioning are PNC’s Hassan Ayariga and UFP’s
AkwasiAddae, popularly known as “Odike”. These two candidates are seen the ones
who have made this year’s elections very interesting with their comic posture.
This
year’s election has been issues-based unlike previous ones. It has mainly been
characterized by education. Whilst the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) is
promising to make senior secondary education free, the incumbent National
Democratic Congress are quick to point out that they want to expand
infrastructure and make basic education free before they move on to the
senior secondary level.
The stakes
are high in this election for several reasons. The oil reserves have increased
the zeal for the political parties to use it as a major source of funding to
support their policies. Also, in Ghana, elections are seen as the struggle for,
and control of, power. Whilst the NDC will be seeking to hold on to power, the
NPP will be looking to wrestle power from them.
The other political parties will be consolidating their strongholds. CPP
will be expecting to do well in the Northern and Western regions where their
flag bearer and the founder and the chairperson of the party hail from
respectively.
The PPP
will likely to do well in the Central and Western Regions whilst the PNC will
likely hold on to the Northern territories due to the roots of their president
and the personality of the late president Dr. HillaLiman. The other parties
will be very insignificant in this year’s elections. However, after my analysis
of the “smaller parties”, this election will be a straight fight between NDC
and NPP.
Having lost the 2008 election in a second
round by 40,000 votes, Nana AkuffoAddo will be looking to finish hard this time
and with President Mahama as former vice president and now president, he has
never stood for elections for the presidency but will be looking forward to use
incumbency advantage to win this election.
No
matter what the case may be, Ghana will be the winner. All that Ghanaians are praying for is a free and fair election. Only one person
is destined to be the winner and the outcome on Sunday must be accepted by all.
Poem: What to expect when there is an election
the rallies get hotter
Four years seems a long journey
but it appears so quickly.
Parties are rushing to justify their inclusion
on the cushion of the nation; by hook or crook
on some minds whilst vision and propaganda
on the other minds
As the opposition is elevating it's position,
the incumbent is checking it's improvement
Tom is promising free education
Dick is promising quality health care
Harry is promising improvement in infrastructure
At least every Tom, Dick and Harry has something to say
Promises then seem like elevation against levitation
But what is needed to be heard is the voice of the people
Individuals need then set in so choices starts to differ
Human nature starts to fall in and debates starts to cut in
Pressure now mounts and anger begins to maneuver
Some analyst try to ponder
whilst some representatives pray and wonder
The balloting draws nearer
and their plotting gets stronger
The whistle gets blown
and the carpets get rolled
Thumb prints becomes a treasure
and voting now a pleasure
Fingers starts inking
and faces starts winking
The unscrupulous get bribe
and the scrupulous get pride
The D-day then ends
and the coalition starts
Long anticipation now turns
to prolonged political emancipation
The strongmen then engulf the strongroom
Inquisition starts to air from journalist and inquisitive
At long last the long awaited news gets officially announced
The victor gets victory and the minor gets misery
The majority receives it with raised arms
The minority receives it with raised eye brows
That is the point Cain starts to envy Abel
But at the end, the sleeping dogs are made to lie
and serenity replaces calamity
WRITTEN BY AWAL MOHAMMED BAWA/iNewsGh
Wednesday 5 December 2012
''My club is Liverpool''_Lawson
My Club: Lawson
Liverpool
BRIGHT YOUNG THINGS ... (L to R) Andy with Lawson band-mates Ryan, Adam and Joel
BRENDAN RODGERS is not the only bright young thing that Liverpool can lay claim to.
New band Lawson boast talented singer and guitarist Andy Brown who is Merseyside born and bred and Red through and through.SunSport caught up with the Scouser from the up-and-coming Brit group to talk all things Liverpool, including which two players he feels deserve another chance at Anfield.
TB: Why do you support Liverpool?
AB: I grew up in Liverpool and I’ve always had a season ticket. My whole family are supporters — no Everton fans in there!
Who’s your favourite player?
In my era, it has to be Steven Gerrard. I grew up watching him and he’s got everything for me. I’ll be so sad when he retires.
It also hurt me so much when Fernando Torres went to Chelsea because he was one of my favourite players. I’ve never seen anyone as good as him at Anfield. It feels like a stab in the back every time he scores for Chelsea — even though it’s not very often!
Most memorable game you’ve been to?
The night that always sticks out for me was Juventus in the Champions League in 2005 when Luis Garcia scored with a 30-yard volley.
Best game you’ve been to?
Recently, the 2-1 win over Everton in the FA Cup semi-final at Wembley. It wasn’t an amazing game but for the drama where Andy Carroll nicked it in the last minute, it was fantastic. I was sitting right behind the goal at Wembley when he scored so I was just so happy.
Funny moment from a game?
I was at the game when Peter Crouch scored an overhead kick and then did the robot celebration which was a good moment.
OUT IN THE COLD ... Alberto Aquilani has had a disastrous Liverpool career
I’m hoping we do a bit of building over the preseason. We won the Carling Cup and got to the final of the FA Cup, so it could have been worse. But we need to be pushing for the Champions League.
Where do you need to strengthen the squad?
We need another striker. Carroll and Luis Suarez need someone else to put a bit of pressure on them. We need a world-class winger as well, someone who is going to create some magic on the wings like Gareth Bale.
We’ve got Lucas coming back from injury who will be like a new signing and Alberto Aquilani is coming back from loan — I’d like to see him feature more next season. He’s the forgotten man so he might come back with a bang, as might Joe Cole.
It looks as if the new manager will have a much smaller budget than Kenny Dalglish will have. Do you feel you’ll have to ‘do a Newcastle’ and hunt around for bargain buys?
It’s the best way to do it. I was gutted we didn’t sign Nikica Jelavic from Rangers. He was up for grabs and was interested in coming to Liverpool too. They’ve got to be shrewd about their signings.
I know Kenny spent a lot of money but in this market, you have to pay the big money for England internationals. In the next few years, Henderson will be an England regular and you have to remember we did get £50million for Torres so it sort of cancels itself out.
SCOUS ABOUT THAT ... GK: Pepe Reina RB: Glen
Johnson CB: Sami Hyppia CB: Alan Hansen LB: Phil Neal RM: Steve
McManaman CM: Steven Gerrard CM: Graeme Souness LM: JOHN BARNES CF:
Kenny Dalglish CF: Fernando Torres
My brother Paul played for Everton for four or five years. He played in the same teams as Leon Osman and Tony Hibbert. He never actually signed YTS though — he was let go at the last minute. But I remember him playing in midfield with Osman, who was unbelievable and was always going to make it as a pro.
If you were a professional footballer, who would you most be like?
Michael Carrick. I’m a holding midfielder who pulls the strings, picking the ball up from the back four and sending it out to the wingers.
Who’s the best player in the music biz?
Max George from The Wanted is a very good player — he used to play for England at schoolboy level. Danny Jones from McFly is decent too, as is Aston Merrygold from JLS.
And who is the worst?
My band-mates — they’re terrible. We got asked to do the Soccer Six this year and I thought we’d best not as we’d probably get battered by every team!
If you had to write a song for England for the Euros, what would you call it?
It would have to be something about Roy Hodgson, after he got the job. I’ve no idea! ‘Something about Hodgson’?
Hmm… that can be a working title. Finally, England to win the Euros or Liverpool to win the Premier League?
I’ve got to go with Liverpool. We’ve never won the Premier League and it would be a dream come true.
Source : TheSun
Obi signs new five-year contract
Chelsea's John Mikel Obi signs new five-year contract
Chelsea midfielder John Mikel Obi has signed a new five-year contract with the Premier League club.
The 25-year-old arrived at Stamford Bridge in 2005 and was part of the team that won the Champions League in May.
The Nigeria international has made more than 20 starts for the Blues this season under Roberto Di Matteo and new manager Rafa Benitez.
"Chelsea seems like my home now because I have been here for over six years," Mikel told Chelsea's official website.
"I come into the training ground every day to work and I value my time there. I am happy and want to keep going and win trophies for this club."
Mikel was recently embroiled in the controversy about claims that referee Mark Clattenburg had used racial language to him - allegations subsequently dismissed by the Football Association, with the club subsequently saying they "regretted" their handling of the affair.
In addition to the Champions League, Mikel has helped Chelsea to one Premier League title, four FA Cups and the League Cup.
He has recently been nominated for the 2012 African Footballer of the Year.
Source : BBC Sport
David Beckham approached by two MLS clubs over ownership role
David Beckham is weighing up two offers that could see him become the owner of an emerging Major League Soccer club.
Franchises in Miami and New York have approached the
37-year-old, who asked for the option to own an MLS club when he joined
Los Angeles Galaxy in 2007.
Beckham's clubs
- Manchester United 1993-2003
- Preston (loan) 1995
- Real Madrid 2003-2007
- AC Milan (loan) 2009 & 2010
- LA Galaxy 2007-2012
Both clubs are hopeful they will become MLS members before 2016, and both are keen for Beckham to play a major role.
But the former England captain intends to play on for at least one more season with a number of clubs in the running.
Beckham played his final game in the MLS on Saturday, leading Galaxy to a second successive Cup final victory .
Paris St Germain and AS Monaco are understood to be among the clubs battling for his services, with Beckham keen for one final challenge before ending his illustrious playing career.
The prospect of an ownership role is something Beckham has been keen to explore since moving to the US and while taking up a stake in the Galaxy remains an option, it is two other offers that are understood to be more attractive to Beckham.
A number of investment groups in
the Middle East have expressed an interest in backing Beckham's
potential ownership of an MLS franchise, as the likes of Qatar and Abu
Dhabi explore the possibility of extending their global reach in
football to the United States.
All parties can see the prospect of harnessing the
marketing phenomenon that is Beckham
, in one of the most lucrative and high-profile developing markets in world football, as an opportunity not to be missed.
MLS sees Florida is a key untapped market, with no team in the south-east of America and a large following already in place. Given the area's high Latin population, Miami is viewed as an ideal city in which to expand the MLS. The city had a MLS outfit, the Miami Fusion, but the club was removed from the league in 2001.
Another option is New York, with MLS commissioner Don Garber wanting a rival in the city to the Red Bulls.
Source : BBC Sport
Lionel Messi injured in Barca-Benfica draw
Champions League: Lionel Messi injured in Barca-Benfica draw
Lionel Messi missed out on a chance to match Gerd Mueller's record
of 85 goals in a calendar year as he was injured during Barcelona's draw
with Benfica.
Messi, who hurt his left knee in a collision with
Benfica keeper Artur, was taken off 30 minutes after coming on as a
second-half substitute.
Benfica knew a win would see them finish second behind Barca in Group G.
But the Portuguese side missed several early chances and the 0-0 draw meant Celtic qualified instead.
Messi, who has scored 84 goals so far in 2012, had been left on the bench by Barca, who were already guaranteed to go through as group winners.
Who has qualified?
- Group A: PSG, Porto
- Group B: Schalke, Arsenal
- Group C: Malaga, AC Milan
- Group D: Borussia Dortmund, Real Madrid
- Group E: Juventus, Shakhtar Donetsk
- Group F: Bayern Munich, Valencia
- Group G: Barcelona, Celtic
- Group H: Manchester United, Galatasaray
The 25-year-old Argentina
international has four matches left this year to overhaul Mueller's
tally - La Liga games against Real Betis, Atletico Madrid and Real
Valladolid, and a Copa del Rey tie with Cordoba.
FC Barcelona's official Twitter account tweeted after the Benfica game:
"Messi has a bruise on the outside of his left knee. He'll undergo
further tests to determine the exact extent of the injury."
Elsewhere, Galatasaray pipped CFR Cluj to second place behind Manchester United in Group H after a dramatic late win over Braga.
The Turkish side, who trailed to Mossoro's first-half goal, levelled through Burak Yilmaz's header and triumphed when Aydin Yilmaz tapped home after Quim failed to hold on to a shot.
That meant they finished above Cluj on the head-to-head rule, leaving the Romanian side to settle for a Europa League spot.
Juventus edged a tight game against Shakhtar Donetsk to join the Ukrainians in qualifying from Group E.
The Italian side, who needed a point to finish above Chelsea, scored the only goal of the game when Stephan Lichtsteiner's cross went in off Shakhtar defender Olexander Kucher.
Juventus go through as group winners, while Donetsk finish second above the Blues because of their head-to-head record - they scored more goals at Stamford Bridge than the London club managed at the Donbass Arena.
Bayern Munich and Valencia were already sure of their progress from Group F before the final round of matches and both teams rounded off their group campaign with wins.
The German side thrashed BATE Borisov 4-1 to ensure they went through as group winners, while Valencia beat Lille 1-0 in France. BATE already knew they would finish third.
Source : BBC Sport
Kumasi is Polluted
News reaching iNewsGh indicate thats,some part of Kumasi is polluted with something we are yet to know..
We will get rid of this vindictive government – Nana Addo
The Presidential candidate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Nana
Akufo-Addo has called on Ghanaians to vote out and “get rid of this
corrupt, non-performing, vindictive government; the worst government of
the fourth Republic by the grace of your thumb.”
Addressing the party’s final rally for the 2012 general elections at the Efua Sutherland Children’s Park in Accra, the Presidential hopeful opined that the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) apologize to Ghanaians for their poor leadership and management of the nation, rather than seeking a second term in office.
“If I was them, I would say to the people of Ghana, ‘I am sorry, we are sorry for the poor work we have done, we are going to go and think about ourselves’. But that is not the people we are dealing with. The fruits of office, the money under the table have become sweet for them so they are determined to stay. Are we going to allow them to stay? Are we going to allow that to happen?” he questioned.
Nana Addo promised that the NPP, when voted into power, will “strengthen the unity of our country and promote reconciliation amongst the Ghanaian people. We are not coming to chastise people and be vindictive, throw people out of work because they are not NPP people; that is not the way we are going to run Ghana.”
Nana Addo added that every Ghanaian will have the opportunity to contribute to the “new prosperity and to the new world that our country is going to have.”
Addressing the party’s final rally for the 2012 general elections at the Efua Sutherland Children’s Park in Accra, the Presidential hopeful opined that the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) apologize to Ghanaians for their poor leadership and management of the nation, rather than seeking a second term in office.
“If I was them, I would say to the people of Ghana, ‘I am sorry, we are sorry for the poor work we have done, we are going to go and think about ourselves’. But that is not the people we are dealing with. The fruits of office, the money under the table have become sweet for them so they are determined to stay. Are we going to allow them to stay? Are we going to allow that to happen?” he questioned.
Nana Addo promised that the NPP, when voted into power, will “strengthen the unity of our country and promote reconciliation amongst the Ghanaian people. We are not coming to chastise people and be vindictive, throw people out of work because they are not NPP people; that is not the way we are going to run Ghana.”
Nana Addo added that every Ghanaian will have the opportunity to contribute to the “new prosperity and to the new world that our country is going to have.”
Konadu has not endorsed Akufo-Addo- NDP
The ex-first lady and flagbearer of
the National Democratic Party (NDP) Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings has
denied endorsing the New Patriotic Party leader Nana Akufo-Addo.
Dr Hilarious Abiu Deputy Director of Communications of the NDP told Joy News there has not been any explicit endorsement of Nana Akufo-Addo by the NDP flagbearer.
Akufo-Addo had told thousands of NPP supporters at the party’s final rally in Accra on Wednesday that information picked up by the campaign team indicated that Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings had endorsed him and had directed all her supporters to vote for the NPP presidential candidate and the NDP parliamentary candidates.
He thanked Mrs Rawlings for the gesture. But the NDP leader has dismissed the statement.
Her spokesperson, Dr Abiu said there has not been any express declaration from Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings, neither has she directed anybody to make any such declaration on her behalf.
What she told members is that they must make a good assessment of their living standards and evaluate the various policies being trumpeted by the various parties, Abiu clarified.
He stated however that the NDP has been diametrically opposed to the NDC because it failed to fight corruption.
He said Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings will later speak to the issue.
source: Myjoyonline
Dr Hilarious Abiu Deputy Director of Communications of the NDP told Joy News there has not been any explicit endorsement of Nana Akufo-Addo by the NDP flagbearer.
Akufo-Addo had told thousands of NPP supporters at the party’s final rally in Accra on Wednesday that information picked up by the campaign team indicated that Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings had endorsed him and had directed all her supporters to vote for the NPP presidential candidate and the NDP parliamentary candidates.
He thanked Mrs Rawlings for the gesture. But the NDP leader has dismissed the statement.
Her spokesperson, Dr Abiu said there has not been any express declaration from Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings, neither has she directed anybody to make any such declaration on her behalf.
What she told members is that they must make a good assessment of their living standards and evaluate the various policies being trumpeted by the various parties, Abiu clarified.
He stated however that the NDP has been diametrically opposed to the NDC because it failed to fight corruption.
He said Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings will later speak to the issue.
source: Myjoyonline
Bond movie box office goes Sky-high
Bond booty ... Daniel Craig in the box office smashing Skyfall
SKYFALL has smashed a new record – with the biggest UK box office haul of all time.
The Bond movie, starring Daniel Craig, has taken a massive £94,277,612 after just 40 days on release.
It beats former record-holder Avatar, which had a lifetime gross of £94,025, 632 – over 11 months of cinema release.
British director Sam Mendes directed the 007 hit, which also stars Javier Bardem as Bond villain Raoul Silva and Dame Judi Dench as M.
Producers Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli said: “We’re overwhelmed with gratitude to the cinema-going audiences in the UK who have made Skyfall the highest grossing film of all time.
“We are very proud of this film and thank everybody, especially Daniel Craig and Sam Mendes, who have contributed to its success.”
In September, Daniel Craig signed up to appear in two more Bond movies – giving the franchise a Licence to Kill a few more box office records.
Source : TheSun
Video: Beyonce Shows Off Bare Baby Bump in Documentary Teaser
Stars may be just like Us, but Queen Bey is no mere star -- she falls into her own separate category.
For those wondering what a day in the life of Beyonce is really like, HBO is giving fans unprecedented access to the super-private pop icon with its new documentary about the singer, set to air February 16, 2013. (Beyonce, 31, is directing and executive-producing the special.)
The network released the special's first teaser this week, a jaw-dropping montage of performances, backstage embraces with Jay-Z and, yes -- her bare Blue Ivy baby bump.
"I always battle with, how much do reveal about myself?" the singer confesses in the preview. "If I'm scared, be scared. Allow it. Release it."
Beyonce attends the 2012 BET Awards at The Shrine Auditorium on July 1, 2012 in Los Angeles, California.
Credit: Jason Merritt/Getty Images For BET
Credit: Jason Merritt/Getty Images For BET
"Everybody knows Beyonce's music, but few know Beyonce the person," HBO's president of programming, Michael Lombardo, shared in a recent statement. "Along with electrifying footage of Beyonce onstage, this unique special looks beyond the glamor to reveal a vibrant, vulnerable, unforgettable woman."
Ghana FA Prez backs women's football to thrive
Ghana Football Association President Kwesi Nyantakyi believes the maiden
national women's league is a great platform to sustain women's football
development. ? The GFA President who addressed the press at the launch
of the Women's League revealed that the quality of women’s football has
increased recently. ? He said: "The success story of the Black Maidens
at the FIFA U-17 World Cup in Azerbaijan is key to generating girls'
interest in the game. It gives us hope that we have a bright future in
the sport and for us to have the possibility to organise this women’s
competition in a country where men's game is very dominate is a great
step forward."
There has been a big shift in attitudes to women’s football as it attracts relatively, a fair coverage compared to the past.
"It has been a great year for women’s football and the start of the league will add to it. I must the quality of women’s football has increased," Kwesi Nyantakyi added.?
"The GFA has given its support and commitment not just to the women's league but to the promotion and development of the women's game."
Nyantakyi also took the opportunity to point out the GFA's commitment to women’s football.
"The GFA have organized capacity initiative or paid referees, women's coaches and administrators and just only last week, an induction course was organised for female match commissioners and continue to be the main financier of all programmes for the women's game.
"Just for the maiden national Women's League, the FA has already spent over 30,000 to clear items donated by Fifa in support of the Women's League.
"This clearly shows the commitment of the FA towards the promotion and development of the women's game."
The Women's League Board has confirmed that the maiden nationwide league will see the 12 participating teams grouped into two sectors of six each.
The League will kick-off on December 16 in both sectors.
Lepo Ladies, Bolga Ghatel, Ampim Darkoah Ladies, Fabulous Ladies, Ashtown Ladies and Prisons Ladies make up the Northern Sector
The Southern division has Hasaacas Ladies, Ayoola Ladies, Immigration Ladies, Soccer Intellectuals, Cape Coast Ghatel and Volta Amalga Ladies.
Source : GhanaWeb
There has been a big shift in attitudes to women’s football as it attracts relatively, a fair coverage compared to the past.
"It has been a great year for women’s football and the start of the league will add to it. I must the quality of women’s football has increased," Kwesi Nyantakyi added.?
"The GFA has given its support and commitment not just to the women's league but to the promotion and development of the women's game."
Nyantakyi also took the opportunity to point out the GFA's commitment to women’s football.
"The GFA have organized capacity initiative or paid referees, women's coaches and administrators and just only last week, an induction course was organised for female match commissioners and continue to be the main financier of all programmes for the women's game.
"Just for the maiden national Women's League, the FA has already spent over 30,000 to clear items donated by Fifa in support of the Women's League.
"This clearly shows the commitment of the FA towards the promotion and development of the women's game."
The Women's League Board has confirmed that the maiden nationwide league will see the 12 participating teams grouped into two sectors of six each.
The League will kick-off on December 16 in both sectors.
Lepo Ladies, Bolga Ghatel, Ampim Darkoah Ladies, Fabulous Ladies, Ashtown Ladies and Prisons Ladies make up the Northern Sector
The Southern division has Hasaacas Ladies, Ayoola Ladies, Immigration Ladies, Soccer Intellectuals, Cape Coast Ghatel and Volta Amalga Ladies.
Source : GhanaWeb
Messi vs. Muller in numbers
Muller currently holds the record for the most goals scored in a calendar year for club and country, having netted 85 times during the 12 months of 1972 for Bayern Munich and West Germany.
In this evening’s closing Champions League Group G match between Barcelona and Benfica, Messi needs to score just once to pull level with Muller.
The Argentine is expected to do so by the end of the year and to also set a new record for goals scored in a calendar year.
However, it is interesting to note that Muller’s 85 goals were scored in 60 games during 1972, whilst Messi’s 84 strikes managed so far in 2012 have come across 64 appearances.
A breakdown in comparison between the two shows that Muller’s 85 were achieved during a year in which he netted five times in two games - once in the Bundesliga and once in the European Cup. The German scored four in single games three times - two of which were with his national team - whilst he also managed a total of five hat-tricks and 12 double-strikes.
Messi, meanwhile, has so far scored five goals in a single game this year, against Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League, and scored four times twice, against Espanyol and Valencia in the League, whilst he has netted six hat-tricks and 16 times scored twice in a game.
Muller turned 27 during the year in which he achieved his record, whilst Messi is closing in on it during a year in which he has turned 25.
Sarkodie ‘Stabs’ R2Bees
Sarkodie and R2bees who were billed alongside a Pan African group P-Square on the “Top of the World Celebration” concert, together threatened to boycott the show prior to the main night allegedly over an alleged huge disparity between their performance fee of (¢20,000 and ¢10,000 respectively) and that of the Nigerian stars P-Square, who reportedly charged close to $.200, 000.
The two confronted the organizers together on Thursday evening November 22, and demanded additional money or they would not mount the stage.
According a close source, managements of Sarkodie and R2Bees were still in talks with the organizers the whole of Thursday and Friday still insisting on being paid more, but late Friday night a call was placed from Sarkodie’s camp to one of the senior executives of Charter House, organizers of the event, that they should forget about their demand and that Sarkodie was ready to perform.
Interestingly, all this happened without the knowledge of R2Bees or their manager who were leading the ‘crusade’ for more money. The duo (Mugees and Paedae) felt betrayed and disappointed in Sarkodie and his management, for stabbing them in the back to perform on a show they have both agreed not to perform until the organizers increase their performance fee.
According to Ike, manager of R2Bees, they had that information on Friday night when he was still negotiating that Sarkodie had agreed to perform, and when he confronted Sammy Forson, Sarkodie’s manage; he confirmed that indeed they had agreed to perform because they didn’t want any bad blood between them and the organizers. According to him they didn’t believe it until they were informed that Sarkodie actually mounted the stage to perform at the Independence Square, and that they (R2Bees) were replaced with Samini.
The group is currently dumbfounded that their friend Sarkodie could betray them for something they are both trying to change for the benefit of every Ghanaian artiste. They also feel misled because Peacefmonline.com gathers that this whole idea to boycott the show was Sarkodie’s idea and they trusted him enough to play along, but he rather double-crossed them.
However, R2Bees manager told Peacefmonline.com that “Oh! We as R2Bees do not hold anything against Sarkodie, we don’t have any problem with him but all I can say is that we have learnt our lessons. We have advised ourselves” Ike said admitting that Sarkodie “Obidiponbidi” has indeed ‘played Judas’ with them.
Meanwhile, when Peacefmonline.com contacted Sammy Forson Sarkodie’s manager, he promised giving us details of the whole issue later and stated that neither he nor Sarkodie betrayed anybody. “I will let you know the facts soon but let me put on record that Sarkodie didn’t betray nobody”, Sammy stressed.
It will be recalled that Sarkodie and R2bees started this crusade together against the event a organizers few days ago, and they both agreed to keep rebelling against event organizers until they treat Ghanaian artistes better than they do now.
They started this at the Joy FM “Nite With the Stars” on Saturday November 24, 2012 inside The Dome, when they both refused to perform even though they were at the venue, because according to them security was poor and also because their colleague Kwaw Kesse was attacked after his performance and after other confrontations backstage.
Even though both artistes are trying to paint a perfect picture to the public as though everything is fine between them, Peacefmonline.com can confirm that R2Bees have refused to communicate with Sarkodie since Saturday till date.
This is not too good for both artistes and their fans, because the two have quite a number of songs together, including Sarkodie biggest hit song “Baby”, which features Mugees, “Agyeeeii” by R2Bees and R2bees, latest single “Bayla Trap” which features Sarkodie, among other popular songs.
Source: Eugene Osafo-Nkansah/Peacefmonline.com/Ghana
Mourinho ‘won’t take a holiday’
Quotes from the Portuguese tactician to members of the foreign Press after last night’s 4-1 win for Madrid over Ajax are emerging and have Mourinho taking further questions on his future.
In response to the rumours that he could leave Madrid next summer, the 49-year-old took the chance to allude to Pep Guardiola, who after four years at Barcelona, decided to take a year’s sabbatical from the game.
“If I go, it will not be for a year’s vacation. I will work. If not here, I will go somewhere else,” commented the Portuguese to Dutch television when asked what he would do if he left the Santiago Bernabeu.
“No, I do not feel any pressure. It is not true. Would I go back to England? Wherever. Maybe in Holland.
“I have read in the Spanish Press that Ancelotti is coming here in the summer. So, that means one of two things - either we work together or switch our jobs,” continued the Coach, when asked by a French reporter of a possible move to Paris Saint-Germain.
“Yes, it would be a good destination, to play Champions League matches.”
Source : FootballEspana
NDP throws supports for Nana Addo
The former first lady and leader of NDP, Nana Konadu Agyemang Rawlings, visited the Ashanti Region today to campaign for the parliamentary aspirants of the National Democratic Party.
She told Ghanaians to vote the NDC out since they have been incompetent. Top leaders of the NDP told the media that they have thrown their support for Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo. They said that they believe that he can transform Ghana with his free and quality SHS.
Today, 5th December, 2012 remains the last day of campaigning for every political party in Ghana. Ghana will head for the polls on the 7th of December, 2012
source: www.inewsgh.tk
Wenger could end up like Clough... Arsenal should sack him now, says ex-Chelsea star Cascarino
Former Chelsea striker Tony Cascarino has called on Arsenal to sack manager Arsene Wenger before he embarrasses himself.
Cascarino fears the club have only remained so patient with Wenger ‘because of sentiment’ and believe his reign at the Emirates will soon go the way of Brian Clough at Nottingham Forest.
Arsenal are struggling down in 10th in the Barclays Premier League table and progressed to the Champions League knockout stages despite a limp 2-1 defeat at Olympiacos.
Writing in the Times, Cascarino said:
‘Big clubs sack managers, and Arsenal are a big club. They have the
best stadium in the division and a fine history, but cannot call
themselves a big club if they are prepared to hang on to Wenger out of
sentiment.
‘When I look at him, I see a guy who believes in a philosophy based on simplicity. He won’t change. He was a genius, but that genius has had its day. Football has caught up with him and he remains in the job because of sentiment.
‘I am worried he could end up like Brian Clough; a magnificent manager who at the end of his career was but a shadow of what he once was. At the end of his Nottingham Forest career he was out of touch and Wenger is in danger of becoming something similar, of being embarrassment.’
Meanwhile, Wenger maintains Arsenal must forget about the Champions League for a while and concentrate on recapturing their domestic form after last night’s 2-1 defeat at Olympiacos ended hopes of seeding for the knockout stage.
With qualification already secure ahead of the last Group B tie, Wenger elected to leave several first-team regulars behind as 20-year-old defender Jernade Meade made his European debut.
Although Czech midfielder Tomas Rosicky fired the English side ahead after 38 minutes, the Greeks fought back through a controversial effort by Giannis Maniatis and a well-taken strike from substitute Kostas Mitroglou to leave Wenger facing more questions about the direction of his team - who have now not won in the last four and plummeted down the Barclays Premier League table.
'Let’s see [what happens in the draw], but for now it is important for us to focus on the [domestic] championship, forget about the Champions League a little bit and get ourselves back in decent form in the championship,' said Wenger.
Arsenal, who were beaten 2-0 at the Emirates Stadium last weekend, host fifth-placed West Brom on Saturday.
Wenger challenged his team to produce a response.
He said: 'It is a good opportunity for us to keep focused, to show strength and unity, that is what you want to do in the next game.'
Wenger refused to be too downbeat after last night’s defeat.
'We left eight or nine players at home and we had a positive game,' he said.
'We had a good first half, but we dropped physically in the second half because many players lack competition at that level and therefore we couldn’t take the chances for the second goal.
'We also got a very bad decision
against us on the goal. I am not against the fifth referee, but you
would like at least for them to be concentrated on their job, but that
was not the case tonight, Wojciech Szczesny was far away from the ball.
'Why didn’t the fifth official tell the referee? It’s difficult to understand, to concede a corner when it doesn’t go off the goalkeeper.
'However, I don’t want to make a fuss of it, so we have to take it on the chin and go home and focus on our next game.'
Cascarino fears the club have only remained so patient with Wenger ‘because of sentiment’ and believe his reign at the Emirates will soon go the way of Brian Clough at Nottingham Forest.
Arsenal are struggling down in 10th in the Barclays Premier League table and progressed to the Champions League knockout stages despite a limp 2-1 defeat at Olympiacos.
Under pressure: Arsene Wenger saw his slump slump to defeat at Olympiacos on Tuiesday night
Plight: Cascarino says Wenger's Arsenal reign could go the same way as legendary Brian Clough's did at Nottingham Forest
‘When I look at him, I see a guy who believes in a philosophy based on simplicity. He won’t change. He was a genius, but that genius has had its day. Football has caught up with him and he remains in the job because of sentiment.
‘I am worried he could end up like Brian Clough; a magnificent manager who at the end of his career was but a shadow of what he once was. At the end of his Nottingham Forest career he was out of touch and Wenger is in danger of becoming something similar, of being embarrassment.’
Meanwhile, Wenger maintains Arsenal must forget about the Champions League for a while and concentrate on recapturing their domestic form after last night’s 2-1 defeat at Olympiacos ended hopes of seeding for the knockout stage.
With qualification already secure ahead of the last Group B tie, Wenger elected to leave several first-team regulars behind as 20-year-old defender Jernade Meade made his European debut.
Although Czech midfielder Tomas Rosicky fired the English side ahead after 38 minutes, the Greeks fought back through a controversial effort by Giannis Maniatis and a well-taken strike from substitute Kostas Mitroglou to leave Wenger facing more questions about the direction of his team - who have now not won in the last four and plummeted down the Barclays Premier League table.
'Let’s see [what happens in the draw], but for now it is important for us to focus on the [domestic] championship, forget about the Champions League a little bit and get ourselves back in decent form in the championship,' said Wenger.
Arsenal, who were beaten 2-0 at the Emirates Stadium last weekend, host fifth-placed West Brom on Saturday.
Speaking out: Former Chelsea star Tony Cascarino
He said: 'It is a good opportunity for us to keep focused, to show strength and unity, that is what you want to do in the next game.'
Wenger refused to be too downbeat after last night’s defeat.
'We left eight or nine players at home and we had a positive game,' he said.
'We had a good first half, but we dropped physically in the second half because many players lack competition at that level and therefore we couldn’t take the chances for the second goal.
Gunned down: Olympiacos' Giannis Maniatis (R) scores against Arsenal
'Why didn’t the fifth official tell the referee? It’s difficult to understand, to concede a corner when it doesn’t go off the goalkeeper.
'However, I don’t want to make a fuss of it, so we have to take it on the chin and go home and focus on our next game.'
Ghana FA announce Egypt friendly
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It's a Messi! Mourinho hits out at Ballon d'Or 'fix' as Madrid boss says award is rigged by FIFA
Jose Mourinho has claimed the Ballon D'Or award has been fixed by FIFA to ensure that it is won by Lionel Messi.
Once again this year the award is a straight shootout between Barcelona magician Messi and Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo.
Messi's Barca team-mate Andres Iniesta completes the three-man shortlist.
But while Messi has picked up the gong
an amazing four times, Ronaldo has only managed it once - something that
Mourinho believes is suspicious.
The Special One is used to brushes with authorities but his latest outburst is sure to displease FIFA chief Sepp Blatter.
Asked who was going to win the award, Mourinho said: 'The Ballon d'Or has already been given. When the heads of football speak and make the campaign, there is nothing you can do.'
Mourinho remains defiant in his belief that Ronaldo is the better player of the two.
He once famously insisted that if Messi is the best player on the planet, then Ronaldo is the 'best in the universe'.
'If you are going to give out the Ballon d'Or because a player is the best, give it to Cristiano or Messi,' he said in October.
'But I ask: if the two are on the same level, is it normal that one wins four and the other one? It is not.'
Source : DailyMail
Once again this year the award is a straight shootout between Barcelona magician Messi and Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo.
Messi's Barca team-mate Andres Iniesta completes the three-man shortlist.
In the running: But Cristiano Ronaldo has only won the Ballon d'Or once
The Special One is used to brushes with authorities but his latest outburst is sure to displease FIFA chief Sepp Blatter.
Asked who was going to win the award, Mourinho said: 'The Ballon d'Or has already been given. When the heads of football speak and make the campaign, there is nothing you can do.'
Heavy favourite: Lionel Messi is expected to be named Ballon d'Or winner
He once famously insisted that if Messi is the best player on the planet, then Ronaldo is the 'best in the universe'.
Point made: Jose Mourinho reckons Ronaldo is the best on the planet
'But I ask: if the two are on the same level, is it normal that one wins four and the other one? It is not.'
Source : DailyMail
Chelsea to sign a Brazilian whizz-kid
Chelsea to sign Brazilian Wallace from Fluminense in January
Chelsea have agreed a deal to sign Brazilian teenager Wallace during the January transfer window.
The attacking right-back, 18, will remain with current club Fluminense until the end of the season.
The Brazil Under-20 international helped Fluminense win the Brazilian league championship, plus two regional titles, last season.
He will join fellow countrymen David Luiz, Oscar, Ramires and Lucas Piazon at Stamford Bridge.
The transfer fee has not been revealed.
Wallace made his debut for the Rio de Janeiro side aged 17 and has played 18 times for their first team.
Speaking to the BBC at the end of last month, Wallace revealed several Italian clubs had shown interest in him but added "it was the name Chelsea that attracted me".
He helped Brazil win the South American Under-17 Championship in 2011 before contributing to their fourth-placed finish at the Under-17 World Cup in Mexico three months later.
The European champions reportedly acquired a 40% stake in Wallace as part of the deal that took Brazil-born Portugal midfielder Deco from Chelsea to Fluminense two years ago.
Source : BBC Sport
''Am not embarrassed''_ Roberto Mancini
Roberto Mancini not embarrassed by Man City European exit
Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini says he is not embarrassed by his side's miserable European campaign.
City were already out of the Champions League before
Tuesday's 1-0 defeat by Borussia Dortmund,
but a win would have booked a Europa League spot.
Their tally of three points is the lowest by an English side in the group stage of the competition.
"It can be embarrassing if you don't play at 100%. But when you do play 100%, you can lose," said Mancini.
Man City crash out with new low
Manchester City's tally of three points from their six group games replaces Blackburn's record in 1995-96 as the worst by an English team in the Champions League.Rovers finished bottom of a group containing Spartak Moscow, Legia Warsaw and Rosenborg on four points, with their only victory coming in their final game against Rosenborg when Mike Newell scored a nine-minute hat-trick.
Blackburn previously held the record for the lowest points accumulated by an English side with their four points in 1995.
Rovers managed one victory in their six matches but
City failed to win a game as they were knocked out at the group stage
for the second successive year.
Last season they finished third in a group featuring Bayern Munich, Napoli and Villarreal with a much more respectable 10 points that gave them Europa League qualification.
Defeat at the Westfalenstadion on Tuesday meant Mancini's side finished bottom of Group D.
A victory would have seen them finish third again, above Ajax, put them in the Europa League and boosted their co-efficient - statistics used for ranking - crucial for their seeding in European competition next season.
But it would also have meant a tiring Thursday-Sunday cycle of up to nine matches were they to reach this year's Europa League final in Amsterdam.
Despite admitting he wanted to reach Europe's second-tier competition, Mancini believes not qualifying will help them in their bid to retain the Premier League title.
"Clearly this can help us win the Premier League because we don't play in the Europa League," Mancini said.
"But getting into it was our target. We wanted to win.
Mancini's sides in Champions League
- 2003-4: Lazio. Out at group stage. Lost home and away to Chelsea
- 2004-05: Inter Milan. Beaten in quarter-finals by local rivals AC Milan
- 2005-06: Lost on away goals to Villarreal. Quarter-finals
- 2006-07 Beaten on away goals by Valencia in last 16
- 2007-08 Knocked out by Liverpool. Last 16
- 2011-12 Manchester City. Third in group which included eventual finalists Bayern Munich. Group stage
- 2012-13. Fourth in group which included Real Madrid. Group stage
"At the moment we cannot think about this. We are not in the Europa League and for this we should be disappointed.
"Last season we did better. This year we had a very
difficult group and if you make a mistake in the first two or three
games it is very difficult."
Mancini himself has struggled as a manager in Europe's elite competition and has never got past the quarter-final stage having reached the last eight with Inter Milan twice.
However, the Italian remains confident his side will improve on their showing next season - assuming they qualify - and looks to Dortmund as an example of how progress can be made.
"The Champions League can be strange. Last year Borussia Dortmund went out in the first group and were fourth in that group," he said. "This year, for me, they are probably a team that can win the Champions League."
For now, though, the Premier League is City's focus, starting with Sunday's top-of-the-table clash with neighbours Manchester United.
"Tonight we lost the chance to qualify for the Europa League," Mancini continued. "But after that, it is important that we only think about the derby.
"We have five days to recover our strength, and then I don't think there will be a problem."
Source : BBC Sport
