Dede Ayew Seeks Marseille Exit Door

Excellent decision by DEDE. Marseille treated him like no-body, he must stick to his decision and leave the club after his loan expires. shame on Marseille for this kind of cheap tactics to deny DEDE bright future. I would opine for Ayew to leave before they mess-up his dreams because he is such an unbelievable quality and has got a bright future.

Ghanaian youngster Andre Ayew has told Marseille that he wants to leave the club in order to boost his international hopes even though the giants are keen for him to stay now.

The 19-year-old forward won the Under-20 World Cup with Ghana earlier this month and is pushing for a place back in the senior squad having already won 15 caps.

The African Nations Cup is in January while Ghana have already qualified for next summer's World Cup, which will be the first to be held on African soil.

Son of legendary Marseille winger Abedi Pele, Ayew feels that he is no longer wanted at the Stade Velodrome having had an unsuccessful trial at Hertha Berlin this summer before joining second division side Arles-Avagnon on loan until the end of the season.

But Ayew is angling for a permanent move in the January transfer window to a more high-profile club which can also offer him regular first-team football.

"For me, Marseille gave me permission to leave in August," he told skysports.com.

"I'm an ambitious player and playing on loan at Arles-Avignon has not brought my playing level down, even if it is Ligue 2.

"I'm really excited about this year and I want to be involved in the African Nations Cup and the World Cup, where my country has a great chance of doing very well.

"If I don't play week-in, week-out I can't go to those two tournaments, which are huge for my young career."

Ayew has so far made nine appearances for Marseille and spent last season on loan at fellow Ligue 1 side Lorient, scoring three times in 22 games.

But Marseille's sport director, Jose Anigo, insists that Ayew is still part of their plans and they are only willing to let him go for good money.

"He is a very good player and he can't be transferred unless we receive an exceptional offer for him," said Anigo.

"He is part of a great future for Marseille and will be part of the team in June."

Ghana Reach Under-20 Final

Congratulations to the Black Satellites for making it to the finals, but let me hasten to say that the Satellites must work on their central defense before the grand finale and also quit that sense of complacency anytime they are leading in a match.I hope the cup will remain in Africa for the first time.

A thunderbolt from Abeiku Quansah was the difference as Ghana survived a late comeback from Hungary to book their place in the final of the FIFA U-20 World Cup Egypt 2009. Leading 2-0 with just under 20 minutes to go thanks to a first half brace from Dominic Adiyiah, Quansah's 81st minute effort was sandwiched in between strikes from substitutes Marko Futacs and Balazs Megyeri.

Yet, this was a game that Ghana deserved to win. They served notice of their intent as early as the ninth minute when Mohammed Rabiu sent a right footed shot over the bar and a minute later they were ahead. Adam Presinger's sloppy back pass was seized upon by Andre Ayew, who took it past the keeper, slipped it towards the net and Adiyiah bundled it over the line before Presinger had chance to clear.

The Africans were in complete control in the opening 45 minutes, but had a tendency to surrender possession too easily, which created a few nerves, especially given the calibre of striker that Hungary have in their ranks. Ayew and Osei had shots which were fairly comfortable for Peter Gulasci, but the keeper could do nothing about the Satellites second, which came shortly after the half hour mark.

Samuel Inkoom's cross from the right was met with a confident downward header by Gulacsi who celebrated his eighth of the tournament in style. The only shot on goal worthy of note from the Europeans during the first half came when Mate Kiss's free-kick was comfortably claimed by Daniel Agyei.

Just before the break, Osei saw another shot well saved by Gulacsi and Adiyiah went close again with a shot on the turn which went narrowly wide.

Hungary made two changes at the break, which saw Presinger and the injured Nemeth replaced by Balazs Megyeri and Roland Varga respectively. The changes also saw Andras Gosztonyi move into a more advanced role and he almost pulled one back for Hungary in the 48th minute when he dragged a shot just across the face of goal.

Megyeri went close in the 52nd minute when he connected with Gosztonyi's free-kick at the far post, but his right footed effort cannoned off the outside of the post and away to safety. Varga's dangerous cross narrowly evaded three Hungarian players and with time ticking away in the 71st minute, it was time for the final throw of the dice, with Marko Futacs coming on for captain Zsolt Korcsmar.

It took two minutes to pay off. Andras Simon slipped the ball to the big striker inside the box and he made no mistake. Predictably, it set up a grandstand finish. Gosztonyi delivered fine balls for Varga and Janos Szabo, but they both wasted their chances, failing even to trouble the keeper.

With Hungary committing men forward, Ghana took advantage. Adiyiah slipped the ball to Opuko Agyemang, who found Quansah on the right side of the box and he crashed a shot off the underside of the crossbar to restore Ghana's two goal advantage with nine minutes to go.

The Black Satellites should have been cruising by this point, but a defensive lapse from David Addy allowed Hungary back into the game. The striker's first touch should have been dealt with by the left back, but his slip allowed Megyeri to take advantage; as all he had to do was pass the ball past Agyei and into the net.

Yet, despite the deficit being reduced once again, it was Ghana who came closest to scoring in added time when Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu rattled the crossbar with a ferocious right footed shot. Two minutes later it was all over and the Black Satellites were celebrating their progression to their third appearance in the final of the FIFA U-20 World Cup.

Ghana Show Class Against Soth Africa

Great win for Ghana. It was a tremendous come from behind win. Our defenders must watch out for the lapse that made the team fall behind. S Korea may be too fast to handle in such cases. It was a good show piece by the two teams. Congrats to the Satellites and keep your head up Amajita. Well I must say South Africa did very well. They played good football and they were fast but the Satellites were very resilient. Well done boys. It was a game full of anxiety but once again Africa has won the day. I pray my dear satellites go all the way to win the tournament. Long live Africa. Keep your heads up guys and be proud of yourselves!

Amajita were beaten 2-1 by Ghana in extra time in the Last 16 of the 2009 Fifa Under-20 World Cup on Tuesday.

It was a brave performance from Serame Letsoaka's side, but they ran out of steam going into extra-time and the greater endurance of the Black Satelittes saw them claim the win. Ghana will now meet Korea Republic in the quarterfinals.

Andre Ayew and Dominic Adiyiah netted for the west Africans, while Kermit Erasmus showed a sublime touch to score for Amajita, giving his side a second half lead. Ghana had Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu harshly sent-off late in the game, but the South Africans could not make their numerical advantage count.

Adiyiah fired over when well placed early on, while Abeiku Quansah shot straight at Darren Keet from the free-kick.

Erasmus wriggled free in the box and managed to get a shot away, but it was comfortable for Ghana goalkeeper Daniel Agyei, who had a smarter save to make from Sibusiso Khumalo soon afterwards.

Thulani Serero found the top corner with a stunning 30-yard free-kick, but Agyei had got across and palmed the ball away for a corner, while the best chance of the half fell to Thulani Hlatswayo, but he sent his free header wide.

Sameehg Doutie did well to stay on his feet when free in the box after receiving a push in the back, and after Agyei dived at his feet to make the save, he might have wished he had gone down.

Ayew flashed a header wide early in the second period, the first real chance of the second half, while at the other end Erasmus fired a left-footed shot that Agyei got down well to save.

But South Africa had the lead on 58 minutes when Erasmus collected a free-kick with a brilliant first touch and rounded Agyei to put Amajita in the lead.

But Ghana were level on 66 minutes when Ayew headed past Keet after some hesitant defending from South Africa as the free-kick was floated into the box.

Serero had a tame shot straight at Agyei, while Maluleke had a long-range effort saved by the Ghana stopper as the match went into extra-time.

But the game was won nine minutes into extra time when Adiyiah smashed home a brilliant shot from the edge of the area with Keet having no chance.

Adiyiah saw his volley brilliantly saved by Keet, while Quansah looped a cross onto the top of the crossbar.

Ghana were unlucky to be reduced to 10 men when Agyemang-Badu received his yellow card for what the referee interpreted as a dive, when he was clearly brought down by the defender.

Ghana Draw South Africa

Lets avoid complacency! Tha t's all i can say because the South Africans will be coming with much determination to carry the day .But i hope we can overcome them.


Ghana's Under-20 have drawn African qualifiers South Africa in the next stage of the Fifa World Youth Championship in Egypt on Tuesday.

The Black Satellites survived a rapid comeback from the South Africans in the semi-finals of the African championship after throwing away a 3-1 lead to but won 4-3 en route to winning the tournament.

They have been unimpressive at the World Cup despite showing promising prospects at the African qualifiers.

South Africa took their place with a thoroughly deserved 2-0 win over Honduras to finish as one of the third best qualifiers.

Bafana Bafana, who were reduced to 10 men late in the match, completely dominated to claim a first-ever victory at the FIFA U-20 World Cup.

They had gone into this match bottom of the section, knowing that while a draw would suffice for their opponents, only a win would be enough to see them through.

Rabiu Ban Not to be Appealed

It was first reported in the media that it wasnt a case the FA would follow suit but I think they have changed their thoughts. Who said Ghana should not appeal against the ban? Eduardo of Arsenal was banned after he was adjudged to have dived to deceive the referee to award a penalty to Arsenal against Celtic in a UEFA Champions League game. Arsenal appealed against the ban and it was overturned and Eduardo went on to score in the next game Is it timidity, fear or the proverbial "fa ma nyame" syndrome at work? They should appeal and call for the video to be replayed.
There is a conspiracy at work during the tournament as can be seen from officiating. This same thing happened to South Africa in their first group match against UAE. Nigeria lost two players through red cards, South Africa and Cameroun also had their players sent off and later Ghana. It is time the voice of African football officials are heard in the corridors of FIFA. We have the players to win these tournaments but we are always undone by racist match officials. Enough is enough!


The Black Satellites will not appeal against the ban of midfielder Rabiu Mohammed who was sent off during last night's final Group D match against Uruguay in Ismailia.

Mohammed's celebrations of opening scoring account in the 54th minute turned soar when Crotian referee Ivan Bebek dismissed him 21 minutes later.

The Sampdoria player was given a straight red card for a high challenge on Aguirregaray.

A high profile management committee member told Ghanasoccernet they will not contest his wrongful matching off.

But that could change after a meeting with Ghana Football Association vice President Fred Pappoe on Saturday morning.

Head coach Sellas Tetteh has placed a low key on his absence but admits the player has been functional in their game plan.

"He is a good player and we're going to miss him but that I will mean there are people on the bench who can do the job. Rabiu is a very good player." Tetteh said.

He will miss two matches in the tournament.

Egypt Welcomes Our Heroes!

I have my own indifferences per our team thats representing us in the Pharoah land of Egypt. The odds go for us as one of the favourites but a closer look at the team brings out quite a bit of shock. My problem is with the team structure of 3 goalkeepers, 9 defenders, 6 midfielders and only 3 strikers (Ransford Osei, Dominic Adiyiah and Latif Salifu). Should any of our strikers get injured, are we going to convert midfielders or defendres into strikers? This brings into focus the case of Yartey and Adams. Yartey especially can combine more with Osei than Adiyiah. Unfortunately, the boy from the Aspire Academy (Benson) is also a defender.

The Black Satellites go to the FIFA U-20 World Cup as African champions, credentials strong enough to mark them out among the early favourites. The global youth title, however, is something of a Holy Grail for the African continent, having proven an elusive prize in the past despite many African teams flirting with success in the final stages of the tournament. For the 2009 edition, Ghana will carry the realistic hopes of the continent and hope to enrich an already impressive pedigree at youth level in FIFA tournaments. It will be the Black Satellites have fifth time at the FIFA U-20 World Cup finals, the last time coming in Argentina eight years ago when they finished runners-up.

Qualifying
Ghana won the African Youth Championship in Rwanda in January, beating Cameroon 2-0 in the final. They started the tournament slowly with a 1-1 draw against the Indomitable Lions but then made sure of top spot in their group with wins over Mali and the host nation before beating South Africa 4-2 in the semi-final.

Coach
Sellas Tetteh was coach of Ghana's senior side, the Black Stars, when they started the 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifiers last June and was bitterly disappointed to be removed when the Ghana FA appointed Serbian Milovan Rajevac. Tetteh had worked as one of the assistants with the national team during the terms of Claude Le Roy, whose spell culminated with third place at the 2008 CAF Africa Cup of Nations, and Ratomir Dujkovic, when Ghana went to the finals in Germany in 2006 and took charge of the match against Brazil in Dortmund when the Serbian coach was red carded. Tetteh began his coaching career with Ghanaian top flight outfit Liberty Professionals.

Star players
Ransford Osei was both the best player at the African Youth Championship in Rwanda and top goal scorer, netting seven times. The Israeli-based striker is one of several players in the Ghana squad who are based at clubs overseas. The side is captained by Dede Ayew, eldest son of former African Footballer of the Year Abedi Pele. Ayew, who plays at Lorient in France, also played for Ghana's senior side at the 2008 CAF Africa Cup of Nations. Others standouts are David Addy (Randers FC, Denmark), Dominic Adiyiah (Fredrikstad, Norway) and Abeiku Quansah (both OG Nice, France) and Jonathan Mensah, who plays at South African club Free State Stars.

Record
Egypt 2009 will be Ghana's fifth appearance at a FIFA U-20 World Cup and Ghana have twice reached the final of the U-20 showpiece.

What they said...
"For eight years we have not been to the U-20 World Cup so to return as champions of Africa is remarkable. It's gratifying to me that we're not just winning but also doing so by playing beautiful football," Ghana U-20 coach Sellas Tetteh.

Asamoah Gyan Hits Higher Heights!

Ghana striker Asamoah Gyan is on the verge of recapturing the assertiveness that characterized his goalscoring form after netting four gaols-Ligue 1's joint topscorer- for Rennes in the early stages of the season.

Things are looking up for the Ghana striker, who has a second World Cup finals appearance to look forward to with the Black Stars.

Gyan, 23, scored twice at the weekend in Rennes' 4-0 away demolition of bottom club Grenoble, a result which maintained the Breton club's unbeaten start to the season.

His first of the game was the fastest goal seen this season in Ligue 1, coming after just 19 seconds.

New coach Frédéric Antonetti, who replaced Guy Lacombe this summer, has helped Gyan get back to the sort of form which saw Rennes splash out 8 million euros to sign him from Serie A outfit Udinese in the summer of 2008.

Gyan spent the ensuing campaign battling injury niggles and a system which did not bring the best out of him. He finished the season with a solitary goal from his 16 Ligue 1 appearances.

Gyan: "Last season was tough"

Gyan said: "Last season was tough. I was often injured, and it was a never-ending story. I'm happy to have been able to put a run of games together without getting injured. It's a big relief. The current coach is far more attacking than the old one. Guy Lacombe's priority was defence and I'm a forward."

Ex-Nice coach Antonetti had no hesitation in handing Gyan the central attacking role in his 4-3-3 formation, a move which removed the need to delve into the transfer market.

"When I looked at the squad I discovered 'Asa', who I didn't know, by watching videos," said Antonetti. "We already had our centre-forward right here, so there was no point in going out and finding one."

Generosity

Gyan spent the summer working hard with Rennes' fitness coach Karl Chaory on Ghanaian beaches to give him every chance of living up to his transfer fee, albeit a year after his arrival.

His first goal of the season, a penalty against Nice, owed something to the generosity of his new team-mate Ismaël Bangoura.

"I asked him to let me take it," admitted Gyan. "I wanted to boost my confidence. I was playing well without managing to score, so I was sad. Goalscoring is my job.
Four goals is good and my confidence is coming back."

World Cup with Black Stars:

Gyan has also been on the goals trail with Ghana. Two in a 4-3 friendly defeat to Japan on September 9 took his tally to 13 in 27 games for his country.

Three days prior to that Gyan came on as a substitute as Ghana beat Sudan 2-0 to qualify for their second successive World Cup.

Gyan already has a special place in Ghanaian football history. As a precocious 19-year-old in Germany three years ago he scored Ghana's first ever World Cup goal, 68 seconds in to a 2-0 win over the Czech Republic.

Back to fitness, and with the goals flowing there is every chance that Gyan will shine in South Africa next year.

"I've nothing left to prove," said Gyan. "Back home, people know who I am and what I'm worth. I just need to be fit to be there."