Prime News Ghana

Top sports stories: Ghana's final FIFA Rankings position for the year revealed, NBA roundup ... plus more

By Vincent Ashitey
Shares
facebook sharing button Share
twitter sharing button Tweet
email sharing button Email
sharethis sharing button Share

Catch up on some of the sports stories you may have missed on Primenewsghana.

 

NBA roundup: Stephen Curry leads Golden State Warriors win with 46 points

World Leagues confirm when they will release players for AFCON

The World Leagues Forum (WLF) has written to global soccer governing body FIFA and the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to say they will not release players for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) until January 3.

FIFA regulations state clubs must release players for AFCON by December 27, which is 13 days before the tournament starts. 

The WLF said that date was “unreasonable and disproportionate” for many clubs and players in action this month.

Burkina Faso coach Malo names provisional AFCON 2021 squad

Burkina Faso coach head coach Kamou Malo has released a 29-man preliminary squad for the AFCON 2021.

Notably missing from the squad is Lassina Frank Traore who is currently an injury which has ruled him out of the rest of the 2021-22 football season. 

Bryan Dabo who was key for Burkina Faso during the World Cup qualifiers is also excluded from the squad due to an injury.

Bertrand Traore who has recovered from a thigh injury he sustained in October whilst on international duty is among the selected players for the AFCON.

Kotoko partners Zeepay

Ghana Premier League side Asante Kotoko have announced Zeepay as new its partner.

According to a release by the Porcupines, their partnership with the Ghanaian Fintech company is worth GHS 1 million for one year with an option to renew for another year.

"We are delighted to announce a partnership deal with Ghanaian-owned Fintech and mobile money company, Zeepay Ghana Limited worth Ghc 1 million for one year with an option to renew!!," a club statement said.

 

How Ghana finished 2021 in latest FIFA Rankings

The Black Stars of Ghana have ended the year 2021 as the 52nd best national football team in the world, according to the latest FIFA Rankings.

The December rankings released means the Black Stars are unmoved from last month's position.

Coincidentally the Black Stars finished the year 2020 in the same position.

At continental level, Ghana still hold eighth position, just above Mali (57) and Burkina Faso (58) in Africa's Top 10. Senegal (20) continue to lead the pack, followed by Tunisia (26), Algeria (31), Morocco (35), Nigeria (35), Egypt (49) and Cameroon (50).
 
Cote d’Ivoire head coach Patrice Beaumelle has released his final 28-man squad for next month’s AFCON with Crystal Palace talisman Wilfried Zaha making the cut.

The Elephants have been drawn in Group E along with title holders Algeria, West African neighbours Sierra Leone and Equatorial Guinea.

Crystal Palace star Wilfried Zaha is back in the list for the tournament in January after missing the last two rounds of the World Cup qualifiers last month. Arsenal forward Nicolas Pepe also made the final list of players to represent the 2015 champions.

Teenager Amad Diallo failed to make the cut while experienced winger Gervinho Kouassi has been ruled out because of an injury.