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fter a landmark court ruling in 2010 threw the Premier League into a state of chaos, an Interim Management Committee (IMC) was set up by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and tasked with reforming the league. It set about incorporating an independent administrative body and thus, in November 2012, the League Management Company (LMC) was born. The new body immediately went about the task of restructuring the league and has since then been in charge of its affairs.

However, despite an unbroken seven-year period since incorporation, the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) – under the auspices of the LMC – has failed to live up to its fullest potential and remains mired in incompetence and uncertainty. Concerns like stadium violence, poor welfare for players and match officials, an arbitrary football calendar, and fiscal corruption have not only stripped the league of colour and value, but have over time driven away sponsors and investors.

These have added up to a league that is professional in name alone. Even worse, those saddled with the responsibility of overseeing the league have been found wanting both administratively and in terms of basic accountability: despite being contacted, LMC Chairman Shehu Dikko has declined to comment on the concerns above, in much the same way that he does not seem to have the answers to the league’s many ills either.
 

MEDIA BLACKOUT

One of the issues that has plagued the league has been the inability of its organisers to hammer out a working broadcast strategy, a failing that has impeded not only its commercial potential, but its sporting progress.

In August 2013, the LMC announced it had signed a four-year television rights deal with satellite broadcaster Supersport from 2015 to 2019. The deal was reported to be worth $34m, of which Supersport paid a two-year advance of $4m as a sweetener to fund the running of the league. 

In 2017 though, two years shy of the expiration of the contract, Supersport announced it was pulling out of the agreement, ostensibly as a consequence of the prevailing economic situation in the country. The naira suffering against the dollar, combined with the absence of return on investment – the LMC were apparently not doing enough to market the league and drive viewership – meant it was not expedient for the partnership to continue. 

Since then, there have been a number of attempts aimed at getting the league back on screens, but despite grandiose announcements, none has culminated in anything concrete.

In November 2019, a flicker of light appeared to shine in the form of digital broadcaster Next TV, with whom the LMC auspiciously announced it had reached a joint venture agreement to the tune of $225m for a five-year period. “We are doing something that has never been done in Nigeria before,” said Dikko, “but it is a model that has worked and is still working elsewhere.”

Per the terms, both parties would collaborate in terms of production, sales, distribution and commercialisation of content, with the live games broadcast first via OTT (Over The Top) transmission and subsequently made available to terrestrial and cable channels interested in purchasing rights.

However, despite the initial fanfare, there has to date been nothing concrete on the ground in terms of execution. Even more jarring is the absence of any form of accounting as concerns the financial aspects of the Next TV deal. In April 2020, Dikko blamed the lack of activation on the absence of production equipment (a curious explanation), claimed the LMC was still “working on getting the equipment” and stated that a mobile application had already been built for OTT transmission, implying the agreement was still in effect.

It came as a surprise then when, in early September 2020, yet another long-term joint venture partnership was signed, this time with UK sports marketing company Redstrike, to create a new company called NPFL Marketing. To summarise the long-winded, confusing communique that accompanied the announcement, the LMC has effectively outsourced its marketing and media, with a new platform – NPFL.tv – to be created for the streaming of live league matches. According to Dikko, this collaboration is “exactly what Nigerian football needs”; he referred to it as “ground-breaking” and extolled Redstrike’s “technical ability to deliver NPFL.tv”. It is worth noting that domain name remains inactive to date, and there is as yet no mobile app despite the league being slated to resume on December 27, 2020.

It is as yet unclear what Redstrike is paying for this privilege, or what effect this partnership has on the previous one with Next TV. Beyond figures in the press and on paper, where has the $225m from the latter company gone, and does that agreement no longer stand? Indeed, there has been no explanation whatsoever, official or otherwise.

This has led to a threat of legal action, with Next TV demanding over $18m in damages from the LMC for breach of contract in a letter dated September 30, 2020. “By your wanton breach of the agreement between (the LMC) and our client,” the letter reads, “you have not only caused a reversal of the gains the country has made in the recent past in relation to the development of our football league and industry, you have also caused our client enormous damages”. The letter also confirmed that Next TV had made financial commitments toward “infrastructure, hardware and software, and non-refundable deposits”.

DECADE-LONG TITLE SPONSORSHIP DEBACLE

Another area where a lack of transparency has severely undermined the league is in title sponsorships.

In 2017, the LMC announced it was moving away from having a designated title sponsor for the league. This decision, following the end of its affiliation with Mobile phone operator Globacom in 2015 and the futility of its search for a replacement in the ensuing two years, was with a view to “going for multiple sponsors based on exclusive categories as well as strategic partner(s),” according to Dikko. “Even the EPL in England have now dropped Barclays which used to be their title sponsor,” he said.

Interestingly, despite citing the Premier League as a model and trumpeting the benefits of eschewing a title sponsor in favour of a divested portfolio, title sponsorship does not, in itself, preclude associate sponsorships, so this was simply another case of muddled communication and cart-before-horse on the part of the league administrators.

In truth, their decision probably had more to do with a lawsuit instituted by a certain Total Promotions Limited (TPL).

Five years prior, TPL (on behalf of South African multinational telecommunications giant MTN) outbid Globacom, the second national phone operator, for the right to title sponsorship of the NPFL (known, at the time, as the Nigeria Premier League) for four years.

It was, however, far from an amicable victory: in January 2011, the NPL Congress, backed by the National Sports Commission (NSC), called for a fresh round of bidding, and TPL dragged both parties – as well as the Nigeria Football Association (NFA) – before the Federal High Court. What followed was a protracted legal tussle that lasted two years. During this period, not only was the league without a title sponsor, but its administration passed onto the newly-incorporated LMC.

For MTN, it was a case of deja vu.

Back in May 2003, MTN said the country’s football authority (then NFA) had accepted its offer of $2 million, spread over a four-year period, to sponsor the premier league.

“It is my pleasure to announce that the NFA has accepted our offer... (and) this is a turning point in the history of Nigerian sports,” then MTN chief executive officer Adrian Wood told reporters in Lagos. MTN said it planned to spend an additional $5million on promotional programmes associated with the premier league. But Globacom fired back, maintaining it had an existing contract with the NFA as the premier league sponsors.

Once the dust settled following the intervention of the country’s government, the local operators only won the battle but not the war.

As it was in 2003, so it was again in 2013. Erstwhile Sports Minister Bolaji Abdullahi, through a process of mediation between the feuding parties, eked out a Memorandum of Understanding between them in March: the title sponsorship would pass to Globacom, who would pay an undisclosed sum (later revealed to be N100 million) to TPL to cede the rights.

In May 2013, the LMC signed a title sponsorship agreement with Globacom for three years (2012/13 to 2014/15) to the tune of approximately $11.8m. In the same year, the LMC received a pay-out of $3.4m, from which it paid out $1.2m to the NPFL’s 20 clubs on a pro rata basis.

However, by mid-June, TPL repudiated the agreement in the MOU, claiming they had not received the agreed settlement and accusing the LMC of subterfuge in signing with and announcing Globacom as the new title sponsor. This sparked yet more litigation, carrying on through to 2015 when Globacom elected not to renew its sponsorship with the LMC.

The league administrator held preliminary talks with both Zenith Bank and Etisalat (now 9mobile), but with TPL publicly threatening to join any new title sponsor in the lawsuit, both companies ultimately developed cold feet.

The current attempt at a divestiture of the league’s sponsorship can, therefore, be seen for what it is: a disingenuous attempt at a workaround for a situation that remains a matter of jurisprudence.
 

LACK OF TRANSPARENCY PRESAGES BLEAK OUTLOOK 

Under Dikko, there are two clear failings: an inability to attract an appropriate scale of investment, but also a lack of accountability in the deals that are secured. The league has, in fact, attracted some sizeable sponsorships, but they do not trickle down to the clubs under their purview, who are still dependent of their respective state governments for sustenance.

This, in a way, is the crux of the problem, and the major area in which change can be driven. It may very well be necessary for state governments to surrender their interests in club football permanently, as under their purview, the clubs are more political tools than proper concerns, and are as such underfunded. A hard reset in this manner would force the LMC to buckle up, aware of their wider responsibility to the league, and would also serve as a driver for probity.

However, achieving this would require a deep rethink of the wider sports policy in Nigeria, notably in terms of the procedure by which leadership positions are decided, as well as a clear delineation of targets and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs).

The LMC’s governance of the league also leaves a lot to be desired. For instance, in light of poor welfare for match officials, match-fixing is a spectre that cannot be escaped. Similarly, there is a lack of will (or even moral standing, as clubs have not received any prize money since 2016, when Rangers International won the NPFL under Imama Amapakabo) when it comes to mandating security measures to stamp out violence in stadiums and in punishing misconduct and unsporting behaviour on the part of the clubs; and even in terms of club licensing, which is only now being enforced by the intervention of the sports ministry, despite being a part of the LMC’s statutes for many years.

Instead, under the current leadership of the LMC, a rampant culture of corruption and mismanagement continues to severely cripple football on the local scene.

Ultimately, until there exists the political will to stridently make a statement (or scapegoat) out of someone at the helm of affairs, these issues will likely persist.

Frank Lampard was ‘gutted’ Timo Werner did not end his Chelsea goal drought against West Ham, but feels the floodgates will open soon.

Werner had a great chance to snap a drought that now sits at nine games, but he smashed a shot against the bar following excellent approach play from N’Golo Kante.

The Germany international, who said fatigue was a problem, also had a good chance in the first half of the 3-0 win, but he got the ball stuck under his feet and shot weakly at Lukasz Fabianski.

Failing to take the chances will hurt Werner, but Lampard is happy his player is getting in dangerous areas and feels the goals will come.

“I am gutted Timo did not get his goal at the end,” Lampard said. "That would have been great for his confidence. He is getting chances so the goals will come.”

Lampard, who was full of praise for Thiago Silva, feels the summer signing from RB Leipzig is in an adaptation phase that he will come through and show exactly why Chelsea splashed £47.5 million ($64m / €52.2m) to bring him to the club.

“I’m not worried,” Lampard said on the club’s official website. “Every striker will want to be scoring goals, it’s what they ultimately get judged on and that’s why Timo was a great acquisition for us because of the level of goals he’s scored in the last few years. 

“He’s a player in a new league and we have to give him time to settle but he’s getting in positions regularly, he’s scaring teams and giving them a problem. 

“It’s not quite going in for him at the moment but the moment that changes then we’ll see goals from Timo Werner for sure.”

While Werner drew a blank, albeit he got an assist, Tammy Abraham netted twice and Lampard was thrilled with the England striker’s performance.

“It’s good for his confidence clearly,” Lampard said of Abraham. “You have to work for your goals and he worked for them today because he put a lot of effort in. I wanted him to be a handful and to have energy and move the backline which he did. 

‘Oli Giroud has been doing it for us in his own way and scoring goals so it was a decision more on the opposition today to play Tammy and I was pleased with how he did.”

Frank Lampard has admitted to being surprised by the quality Thiago Silva has brought to his Chelsea side, saying he was not capable of such displays at the same stage in his own career.

Brazil defender Thiago Silva made the move to Chelsea from Paris Saint-Germain this summer, and he has slotted in seamlessly in the Premier League.

He set Chelsea on the way to three points against West Ham with a brilliant header on 10 minutes.

It is testament to his quality that he has adapted so well at the age of 36, an age Lampard says he found it tough to perform on a consistent basis.

“I remember playing in the Premier League at 36 and I could not play like he’s been playing, week in, week out,” Lampard told Sky Sports . “I was in and out of the team and I could feel it at that stage of my career.

"I knew he was a top player, and has been a top player for a long time, but the pressures of the Premier League when you have never played in it. So he has exceeded it (expectations). But I should not have been surprised as I am working with him.

"The preparation, the reading of the game, the desire to win headers and to compete against anyone he is playing against.”

Lampard, who was  thrilled with the character his side showed against West Ham, feels Thiago Silva would ease straight into a coaching role should he wish to take that direction when he retires. 

“He is studious and will be a manager or whatever he wants to be afterwards," Lampard said.

“He has been a great addition on and off the pitch.”

Thiago Silva has two goals to his name since joining Chelsea, with his header against West Ham following up on his effort in the 4-1 win over Sheffield United in November.

While the goal is important, the defender would have been just as happy with the clean sheet against the Hammers.

Since making the move to Stamford Bridge, Thiago Silva has been involved in eight Chelsea clean sheets.

Up next for Chelsea and their Brazilian defender is a meeting with Arsenal on Boxing Day, which is followed by a visit from Aston Villa.

Tammy Abraham insists Chelsea aren't concerned with the Premier League table as his two goals helped the team to a 3-0 win against West Ham on Monday.

The Blues went into the game in ninth position on a congested league table but finished the night in fifth position after a crushing win over their London rivals at Stamford Bridge.

Abraham has found himself in and out of the team following the signing of Timo Werner and form of Olivier Giroud, but the no.9 took his chances with two clinical second-half finishes after Thiago Silva's first-half opener.

The 23-year-old acknowledged the need for the Blues to pick up three points but said he wasn't looking at their position in the Premier League standings.

"We needed a performance, I need to be in the right places at the right times, we had to stay patient but luckily we got the three points," Abraham told BBC.

"I need to help the team with either goals or assists, or just being a threat. It's about keep getting goals, keep being in the right place.

"It's still early doors to be looking at the table, we have to just keep picking up three points."

With West Ham enjoying a solid season so far, Abraham was delighted to get three points against David Moyes' side.

The striker was also pleased to be in the right spot as the ball fell at this feet for his two goals.

"West Ham are a great side, they gave been great this year and we had to be patient for the second and third goals," he told Sky Sports.

"The boys said we needed a performance and that's what we did today. As a striker, scoring goals gives you confidence, my team-mates created a lot of chances and we defended well as a team.

 "[My goals were] something you do in the park, get in the right areas and be ready when the ball lands."

The Blues have a tough run of fixtures over the holiday period with a trip to Arsenal on Boxing Day before home matches against Aston Villa and Manchester City either side of the New Year.

Manager Nuno Espirito Santo has hailed Owen Otasowie’s impact in the wonderkid's full Premier League debut on Monday, despite Wolverhampton Wanderers losing 2-1 defeat to Burnley.

The 19-year-old made his full bow in the English top flight against Sean Dyche’s team – starting in the midfield alongside Nelson Semedo, Joao Moutinho and Rayan Ait-Nouri.

Despite his contributions, the visitors stumbled at Turf Moor, but Espirito Santo still lauded the starlet for his eye-catching performance.

“Owen did well. He’s a good player. He’s strong, he’s physical and he’s very young, but he’s growing, he’s improving a lot of aspects of his game that he still has to learn, but he’s got a lot of talent,” the Wanderers’ boss said after the game as captured by club’s website.​

“He had a tough game today, but he handled himself well, and he’s going to be back in the future.”

The tactician born in Sao Tome and Principe also expressed his frustration at his team’s inability to get a result despite having ‘good spells of football’ in the beginning of the match, as their underwhelming run in the Prem continued.

“We started well the game and had good spells of football and we moved the ball well. But we’re disappointed. We were aware Burnley were strong and we could not hold on and be strong enough,” he continued. “We dealt with them pretty well.

"We were able to break the pressure, go out and have spaces, the ball was moving to the front, but then it became more difficult because there wasn’t much space and they made it difficult for combinations.

“The game required dynamic movements and we were passing the ball and staying still, that is why it was difficult.

“We conceded from a situation where we knew Burnley were strong. There are always good things, bad things, but we finished well the game with good character and good attitude, but it’s a tough game.”

After a notable shift, the 19-year-old American-Nigerian who was cautioned in the 45th minute was replaced by Spain international Adama Traore on the hour mark.

With this defeat, the Molineux Stadium giants dropped to 11th in the log having garnered 20 points from 14 games. They host Tottenham Hotspur in their next outing on Sunday, having defeated Chelsea at the weekend.

Frank Lampard felt his Chelsea side showed great character and commitment to bounce back from two defeats on the spin to beat West Ham 3-0.

Chelsea returned to winning ways at Stamford Bridge on Monday following losses to Everton and Wolves.

Thiago Silva’s header gave the Blues the lead on 10 minutes, moments after Ben Chilwell departed on account of an ankle injury.

West Ham caused Chelsea problems for portions of the game, but two quick-fire goals from Tammy Abraham on 78 and 80 minutes secured the three points for Lampard’s side.

Lampard feels the win will be a boost for confidence and believes it was reward for the hard graft his players put in.

“The game was hard,” Lampard told Sky Sports. “We started really well and in the second half where we did not get the ball and stopped playing.

“The sub, [Mateo] Kovacic coming on, got us on the ball a lot better. You are delighted when you get that second and third goal.

“A team like West Ham can hurt you at any moment. 

"It wasn’t vintage tonight. I thought there were some good parts; the best part was the character coming off the back of two defeats.”

The win lifts Chelsea up to fifth in the table, six points behind leaders Liverpool, and Lampard expects twists and turns in the months ahead.

“This season is looking different to every other season,” he said. “It is hard at a club with expectations that we have and the squad we have.

"If you are winning, or are unbeaten for a long time, then things move swimmingly well. It is much easier to manage, and you get a few challenges when you lose a couple of games.

“It is hard; I have to be the one that drives it. There was a bit of tension going into the game, in a good way. The players were like that and you have to fight through it. 

“When you come off it slightly, there is no easy way back other than a bit of graft. We showed that tonight without being beautiful.

"It will help confidence. As a squad, I thought it would be tough for us as we have to grow a bit of character in games. 

“We suffered at Wolves, we should have dealt with that game, and today we dealt with a game that was potentially very tough.”

Timo Werner was denied a goal by the width of the crossbar, as his barren run extended to nine games in all competitions, but Lampard feels the goals will come for the Germany international.

"I am gutted Timo did not get his goal at the end,” Lampard said. "That would have been great for his confidence. He is getting chances so the goals will come.”

Commenting on being fifth heading into Christmas, Lampard said: “It feels okay. I want more. We have to have a desire for more to keep pushing.”

Jwaneng Galaxy coach Sikalame Keatlholetswe has stoked the flames ahead of Tuesday's Caf Champions League first round, first leg clash against Mamelodi Sundowns, saying his side will be a match for the Premier Soccer League champions.

The fixture takes place at Lobatse Stadium, in what is Sundowns’ first game of the current campaign as they relaunch their quest for another continental title.

Despite an apparent gulf between the two sides, Keatlholetswe is refusing to let his team wear the underdog tag going into the match against the 2016 African champions.

“I see no difference between the two teams, we are both Caf and Fifa members, we are champions here and they are champions that side,” Keatlholetswe told the Botswana Press Association as per Daily News. “This is the moment we have been waiting for.”

Botswana Premier League champions Galaxy are making a debut appearance in the Caf Champions League.

Their only participation in Africa was a preliminary round exit from the 2018 Caf Confederation Cup, and they now face Sundowns, who are perennial campaigners on the continent.

Keatlholetswe's confidence may come from the emphatic manner in which they reached the first round.

Galaxy beat Zilimadjou from Comoros 4-1 in the first leg of the preliminary round, before a 1-1 draw away in Moroni to set up a date with Masandawana.

After six seasons of Champions League football under Pitso Mosimane, who guided them to the 2016 crown, Sundowns start business in the elite continental club football competition without the new Al-Ahly tactician.

It is yet to be seen if co-coaches Manqoba Mngqithi and Rhulani Mokwena, as well as senior coach Steve Komphela can steer the Brazilians back to Champions League glory.

Mokwena, for one, is treating Galaxy with some respect.

“Of course Galaxy are a good team. We will get footage from our analysts and advance team that went to Botswana," Mokwena told Sundowns’ media. “You can see with the [Botswana] national team that there is a resurgence in football.

"We have to make sure that we are well-prepared.”

The return leg will be played on January 6 in Pretoria.

Tammy Abraham struck twice as patient Chelsea ground out a 3-0 win at home to West Ham to stop the rot in their final Premier League match before Christmas.

Talk of a title challenge from Frank Lampard's side had been stifled by consecutive defeats to Everton and Wolves, slipping out of the top four while champions Liverpool pulled clear.

But victory on Monday moved the Blues back up to fifth after Abraham settled nerves at Stamford Bridge with a clinching pair in the 78th and 80th minutes.

Chelsea had endured a long night after Thiago Silva nodded them into a 10th-minute lead, with West Ham - after a double against their London rivals last term - on the front foot but unable to forge a legal opening.

An offside flag denied Declan Rice a seventh-minute opener after he ran onto Aaron Cresswell's quick free-kick, rounded Edouard Mendy and slid in a superb finish from a tight angle.

Ben Chilwell went down just prior to that chance and soon hobbled off, but Silva swiftly lifted home spirits with a thumping header from Mason Mount's right-wing corner.

Both sides had further goals struck off in an even first half, with Cesar Azpilicueta unable to keep play alive before Abraham netted and Jared Bowen later fouling Silva, yet there should have been no stopping Timo Werner. He aimed a tame finish straight at Lukasz Fabianski following a rapid break.

West Ham controlled the second period but failed to break Chelsea down and were caught out in an untidy fashion befitting a game short on quality.

Werner's scuffed shot fell at the feet of Abraham, onside for a simple finish, and his second followed only 101 seconds later when the ball again dropped kindly as Fabianski leapt to block Christian Pulisic's close-range header.

The scoreline was already harsh on West Ham and might have been weighted further in Chelsea's favour had Werner's woes in front of goal not continued with a blast against the crossbar from a presentable position.

What does it mean? Abraham glee adds gloss

Ultimately, Chelsea's ability to put the ball in the net proved the difference as West Ham's second-half pressure failed to pay dividends.

The Blues struggled for long periods but had Abraham on hand to net his first brace since scoring a hat-trick against Wolves in September 2019.

Indeed, despite seeing more of the game played in their own third (28.3 per cent) than West Ham's (23.6 per cent), Chelsea could have run up a handsome tally had Werner also had his shooting boots, instead failing with four attempts.

Silva steel sets the stage

Silva's early header - Chelsea's eighth set-piece goal this season - looked to have set up a comfortable outing for the centre-back, yet the hosts could not initially build on that lead and he was instead kept busy at the other end.

The veteran made six clearances, three interceptions, a tackle and a block and crucially bought a foul from Bowen before he finished smartly in the first half.

Hammers packing no punch

Although West Ham recovered from a testing spell after the Chelsea opener, they lacked fluency in the final third and did not work Mendy once.

Said Benrahma came out of the side after flattering deceive on his first two starts - hitting the target with one of six shots at Leeds United before failing to muster an effort against Crystal Palace - but the Hammers did not have the same balance with Mark Noble their fourth attacking option.

Meanwhile, Sebastian Haller's spectacular volley at home to Palace was followed by a muddling display, completing just seven passes, running offside on three occasions, conceding three fouls and failing to make the most of a first half N'Golo Kante slip.

Key Opta Facts: 

- Chelsea have lost just one of their last 13 home Premier League games, winning 10 and drawing two.
- David Moyes is without a win in any of his 16 Premier League visits to Stamford Bridge (D7 L9), the joint-highest tally of any manager never to win at a stadium in the competition, equalling his own record (16 games at Anfield).
- Timo Werner has failed to score in each of his last seven starts for Chelsea in all competitions, his longest run of starts without a goal in club competition since September 2016, between spells at Stuttgart and RB Leipzig (9).
- Mason Mount made his 50th Premier League appearance for Chelsea tonight, becoming the youngest English player (21y 346d) to reach this milestone for the club since John Terry in January 2002 (21y 36d).

What's next?

Neither side have made the EFL Cup quarter-finals, meaning their next action is after Christmas, with Chelsea visiting struggling Arsenal on Saturday before West Ham welcome Brighton and Hove Albion the following day.

Ghana coach CK Akonnor is on course to lead the national team to glory despite a topsy-turvy start to his time at the helm of affairs, according to former Netherlands international of Ghanaian descent George Boateng.

After replacing James Kwasi Appiah in January, Akonnor's first test ended in disappointment as the Black Stars succumbed to a 3-0 loss to Mali in an international friendly fixture in October. Three days later though, the four-time champions made amends with a big 5-1 triumph over 2022 World Cup hosts and Asian champions Qatar in a second friendly.

Last month, Akonnor supervised his first competitive game as Ghana defeated Sudan 2-0 in a 2022 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying double-header. Five days later, the Black Stars saw themselves on the losing side once again as they fell 1-0 away to Sudan in the reverse fixture of the Afcon qualifier.

“I think as a nation, we need to give C.K the time to explore, to learn," Boateng, who was born in Ghana but travelled to the Netherlands as a boy, told Citi Sports. “We have to give him a chance and support him and the team to qualify.

“In the first fixture against Sudan when Dede [Andre Ayew] scored twice, I thought it was really enjoyable football. They played really well.

“That gives us a lot of hope that C.K eventually might get what we need and put a team together that is willing to fight for the country.”

Akonnor has been tasked to qualify Ghana for the 2022 Afcon and win the tournament and as well guide the Black Stars to reach the 2022 World Cup. 

“It’s not about me. It’s about us," Akonnor told TV3 in May "Over 30 years we’ve not won Afcon. I don’t want to be just another coach who comes in to manage Ghana and goes and then it’s the same story.

"I want us to work and make an impact, be relevant.”

Ghana won the last of her four Afcon titles in Libya in 1982.

The Black Stars return to action with a pair of Afcon qualifying fixtures against South Africa and Sao Tome e Principe in March next year. 

Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski has revealed he held talks with Sir Alex Ferguson over a move to Manchester United in 2012.

The Poland international was regularly linked with a switch to Old Trafford while at Borussia Dortmund, where he spent four trophy-laden seasons.

However, a move failed to materialise and he instead joined Dortmund's domestic rivals Bayern on a free transfer in 2014.

He has scored an incredible 266 goals in 307 appearances for Bayern and was the leading scorer in each of the Bundesliga, DFB-Pokal and Champions League last term as the Bavarian giants won a stunning treble.

Lewandowski was last week recognised for his form over the past year as The Best FIFA Men's Player for 2020, but his career could have gone down a different route had BVB not blocked a Premier League switch, he says.

"After my second year in Dortmund, I had a conversation with Sir Alex Ferguson," Lewandowski told France Football. "He wanted me to come to Manchester. 

"I was very interested. I can even say I was ready. But Dortmund didn't want to let me go. It didn't upset me more than that because things were going well with Borussia."

Ferguson instead signed Robin van Persie from Arsenal ahead of the 2012-13 campaign and he helped fire United to the Premier League title in the legendary manager's final season.

Lewandowski, who has talked about comparisons with Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, arguably made the correct decision, as United regressed after winning the Premier League crown in the 2021-13 season - Ferguson’s final campaign in charge of the Old Trafford giants.

At Bayern the 32-year-old has won six Bundesliga titles and got his hands on European football’s top prize last season when the club got the better of Paris Saint-Germain to win the Champions League.

Lewandowski has revealed that Arsenal great Thierry Henry was one of his idols when he was a youngster.

“The ones I admired were Alessandro Del Piero and Thierry Henry, even Roberto Baggio, whom I saw playing when I was very young,” he said. "But, as much as the big names, what made me dream were the big stadiums and their atmospheres.”

Owen Otasowie was handed his full debut in Wolverhampton Wanderers’ 2-1 defeat to Burnley in Monday’s Premier League encounter.

The United States of America international of Nigerian descent had previously made his bow in the English top flight – coming in as a 46th minute replacement for Leander Dendoncker as Wolves secured a comeback victory against Frank Lampard’s Chelsea at the Molineux Stadium.

Against the Clarets, however, he was given the nod by manager Nuno Espirito Santo to start in the team’s midfield alongside Nelson Semedo, Joao Moutinho and Rayan Ait-Nouri.

In the process, the 19-year-old becomes the third different teen player to start for Wolves in the English elite division this term (Fabio Silva, Ait-Nouri) - the joint-most of any team in the competition, along with Liverpool.

In the tough encounter, Sean Dyche’s team claimed maximum points thanks to goals from Ashley Barnes and Chris Wood, while Silva got the visitors’ only goal from the penalty spot in the 89th minute.

Before he was substituted for Adama Traore on the hour mark, Otasowie had been cautioned by referee Lee Mason in the 45th minute.

Born in the United States to Nigerian parents, the youngster began his youth career at Mass Elite Academy, before teaming up with West Ham United and Wolverhampton Wanderers to continue his progression.

At the Molineux, he grew through the club's ranks - featuring in Wolves' U18 and U23 sides. He was promoted to the first team in the 2019-20 campaign, but had to wait till this season to make his league debut.

On December 12, 2019, he made his senior debut as a substitute in Wolves’ final Europa League group match against Turkish giants Besiktas.

Otasowie received his first call up to the US senior team for games against Wales and Panama in November 2020, but he made his international bow in the 0-0 draw with Ryan Giggs’ team – coming in as an 87th minute replacement for Sebastian Lletget.

Following Fifa’s latest ruling, the midfielder can switch international allegiance to Nigeria. The rule allows a player to change nationality as long as they have only featured in three international fixtures, including qualifiers - but not tournaments like the World Cup.

Also, such player must have been less than 21 years of age at the time of playing and can only switch after three years of no international activity.

Ben Chilwell was forced out of Chelsea’s 3-0 win over  West Ham within 10 minutes with an apparent ankle injury.

The full-back had a coming together with Hammers midfielder Jarrod Bowen and turned his ankle, prompting the injury.

Chilwell was treated on the pitch and after a lengthy discussion with the medical staff, he attempted to play on.

However, it did not last long as he went down again clutching his right ankle and was immediately replaced by Emerson.

"I expect he'll be doubtful for Arsenal," Lampard said of Chilwell. "He turned his ankle and tried to carry on but it was too painful. We'll have a scan tomorrow to try and see how bad the injury is. We'll update after."

The whole season has been busy so far due to the late start on account of the coronavirus pandemic, but games come fast in England over Christmas and New Year.

Following the Premier League game with West Ham, Chelsea face Arsenal on Boxing Day and Aston Villa on December 28.

They then welcome in 2021 with a home game against Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City.

The full-back positions are an area of concern for Chelsea, as right-back Reece James was ruled out of the game with West Ham on account of a knee injury.

Cesar Azpilicueta  was drafted in as replacement for James, while Emerson is an experienced figure on the other side of the back line.

"A slight difference in attributes can change things to a degree but I don't expect too much because they are accomplished players," Lampard said. "The captain of the club, Azpi did brilliantly today in all senses of his game, particularly the defensive side which was so important in the way they play.

"Emerson did well as well. When we train we work inclusively as a whole squad and know the movements we want to make. We'll prepare for Arsenal and onwards with our attacking plan.

"We want to attack with our full-backs. They know that. Reece and Chilly have been doing really well, we hope their injuries are not that bad and will be in and around the games over Christmas. So we'll see. But I was pleased with the two lads today. They were comfortable."

Lionel Messi was presented with a record seventh Pichichi trophy on Monday, but insisted that he would trade in an eighth for the chance to win La Liga again. 

The Pichichi, named for legendary Athletic sharpshooter Rafael Moreno Aranzadi, is handed out annually to the top scorer in Spain's top flight. 

Barcelona star Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo regularly battled for the prize during the latter's time at Real Madrid, but since he departed for Juventus in 2018 the Argentine has won it on both occasions, most recently for his 33 goals across the 2019-20 season. 

That seventh success took him clear of Telmo Zarra as the most frequent Pichichi recipient in history, but proved insufficient to avoid Madrid beating Barca to the title. 

And with the Catalans some way off the pace in 2020-21, Messi, who has managed just six Liga goals to date, is in no doubt that the team must come first over his individual accolades .

"An eighth Pichichi? I don't know, nor am I thinking about it, it is not something I am worried or obsessed about," Messi told Marca upon receiving his latest prize. 

"I would prefer to win La Liga before getting the Pichichi, we are fighting towards that. 

"We are slowly growing. We struggled to get going in the league, nor did we deserve to drop all those points, we could have won several of those games, like at Alaves, Getafe, Real Madrid... 

"We created a lot of chances, that would have changed the situation, but we have to put together a run of good games to get ourselves back at the top." 

One of Messi's most memorable goals this Liga season came against Osasuna, when after netting the fourth in a 4-0 win he took off his shirt to reveal a vintage Newell's Old Boys top in tribute to the late Diego Maradona. 

"It was a very special day, I was able to dedicate to him that little tribute I had prepared," Messi said of his celebration. 

"Scoring that day is a nice memory and it was a very special day because of all the significance of Diego no longer being with us." 

Barca, who currently trail joint-Liga leaders Madrid and Atletico by eight points, return to action on Tuesday away to Valladolid.

Timo Werner has said fatigue has played a part in Chelsea’s recent dip in form.

Frank Lampard’s Blues were being talked about as title contenders on the back of an unbeaten run that dated back to September 20.

However, Chelsea suffered back-to-back defeats to Everton and Wolves to drop off the pace set by champions Liverpool.

Lampard actually played down the title talk, saying following the loss to Everton: “If it makes people who are talking about us, saying we are going to win the league, we have got the best squad in the league. It is ridiculous stuff. 

"When you talk about best squads, you have to look at the teams who have won it in the last two, three, four years. Their squads are full of strikers and wingers who score 30 or 40 goals a season and midfield players who have won multiple league titles all over the place.”

The Blues can get back on track with a home match against West Ham on Monday, but it is a game Germany international Werner will head into concerned about fatigue.

“We’ve played a lot of games every three days and when you’re playing against teams who are not in Europe, they are not playing so much and have one-week breaks,” Werner told the club’s official website. 

“It’s always hard because they are fit now in the moment and maybe that’s why we’ve been struggling because we are a little bit tired.

"We have a few injuries as well and we are playing with the same starting 11 in the last few games but we cannot have excuses.”

Werner, a summer signing from RB Leipzig, feels Chelsea need to learn from the recent setbacks against Everton and Wolves.

“Every team has ups and downs," Werner, who recently played down concerns about his price tag, said. “We are struggling a little but in the last two games we were not so bad to win the games. 

“We have to learn from these things and do better in these games to get a draw, like Liverpool did against Fulham recently. It’s more in your favour than losing two points and that’s the style of how you become champions.”

Erling Haaland may be only 20 and in the middle of his first full season at Borussia Dortmund, but Lothar Matthaus believes the time has already come for the striking sensation to move on. 

Haaland moved to Signal Iduna Park in January 2019 after shining with RB Salzburg as a teenager. 

And he made an immediate impact at his new club, scoring a 23-minute hat-trick on his debut and finishing the half-term with an impressive 16 goals in 18 games in all competitions. 

The Norwegian has started 2020-21 in even more explosive fashion with 17 goals in 14 games so far, although injury has recently interrupted that brilliant run of form. 

Such potency in front of goal has attracted attention from the likes of Manchester United and Real Madrid; and according to Matthaus, his stay at Dortmund is fated to be a short one. 

“Erling Haaland is a win not just for Dortmund but for the entire Bundesliga," Matthaus explained to the Bundesliga's official website.

"At the age of 20, he is a machine. He is a flying striker. He brings a positive energy in the team while also scoring goals. He is irreplaceable.

"Erling Haaland is regarded at Dortmund like Robert Lewandowski is at Bayern: the player up front who is not only responsible for the goals but in charge of dragging the team with him. He is a leader at the age of 20.

"That says a lot and on top of that, he knows what he needs to do. He works defensively as well, something I really enjoy seeing Robert Lewandowski do as well. He is not one to just stay forward. His mannerisms as well, for a 20-year-old, to not only think of himself but of his team.

"This positivity that he radiates, radiates on the team which is why I think that someday, Haaland will not be playing at Dortmund anymore and will make the next step. He is already ready and we are proud to have him in the Bundesliga.

"Dortmund need to be pleased to have gotten him because he is a striker that fits to a club with such emotions.”

Matthaus, who was a World Cup winner with West Germany in 1990 and also starred for Bayern Munich, also had high praise for Gio Reyna, who has broken into an exciting young Dortmund first team alongside the likes of Haaland and Jadon Sancho.

“Gio Reyna, an 18-year-old player. I got to play against his father. An American. He played for Wolfsburg and the American Men’s National Team. He has his father’s talent," he added.

"The father probably trained him a bit better than he trained himself! That is why, at the age of 18, he is clearly in the starting eleven. He has high pace. He can dribble well. Good passes and is even goal-threatening.

"To be able to show himself against a certain Marco Reus and a Julian Brandt, against a Hazard. Reyna likes it on the left hand side. That is quite astonishing.

"On the other hand, it is brave from [ex-BVB boss Lucien] Favre to back a player like that and to bring him into the team when he has players like those mentioned on the bench. This shows that he impresses the coach in training enough to consider him a starter. Favre likes this player and the player hasn’t let him down yet.”