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All 32 teams in 2017-18 UCL group stages confirmed as draw takes place on 24 August
15 minutes ago / Searlas

All 32 teams in Champions League group stages already confirmed. The UCL draw takes place at the Grimaldi Forum in Monaco at 18:00CET on Thursday 24 August.


Reigning champions Real Madrid will go into the competition as favourites once again. They are joined by La Liga rivals Barcelona and Atletico Madrid but will also face competition from German side Bayern Munich.

There will be six British teams in the group stages with Celtic and Liverpool joining Tottenham Hotspur, Chelsea, Manchester United and Manchester City.


The 32 teams that qualify for the Champions League group stage are split into four pots of eight teams each for the group-stage draw, with each group containing one team from each pot. No team can play a club from their own association.

Pot 1 is reserved for the Champions League holders and teams who won Europe's top leagues last season.

After that, the remaining three pots are ranked using the teams' UEFA coefficient, which is determined by their recent record in Europe.

4 pots

Pot 1: Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Chelsea, Juventus, Benfica, Monaco, Spartak Moscow, Shakhtar Donetsk

Pot 2: Barcelona, Atletico Madrid, PSG, Borussia Dortmund, Sevilla, Manchester City, Porto, Manchester United

Pot 3: Napoli, Tottenham Hotspur, Basel, Olympiakos, Anderlecht, Roma, Besiktas, Liverpool

Pot 4: RB Leipzig, Feyenoord, Maribor, Celtic, CSKA Moscow, Sporting Lisbon, APOEL Nicosia, Qarabag

When are the ties?

The group stage games are split into six matchdays:

12-13 September: Matchday one

26-27 September: Matchday two

17-18 October: Matchday three

31 October-1 November: Matchday four

21-22 November: Matchday five

5-6 December: Matchday six

What comes next?

The top two sides in the eight groups will progress to the UEFA Champions League round of 16 draw, which begins at 12:00CET on Monday 11 December in Nyon. The eight third-placed

Ghana blackstars squad for Congo double header

Goalkeepers :
J.addo
R.ofori
L.atie zigi

Defenders :
H.afful
A.lumor
J.boye
D.amartey
J.mensah
N.opoku
A.laweh
J.schlupp

Midfielders :
T.partey
D.ayew
K.poku
C.atsu
E.gyasi
G.waja
A . Duncan
I.sackey
E.ofori
T.agyapong

Strikers
A.gyan
J.ayew
R . dwamena

GHANA TO FACE CAF/ FIFA SANCTION OVER MATCH FIXING ALLEGATION

The World's football governing body FIFA and CAF will soon initiate an urgent investigation into an allegation of match fixing involving Ghana's football association, government of Ghana, some officials of the Burkina Faso FA and the sports ministry of Ghana.

According to sources at the two football governing bodies, email letters furnished their secretariats by some officials at the Sports ministries and FA(s) of Ghana and Burkina Faso, reveal that some officials of the football associations of the two countries in connivance with some government officials agreed to a "match fixing" deal to enable Burkina Faso qualify for the Caf Chan tournament in Kenya. According to the source, the ruling government in Ghana in solidarity with the opposition in Kenya, had taken a decision not to participate in the tournament to be held in Kenya.

Preliminary investigations by CAF have revealed that days before the match between the two countries, Col Yacouba Quedraogo, Burkina Faso's former sports minister who was recently suspended over for an act of corruption on a referee and some officials of the country's sports ministry were in Ghana to seal the deal.

The investigations also revealed that, Ghana, recently added its voice to countries requesting CAF to strip Kenya of the hosting right.

Ghana failed to qualify for the upcoming CHAN tournament after losing to Burkina Faso by 2-1.

We will accept any amount the Nation is ready to pay us – Black Stars

Players of the Ghana senior national football team the Black Stars have agreed to accept any amount as their winning bonus from the Ghana sports ministry at the ongoing AFCON tournament in Gabon.

Prior to the stars departure to the tournament, it was unclear as to how much they’ll be taking after winning a game.

Former Minister of Sports in the NDC government Nii Lante had ensured the winning bonus be pecked at $8000, a slashed of $2000 from their usual $10000 they’ve been taking since 2006.

In a conversation with the communication director of the Ghana football Association, Sannie Daara revealed to Metro Fm’s reporter Gariba Raubil who is touched base in Gabon that the players have consented to accept any amount the nation will be ready to offer them.

Black Stars will open group D’s fixture with the cranes of Uganda on tuesday 4pm local time.

The other members of the group Egypt and Mali will also face off on the same day at 7pm.

All the talk leading to Ghana ’s opening game at the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations has been centred around the difficulty posed by Egypt and Uganda, two teams that they have faced in recent World Cup qualifying matches picking a single point.

However, many Black Stars fans have overlooked the threat of West African neighbours Mali ahead of their second game in Group D in Port Gentil on January 21.

Ghana will open their campaign against Uganda on Tuesday in what has become a familiar fixture after they both clashed in October. The Cranes are making their return to the competition since losing in the final match to Ghana in 1978. Their resurgence saw them hold the Black Stars to a goalless draw in Tamale. Hence, coach Avram Grant and his team know what to expect from this history-making Cranes side who have Milutin Sredojevic in charge. The Serbian has been taunting his opponents and claims he knows them well enough to trouble them on Tuesday.

A draw in their opening game would be acceptable but when Mali is your next opponent, then the Stars have to be careful how they start the competition.

The last time both sides met in the third place match of Afcon 2013 in Port Elizabeth, Mali ran out 3-1 winners, reprising their victory at the same stage a year earlier in Equatorial Guinea. While Ghana edge the head-to-head, Mali have shown in recent years that they can match their more accomplished opponents with grit and skill.

After losing in group games against the Stars both in 2012 and 2013, they ensured they earned their vengeance when it mattered most in the match for bronze by winning both times. Ghana cannot afford to let their guards down when they meet once more.

Their last official game took place in a friendly encounter in Paris in 2015 with both teams settling for a draw. While the Malian side has changed over the years, losing the core of its glorious midfield strength to retirement, Ghana has retained many key players over the last few years and seem to have more experience in midfield coming into the Afcon in Gabon.

Sanni Daara, the Communications Director of the Ghana Football Association (GFA) says reports that the Black Stars have rejected the hotel accommodation and training facilities provided for the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations are false.

The Black Stars arrived in Gabon on Saturday to prepare for the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

It was reported that the team refused to accept the hotel accommodation and the training pitch provided for the Black Stars in Port Gentil by the host nation.

The GFA in a response has rubbished those reports.

“First of all, let me state it clearly that we have not rejected any facility. Before we had arrived here that was making rounds, that was shocking. We had not even seen the facility at a time,” Sanni Daara told Pulse Sports.

“Today is the first time we are going to see the pitch, but someone has put it out there that we have rejected the pitch. This is the era fake news, so don’t let an. I am always available, 24/7, morning, evening, afternoon, so you just come and clarify things instead put up fake news.
“We have seen that some way somehow some people are interested in getting bad news about the Black Stars,”

Ghana's first game is against the Cranes of Uganda on Tuesday.

Photos from Black Stars' training at Aquinas park

Black Stars began preparations for 2017 Africa Cup of Nations with their first training on Wednesday 28 December 2016 at St. Thomas Aquinas School Park in Accra.

Coach Avram Grant who is yet to officially name a final squad for the tournament took a provisional group of 22 players through some drills.

The provisional group had new faces such as Ghana Premier League Most Valuable Player Latif Blessing, U-20 goalkeeper Lawrence Ati Zigi , Nuru Suley and young Schalke 04 striker Bernard Tekpetey

GOALKEEPERS: Fauta Dauda Razak Braimah Richard Ofori Lawrence ATI-ZIGI

OUTFIELD PLAYERS: Afriyie Acquah, Agyemang Badu, Jonathan Mensah, Harrison Afful, Majeed Warris, Rashid Sumaila, Edwin Gyimah, Mubarak Wakaso, Frank Acheampong, Samuel Tetteh, Nuru Sulley, Ebenezer Asiffuah, David Accam, Ebenezer Ofori, Latif Blessing, Raphael Dwamena, Godsway Dunyo, Bernard Tekpertey

Nana Poku and Joseph Attamah to join Black Stars training in Accra

Striker Nana Poku and Turkey-based defender-cum-midfielder Joseph Attamah are expected to join the Black Stars pre-2017 Africa Cup of Nations training in Accra this week, GHANASoccernet.com can exclusively report.

Poku has recently moved to UAE side Al Shabab on loan from Egyptian side Misr El Maqasha where he scored nine goals in the Egyptian top-flight.

Attamah helped Istanbul Basaksehir to finish the first half of the season on top of the Turkish Super Lig standings.

He made five league appearances and scored one goal.

The last two consecutive seasons, he was named Best Midfielder in the Turkish second-tier during his days at Adana Demirspor.

Bechem United terminate contract with coach Manuel Zacharias

Bechem United have severed ties with their Portuguese coach Manuel Zacharias.

Both parties reached an agreement to go separate after a meeting on Wednesday in Accra.

The relationship between the coach and the club has been frosty since his appointment midway through the season.

Zacharias is regarded the club’s most successful coach after guiding the Hunters to the MTN FA Cup in August this year.

Brazil legend Carlos Alberto dies at 72

The former defender, who famously captained the great 1970 Selecao team to World Cup glory, sadly passed away on Tuesday after suffering a heart attack

Brazil's 1970 World Cup-winning captain Carlos Alberto has died of a heart attack at the age of 72, former club Santos has announced.

Widely regarded as one of the finest defenders of all time, Carlos Alberto is most fondly remembered for scoring the stunning fourth goal in Brazil's 4-1 final win over Italy at Mexico 1970.

A sublime team move, that concluded with a thunderous finish after Pele rolled a pass nonchalantly into the right-back's path, sealed a third world title for Brazil, allowing them to keep the Jules Rimet Trophy that Carlos Alberto hoisted at Estadio Azteca.

After beginning his playing career with Fluminense, Carlos Alberto moved to Santos, where he played alongside Pele in a celebrated line-up, making 445 appearances and scoring 40 goals.

Capped 53 times by his country from 1964 to 1977, Carlos Alberto went on to become one of the star names to take part in the North American Soccer League, representing New York Cosmos in two spells between 1977 and 1982, when he hung up his boots.

He then embarked on a varied coaching career, taking charge of Fluminense, alongside spells at Flamengo, Corinthians, Atletico Mineiro and Botafogo in his homeland.

Mexican clubs Monterrey and Tijuana are among those in his CV during the 1990s and he also led Oman and Azerbaijan at international level – the latter, his final post, coming in 2005.

A statement released by Santos read: "Santos FC regrets the death of the idol Carlos Alberto Torres, who was 72 years old.

"He played 445 matches and scored 40 goals in the period 1965 to 1975 and is considered the best right-back in the history of Praiano Alvinegro. The club has decreed three official days of mourning."

Brazil legend Carlos Alberto dies at 72

The former defender, who famously captained the great 1970 Selecao team to World Cup glory, sadly passed away on Tuesday after suffering a heart attack

Brazil's 1970 World Cup-winning captain Carlos Alberto has died of a heart attack at the age of 72, former club Santos has announced.

Widely regarded as one of the finest defenders of all time, Carlos Alberto is most fondly remembered for scoring the stunning fourth goal in Brazil's 4-1 final win over Italy at Mexico 1970.

A sublime team move, that concluded with a thunderous finish after Pele rolled a pass nonchalantly into the right-back's path, sealed a third world title for Brazil, allowing them to keep the Jules Rimet Trophy that Carlos Alberto hoisted at Estadio Azteca.

After beginning his playing career with Fluminense, Carlos Alberto moved to Santos, where he played alongside Pele in a celebrated line-up, making 445 appearances and scoring 40 goals.

Capped 53 times by his country from 1964 to 1977, Carlos Alberto went on to become one of the star names to take part in the North American Soccer League, representing New York Cosmos in two spells between 1977 and 1982, when he hung up his boots.

He then embarked on a varied coaching career, taking charge of Fluminense, alongside spells at Flamengo, Corinthians, Atletico Mineiro and Botafogo in his homeland.

Mexican clubs Monterrey and Tijuana are among those in his CV during the 1990s and he also led Oman and Azerbaijan at international level – the latter, his final post, coming in 2005.

A statement released by Santos read: "Santos FC regrets the death of the idol Carlos Alberto Torres, who was 72 years old.

"He played 445 matches and scored 40 goals in the period 1965 to 1975 and is considered the best right-back in the history of Praiano Alvinegro. The club has decreed three official days of mourning."

Avram Grant To Be Investigated By GFA For Sky Sports Appearance

Ghana Football Association Vice President George Afriyie has confirmed Black Stars coach Avram Grant will be investigated for appearing on Sky Sports in United Kingdom without the permission of the federation.

The Israeli was in the studios of Sky Sports less than 24 hours after the AFCON draw which saw the Black Stars paired with Egypt, Uganda and Mali.

His appearance have made the rounds on social media and the Black Stars management committee chairman has stated the actions by the Israeli will be investigated.

‘’Grant was not scheduled to travel to Gabon, nothing like Grant was supposed to be in Gabon and he is there, No! I was there myself and I can count eight of the 16 federations who were present,’’ Afriyie told Joy Sports

‘’Per the FA and Avram Grant program, Grant was to continue his monitoring process and t submit his list 14 days before the game against Egypt,’’

‘’I was told he made an appearance on Sky Sports which is not part of his program and I can tell you the federation will investigate it’’

Grant’s next assignment is a World Cup Qualifier against Egypt.

GPL to get staggering $44m sponsorship deal from Turkish outfit

The Ghana Premier League could receive a bumper sponsorship deal from a Turkish outfit ahead of the 2016/17 season.

Media reports indicates the Ghana Football Association is in talks with the said firm who are reportedly preparing a $44million package as headline sponsor for the League for 12 years.

The two parties are said to have been in negotiation since last season hence could reach an agreement in the coming weeks.

The domestic top-flight have been without a title sponsor after Capital Bank abrogated their deal with the Ghana Football Association before the start of the 2015/16 season.

The League went without a sponsor which created huge financial burden on several Clubs last season.

FA boss Kwesi Nyantakyi and his entourage are expected to reach an agreement with the Turkish company before the League begin on December 18 as the tentative date set for the commencement of the new season.

League Champions WA All Stars received $30,000 as prize money for winning the 2015/16 Ghana Premier League season.

THE OFFICIAL LOGO IS OUT NOW

KOTOKO PUTS PLAYERS ON TRANSFER.

royalsportsnet understands Asante Kotoko have put seven players including star defender Richard Osei Agyemang on the transfer list.

Much-aligned striker Obed Owusu has also been told he has no future at the club after a difficult campaign.

Burkinabe talent winger Halipha Sadogo, crocked Obed Owusu, Kojo Poku and and Benedict Ofori who was signed last season.

Striker Seidu Bansey who was signed during the second transfer window has been told to look elsewhere for games.

Kotoko finished fifth last season in the Ghana Premier League.

Alhaji Grusah dares Grant to call out the names of people sabotaging him

Owner and bankroller of Kumasi based King Faisal; Alhaji Karim Grusah has challenged Avram Grant to call out the names of people he believes are working against the success of the national team.

Ahead of the friendly against the Bafana Bafana in Durban, the Israeli manager granted an interview with the media in South Africa and declared that he knows certain people who are undermining him and his players but failed to mention names.

The outspoken football administrator however thinks that if Grant is aware of the people working against the success of the team, he must be bold to spill out the beans.

“I am grateful to Allah that the coach has seen the people undermining him but he should be bold to mention names. What he is saying is true but he should be specific on the people. He must come out and mention the names so that we deal with those people and find solution to the problems”. If he cannot do that then he should resign from his post. Alhaji Grusah disclosed in an interview with Asempa FM.

Alhaji Grusah further urged the FA and Sports Ministry to solve their impasse.

Konadu picks positives from South Africa friendly

Ghana assistant coach Maxwell Konadu is looking on the bright side after their 1-1 draw with South Africa in an international friendly on Tuesday.

The Black Stars took a first half lead through a Mubarak Wakaso penalty, but Ayanda Patosi restored parity in the second stanza in Durban to make it two stalemates in four days for Avram Grant's charges.

"It was a very good exercise," Konadu told royalsportsnet.

"We know how our opponents play.

"We were not wrong in saying that [Bafana Bafana] are a very good and skillful team.

"In general, I would say it was a good match; the exercise was good for us.

"We have seen our mistakes and we'll go home and correct them to make sure that we do better next time."

Ghana, for their next match, play away to Egypt in the 2018 Fifa World Cup qualifiers next month.

Kwadwo Asamoah confirms talks with Hearts of Oak

Heart of Lions left back, Kwadwo Asamoah, has confirmed that Hearts of Oak have held talks with his side for a possible move to the capital club.

The Phobians have tabled a bid to woo the talented left back few weeks ago but they are yet to get the greenlight from the Kpando club according to reports.

“Yes, it is true Hearts of Oak have shown interest.” The 19-year old disclosed to FootballMadeInGhana in an interview.

“Talks are in advance stages but as it stands now, my fate lies in the hands of my employers [Heart of Lions]," he added.

The 19-year old lateral defender who can also operate as a winger played all thirty GN Bank Division One League games for his side and win five player-of-the-match awards.

Gyan mobbed by South African fans during international friendly

Ghana captain Asamoah Gyan was mobbed by enthusiastic South Africans fans during an international friendly between the two nations on Tuesday.

The Black Stars were held to a pulsating 1-1 draw in Durban with Ayanda Patosi equalizing Mubarak Wakaso's first half opener through the spot kick.

Gyan, who enjoyed just eight minutes of action in the second half, was the toast of the fans at the Moses Mabhida Sports Stadium.

The Al Ahli striker is a cult hero in South Africa after he scored three goals during the 2010 World Cup in that nation.

He broke the heart of millions when he missed a last minute penalty against Uruguay in the quarter-finals.

Ex-Kotoko coach Ralf Zumdick rules out returning to club

Ex-Kotoko coach Ralf Zumdick has ruled out a return to the club he managed 13-years ago.

The German tactician has been strongly linked with a return to Kumasi since he arrived in the country.

It's unclear what his mission in the West African country is but that fueled speculation that he could stage a return to the Porcupine Warriors.

Further reports claimed he had held discussions with officials of the club over a possible switch.

But the former Black Stars coach has ruled himself out of the coaching job

“My time in Ghana was really nice and a very important learning moment in my life," he is quoted by sportsnewsgh

“It was my first time in Africa so it was key but what I can say is that I love Asante Kotoko because I know and respect the traditions of the club.

“At the moment returning to Kotoko is not an option because I still have two years left with my present team and I want to respect that."

Ghana players bought qualifier tickets

Players of the Black Stars bought up to four thousand tickets for fans who attended the World Cup qualifier against Uganda on Friday; it has emerged.

Even though it was a home qualifier, Ghana's Ministry of Sport had set prohibitive prices for the game, leading to about four players to buy the tickets.

Mubarak Wakaso bought 500 tickets while Germany-based left-back Baba Rahman and Lorient forward Majeed Waris bought 500 tickets each.

Andre and Jordan Ayew were said to have bought 1 000 as other players chipped in unconfirmed amounts. Ghana played in Tamale for only the third time since previous encounters with Guinea and Togo in the 2015 Afcon qualifiers were honoured there.

Ghana opened the final stage of their 2018 World Cup qualifying campaign on a worrying note after they were held to a goalless draw by their East African guests.

I want to take All Stars to the highest level - Coach Adipah

Head Coach of Wa All Stars Enos Kwame Adipah has set sight on a last four finish in the Confederation of Africa Football (CAF) Champions League saying he wants to take the team to the highest level in Africa.

Coach Adipah who guided his side to clinch the Ghana Premier League title for the first time after amassing 51 points out of a possible 90 remains optimistic his charges will travel far in the tourney.

All Stars will represent Ghana at next year’s CAF Champions League and the coach, who masterminded their league success, has challenged his charges to make a huge impression in Africa’s elite inter-club competition next year.

In an interview with the GNA Sports, he said, “personally my target, for now, is for us to get to the top four and if we are able to get there, there will be another hope of going further. I have confidence that we will get there irrespective of what people are saying. I want to take All Stars to the highest level in Africa”.

To achieve the target, Coach Adipah stressed on the need to recruit new players to beef up the squad as they embark on their campaign and urged the fans and media not to entertain fear adding “there are a lot of surprises awaiting them because we will do well”.

He added that, with hard work and determination, his target shall be accomplished for the club.

2018 World Cup: Chaos in Ghana team led to shaky Uganda draw

Egypt coach Hector Cuper he is not surprised that Uganda managed to hold hot favourites Ghana in Tamale in their 2018 World Cup qualifier hinting that the chaos surrounding the Black Stars led to the uninspiring result.

The Cranes managed to frustrate the Black Stars as they held the three-time World Cup participants to a goalless draw in the northern Ghanaian city.

Ghana's preparation for Friday's match was dominated by clashes between the Sports Minister Nii Lante Vanderpuye and the Ghana FA.

The Sports Minster says he wants to decide the schedule of the team while the GFA says it is the competent body to manage affairs of the side.

This comes after months after quarrels between the two bodies with the Mr Vanderpuye seeking to control the affairs of the team since he took over.

Few weeks ago he rejected the call-up of coach Avram Grant insisting only home-based players must be used for a dead rubber Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Rwanda.

The GFA defended the coach that the match would be used as a preparatory game for the World Cup qualifier against Uganda but the minister rejected the call and refused to pay for tickets for the match.

This resulted in players paying for their own tickets to play the match destroying Avram Grant's chance for an effective preparation.

Few days before Friday's match, the sports minister said he will block the GFA from organising a friendly for the team against South Africa to prepare the Black Stars for the next match against Egypt.

Cuper hints the chaos surrounding the Black Stars team in the run-up to the match against Uganda made it easy for the Cranes to hold Ghana.

“I am not surprised with the draw between Ghana and Uganda as football always rewards the best team,” Cuper was quoted as saying by the Egyptian Football Association’s (EFA) official website after the match.

The ex-Inter Milan boss added there are no small teams in Africa in modern days saying football rewards only those who put in the effort.

Ghana will travel to Egypt next month in the second round of the qualifiers.

Jordan and Jonathan Mensah out of South Africa friendly

Ghana will be without striker Jordan Ayew and defender Jonathan Mensah for Tuesday friendly international against South Africa in Durban due to injuries.

A Ghana FA publication read: "Some players including Jonathan Mensah, Jordan Ayew and Afriyie Acquah could not travel with the team due to injuries."

Ayew played and lasted the entire duration in Friday's 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Uganda in Tamale.

But the Aston Villa player seems to have suffered a knock.

Mensah picked an injury before the match against Uganda and was dropped from the starting line-up against the Cranes.

Torino midfielder Afriyie Acquah was the first to withdraw from the squad after hobbling off during the Uganda match.
Courtesy of GHANAsoccernet.com - Ghana's leading

Fans in Tamale were made to pay a fee of GHC1 to watch the Black Stars train ahead of their opening World Cup qualifier against Uganda in the Northern region.

Black Stars training session has always been free but according to footballmadeinghana.com, the Sports Ministry and National Sports Authority collaborated to decide against allowing fans to watch the training for free, charging GHC1 at the gates under guise of ‘Tourist ticket’.

“It is true; we were about four people who had come to watch the training session on Wednesday,” an aggrieved supporter is quoted by FootballMadeInGhana.com.

“So when we got to the entrance, we attempted to enter the stadium and the security there told us we have to buy a ticket before we can be allowed to go and watch.

“I watched the training sessions on two occasions – all I was asked to pay before I watched.”

Uganda put up a solid performance as forced out a goalless draw against Uganda at the Tamale Sports Stadium.

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