Black Queens coach, Mas Ud Didi Dramani, believes the exodus of players cost Ghana’s qualification to the Championship of Africa Nations (CHAN) competition slated for Kenya next year.

The 51-year-old former Real Tamale United and Ebusua Dwarfs player said the bane of the technical handlers was the continued transfer of local talents to leagues in other parts of the world.

The Black Stars coach, Kwasi Appiah, has put the CHAN fiasco behind him and is focused on winning the remaining four FIFA World Cup qualifiers to brighten Ghana’s Russia 2018 chances.

Instead of brooding over the past, Coach Appiah said he was concentrating on assembling the best players currently for Ghana’s upcoming qualifier against Congo in Kumasi next week Friday, September 1.

The chairman of the Black Stars B Management Committee, Nii Komiete Doku, has described as unjustifiable calls for Maxwell Konadu’s dismissal due to his failure to help the team to qualify for the Championship of Africa Nations (CHAN) competition in Kenya.

In his opinion, Konadu should not solely shoulder the responsibility and suffer the consequences of Ghana’s failure since he is only an assistant coach.

The Theodosia Okoh Hockey Stadium in Accra is likely to burst at its seams on Saturday when league leaders, Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), clash with second-placed Trustees in the men’s category of the Sapholda Hockey League.

While GRA, who lead the league with 27 points, are eager to beat Trustees (26 points) to widen the gap and boost their chances of winning the league, Trustees are also bent on toppling GRA at the top of the table.

Defending league champions, Wa All Stars, have been handed a tough semi-final opponent after they were drawn against Hearts of Oak in the 2016/2017 MTN FA Cup competition.

At a live draw held yesterday at the M Plaza Hotel, two-time champions, Medeama, were also pitted against Asante Kotoko in a semi-final double-header slated for Sunday, October 1 at the Obuasi Len Clay Stadium.

Ghanaian striker Jordan Ayew scored his first goal of the season for Swansea City while teammates Tammy Abraham and Leroy Fer also struck as Paul Clement's side beat MK Dons 4-1 in the Carabao Cup.

The Swans had to come from behind at Stadium MK following Ryan Seager's 17th-minute goal, but Fer levelled two minutes later with the first of his goals via a Jay Fulton cross.

Jordan Ayew has urged Swansea City to maintain momentum at Crystal Palace this weekend as they bid to build on their first win of the season.

The Swans return to the training ground today having chalked up victory No. 1 of the new season at MK Dons last night.

There is a cohort of African countries that have been ever-present at the FIFA World Cup™ in recent years: Ghana, Côte d'Ivoire, Nigeria, Cameroon and Algeria have all appeared at both of the last two editions of the global extravaganza.

It will be a different story next time round, though, with Algeria, Cameroon and Nigeria having been drawn in the same qualifying group, meaning that only one of them will make it to Russia 2018. On top of that, Ghana have stumbled in their section early on, enabling Egypt to claim pole position.

Koforidua-based Wisdom Na-Adjrago last Saturday defeated Daniel Anum Quartey 7-5, 6-4 to clinch the 2017 Accra Open Tennis Tournament title at the tennis arena of the Accra Sports Stadium.

The victory makes it treble for Na-Adjrago in 2017 after winning the National Ranking Tour Three and Four earlier in the year.

The semi-final draw of the MTN FA Cup will be held at the M Plaza Hotel in Accra at 11a.m. today.

The live draw will also witness the unveiling of the venues for the semi-final and final matches of the competition.

The Premier League bounces back tomorrow after a month’s break with WAFA clashing with Kumasi Asante Kotoko at the Red Bull Arena at Sogakope in a Match Day 14 outstanding match.

WAFA will be hoping to return to the summit of the league log with a win over a Kotoko side which appealed for the match to be  rescheduled following the team’s involvement in a motor accident at Nkawkaw last month.

Newcastle and Tottenham are reportedly casting a keen eye over Young Boys defender Kasim Nuhu.

According to a report from Swiss news outlet Blick, the Magpies had representatives watching Young Boys’ Champions League qualifying match against CSKA Moscow recently, and are now considering a move.

Burnley have tabled an £8m offer for Ghana international Abdul Majeed Waris.

The Clarets broke their transfer record with the capture of Chris Wood from Leeds United for an initial £15m earlier today and the New Zealand international could be followed by Majeed Waris, who plays for from French Ligue 2 side Lorient.

Brighton and Hove Albion have agreed terms with FC Zurich to sign striker Raphael Dwamena for an undisclosed fee.

Ghana forward Dwamena, 21, has agreed personal terms, with the move subject to a medical, a work permit and international clearance.

A 71 net score handed single handicapper, Kanin Bajina, the ultimate prize in the August edition of the Mercedes Benz Monthly Medal at the Achimota Golf Club last Saturday.

Bajina, playing on handicap 8, beat Japhet Achola (handicap 13) on count back to pick the grand medal.