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UK govt woos voters with more pre-election tax cuts

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UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak

Britain’s embattled Conservative government on Wednesday announced a fresh tax cut for millions of workers to woo voters before a general election expected this year. In a budget update, finance minister Jeremy Hunt said the government would cut national insurance — a payrolls tax paid by employees and employers — by two percentage points from April, matching action he took in November.

It remains to be seen whether the latest move, reportedly worth a total of £10 billion ($12.7 billion), would win over voters.

The right-wing Conservatives, led by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, have been in power since 2010 but were well behind the main opposition Labour party in opinion polls ahead of Wednesday’s budget.

Analysts said Hunt’s latest tax cut was far from being a huge giveaway, as elevated inflation forces up repayments on state borrowing, undermining the government’s ability to stimulate the recession-mired UK economy.

Credit: rfi

Israel approves plans for 3,400 new homes in West Bank settlements

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West Bank settlements

Israel’s government has advanced plans for more than 3,400 new homes in settlements in the occupied West Bank. About 70% of the homes will be built in Maale Adumim, east of Jerusalem, with the rest in nearby Kedar and Efrat, south of Bethlehem.

A minister has said the construction is a response to a deadly Palestinian attack near Maale Adumim two weeks ago. The Palestinian Authority condemned the plans, which are reportedly the first to be approved since June.

Israel has built about 160 settlements housing some 700,000 Jews since it occupied the West Bank and East Jerusalem – land the Palestinians want as part of a future state – in the 1967 Middle East war. The vast majority of the international community considers the settlements illegal under international law, although Israel disputes this.

Israel’s Haaretz newspaper said the Higher Planning Committee of the Civil Administration – the body that implements Israeli government policy in the West Bank – had advanced plans for the development of 3,476 settler homes on Wednesday – with 2,452 in Maale Adumim, 694 in Efrat and 330 in Kedar.

Credit: bbc.com

Navalny’s Widow urges Russians to protest on election day

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Yulia Navalnaya

Yulia Navalnaya, the widow of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, has called for an election day protest against President Vladimir Putin. As part of the protest, people should form long queues at polling stations on 17 March at midday, Ms Navalnaya said.

Ms Navalnaya’s husband died suddenly at a Russian penal colony on 16 February. She has blamed Mr Putin for his death. Her call for a polling day protest has been dubbed “Midday against Putin”.

Russia’s presidential election – which most international observers do not believe will be free or fair – will take place from 15 to 17 March. Mr Putin is widely expected to win a fifth term in office.

Ms Navalnaya said turning up at polling stations at the same time was a “very simple and safe action” that could not be prohibited by the authorities, but would allow like-minded people to “see that there are many of us and we are strong”.

The idea of a midday gathering at polling stations was put forward by Navalny two weeks before his death.

Credit: bbc.com

Peru’s Prime Minister quits amid claims of influence peddling

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Peru Prime Minister Alberto Otarola resigns

Peruvian Prime Minister Alberto Otarola has resigned following the release of audio recordings that allegedly featured him using his influence to help his love interest get government contracts.

Otarola tendered his resignation on Tuesday after television programme Panorama broadcast the recordings over the weekend.

Announcing his resignation, Otarola told reporters in Lima he had been framed by political opponents. He claimed his rivals had manipulated and edited the recordings, which he said were made before he entered office in 2022.

However, Otarola said on X that he was resigning “to give peace of mind to the president and recompose the cabinet”.

In the audio recordings, Otarola, 57, appears to be speaking to Yazire Pinedo. The 25-year-old woman landed contracts worth $14,000 this year to do archive and administrative work for the government.

Credit: Aljazeera.com

Haiti gang leader threatens ‘civil war’ if PM does not resign

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Haiti gang leader threatens 'civil war'

The gang leader behind the violence blighting the Haitian capital has warned there will be a “civil war” if Haiti’s prime minister, Ariel Henry, does not step down. Jimmy “Barbecue” Chérizier made the threat as members of his gang tried to seize the capital’s airport to stop Mr Henry from returning from abroad. Unrest has spread to other cities with a prison riot reported in Jacmel. Thousands have been displaced by the violence.

Barbecue, who leads the powerful G9 gang alliance, said on Tuesday that “if Ariel Henry does not resign … we’ll be heading straight for a civil war that will lead to genocide”.

The G9 alliance has unleashed a wave of violence, including attacks on police stations and the storming of the country’s two main prisons. Thousands of inmates escaped in a mass jailbreak on Saturday.

Haiti has been blighted by gang violence for years. But while Prime Minister Henry was on a visit to Kenya last week, Barbecue escalated the violence.

The gang leader has been opposed to the prime minister since he took over power shortly after the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse in July 2021, without an election.

Credit: bbc.com

Israel, Hamas ceasefire talks fail to make breakthrough

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Israel, Hamas ceasefire talks fail

Three days of negotiations with Hamas over a ceasefire in Gaza have failed to achieve a breakthrough, less than a week before the start of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan – the informal deadline for a deal.

The United States, Qatar and Egypt have spent weeks trying to broker an agreement in which Hamas would release Israeli captives in return for a six-week ceasefire, the release of some Palestinian prisoners and more aid to Gaza.

Al Jazeera’s Hamdah Salhut said on Tuesday that the latest round of talks in Cairo, Egypt, has “ended with a standstill” and that it was unclear what would happen next.

“The Israelis say they are waiting for Hamas’s response, while Hamas says they are awaiting for Israel’s response,” she said, reporting from occupied East Jerusalem

Hamas has refused to release all of the estimated 100 hostages it holds, and the remains of about 30 more, unless Israel ends its offensive, withdraws from Gaza and releases a large number of Palestinian prisoners, including fighters serving life sentences.

Senior Hamas official Osama Hamdan said on Tuesday that his group wants a permanent ceasefire, rather than a six-week pause, and a “complete withdrawal” of Israeli forces.

Credit: Aljazeera.com

Feature: Once Saved Always Saved? Not So Continues

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Pastor David Leroy Matthews

They entered into a ‘blood covenant’ by the blood of a lamb. It was Yahweh’s Passover. No one left Egypt sick or crippled.

Acts 12:1-4

1 Now about that time Herod the king stretched forth [his] hands to vex certain of the church.

2 And he killed James, the brother of John with the sword.

3 And because he saw it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to take Peter also. (Then were the days of unleavened bread.)

4 And when he had apprehended him, he put [him] in prison, and delivered [him] to four quaternions of soldiers to keep him; intending after Easter to bring him forth to the people.

Acts 6:11 Then they suborned men, which said, We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses, and [against] God.

Acts 6:12 And they stirred up the people, and the elders, and the scribes, and came upon [him], and caught him, and brought [him] to the council,

The devil and all of the demonic spirits, robbed us of Truth, with miss translations

Acts 12:4 And when he had apprehended him, he put [him] in prison, and delivered [him] to four quaternions of soldiers to keep him; intending after Easter to bring him forth to the people.

You cannot celebrate Easter and be in a blood covenant with Yahweh, ‘Jehovah” in your bible. There are no J’s in Hebrew.

In Genesis 11, it tells us that Abram stayed with his father for Twenty five years, worshipping the moon-god, offering eggs, and rabbits, they had lots of young ones.

So on Easter Sunday morning, which is different from Nation to Nation and in a country like the USA, I live on the East Side, if I go to the middle of the USA, there is an hour difference. If I go to the West side, there is two hours difference

So on the day that the devil caused us to think it was Easter, we went to church, the sisters had new clothes and hats, and the non-church people sang about their Easter bonnets. And the choir sings a grand song. “up from the grave He Arose” with a mighty triumph He arose,” I can remember the wonderful singing as we listened to the choir.

Easter is a heathen term, derived from the Saxon goddess EASTRE, THE SAME AS ASTATE, THE SYRIAN VENUS CALLED ASTORETH IN OLD TESTAMENT …….. Make no mention of the name of other gods

Exodus 23:13 And in all [things] that I have said unto you be circumspect: and make no mention of the name of other gods, neither let it be heard out of thy mouth.

Joshua 23:13That ye come not among these nations, these that remain among you; neither make mention of the name of their gods, nor cause to swear [by them], neither serve them, nor bow yourselves unto them:

Exodus 34:13But ye shall destroy their altars, break their images, and cut down their groves:

The lie is EASTRE fell from heaven in an egg, the doves pushed it on the bank, and out came EASTRE the fertility goddess.

The White House, the home of our president, will have an EASTRE egg hunt for the children. And every village, town and city will hide eggs for the children to find.

There is a seven (7) hour difference between the United States and Jerusalem, those of you in Ghana and other nations are deceived, the time of the world was changed, pagan names were given to the nations!

Rev 20:1 And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand.

Rev 20:2 And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years,

Rev 20:3 And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season.

Rev 20:4 And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and [I saw] the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received [his] mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.

Rev 19:19 And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against him that sat on the horse, and against his army.

Rev 19:20 And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone.

Deut 26:3 And thou shalt go unto the priest that shall be in those days, and say unto him, I profess this day unto the Lord thy God, that I am come unto the country which the Lord sware unto our fathers for to give us.

(Profess means declare) Titus 1:16 profess = same word in Romans 10:9,10

Romans 1:17-32

17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.

18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;

19 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed [it] unto them.

20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, [even] his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:

21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified [him] not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.

22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,

23 And changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and four-footed beasts, and creeping things.

24 Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves:

25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.

26 For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature:

27 And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompense of their error which was met.

28 And even as they did not like to retain God in [their] knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;

29 Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers,

30 Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,

31 Without understanding, covenant breakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful:

32 Who knows the judgment of God, that they who commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.

Hebrews 13:12-20

12 Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate.

13 Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach.

14 For here we have no continuing city, but we seek one to come.

15 By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of [our] lips giving thanks to his name.

16 But to do good and to communicate, forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.

17 Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that [is] unprofitable for you.

18 Pray for us: for we trust we have a good conscience, in all things willing to live honestly.

19 But I beseech [you] rather to do this, that I may be restored to you sooner.

20 Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant,

Hebrews 4:14-16

14 Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast [our] profession.

15  For we have not a high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as [we are], [yet] without sin.

16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

When did you make a covenant with ‘YAHWEH’ by the blood of the lamb?

No one can be in a covenant relationship with Yahweh and celebrate EASTER (EASTRE)

Revelation 13:13-18

13 And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men,

14  Anddeceiveth them that dwell on the earth by [the means of] those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live.

15And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed.

16 And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads:

17 And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.

18 Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number [is] Six hundred threescore [and] six. (six six six)

Revelation 14:9-12

9  And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive [his] mark in his forehead, or in his hand,

10 The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb:

11 And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up forever and ever: and they have neither rest day nor night, who worships the beast and his image, and whosoever receives the mark of his name.

12 Here is the patience of the saints: here [are] they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.

Many nations are using 666 now! It’s on food packages, cars, trucks, driver license, your phone, computers. Some stores will not take money, just your app. You are walking into a trap. Last March 2023, they put the chip in some Ugandan people.

The needle makes the mark, as it puts it. The chip.Revelation 18:4, stay out of EASTER, Love and respect the Almighty who is ready to (SOZO) save you

 Pastor David Leroy Matthews

 

By Pastor David Leroy Matthews of Sozo Ministries “Ohio”

Space Sponsored by Emmanuel Akwasi Adjei,

Be Made Whole International Ministry

Email- bemadewholeministryint@gmail.com

Rare Disease Ghana lights up Ridge Hospital; Calls for a National Policy

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JENNIFER AMBOLLEY
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Rare Disease Ghana Initiative (RDGI) a Non-Governmental Organisation recently held its annual celebration on the 29th of February, 2024.In a moving event that illuminated the importance of raising awareness for rare diseases in Ghana, the initiative lighted up the Greater Accra Regional Hospital to commemorate the celebration.

The event, held to commemorate Rare Disease Day, brought together individuals, families, and advocates to raise awareness and support for those affected by rare diseases.The event provided a platform for dialogue emphasizing the importance of solidarity in addressing the challenges faced by the rare disease community.

Addressing the gathering, the Executive Director of the RDGI who is also a Clinical Psychologist, Mr. Samuel Agyei Waife, shared his passion for the organization’s mission and the impact of their work on the lives of individuals living with rare diseases. “Our goal is to ensure that no one facing a rare disease feels alone or unsupported. Through education, advocacy, and community engagement, we strive to create a more inclusive and understanding society for all”, he said.

According to him, every year on the last day of February they come together to observe Rare Disease Day.

“It is a day dedicated to raise awareness and create support for over 300million who live with rare disease around the world”, he added.He further explained that it is a global event which has been happening for seventeen years but Ghana joined in since 2018 and this is the seventh Rare Disease day we are observing.

Mr. Waife called, policy makers, the general public, clinicians, researchers, the patients community and everyone  to all come together to make sure that the needs and interest of persons living with rare disease is considered.

The Clinical Psychologist bemoaned that a significant number of people living with the disease are undiagnosed so they use this moment to raise the voice and make sure that they find those disease that have not yet been diagnosed.

He also called on the government for a National Policy on Rare Diseases and part of this policy is for government to be very intentional in training health professionals to be able to identify and treat rare diseases within our healthcare systems.This, he said will help them to adequately diagnose and manage rare diseases.

Moreover, “We also need to inculcate genetic services in our healthcare because that is one of the tests you need to diagnose many rare diseases. This will also include having new born screening where every child born in Ghana would be tested before leaving the hospital”, he told the media.

He urged that, “ have to get treatments into the country for treatments thus it has to be included in on our essential medicine list and the National Health Insurance that will take care of the cost for rare diseases.”

The Head of Clinical Services at the Greater Accra Regional Hospital, Dr. Ralph Armah, expressed gratitude  for the celebration saying “It is the day where we as clinicians and general public get to know more about diseases that are uncommon and do occur in our society.”

To Mr. Armah, most of these rare disease turn to have genetic background and so usually there are certain things ascribed to it because they are uncommon.

“As in being due to some spiritual disease or witchcraft but these things are things we know from literature and every now and then when they do occur they become conditions by which we as clinicians turn to learn”, he also explained.

“So basically it is a collaboration between clinicians and diagnostics in arriving at a clinical conclusion with whichever case we’ve seen and we move on to the treatments”, he concluded.

Feature: Celebrating Verandah Boys In Governance

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I have been a silent student of ‘language in governance’ for a while now, beginning from the revolutionary period when Rawlings’ PNDC formed a blend of elites and grassroots in a Consultative Assembly to draft the 1992 constitution. The proposed constitution framers included non-literates, butchers, market-women, lawyers, dress makers, farmers.

In 1991, I was inspired to do an essay for my media column entitled, ‘Butchers and the Constitution.’ I interviewed ‘fitters,’ butchers, etc. on their new assignment, and tracked their participation at the consultative forum.

My interest in semi-literates in governance peaked in the mid 2000s, when as my contribution to the J B Danquah Memorial Lecturers of the Ghana Academy of Arts and Sciences, I plunged headlong into controversy, and dealt with Nkrumah activists with humble education, the ‘Verandah Boys’ and how they coped in Ghana’s English-obsessed parliament.

It was a great opportunity to burn candles over official proceedings of parliament, beginning from Gold Coast Legislative Assembly through the days of Krobo Edusei in Parliament. Krobo Edusei, the most famous among Nkrumah’s ‘Verandah Boys,’ was MP for Kumasi North West, and the least educated in Nkrumah’s post-independence cabinet.

Known for his wit, sense of humor and pedestrian logic, Edusei alias ‘Moke,’ was hugely popular and had a rare knack for reducing to pedestrian language, concepts that could confuse the ordinary man.

To Krobo Edusei ‘socialism’ simply means ‘Di Bi Ma Mindi Bi. One Man No Chop.’ He would say, ‘socialism does not mean if you have made a lot of money you cannot chop it.’ And listen to what Krobo Edusei said in a speech at Aflao in the run up to a bye election in October 1958.

‘You think I am a fool to give you water to drink and vote against me? After the election if you vote for CPP, I will give you water to drink.”  My research facilitated my three-day public lectures on the platform of the Ghana Academy of Arts and Sciences, whose President was the venerable Nana Dr SKB Asante, Paramount Chief of Asokore Asante.

During my recent keynote speech at Legon on Mother Tongue Day, I tracked legislators’ academic qualifications in Ghana’s 4th Republican parliament: from the beginning of the 4th Republic in 1992 to the current 2024 Parliament (2021-2025). Below is a summary of my findings.

The percentage of parliamentarians holding at least a bachelors’ degree was 46% in the 1993-97 parliament. As of 2024 the eighth parliament, this has more than doubled to 96%, a 109% increase. Additionally, the 30% master’s degree holders in 1993 have risen to 69% as of 2024: an increase of 130%.

In the case of those with Ph.Ds, the 4th Republic started in 1993-97 with as high as 12% Ph. Ds; this dropped sharply to an average of 6% over six subsequent parliaments; but the figure has almost doubled in the 2021-25 parliament to 11%, almost at par with the base line high of 12% in 1993.

Remarkably, legislators whose highest qualifications were below bachelors’ degree (ranging from Middle School Leaving Certificate, High school, diploma, and zero certification) were 54% in the 1993-97 parliament. As of 2024, this has sharply dropped to only 4%. There is currently no non-literate in Ghana’s parliament.

The issue of academic credentials in Parliament occasionally cropped up in parliamentary debates at Independence. Time and again, the limited educational status of CPP’s Krobo Edusei and Nkrumah’s Verandah Boys became a subject of innuendo by the opposition NLM in Parliament. Anytime this was insinuated, Krobo Edusei would sharply retort and defend the Verandah Boys. Hear Krobo in November 1958:

 

“Hnorable members of the Opposition here always think when a person is

not B.L, or Ph.D, B.Sc, and so forth, he is not qualified to be the director of

a company. Nobody is born stupid. If one does not get the chance (to do

further studies) then one is unfortunately looked down upon. If I had had

secondary education, and continued my studies in the UK and returned I

would have been one of the best lawyers in the country.”

[UPROAR]

“After all I have not been to secondary school; neither have I been to a

university. But Mr Speaker, when I stand up to speak, I have command over

the English language. I speak with practical common sense, and to the

point. It is not a question of graduating from a university…”

From my inquiries, Krobo’s favorite language was Twi, in which most of his humorous and controversial statements were made on campaign platforms. In Parliament, where the official language was English he spoke fairly good English, and where necessary broke into pidgin and occasional code switching from English to Twi.

There were a few parliamentarians though who spoke no English at all, according to the late veteran politician, CK Tedam, my resource person who was part of the United Party in Parliament until 1964. In this research, I benefitted tremendously from parliamentary reference materials including the Hansard, as well as Kojo Vietta’s book series, Know Your MPs, the latest edition of which I intercepted from the printers a few weeks ago.

Since Ghana’s Independence, the greatest sources of party activism and mobilization, have not been the professional elite with university degrees but grassroots firebrands and pedestrian executives belonging to the Krobo Edusei paradigm. In contemporary politics, these would include NPP’s Bernard Antwi Boasiako, alias Wontumi (call him the 21st century Krobo Edusei) and others, who are high party executives with limited academic colours. These have over the years vitalized grassroot activism to strengthen Ghana’s democracy.

Congratulations, Kwame Nkrumah’s Verandah Boys who set the pace.

Happy Independence Anniversary to the Black Star!!!

By Kwesi Yankah

[Kwesi Yankah is a Fellow, American Academy of Arts and Sciences

And Fellow, Ghana Academy of Arts and Sciences]

kwyankah@yahoo.com

Today’s Europa & Conference League Round of 16

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Mohammed Kudus, West Ham

Freiburg, West Ham reunite in first leg of last-16 clash

Having already butted heads twice in the group stage, Freiburg and West Ham United will immediately reunite for the first leg of their Europa League last-16 clash on Thursday night at the Europa-Park Stadion.

David Moyes‘s men prevailed in both of their previous battles in Group A, thereby earning a direct ticket to the last 16 and forcing their German foes to do it the hard way against Lens in the playoffs.

By snatching victory from the jaws of elimination, Freiburg are just 180 minutes away from achieving their best-ever run in Europe – they lost to Juventus at this stage of the 2022-23 Europa League – and Streich’s men became the latest team to take points off of faltering Bayern Munich in last Friday’s 2-2 Bundesliga draw.

Upcoming opponents West Ham could certainly share Freiburg’s pain when it came to abysmal defensive displays at home, but less than a month on from shipping six to Arsenal at a half-empty London Stadium, things are starting to look a little rosier for the Europa Conference League champions.

West Ham’s Premier League standing would only be Europa Conference League-worthy, but the reigning champions of that competition now have bigger continental aspirations in mind as they gear up for just their second Europa League knockout appearance after losing to Eintracht Frankfurt in the 2021-22 semis.

Credit: sportsmole.co.uk

 

Brighton continue continental adventure when they face Roma

Kicking off a glamour tie in the Europa League‘s last 16, European rookies Brighton & Hove Albion continue their continental adventure on Thursday, when they visit Roma at Stadio Olimpico. While the Giallorossi are regulars in UEFA competition and reached this stage via a dramatic win in the playoffs, newcomers Brighton cruised through the group phase on their long-awaited debut.

Brighton boss De Zerbi

Brighton boss De Zerbi returns to Italy, where several possible vacancies could open up in the summer, having helped the English club secure a first-ever continental campaign and then steered them serenely through Group B in the autumn.

Beating familiar foes Feyenoord for the third time in as many years, Roma came through the Europa League’s knockout-round playoffs last month, after a 2-2 aggregate draw sent their contest to extra time and, ultimately, a penalty shootout.

Europa Conference League winners in 2022, and Europa League finalists last year, the Giallorossi are starting to thrive in domestic competition.

Roma have lost just one of their last 23 home games in the Europa League – winning no fewer than 17 – and they have been given a new lease of life under Daniele De Rossi. As Brighton are currently below their best, the Premier League side could find themselves one goal behind heading into next week’s second leg.

Credit: sportsmole.co.uk

 

Aston Villa square off against Ajax in last-16

Aston Villa return to Europa Conference League action on Thursday evening when they square off against Ajax in the first leg of their last-16 tie. While Villa progressed through to this stage of the competition through winning Group E before Christmas, Ajax came through a dramatic playoff tie with Bodo/Glimt last month.

Aston Villa players

The priorities of Unai Emery may have changed over the course of this season, with Villa once being regarded as surprise Premier League title candidates before dropping off the pace. Nevertheless, the West Midlands outfit remain very much in the running to win a European trophy as well as qualify for the 2024-25 Champions League.

Going 16 matches without a clean sheet and posting one win in six, meant Ajax were considered as underdogs in some quarters when facing in-form FC Utrecht at the weekend. Instead, Ajax were able to respond with a morale-boosting 2-0 victory over a potential candidate for fifth place, with Van’t Schip’s side now back in the hunt for fourth.

In this competition, Bodo/Glimt was defeated in dramatic circumstances in the playoff round, with Ajax scoring two stoppage-time goals in the reverse fixture in Norway.

With Ajax having finally kept a clean sheet at the weekend, Villa will have to show more respect to their opponents, who are hinting at an upturn in fortunes. Nevertheless, Villa feel like a more cohesive unit, and we are backing them to earn a share of the spoils in Amsterdam.

Credit: sportsmole.co.uk

Liverpool make the taxing trip to Sparta Prague

Returning to Europa League duty, Liverpool make the taxing trip to Sparta Prague‘s epet Arena for the first leg of their last-16 tie on Thursday evening. While the Reds bypassed the knockout round playoffs by finishing first in Group E, Brian Priske‘s side had to pull off an astounding comeback against Champions League drop-outs Galatasaray.

Two-legged victories in the 2023-24 Europa League was nothing new for Sparta Prague, who were sent packing by Copenhagen in the preliminary Champions League rounds and had to eliminate Dinamo Zagreb in the final Europa League qualifying phase to even reach the group stage.

Mo Salah

Only one of Sparta’s last 16 European clashes with English teams has seen the Maroons come up trumps, and Liverpool arrive in the Czech Republic having already lifted one road curse this month, albeit in highly contentious circumstances at Nottingham Forest’s City Ground.

Not since September have Sparta Prague conceded more than one goal in a competitive home fixture, and Priske’s resilient charges ought to feel optimistic of prolonging that sequence against a Liverpool side who historically do not travel well in the Europa League.

With selection dilemmas aplenty given their significant absentees and impending battle with Manchester City, the Reds may be happy to leave Prague with a first-leg draw before attempting to complete the job at Anfield in the return fixture.

Credit: sportsmole.co.uk

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