Brazil played in an all-black kit for the first half of their win against Guinea in Spain as part of an anti-racism campaign.
The South Americans abandoned their usual yellow colours for the 4-1 win at Espanyol’s stadium in Barcelona.
It follows Brazil forward Vinicius Jr being the target of racist abuse multiple times in Spain while playing for Real Madrid in the past campaign.
Vinicius converted a late penalty to complete a routine win for his side.
The latest incident of the 22-year-old being racially abused in Spain came when Real Madrid played Valencia in May, with the Bernabeu club reporting the incident to the Spanish prosecutor’s office as a hate crime.
Before Saturday’s match, both teams stood behind a banner which said “with racism, there is no game” in Portuguese.
Newcastle midfielder Joelinton made his Brazil debut and opened the scoring, tapping in a rebound after 27 minutes.
Rodrygo added a second only for Guinea’s Serhou Guirassy to pull a goal back before half-time.
Brazil switched to their usual kit of yellow shirts and blue shorts after the break and defender Eder Militao netted their third in the 47th minute before Vinicius scored his penalty.
Scotland's late equaliser started a remarkable turnaround
Unlikely and sensational late goals from Lyndon Dykes and Kenny McLean maintained Scotland’s perfect start to Euro 2024 qualifying as Steve Clarke’s side stunned Norway in Oslo.
Erling Haaland’s 53rd goal of the season from the penalty spot just after the hour mark looked to have given the more lively Norwegians a victory which would have revived their Group A hopes.
But out of nothing Dykes pounced on a mistake with three minutes of normal time remaining to snatch what seemed like a brilliant point for Scotland.
Barely two minutes later substitute McLean swept the ball home to send the travelling Tartan Army into ecstasy and secure a scarcely believable three points.
Victory kept Scotland top of Group A on a maximum nine points, six clear of Spain, who have a game in hand, and eight in front of a devastated Norway.
Scotland will face Georgia on Tuesday at Hampden, where a win would take them to within touching distance of a place at back-to-back European Championships.
Romelu Lukaku scored a second-half equaliser as Belgium salvaged a draw against Austria in Euro 2024 qualifying in Brussels.
The Chelsea forward received the ball with his back to goal before turning and evading the Austrian defence to fire past Alexander Schlager.
Michael Gregoritsch had given Austria the lead as his first-time effort was deflected past Thibaut Courtois.
The visitors remain top of Group F, while Belgium stay second.
Lukaku’s goal was one of two attempts on targets by the hosts, who were without Kevin de Bruyne after he suffered a hamstring injury during Manchester City’s victory in the Champions League final.
Belgium travel to Estonia in their next game on Tuesday (19:45 BST), while Austria host Sweden at the same time.
Cristiano Ronaldo is the all-time international record scorer with 122 goals in 199 caps for Portugal
Cristiano Ronaldo won his 199th Portugal cap as his side cruised past Bosnia-Herzegovina to maintain their winning streak in their Euro 2024 qualifying campaign.
Bruno Fernandes set up Bernardo Silva who opened the scoring with a chipped effort in the 44th minute.
Fernandes added a second through a 77th minute header and a third in the closing stages with a sweet strike.
Ronaldo had a first-half header ruled out for offside at Estadio da Luz.
Portugal stay top of Group J having won all three of their matches.
Coming into the fixture in Lisbon, Al Nassr’s Ronaldo, 38, had scored four goals across two European Championship qualifiers in March.
He was fractionally offside when he nodded home Joao Cancelo’s cross in the 23rd minute, but Portugal were able to canter to victory without their talisman among the goals.
Bosnia-Herzegovina are now fourth, four points behind second-placed Slovakia.
The visitors could have taken the lead midway through the first half but Edin Dzeko volleyed over when unmarked in the box.
Botswana claimed a 1-0 win over Libya in Saturday evening’s 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualification Group J match.
The win elevated Botswana to the third spot in the group standings, but the Zebras’ ambitions of qualifying for the Afcon finals have faded away and they will now face Tunisia away in their final Group J game in September this year.
Libya, on the other hand, saw their dream of qualifying for the Afcon finals come to an end after slipping down to the fourth spot on the group standings and they will now host Equatorial Guinea in September this year.
The Zebras controlled the match from the first minute. Seakanyeng was involved when Botswana took a 1-0 lead on the stroke of halftime as the attacker set up Gape Mohutsiwa who beat goalkeeper Murad Al Wuheeshi and the hosts were leading during the break.
With his side’s hopes of qualifying for the Afcon finals hanging by a thread, Libya coach Hamid Bataw introduced Al Muetasim Al Lafi in the 68th minute.
However, the hosts stood firm at the back with captain Thatayaone Ditlhokwe and his defence making crucial interceptions and clearances to ensure that the match ended in a 1-0 win in favour of Botswana.
Mozambique pulled off a defensive masterclass during their 2-0 win over Rwanda in their latest 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier at the Huye Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
Goals from Geny Catamo and Clesio Bauque saw Mozambique keep their Afcon qualification dream alive and subsequently jumped to second place in Group L. Sadly, Rwanda will now miss out on qualifying for the showpiece.
Mozambique commenced the first-half as the better of the two outfits and saw most of the ball during the opening five minutes of the encounter. Despite the lack of possession, Rwanda created the first notable goal scoring chances of the match.
Despite playing on the back foot for most of the half, Mozambique took the lead on the stroke of halftime. In a swift counter attacking move, Elias Pelembe found Geny Catamo with a looping ball into the penalty area, as the attacker calmly slotted the ball into the back of the net.
In the second half, Rwanda immediately went on the attack in search of an equaliser.
It appeared that Mozambique were happy to surrender the ball for much of the second-half as Rwanda mounted pressure in the form of prolonged spells of ball possession.
Mozambique’s doggish defending proved to be troublesome for the host nation as the Mambas were more than happy to set up shop toward the end of the tie.
In true smash and grab style, Mozambique doubled their advantage in the 94th minute as Clesio made the most of a sloppy bit of defending from the hosts.
South Africa players celebrate victory over Morocco
South Africa put up arguably their most impressive performance for years to defeat Morocco 2-1 in an Africa Cup of Nations qualifying Group K match at the FNB Stadium.
Though both teams were already qualified for the next Afcon, the match served as a great litmus test of Bafana Bafana’s progress under coach Hugo Broos.
South Africa found themselves 2-0 up thanks to an own goal from Munir Mohamedi and a tap-in from Zakhele Lepasa (early in the first and second half respectively) before Hakim Ziyech pulled one back for Morocco with a superb strike.
Bafana’s Teboho Mokoena had the chance to kill off the game on 82 minutes when his high-pressing allowed him to steal possession on the edge of Morocco’s box and be faced with only the goalkeeper to beat, but he shot narrowly over the crossbar to let the visitors off the hook.
The result sees SA rise to the top of the three-team log on seven points, with Morocco on six points and Liberia on one point.
South Africa’s qualification campaign is complete, while Morocco still have a match against Liberia to fulfil in September.
Ghana have sealed their qualification to the Africa Cup of Nations after securing a point in Madagascar after a pulsating goalless draw.
The Black Stars started the game the better of the two sides and had their first chance from a freekick, which was whipped in by Jordan Ayew but it was cleverly dealt with by the defence of Madagascar.
Jordan was then sent through few minutes later from a pass on the left but the Malagasy goalkeeper was quick to react. Madagascar came close in the 15th minute after Dorian Betrand sent in a cross which found no one in the box.
On the other side, Kamaldeen Sulemana saw his sweet curler on miss the post by inches before Joseph Paintsil fired from a rebound right on the half hour mark.
Just before the half time whistle, Jordan Ayew sent in a beautiful cross from a freekick which was met by his senior brother, Andre Ayew, but the danger was immediately cleared.
Madagascar returned from the break very determined and almost broke the deadlock following a moment of pressure. Thomas Partey later forced a save from the Madagascar goalkeeper from a set piece.
Chris Hughton replaced Sulemana with youngster Ernest Nuamah, who was making his debut, as the Black Stars chased a goal.
Later in the game, Osman Bukari replaced Joseph Painstil and had the chance to snatch the winner for the Black Stars but his control eluded him.
A timely intervention by the police averted what could have been a bloodbath at Agortor, near Osuwem, in the Shai Osudoku District of the Greater Accra Region. Despite the role played by the police, a factional chief was severely tortured by his opponents and is currently receiving medical attention.
The mayhem, The Chronicle was told, was as a result of a dispute over land in the Accra plains, between two Dangme speaking groups from Ningo and Osudoku.
The Chronicle’s independent investigation has revealed that the present chief of Agortor, Nene Teye Kwesi, who is in charge of a large tract of land in the Accra Plains, hails from the Djangmaaku Salem Clan and his reign is recognised by the Osudoku Traditional Council.
Ironically, the Ningos from the Djangmaaku Manya Clan have also laid claim to the same tract of land that is being considered as a ‘hot cake’, following massive developments springing up in the area.
Nene Teye Kwesi, the Agortor chief, told The Chronicle in an interview that they have released acres of land to some corporate bodies for development, but the corner pegs for demarcation were destroyed overnight, by unknown persons.
According to him, in the night of Friday, June 9, 2023 he sent his boys to the site to watch over the erected pillars. When his emissaries arrived, they noticed that a herd of cattle had stormed the ground, accompanied by unknown persons. These herdsmen, he alleged, used the animals as shield and started removing the erected pillars.
Nene Kwesi added that, suddenly gunshots started coming from the midst of the advancing herds of cattle.
Some residents in the locality, upon hearing the gunshots, also responded with equal fire power to ward off any potential threat. As a result, the chief said his boys got frightened and fled the ground.
The following morning, Saturday June 10, 2023 the boys got back to the ground and spotted two pick-ups with occupants moving towards their direction.
Because of what had happened in the previous night, he said his boys hurriedly mounted their motorbikes and sped off. Unfortunately for them (boys), their bike ran into a pillar, resulting in an accident and the occupants of the pursuing pick-ups came out to arrest them.
Benjamin Zuta and Jacob Gado, both 27 years, were taken to unknown destination, which report reached him at his base in Tema Community 25. He (Agortorr chief), therefore, jumped into his pick-up and headed to Agortor.
The chief continued that, due to insecurity in the enclave, he had procured a number of weapons, including a side arm, which he duly registered at Police Firearms Registry.
With these arms, he got to Agortor and met a mob, together with policemen, being led by a Chief Inspector whom he knows very well. He then parked behind the police vehicle.
According to him, while attempting to get down from the car, a section of the mob advanced menacingly towards him and this development compelled him to cork his gun.
Some of the young men, however, attempted to disarm him and in the ensued melee, his finger struck the trigger, resulting in the discharge of some pellets.
Nene further told The Chronicle that he was finally disarmed, subdued and subjected to various forms of torture with offensive weapons.
He continued that, momentarily, he did not know what happened again, but woke up to find himself in the police vehicle, after being sent to the Prampram Polyclinic, where he was referred to the International Maritime Hospital at Tema Community Three for further treatment.
Benjamin Zuta, one of the chief’s emissaries, who was reportedly captured by the opponent of the chief, also told this reporter that on that fateful morning of Saturday, he was with Jacob Gazo, his colleague, to watch over the pillars, but they realised that the said pegs had been removed and set on fire.
He, therefore, used his phone’s camera to record the burnt pegs for evidential purpose, but saw two pick-ups approaching him.
Sensing danger, he and Gazo jumped onto their bike and sped off, but were pursued by the Pick-up vehicles. They, however, struck a pillar, throwing them into a pond.
The assailants, he said, captured them at about 09:30 hours, assaulted them with sticks and human fists, after which they were tied, placed in a pick-up and sent to the home of their captives.
Meanwhile, their phones were taken away from them and destroyed. It was at about 17:30hours that they were transported to the Doryumu Police Station and subsequently issued with police medical report forms, since their health conditions were so serious that the police would not accept them.
Zuta added that their assailants took them to the medical center at the Army Recruits Training School (ARTS), Shai Hills, where they were treated. Gazo, he said, was treated, discharged and taken back to the police station at Doryumu.
Spotting a stitched head, Zuta stated that the following Sunday, when their assailants were not showing up, the authorities at the hospital discharged him. He then went to lodge an official complaint at the Tema Regional Police Command.
Francis Mawuna, leader of the Djangmaaku Manya faction, from the same Ningo, also narrated to The Chronicle that he has the power of attorney for his clan.
He claimed that in the night of Friday June 9, 2023 due to the incessant rains, which resulted in the kraal becoming flooded, his herdsmen decided to release the cattle to roam around, but not without guard.
Along the line, the herdsmen heard gunshots with a pellet striking one Ismael Mawuna and injuring him. A report was made to the police at Asutsuare Junction for action.
On Saturday at about 09:00hours, police from Doryumu, led by a Chief Inspector, arrived at the scene to conduct investigation into the shooting the previous night.
Police went ahead to obtain names of the suspects, proceeded to the assembly member to inform the suspects to voluntarily report at the station. Francis went on that few minutes later, he and his men spotted the suspects, who they chased and finally apprehended them.
Immediately, a call was made to the police who returned to the scene to take charge of the two suspects.
Other suspects who escaped arrest went to mobilise their men, stormed the ground and attempted to forcibly release those arrested.
Mawuna continued that his group resisted and disarmed the invaders in the presence of the police and handed over the seized weapons to the law enforcement officers.
Continuing, the leader of the group stated that Nene Teye Kwesi, chief of Agortor arrived at the scene in a bulletproof jacket and pulled a sidearm, which the chief, during a struggle reportedly fired, hitting four persons, namely Noah Mawuna, Sampson Mawuna, Richard Gazo and another.
At this juncture they pounced on him and though he resisted, he was finally overpowered. Those injured, he said, were transported to the medical center at ARTS, Shai Hills, for treatment.
The Tema Regional Police Command is still investigating the case.
The Vice President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, who electoral polls describe as a forerunner in the upcoming presidential primary of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), will file his nomination form today at the Asylum Down Headquarters of the party.
The filing of the forms, which were earlier picked up on his behalf, is the preparatory process to succeed his boss, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo. It also shows his preparedness to battle it out with the likes of Alan Kyerematen, Dr Afriyie Akoto and others.
However, like the rest of the aspirants, Dr. Bawumia, whose mantra is NPP breaking the 8th with him as the presidential candidate “is possible,” would appear before the party’s vetting committee.
When successful, he would ballot for a position on the ballot paper for the special congress in August for supper delegates to vote for five candidates that would contest the main primary in November.
Meanwhile, as The Chronicle reported about two weeks ago, our checks reveal that Dr. Bawumia will officially launch his campaign either tomorrow or Sunday in Kumasi.
INVESTMENT
Before appearing party headquarters to submit his forms, Dr. Bawumia had made a trip to London, United Kingdom, where he enticed foreign investors to come and invest in Ghana.
He told the gathering of business moguls that Ghana’s economic opportunities for private sector investors are back on track as the country is navigating its way out of the global economic meltdown.
Dr. Bawumia noted that the government is relentlessly re-focusing on economic growth and working hard to regain the trajectory Ghana was on and get back to pre-Covid growth numbers.
“We are living in extraordinary times. Over the past two years, inflation has surged. Its rise has been large, sudden, and global. In many parts of the world, it is now at levels unseen for generations.
“Meanwhile, financial systems have come under strain. For the first time in recent decades, we have seen high inflation and financial stress emerge in tandem.
The world, as we are all aware, continues to face difficult moments caused by several factors, including climate change and disruptions in the supply chain of manufacturing goods as a result of the pandemic, among others,” he told the investors.
According to him, in the night of Friday, June 9, 2023 he sent his boys to the site to watch over the erected pillars. When his emissaries arrived, they noticed that a herd of cattle had stormed the ground, accompanied by unknown persons. These herdsmen, he alleged, used the animals as shield and started removing the erected pillars.
