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World Cup 2026: Ivory Coast arrive for tournament in style – VIDEO

Tonaldo — Mon, 08 Jun 2026 11:10:05 +0000

After completing a training camp in Paris, head coach Emerse Fae and his players travelled to the United States, where they will continue their final build-up to the global tournament.

The Elephants landed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on June 7 and have already settled into their base ahead of the competition, which is being jointly hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.

The Ivorian delegation made a striking arrival, proudly dressed in the country’s national colours.

Their arrival was met with a warm reception from members of the Ivorian community living in the United States, who turned out to welcome the team.

« Welcome To America » #ElephantsEnMarche #TousDerriereLesElephants #CDM2026 pic.twitter.com/bYYhjSRROR

— Équipe Nationale de Football Cote d’Ivoire (@equipenatciv) June 7, 2026

With the countdown to the tournament now entering its final stages, Emerse Fae and his squad will focus on sharpening their preparations before their opening Group E fixture against Ecuador on June 15.

Ivory Coast will then take on Germany on June 20 before wrapping up their group stage campaign with a clash against Curaçao on June 25 as they seek a place in the knockout rounds of the World Cup.

Source:Fiilasports/ghanasoccernet

World Cup 2026: Ghana can make it to the semifinals – Paul Reverson

Tonaldo — Mon, 08 Jun 2026 10:34:45 +0000

The senior national team will make an appearance at the tournament for the fifth time, which will be hosted across the USA, Canada and Mexico.

Ghana has been housed in Group L alongside Panama, England and Croatia.

Having exited at the group phase in 2014 and 2022 in Brazil and Qatar, respectively, Reverson, who was named in the 28-man provisional squad but missed out on the final list, insists the team is capable of making history at the 23rd edition of the Mundial.

“I think Ghana can reach the semi-finals and even further,” the highly-rated Ajax goalkeeper prospect told 3Sports.

The Black Stars will open their campaign against Panama on June 17 at BMO Field, before taking on England at Gillette Stadium on June 23. Their final group fixture comes against Croatia on June 27.

Source:Fiilasports/ghanasoccernet

World Cup 2026: I wish I made final Black Stars squad list – Goalkeeper Paul Reverson

Tonaldo — Mon, 08 Jun 2026 10:27:04 +0000

The highly rated Ajax shot-stopper was included in Ghana’s 28-man provisional squad for the tournament but ultimately did not make the final selection.

Despite the setback, the 20-year-old remains optimistic about his long-term future with the national team.

“I wish I was in the Black Stars team for the World Cup, but now is not the time. I’m still very young,” Reverson told 3Sports.

Reverson, who came through the youth systems of Dutch sides Zeeburgia and AFC before joining Ajax Amsterdam, currently features for Jong Ajax in the Eerste Divisie.

Although eligible to represent the Netherlands, he opted to commit his international future to Ghana. That decision led to his debut for the Black Stars at U-20 level in 2025, where his performances quickly drew attention from senior team selectors.

He later earned a maiden call-up to the senior squad for Ghana’s international friendly against Mexico in May, marking a key milestone in his rising international career.

Ghana heads into the 2026 World Cup placed in Group L alongside Panama, England and Croatia. The Black Stars begin their campaign on June 17 against Panama at BMO Field, before facing England on June 23 at Gillette Stadium, and wrapping up the group stage against Croatia on June 27.

Source:Fiilasports/ghanasoccernet

World Cup 2026: It’s unfortunate Otto Addo got sacked before tournament – GFA

Tonaldo — Mon, 08 Jun 2026 10:20:25 +0000

Addo, who was reappointed in March 2024, failed to secure qualification for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, despite successfully steering Ghana to a place at the 2026 World Cup, which will be staged across the United States, Canada and Mexico.

His tenure, however, came under pressure during the team’s pre-tournament build-up in North America, where a run of poor results, including back-to-back defeats against Austria and Germany, ultimately led to his dismissal.

Veteran Portuguese coach Carlos Queiroz has since been handed a short-term contract to lead the team into the tournament.

“We would have loved to have the coach (Otto Addo) who qualified us for the World Cup, but unfortunately, the results were not looking good, and after the search period, we appointed Carlos Queiroz as the new coach for the Black Stars,” Asante Twum told DW TV.

“He is very experienced, and that is what we needed at this moment,” he added.

Ghana are currently in the United States finalising preparations for the tournament. The Black Stars have been drawn in Group L alongside England, Croatia and Panama.

Queiroz’s side will open their campaign against Panama on June 17 at BMO Field, before facing England at Gillette Stadium on June 23. Their final group match comes against Croatia on June 27.

The four-time African champions will be hoping to progress beyond the group stage for the first time since 2010, having exited at the same phase in both 2014 and 2022 World Cup appearances.

Source:Fiilasports/ghanasoccernet

World Cup 2026: GFA backs Carlos Queiroz to lead Black Stars to success

Tonaldo — Mon, 08 Jun 2026 10:10:17 +0000

Ghana will make their fifth appearance at the tournament, which will be hosted across the USA, Canada and Mexico.

The Black Stars, who are seeking to secure knockout qualification for the first time since 2010, have been housed in Group L alongside Panama, England and Croatia.

Carlos Queiroz and his charges tested their readiness with a game against Wales at Cardiff City Stadium, which ended 1-1.

Speaking to DW TV, Asante Twum expressed optimism that the former Real Madrid boss will guide the team to make the country proud.

“In the business of football, there are divergent views, and Carlos Queiroz has coached some of the best talents that football can boast of,” he said.

“We are solidly behind him, and he has the impetus to take us to the World Cup and make our nation proud,” Asante Twum added.

The Black Stars will open their campaign against Panama on June 17 at BMO Field, before taking on England at Gillette Stadium on June 23. Their final group fixture comes against Croatia on June 27.

Under the guidance of Queiroz, the four-time African champions will be aiming to reach the knockout stage for the first time since 2010, having exited at the group stage in both 2014 and 2022.

Source:Fiilasports/ghanasoccernet

Hundreds of captives freed from Boko Haram mountain hideout

Issahaku Walkiyatu — Mon, 08 Jun 2026 06:28:45 +0000

At least 360 people kidnapped by Boko Haram jihadists from a mainly Muslim community in Nigeria’s north-eastern Borno state in March have been freed from a remote mountain hideout.

The circumstances of how they were freed are disputed. The army says it had launched an unprecedented intelligence-led operation that had been weeks in the planning and taken the Islamist militants by surprise.

But a local group, the Borno South Youth Initiative, says it mediated the unconditional release, putting the number of those freed at 416.

Mass abductions by armed groups for ransom have become a common tactic in Nigeria in recent years – and though it is illegal to pay ransoms, it does happen.

Boko Haram infamously kidnapped more than 200 schoolgirls from the village of Chibok in 2014 – around 90 of whom remain missing.

At the time the group forced its captives into sexual slavery, domestic servitude or used them as suicide bombers.

But a range of groups across Nigeria now use kidnapping to raise funds, focusing on soft targets such as schools, churches, mosques and remote villages.

Analysts say ransom payments by desperate families, intermediaries or, in some cases, state authorities have fuelled the abductions.

The kidnap gangs, jihadists and separatists wreaking havoc in Nigeria

Military spokesperson Lt-Col Haruna M Sani described the assault on Boko Haram’s Mandara mountain hideout, “under cover of darkness”, as one of the military’s “most significant hostage rescue operations” in the north-east.

“Faced with the speed, precision, and overwhelming combat power of the advancing troops, several insurgents abandoned their positions and fled into surrounding mountainous terrain, while others surrendered,” he said in a statement.

The authorities say the hostages are receiving medical care.

“Sadly, two infants died due to exhaustion from prolonged captivity and harsh terrain,” Daniel Bwala, a special adviser to President Bola Tinubu, posted on X.

He said the government, which has been coming under fierce criticism for the widespread insecurity across Nigeria, commended the troops.

The captives are from around Ngoshe, a mainly Muslim community near the border with Cameroon.

In early March, the area came under attack from Boko Haram fighters reportedly as people were breaking their Ramadan fast.

Source:Fiilafmonline/BBC

Trump abruptly ends NBC interview after clash over ‘rigged election’ claim

Issahaku Walkiyatu — Mon, 08 Jun 2026 06:27:12 +0000

US President Donald Trump abruptly walked out of an interview with NBC after being repeatedly challenged on several claims by the show’s presenter Kristen Welker.

During the interview, which aired on Sunday’s Meet The Press, the president claimed both the current primary elections in California and the 2020 presidential election were “rigged”.

When pressed for evidence on California’s vote by Welker, he said: “All I have to do is look, and I listen.”

After the presenter replied “that’s not evidence”, Trump accused the media of being “crooked”, before ending the interview: “Sorry, let’s call it quits because I’ve had enough.”

The president has had a fraught relationship with traditional media outlets, often accusing them of bias against him.

The interview, set in a barn as Trump appeared at an event with farmers in Wisconsin, was delayed repeatedly due to technical difficulties and rain hitting the metal roof. NBC reported that he walked out 50 minutes after sitting down for it on Friday.

Much of the interview involved Welker questioning Trump over the conflict with Iran, with him insisting the US needed to act to stop Iran from getting a nuclear weapon and that it would not be “an endless war”.

“We’re there for a few months and the threat is largely over,” he said.

Around six minutes before he left the set, the pair discussed the “anti-weaponisation” fund, a now-dropped plan to create a $1.8bn (£1.3bn) fund to compensate individuals who claim they were unfairly targeted or investigated by the government.

The plan drew strong criticism from Democrats and some Republicans, who argued it could result in payments to people prosecuted over the US Capitol riot on 6 January 2021.

The pair then moved onto discussing that riot, and Trump was challenged after he repeated his unsubstantiated claim that the 2020 election was rigged.

Trump turned to the California primary elections, where votes are still being counted to determine which two candidates in a series of races – including governor of the state – will be on the ballot in November’s midterm elections.

He said the results had not been called after four days, adding: “They’re cheating on the election.”

“Do you have evidence to support that?” Welker responded.

“All I have to do is look, and I listen,” the president replied.

“But that’s not evidence,” she interjected.

Full results have not yet been called in the state where delays are common due to a particularly meticulous vote-counting process and broad use of mail-in ballots. Mail-in voting has long irked the president.

“They’re crooked,” he continued, “just like you’re crooked.”

Welker said: “To be fair, I’m not crooked. But let’s continue.”

Trump then told Welker “you’re either crooked or you’re stupid”, and after a further exchange said: “Let’s call it quits because I’ve had enough. Thank you darling, have a good time.”

Welker attempted to continue the interview, but Trump interrupted: “I’ve sat in the rain with you for an hour, on and off in the rain, and I’ve given you enough time.

“You ought to straighten out your press, because you know what? A country can never be great with a dishonest press.”

He then gestured to people behind the camera, saying “come on, let’s go”, before standing up and walking off the set.

After the interview was broadcast, Welker said: “I spoke with President Trump on Saturday and we both acknowledged the complications during the interview posed by the rain. He agreed to sit down with me for another Meet the Press interview.”

The BBC has approached the White House for comment.

Source:Fiilafmonline/BBC

Government ready to procure cholera vaccines if need be – Health Minister

Issahaku Walkiyatu — Mon, 08 Jun 2026 06:24:41 +0000

The Minister of Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh has assured Ghanaians that the government is prepared to procure cholera vaccines should the need arise during any outbreak.

He emphasized that preventive measures remain the most effective way to avoid cholera and typhoid infections amid the floods.

Speaking on TV3’s Hot Issues, Sunday, June 7, the Minister explained that cholera vaccines are not administered indiscriminately in the absence of an active outbreak but are deployed strategically in response to identified public health threats.

“It is not something we administer out of the blue when there is no outbreak,” he stated.

According to the Minister, the government successfully secured cholera vaccine doses last year for use in targeted areas and is currently making arrangements to acquire additional doses as part of ongoing preparedness efforts.

He noted that health authorities remain on standby and are monitoring developments closely to ensure a swift response should an outbreak occur.

“Last year, we managed to get some doses of vaccines to administer in the targeted areas. We are on standby and we are making arrangements because we are in the season to get at least some minimum number of doses so that if the need be,” he said.

The Minister, however, stressed that cholera outbreaks can be prevented if citizens adhere to public health advice and maintain good environmental sanitation practices.

He urged the public to keep their surroundings clean and observe all recommended precautionary measures to reduce the risk transmission.

“But if we are able to take these pieces of advices seriously, these are preventable. If we clean our environment and observe these precautionary measures, I think that we will not get there to even require vaccines,” he stated.

The Minister further assured the public that government has the financial and logistical capacity to procure cholera vaccines should the need arise.

“If we get there, I can assure you that we have the capacity to buy vaccines for our people,” he added.

“We must endeavour to keep our environment clean,” he stressed, underscoring the need for education and public awareness amidst the rainy season often associated with increased public health risks.

Source:Fiilafmonline/3News

16 unsafe buildings to be demolished across Accra – Muntaka

Issahaku Walkiyatu — Mon, 08 Jun 2026 06:22:33 +0000

The Minister for the Interior, Mohammed Muntaka Mubarak, has revealed that 16 buildings across the Greater Accra Region have been identified as structurally unsafe and are set to be demolished in the coming days as part of efforts to prevent further loss of life from building collapses.

The announcement follows the collapse of a three-storey building at Avenor in North Kaneshie on Sunday, June 7, which claimed two lives and left three others injured.

Speaking to journalists during a visit to the disaster scene, Muntaka said the government, through the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), has already identified a number of structures considered dangerous and unfit for habitation.

According to him, urgent measures are being taken to evacuate occupants and demolish the affected buildings before they pose a greater threat to lives and property.

“Currently, NADMO has identified about 16 buildings within the Greater Accra Region that have to come down. We are going to ensure that, coming into the week, they will go and get all those buildings down.

“We are currently doing the evacuations, and they must bring all those buildings down. I mean, some things are natural, and God will take care of the supernatural, but for the natural ones, we have to take care of them.”

The Interior Minister said the exercise forms part of a broader government strategy to reduce preventable disasters and ensure that unsafe structures do not become death traps for residents.

The Avenor collapse is the latest in a series of incidents that have renewed concerns about the dangers posed by ageing, poorly maintained, and improperly constructed buildings, highlighting the need for stricter enforcement of building safety regulations.

Source:Fiilafmonline/CitiNews

Bawumia prepares policy alternative for cocoa sector

Issahaku Walkiyatu — Mon, 08 Jun 2026 06:20:58 +0000

The New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, says he will present a policy alternative aimed at addressing the ongoing challenges in Ghana’s cocoa sector.

His comments follow government’s decision on February 12 to reduce the cocoa producer price to GH¢41,392 per tonne, equivalent to GH¢2,587 per bag, for the remainder of the 2025/2026 crop season, a move which has triggered concerns among stakeholders in the sector.

In response to the developments, a Minority Caucus Select Committee was constituted to tour cocoa-growing areas and engage farmers on the ground. The committee, led by Minority Chief Whip Frank Annoh-Dompreh, compiled findings and recommendations based on feedback from cocoa farmers.

Speaking during the presentation, Dr. Bawumia said the report would be forwarded to the party’s Policy Committee on Agriculture, Food Security and Agribusiness for technical review and further consultation with experts.

He explained that the committee would be tasked to assess the findings and develop costed policy alternatives aimed at addressing the concerns raised.

“What I am looking at with the presentation of this report is to take this Select Committee report to the Policy Committee on Agriculture, Food Security, and Agribusiness. We are going to ask this committee to technically review the findings, consult experts in the area, and then bring forward costed policy alternatives for us,” he said.

The expected policy alternative is anticipated to form part of broader discussions on stabilising Ghana’s cocoa industry and improving producer conditions.

Source:Fiilafmonline/CitiNews