Controversial sports journalist, Patrick Osei Agyeman, well known as Countryman Songo on Wednesday opened ‘fire’ on President Akufo Addo over the 2014 World Cup probe.
Countryman Songo who is the host of popular TV sports show, ‘Fire for For’ took everyone by surprise when he mounted to ask questions regarding the commission of enquiry’s probe into the 2014 World Cup brouhaha.
A gruelling 120 minutes ended with a narrow 1-0 victory for Germany as the world cup drew to a close with a glamorous final at the Maracana.
Mario Gotze’s 113th minute goal gave Germany their fourth title, drawing at par with Italy and remaining just one shy of Brazil total of five.
Substitutes Schurrle and Gotze combined for the goal, Schurrle’s cross finding Gotze in the box, who controlled with his chest and hit a first time volley past Argentina keeper Sergi Romero.
Germany and Argentina remained the last two standing at the end of a gruelling thirty days of action and the two sides locked horns in the iconic Maracana stadium for the honour of being addressed as world champions.
It did not take long for the game to heat up, a headed back pass from Toni Kroos intercepted by an unmarked Higuain. The forward incredulously dragged his shot wide, with Manuel Neuer at his mercy.
Germany kept the bulk of possession, whilst Argentina defended gallantly and hit on the counter, the pace of Higuain, Messi, and Lavessi causing the German defence all sorts of problems.
A similar fast break led to Argentina breaking the deadlock in the 30th minute, but Higuain was offside when he turned in Lavessi’s cross, leaving the scores unchanged.
Germany lifted up their game as the half wore on, particularly after Andre Schurrle was brought on for the injured Kramer. The Chelsea forward hit a thunderbolt towards goal in the 31st minute, but Romero was alert to turn it aside.
A crazy last five minutes of the half first saw Messi rampage down the right flank, but Boateng stuck to him like glue and finally managed to clear; before Howedes saw his header strike the bar just before halftime to end the first half goalless.
The second half commenced with a change from Sabella, Aguero coming on for Lavessi. And Argentina began the half with renewed purpose, Messi getting himself free down the right in the 47th, but he dragged his shot wide across the face of goal.
Argentina gained a 4-2 penalty victory over the Netherlands to book their passage into the world cup finals on the soil of archenemies Brazil, setting up a repeat of the final of the 1990 world cup.
A tight 120 minutes of football, often dour and uninspiring, meant for their second consecutive game the Dutch needed penalties to settle their tie. Unlike against Costa Rica, though, there was no Tim Krul to pull of heroics, rather it was Argentina goalie Sergio Romero stealing all the headlines with two penalty saves.
The two world cup heavyweights locked horns in a tight cagey game, Argentina carrying the South American mantle after Brazil’s humiliation at the hands of Germany in the first semi final.
There was little to differentiate the two sides in the first, neither side able to settle on the ball for a long period. Both midfields remained particularly tight, giving nothing away.
Argentina threatened first, a swung in free kick falling to Perez, but his effort was wayward. The game remained cagey, the first real chance falling to Leo Messi a few minutes later.
Enzo Perez was keeping himself busy in the middle, and in the 15th minute he won a free kick off Ron Vlaar. Messi stepped up to the plate, but his effort sailed straight into the hands of Dutch goalie Cillessen.
Garay had an even better one in the 24th minute, a corner finding its way to him in a great position, yet he turned his header wide under pressure from Vlaar.
The Netherlands also did very little, Van Persie getting their only real chance which he spurned. A Rojo cross to an unmarked Higuain in injury time looked dangerous, but the ball was too long and an extremely forgettable half of football was brought to a close.
A ruthless Germany hammered hosts Brazil 7-1 in their world cup semi final game in Belo Horizonte.
Toni Kroos and Andre Schurrle grabbed braces, whilst Thomas Muller, Miroslav Klose, and Sami Khedira grabbed lone strikes. Oscar got the consolation for Brazil a little too late to be of any good to anyone.
The two world superpowers met for the chance to pick up the sole ticket for the final, Brazil on the hunt for their sixth title, Germany their fourth.
The build up to the game had been dominated by Neymar’s injury which ruled him out of the tournament, and Brazil appeared fired up to get the job done even without their poster boy in attendance. Defender Thiago Silva was also missing the game through suspension.
The game started at a pleasant pace, with no inkling of the unpleasant events about to unfold for the capacity filled crowd in the Estadio Mineiro.
The 11th minute was the beginning of the decimation to come, a Kroos corner evading the entire Brazilian defence to an unmarked Muller who easily tapped in.
Brazil was shell shocked, and what followed was a master class in counter attacking football such as only Die Mannschaft could serve.
First off was Klose, who got the ball off Muller from a neat little through ball from Kroos. Cesar saved the first effort, but Klose scored the rebound for his record breaking 16th world cup goal.
Substitute Goalkeeper Tim Krul saved two Costa Rican penalties as Netherlands won a tight contest 4-2 on penalties after 120 minutes of gruelling action.
The Newcastle United goalkeeper was a substitute in the last minute of the second half of extra time, and he repaid his manger’s faith by saving Ruiz and Umana’s penalties to send his side through.
Costa Rica stubbornly held on amidst a relentless Dutch onslaught, Wesley Sneidjer hitting the bar twice,and Costa Rica coming very close to winning it deep into extra time, Umana’s shot saved from point blank by Dutch goalkeeper Cillessen.
European giants Netherlands squared up against the tournament’s surprise package knowing that underestimating their opponents might leave them victim of a smash and grab robbery such as Italy and Uruguay can attest to.
Dutch coach Louis van Gaal lined his team up in their now familiar 3-4-3 formation, heavily reliant on the wing play of Arjen Robben and Memphis Depay.
The goalless opening 45 minutes belied an intriguing game that featured lots of running and little clear cut chances.
The game started at a blistering pace, both sides having pacy players very comfortable on the ball, but despite a lot of running from both sides little clear cut chances were being created.
A fierce onslaught on the Brazilian goal in the last ten minutes failed to yield results as Brazil advanced with a 2-1 win.
Centre backs Thiago Silva and David Luiz gave Brazil a seemingly unassailable 2-0 lead, but a James Rodriguez penalty set up a tense final fifteen minutes, Brazil holding on to send the capacity crowd in Fortaleza home ecstatic.
The hosts came up against their South American counterparts with a place in the last four at stake, with expectations lying high on Brazil and poster boy Neymar.
The remarkably open game did not take long to heat up. Brazil won a corner in the 6th minute, from which Thiago Silva turned in Neymar’s cross with his knee, unmarked at the far post.
Brazil created several opportunities, keeping Columbia on the back foot as Neymar, Hulk, and Oscar combined flawlessly behind lone striker Fred.
Columbia’s first effort was a free kick from Inter midfielder Freddy Guarin, which he hit horribly over.
Cuadrado came closer minutes later, cutting in over Marcelo onto his left foot, then hitting a venomous strike which Julio Cesar did well to get down to punch to corner.
That was the extent of Cesar’s involvement in the half, as from then it was all Brazil, with David Ospina in the Columbian goal having to be on top form to keep his side in the game.
Twice Hulk weaved his way into the box, hitting those fierce shots he’s well known for; and twice David Ospina saved well. Off the second shot, Oscar hit a rebound from outside the box which Ospina duly saved.
Columbia had a great chance in the 22nd, after James Rodriguez went on a mazy run, setting up Cuadrado on the right; but the Fiorentina midfielder’s return pass was poor, Thiago Silva getting back to clear when Columbia had a three-on-two advantage.
The half was closed with a Neymar free kick, hit way over the bar.
A 12th minute Matt Hummels header was enough for Germany as they scraped past France 1-0 to become the first side to reach the semi finals in Brazil.
The two European heavyweights clashed under a scorching sun in Rio de Janeiro’s Maracana, the largest stadium in the world to slug it out for a place in the semi finals.
The first half was a tame affair, with Germany the better side taking a deserved lead, whilst a docile French side looked out of their depth. A second half resurgence however, saw the French nearly forcing extra time, Manuel Neuer saving a fierce Karem Benzema shot at the death to give Die Mannschaft the win.
Both sides made some changes to their line-ups from the Round of 16. German skipper Lahm went back to his favoured right back role for the first time in this tournament, whilst upfront Miroslav Klose started as he searched for his 16th world cup goal to eclipse Ronaldo. Griezman started for France, after his second half introduction worked wonders in their last game against Nigeria.
Germany was the better side for the entire first half, keeping the ball impressively whilst trying to break France down with quick one-twos around the French box. France relied on the break, wingers Valbuena and Griezman always in place to receive diagonal balls from the French midfield.
France threatened first, Karem Benzema’s volley just wide after a cross from Mathieu Valbuena. Germany’s delivery into the box from out wide was poor, seeing some headed clearances, whilst at the other end Valbuena’s cross on the counter was just a little behind Griezman, being cleared with a sliding tackle from Lahm.
The open and highly entertaining game ended 2-1 to the Europeans as Jurgen Klinsmann’s charges bowed out with pride after a hard fought contest.
Kevin De Bruyne and Lukaku’s goals were followed by Julian Green’s for the USA, but it turned out too little too late for the USMNT.
Once again extra time was called upon, but the two goals in quick succession seemed to have won the game for Belgium. The US had other ideas, pulling a goal back and putting Belgium under tremendous pressure for the final ten minutes, but they held out to progress to the next round.
The last quarter final game proved to be far more evenly matched than anticipated, and unbridled attacking intent from the sides ensured a game that flowed nonstop from end to end in a thrilling manner.
Belgium was slightly the better side in the first half, but their profligacy kept the United States in the game, giving them the opportunity to miss some chances of their own.
Under a minute a long ball split the US defence, sending youngster Onigi free in the box but Tim Howard pulled a stunning save.
USA responded down the other end, Damarcus Beasley going on a run, but his cross just found the wrong side of the net.
There were wide gaps in the USA defence that Belgium exploited wonderfully with through balls, but finishing let them down time and time again.
De Bruyne got in behind the US defence, but despite being 1-on-1 with Tim Howard skewed his shot wide. Eden Hazard tried his luck from distance, but Tim Howard was equal to the task.
The Stars and Stripes were not to be left behind, Jermain Jones had a shot nicely set for him in the 33rd minute but he sent it wide.
An enthralling 120 minutes of action ended in a 2-1 win for the Europeans in one of the better games so far of this year’s world cup.
Extra time goals from Andre Schurrle and Mezut Ozil gave Germany a comfortable 2-1 win over the North African side. Algeria’s goal, scored by Abdelmoumene Djabou in the final minute of extra time, was a tad too late and served as nothing more than a consolation as the final African side was knocked out from the world cup.
Algeria had an axe to grind against the Germans who got them eliminated in 1982, and the second Euro-African clash of the day kicked off at a blistering pace which was maintained throughout the initial 90 minutes of the tie.
Despite being heavy favourites it was Die Mannschaft who found themselves on the back-foot early in the game as Algeria took the game onto their more illustrious opponents.
Manuel Neuer was called upon twice to clear behind his defence who were playing an uncomfortably high line, the first ball found Slimani down the left flank, and he marginally got around Neuer but the keeper got back well to block the shot.
The second happened in the 29th minute, as Neuer again had to rush off his line to get the ball of the feet of Feghouli, who had dispossessed Per Mertesacker for the chance.
France dispatched African champions Nigeria 2-0 in stifling heat in the world cup second round game at the Estadio Nacionale in Brasilia.
The first of two Europe vs. Africa challenges was pretty evenly matched for much of the first half, before Nigeria dominated the early part of the second but failure to convert their chances led to their eventual defeat.
Midfielder Paul Pogba’s header in the 79th minute gave France the lead, before a Joseph Yobo own goal sealed Nigeria’s fate just on the 90th minute mark.
The first half was a closely matched affair, with both keepers forced into terrific saves to keep their side in the game.
Nigeria’s Emmanuel Emenike had a goal disallowed for offside in the 18th minute, tapping in after a great cross from Ahmed Musa. Replays showed he was fractionally offside.
The game started at a dull pace, both sides uninterested in expending too much energy under the midday Brazilian sun. With both sides fielding dangerous wingers, the game was mostly played out wide.
Patrice Evra got away cleanly down the left flank in the 4th minute, but his low cross could not reach Giroud in the middle as Joseph Yobo cut it out for a corner.
It’s all or nothing for the remaining African sides in the FIFA world cup tonight when they take to the field for their Round of 16 ties against European opposition.
Nigeria take on Les Bleus of France hoping their superb run so far does not get halted against one of the competition’s most in-form sides. Kickoff is at 16:00 GMT at the Estadio Nacionale in Brasilia.
Algeria’s Desert Foxes have no less a formidable task, billed to face Ghana’s Group G winners Germany at the Beira-Rio stadium in Porto Alegre, kickoff is at 20:00 GMT.
Nigeria has been the best African side at the competition so far, getting through their group with four points after a win over Bosnia-Herzegovina and a draw with Iran. Their only setback was a hard fought 3-2 loss to Argentina, a game in which they pegged back the South American side twice.
Ahmed Musa has been their most exciting player, with the CSKA Moscow winger scoring twice against Argentina, but this Nigerian side are much more than the sum of its parts. Stephen Keshi has built a well-oiled machine which won the 2013 African Cup of Nations and continues to defy the odds.
Chelsea midfielder Mikel Obi pulls his side’s strings from deep in midfield, whilst on the flanks Odemwingie and Musa work hard to supply their bull of a centre forward, Emmanuel Emenike.
Netherlands rallied late to mastermind a come from behind 2-1 victory over Mexico to book their place in the quarter finals.
An uneventful first half ended goalless, but three goals in the 2nd half, two from the Dutch in the last ten minutes; turned the game on its head to ensure they became the first European side to make the quarter finals in Brazil.
World cup finalists in 2010, the Netherlands are gunning for their first world cup title but the odds were not in their favour; the world cup is in South America and no European side have ever won the competition on that subcontinent.
European sides have been dropping like flies at this world cup, and Mexico looked like sending another one on their way as they did most of the early attacking for the better part of the second half.
Left back Miguel Layun had two early shots, either of which barely tested Netherlands goalie Jasper Cillessen.
A tense 3-2 penalty victory over Chile sent the Selecao into the quarter finals of the 2014 world cup after an enthralling 120 minutes of action which ended 1-1.
The first Round of 16 game commenced at 16:00 GMT and pitted the two South American combatants against each other.
Brazil took first spot in Group A, and their reward was a game against the side they had knocked out at the same stage in their last two world cup meetings.
A David Luiz connection from a Thiago Silva flicked header from a corner had given Brazil the early lead, but Alexis Sanchez pulled Chile level in the 32nd minute after a sublime ball from Vargas split the Brazil defence for a cool finish from the Barcelona forward.
After all 120 minutes of action had been exhausted, Brazil won the penalty shootout after Jara struck his final spot kick hard against the post.
As is typical of South American sides, the game started at a brisk pace, with Brazil starting on the front foot and Chile relying on long balls from defence to catch Brazil on the break.
The game’s first glaring chance fell to left back Marcelo, whose shot narrowly whisked past the post of Claudio Bravo.
Chile’s impressive defending restricted Brazil to long shots and crosses into the box but new Barcelona goalkeeper Claudio Bravo was in impressive form for Chile.
The pace of the game meant players often went to ground under little challenges, and this led to both sides entreating for penalties, but both appeals were waved away by referee Howard Webb after Sanchez and Hulk both went to ground in the other side’s penalty area.
As always Brazil’s most creative outlet, Neymar went on a good run into the Chilean area in the 16th minute, but after beating one man he delayed just a little too long for the ball to be cleared.
The Black Stars ill-fated world cup campaign stemmed from several factors, a tough group, poor tactics, poor defending, and profligacy upfront. These are the footballing reasons, but beyond that the Stars were kicked out due to the circus that the team’s camp was turned into.
Events that have transpired around the Stars since they touched down in Brazil has been so unbelievable that you would be forgiven if you thought you were following one of those poorly written Mexican soap operas. There was violence, money issues, verbal disparagement, and my personal favourite; tears.
Amidst all these, is it any wonder that the team have been kicked out of the first round for the first time in their history? Above everything else, teamwork is the secret ingredient of football sides. Teamwork is what leads to improbable victories like Zambia at CAN 2012, Chelsea and Liverpool in the 2012 and 2005 UEFA Champions League, and the Black Satellites in Egypt 2009.
After the shambles that was CAN 2012, when the spirit in camp resembled what you would find in an internment camp filled with Americans and Russians, one would have thought lessons had been learned. But no, events in Brazil have shown that once again short-sightedness is the bane of African administrators.
The FIFA World Cup is the biggest football tournament in the world and having come across the fact that, FIFA gave each participating country $8 million for the group stage, we decided to find out how much FIFA makes from the World Cup.
According to FIFA’s financial documents, the 2010 World Cup which took place in South Africa generated $3.66 billion in revenue for FIFA with $1.30 billion as its expenditure. FIFA therefore made a profit of $2.36 billion, up 7.3% from 2006 and 22.8% from 2002.
Looking at the nearly $4 billion in revenue from the 2010 World Cup, 65.9% came from the sale of television rights ($2.41 billion) and 29.3% came from the sale of marketing rights ($1.07 billion). The remaining revenue came from the sale of hospitality rights and licensing rights.
On the other hand, FIFA’s expenditure included $348 million in prize money for the participating countries and member associations, followed by $326 million to South Africa for their organizing committee and a World Cup legacy program, and $214 million in TV production costs.
