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Vinicius Jr named Fifa Best men’s player of the year

By Saibu Terry

Published on 17th December 2024


Real Madrid and Brazil winger Vinicius Jr has been named the men’s player of the year at the Fifa Best Awards.

The 24-year-old and his club boycotted the recent Ballon d’Or ceremony after missing out to Manchester City’s Rodri – but he picked up this prize in Doha.

Vinicius played a key role in Real’s Champions League and La Liga-winning campaign in 2023-24, scoring 24 goals and providing 11 assists.

Earlier in the ceremony, Barcelona midfielder Aitana Bonmati was named the women’s player of the year for the second year in a row.

This was the first time Vinicius has won the award and capped a happier finish to the season than October’s Ballon d’Or boycott.

The Ballon d’Or and Fifa Best Awards are the two most prestigious in football.

This was Vinicius’ first Fifa prize, with Lionel Messi winning the previous two awards and Robert Lewandowski the two before that.

The award – for football from August 2023 to August 2024 – was decided by a mix of public vote, one journalist from each country and the captain and manager of each national team. Each group’s vote counted for 25%.

Real Madrid were already in Qatar for Wednesday’s Fifa Intercontinental Cup final against Mexican side Pachuca at Lusail Stadium.

Spain’s Euro 2024-winning midfielder Rodri finished second to Vinicius for the award, while Real’s England player Jude Bellingham was third.

Fifa has released details on who each coach and captain voted for.

England skipper Harry Kane opted for Rodri, with international team-mate Bellingham second and Vinicius third.

Lee Carsley, who was the Three Lions’ interim boss when the votes were cast, went for Bellingham, Rodri and Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal in that order.

Scotland boss Steve Clarke and Wales manager Craig Bellamy both opted for Rodri as their top pick.

Wales skipper Aaron Ramsey went for Vinicius, while Northern Ireland captain Paddy McNair voted for Rodri.

Brazil’s captain and manager voted for Vinicius, but their Spanish counterparts both selected Real Madrid right-back Dani Carvajal

Source BBC sports

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Parliament Approves $300 Million World Bank Facility to Transform Secondary Education

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Published: July 21, 2026

Published at: 7: 53Pm

By Saibu Terry

Parliament has approved a US$300 million credit facility between the Government of Ghana and the International Development Association (IDA) of the World Bank Group to support the country’s secondary education sector.

The financing will be used to implement the Secondary Education for Transformation for Access, Relevance and Results for Jobs Project, which seeks to expand access to quality secondary education while improving learning outcomes and employability.

Presenting the Finance Committee’s report to the House, Chairman of the Committee, Hon. Isaac Adongo, explained that the facility is designed to increase equitable access to secondary education, eliminate the double-track system, and enhance the quality and labour-market relevance of both secondary and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) programmes.

According to him, the project will help strengthen Ghana’s education system by ensuring that students acquire the knowledge and skills needed to meet the demands of the modern job market.

Following the approval, the Minister for Education, Hon. Haruna Iddrisu, expressed appreciation to Parliament for endorsing the agreement. He noted that the funding would play a significant role in strengthening Ghana’s education system and advancing the government’s efforts to provide accessible, relevant, and quality secondary education for all.

The approval marks a major investment in Ghana’s education sector and is expected to support ongoing reforms aimed at improving infrastructure, expanding access, enhancing teaching and learning, and better preparing students for employment and national development.

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Abdul Fatawu Issahaku Completes Permanent Move to Ipswich Town

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Published: July 21, 2026

Published at: 4:47Pm

BY Saibu Terry

Ghana international winger Abdul Fatawu Issahaku has completed a permanent transfer from Leicester City to Ipswich Town, signing a five-year contract with the newly promoted Premier League club.

Ipswich Town confirmed the signing on Monday, announcing that the 22-year-old has joined the club for an undisclosed fee after successfully completing the transfer from Leicester City. 

Fatawu, who impressed during his spell at Leicester and represented Ghana at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, is expected to add pace, creativity, and attacking flair to Kieran McKenna’s side as they prepare for the new Premier League campaign. 

The move marks another significant step in the career of the Black Stars winger, who has established himself as one of Ghana’s brightest attacking talents.

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Sankara Nationals FC Appoint Abubakari Nassam as New Head Coach

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Published: July 21, 2026

Published at: 4:21Pm

Story by Saibu Terry

Sankara Nationals FC have officially announced the appointment of experienced tactician Abubakari Nassam as the club’s new Head Coach ahead of the 2026/27 Access Bank Division One League season.

The Yendi-based club confirmed the appointment in an official statement, expressing confidence that Coach Nassam’s vast coaching experience will strengthen the team’s ambitions for the upcoming campaign.

Coach Nassam joins Sankara Nationals after successful spells with both the men’s and women’s teams of FC Samartex, as well as Steadfast FC. His experience across different levels of Ghanaian football is expected to provide the technical leadership needed as the club prepares for another competitive Division One League season.

The club welcomed the new manager with a warm message, saying: “We are delighted to unveil Coach Abubakari Nassam as the new Head Coach of Sankara Nationals FC. We are confident that the wealth of experience he has gained over the years will be a tremendous asset as we prepare for the upcoming Access Bank Division One League season. Welcome to the Sankara Nationals FC family, Coach. Amaraaba Coach!”

Supporters of the “Warriors of SankaraYili” will be hoping Nassam’s appointment marks the beginning of a successful era as the club targets a strong performance in the new Division One League season.

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