Chairman of Ghana’s Parliamentary Sports Committee, Ernest Henry Norgbey, has expressed strong confidence in newly appointed Black Stars head coach Carlos Queiroz, highlighting the Portuguese tactician’s tactical discipline as a key asset that will drive the team forward at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.Queiroz was named Ghana’s head coach following the dismissal of Otto Addo, signing a four-month contract with an option to extend. He will lead the Black Stars in Group L against England, Panama, and Croatia."He comes to the table with a wealth of experience, and I think his tactical discipline will propel the team," Norgbey said."I’m sure even the players will also have the kind of respect for him because this is a coach with international rating."The veteran Portuguese manager, who has previously coached Real Madrid, Iran, and Egypt, faces the immediate challenge of preparing Ghana for the World Cup, which kicks off on June 11 across the United States, Canada, and Mexico.Ghana’s campaign begins on June 17 against Panama in Toronto.

Ahead of the second leg of the UEFA Champions League quarterfinals against Real Madrid, legend Manuel Neuer warned Bayern Munich to "be careful." Manuel Neuer continues to perform at an elite level at 40 years old, proving to be the difference-maker in the first leg against Real Madrid, but the veteran keeper knows the job is far from finished. Ahead of hosting Los Blancos for the second leg of the UEFA Champions League quarterfinals, Neuer warned his Bayern Munich teammates to “be careful” when dealing with the Spanish giants. Boasting nine saves and 1.05 goals prevented according to SofaScore, Neuer earned Man of the Match honors in the opening leg as Bayern secured a gritty 2-1 victory at the Santiago Bernabeu. Despite holding a narrow aggregate lead, the World Cup winner remains wary of a trademark Real Madrid comeback. Speaking to the media during Tuesday’s pre-match press conference, Neuer was quick to downplay Bayern’s upper hand: “The only advantage is that we have a (one-goal) lead, but it’s Real Madrid; it is a very tough challenge. We are fortunate to play the second leg at home, and we have confidence in the fans. We are very motivated and prepared. It’s a good situation to be in… but we must be careful, as we’ve seen in the past how Real Madrid can win.“ Real Madrid enter the fixture following a 1-1 draw against Girona on Friday, a result that leaves them trailing La Liga leaders Barcelona by nine points. With only seven games remaining in the domestic campaign, the Champions League likely represents their final path to avoiding a trophyless 2025-26 season. 40 years old and putting in special performances 👏 Manuel Neuer POTM 🏆#POTM | #UCL pic.twitter.com/ndU4NJSlrn — UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) April 7, 2026 Asked if Bayern is wary of a desperate and motivated Madrid side, Neuer was candid. “Of course… we know this situation well. For a big club like Real Madrid, it’s a brutal thing. When you evaluate that situation, you know it can make you more dangerous. But I don’t want to think too much about their situation, only about us. About the run we’re on and the fact that we are still in every competition. And that is all we are thinking about,” he stated. Neuer’s record vs Real Madrid Real Madrid has evolved into one of Neuer’s primary antagonists in European play. The goalkeeper has faced them in four previous knockout ties, advancing only once back in the 2011-12 season while falling in the 2013-14, 2016-17, and 2023-24 campaigns. (While the clubs also met in 2017-18, Neuer was sidelined due to injury). In nine career appearances against Madrid, Neuer holds a 3-5-1 record with 19 goals conceded. The 2016-17 series remains particularly etched in memory due to officiating controversies, a history Neuer subtly alluded to when noting he has seen “how Real Madrid can win.” Neuer to decide future soon Kylian Mbappe of Real Madrid attempts to shoot past Manuel Neuer of FC Bayern Munich. Having turned 40 in March, questions regarding Neuer’s future have intensified as his contract expires at the end of the current season. Addressing his longevity, Neuer adopted a measured tone while suggesting a final call is imminent. “The sooner I make the decision, the better. It won’t depend on the titles we win. But I haven’t decided anything yet, though it won’t take much longer,” he said. While rumors have swirled regarding a potential spot on Germany’s 2026 World Cup roster, the legend has already dismissed those claims, signaling that certain chapters of his storied career are indeed closing.

Chairman of Ghana’s Parliamentary Select Committee on Sports, Ernest Henry Norgbey, has expressed strong confidence that the vast experience and international pedigree of newly appointed Black Stars head coach Carlos Queiroz will naturally compel players to adhere to his instructions on and off the pitch.Norgbey believes the 73-year-old Portuguese tactician’s résumé—which includes managing Real Madrid, leading Iran to two World Cups, and taking Egypt to the global stage—carries a weight that few coaches in African football can match. That authority, he argued, will translate into discipline and compliance from the Black Stars squad.“He comes to the table with a wealth of experience, and I think his tactical discipline will propel the team. I’m sure even the players will also have the kind of respect for him because this is a coach with an international rating," Norgbey said.Queiroz, who has taken four different nations to the FIFA World Cup, was appointed on a four-month contract with an option to extend. He replaces Otto Addo following Ghana’s poor run of friendly results and failure to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.Norgbey argued that the timing of the appointment, though close to the tournament, is less of...

Super Eagles goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali has issued a stark assessment of football in West Africa, pointing to poor player salaries, weak structures, and inadequate infrastructure as key reasons the region continues to lag behind leagues in South Africa and Morocco.Speaking in an interview with Brila FM, the Nigerian shot-stopper gave a frank evaluation of the challenges facing domestic football across the region, stressing that many players are forced to leave in search of better conditions abroad.“In West Africa, our leagues are not as good. We want to go to Europe, we want to come to South Africa, we want to go to Morocco,” he said.Nwabali explained that only a few clubs can offer competitive wages, leaving many players with limited financial security during their careers.“The league, the pay is a little bit nice for a certain level of your team,” he added.Beyond financial issues, the goalkeeper highlighted the clear gap in infrastructure and organisation, noting that leagues in countries such as South Africa and Morocco benefit from better stadiums, stronger administration, and more professional setups. He argued that these advantages make their domestic competitions more attractive and sustainable compared to many West African leagues.In...

Former Ghana Football Association (GFA) Vice President Fred Pappoe has called on Ghanaians to throw their full support behind newly appointed Black Stars head coach Carlos Queiroz as the team intensifies preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.The Portuguese tactician has been handed a short-term contract to lead Ghana at the tournament, replacing Otto Addo after a difficult run of results that included defeats to Austria and Germany in March, as well as Ghana's failure to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.Speaking on Adom FM, Pappoe stressed the importance of unity and collective backing given the limited time before the World Cup.“We have limited time for the World Cup, and if you look into the list available and you check our pocket, I believe we have to rally behind whoever has been appointed,” he said.Pappoe added that Queiroz’s extensive experience—including four World Cup appearances—should be seen as a major advantage rather than a point of criticism.“We were all clamouring for a respected coach, and someone who can transform the team has been chosen, so we must support him,” Pappoe stated.Queiroz is expected to meet the Black Stars squad next month during a...

Manchester City could be set for a midfield revamp this summer, with Bernardo Silva set to leave and uncertainty surrounding Rodri’s future. City are exploring the market for several midfield targets and have now been linked with Bayer Leverkusen’s Ibrahim Maza and Hertha Berlin’s Kennet Eichhorn. According to Sky Germany journalist Florian Plettenberg, City are […]

IAN LADYMAN AT ANFIELD: So now we know that there is another side to the champions of Europe. PSG of France can defend, too.

Liverpool have crashed to a 2-0 defeat at Anfield against PSG in the second leg of the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals. After losing the first leg 2-0 away from home, they were hoping to overturn the deficit at home, but the defending European champions have managed to get the job done at Anfield, and they […] The post Shearer reveals “exactly what Liverpool have been missing” against PSG tonight appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Atletico Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain advanced to the semifinals of the UEFA Champions League, earning a significant financial reward in the process. On Tuesday, the first two clubs secured their spots in the semifinals of the 2025-26 UEFA Champions League. Atletico Madrid lost 2-1 to Barcelona but still advanced thanks to their first-leg victory, while Paris Saint-Germain extended their advantage against Liverpool. Both clubs will receive a substantial financial prize for progressing to the next round. Simply for reaching the Champions League semifinals, UEFA awards each club €15 million — approximately $17.6 million. While that alone represents a major boost for Europe’s top four teams, it is only part of the total revenue clubs generate from a deep run in the competition. UEFA’s distribution system is made up of several components: participation bonuses, performance-based rewards, and milestone payments. As a result, each club’s total earnings vary depending on how far they advance and how they perform throughout the tournament. The Champions League prize money structure Each of the 36 clubs that participated in the UEFA Champions League league phase received a base payment of €18.62 million, roughly $22 million. From there, performance in that stage determines additional earnings. Paris locked in for the semi-finals 🔒#UCL pic.twitter.com/O3eBTXtXCf — UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) April 14, 2026 During the league phase, teams earn an extra $2.48 million for each win and $0.83 million for each draw. That is why the top-performing team in that stage — Arsenal — collected $19.8 million from eight wins, bringing their total to nearly $42 million when combined with the base payment. How much do clubs earn for advancing in the Champions League? Once in the knockout stages, teams also receive payments based on their position in the standings. On top of that, there are additional bonuses for advancing through each round: $13 million for reaching the Round of 16 and $14.7 million for making the quarterfinals. As mentioned, the semifinals are worth an additional $17.6 million. Reaching the final brings in $21.8 million, and winning it adds another $7.6 million. That title also grants access to the UEFA Super Cup, which can be worth up to $5.9 million more. Finally, each club receives a “value pillar” payment tied to broadcasting rights and other commercial revenues related to the UEFA Champions League. The amount varies by club, based on a coefficient that considers performances over the past 10 years. Taking all these factors into account, the Champions League winner this season could earn around €150 million (approximately $175 million) in total, combining performance-based prizes and commercial revenue.