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Brazil 2014 World Cup: Brazil Edge Past Chile on Penalties into World Cup Quarter Finals

Brazil beats Chile
Brazil beats Chile

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.

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VIDEO: Country Man Songo Takes on Dentaa on Diva Show Over Developments in Brazil

Nana Aba Anamoah’s Diva Show on TV3 did justice to Ghana’s Black Stars World Cup journey and looked at the whole wahala—and they had Dentaa, who worked with the Ministry of Sports in relation to this year’s Ghana World Cup trip on the show. The discussion started a little slow but eventually, Country Man Songo … Read more

PHOTOS OF THE DAY: Jackie Appiah, Becca, Nadia Buari, Samini & Others

Becca
Becca

Ahead of the 2014 BET Awards, an International Talent Reception party was held last night in LA for the nominees—and Ghanaian actress Nadia Buari was out there. Wearing a white jumpsuit, Nadia Buari posed with Samini and the others for photos.

Becca’s fine backside has become a talk of the town—and if you didn’t see the video we posted few days ago of her shaking what her Mama gave her, the above mirror photo will give you a clear shot of that ermmm…

Check below for the photos

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The Botched State of Ghana Took Over 47 Officials to the World Cup + MORE | Are We Going to Get Any Accountability?

Ghana fans
Ghana fans

According to reports, Sulley Muntari got into a fight with one of Ghana’s World Cup committee members- Medeama owner-Moses Parker Armah because he questioned the essence of all the many Ghanaian officials in Brazil, who were getting paid huge sums why the footballers (who were the main focus) were not being paid.

Sulley Muntari is reported to have said this; “what is the use of so many GFA officials & others here? You are basically non-Essential and have no role or duties here. Your Number even dwarf that of the players… You receive Bonuses for no work done. You are a drain on the Govt…. You always make money on our back and you see every tournament as a means to make money…. And you have the vim to question us why we want our money?”.

It emerged yesterday that, 47 or more officials were flown from Ghana to Brazil—and interestingly, all these officials were paid huge sums of money, ranging from bonuses to allowances. They also stayed in expensive hotels. It is alleged that some of these officials even went to Brazil with their concubines and children—all being paid by the state of Ghana.

Apart from the fact that majority of the over 500 supporters who were taken to Brazil had to watch the Ghana Vrs Germany match on TV and all of them had to watch the Ghana Vrs Portugal match on TV because of logistic problems—on Thursday morning (before the Ghana Vrs Portugal match), another over 70 supporters were flown to Brazil by the Sports Ministry.

Considering the fact that Ghana had already sent over 500 supporters out there who were struggling and could not be flown to watch the matches, what was the sense in flying more supporters there? Even if those in charge were confident that Ghana was going to qualify to the next stage, would it not have been prudent for them to wait and do so after the Ghana Vrs Portugal match—that is if we indeed qualify?

Contrary to the Government saying bags of $3 million cash were airlifted to Brazil to pay the football players, it has also emerged from Bank sources that, the cash that was flown to Brazil was more than what was stated. It was as much as $4.5 million.

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GOOD NEWS: President Mahama Reassigns Sports Minister & His Deputy to Different Positions After World Cup Scandal

Elvis Afriyie Ankrah
Elvis Afriyie Ankrah

Though this is great, I still think Ghana could have avoided the mounting disgrace and reassignment of these two ministers is not the way to go, a SACK would have been perfect…

Immediately after Ghana’s World Cup scandal, the President of Ghana-John Dramani Mahama has reassigned Sports Minister- Elvis Afriyie-Ankrah and his deputy-Joseph Yamin to different positions…

What about SACKING them Mr. President? An Incompetent person will always be incompetent!

Read the statement issued below…

President John Mahama has reassigned Information Minister, Mahama Ayariga (MP), to the Ministry of Youth and Sports. He replaces Elvis Afriyie-Ankrah who moves to the Presidency as a Minister of State.

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