Haminu Dramani

Haminu Dramani has ended his four-year stay with Russian side Lokomotiv Moscow after deciding not to extend his contract.

The Ghana midfielder says he wishes to explore other leagues hence his decision to leave Russia after his current deal expires at the end of the month.

“I am leaving for Ghana on Monday and I will not return to Russia because I want opportunities in other countries in the top leagues of Europe,” Dramani told MTNFootball.com

“I have had some good friends here and but things have not been smooth. Regardless of that I am thankful for the opportunity to serve Lokomotiv Moscow and the other clubs I played for in Russia.”

Dramani has been linked with a move to French side Lorient while some Turkish clubs have also expressed interest in the winger.

The 2006 World Cup star in January threatened not to extend his stay with Lokomotiv Moscow after witnessing several racist attacks in the country.

He even told fellow African players never to dream of playing in the Russian Premier League because of a barrage of racist attacks.

Match winner Justalain Kounkou

Congo opened their World U-17 championships account with perhaps the most shocking result so far by beating pre-tournament favourites, Netherlands.

A goal after 53 minutes from Justalain Kounkou was just enough to seal victory in their opener on Saturday against the current European champions.

After weathering some incessant Dutch pressure in the first half, Congo’s counter-attack football finally paid dividends as Kounkou beat the offside trap to run 50 metres and score.

And they might have won by a greater margin after that as they turned on the style, but wasted a number of chances.

The Congolese now meet tournament hosts Mexico in their next fixture on Tuesday, with the Mexicans having dispatched North Korea 3-1 in their opener.

There was not such good news for Rwanda, though they did make England fight hard for their 2-0 victory in their first game played on Sunday.

It took until the 68th minute for England to make the breakthrough when Everton forward Hallam Hope scored, before Raheem Sterling added a second with four minutes left on the clock.

In fairness, England controlled much of the game but it was a fine fighting effort from the Rwandans. They now wait for their second fixture against Uruguay on Wednesday, with the South Americans having cruised to a 3-0 win in their opener against Canada.

Africa’s other entrants have yet to play. Burkina Faso start their campaign on Monday with a match against Central American side Panama, while Cote d’Ivoire are also in action as they take on Australia.

Derek Boateng

Midfielder Derek Boateng has arrived in England to finalise a move to West Brom.

The Ghana international had spent the last two days in Ukraine where a deal with giants Dnipro FC seems to have fallen through.

Boateng’s club Getafe say they have accepted an offer from the Ukrainians for the dreadlocked midfielder but he is reluctant to agree personal terms until he has explored the option of playing in England where there is reportedly interest from West Brom and Stoke City.

Boateng has spent much of his career on the move but is determined he will be playing in another major league rather than Ukraine after spending the last three seasons playing regularly in Germany and Spain.

He has also played in Greece, Sweden and Israel.

Osaze Odemwingie

Osaze Odemwingie is apparently not impressed with the personal terms offered by Arsenal.

The Gunners have reportedly agreed to a deal with West Brom for the services of the Nigeria striker but has fallen short of his personal demands.

A source who spent holidays with Osaze recently has told MTNFootball.com that the 29-year-old striker believes that he has done enough to get a good deal at any top club, be it Arsenal or any other club keen to sign him.

“I know there has been some kind of approach for Osaze from Arsenal. It would most certainly be a dream come true at least for Osaze’s father, who is a die-hard Arsenal fan, should he move there,” the top source informed MTNFootball.com.

“But the player is not happy that while the London Gunners are willing to meet West Brom’s transfer fee, there will not be much change in the player’s personal terms, rather they are proposing what he considers peanuts for him.

“He won’t fall for the glamour associated with playing at the Emirates for a top club like Arsenal because he wants the right cash to go with it.”

Osaze, who spent part of his holidays in South Africa with his sister who is nursing her ailing son, is presently on holidays in the United States of America.

He has also been contacted by Arsenal’s bitter city rivals Tottenham Hotspur as well as top Italian club Juventus.

“Everything is still very much in the air as regards Osaze’s future and it will be only be much clearer later during this transfer season,” another source told MTNFootball.com.

“But it will be something of a miracle if West Brom hold on to him because the player is very ambitious and wants to win things.

“And at 29, he knows that he has to make the most of a great campaign that saw him bang in 15 goals in only his first season in the English Premier League.”

Though no figures were divulged, it is believed that Osaze took a massive pay cut so as to make his way to the EPL from big-spending Locomotiv Moscow in Russia and now that he has made a success of his first season in England, he believes he needs to be adequately compensated.

Marcel Desailly in warm handshake with deputy Sports minister Nii Nortey Dua

Ex France international Marcel Desailly has launched a multi-purpose sports complex in a colourful ceremony in Accra, Ghana.

The edifice located in East Legon boasts facilities such as three standard training pitches, an Olympic size swimming pool, a state of the art gymnasium, lifestyle shops amongst others.

In his welcoming address, Desailly told the gathering the motivation behind establishing such a facility.

“When I told my father who was then a French diplomat of my dream of becoming a footballer, he told me I’m mad,” he said.

“I then became so determined to prove to him I could be successful in football and thankfully, I was.

“However, I challenged myself to prove same in my other life after football and though I am not there yet, this investment will go a long way in fulfilling that dream.”

The Secretary to Ghana’s cabinet Ben C. Eghan who represented the vice president assured of government’s unflinching support for the sports complex and to any individual or group who wishes to make such an investment.

“This facility falls in line with government’s policy of encouraging the private sector to invests in sports and as such Desailly can be assured of our full support,” he said.

Stephen Appiah

Ex Ghana captain Stephen Appiah has revealed he is considering rescinding his decision to retire from international football.

The 30-year-old announced his retirement after leading the Black Stars to their second straight World Cup finals last year in South Africa.

The midfielder however insists he is not in a haste to take the decision since the national team have more than enough quality to hold the fort.

“I am retired but you let’s wait to see what happens in future,” Appiah told GHANAsoccernet.com.

“If you look at the performance of the young ones such as Kwadwo Asamoah, Kevin-Prince Boateng, Asamoah Gyan and Dede Ayew you know I am not being missed much.”

Appiah, who has won over 65 caps fro his country says he is considering the option due to the flogging plea of the masses.

Soon to be Gunner Gervinho

Ivorian Gervinho has reportedly agreed to a four-year deal to join English Premiership club Arsenal.

The Gunners are said to be prepared to pay the 10 million pound asking price of French Champions Lille for the versatile midfielder.

The 24-year-old has been at the center of numerous transfer speculations since helping Lille secure the championship with impressive displays.

He netted 18 goals and made 10 assists in 43 appearances as Lille won the league and cup double in France this past season.

He featured for his country at the football event of the 2008 Beijing Olympics and has been a full international since 2007.

Striker Obinna Nsofor moves to Russia

Striker Obinna Nsofor has joined Russian heavyweights Locomotiv Moscow on a four-year deal.

The Nigeria international, substantively owned by Inter Milan spent majority of last season in the Premiership with West Ham who were relegated at the end of last campaign.

The 24-year-old however moved to Russia as a free player after the Nerrazurri’s failed to evoke a clause on his contract.

“He has signed a four-year contract that will secure his future. He is in Moscow and he called me to say he has passed his medical,” Nsofor’s close confidant Tony Adele told MTNFootball.com.

Reports indicate Locomotiv Moscow, the former club of compatriot Osaze Odemwingie, matched the offer tabled by Turkish giants Galatasaray who were willing to pay him two million euros a year.

This was almost twice what he received at the San Siro.

Nsofor returned to Italy Thursday to sort out his club future after he played this past season on loan from Inter to West Ham, who were eventually relegated from the English Premier League.

The Nigerian took a dig at manager Avram Grant for the Hammers demotion.

‘Obi’ was also on loan to Malaga in Spain two seasons ago.

Want-away QPR Midfielder Adel Taarabt

Midfielder Adel Taraabt has boldly stated his desire to quit QPR insisting the newly promoted side are not good enough to stay in the Premiership.

Contract talks between the 22-year-old Moroccan appears to have broken down with Taraabt furthering stirring the hornets nest by tipping the club for relegation.

‘They want me to stay four years on the same terms,’ said Taarabt about the club who revived his reputation after a tough time at Tottenham.

‘I don’t want to sign for four years then after one year I am going to be back in The Championship.

‘No disrespect, but if we keep the same players, it will be very difficult to stay in the Premier League when you are playing Manchester United and Chelsea.’

Taarabt had already talked of his ambitions to join Chelsea or Arsenal but seems to have settled for Newcastle.

Alan Pardew had a £5million bid for him rejected in January and is re-building after the sales of Englishmen Andy Carroll, to Liverpool in January, and Kevin Nolan to West Ham last week.

Newcastle have already brought in Demba Ba and Sylvain Marveaux but will have to find £10m for Taarabt and offer an attractive pay deal.

‘I helped QPR win promotion but they will not offer me a better contract,’ said Taarabt, who was voted the best player in the Championship last season. ‘They say I am already on big wages.’

Taarabt’s contract runs until 2013 but it is believed there is a break clause that could be activated by the Moroccan next summer.

However, he claimed QPR have had offers but have told him they will only let him go for £10m.

‘It’s a lot of money because I have not been successful yet in the Premier League,’ he said. ‘But when Rangers sell me, they have to give 40 per cent of the fee to Tottenham, my first club.’

Despite interest from Paris St-Germain and Juventus, Taarabt wants to stay in the Premier League.

He said: ‘Why should I go to France and play some games in front of 7,000 people? I like it in England. The stadiums are full all the time.

‘I understand that QPR have changed my life. People had almost forgotten me when I joined from Tottenham. But I don’t think they are being fair to me.’

Mikel Obi hoping for better times under next Chelsea boss

Midfielder Jon Mikel Obi hopes to play more regularly under the next Chelsea manager.

The Nigeria international enjoyed a massive run of games earlier on last season until a knee injury coupled with other factors faded him out cold on the substitute bench under Carlo Ancelotti.

Mikel, 24, said: “I had a good start to the season until about January. Then when the club had a bad run, it affected everybody. Everything went downhill.

“I was playing in every game, Champions League and Premier League, but suddenly we had this bad run which went on for about a month or two.

“I had a knee injury in the middle of it as well and was out for four or five weeks.

“When I came back, I wasn’t playing regularly – just a few games. It was frustrating for me.

“It’s very difficult as a young player but I’ve learned to deal with it.

“Every season you are going to have a period when things are not going well for you and other times when things are going well. You have to try and manage both.

“I just try to stay professional, train and forget about it. I play when I get the opportunity.”

Mikel admitted Ancelotti had a reason for not selecting him for games but his exclusion merely pushed him to work all the harder.

He added: “When I’m not playing, the manager has a reason why he’s not picking me.

“Everyone saw how disappointed I was when I was not being picked in the team.

“This was a period for me to keep my head down, work really hard and try to change different things.

“And all of a sudden, towards the end of the season, it was like I came back to my best again.”