Italy have failed to qualify for the World Cup for the first time since 1958, as Sweden secured their spot in Russia after the teams' 0-0 draw on Monday in Milan. Sweden, who qualified for their first World Cup since 2006, go through 1-0 on aggregate on the back of Jakob Johansson's goal last week in the first leg. Italy, who have won the World Cup four times, will miss out after finishing second to Spain in the UEFA qualifying group stage, and then falling short in the two-legged playoff.

Roberto Baggio is responsible for one of Italy's w Four-time World Cup winners Italy will not play at the global tournament in next year - the first time since 1958 - as they will missed out on football's greatest competition - after they were beaten by Sweden in a play-off on Monday. and a nation responsible for some of the tournament's most iconic moments   From Marco Tardelli's scream in 1982 to Roberto Baggio's wild penalty at USA 94, we look back at some of the

  Ghanaian forward Surak Zakaria scored a hat-trick as Dinamo Vranje demolishedDinamo Sindjelic 4-1 in the Serbian PRVA Liga at the Jumko stadium on Monday. The 21-year-old has been Vranje's livewire in their push for promotion in the ongoing Serbian second-tier league with his consistent goal scoring exploits. The former Vision FC marksman continued his devastating scoring start to the season when they engagedDinamo Sindjelic in front of their boisterous fans as he scored an

The Ghana Football Association ''will work very hard'' to find a headline sponsor for the Premier League before the start of next season, according to spokesperson Ibrahim Sannie Daara. The flagship competition of the association has been without a headline sponsor since First Capital Plus Bank suspended their five-year contract worth $10m in 2015 after honouring a year. And despite StarTimes being the media broadcast, the FA could not find a main sponsor for the league for

Ghana striker Patrick Twumasi isnow facing a lengthy spell on the sidelines after worsening an ankle injury during the final 2018 World Cup qualifier against Egypt on Sunday. The Astana star was forced to replace debutante Nana Ampomah, who picked up an injury in the 43rd minute against the Pharaohs at the Cape Coast stadium. The 23-year-old is expected to undergo scan in Germany to ascertain the severity of the injury ahead of the side's Europa clash against Villareal....

Former Asante Kotoko coach David Duncan is closing in on a move to Ghana Premier League side Medeama SC ahead of next season, GHANASoccernet can exclusively report. A top source close to Ghana's leading football website, GHANASoccernet.com, the Tarkwa-based side are locked in talks to acquire the services of the former Ghana U17 coach ahead of next season. The source further indicated that, the Yellow and Mauves are prepared to pay a lavish salary to the outspoken gaffer and promised to

Ghanaian trio Daniel Nii Adjei, Solomon Asante and Yaw Frimpong have been named in the Tout Puissant Mazembe squad for Monday's clash againstEcofoot Mose Katumbi in the opening fixture of the DR Congo Linafoot League. The trio played important roles for the Lubumbashi-based outfit as they successfully defended their league crown last last, with Daniel Nii Adjei scoring the winning strike against sworn rivals AS Vita in the final match of the season. They are among the 18 players coach Mirjalol

Ghana coach Kwesi Appiah has disclosed that Adam Kwarasey is reluctant to return to the Black Stars team despite holding several talks with him. The Valeranga shot-stopper has not featured for the Black Stars since the 2014 FIFA World Cup tournament in Brazil, having turned down several invitations in the past due to unknown reasons. Coach Appiah excluded Kwarasey form his 23-man squad for the final match of the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Egypt. But the 57-year-old gaffer has

A tense final day of the African qualifying competition for the 2018 FIFA World Cup ended with Morocco, Senegal and Tunisia joining Egypt and Nigeria as the continents five qualifiers. While the last two world finals saw the same quintet of Algeria, Cameroon, Cte dIvoire, Ghana and Nigeria represent Africa on both occasions, Russia 2018 will welcome back some long-term absentees. Egypt last appeared on the Word Cup stage at Italy 1990, Morocco at France 1998, Senegal at Korea/Japan 2002 and Tunisia

Ghana midfielder Mubarak Wakaso has expressed his satisfaction with the draw against Egypt in the final game of the 2018 World Cup at the Cape Coast Sports Stadium on Sunday. Wakaso, 27, was handed his maiden call up in coach Kwesi Appiah's second stint with the team. The Deportivo Alves hard-tackler was one of Ghana's top performers in their 1-1 draw with the Pharaohs of Egypt as he put up a splendid display. But despite the team's failure to finish their underwhelming qualifying

Sochaux Montbilliard goalkeeper Lawrence Ati Zigi says the future of the Black Stars is bright despite failing to qualify for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. Coach Kwesi Appiah fielded a relatively young side in their 1-1 stalemate against the Pharaohs of Egypt in the final match of the qualifiers on Sunday. Players such as Raphael Dwamena, Ati Zigi, Edwin Gyasi, Agbenyenu Lumor, Nuhu Kassim were part of the new guard fielded by the 57-year-old trainer. And Ati-Zigi believes the young

Ghana forward Dominic Adiyiah scored a brace for Nakhon Ratchasima in their 2-1 victory against Bangkok Glass in the Thai Premier League at the 80th birthday Stadium. The former U20 World Cup winner put the hosts ahead with a fine finish in the 8th minute of the game before the visitors pulled parity in 75th minute. The 27-year-old completed his side victory with a stunning strike in the 78th minute of the game. Adiyiah lasted full throttle for the Swat Cats....

Aduana Stars captain Godfred Saka believes his adventure with the club has come to a close and wants to explore new challenges abroad. Saka joined the Fire Boys in the 2012/13 season from the Right to Dream Academy and instantly became an important figure as the club lifted their maiden Ghana Premier League title that season. The 29-year-old has risen through ranks by captaining the team to their second league championship some few weeks ago despite missing chunk of the season through injury.

Ghana U17 captain Eric Ayiah has donated a set of jerseys to Akumadan Senior High School. This has given the school a boost ahead of the Ashanti Region Inter Schools and Colleges football tournament. Ayiah's decided to make the donation on the request of his guardian Sule Ibrahim who is the sports master of the school. He had also donated to his Alma Mater Fomena T.I Ahmadiya Senior High School...

Ghanaian midfieldder Muniru Sulley is being observed at Spanish La Liga side Las Palmas ahead of a possible move, GHANASoccernet.com understands. Sulley has been training with the side since last week. The 24-year-old was available on a free transfer after terminating his contract with Romanian side FC Steaua Bucuresti last season. Last month, he trailed out at Polish side Legia Warsaw two-weeks, but was refused a deal. The former Liberty Professionals youth team player was said to have

Norway-based Edwin Gyasi is on cloud nine to have scored his first international goal in Ghana's 1-1 draw with Egypt on Sunday in a dead-rubber final 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifier. The Aalesund ace struck from just outside the box to draw Ghana level on 64 minutes, three minutes after Mahmoud Shikabala had given the Pharaohs the lead. Gyasi was making his second appearance for the senior national team after debuting in September's 5-1 win at Congo. The 26-year-old says it is an feeling

Ghanaian forward Prince Amponsah scored for Chonburi FC as they annihilated Police Tero FC 5-1 in the Thai Premier League on Sunday. Chonburi were too strong for the visitors in front of their vociferous fans at the Chonburi Stadium by hitting them 5-1. Amponsah registered his name on the score sheet for the home side in the 43rd minute of the game from a close range. The 20-year-oldis the leading scorer for Chonburi FC this season with 14 goals to his credit....

Ghanaian midfielder Emmanuel Oti Essigba registered a goal for Esbjerg fB in their 4-0 win over FC Rocksilde in the Danish second-tier league at the Rocksilde Idraets Park. Esbjerb shot into the lead on 11th minute through Danish attacker Anders Dreyer before Emmanuel Oti handed his side the cushioning in the84th minute of the match. Two late strikes from Jesper Lauridsen and Lasha Parunashvili ended the match in a 4-0 win in favor of Esbjerg. Oti joined the Danish side on a three-year

Egypt assistant manager Osama Nabih lauded the 'tactically intelligent' Shikabala after the midfield wizard scored in his side's 1-1 World Cup qualifying draw against Ghana at the Cape Coast Sports Stadium on Sunday. Playing his first Egypt game for the first time in three years, an in-form Shikabala put in an impressive display which was capped by a superb second-half goal that put the already-qualified Pharaohs in front. "Shikabala is tactically intelligent. He fulfilled most

Former Asante Kotoko defender Mohammed Sabato who now plays for Nania FC could return to the top league after Aduana stars showed interest this week. Sabato completed the division one league unscathed last season after a two-year knee injury that threatened to cut short his career. He was particularly impressive in the second half of the season for Nania as the mental scar of being out for two years evaporated from his mind. Aduana wants to impress in the CAF Champions League and have identified