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Arsenal shift aside PSV after winning on aggregate of 9-3 to reach UCL quarter final

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Arsenal drew 2-2 with PSV Eindhoven on Wednesday to complete an emphatic 9-3 aggregate win and set up a Champions League quarter-final against holders Real Madrid.

The Gunners demolished the Dutch champions 7-1 in the Netherlands last week, making the second leg at the Emirates a formality.

Arsenal, who made seven changes from Sunday’s 1-1 draw at Manchester United, were quickly out of the blocks, scoring in the sixth minute through Oleksandr Zinchenko.

Croatian veteran Ivan Perisic pulled PSV level on the night with a fine finish past the sprawling David Raya but midfielder Declan Rice headed Arsenal back in front.

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PSV, seeking to salvage pride after last week’s humiliation, equalised with 20 minutes to go with a well-taken goal from Couhaib Driouech.

Arsenal, who have never been crowned European champions, will play 15-time winners Real Madrid in the last eight after Carlo Ancelotti’s side squeaked past Atletico Madrid on penalties following a 2-2 draw on aggregate.

The two sides have met just twice previously, with Arsenal winning 1-0 on aggregate in the round of 16 in the 2005/06 season.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said the club should enjoy the achievement of reaching back-to-back quarter-finals for the first time since 2010, when Arsene Wenger was manager of the club.

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“That tells you the difficulty of it,” said the Spaniard. “We have to value that and recognise that it is very difficult to do it.

“We’ve done it consistently and now we want to make the next step, which is going to be really difficult, but we are very capable of that.”

Arteta’s men, whose Premier League challenge has fizzled out in recent weeks, were quickly in the driving seat in the second leg against PSV on Wednesday.

Raheem Sterling received the ball on the right of the Arsenal attack and found his former Manchester City team-mate Zinchenko, who glided along the 18-yard box before unleashing a superb left-footed shot past Walter Benitez.

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Former Tottenham player Perisic levelled in the 18th minute and Raya had to be alert to produce a fingertip save from the lively Driouech moments later.

But the home side were back in front in the 37th minute

Sterling, who has been out of favour under Arteta despite his lack of forward options, charged down the right and produced a teasing cross that Rice headed home.

Raya produced another fine save 10 minutes into the second half, diving full length to his left to keep out an effort from Isaac Babadi.

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But PSV were level with 20 minutes to go after Moroccan youth international Driouech, making his first Champions League start, dinked the ball over the stranded Arsenal goalkeeper.

The Dutch champions were now on top but neither side could find a winner.

The Gunners are realistically out of the Premier League title race with leaders Liverpool 15 points clear at the top.

But they remain on course to win their first-ever Champions League trophy, and their first European silverware since they lifted the now-defunct Cup Winners’ Cup in 1994.

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© 2025 AFP

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Dede Ayew Breaks Silence on Calls for Him to Contest GFA Presidency

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Former Black Stars captain André “Dede” Ayew has responded to growing calls for him to consider contesting for the presidency of the Ghana Football Association (GFA).

The discussion surrounding Ayew’s possible move into football administration gained attention after some football personalities and observers suggested that his extensive experience could make him a suitable candidate for the position.

However, Ayew has indicated that becoming GFA president is not currently his focus.

The former Ghana captain’s comments come after sports journalist Dan Kwaku Yeboah argued that Ayew’s long career in professional football had given him valuable experience that could potentially qualify him for a future leadership role within Ghanaian football.

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Ayew has spent much of his career at the highest level of the game, representing clubs in different countries and competing in major international competitions with the Black Stars. He has also served as captain of Ghana’s senior national team, a role that exposed him to different aspects of football management, leadership and player relations.

Despite this experience, Ayew appears to be keeping his attention away from the GFA presidency for the time being.

His response is likely to ease some of the speculation surrounding his political or administrative ambitions within Ghanaian football. While supporters may see him as a potential future leader of the association, there has been no indication that he is preparing to launch a campaign for the position.

The debate over Ayew’s possible GFA presidency comes at a time when discussions about the future direction of Ghana football remain prominent.

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Some football enthusiasts believe former players can bring valuable perspectives to football administration because of their direct experience on the field. Others argue that leadership of the association requires a broad understanding of administration, governance, finance and the development of football structures.

Ayew’s career gives him considerable knowledge of the game. He has played alongside and against some of the world’s leading footballers and has experienced different football systems during his time abroad.

His years with the Black Stars have also made him one of the most recognisable figures in Ghanaian football.

Nevertheless, the 36-year-old has not indicated that he intends to immediately transition from playing football into administration.

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His latest comments therefore suggest that, for now, the possibility of contesting the GFA presidency remains a matter of public discussion rather than an announced personal ambition.

The former captain has enjoyed a distinguished international career, having represented Ghana at multiple Africa Cup of Nations tournaments and FIFA World Cup competitions. His leadership of the national team has also made him an influential figure among Ghanaian football supporters.

Calls for him to enter football administration are therefore likely to continue, particularly as the country discusses how to improve the management and development of the sport.

For now, however, Ayew’s position appears clear: he is not currently focused on pursuing the presidency of the Ghana Football Association.

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Whether his stance changes in the future remains uncertain. His extensive experience means he could potentially play a role in football administration if he chooses to do so after his playing career.

For the moment, the former Black Stars captain has chosen to distance himself from the speculation, leaving the conversation about his possible GFA presidency as one for the future.

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FIFA releases 2027 Women’s World Cup playoff fixtures-See List

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Ghana and South Africa have discovered their opponents in the preliminary phase of the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027 Play-Off Tournament following Thursday’s draw in Zurich, Switzerland.

The two African nations are among six teams that will compete in the preliminary phase for places in the final phase of the intercontinental playoffs. The others are Ecuador, Uzbekistan, Papua New Guinea and Chinese Taipei.

The draw, sighted on FIFA’s website on Sunday, was held at the body’s headquarters in Zurich on August 20, 2026.

There are three groups of two teams, with each team scheduled to play three matches.

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Full draw
Group A

Uzbekistan
South Africa

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Georgina Rodríguez Formally Adopts Husband Cristiano Ronaldo’s Three Older Children

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Georgina Rodríguez has initiated legal proceedings to formally adopt her husband, football star Cristiano Ronaldo’s, three older children.

The step comes shortly after the couple officially tied the knot in a private wedding ceremony.

According to reports from Portuguese media, Rodríguez is completing the necessary legal paperwork out of the public eye to be officially recognized as the mother of the children.

Before the couple began their relationship in 2016, Ronaldo welcomed his first son, Cristiano Ronaldo Jr., in 2010, followed by twins Eva Maria and Mateo in June 2017.

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Rodríguez later gave birth to their first shared biological child, Alana Martina, in late 2017, and their daughter Bella Esmeralda in 2022. She has long maintained a close relationship with all the children, raising them alongside her own.

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