Sports

Former Ghanaian int’l Michael Essien on verge of losing choice properties

Published

3 months ago

June 19, 2024

Former Ghanaian international midfielder, Michael Essien, is on the verge of losing two of his choice properties worth millions of dollars following an order by an Accra High Court for the properties to be auctioned.

The order for the auction of the properties was given by the Deputy Sheriff of the High Court (Commercial Division) on June 12, 2024, following a recent court ruling against the former Chelsea midfielder.

The properties, according to reports in the Ghanaian media, are located at Stephen Quarshie Crescent, East Legon, House Number 9 and House Number 204/205, Trassaco (Phase 2), Adjiringano, all in Accra, with one of them said to be valued at between $20 million and $30 million.

Foremost Ghanaian sports journalist, Saddick Adams, who confirmed the court order in a video, said the genesis of Essien’s troubles began when he signed a mortgage for the aforementioned properties many years ago and was paying for them in installments.

In the video, Adams said Essien had put the mansion in the care of his wife, Akosua Puni, who was then supposed to take over the payment of the mortgage.

“When the payment for the mortgage ceased coming, the owner took the matter to court to try to retrieve the money,” Adams said on his show on Angel FM on Tuesday.

He explained further that Essien no longer had an interest in the property and so reached an agreement in court for the mansions to be sold, so that he could use his share of the proceeds to buy a new house at another location.

“Essien has not taken out a loan. He’s not broke. It is being reported that he is in debt due to several loans, but the truth is that it is a mortgage he signed while he was playing and was paying in bits.

“Then it got to a time when payment was not coming through as it was supposed to. So the property owner or the bank that financed it decided that they wanted to take it back, so it is not a loan.

“Essien also left the house in the care of his wife, Akosua Puni. He had no interest in it as his property, and so the control was left in someone else’s care who was expected to continue with the payment of the mortgage.

“According to a close friend of Essien who also had a property in the same area, the cost of the mortgage shot up while property prices in the area have also gone up,” Adams added.

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Sports

South Africa thrash Ireland by eight wickets in first T20 meeting

Published

2 hours ago

September 28, 2024

Isaac Dachen

South Africa men national cricket team, The Proteas, on Friday, thrashed Ireland by eight-wickets in the first of their two-match T20 series played at the Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi.

The Proteas who reached the T20 World Cup final in June, came into the matches against Ireland on the back of an ODI series defeat by Afghanistan in Sharjah.

Ryan Rickelton and Reeze Hendricks struck half-centuries as South Africa romped to a victory with Rickelton making 76 off 48 balls and Hendricks adding 51 off 33 deliveries as South Africa’s opening pair put on 136 for the first wicket in reply to Ireland’s total of 171-8.

Earlier in the game, South Africa captain Aiden Markam called correctly and put Ireland into bat at the toss, with Ireland skipper Paul Stirling joined in the middle by Ross Adair, playing his ninth T20I in the absence of Lorcan Tucker.

Curtis Campher top-scored with the bat for Ireland, accumulating 49 as his team made 171-8 off their 20 overs but The Proteas responded with a dominant Rickelton and Hendricks putting on an opening partnership of 136 as the Proteas reached 174-2 to reach their target with 14 balls to spare.

South African-born Curtis Campher top-scored for Ireland with 49 and received support from wicketkeeper Neil Rock, who contributed 37 before Ireland lost their way late in the innings after being asked to bat first, while all-rounder Patrick Kruger finished with a triple-wicket maiden, snaring George Dockrell, Fionn Hand and Adair in the final over to end with figures of 4-27.

The second T20 match between the sides will be played at the same venue on Sunday when Ireland will aim to secure their first ever T20 victory over their opponents at the seventh attempt.

Sports

Kenyan duo of Faith Kipyegon, Mary Moraa win big at women-only Athlos meet

Published

1 day ago

September 27, 2024

Isaac Dachen

Kenyan duo of Faith Kipyegon and Mary Moraa were the major winners in the inaugural women-only track and field event at Athlos NYC 2024 held on Thursday at New York’s Icahn Stadium.

While Kipyegon secured victory in the 1500m in a time of 4 minutes, 79 seconds to claim victory, Moraa clinched second place in the 800m event to cart home the princely price money which superceded what Diamond League winners take home.

Three-time Olympic champion Kipyegon who was among three Kenyans alongside world champion Moraa who took part in the 800m and Susan Ejore-Sanders who joined the Olympian in the 1500m.

Launched by entrepreneur Alexis Ohanian, the co-founder of Reddit and husband to retired American tennis great, Serena Williams, the
Athlos championship aims to build off of the star power of women’s track events.

The winners of each event pocketed $60,000 – twice the prize money offered at the Diamond League finale – and first place finishers each received a custom Tiffany crown.

Speaking to journalists after the race, Kipyegon said:

“I pick inspiration from many characters back at home. I started competing when I was about fifteen years old and I am still going strong,” said Kipyegon in her victory speech.