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Didier Deschamps is flying back to France to ​attend his mother’s funeral and will ‌not coach the team’s last Group I game at the World Cup against Norway, ​the French federation said on ​Tuesday.

“Didier Deschamps will not be able ⁠to oversee training sessions ahead of ​the Norway v France match. He will ​also be absent from the bench for Friday’s final Group I game,” the FFF said ​in a statement.

“The national team ​coach learned this morning of the death of ‌his ⁠mother and will return to France to attend her funeral.

“In agreement with Philippe Diallo, president of the French Football ​Federation, who ​is ⁠currently at the France team’s base camp, Deschamps has entrusted ​assistant coach Guy Stephan with ​responsibility ⁠for leading the squad until his return.”

France have already qualified for the knockout ⁠stage ​after beating Senegal 3-1 ​and Iraq 3-0 in their first two games.- Reuters

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Daniel Munoz fired Colombia into the World Cup Round of 32 on Tuesday, sealing a 1-0 ​win over DR Congo in Group K after goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi had threatened to turn the match ‌into a night of frustration.

Munoz struck the winner from the right side of the penalty area in the 76th minute, finally beating Mpasi who had repeatedly denied Colombia with an inspired performance.

Colombia, who opened their World Cup campaign with a 3-1 win over Uzbekistan, ​commanded possession and created numerous chances.

James Rodriguez, making his 10th World Cup appearance to equal the Colombian ​record jointly held by Freddy Rincon and Carlos Valderrama, forced Mpasi into action with ⁠a powerful strike in the 11th minute.

The goalkeeper stood firm, repelling efforts from Jhon Arias and winger Luis Diaz, ​who came close to breaking the deadlock in the 18th minute, controlling a chipped pass inside the penalty area, ​turning smartly, and firing a shot goalwards, only for Mpasi to save with his foot.

The African side, buoyed by their opening 1-1 draw with Portugal, threatened sporadically through Edo Kayembe, Cedric Bakambu and Yoane Wissa but lacked a clinical finish.

By halftime, Colombia had registered ​15 shots, including six on target, with nine of their 10 outfield players attempting efforts.

In the stands, DR ​Congo had support from Michel Nkuka Mboladinga, the team’s famous “living statue” fan, who made his World Cup debut after missing the opener ‌against ⁠Portugal because of Ebola quarantine requirements.

Colombia resumed on the front foot after the break, Diaz forcing another fine save from Mpasi in the 51st minute before Arias dragged the rebound wide.

Wissa almost snatched the lead for DR Congo in the 73rd minute when his shot from Simon Banza’s assist was blocked, but Colombia struck shortly after through Munoz.

“Just ​because I scored the ​goal doesn’t mean I’m the ⁠hero. I belong to everyone; we’re all in this together. We secured the three points as a team, as Colombia; here, we’re one family,” Munoz told Colombian TV.

Diaz ​later thought he had doubled the advantage with a finish into the top corner, ​only for the ⁠effort to be ruled out for offside.

“Against a team like that, you have to find the spaces between the lines; if you play too predictably, they press you and hit you on the counter-attack,” Colombia coach Nestor Lorenzo said.

Colombia moved ⁠to ​six points from two matches and guaranteed their progress to the knockout ​stage ahead of their final group game against Portugal, who beat Uzbekistan 5-0 earlier on Tuesday.

DR Congo remained on one point and will need ​a result against Uzbekistan to keep their qualification hopes alive.-Reuters

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A leading boxing promoter, Mr Dave Bishop, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Bishop Boxing Promotions, has received an Honourary Doctorate in Global Partnership Leadership and Sports Management by the Kennedy University of France.

The award seeks to honour his work connecting athletics, entrepreneurship, and international community-building.

Bishop is also on track to receive an M.B.A. in International Business at the university’s December convocation in Boston, Massachusetts.

A committed philanthropist and development advocate, Dr Bishop, also pairs an international sports career with tangible grassroots impact.

In Ekroful, he holds the title of a Development Chief and has driven projects that bolster employment, nurture small enterprises, upgrade infrastructure, and create programmes for youth — all contributing to the town’s economic resilience and social wellbeing.

“I’m convinced that sport is more than competition — it’s a bridge to opportunity, a classroom for character, and a way to expand the circle of shared prosperity,” Bishop said in a chat with the Times Sports on Tuesday.

He said that “If we invest in people and their potential, we ignite communities and unlock futures for the many, not just the few.”

Bishop, a distinguished figure in the entertainment industry, is campaigning for the position of Second Vice President of the Ghana Boxing Authority (GBA) in the forthcoming elections.

His platform centres on transparent leadership, athlete-centred policies, systematic talent development, and deeper international collaboration to bring resources and visibility to Ghanaian boxing.

He has since been commended by his peers and community partners for leveraging global relationships to attract investment and expertise while creating local pathways for athletes and entrepreneurs through his promotions work.

The honourary doctorate recognises his efforts to professionalise sports management with an emphasis on sustainable partnerships and social impact.

As Bishop prepares for his December graduation and continues his GBA campaign, supporters say his combination of business insight, community-first values, and dedication to athlete welfare position him to shape both regional development and the future of boxing in my Ghana.

Meanwhile, his latest boxing promotion has been slated for late August at a venue to be decided soon.

BY TIMES SPORTS REPORTER

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The Black Stars coach, Carlos Queiroz, has asked Ghanaians to be calm in the face of the nationwide celebration over the team’s exploits at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the USA, Canada and Mexico.

He said this in his post-match interaction after guiding the Black Stars to hold the Three Lions of England in a goalless second Group L encounter at the Boston Stadium.

Prior to that, Ghana had accounted for Panama 1-0 in their group opener in Toronto, Canada.

With that, the Black Stars lie second in Group L behind England with four points, differentiated by a solitary goal with last round of matches against Croatia and Panama looming.

The good fortune notwithstanding, Queiroz insisted that Ghana’s work was far from finished despite the valuable 0-0 draw with England, telling the fans that the Black Stars were “just on our way to reaching the World Cup knockout stage.”

“We have not won anything yet,” Queiroz said post-match. “We’re just on our way to reaching the main goal, which is to qualify for the second round of the World Cup,” he noted.

The coach dedicated Tuesday’s performance to the supporters back home. “We have to dedicate this effort to the fans of Ghana,” he said, citing that, “They deserve it. The players gave everything.”

Queiroz praised his squad’s resilience after Benjamin Asare’s clean sheet and a disciplined defensive display from Jerome Opoku, Jonas Adjetey, Marvin Senaya and Gideon Mensah.

“Points in this World Cup are terribly expensive,” Queiroz added. “When you get one, you have to fight for it. Now we recover and focus on Croatia.”

Queiroz made four changes from the 1-0 win over Panama, handing starts to Thomas Partey, Inaki Williams, Benjamin Asare and Kwasi Sibo in a 4-3-3 formation.

England dominated possession early through Jude Bellingham and Declan Rice, but Ghana’s midfield trio of Partey, Sibo, and Caleb Yirenkyi kept the Three Lions at bay.

The best chance of the first half fell to Harry Kane in the 34th minute, but Asare stood tall to deny the England captain from close range.

Ghana’s biggest opening came just after the hour. Inaki Williams broke behind Marc Guehi and forced a sharp save from Jordan Pickford, with Antoine Semenyo firing the rebound over.

Both coaches turned to their benches late on. Bukayo Saka and Marcus Rashford tested Asare from distance, while Jordan Ayew and Semenyo looked to hit England on the break, but neither side could find a breakthrough in front of 65,878 at Gillette Stadium.

Even though England applied pressure in the closing stages, they appeared very fortunate not to concede a penalty late on when Ezri Konsa challenged Prince Kwabena Adu in the area, bringing him down without making any contact with the ball.

The result means England and Ghana each sit on four points in Group L.  Ghana face Croatia in their final group game on June 28.

BY TIMES SPORTS REPORTER

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The Ghana Prisons Service has interdicted Chief Officer Michael Osei-Bonsu following his arrest for allegedly attempting to smuggle a substance suspected to be Indian hemp into the Kete-Krachi Local Prison. According to the Service, the incident occurred on June 19, 2026, during routine security screening of officers reporting for night duty. Alert prison officers reportedly discovered and confiscated the suspected…