Ghanaian journalist George Addo Jnr named lead English commentator at AFCON 2023
New World Television, the official broadcast rights holder for the upcoming 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, has named UK-based Ghanaian sports journalist George Addo Jnr as the lead English commentator. Bringing with him a wealth of experience garnered from calling matches in major international tournaments, Addo Jnr will spearhead New World’s coverage of the continental showpiece in the Ivory Coast. His role kicks off on-site as the primary commentator for the AFCON 2023 opening game between Ivory Coast and Guinea Bissau. Joining him in the broadcast booth are New World’s Anthony Pla, ex-Cameroon international Sébastien Bassong, and former Togo captain Emmanuel Sheyi Adebayor. George Addo Jnr, a distinguished journalist who recently joined the BBC World Service from Ghana’s Multimedia Group, aims to bring significant experience to this role. His commentary expertise spans five previous AFCON tournaments, two European football championships, five UEFA Champions League campaigns, three FIFA World Cup tournaments, and seven Ghana Premier League seasons. Recognized as one of Ghana’s premier English commentators by the venerable Mirror newspaper, Addo Jnr’s clear, distinct, and captivating commentary style on radio and TV has earned him three nominations for the PAV Ansah Communications Award under the prestigious EMY Africa Awards scheme. Having been accredited to cover the UEFA Champions League finals in 2016, 2017, and 2018, Addo Jnr has demonstrated his global expertise in the field. In 2021, he made history by delivering commentary on the Euros final between England and Italy from Wembley for Ghana’s Joy FM. During the same tournament, he provided television commentary for Joy Prime, which held exclusive TV rights to the games. Expressing his enthusiasm, Addo Jnr stated, “I am thrilled at the opportunity to join this excellent group of professionals to showcase the AFCON, which is one of the world’s most exciting competitions, to the global audience. I look forward to a fantastic month of colorful stories, goals, and the making of legends.” As part of the agreement, Addo Jnr will lead New World’s English-language commentary team from the opening match through the final, collaborating with experienced analysts to provide insightful match analysis and share his passion for African soccer with fans worldwide. New World TV will also offer commentary for all 52 AFCON matches in six African languages: Wolof, Bambara, Lingala, Ewe, Swahili, and Hausa. The 34th edition of the Africa Cup of Nations is set to kick off in Abidjan on Saturday, January 13, and will run until February 11, 2024. READ NEXT ON: Asamoah Gyan appointed CAF Ambassador
Asamoah Gyan appointed CAF Ambassador
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has introduced its inaugural Ambassadors Program, with renowned football legends El Hadji Diouf, Asamoah Gyan, Ahmed Hassan, and Augustine ‘Jay-Jay’ Okocha being the pioneers of this prestigious undertaking. Marking a historic milestone, the Ambassadors Program aims to leverage the influence and popularity of football legends, community role models, and other noteworthy personalities to promote both CAF and African football on a global scale. These ambassadors will play a crucial role in a spectrum of activities, spanning from tournaments and charitable initiatives to commercial and social events. The meticulous selection of ambassadors was based on criteria that considered outstanding sporting and career achievements, social impact, and commercial value. Diouf, Gyan, Hassan, and Okocha were chosen not only for their football excellence but also for their substantial contributions to their communities and the broader African society. Asamoah Gyan, the former captain of Ghana’s Black Stars, boasts an impressive career, participating in seven Africa Cup of Nations tournaments and reaching the finals in 2010 and 2015. With six goals across three FIFA World Cups, Gyan holds the record for the African player with the most goals in the history of the tournament. El Hadji Diouf, a two-time CAF Player of the Year, gained prominence with Senegal’s golden generation in the 2000s, reaching the final of the 2002 Africa Cup of Nations and the quarterfinals of the FIFA World Cup in South Korea and Japan. Ahmed Hassan, one of the most decorated players in African football history, secured four Africa Cup of Nations titles with the Pharaohs of Egypt (1998, 2006, 2008, and 2010) and remains among the most capped players of all time, boasting over 170 international appearances. Nigeria’s Augustine ‘Jay-Jay’ Okocha, a midfield maestro, played a pivotal role in securing the Africa Cup of Nations for the Super Eagles in 1994 and clinched Olympic gold two years later in Atlanta, USA. The Ambassadors Program is poised to enhance CAF’s profile by bringing in personalities from various fields, promising both commercial benefits and social impact across the continent. Through sustained connections with football legends and celebrities, CAF aims to generate new revenue streams and strengthen engagement with fans and stakeholders globally. As CAF prepares to unveil more names in the coming weeks, the Ambassadors Program is expected to redefine the organization’s reach and influence in the world of football and beyond. READ NEXT ON: Antwiwaa Yiadom-Boakye, the standout star of NSMQ 2017, now a Doctor
