Minister of Sports and Recreation, Kofi Iddi Adams, has stated that the Government of Ghana under President John Dramani Mahama is committed to revive interest in local football.
He made this statement while delivering his speech as a keynote speaker at the 2025 Ghana Football Awards which doubled as the seventh edition of the event.
Arsenal and Black Stars midfielder Thomas Partey won the Men’s Player of the Year Award for the third time while Razak Simpson won the Goal of the Year and Home-Based Player of the Year Awards with James Kwesi Appiah winning the Coach of the Year Award.
“We want to see the potential of Ghana’s football reach its highest heights. This is why under the leadership of President John Dramani Mahama, government is committed to working with stakeholders to revive interest in the local game [of football]. The local game must be revived” the Sports Minister said.
He also acknowledged former Kumasi Asante Kotoko chairman, Herbert Mensah, for his call on football stakeholders to do more to improve the local game. Scroll down to watch video. (Click highlighted text to read full story)
Kofi Iddi Adams, Minister of Sports and Recreation, is advocating for climate leadership in the world of sport after he unveiled a series of green initiatives at the Global Sports and Sustainability Forum 2025 held in Cape Town.
Speaking at the event which brought together international audience of policymakers, sports executives, and climate advocates, the Minister urged countries to reimagine sports infrastructure as a catalyst for environmental resilience and community development.
The SPORTS20 event organised under the theme ‘Another World Is Possible’, the event featured voices from around the world exploring how sport can confront global crises like climate change and biodiversity loss.
“Flooded pitches, rising temperatures, and unpredictable weather are disrupting competitions and training schedules,” Ghana’s Sport minister said in his opening address.
“At the same time, the carbon footprint of mega sporting events rivals the electricity consumption of millions of households. We must act boldly.”
Kofi Adams hinted that the John Mahama-led administration will soon launch a new National Recreation Agency, tasked with leading a climate-conscious wellness movement.
Among its flagship programs will be National Recreation Day and National Aerobics Day, both designed to engage citizens in tree planting, clean-up campaigns, and climate-friendly sporting events.
The Minister also spoke passionately about addressing the environmental devastation caused by illegal small-scale mining, or galamsey.
In response, Ghana will develop community sports academies and green parks on degraded lands in collaboration with mining companies, offering young people alternative livelihoods through sport.
The Minister praised SUCCA Africa, GHALCA, and SPORTS20 for their role in advancing the Green Futball Initiative, which has brought climate issues into the heart of Ghana’s sports culture — from boardrooms to locker rooms.
“Through SUCCA Africa’s ESG frameworks, Ghana is positioning itself as a continental case study in sustainable football development,” he stated.
The forum also featured a compelling presentation by Prince Osisiadan, CEO of SUCCA Africa, who linked climate and biodiversity loss to the sustainability of sport itself.
He warned that without urgent action, sports would increasingly suffer from extreme weather cancellations to lost natural venues and declining public health.
GHALCA President John Ansah echoed these sentiments, stating, “The time for talk has passed; we must act decisively. African football has a unique opportunity to lead by example in sustainability. Our commitment to green practices will not only protect our environment but also inspire future generations to embrace eco-friendly sportsmanship.”
Stefan Wagner of Sports20, Germany opined that the forum marks a turning point not just in conversation, but in collective commitment to climate action through sport.
The Ghanaian economy has begun to show signs of recovery on the back of robust measures put in place by government to address the challenges the country has faced since March 2020, the 2024 budget statement as present to Parliament indicated.
This is evident by the half year average growth rate of 3.2 percent recorded in 2023 compared to 2.9 percent recorded for the same period in 2022.
The agricultural sector remains a key driver of Ghana’s economy, employing an average of
38.3 percent of the total work force and contributed an average of 20 percent of GDP
between 2017 and 2022. The sector’s GDP grew at an average rate of 6.3 percent between
2017 and 2021 boosted by Government’s flagship program – Planting for Food and Jobs (PFJ).
As of 2022, Aquaculture employed approximately 30,000 people in both rural and urban
communities who worked on small- and large-scale farms to produce 133,000mt of fish.
The Growth Strategy aims to boost fish production mostly through increased focus on oceanic and inland earthen ponds. The goal is to support fishermen, fish farmers, fish processors, and marketers to produce more fish as substitute for imports and thereby ease the pressure on marine fishing.
Government has identified strategic industries to anchor the growth of the Ghanaian manufacturing sector. These Strategic Anchor Industries are being complemented by the flagship 1D1F programme. The Free Zones Authority and the Export Promotion Authority in collaboration with the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre will facilitate investment into these industries.
Ghana aims to be the regional manufacturing hub for West Africa. The 15-month Growth Strategy leverages on the 1D1F and Free Zones projects to attract investments into the industries and create massive job opportunities in Ghana.
The Strategy seeks to increase export revenue through the Ghana Free Zone Authority (GFZA) and the Ghana Export Promotion Agency (GEPA). The 15-month targets for the GFZA and GEPA are as follows:
64 additional companies will be licensed by GFZA by end December 2024. This will
increase the number of companies from 207 to 271. This is expected to increase export
earnings from US$1.8bn (indicate year) to US$2.19bn (2024).
Capital investment by licensed Free Zone Companies increased from US$131m (2022)
to US$370m (2024)
5,000 additional jobs will be created by the end of 2024;
Earnings from Non Traditional Exports (NTEs) are increased from US$3.51bn (2022)
to US$4.8bn (2024);
Volume of NTEs is expected to increase from 3.46m mt (2022) to 4.2m mt (2024);
20,000 additional jobs will be created by NTE companies by the end of 2024;
Give 50 companies support to access African markets under the AfCFTA Agreement
Government intends to provide skills training for theyouth. This will be achieved through partnerships with TVET institutions, nationally designated Tech hubs and other similar institutions utilising Tech platforms and training programs provided by Google, Andela, MEST, Soronko Academy, among others. The objective is to ensure the youth are having the requisite skills to compete in both the local
and global market.
In 2022, there was an increase in the total number of jobs (both direct and indirect) created
by the tourism sector. Specifically, 277,985 jobs were created, marking a 10 percent increase
from the 252,714 jobs created in 2021. To bolster this trend, the Growth Strategy training
will be provided to 6,000 young people engaged in various aspects of the tourism value chain,
including cooks, security personnel, and tour guides.
The Ghana Mutual Prosperity Dialogue (GMPD) serves as a special platform for government
and the private sector to dialogue on the challenges and opportunities with the ultimate aim
of promoting mutual prosperity through an enabling environment for doing business.
Boosting Access to Finance by domestic investors: The strategy sets ambitious but attainable targets premised on improving ease of access to finance by leveraging the financial ecosystem. The Development Bank Ghana, GIRSAL, Ghana Export and Import Bank, Consolidated Bank Ghana, Venture Capital Fund, Ghana Investment Infrastructure Fund (GIIF) and the Ghana Commodity Exchange will support private entrepreneurs with loans, partial guarantees and venture capital.
The establishment of the Development Bank Ghana (DBG) has been critical in fostering economic growth and providing long term finance to vital sectors of the Ghanaian economy, thereby creating jobs and sustaining SMEs. In about 2 years, DBG has loaned a total of GHS829 million (out of a target of GHS1 billion) through Participating Financial Institutions (PFIs). Of this, GHS 110 million was directed towards Gender Finance, while GHS 19.7 million was allocated to green finance deals to promoting gender equality and sustainable practices.
Additionally, GHS 385.3 million was disbursed to high-value services, GHS 122.2 million to Manufacturing, GHS 212.5 million to enhance Food Security, focusing on maize, soya, rice, and poultry value chains.
Since its inception, the GCX has facilitated the trade of close to 50,000mt (1,000,000 bags) of largely maize, rice, soya, and cashew nut (through spot, Over the Counter (OTC) and auction trades) at a trade value of over GHS280 million from eight warehouses located in Ashanti, Bono, Ahafo, and the Northern Regions of Ghana.
In 2024, GCX is expected to increase the number of commodity listings on the exchange to include cowpea, sheanuts, and some cash crops through five new warehouses (out of expected 40 for the next 5 years). Some of the success factors of the GCX include collaboration with Venture Capital Trust Fund (VCTF), Ministry of Food and Agriculture (through the Enhanced Planting for Food and Jobs Programme), and the Ministry of Education (for the implementation of the Free Senior High School project).
As part of measures to increase access to Long-term Finance for SME’s, the Venture Capital Trust Fund has established two (2) new Funds: The Startup Catalyst Fund (SCF) and Strategic Industries Funds (SIF) under the Ghana Economic Transformation Project (GETP). Through these Funds, the Trust Fund has committed US$16 million into four (4) funds namely: Injaro Ghana Venture Fund, Industrial Support Fund, Mirepa SME Fund and Wangara Green Ventures. These funds are expected to yield a minimum of about US$150 million through private sector participation.
Ghana Incentive- Based Risk-Sharing System for Agricultural Lending (GIRSAL) will provide GHS 350million in partial risk guarantees to leverage private sector participation in the agricultural and agri-business sector. Relying on the GHS 350million guarantee, banks will be able to lend about GHS 700million to the agricultural sector and agri-business. GIRSAL guarantees help to reduce banks’ risk perception of the agricultural sector and encourages them to increase lending at slightly lower rates and longer tenor.
As part of efforts to address the high rate of youth unemployment in the country, Government designed the YouStart initiative with the aim of creating 1 million jobs for the youth within a five-year period of its implementation. Through this initiative, Government is providing training, funding, access to market and technological support to the youth (between the ages of 18-40 years) to assist them start, build and grow their own businesses.
JW Marriott, part of Marriott Bonvoy’s global portfolio of 30 extraordinary hotel brands, is set to unveil the highly anticipated JW Marriott Masai Mara Lodge next month. Located in the belly of Kenya, the hotel is a scenic two and half hour’s drive away from leading business travel destination, Nairobi. Extend your stay by a few days and unlock the wonders of relaxation and well-being at its finest.
Set to welcome guests from 1st April 2023, JW Marriott Masai Mara Lodge will mark the brand’s very first luxury safari lodge and will sit within the Masai Mara National Reserve in southwestern Kenya – one of Africa’s most renowned wildlife conservation and wilderness regions. Overlooking the famed banks of the River Talek on the edge of the reserve, the mindful retreat will offer guests a harmonious backdrop from which to discover the Reserve’s stunning vistas, abundant wildlife, and endless plains, balancing the thrill of a game drive with opportunities to switch off and relax.
Embodying a holistic approach to wellbeing and enrichment, the lodge will be imbued with a sense of tranquillity and connection to its environment. The landscape will offer the opportunity to observe the “Big Five” that Masai Mara is home to including lions, leopards, buffalos, rhinoceros, and elephants. Between June and September, the reserve is also host to the annual great wildebeest migration which sees more than 10 million animals travel a distance of 1,800 miles from the Serengeti in neighbouring Tanzania.
The lodge’s sophisticated interiors will pay homage to the surrounding landscape drawing inspiration from the elements with soft warm tones and natural materials. In line with JW Marriott’s ethos of mindfulness and fulfilment, the lodge will be home to a number of thoughtfully designed spaces from the cosy Adventure Lounge full of books to get lost in and a space for young adults to take time for themselves, to the lodge’s cultural deck and pool deck where guests can gather and share tales of the day’s exploration before an evening of guided star gazing. At the heart of the camp is the JW Garden, a space to connect with nature and practice meditative reflection with unique seating areas. The JW Garden will provide camp chefs with home-grown, sustainable ingredients to craft personalised meals, mocktails and cocktails for each guest as well as daily event programming including live cooking and chef-led walks providing an opportunity for personal growth and liberating meaningful moments.
“With an abundance of natural beauty and calming surroundings, the Masai Mara National Reserve in Kenya is a perfect retreat for the mind, body, and soul,” says Candice D’Cruz, Vice President Luxury Brands, Europe, Middle East and Africa. “JW Marriott Masai Mara Lodge will offer guests a serene backdrop to make once-in-a-lifetime memories as they connect with nature and leave feeling revitalised following a holistic, wellness-forward stay”.
Capturing the essence of relaxation and rejuvenation, The Spa by JW Marriott Masai Mara Lodge will emulate the serenity of the Reserve and offer tailored experiences that nourish the mind, body and spirit. The Spa’s signature treatments will blend locally inspired techniques and therapies complimented by natural and organic products sourced from the continent’s powerful minerals, oceans, flowers, herbs, fruit, seeds and oils, by renowned African skincare brand, Healing Earth. Treatments will extend beyond body to mind and spirit with guided yoga, and a ‘Mara Celebration’ treatment using local botanicals and therapies.
JW Marriott Masai Mara Lodge will feature 20 private tents, including a Honeymoon tented suite with a private plunge pool and two interconnecting canopied suites, each with a private terrace and jacuzzi overlooking the river and the Mara plains. Each of the lodge’s 20 private tents will provide a peaceful sanctuary complete with amenities by Rituals and Healing Earth to recharge and reset, and in room spa treatments available to order. Guests can enjoy the sunrise and reflect on the day’s adventure from the tent’s private terrace overlooking the River Talek, a water source and habitat for many wildlife. In addition, the lodge will offer a restaurant, lounge and bar, swimming pool, and fire pit area.
The euphoria at the Moshood Abiola Sports Stadium in Abuja was marred by a surge of agitated football fans on Tuesday, March 28.
Prior to that, Thomas Partey’s 10th-minute screamer sent the pockets of Ghanaian fans at the stadium into a frenzy.
Back home in Ghana, it was an earthquake of jubilation as cars honked on major streets awaiting the 90 minutes plus the referee’s added time.
Nigeria’s equalizer 12 minutes later was not enough to snatch the World Cup ticket in the face of a goalless draw in Kumasi last week.
This result did not go down well with the mammoth crowd of Nigerians massed up in the stands who felt disappointed by the end of the 90 minutes.
Hundreds of them in the 60,000 capacity stadium broke the barricades and headed towards the tunnel to launch an attack.
Ghanaian players and supporters had to be quickly taken out of the stadium to avoid further attacks.
But the vandalism continued. Amid tear gas, the angry fans thrashed the place and threw objects down the tunnel at their team.
It later emerged that an official of CAF had died. It was not clear if it was due to the situation in the stadium.
BBC journalist, Osasu Obayiuwana, reported that the deceased was Dr Joseph Kabungo from Zambia.
“He was on duty as Doping officer. He collapsed suddenly and died. Cause of death not confirmed yet. His family, the Zambia FA and the government of Zambia have been duly informed,” he posted hours after the chaos.
Considering the volatile nature of the situation, Black Stars players and the management team were flown back into Ghana and were settled in by 3 am on Wednesday.
But this was not the first time such an ordeal has been recorded in Nigeria involving Ghana’s senior national team.
Previous fracas back in 1973 led to the burning of the team’s bus after the Black Stars beat the Nigerians 3-1 to crash the latter’s hopes of qualification.
The match, involving the two West African rivals, ahead of the FIFA World Cup in West Germany the next year saw an abrupt end.
Though the Black Stars’ hopes of playing in the Mundial the next year would be truncated, the violence on that day in Lagos would be a prequel to Tuesday’s disaster.
Here is how the Daily Graphic reported what happened on that Monday, February 12, 1973.
Pandemonium broke out at the Lagos stadium on Saturday soon after the Black Stars had scored their third and winning goal in their World Cup elimination match against Nigeria.
Stones and bottles were thrown onto the pitch in protest as the Black Stars jubilated.
But the jubilation could not be sustained when the spectators surged onto the field.
At this point, the Lagos State Military Governor, Col. Mobolaji Johnson, personally led a team of armed personnel to protect the Stars.
The troops escorted the Stars off the pitch.
A rough deal was, therefore, unleashed on the Ghanaian supporters who accompanied the team to Nigeria.
It was during this onslaught that the supporters’ bus was set on fire.
The fire-wrecked van was still smouldering yesterday morning. The Nigerian troops had to use tear gas to disperse the angry crowd.
According to a BBC news bulletin, the game was abandoned soon after the Ghanaians had scored the winning goal.
Nigeria took the lead in the 15th minute through wizard dribbler Yakubu Mambo but Ghana replied three minutes later when Kwasi Owusu scored from a penalty kick.
This was after a Nigerian defender under pressure handled the ball in the box.
In the 40th minute, Nigeria earned a free-kick just outside the penalty box.
Confusion arose in the Ghana penalty box after the kick gas been taken, and Yakubu Mambo exploited the situation to put Nigeria back in the lead.
Half time score stood at 2-1.
Ghana redoubled her efforts on resumption.
Centre forward Kwasi Owusu who hit his former goal-grabbing form, made several breakthroughs but the Nigerian goalkeeper made significant saves.
In the 55th minute, left-winger Malik Jabir, who played a real captain’s game sent an intelligent pass to Kwasi Owusu to score the equalizer for Ghana.
Nigeria, after the equalizer, quickly changed their pattern of play, but the Stars found an antidote to their style and forced them to play a defensive game.
It, therefore, came as no surprise, when Kwasi Owusu scored the match winner in the 82nd minute in a goalmouth scramble.
The Ghana line-up was Lante France, Enoch Asumadu, Ayi Acquah, Tetteh Gorleku, Dan Oppong, Sam Amarteifio, John Taylor/ Peter Lamptey, Eric Amankwa, Kwasi Owusu, Isaac Eshun, Malik Jabir( capt).
President Akufo-Addo has lauded the Black Stars over their win in the second leg of the World Cup Qualifier against the Super Eagles of Nigeria.
The President’s comment comes after the Black Stars won by the away rule even as they drew 1-1 against Nigeria.
Taking to Twitter, he congratulated the team for their “dogged display in Abuja.” He stated that the team has made the nation proud with this victory.
“Warm congratulations to the Senior National Football Team, the Black Stars… for qualifying for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. I am very proud of the team’s exploits. They have made the entire nation proud,” he tweeted.
Thomas Partey opened the scoring in the 10th minute of the game after sending in a thunderous strike from outside the penalty box to give Ghana the lead, but William Troost-Ekong equalised for the home side.
Despite several attempts from Nigeria in the second half, there was no goal to separate the two sides as Ghana secured qualification on the away goal rule.
With this win, Ghana returns to the ‘Mondial’ to be played between November and December, this year, after missing out on the last edition in Russia in 2018.
The Zongo Development Fund (ZoDF) has commissioned several school and sanitation projects in Zongo communities in the Northern and Ashanti Region.
The projects, which are part of the over 30 projects completed in the region and more than 200 nationwide by the Fund, include six-unit classroom blocks and 10-seater public toilet facilities.
The beneficiary communities and institutions include Ghana Muslim Mission Basic School, Juaso Zongo; Sakafiya Islamic SHS, Asawase; Nasru Deen Islamic SHS, Asawase; Markaz Hassan Shuaib School, Bosore Zongo, Nuriyya Islamic Basic School, Ntonso Zongo all six-unit classroom blocks.
Others are Wadie Adumakase Zongo and Bodwesango Zongo, both toilet facilities.
Other completed projects in the Ashanti Region to be outdoored later include community sports and recreational centres (astro turfs) at Tafo Zongo, Bantama Zongo and Agogo Zongo, and six-unit classroom blocks at Bouhou Zongo, Barekese Zongo, Pakyi No.1 Zongo, Asokore Zongo, Seniagya Zongo, Ataakurom and Effiduase Zongo, and toilet facilities at Brofoyeduru Zongo and Nkawie Zongo.
Similar commissioning had taken place in the Greater Accra, Central, Western, Western North, Volta, Oti, Northern, Savannah and Bono regions.
The Chief Executive Officer of ZoDF, Obrempong Dr Arafat Sulemana Abdulai, handed over the keys to the facilities to the various Municipal and District Chief Executives, heads of educational institutions and Zongo Chiefs .
In his remarks to the beneficiary communities, Obrempong Dr Arafat indicated that ZoDF was created by the New Patriotic Party (NPP) government under the leadership of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to improve the socio-economic conditions in Zongo communities.
Therefore, he said, the provision of school infrastructure and furniture was to give a facelift to educational infrastructure in Zongo communities.
That, Obrempong Dr Arafat said, was to promote effective teaching and learning in the schools.
“The aim is to produce more doctors, nurses engineers, lawyers, journalists and leaders, including Vice Presidents and Presidents in Zongos”, he said
Obrempong Dr Arafat said the toilet facilities were to discourage open defecation and improve the sanitation situation in Zongos.
Obrempong Dr Arafat affirmed the commitment of the Fund to executing more developmental projects in Zongo communities across the country.
He, therefore, urged the people to support government”s efforts at raising revenue, including the electronic transaction levy (E-levy).
Obrempong Dr Arafat urged the beneficiary communities to maintain the facilities well for the benefit of current and future generations.
He said the Fund was poised to improving the management of its facilities to raise more revenue to put up more projects in Zongos.
Receiving the keys to the projects, the MCEs, educational heads and Zongo chiefs lauded the ZoDF for executing the projects in their respective areas.
They said the classroom blocks would ease congestion in schools, while the phenomenon of open defecation would be prevened.
In his remarks, the Asante Akim South Municipal Chief Executive, Mr Alexander Frimpong, thanked God for blessing President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia with wisdom to establish ZoDF to execute developmental projects in Zongos.
On his part, the Headmaster of Sakafia Islamic SHS, Mr Mohammed Shahid, said the six-unit classroom block had come at a time when the school was in dire need of classrooms.
A Galadima at Wadie Adumakase Zongo, Chief Bilal Ishak Gozey, said the 10-seater toilet facility was the first government project to be executed in the Zongo community.
Mr Alex Mould, a football enthusiast has given his verdict of the Black Star team that played Nigeria in the World Cup qualifiers game last Friday which ended in all zeros draw.
He believes the current youngsters are good to be maintained for the national team.
Below is his comment:
Old hands are overated. They will come and bring in Senior v Junior unless they will accept to be on the bench till 70th minute etc as they can not play 90 minutes up and down defending.
Muntari can not play instead of Kudus ; I guess maybe as a sub to Kudus if he has a bad game or injured or tired ;
Jordan actually did well bar his disappointing corners and free kicks which need improvement; but he is the designated free kick and corner taker; I am sure we have a better alternative.
He comes with experience but he is not a goal poacher and that’s the problem – we believe that’s his Key P performance I indicators.
Otto Addo, his coaches and technical team know better after this match
It was a good selection , good Organisation, very compact, and the strategy worked.
Nigeria is also a well coached team. They have bigger boys than we do and their defence is well organized
Our defence was excellent with Djiku and Amartey (whobis in his best form) andvtge full backs doing their part. We need to identify their weak spots.
My only observation is we play too central – we don’t use the flanks as much – more of our play origination should be from the flanks.
I would like to see the two wingers teaming off more with Kudus.
Maybe that’s where Muntari can come in if Kudus has a bad day or gets tired.
Kyere is an excellent planter and I think he wil start as he gives us more defence, which will be needed in Abuja, and creativity.
To ensure fair based on expectations we came out better than the Nigerians who I am sure thought they could win – and the almost did bar for Wllicotts antics.
Abuja will be another game with a different strategy, I am sure. But this team is not a 6-0 team.
It’s a compact team that will rely on team work to achieve the results.
What I don’t know is their character – I don’t know how good they are if they get unsettled by a goal agains them – Nigeria, the same!!
Let’s leave the Coach and the boys to it.
They want this win more than any of us I am sure – going to the WC comes once in a life time – maybe 2x.
So let’s sit back and enjoy the BS that we have Ent seen play sooo good since about 2014.
Ghana and Arsenal midfielder, Thomas Teye Partey has reportedly converted to Islam after months of studying the religion at his base in England.
The 28-year-old is yet to confirm his switch in religions, but reports widespread on social media have stated he is now a Muslim.
Being a Christian since infancy, it surprises what had caused his decision. Although there hasn’t been an official statement released to the public about the footballer’s sudden decision to change his religion to Islam,
“..but information gathered also disclosed Partey is dating a Moroccan lady, who could be behind his decision to convert”, Sportsbrief has reported.
Also, others are speculating that, Partey’s move from the Spanish League to the Premier League might have influenced his decision to switch his religion.
England is well known to have a huge number of Islamic believers and since he will be playing for Arsenal, Thomas might have found it appropriate to change his religion.
As a reminder, Thomas Partey has signed a 5 year deal of £52,000,000 contract with the Arsenal F.C. The deal includes an annual average salary of £10,400,000.
Villarreal reached the quarterfinals of the Champions League on Wednesday after humiliating Juventus 3-0 in Turin to go through 4-1 on aggregate.
Penalties from Gerard Moreno and Arnaut Danjuma and Pau Torres’s tap-in in the final quarter of an hour were enough for Unai Emery’s well-organised side to see off the Italians at the Allianz Stadium and make Friday’s last-eight draw.
Villarreal stunned Juve with three sucker punches after spending most of the match on the back foot, content to hold off the hosts’ attacks which got less potent as the match wore on.
An embarrassing defeat was just Juve’s second since the end of November and punctures a dogged run of form which has put them back into the league title race at home.
They were loudly booed off by the home crowd who watched their team shrink from a promising start and bounce off a yellow wall before being bundled out of the competition.
Italy are now without a single representative in this season’s Champions League as it moves into its latter stages.
