INEC RELEASES 2019 ELECTIONS TIMETABLES

Gentlemen of the press

You are all welcome to yet another briefing, which is in fulfillment of our pledge to regularly brief the public on the Commission’s activities.
1. Our democracy is maturing and the Commission believes that there should be certainty with regard to the timetable for elections. For instance, in the United States, general elections always hold on the second PRESS Tuesday of November in the election year. In Ghana, it’s the 7th of December of the election year, while in other places like Mexico, Norway, Sweden, Costa Rica and Switzerland, the dates are also known in advance.

World Cup: Costa Rica advances with win over Italy, knocks England out

Switzerland 2 (Dzemaili 81′ Xhaka 86') France 5 (Giroud 17' Matuidi 18', Valbuena 40', Benzema 66', Sissoko 72') - FT
France lay down their World Cup credentials with an impressive victory
Switzerland get two stunning late consolation goals from Dzemaili and Xhaka
Italy 0 Costa Rica 1 (Ruiz) FT

Costa Rica continued its startling run through the World Cup Friday defeating heavy favourites Italy 1-0 in Recife. The win assures Costa Rica of a trip to the second round. It also took away any chance England had of advancing. Italy needed to beat both Costa Rica and Uruguay for England to have a chance to advance.

Now Italy will be forced to play for its own life. They take on Uruguay in their final group match. Both have three points but because of a better goal differential Italy only have to tie Uruguay.

The way the Italians played against Costa Rica, that’s hardly a given. While Italy was dreadful, full marks for Costa Rica. They’ve spent days listening to how their 3-1 win over Uruguay was a fluke.

England Joined Spain as Uruguay win by 2-1 ; Luis Suarez double wins it after Wayne Rooney scores first World Cup goal to equalise

The Uruguay players remain on the pitch after the final whistle to celebrate with their fans. After their calamitous opening defeat to Costa Rica, it's quite a turnaround. There's one man who can take a large portion of the credit: Luis Suarez.

For England it was all in vain. Wayne Rooney’s first goal, the mighty effort in Manaus – almost certainly it ends here. England will need to be the first team in World Cup history to lose their opening two games and go through, if they are to qualify from here.

That isn’t going to happen. It won’t happen, most likely, because there is no guarantee England can win, even against Costa Rica, with a defence that cannot be trusted, not even for five minutes.

That was how long remained when Luis Suarez struck, a second time. It was a goal of almost agricultural quality. A long kick upfield by goalkeeper Fernando Muslera, perhaps glancing the header of captain Steven Gerrard, inexplicably catching Gary Cahill unaware.

Under 17 women'sworld Cup: Ghana, Nigeria play on for Africa

West Africa is again carrying the torch for Africa in football. This time it’s at the U17 Women’s World Cup in Costa Rica. The two teams who have clawed their way to the quarterfinals are Ghana and Nigeria and both face stiff tests as they meet the best from Europe.