Alfred Duncan could be on the verge of signing for Sunderland.

English Premier League side Sunderland are preparing to make a new bid to sign Ghana U20 midfielder Alfred Duncan.

According to The Journal says the Black Cats have had a bid of around £5million turned down for the Inter Milan player.

But Italian sources have indicated that new chief scout Valentino Angeloni has posted a ringing endorsement of the youngster and has advised another offer closer to the Italian giants’ £7million asking price.

Duncan is regarded as one of the club’s most promising young players.

He will play for Ghana at the 2013 FIFA U20 World Cup in Turkey.

Daniel Pappoe claims he is fully fit for the Under-20 World Cup

By Ameenu Shardow

A huge scandal has exploded at Ghana U20 World Cup camp in Turkey after England-based defender Daniel Pappoe, who has been dropped for injury, claimed he is fully fit.

In a massive embarrassment for the Ghana FA, the Chelsea reserve team captain massively contradicted the Black Satellites after being dropped from Ghana’s U20 team for the World Cup which starts on Friday.

The Ghana FA confirmed the Chelsea youth star will not be part of the team for the World Cup due to complications over a past knee injury after he named in the final squad for the tournament.

Pappoe was initially drafted into the Black Satellites team for the World Cup campaign that begins on Friday in Turkey.

The 19-year-old according to the Ghana FA is being withdrawn from the team over an injury which is being managed.

But the Chelsea youth star says the claim of his injury is false – raising eyebrows over the real reason for his exclusion.

“I am not injured, I have been training everyday,” Pappoe Tweeted.

“I don’t know why they (Ghana FA) went and wrote that (of his injury). I have been training everyday.

“I am fully fit and don’t know where that fake injury came from.”

Israeli-based Baba Mensah has taken the place of Pappoe and will stick to the No.11 shirt.

Ghana opens its World Cup campaign on Friday against France.

The Black Satellites are hoping to emulate the historic 2009 feat where the then generation under current coach Sellas Tetteh became the first African side to win the World Cup at the U20 level.

Ghana U20 team are in Turkey for the U20 World Cup

By Ameenu Shardow

Ghana’s U20 Management Committee chairman George Afriyie has assured of the team’s safety despite civil unrest in Turkey.

They have been days of serious protests against Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan over what many claim is his authoritarian rule.

These protests have been characterized by violence in several Turkish cities including the capital Istanbul.

Journalists and medical workers have been arrested for treating protesters in what is being described internationally as a gradual government crackdown.

The situation poses a serious threat on the commencement of the U20 World Cup which begins on Friday.

Ghana will be playing France in one of the opening games on Friday amidst concerns of rising civil unrest.

But chairman of the Management Committee of the Black Satellites says the situation seems to be under control following assurances from authorities.

“We have been monitoring the news right from Italy, Switzerland until we arrived in Turkey,” Afriyie said.

“We were quite concerned by the developments but FIFA and other authorities kept giving assurances that we will be safe.

“And since we arrived we have not had any hint of trouble, we feel safe.

“We have been told the protests have been taking place in a small confined area and that there is no cause for alarm.”

Ghana is looking to emulate their historic 2009 feat this term when they emerged as the first African side to win the U20 World Cup in Egypt.

Black Satellites at the 2013 Valais Cup final

Ghana U20 lost 4-3 on penalties to ten-man Brazil in the final of the four-nation Valais Youth Cup on Saturday night in Switzerland.

The Black Satellites rallied to score a late equalizer in the 94th minute through striker Ebenezer Assifuah to tie 1-1 after regulation time.

Vinicius Araujo had given the Samba Boys in the 25th minute.

During the shoot-outs, Brazil goalkeeper Alisson emerged Man-of-the-Match by saving two of Ghana’s kicks.

It was sweet revenge for the South Americans who lost by the same margin to Ghana at the 2009 FIFA U20 World in Egypt.

Ghana coach Sellas Tetteh made two changes to the starting line-up which beat Kosovo 5-4 on penalties in the semi-final clash.

Centre-back Lawrence Lartey returned from injury and partnered Joseph Attamah as Chelsea youth team captain Daniel Pappoe dropped to the bench.

Diminutive dribbler Clifford Aboagye replaced Seidu Salifu in midfield.

The match played at the Sports Complex Bout du Lac Bouveret serves as Ghana’s final test match before leaving to the FIFA U20 World Cup finals.

The Black Satellites are expected in Istanbul on 17 June, three days before their Group B opener against

Ghana U20 starting line-up : Eric Ofori Antwi- Jeremiah Arkorful, Lawrence Lartey (c), Joseph Attamah, Richmond Nketiah, Ebenezer Ofori, Frank Acheampong, Clifford Aboagye, Alfred Duncan- Francis Narh, Ebenezer Assifuah

Reserves: Michael Sai, Siedu Salifu, Daniel Pappoe, Moses Odjer, Kwame Boahene, Kennedy Ashia, Michael Anaba, Princebell Addico, Michael Mensah.

Watch highlights of the Black Satellites match against the Brazil.