Category: Ghana Premier League

Breaking News: Hearts to face Asante Kotoko in another game on March 4

The two most glamorous clubs have been scheduled to play another game next month as part of Ghana’s Independence Day celebration

Ghana Premier League giants hearts of Oak and Asante Kotoko have been scheduled to face off on March 4 as part of Ghana’s upcoming Independence Day celebration.

The two clubs met last weekend in Ghana Premier League matchday seven outstanding game and although, it ended in a goalless draw, they would have another opportunity to settle the score this time around.

“Hearts of Oak will battle rivals Asante Kotoko_SC in the 2022 President Cup on Friday, March 4,” a statement by Ghana League Clubs Association read on Tuesday.

“The match will take place at the Accra Sports Stadium at 6 pm. His Excellency President Nana Akufo Addo will do the ceremonial kick-off and presentation of medals,” the statement added.

According to AshesGyamera.com’s sources, each club will receive an appearance fee between 50,000 and 100,000 cedis before kick off.

Kotoko lead Ghana Premier League table after the first round with 37 points, twelve points better than Hearts.

“Mbella & Mfegue are just ordinary players,” Dan Quaye launches attack on Kotoko’s Cameroonian strikers

The former Phobians defender has launched a stinging attack on the Cameroonian strikers, accusing them of not doing anything extraordinary despite the hype around them

Former Hearts of Oak defender Dan Quaye has criticized Asante Kotoko strikers Etuoga Mbella Franck Thierry and Georges Mfegue Rodrigues and says they are nothing more than an “ordinary players” amid the huge hype around them.

Although, the duo have scored fifteen goals combined (Mbella – 11 and Mfegue – 4), same number of goals as compared to Hearts of Oak, Quaye insists that they do not boast of any special qualities.

According to the former Ghana international, the Cameroonian strikers were hugely exposed in the Super Clash against Hearts of Oak las weekend at the Accra Sports Stadium when Kotoko shared the spoils goalless with their rivals.

“When Mfeuge and Mbella met an experience team who has several experience defenders, we all saw how they struggled,” Quaye told Energy FM as monitored by AshesGyamera.com.

LISTEN TO DAN QUAYE’S COMMENTS ON MFEGUE & MBELLA

“This should tell you that in terms of football, there are several forms of qualities. They are not extraordinary players that one can boast of. They are like our [local] players and even our players are far far better than them,” he added.

Quaye further heaped praise on former AC Milan and Inter Milan midfielder Sulley Ali Muntari who recently signed a short term contract with Hearts of Oak.

“Everybody knows that Sulley Muntari is one of the best players in the scene. This is because looking at where he has reached in terms of football, nobody can deny his quality.

“His passes are still good but the only problem is about his weight. You can see that he hasn’t been active for the past three years and that has taken a little toll on him. If he is able to work on his fitness, he will be back to his full potential,” he added.

After the first round of the Premier League, Mbella leads the goalscoring chart with eleven goal, three more than Augustine Okrah and David Abagna Sandan of Bechem United and RTU respectively.

Ghana FA nominate ‘red hot’ Etouga Mbella & others for Player of the Month of January

The Porcupine Warriors striker’s performance has not gone unnoticed as he has been shortlisted among three players for the award

Asante Kotoko striker Etouga Mbella Frank Thierry has been shortlisted for Ghana Premier League Player of the Month of January following his splendid performance.

However, the 20-year-old must shrug off competitions from Ashanti Gold winger Yaw Annor and Karela United forward Umar Baahiru.

“Three players have been shortlisted for the Ghana Premier League Nasco Player of the Month award for the month of January,” a GFA statement read.

“Asante Kotoko’s Franck Mbella Etouga has earned a nomination for the top award alongside Ashantigold SC Yaw Annor and Umar Bashiru of Karela FC.

“The winner of the 2021/22 GPL NASCO Player of the Month for January award will be announced on Friday February 25, 2022 live on GFA News.

“The winner of the Award will receive a NASCO Television set and a personalized trophy,” the statement added.

Below are the statistics:

Franck Mbella Etouga (Asante Kotoko SC)

5 Goals scored

2 MVPs won

Yaw Annor (Ashanti Gold SC)

4 Goals scored

1 MVP won

Umar Bashiru (Karela United FC)

4 Goals scored

1 MVP won

“Do you understand the system & formations or not?” Samuel Boadu clashes with journalists after stalemate with Kotoko

The Phobians boss became the protagonist of an unsavoury incident involving a journalist over tactics and formations

Hearts of Oak coach Samuel Boadu nearly engaged in a heated argument with a journalist who asked him about his choice of tactics and formations used against Asante Kotoko in the Super Clash at Accra Sports Stadium on Sunday.

With the Phobians going two matches without a win prior to this game, Boadu opted to make some changes in his set up with Obeng Junior and Mohammed Alhassan coming in for Kofi Kordzi and Caleb Amankwah respectively.

The journalist asked Boadu why he opted to deploy a 4-2-2 formation against Kotoko when he had been using 4-3-3 formation in most games which the players seem to have perfected despite initially struggling.

But Boadu denied the suggestions and insisted that he went into the game with a 4-3-3 formation with variations.

“Please, for your own, do you understand the system or not formation? What did you see and what shows we started with 4-4-2 formation later changed to [another formation] against Kotoko,” Boadu quizzed as quoted by AshesGyamera.com.

Samuel Boadu explains the tactics he used against Kotoko ||Max Graphics

“At least, you should have gotten the team list and watch the system on it before you can talk about it.

“We played 4-3-3 with variations. The 4-3-3 formation is not only about lining up players very straight. You can vary it.

“You can play 4-1-2-2-1 and that is the same as 4-3-3. You can play 4-3-2-1 so it is a variation and nothing new,” he added.

Despite Hearts avoiding defeat in their last two games, Samuel Boadu’s charges are yet to win in their last three games and have picked only five points from their last five games.

After the first round of the season, Hearts sit eighth on the log with 25 points, twelve points behind leaders Asante Kotoko.

How journalists, Kotoko & Hearts fans reacted after goalless draw at Accra Sports Stadium

None of the two sides could win the game but the supporters admitted to have enjoyed themselves following an end to end action

Hearts of Oak and Asante Kotoko supporters admitted to have enjoyed themselves after a goalless draw in the Super Clash at the Accra Sports Stadium on Sunday.

Although, there were no goals to celebrate with, several fans who thronged to the stadium shared their satisfaction after the game and believed that the second round fixture slated for Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi will be one for the gods.

Hearts of Oak midfielder Sulley Muntari attracted a lot of fans following the goalless draw against Asante Kotoko in the Super Clash on Sunday at the Accra Sports Stadium.

Although, Hearts had a better start as compared to Kotoko, with Gladson Awako and Obeng Junior having several chances, they failed to make them count and later had to defend to keep Kotoko at bay.

Midfielder Sulley Muntari was ever present in Hearts set up but he was later substituted after picking up a yellow card to prevent him from seeing red card.

And after the game, fans thronged to where Muntari was and showered praise on him while others sought for permission to snap pictures with him.

Kotoko still lead Ghana Premier League log with 37 points, seven points better than Bechem United who are in second position while they are twelve points better than Hearts of Oak.

https://youtu.be/VjC0FjVr_eM

The second round of the season starts next weekend with several interesting fixtures.

“Kotoko & Hearts fans mob Uefa Champions League winner Muntari after Super Clash in Accra

Although, the Phobians could not defeat their fierce rivals in the Super Clash on Sunday, Sulley Muntari got some love from fans of both sides

Hearts of Oak midfielder Sulley Muntari attracted a lot of fans following the goalless draw against Asante Kotoko in the Super Clash on Sunday at the Accra Sports Stadium.

Although, Hearts had a better start as compared to Kotoko, with Gladson Awako and Obeng Junior having several chances, they failed to make them count and later had to defend to keep Kotoko at bay.

Midfielder Sulley Muntari was ever present in Hearts set up but he was later substituted after picking up a yellow card to prevent him from seeing red card.

And after the game, fans thronged to where Muntari was and showered praise on him while others sought for permission to snap pictures with him.

Kotoko still lead Ghana Premier League log with 37 points, seven points better than Bechem United who are in second position while they are twelve points better than Hearts of Oak.

https://youtu.be/VjC0FjVr_eM

“Our high pressing football made us tired” Samuel Boadu reveals why Hearts players were struggling

The Phobians could not maintain the tempo they started with against Kotoko in the Super Clash and their boss has shed light on the reasons behind it

Hearts of Oak coach Samuel Boadu has explained why his charges struggled at a point to contain Asante Kotoko in the goalless draw in the Super Clash on Sunday at the Accra Sports Stadium.

Although, Hearts had a better start as compared to Kotoko, with Gladson Awako and Obeng Junior having several chances, they failed to make them count and later had to defend to keep Kotoko at bay.

And Boadu has revealed that his charges were tired at a point due to the pressing game they initially played.

Midfielder Sulley Muntari was ever present in Hearts set up but he was later substituted after picking up a yellow card to prevent him from seeing red card.

Kotoko still lead Ghana Premier League log with 37 points, seven points better than Bechem United who are in second position while they are twelve points better than Hearts of Oak.

https://youtu.be/VjC0FjVr_eM
Watch and listen to Samuel Boadu’s comments after the Super Clash

“It’s not our best game but Kotoko can’t defeat even Auroras if I’m the coach,” Samuel Boadu fires back at Prosper Ogum

The Phobians boss has rejected suggestions that they have now played their best game so far this season

Hearts of Oak coach Samuel Boadu has rejected suggestions that the game against Asante Kotoko was their best performance so far this season.

The Phobians shared the spoils goalless with Kotoko at the Accra Sports Stadium on Sunday and Prosper Ogum Narteh claimed he was happy to have pushed Hearts to come up with their best performance as the first round came to an end today.

“We played very well and because of our level of football, you can see that Hearts of Oak upped their game for the first time this season and it was good for Ghana Premier League,” Ogum said at Post Match Conference.

However, reacting to this claims, Boadu feels that assertion is not accurate since Legon Cities remain the toughest opponents they’ve faced so far this season.

β€œThis is not true although we did well. This game was not one of our best games so far. I believe our best game of the first round was against Legon Cities,” Boadu said.

“If we had even used our junior team (Auroras) against them today, Kotoko can still not score us,” he added.

https://youtu.be/N7LT4tH4sbQ
WATCH THE SAVES, MISSED CHANCES & Sulley Muntari’s performance

Hearts, who have 25 points, trail Kotoko twelve points after the first round and would hope to return to winning ways at the start of the second half of the season which kicks off next weekend.

Hearts of Oak 0-0 Asante Kotoko: watch all the saves, missed chances & Sulley Muntari’s yellow card

The Phobians’ winless streak continued as they laboured to hold Asante Kotoko in the Super Clash at the Accra Sports Stadium on Sunday

Hearts of Oak could not break down th resilience defence of Asante Kotoko as they shared the spoils goalless in matchday seven outstanding game of Ghana Premier League at the Accra Sports Stadium.

Prior to kick off of this game, Samuel Boadu made two changes in his side that drew with RTU last weekend as they hoped to return to winning ways.

Meanwhile, Kotoko coach Prosper Ogum Narteh made three changes in his starting XI. Georges Mfegue, Imoro Ibrahim and Mudasiru started ahead of Samuel Boateng, Patrick Asmah and Justice Blay respectively.

https://youtu.be/N7LT4tH4sbQ
Watch all major highlights of Hearts vs Kotoko in Accra

Hearts had the first opportunity to beeak the deadlock by the tenth minute through a corner kick but Kotioko defender Mubarik Yussif blocked the effort.

Seven minutes later, Daniel Afriyie Barnieh set up Obeng Jnr but his shot was denied by the goal post.

Kotoko had their real opportunity to break the deadlock on 37th minute when Mfegue played Etouga Mbella through but the 20-year-old could not make the most out of it.

Kotoko came close to open the score after the break after Richmond Lamptey connected a pass from Asmah but his last ditch effort was saved by goalkeeper Richard Attah who picked up an injury in the process.

Both sides had several half chances but they could not break down the defence of their opponents.

Kotoko lead the Premier League log after the first round with 37 points, seven points ahead of Bechem United who sit second and twelve points above Hearts of Oak.

Hearts of Oak 0-0 Asante Kotoko: Phobians hold Porcupine Warriors in Super Clash

The Phobians’ winless streak continued as they laboured to hold Asante Kotoko in the Super Clash at the Accra Sports Stadium on Sunday

Hearts of Oak shared the spoils goalless with Asante Kotoko in the matchday seven outstanding game of Ghana Premier League at the Accra Sports Stadium.

Ahead of the game, Samuel Boadu made two changes in his side that drew with RTU last weekend as they hoped to return to winning ways.

Meanwhile, Kotoko coach Prosper Ogum Narteh made three changes in his starting XI. Georges Mfegue, Imoro Ibrahim and Mudasiru started ahead of Samuel Boateng, Patrick Asmah and Justice Blay respectively.

https://youtu.be/LNMjmp9pHlI

Hearts had the first opportunity to beeak the deadlock by the tenth minute through a corner kick but Kotioko defender Mubarik Yussif blocked the effort.

Seven minutes later, Daniel Afriyie Barnieh set up Obeng Jnr but his shot was denied by the goal post.

Kotoko had their real opportunity to break the deadlock on 37th minute when Mfegue played Etouga Mbella through but the 20-year-old could not make the most out of it.

Kotoko came close to open the score after the break after Richmond Lamptey connected a pass from Asmah but his last ditch effort was saved by goalkeeper Richard Attah who picked up an injury in the process.

Both sides had several half chances but they could not break down the defence of their opponents.

Kotoko lead the Premier League log after the first round with 37 points, seven points ahead of Bechem United who sit second and twelve points above Hearts of Oak.