Category: Ghana Premier League

Berekum Chelsea 1-1 Bechem United: Emmanuel Annor’s goal cuts Kotoko’s lead to three points

The Hunters extended their unbeaten in the league to nine matches after sharing the spoils in Berekum against the Bibires

Berekum Chelsea failed to return to winning ways as they were held to a 1-1 stalemate at home by in-form Bechem United on matchday seventeen of Ghana Premier League at the Golden City Park in Berekum on Friday.

After a pulsating opening exchanges, it was Augustine Okrah who almost snatched the first goal of the game for Bechem after a powerful effort but his shot was blocked.

However, Chelsea recovered from the early scare and pulled their noses in front thanks to a brilliant strike for Kofi Owusu by the 32nd minute.

The former Premier League topscorer connected a pass from his teammate inside Bechem’s box and turned his marker before unleashing a powerful shot to beat goalkeeper Abdulai Iddrisu.

The meant that Iddrisu’s seven-game run of clean sheet has come to an end.

After the break, Bechem doubled effort upfront and started asking questions.

Bechem finally pulled even by the 76th minute through Emmanuel Annor. The youngster perfectly met a tailor-measured cross from in-form Augustine Okrah and headed in the ball beyond the reach of the goalkeeper.

https://youtu.be/tz5STTNbYPg

That goal scored by Annor means he has found the back of the net back-to-back for the first time this season after his goal sealed the victory over Ashanti Gold last week.

Bechem are second on the log with 30 points, three points behind leaders Asante Kotoko who have two games in hand.

Kotoko will host Accra Lions at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium on Saturday before they travel to Accra to face Hearts of Oak in the Super Clash next weekend.

“I won GH₵50,000 court case against Ghana government for interference,” Kwesi Nyantakyi

The former football administrator has revealed that various governments have always been interfering with football related issues

Former Ghana Football Association president Kwesi Nyantakyi has added his voice on the reported rift between government and the FA on who becomes the head coach of Black Stars.

Following the departure of Serbian coach Milovan Rajevac, reports emerged that government was in support of the appointment of former Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur boss Chris Hughton while the FA opted for Otto Addo.

After several back and forth, Addo was named as the interim coach while Hughton settled for technical advisor role and Nyantakyi believes interference has been the case since time immemorial.

He further revealed how he won a court case against government and was paid GH₵ 50,000 cedis as compensation after they ransacked the Football Association’s headquarters in Accra.

Breaking News: Former Asante Kotoko coach Dramani named new Black Stars assistant coach

The tactician, who led Kotoko to become back-to-back Ghana Premier League champions, will now deputise Otto Addo ahead of the make or break World Cup qualifiers against Nigeria

Former Asante Kotoko coach Didi Dramani has been named as one of the two assistant coaches for the newly constructed Black Stars technical team by Ghana Football Association on Wednesday.

Dramani, who is currently working with WAFA Academy as their director of football, will work under Otto Addo and new technical advisor Chris Hughton.

“Former Newcastle United and Brighton and Hove Albion manager Chris Hughton has been appointed as Technical Advisor to the newly constituted Black Stars Technical team led by Otto Addo,” a Ghana FA statement read.

“Other members of the new Technical team include George Boateng and Mas-Ud Didi Dramani. The 63- year old will provide Technical advice to the three man team for next month’s FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 play-off match against Nigeria.

“The Executive Council of the Ghana Football Association took the decision at a meeting held in Accra on Wednesday, February 9, 2022. Otto Addo, a former Ghana player is currently the Assistant Coach of German Bundesliga club Borussia Dortmund – he boasts of about 13 years of Coaching experience that dates back to 2009 when he first took up the job of an Assistant Coach at Hamburger SV.

“The 46-year old previously worked as a scout for the Black Stars in 2013 prior to the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil and the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations in Equatorial Guinea.

“The four man team has been put together to take charge of the two matches against rivals Nigeria. The Black Stars will take on the Super Eagles at the Cape Coast stadium on March 24 before travelling to Nigeria for the 2nd leg at the Abuja Sports stadium on Sunday, March 27, 2022,” the statement added.

Dramani led Kotoko’s win 2012/13 and 2013/14 Ghana Premier League titles before mutually parting ways for David Duncan to take charge.

Danlad Ibrahim apologises for attacking assistant referee Asante in Kotoko’s defeat to Elmina Sharks

The youngster has admitted his mistake following his physical and verbal attacks on the assistant referee during Kotoko’s defeat to Elmina Sharks on Monday

Asante Kotoko goalkeeper Danlad Ibrahim has apologised for attacking assistant referee Isaac Asante in his side’s 2-1 away defeat to Elmina Sharks in Ghana Premier League on Monday.

The 19-year-old charged on the assistant referee two after he flagged for a retake of the penalty he saved from Sharks striker Alhaji Mustapha.

Mustapha scored from the spot on the second time and Sharks held on to record their first victory in eight games.

Although, the assistant referee wasn’t harmed, Danlad was captured verbally abusing him and pushed him at a point.

Reports suggest Ghana Premier League Match Review Committee will analyse the situation and come out with their verdict later.

Despite the defeat, Kotoko are still leading the Premier League log with 33 points, four points above Bechem United who sit in second place.

Kotoko will host Accra Lions in the last but one fixture of the first round of the season on Saturday at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium before they travel to Accra Sports Stadium on February 20 to lock horns with Hearts of Oak in the outstanding game.

Referee Abdulai explains why he awarded a penalty against Kotoko & why Danlad’s save didn’t count

The Porcupine Warriors picked their second defeat of the season in Elmina and it has led into a lot of debate

Class one referee Abdulai Iddrisu has revealed that the penalty he awarded Elmina Sharks was legitimate despite the brouhaha surrounding it.

Kotoko were pipped 2-1 by Elmina Sharks at the Nduom Sports Stadium on Monday despite taking the lead through Dickson Afoakwa in the first half.

However Kwaw equalised for Sharks before Alhaji Mustapha slotted in the winner after the break through a penalty.

Although, Mustapha’s initial attempt on goal was saved by goalkeeper Danlad Ibrahim, referee Ibrahim has explained why he ordered the player to retake the kick.

Referee Abdulai Ibrahim has shed light on why he awarded a penalty against Asante Kotoko and why he ordered Alhaji Mustapha to retake his penalty after Danlad Ibrahim saved the first one

Ghana FA to conduct investigations on Berekum Arsenal goalkeeper Naanio on alleged match fixing scandal

The shot-stopper scored a bizarre own goal over the weekend which has shocked the entire football fraternity

Berekum Arsenal goalkeeper Julius Naanio is under investigations following a bizarre own goal he scored in a 2-2 draw over the weekend against Bolga All Stars in Ghana Division One League.

Naanio recieved a pass from his teammate and awkwardly kicked the ball into his own net without being under a serious pressure.

Julius Naanio, the goalie for Berekum Arsenal, will be having nightmares after scoring a spectacular own goal in his team’s 2-2 draw with Bolga All-Stars.

According to reports, Ghana FA have contacted the match officials for immediate release of their reports on the day in order to open investigations to the matter.

Reports suggest that Naanio has been accused of match fixing and should Naanio be found guilty of the charges to be pressed on him, he could face a five-year ban.

It can be recalled that investigations are still underway in the game involving Ashanti Gold and Inter Allies after reports suggested that there was a match fixing scandal involved in the game.

Watch the bizarre own goal scored by Naanio

‘The referee was wrong on many occasions,’ furious Prosper Ogum blames referee after defeat to Elmina Sharks

The Porcupine Warriors boss believes the referee had a hand in his side’s defeat to Elmina Sharks on Monday

Asante Kotoko coach Prosper Ogum Narteh believes his side suffered a shocking 2-1 defeat to Elmina Sharks in Ghana Premier League on Monday because of poor officiating.

Adu Kwaw and Alhaji Mustapha’s two goals cancelled Dickson Afoakwa’s first half effort to end Kotoko’s eight game unbeaten run as they ended the game with ten men following a red card to Imoro Ibrahim.

Although, Danlad Ibrahim saved Mustapha’s initial penalty, the referee adjudged that the Kotoko goalkeeper moved off his line and Mustapha did not make a mistake in the second time.

“I mean you saw it. We played better but we just couldn’t win. Not that they were able to map up a strategy to stop us from playing,” Ogum said.

“We were the better side and had some chances that we could have scored but we didn’t take those chances. We had a chance which was the penalty that we could have comeback but we couldn’t. Etouga remains our best penalty taker.”

https://youtu.be/_E6jHXO_RRc
Watch all the three goals scored in the game

“From where I stood, I didn’t see Danlad moving off his line so the players definitely will complain but the typical Ghanaian referees always want to threaten players. But the question is, was it a penalty in the first place?” he added.

 Ogum, however, rejected suggestions that the defeat to Sharks is a setback which could lead to series of uninspiring results.

“The defeat isn’t a setback. We only lost. We could have come back even with ten men but we couldn’t so we will go back and prepare for the next games,” he said.

Kotoko lead the log with 33 points, four points above Bechem United but have a game in hand against Hearts of Oak.

They will welcome debutants Accra Lions to the Baba Yara Sports Stadium on Sunday.

Elmina Sharks 2-1 Asante Kotoko: Alhaji Mustapha’s penalty ends Kotoko winning streak in GPL

The Porcupine Warriors ambitions to stretch the point gap at the top was dealt a big blow in Elmina

Elmina Sharks defied the odds to defeat ten-man Asante Kotoko 2-1 on matchday sixteen of Ghana Premier League at the Nduom Sports Stadium on Monday.

After going eight games without a win, Sharks shocked Kotoko who also came into the game on the back of four eight unbeaten games.

Young goalkeeper Danlad Ibrahim maintained his place in the Kotoko squad as well as Augustine Agyapong who started once again ahead of Christopher Nettey. Skipper Abdul Ganiu, Mubarik Yussif and Imoro Ibrahim complete the defensive setup.

In midfield, Richard Boadu ‘Agadas’ was left on the bench for Sherrif Mohammed to start alongside Mudasiru Salifu, Richmond Lamptey and Dickson Afoakwa, while Cameroonian strikers Etuoga Mbella Frank Thierry and Georges Mfegue Rodrigues led the attack.

Dickson Afoakwa opened the scoring on the 38th minute following a wonderful run by Mfegue who perfectly set up the former Stellenbosch midfielder to calmly tap in the first goal.

However, Kotoko’s lead lasted only four minutes as Sharks found an opening and pulled even through a corner kick. Adu Kwaw rose above his marker and powerfully headed in the teasing cross which went past goalkeeper Danlad.

After the break, Kotoko saw improvement in their play but they were pegged back by the 51st minute as Sharks went ahead through Alhaji Mustapha.

Sherif Mohammed was punished to have handled the ball in the box and Mustapha stepped forward to slot in the resulting kick after his initial effort was saved by Danlad which the referee spotted encroachment and ordered a retake.

https://youtu.be/_E6jHXO_RRc
Watch the MAJOR highlights of the game

Kotoko were soon reduced to ten men as left-back Imoro Ibrahim saw red card following a poor tackle.

Although, Kotoko made several changes and pushed men forward for the equalizer but they could not find an opening.

The defeat is Kotoko’s second of the season but still sees them at the top of the log with 33 points, four points above Bechem United who sit second and ten points better than arch rivals Hearts of Oak.

Kotoko will host debutants Accra Lions next weekend at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium.

Asante Kotoko players arrive at Nduom Sports Stadium in high mood

The Porcupines touched down at the match venue in one of the best moods as they hope to continue their fine form in the league

Asante Kotoko players touched down in Elmina in one of the best moods as they take on Elmina Sharks in the last game of Ghana Premier League matchday sixteen.

Prosper Ogum Narteh has named an unchanged squad as they team that defeated Medeama and Great Olympics are starting once again.

Kotoko players arrival at Nduom Sports Stadium in Elmina

Abalora keeps clean sheet on Sherif Tiraspol debut; could start in Europa League on Thursday

The shot-stopper had an impressive performance for his new club as he made his debut in a friendly game over the weekend

Former Asante Kotoko goalkeeper Razak Abalora finally made his bow for his club FK Sherif Tiraspol in the 2-0 win over FC Balti in the winter pre-season friendly.

 
With Sherif Tiraspol preparing to host Portuguese giants Braga on Thursday in the first game of the Uefa Europa League group stage, Abalora was handed a starting role in post to showcase what he has brought on board.

And the Ghana international put up a spirited performance as he kept the strikers of Balti at bay with some fine saves.

Abalora, 25, who joined the Moldovan champions last month, was also impressive with his defensive organisation as well as ball distributions.

Aside Abalora, there were three other Ghanaians in Tiraspol’s squad including Edmund Addo, Abdul Basit Khalid and Patrick Kpozo, who signed for the club three days before Abalora.

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