Category: Ghana Premier League

Confirmed: Hearts of Oak will travel to Algeria without top midfielder for JS Souara clash

The midfielder will not be part of the Phobians travelling contingent to Algeria due to documentations

Hearts of Oak midfielder Gladson Awako has been left home once again as the club prepare to travel to Algeria for the Caf Confederation Cup playoffs second leg against JS Souara.

The 31-year-old was left out of the matchday squad in the first leg after arriving at training very late and he could not play any role in the Phobians 2-0 victory at the Accra Sports Stadium thanks to goals from Ibrahim Salifu and Agyenim Boateng.

However, reports were rife that he has been named in the squad for the return fixture but National Chapters Committee spokesperson Kobby Mfodwo Jones, the midfielder was initially not part of coach Samuel Boadu’s plans. Therefore, his name was not added to the list of players for documentation.

“We found out at the end of the game whether Awako is available for the second leg or not and the information is that the documentation has been done without him which means he is not traveling with the team,” Mfodwo said in an interview with GTV Sports+.

Awako since signing for Hearts is yet to play an official game as he initially fled the team’s camp due to personal problems. Although, it was rumoured that the player was suffering from spiritual attacks, he later revealed that he was rather suffering from a runny stomach.

Hearts are hoping to avoid another humiliating results against Souara after they were thrashed 6-1 by Wydad Athletic Club in Morocco last month in the playoffs of the Caf Champions League.

South Africa coach Hugo Broos suggests Fifa will rule in favour of Ghana

The Bafana Bafana boss has said that Fifa may not order a replay of the game against the Black Stars as there are not enough evidence to prove that Senegalese referee Ndiaye was manipulated

South Africa coach Hugo Broos has partly admitted that Fifa will not order a replay between Bafana Bafana and Ghana despite a protest filed the South Africa Football Association.

According to SAFA, Senegalese referee Maguitta Ndiaye was bias towards them after awarding what they believed was a dubious penalty to Ghana which aided the Black Stars to top Group G of the qualifiers.

Although, Fifa is yet to release its official ruling on the case, reports in the local media has suggested that the case has been thrown out.

And while everyone is patiently waiting for the ruling to be published Broos also feels that will be reality as there are not enough evidence of bribe currently.

“Fifa met on Tuesday,” Broos told HLN Sportcast. “We expect a decision in the course of this week. It’s not just about the penalty kick, it’s about the whole game. The referee made 71 decisions, 47 of which were foul. The analysis has shown that. And 90 percent of those 47 wrong decisions were against us.”

“You have to be able to prove something like that in black and white. Was he bribed? Wasn’t he pressured? Or was he just having a really bad day? The numbers are there, but is that enough for FIFA? I personally think that it will remain with a suspension for the referee and that we should not count on a replay,” he added.

Ghana will by this progress to the next stage of the competition and face either Senegal who are currently the best ranked county on the continent or Morocco.

There is also a possibility of the Black Stars facing Nigeria, Tunisia or Mali since these countries complete the top five ranked countries left in the qualifiers.

The official draw for the playoffs has been moved from December to January, 2022 and the games have been scheduled for March 2022.

Manchester United appoint Ralf Rangnick as new manager until end of season

The Red Devil’s have appointed the German as the new coach following the sacking of Ole Gunner Solskjaer last week

Manchester United have confirmed the appointment of German coach Ralf Rangnick as the club’s new coach.

The former RB Leipzig boss will be in charge of the Old Trafford outfit until the end of the season. However, his contract could be extended depending on his performance within the period.

“Manchester United is delighted to announce the appointment of Ralf Rangnick as interim manager until the end of the season, subject to work visa requirement,” a club statement read.

“Following this period, Ralf and the club have agreed that he will continue in a consultancy role for a further two years,” it added.

John Murtough, Manchester United football director, head praise on Ragnick and believes he will do a decent job at the club.

“Ralf is one of the most respected coaches and innovators in European football. He was our number one candidate for interim manager, reflecting the invaluable leadership and technical skills he will bring from almost four decades of experience in management and coaching.


“Everyone at the club is looking forward to working with him during the season ahead, and then for a further two years in his advisory role.”

Michael Carrick will remain in charge of the first team until Ralf’s work visa is finalised.

The club wishes to place on record its thanks to Lokomotiv Moscow for their co-operation in the process of bringing Ralf to Manchester United.

Vice President Alhaji Dr. Bawumia to grace 46th SWAG Awards

Ghana’s Vice President, His Excellency Alhaji Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, will be the Distinguished Guest of Honor at the 46th Sports Writers Association of Ghana (SWAG) Awards Night to be held in Accra.

The MTN SWAG Awards, scheduled for Friday, December 17, 2021 at the Accra International Conference Center (AICC), would attract great names in Ghana sports as well as corporate bodies who believe in the promotion and development of sports.

A statement from the SWAG secretariat said the SWAG Awards which is characterized by glitz and glamour has been graced by sitting presidents and great personalities like President J. A Kufuor, the late President John Evans Atta Mill, H.E Nana Addo Danquah Akufo Addo, the Asantehene Otumfuɔ Osei Tutu II, the Okyehene Osagyefo Amoatia Oforipayin, the Dormaahene Osagyefo Oseadeɛyo Agyeman Badu II, Togbe Adade XIV of the Asogli State and many others as this year won’t be an exception.

The Vice President Dr. Bawumia will be joined by the Ga Mantse, His Royal Majesty Nii Tackie Teiko Tsuru II, patrons of SWAG and distinguished invited guests, including the Minister of Youth and Sports, the Director-General of the National Sports Authority (NSA), executives of the Ghana Olympic and Paralympic Committee, sports federation heads and the Sports Writers Association at the AICC to celebrate sporting excellence and honour the men and women who worked tirelessly to raise high the flag of Ghana in 2021.

The event will be held under the theme; “Ghana Sports in the post Covid-19 era; a business approach.”

The MTN-SWAG Awards is the longest running sports event in Ghana and will confer honours on about 30 sportsmen and sportswomen, as well as corporate institutions for their role in the development and promotion of sports in Ghana.

Over 30 sportsmen and sportswomen are expected to be honoured at the 46th MTN SWAG Awards which is being supported by GOIL, Ghana Free Zones Authority (GFZA), National Lottery Authority (NLA) Betboro Ghana, Stanbic Bank, , Betway Ghana, CW Studios, Blynxlivegh and ASKOF Productions SWAG Awards, the longest running award scheme in Ghana since 1975, rewards top performing Sports men and Women over the year, and recognises the efforts of persons involved in Sports development.

As a novelty, this year’s SWAG Awards will also honor the best sports journalist in the country.


Source: www.swagghana.com

Video: COVID-19 has killed Chinese contractors who were to renovate Sunyani Coronation Park – Sunyani East MP Cheremeh

The Member of Parliament has shed light on why the Coronation Park in Sunyani is still in its poor state

The Member of Parliament for the people of Sunyani East Constituency, Kwasi Ameyaw Cheremeh, has revealed that government’s plans to have Sunyani Coronation Park renovated has hit a halt because of COVID-19 pandemic.

According to the MP, plans were far advanced and Chinese contractors were ready to arrive in the country only for COVID-19 to strike across the globe.

In the process, all the contractors and their consultants have been killed by the deadly disease.

Currently, Ghana Football Association’s Club Licensing Committee has rejected Coronation Park and the stadium has since been closed down.

As a result, clubs like Brong Ahafo United, Bofoakwa Tano F.C and Young Apostles have been forced to play their home games at a new venue since Coronation Park does not meet the requirements of Division One League.

Bechem United 3-1 Dreams FC: Okrah’s third goal of the season sends Hunters to third position

The Hunters rallied from behind to secure another victory as they push up on the league log

Bechem United defeated Dreams FC 3-1 on matchday five of Ghana Premier League at Fosu Gyeabour Park in Bechem on Sunday.

Ali Huzaf shot Dreams FC ahead of the game by the fifth minute after a mistake by the Bechem defence.

However, Emmanuel Avornyo equalised for Bechem deep in additional time of the first half after he latched onto a fine pass from his teammate. The goal marked the youngster’s third of the season after joining from lower division side Unistar Academy.

Augustine Okrah sent Bechem ahead by 54th minute with a wonderful strike when he connected to a pass from Emmanuel Asante.

Obuoba Yaw Dasi sealed the win for Bechem by the 68th minute with a quick break.

Bechem after the victory have moved to third on the log with nine points, four points behind leaders Asante Kotoko who were also held to a goalless draw by Karela in Ainyinase.

Bechem will travel to Accra Sports Stadium to face Great Olympics next week before they head to Bibiani to lock horns with debutants Gold Stars.

Karela United 0-0 Asante Kotoko: Porcupine Warriors winning streak under Prosper Ogum ends in Ainyinase

The Porcupine Warriors failed to make it five wins out of five as they. shared the spoils goalless in Ainyinase against Karela United

Ten-man Asante Kotoko were held to a goalless draw by Karela United on matchday five of Ghana Premier League at the Crosby Awuah Memorial Park in Ainyinase on Sunday.

Following injury problems to Richmond Lamptey and Christopher Nettey, coach Prosper Ogum Narteh made two changes to his squad that dispatched Techiman Eleven Wonders last weekend.

Razak Abalora kept his place in the sticks but Samuel Appiah came in for Nettey while Imoro Ibrahim, Andrews Kwadwo Appau and Abdul Ganiu Ismail completed the back four.

Richard Boadu ‘Agadas’ patterned Mudasiru Salifu and Isaac Oppong in midfield while Fabio Gama, George Mfegue and Samuel Boateng led the attack.

Kotoko had the better share of the early exchanges as Isaac Oppong played Samuel Boateng through by the seventh minute but the forward was flagged offside.

Ten minutes later, Oppong had another shot at goal but his effort was very feeble and was saved by the Karela. goalkeeper.

On the 22nd minute, Karela came close to opening the scoring through former Kotoko striker Umar Bashiru. The lanky forward saw his effort beat goalkeeper Abalora only to hit the upright.

Richard Boadu brought down Umar when the striker broke loose for a quick counterattack and the referee didn’t hesitate to show him a yellow card.

After the break, Kotoko pressed harder in search of the first goal.

Imoro Ibrahim saw his cross nearly causing an own goal by the 56th minute as a Karela player struggled to deal with it.

One minute later, Kotoko were reduced to ten after Richard Boadu fouled a Karela player to pick his second booking of the day.

The sending off forced Kotoko to make a substitution as Sherrif Mohammed came in for Samuel Boateng while Emmanuel Keyekey also replaced Fabio Gama as Kotoko reverted to a 4-3-2 formation due to the numerical disadvantage.

On 85th minute, goalkeeper Abalora made a point blank save to prevent Kotoko from conceding a late goal after he rushed to block a Karela player and picked up an injury in the process.

Kotoko despite the stalemate still lead the log with 13 points and will face King Faisal in Kumasi derby next week at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium.

Samuel Boadu ‘angrily’ makes FOUR changes in Hearts of Oak squad to face JS Souara – Reports

The Phobians boss made four changes in his squad that started against Ashanti Gold last weekend as they prepare to face the Algerians on Sunday

Hearts of Oak coach Samuel Boadu has made four changes in the starting line up that played against Ashanti Gold as they face JS Souara in the playoffs of the Caf Confederation Cup at the Accra Sports Stadium on Sunday, according to sources close to AshesGyamera.com.

The Phobians, after they were humiliated and eliminated from the Caf Champions League by Moroccan giants Wydad Athletic Club last month, and further suffering a poor start to the Ghana Premier League, are hoping to make a huge statement as they host the Algerians.

Hearts are yet to win a game in the league and suffered a 2-0 defeat last weekend against Ashanti Gold which raised a lot of questions about coach Samuel Boadu’s tactics and the commitment of some players.

As a result, midfielder Emmanuel Nettey, Agyenim Boateng and Patrick Razak have been dropped to the bench as they prepare to play Souara, according to our sources.

Also, Robert Addo Sowah is not part of the matchday squad since he could not pass a late fitness test as he is still nursing an injury.

Meanwhile, youngster Salim Adams, midfielder Afriyie Barnieh and Mohammed Alhassan Alhassan will start the game.

Also, striker Isaac Mensah will start upfront and partner Kofi Kordzi as Boadu set up his side with a 4-4-2 formation.

Saoura arrived in Ghana on Friday but had to take several routes before arriving due to financial constraints the club is facing currently, according to reports in Algeria.

Although, the club could have spent only five hours from Algeria to Ghana, they rather spent two days due to several transit at various airports.

They began their journey on Wednesday morning from Bechar to Oran before arriving in Algiers, the capital city of Algeria.

The players and technical team later moved from Algiers to Tunisia and made a transit in the capital city of Tunis. After several hours there, Souara continued their journey to the middle East.

They arrived in Dubai in the early hours of Friday and made a transit there before boarding another flight to Accra, Ghana.

Hearts XI vs JS Souara:

Richard Attah, Fatawu Mohammed, William Denkyi, Mohammed Alhassan, Sewornu, Ansah Botchway, Salim Adams, Salifu Ibrahim, Afriyie Barnieh, Kofi Kordzi, Isaac Mensah

Christopher Nettey spotted in Kumasi, defender to miss Kotoko’s game against Karela

The defender did not travel with the Porcupine Warriors to Ainyinase to ahead of the crucial encounter on Sunday

Asante Kotoko defender Christopher Nettey has been dropped from the matchday squad that travelled from Kumasi to Ainyinase ahead of the Ghana Premier League matchday five fixture against Karela United at the Crosby Awuah Memorial Park on Sunday.

The defender, who has been ever present in Kotoko’s games so far this season, could not pass late fitness test after picking an injury and was left behind in Kumasi. His place will likely be taken by youngster Samuel Appiah.

Nettey was spotted at Paa Joe Park in Kumasi on Saturday afternoon with former Asante Kotoko chief executive officer Herbert Mensah when Ghana’s Rugby Team played in the West Africa Rugby Tournament.

Also, midfielder Richmond Lamptey will play no part of the game due to a hamstring injury he picked up against Eleven Wonders last weekend.

However, deputy captain Mudasiru Salifu has been cleared by Ghana Football Association to play against Karela since he has only picked up two yellow cards. Initial communique from the football association suggested that Mudasiru was suspended due to accumulated cards but further checks proved that there was a mistake.

Kotoko top the league log with 12 points, three above city rivals King Faisal who sit second.

Asante Kotoko probable XI vs Karela United:

Razak Abalora, Samuel Appiah, Imoro Ibrahim, Andrews Kwadwo Appau, Abdul Ganiu Ismail, Richard Boadu ‘Agadas’, Mohammed Sheriff, Isaac Oppong, Fabio Gama, George Mfegue, Samuel Boateng.

WAFA 1-0 Great Olympics: Justus Torsutsey’s late goal ends Wonder Club’s unbeaten run

The Academy Boys left it late to stun Great Olympics on Saturday when the visitors thought they had picked up a point

WAFA defeated Great Olympics 1-0 in Ghana Premier League matchday five fixture at the Red Bull Arena in Sogakope on Saturday.

Prior to the game, WAFA were without a win after four games as they shared the spoils 2-2 in their last game while Olympics had gone the season without a defeat and were hoping to continue their good run.

Both sides failed to make use of the few half chances that fell to them with Derrick Mensah Antwi the most culprit.

On 29th minute, Sampson Agyapong saw his free-kick cleared after it initially appeared to be going in.

After the break, Olympics grew into the game and caused a lot of troubles to the WAFA defence. However, that could not translate into goals.

Late in additional time, WAFA were handed a penalty after Marvin Owusu was fouled in the box. The referee didn’t hesitate to point to the spot for a penalty and striker Justus Torsutsey calmly slotted in the resulting kick.

Olympics were hoping to stage a late attempt to equalise but time was not on their side as WAFA held on to pick a priceless victory.