Ghana Premier League – Page 60

Kotoko name 20-man squad for Karela clash; Lamptey, Amankonah dropped while Mudasiru returns after GFA rectifies mistake

The Porcupine Warriors are heading to an unfavourable ground this weekend but Prosper Ogum Narteh believes these 20 players will perfectly do the job for him

Asante Kotoko coach Dr. Prosper Ogum Narteh has announced a 20-man squad that he will be using to face Karela United in matchday five of Ghana Premier League at Crosby Awuah Memorial Park in Ainyinase on Sunday.

Interestingly, midfielder Richmond Lamptey who have been ever present since joining from Inter Allies, will miss this game. The nimble-footed player picked up an injury in the win over Techiman Eleven Wonders last weekend at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium and could not recover on time.

Also, winger Stephen Amankonah has been dropped despite scoring some goals at training ground as he is yet to convince the technical team on matchdays. Meanwhile, defender Yussif Mubarik once again misses the squad due to ill-health.

However, Ogum has been given a big relief following the availability of midfielder Mudasiru Salifu for the game.

Initial communique from Ghana Football Association revealed that the Mudasiru cannot play part of the game due to accumulated yellow cards but further checks later proved that he has picked only two cautions this season.

Kotoko are hoping to pick their fifth win on a row after dispatching Dreams FC, Bechem United, Gold Stars and Eleven Wonders.

Meanwhile, Karela are seeking for a revenge this time around since they lost at home to Kotoko last season thanks to Imoro Ibrahim’s belter.

The Ainyinase-based side have picked five points -four at home- after four games and are hoping to continue their unbeaten record at home this season.

Kotoko Full Squad:

Goalkeepers: Razak Abalora, Kwame Baah

Defenders: Ismail Abdul Ganiu, Andrews Kwadwo Appau, Maxwell Agyemang, Augustine Agyapong, Christopher Nakai Nettey, Samuel Appiah, Imoro Ibrahim.

Midfielders: Emmanuel Keyekeh, Mudasiru Salifu, Richard Boadu, Mohammed Sheriff, Fabio Gama, Joseph Amoako.

Strikers: Samuel Boateng, George Mfegue Rodrigues, Etouga Thierry Mbella, Dickson Afoakwah, Isaac Oppong.

Highlights: Emmanuel Gyamfi’s wonderful performance and Yahaya Mohammed’s thunderbolt strike handed Aduana first away victory

Aduana Stars defeated Legon Cities 1-0 on matchday five of Ghana Premier League at the Accra Sports Stadium on Friday.

https://youtu.be/G18zez2dE3w

After the Fire Club thumped Real Tamale United last weekend, coach Asare Bediako made a single change in his setup as Benjamin Tweneboah was replaced with Sam Adams.

After the early exchanges, Legon had the first chance on goal but Jonah Attuquaye could not guide his effort on target.

Aduana made them pay for the missed chances as star striker Yahaya Mohammed shot them in front by the 27th minute with a thunderbolt.

Emmanuel Gyamfi was brought down on the edge of Legon’s box after he broke free following a through ball from Yahaya.

The bulky striker’s goal means that he has scored back-to-back as he was on target also against RTU. However, Yahaya has now netted 20 goals for Aduana in his last 32 league games.

Legon were forced to effect changes after the break as coach Maxwell Konadu brought on Asamoah Boateng Afriyie to replace Hamzah Nassiru while Osman Abdul took over the place of Nasiru Moro.

However, Aduana were compact at the back and occasionally broke loose in counterattacks as they looked out to double their lead.

With six minutes remaining, Legon came close to equalising but substitute Asamoah Boateng Afriyie saw his last ditch effort hitting the side net.

Aduana’s victory means that they have picked four points from Accra Sports Stadium in the last two weeks as they also shared the spoils 1-1 with Hearts of Oak.

Aduana now have eight points from five games currently sit in mid-table.

Legon Cities 0-1 Aduana Stars: Yahaya Mohammed’s effort seals first away victory for Ogya Boys

The Ogya Boys made it two wins in a row with a narrowly victory over Legon Cities in the first game of matchday five

Aduana Stars defeated Legon Cities 1-0 on matchday five of Ghana Premier League at the Accra Sports Stadium on Friday.

After annihilating Real Tamale United on last weekend, coach maintained the squad that that did the job for him with the exception of Benjamin Tweneboah who was replaced with Sam Adams.

Goalkeeper Joseph Addo started in post while Hafiz Adams, Abass Mohammed, Nuredin Abdulai and Thomas Boateng made up the defence.

Derrick Affesson, Sam Adams, Eric kwakwa and Emmanuel Gyamfi were deployed in midfield while Yahaya Mohammed and Bright Adjei let the attack.

After the early exchanges, Legon had the first chance on goal but Jonah Attuquaye could not guide his effort on target.

Aduana made them pay for the missed chances as star striker Yahaya Mohammed shot them in front by the 27th minute with a thunderbolt.

Emmanuel Gyamfi was brought down on the edge of Legon’s box after he broke free following a through ball from Yahaya.

The bulky striker’s goal means that he has scored back-to-back as he was on target also against RTU. However, Yahaya has now netted 20 goals for Aduana in his last 32 league games.

Legon made changes after the break with Asamoah Boateng Afriyie coming on for Hamzah Nassiru while Osman Abdul replaced Nasiru Moro as they pressed high for the equalizer.

However, Aduana were compact at the back and occasionally broke loose in counterattacks as they looked out to double their lead.

With six minutes remaining, Legon came close to equalising but substitute Asamoah Boateng Afriyie saw his last ditch effort hitting the side net.

Aduana’s victory means that they have picked four points from Accra Sports Stadium in the last two weeks as they also shared the spoils 1-1 with Hearts of Oak.

Aduana now have eight points from five games currently sit in mid-table.

“I want to play like Virgil van Dijk,” Ghanaian defender Salisu aims at playing like Liverpool defender

The Saints will face Liverpool over the weekend in Premier League and the young Ghanaian defender admits he wants to emulate and be at the level of Virgil van Dijk

Ghana and Southampton defender Mohammed Salisu has revealed that he is aiming to play at the top level like Liverpool centre-back Virgil van Dijk in future.

Jurgen Klopp’s men will host the side from Saint Mary’s this weekend at Anfield as they hope to keep the title chase on Chelsea and Salisu who has been in fine form since joining Southampton from La Liga side Rayo Vallecano last season, believes van Dijk is one of the best defenders in the world.

“I think Virgil is a very good central defender and, I would say, is one of the very best central defenders in the world,” Salisu told Daily Echo.

“One day, I want to be like him, especially with how he plays and the confidence he has and how he leads the team.”

Van Dijk, just like Salisu, began life in the Premier League with Southampton but the former went on to join Liverpool in January 2018 for a world-record of £75million, the most money ever paid for a defender at the time.

Van Dijk has won the Premier League, Champions League and has also being named the 2018-19 PFA Players’ Player of the Year.

“Kotoko is not any special team, Karela United will defeat them,” Kobi Mensah insists

The Pride and Passion gaffer is full of optimism that his charges will defeat the Porcupine Warriors this weekend

Karela United coach Bismark Kobi Mensah says his side will defeat Asante Kotoko in matchday five at the Cosby Awuah Memorial Park in Ainyinase on Sunday.

Kotoko have enjoyed an incredible start to the season under new coach Prosper Ogum Narteh. They have picked four wins out of four games and hope to add Karela to their victims but Mensah insists the Porcupine Warriors are not special regardless of the results they have chalked so far.

“Kotoko are not a special team so we are not afraid of them. We can beat them on Sunday, because they are really beatable,” Kobi Mensah told Domestic Sports.

“Supporters are sad but I don’t think they should because the league has not ended. We still have may matches to play and I believe that anything can happen,” he added.

Kotoko will likely miss midfielder Richmond Lamptey against Karela after he picked up an injury against Techiman Eleven Wonders last weekend unless he passes late fitness test.

Also, Mudasiru Salifu will not play part of the game following accumulated yellow cards as he is currently on three.

Karela have amassed five points after four games. They are yet to taste defeat at home after sharing the spoils with Aduana Stars and defeating Berekum Chelsea.

Asante Kotoko management member Dasoberi robbed at Accra Mall; thousands of cedis stolen

The Porcupine Warriors chief suffered a burglary in the country’s capital city while he was shopping at the Accra Mall on Thursday

Asante Kotoko Administrative Manager Emmanuel Newton Dasoberi has revealed his car was burgled at the Accra Mall while he was out there doing shopping.

Dasoberi announced the news on social media on Friday morning as he posted his account on how the robbery took place.

However, he sadly revealed that management of Accra Mall failed to identify or arrest the person who broke into his car despite being captured by the CCTV cameras around.

“The Management of the Accra Mall, must get serious and protect lives and property at the Mall. The kind of broad day breaking into cars and stealing items is serious,” Dasoberi posted on Facebook, Friday morning.

“I was a victim of this. Yesterday, whiles I parked at the Mall to buy some items thieves opened my car without breaking the window and made away with a substantial amount of money.

“So sad that when I requested for a CCTV review the guys at the control room told me they found nothing. I insisted on looking at the video footages with a colleague of mine.

“To our surprise, upon review we saw a guy opening the front passenger seat of my vehicle took the cash and went away. Is it not sad that security could not even detect this?” he quizzed.

“I tried calling the office line of the Mall and no one answered. Please be careful, when you visit the Accra Mall,” he added.

Kotoko will travel to Ainyinase to face Karela United in matchday five of Ghana Premier League and if Dasoberi fails to recover from the shock, he may be absent from the game.

“Kotoko not under pressure to defeat Karela United, fans should rather be supportive,” says Ogum

The Porcupine Warriors boss believes his charges are not under any pressure to pick three points from Ainyinase this weekend despite a section of the fans expecting them to continue their winning streak

Asante Kotoko coach Dr. Prosper Ogum Narteh has rejected suggestions that he is under pressure to defeat Karela United in matchday five of Ghana Premier League this weekend.

The Porcupine Warriors are heading to Ainyinase after their perfect start in the season as they are yet to taste defeat after four games.

Kotoko have opened up a seven point gap between them and their hosts but Ogum believes it is not a must win game irrespective of the fans’ expectations.

“There is no pressure on us to win this game and we are taking it cool as we prepare for the game on Sunday,” Ogum said.

“We take it match after match so there is no pressure on us.

“I think the [fans] should keep their cool and calm. They should be patient and should try as much as possible to be supportive as they have always been.

“It is a game model we are trying to develop for Asante Kotoko and it’s a blend of old and new guys. So I am appealing to them to be supportive as they have always and also trust the process,” he added.

Last season, Kotoko ended their poor run of results at Ainyinase under former coach Johnson Smith thanks to Imoro Ibrahim’s belter.

This season, they are in top form and yet to drop a point which has even doubled their confidence. Kotoko have scored eight goals so far -four goal away and four goals at home – and have only conceded one goal in the process.

“It wasn’t spiritual, I was suffering from running stomach,” Awako opens up

The midfielder insists suggestions that he was having nightmares die to spiritual attack is fiction of someone’s imagination

Hearts of Oak midfielder Gladson Awako has rejected reports that he was having spiritual attacks which led to his sabbatical leave from football since September.

The 31-year-old joined Hearts from city rivals Great Olympics but soon fled the Phobians’ camp.

Reports were rife that he was suffering from spiritual attacks and nightmares and even wanted his contract mutually terminated at a point, however, he insists that none of them were accurate.

Awako has revealed that he was having running stomach which forced him to abort the club’s preparations towards the new season.

As a result he missed Hearts Caf Champions League games against Guinean side CI Kamsar and Moroccan giants Wydad Athletic Club as well as four games played in Ghana Premier League.

“I wasn’t well. Before God and man, I wasn’t well. My teammates, team manager and coaches well all aware I was suffering from a serious running stomach,” Awako told Accra 3 Sports.

“The club granted me permission to go and treat myself during the period.

“I never said anything during that period, and the talk of spiritual attacks should be disregarded.

“The reason why I’ve not yet played a game since I joined Hearts of Oak is because I was not physically fit. It’s not spiritual,” he added.

Awako returned to training on Monday, November 22 and could be part of Hearts squad that will face JS Souara in the playoffs of Caf Confederation Cup this weekend should he impress coach Samuel Boadu at training.

Asante Kotoko thrash Kenpong Academy 5-0 in friendly ahead of Karela trip

The Porcupine Warriors stepped up their preparations towards the make or break encounter next weekend as they put five goals past the lower division side in a friendly game

Asante Kotoko thrashed Division Two side Kenpong Academy 5-0 in a friendly game at the Atonsu Astro Turf on Wednesday ahead of their Ghana Premier League game against Karela United.

With Richmond Lamptey and Mudasiru Salifu expected to miss the weekend’s game, Kotoko coach Prosper Ogum Narteh selected goalkeeper Kwame Baah in post ahead of Razak Abalora and youngster Danlad Ibrahim.

https://youtu.be/611DhEBoHXE

Meanwhile, Samuel Appiah, Augustine Agyapong, Maxwell Agyemang and Charles Owusu completed the defence line.

Sheriff Mohammed, Clinton Opoku, and Emmanuel Keyekeh started as the three midfielders while Solomon Sarfo Taylor, Evans Adomako and Stephen Amankonah began upfront in a 4-3-3 formation.

After an end to end action in the opening fifteen minutes, Kotoko nearly took the lead through Adomako but the his effort was saved.

Three minutes later, the striker was fortunate as his last ditch effort went past the goalkeeper.

Kotoko doubled their lead on the 29th minute through Amankonah before Dickson Afoakwa made it 3-0.

**Massive supporters at Atonsu Astro Turf**

On the stroke of halftime, Solomon Sarfo Taylor added another goal to make it 4-0 he after connected a carpet pass from Augustine Boakye and calmly slotted in his effort.

After the break, Kotoko changed entirely their players and brought on new set.

**Supporters watching on as Kotoko play**

Razak Abalora took over from Kwame Baah, while Christopher Nettey, Imoro Ibrahim, Abdul Ganiu and Andrew Kwadwo Appau made up tu defence.

Richard Boadu, Mudasiru Salifu and Fabio Gama were used as the diamond midfielders while George Mfegue, Mbella Thierry and Isaac Oppong led the attack.

Mfegue Rodrigues benefited from a poor defence from Kenpong and sent in a low drive to make it 5-0 against the run of play.

Although, Kotoko pushed more men in search of more goals, they could not utilize the few half chances that came their way.

Kotoko, who top the league log with twelve points from four games, will depart Kumasi to Ainyinase on Saturday to wrap up their preparations before they face Karela at the Crosby Awuah Memorial Park on Sunday

FIRST HALF SQUAD:

Kotoko XI vs Kenpong Academy:

Kwame Baah, Samuel Appiah, Augustine Agyapong, Maxwell Agyemang, Charles Owusu, Sheriff Mohammed, Clinton Opoku, Emmanuel Keyekeh, Solomon Sarfo Taylor, Evans Adomako, Stephen Amankonah

SECOND HALF SQUAD

Kotoko XI Vs Kenpong Academy;

Razak Abalora, Christopher Nettey, Imoro Ibrahim, Abdul Ganiu, Andrew Kwadwo Appau, Richard Boadu, Mudasiru Salifu, Fabio Gama, George Mfegue, Mbella Thierry and Isaac Oppong.

Ghana FA hands referee Eso Doh Morrison eight-match ban for awarding ‘FAKE’ penalty to Aduana against Hearts of Oak

The referee who awarded a late penalty against the Phobians in their matchday three fixture has been slapped with eight-match ban and will return in February of 2022

Ghana Football Association’s match review panel has punished referee Eso Doh Morrison with eight-match ban following his poor decision in the game between Hearts of Oak and Aduana Stars at the Accra Sports Stadium a fortnight ago.

With Hearts leading 1-0, the referee insisted that Hearts defender Mohammed Alhassan was guilty of bringing down Aduana Stars forward Bright Agyei by the 78th minute and therefore awarded Aduana a penalty and subsequently sent of Mohammed.

Agyei stepped up and scored the resulting penalty which left Hearts players and officials fuming after the game. The club officially lodged a complaint with Ghana Football Association.

SUMMARY OF COMPLAINT

In the 23rd minute of the 1st half, Adam Farouk of Aduana FC brought down Daniel Afriyie Barnieh in the eighteen-yard box which referee Morrison failed to award a penalty to
Hearts of Oak.
Again Adam Farouk broke down a goal scoring attack by bringing down Kofi Kordzi in the 73rd minute of the 2nd half.
Mohammed Alhassan was sent off by referee Morrison without committing foul. Bright Adjei of Aduana FC missed his step and fell in the 78th minute.
The Match Commissioner (Charles Darkwah) sat in the presidential box at the stadium disfranchising Hearts of Oak from channeling their concerns to him.

OBSERVATIONS, FINDINGS AND GROUNDS OF THE DECISION
Per the video watched, the 23rd minute complaint did not show any clear contact of the two players
involved in the tackle.
In the 63rd minute, there was a clear contact in the tackle between player of Heart No. 9 and Aduana player No. 24, but the referee rather judged it as a fair tackle instead of a foul. The referee
erred.

In the 78th minute incident, player No. 15 of Hearts of Oak and player number 10 of Aduana were involved in contesting for the ball in the penalty area of Hearts of Oak. The referee awarded a penalty and a red card against the Hearts player number 15. This in our view was a wrong decision taken by the referee.

REFEREE’S OFFICIAL RESPONSE/DEFENCE

In talking to the referee, he tried to defend every action and decision he took during the match even when all the actions were replayed to him in the video clips.

DECISION(S)
The referee (Eso Doh Morrison) is hereby suspended for eight (8) matchdays effective from the date of communication for the multiple errors committed during the match.