Ocran aims big, targets Ghana Premier League goal king

The striker is already aiming at adding his name to the history books after starting the campaign with a brace

Dreams FC striker Emmanuel Ocran has set sights on winning Ghana Premier League top scorer award following an incredible start to the campaign.

The budding talent netted twice on opening day when Dreams thumped returnees King Faisal 4-1 at Theatre of Dreams in Dawu.

Now sitting on the top scorers chart, one goal behind Aduana Stars forward Yahaya Mohammed who scored a hat-trick, Ocran believes his experience in the top-flight will guide him to realise his ambition.

“I am not new to the league and I think I can do it, so I’m looking up to winning the goal king award after the season,” Ocran said.

“It was great to score two goals on opening day and I’m very glad how things went,” he added.

Dreams FC will travel toTechiman to play Eleven Wonders on Sunday.

‘Lamptey was the catalyst to Chelsea’s win over Arsenal’; Lampard praises Ghanaian defender

The English born youngster of Ghanaian descent has been praised by the Blues manager following his incredible performance on his senior debut

Chelsea manager Frank Lampard has lauded the qualities of young defender Tariq Lamptey following their 2-1 victory over Arsenal in the Premier League on Sunday.

After Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s goal gave Arsenal the lead and looked like they are on their way to carry the day, two goals within the last seven minutes from Jorginho and Tammy Abraham and turned the game on its head for the Blues.

And Lampard believes Lamptey who became the seventh graduate to make a senior debut for Chelsea this season under this tenure, brought stability to the defence since they looked likely of conceding another goal.

“Tariq Lamptey is a credit to Jody Morris and Joe Edwards because when we sat and analysed the last two days and we knew Cesar Azpilicueta had a small injury and Reece James is injured then we are looking at options for a right-back or right wing-back,” Lampard revealed after the game.

‘They said believe in him, trust in him, because they did and I listened to that. ‘We felt it was the right time to bring him into the game and he was a catalyst because we were getting down the sides and he gave us a little bit more of an edge.

‘He has pace, a low centre of gravity and can go by people.

Although, Lamptey has represented England at the youth level, he is still eligible to represent Ghana at the senior level since his parents are from the West African country.

Okwahu United, Eleven Wise among 44 lower-tier clubs to face giants in FA Cup preliminary round

Ghana FA Cup Committee has announced the lower-tier clubs that have managed to qualify to participate in the preliminary round of the 2019-20 campaign.

The clubs will square off with the 48 second-tier side and 18 Ghana Premier League clubs including Asante Kotoko and Hearts of Oak for a place in first round.

“This is to congratulate the following 44 Division Two Clubs that have qualified to participate in the Preliminary stage of the 2019/2020 FA Cup Competition,” an official statement read.

“Draw date will be announced soon. We intend to let Clubs know the team they are facing at least 10 days ahead so Clubs can have strategic and effective preparation. We promise enjoyable and exciting FA Cup completion this season. Remember it’s an FA Cup Competition; Obiara nye Obia,” the statement added.

Upper East RFA
• Bolga Soccer Masters FC
• Zuarungu FC
• Garu United
Eastern RFA
• Okwahu United
• Kade United
• Blue Skies Pelicans FC
• Bazuka FC
Brong Ahafo RFA
• DC United
• Sunyani Reformers FC
• Berekum Barcelona FC
• Kintampo Top Talent
• Kenyasi New  Dreams FC
• Kato Freedom Fighters
Northern RFA
• Tamale Sky FC
• Great Amphibians FC
• Young Zobzia FC
Central RFA
• Winneba United
• Windy Professionals
• UCC Youngsters
• Suamponmang United
• Soccer Intellectuals FC
Western RFA
• Dolphins FC
• Sekondi Eleven Wise
• TTU Stars FC
• Aboi Youngstars
• Nkwataman United
Greater Accra RFA
• Teshie Unique FC
• Emmanuel FC
• Dynasty FC
• Star Makers
• Attram De-Visser Soccer Academy
• Charity Stars
Volta RFA
• Bebeto FC
• Akatsi All Stars
• Likpe Heroes FC
• Adidome Unity Stars/Home Stars
Ashanti RFA
• Kumawuman United FC
• Riverplate Athletic Club
• Thunderbolt FC
• Afigya Shooting Stars
• A.C Milan FC
Upper West RFA
• Sombo Freedom Stars
• Real 24 hours FC
• Wa Yassin FC

Hearts of Oak 0-1 Berekum Chelsea: Attuquaye’s lone goal gives the Blues a flying start to the season

The Phobians were stunned in front of their home supporters in the opening day of the season leaving many questions to be answered by Kim Grant

Berekum Chelsea made a very good start to the 2019-20 Ghana Premier League season when they confirmed their good record against Hearts of Oak by defeating the Kim Grant’s men 1-0 at Accra Sports Stadium on Sunday.

Following a pulsating opening half-hour in the game, the visitors scored the opener on 34th minute when a deflected effort from Jonah Attuquaye found the back of the net to silence the few vociferous home supporters present.

After the break, Hearts improved their game plan, causing making several threats upfront and Chelsea goalkeeper Danlad Ibrahim, who is on loan from Asante Kotoko, was forced to make a brilliant save by the 54th minute following an effort by Raddy Ovouka.

A minute later, Kim Grant made his only substitution of the day, bringing on Kofi Kordzi for Aminu Alhassan. Kordzi after several attempts nearly made an impact by the 80th minute but he saw his shot from the outside the box hitting the post.

Hearts continued to surge forward for the equaliser in the last ten minutes but Chelsea’s defenders were resolute at the back to deny the homesters at least a point.

Chelsea are now heading back to Berekum and would be looking forward to confirm their good form against Liberty Professionals next weekend in matchday two, while Hearts of Oak trek to Tarkwa to face Medeama in their hunt to pick their first point or win in the campaign.

According to reports, Hearts supporters nearly charged on coach Kim Grant to demand answers to his side’s recent poor form despite several months of preparations.

Meanwhile, Hearts bitters rivals Asante Kotoko scored full marks in Kumasi as a Justice Blay goal proved enough to silence Techiman Eleven Wonders.

By: Getson Emmanuel

Hearts of Oak vs Berekum Chelsea: Phobians aim at starting the league on good note

The Phobians will be hoping to pick three points of the campaign against the Blues on opening day of the campaign this weekend

Hearts of Oak will hope to make a giant leap on Sunday when 2019-20 Ghana Premier League starts as they host Berekum Chelsea at the Accra Sports Stadium.

Although, reports suggest Hearts have been forced to part ways with coach Kim Grant since he does not meet the new Ghana Football Association’s requirements of UEFA License A before any coach can manage a GPL , the former Ghana international will he expected in the dugout and will be assisted by Nii Odoi.

Meanwhile, Chelsea are looking forward to confirming their good record against the 19-time champions and their president Nana Nketiah has made it clear, they are ready for the encounter.

Chelsea won the league in 2010/2011 season and represented Ghana in 2012 CAF Champions League and are hoping to make a return to the continental championship next season.

A win for any of the two sides will be a good omen and will help curb down pressure.

By: Emmanuel Getson

‘I will do my best to win Ghana Premier League with Asante Kotoko’, says Konadu

The Porcupine Warriors boss has assured their supporters that his charges will do their outermost best to lift the top-flight’s title

Asante Kotoko coach Maxwell Konadu has insisted that he will give in his best to win the 2019-20 Ghana Premier League.

The Porcupine Warriors who last clinched the title in 2014 have beefed up their squad after Konadu replaced former boss Kjetil Zachariasen and he has been given the task to win the trophy in his first year in order to play in Caf Champions League.

“We will do our best to win the Ghana Premier League this season,” Konadu told Sir Martin Tawiah (K.T) of Ghana Sports Page 1 in China.

“I will entreat Asante Kotoko supporters to keep supporting the club and I hope the year 2020 will bring a lot of honours to us since I will be doing my best also,” he added.

Kotoko will open their season’s account with a home game against Techiman Eleven Wonders on Sunday.

Abu Sule joins Eleven Wonders in a two-year deal

The midfielder has penned down a two-year deal with the Bono club until 2021

Heart of Lions midfielder Abu Sule has signed a two-year deal with Ghana Premier League side Techiman Eleven Wonders ahead of the start of the new season, AshesGyamera.com can confirm.

The budding talent arrived in Techiman today and signed the dotted lines this evening becoming one of the highly rated players to join the club in their bid to improve their standings after the season.

Known for his dedication and discipline towards training and ambitions of clubs he has joined previously, Sule is expected to add a lot to the team.

He will be expecting to have his debut on Sunday when they travel to Baba Yara Sports Stadium in Kumasi to face Asante Kotoko in the opening fixture of the Premier League although he arrived very late.

Kurt Okraku extends Christmas greetings to Ghanaians in China, promises to improve football in one-year time

The country’s football association boss has extended his warmth greetings to Ghanaians in the diaspora and has assured them of improving the sport back home

Ghana Football Association president Kurt Okraku believes there will be massive improvement in the local football come 2020 as part of his Christmas messages.

Speaking to Ghana Sports Page 1 host Sir Martin Tawiah (K.T)  in China, Okraku thanked everyone for their support and reiterated that he will work very hard in order to bring back football to the highest level amid the infamous Number 12 by investigative journalist Anas Aremeyaw Anas which which brought everything to a halt.

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for their support since I came to lead the football association especially those in China who still monitor everything back home,” Okraku said.

“As we are celebrating Christmas, I want to wish all the best of moment and continue to assure that we will experience positive changes in football come next year December.

“Everyone will be happy with the growth so let us keep on supporting one another for the betterment of the game,” he added.

With the 2019-20 Ghana Premier League season kicking off this Sunday, Okraku’s administration has been able to settle issues regarding referees’ allowances among others.

Also, each of the eighteen clubs have been given 30 new balls produced by Kipsta, while each of the match venues will have eight balls for match days.

 

Ghana FA ditches Mitre balls, shares new product for Ghana Premier League

The football association has decided to do away with the type of football that has been used for the last five seasons

Ghana Football Association has been sharing matchday footballs to the eighteen top-flight clubs ahead of the kick start 2019-20 Ghana Premier League season and suprisingly, they are not Mitre balls, AshesGyamera.com can confirm.

With each club getting 30 balls for training and eight balls for each of the 18 venues, our sources have revealed that Kipsta F-110 is the new football that players will be using each matchday.

New Ghana Premier League matchday balls

Kipsta football complies with international federation standards and are rated higher recently in several countries especially in Europe. The hand-stitched construction of Kipsta balls makes them highly durable and are also made up of latex and butyl bladder.

These kind of footballs have a characteristic of minimal water absorption which makes them good to be used even when it rains.

The new season will officially start on Sunday December 29 with interesting fixtures across the country including Hearts of Oak hosting Berekum Chelsea while Asante Kotoko welcome Techiman XI Wonders to the Baba Yara Sports Stadium.

King Faisal announce signing of Premier League winner Osman Bashiru

The Green and Whites have officially outscored their new signing as they seek to strengthen their squad for the upcoming season

King Faisal have announced the signing of Ghana Premier League veteran striker Osman Bashiru ‘Gambo’ in a one-year deal.

The striker rejoins his boyhood club after almost six seasons away having left to join city rivals Asante Kotoko and later had stint with Ashanti Gold.

Interestingly, Bashiru joins this time with a lot of experience as he is regarded as one of the few players to have won the league title back-to-back with two different clubs.

He achieved that feat during 2013-14 season with Asante Kotoko and 2014-15 season with Ashanti Gold after scoring several goals.

On Sunday, Bashiru will be hoping to hit the ground running when King Faisal travel to Dawu to face Dreams FC in the league’s opening day.