The in-form winger has been named as part of the Black Stars’ squad for the Afcon qualifiers
Bechem United midfielder Augustine Okrah has been named in Ghana’s squad to play in 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers next weekend.
The 28-year-old, who has been in a splendid form in Ghana Premier League and FA Cup was called by Black Stars coach Otto Addo alongside Hearts of Oak striker Daniel Afriyie Barnieh.
Okrah has scored 13 Premier League goals and provided six assists as well as netting four goals in the FA Cup as Bechem have made it to the final.
Returning to the squad is skipper Andre Ayew who missed the 2022 Fifa World Cup playoffs against Nigeria in March.
Also, Jonathan Mensah, Wakaso Mubarak and Kamaldeen Sulemana have also been given another chance to rejoin the team.
The youngster was part of the Roma squad that made history by becoming the first Ghanaian player to lift the trophy
Ghana young striker Felix Afena-Gyan became the first Ghanaian player to win Uefa Conference League title after A.S Roma defeated Feyenoord 1-0 in the final on Wednesday.
Afena-Gyan was named on the bench ahead of the game by Jose Mourinho as he paraded a strong starting line up against the tricky Dutch club.
After a pulsating half an hour into the game, Nicolo Zaniolo opened the scoring for Roma after connecting a pass from Mancini.
Although, Feyenoord came close on numerous occasions to find the equaliser, Roma goalkeeper Rui Patricio made more than two breathtaking saves to deny them.
Ahead of the final, Jose Mourinho in an interview revealed that he gifted Afena-Gyan a new boot because he was mocked by his teammates for wearing a fake type.
“He was at AS Roma, he didn’t have a contract and he was coming with fake trainers and all the guys there were having fun with him,” Mourinho said.
“Now he signs a contract, he goes to Ghana national team and he has fun with the other guys because the other guys are not going to the World Cup,” he added.
The Porcupine Warriors top performers have been handed a call up to join the Black Stars B for the upcoming qualifiers
Asante Kotoko have had five of their players handed call up to the locally-based Black Stars by head coach Annor Walker ahead of the 2022 Championship of African Nations Cup qualifiers.
According to reports, Kotoko captain and defender Abdul Ganiu Ismail leads the tall list of players to have been handed a call up.
The others include goalkeeper Danlad Ibrahim, Imoro Ibrahim, Mudasiru Salifu and Richard Boadu ‘Agadas’.
Ghana has failed to make the CHAN competition in the last three editions under former coach Maxwell Konadu and they are hoping to make it this time around.
The 2022 CHAN will be played in Algeria from 8th January to 23rd January 2023.
Kotoko lead the Ghana Premier League log with 56 points, six points above Medeama who are in second position.
With only three games left in the ongoing Division One League, the race for qualification is now hotter than before in Zone 1 and 3
Tamale City FC have reclaimed top spot in Zone 1 of Ghana Division One League following their 3-1 away win over Steadfast FC on Monday.
The Tamale-based club is now back to the summit of the log with superior goals scored despite having 62 points apiece with Nsoatreman FC.
In Zone Three, Oda Kotoku Royals have surprisingly gone top of the log and are now on the brink of qualification. Three weeks ago, the club was not in the race but a 3-2 away win over Akasti All Stars, coupled with three points awarded them from the board room have seen them now in first position.
Kotoku Royals were awarded three points and three goals and now have 56 points after Heart of Lions were found guilty of fielding an unqualified player against them.
Ghana FA’s ruling on Kotoku vs Hearts of Lions
This has resulted into six points deducted from Lions and their hopes of qualifying to the Premier League next season looks all over.
GFA’s ruling on Kotoku vs Heart of Lions
Meanwhile, Liberty Professionals are now third on the log after they surprisingly lost 1-0 at home to Golden Kicks over the weekend while Tema Youth have also dropped to second the 1-0 away win over Kwaebibirim.
In the relegation battle, Nania FC have moved away from the relegation zone for the first time in several weeks after a 1-0 narrow win over Krystal Palace.
Nania, owned by Abedi Pele, are now sitting 13th on the log with 29 points and another win next weekend could take them three points above safety.
In Zone 2, Samatex have been declared champions after picking one point away against Swedru All Blacks. With Ebusua Dwarfs losing 1-0 away to Nzema Kotoko, Samatex have been crowned champions since they have a seven-point advantage as well as three points which could be added since Achiken failed to honour last weekend’s game.
The Porcupine Warriors will now clear their outstanding game against their rivals
Ashanti Gold will host Asante Kotoko in the outstanding game of Ghana Premier League at the Len Clay Sports Stadium on June 2.
The game which was initially scheduled to take place a fortnight ago was rescheduled due to security threats from Ashanti Gold supporters following the FA’s decision to demote their club to Division Two.
Ghana FA has further insisted that should the threat still exists.
“The Ghana Premier League Matchweek 29 outstanding match between Ashantigold SC and Asante Kotoko SC has been scheduled for Thursday, June 2, 2022,” a GFA statement read.
“The match is scheduled to be played at the Len Clay Stadium, Obuasi and will kick off at 3pm.
“Stakeholders are kindly informed to take note accordingly. It must be noted, however, that should the security risk and the advice from the Security Services remain unchanged by the next home match of Ashantigold SC, the Association reserves right shift the home matches of Ashantigold SC to be play at the club’s selected alternative match venue,” the statement added.
With three games left, Samatex have already won Zone 2 but the winners from the other zones are still undecided
Nsoatreman FC have gone back on top of Zone 1 of Ghana Division One League following their 2-1 away win over Wamanafo Mighty Royals on Sunday.
Zone One results
With Tamale City’s away game against Steadfast FC scheduled for Monday, Nsoatreman now lead with 62 points, three points ahead of Tamale as the group seems likely to go to the wire before a winner is declared.
Zone One League Table
In Zone 2, Samatex have been declared champions after picking one point away against Swedru All Blacks. With Ebusua Dwarfs losing 1-0 away to Nzema Kotoko, Samatex have been crowned champions since they have a seven-point advantage as well as three points which could be added since Achiken failed to honour last weekend’s game.
Zone Two results
The next three games will be played for mere formality. However, Ebusua Dwarfs could be granted promotion on sporting merit after Ashanti Gold were demoted to Division Two for playing mat h fixing last season with. Inter Allies.
Zone Two League Table
In Zone Three, Liberty Professionals surprisingly lost 1-0 at home to Golden Kicks which has blown the zone open for anyone to qualify.
Tema Youth have regained top spot and tied on the same points with Liberty following a 1-0 away win over Kwaebibirim while Heart of Lions are now only one point behind top place.
Zone Three results
Interestingly, Oda Kotoku Royals can now also qualify as they pipped Akasti All Stars 3-2 in a cagey encounter. Royals are now fourth on log with 53 points, only two points behind Tema Youth and Liberty.
In the relegation battle, Nania FC have moved away from the relegation zone for the first time in several weeks after a 1-0 narrow win over Krystal Palace.
Zone Three League table
Nania, owned by Abedi Pele, are now sitting 13th on the log with 29 points and another win next weekend could take them three points above safety.
The striker became a target after his side shocked Kotoko at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium
Berekum Chelsea striker Kofi Owusu was nearly attacked by Asante Kotoko supporters after his side pipped them 1-0 on matchday 30 of Ghana Premier League at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium on Sunday.
Ahead of the game, Kotoko captain Abdul Ganiu Ismail was passed fit to feature for the Porcupine Warriors after several weeks on the sideline. As a result, he was paired with Andrews Appau in central defence while Christopher Nettey and Imoro Ibrahim took charge of the full backs.
It was Chelsea who had the first opportunity to take the lead after only four minutes through Kofi Owusu. The former Ghana Premier League goal king was played through but his final shot was blocked by goalkeeper Danlad Ibrahim.
Etouga had a similar chance to put Kotoko ahead by the 33rd minute but after his initial shot was blocked, he skied the rebound.
After the break, Kotoko had a numerical advantage after Kofi Owusu was red carded for an off the ball incident. The striker was caught punching Nettey in the face.
Interestingly, Nettey’s initial attack on Owusu which triggered his reaction was not seen by the referee, his assistants and the fourth so he was left unpunished.
Despite the numerical disadvantage, Chelsea kept their cool and prevented Kotoko from going in front on numerous occasions.
Chelsea scored the opening goal by the 79th minute against the run of play after a terrible defending by Appau.
Kotoko probed further but they could not break down resilient defence of Chelsea.
After the game, Owusu was seen approaching the car park but a heated argument began between himself and some few fans. Within a twinkle of an eye, it had escalated as some wanted to physically manhandle him.
It took the intervention of the military to save the situation as Owusu was led to to join his teammates.
Asante Kotoko supporters chase Berekum Chelsea striker Kofi Owusu
Kotoko still lead the Premier League log with 56 points, six points above Medeama. They will now play Medeama and Great Olympics away from home before they welcome Elmina Sharks in the penultimate game at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium.
Kotoko’s last game of the season will be an away fixture against debutants Accra Lions at the Accra Sports Stadium.
The youngster became the hero as he scored a late winner to help the Bibires shock the Porcupine Warriors despite a numerical disadvantage
Asante Kotoko were pipped 1-0 by Berekum Chelsea on matchday 30 of Ghana Premier League at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium on Sunday.
Ahead of the game, Kotoko captain Abdul Ganiu Ismail was been passed fit to feature for the Porcupine Warriors after several weeks on the sideline. As a result, he was paired with Andrews Appau in central defence while Christopher Nettey and Imoro Ibrahim took charge of the full backs.
As usual, Etouga Mbella and Georges Mfegue Rodrigues led the attack with Mudasiru Salifu, Fabio Gama and Richard Boadu ‘Agadas’ in midfield.
It was Chelsea who had the first opportunity to take the lead after only four minutes. The former Ghana Premier League goal king was played through but his final shot was blocked by goalkeeper Danlad Ibrahim.
Etouga had a similar chance to put Kotoko ahead by the 33rd minute but after his initial shot was blocked, he skied the rebound.
After the break, Kotoko had a numerical advantage after Kofi Owusu was red carded for an off the ball issue. The striker was caught punching Nettey in the face.
Despite the numerical disadvantage, Chelsea kept their cool and prevented Kotoko from going in front.
Chelsea scored the opening goal by the 79th minute against the run of play.
Kotoko probed further but they could not break down resilient defence of Chelsea.
The Porcupine Warriors have seen massive improvements in how they trek to training as a lot of the players currently have their own cars
Asante Kotoko players have proven to Ghanaians that they are one of the highest paid, if not the highest, in the country as they displayed their cars ahead of training session.
On Friday, the players arrived at the Adako Jachie training ground in Kumasi ahead of the Ghana Premier League game against Berekum Chelsea with fleet of cars ranging from highlander, Toyota Camry, Corolla and Honda Civic.
Although, many have argued that the cars aren’t the latest ones in the market, one could also say that if you juxtapose the current situation of the players to recent years, they have obviously seen a huge improvement.
Watch the cars Kotoko players brought to training
Kotoko lead the Ghana Premier League log and they are hoping to annex the trophy as they aim at playing in next season’s Caf Champions League.
