Behind the scenes: Kotoko supporters clap for players as military guard referee Yao Bless & assistants out of Baba Yara Stadium

The Porcupine Warriors fans were obviously not happy on how the referees handled their defeat to Legon Cities but they acted calmly

Asante Kotoko supporters gave their players ovation although they were not satisfied with the performance in the 3-1 defeat to Legon Cities in Ghana Premier League at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium on Sunday.

Aside the abysmal performance of the players, others had issues with officiating as they believed the referees had several calls wrong in the game.

Centre referee Selorm Yao Bless awarded Legon Cities a controversial penalty in the first half of the game and that gave the visitors a perfect start they wanted and held on to win the day.

A brace from Hans Kwoffie added to Michael Otuo’s penalty and although Mudasiru Salifu pulled one back for Kotoko, it was not enough to save their blushes.

After the game, a section of Kotoko supporters went to the safe zone of the stadium to cheer on their players as they boarded the team bus while others wanted to vent their anger on the referees but the security personnel present professionally handled the situation.

They guarded the referees out of the stadium and made sure no supporter was also hurt.

The defeat means that Kotoko have lost their last two games in the league, conceding five goals and scoring two goals in the process.

Despite Kotoko’s defeat, they still lead the log with 52 points, eight points better than Bechem United who will host Karela United on Monday.

WATCH WHAT HAPPENED AT THE STADIUM AFTER THE GAME

Kotoko’s next five games look tricky as they will head to Sogakope to face WAFA before they host Aduana Stars in another cagey encounter.

After that game, Kotoko will travel to Obuasi for the Ashanti derby against Ashanti Gold and then host Berekum Chelsea before they head to Tarkwa for another crucial game against Medeama.

Video: Kotoko supporters unhappy as military & police guard referee Yao Bless & assistants out of Baba Yara Stadium

The Porcupine Warriors fans were obviously not happy on how the referees handled their defeat to Legon Cities

Asante Kotoko supporters were not satisfied with the performance of referee Selorm Yao Bless and his assistants in the 3-1 defeat to Legon Cities in Ghana Premier League at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium on Sunday.

Bless awarded Legon a controversial penalty in the first half of the game and that gave Legon the perfect start they wanted and held on to win the day.

A brace from Hans Kwoffie added to Michael Otuo’s penalty and although Mudasiru Salifu pulled one back for Kotoko, it was not enough to save their blushes.

After the game, a section of Kotoko supporters wanted to vent their anger on the referees but the security personnel present professionally handled the situation.

They guarded the referees out of the stadium and made sure no supporter was also hurt.

How referee Yao Bless and assistants left Baba Yara Sports Stadium

Despite Kotoko’s defeat, they still lead the log with 52 points, eight points better than Bechem United who will host Karela United on Monday.

Video: Peprah’s goal & Ofori’s late penalty Orlando Pirates into Caf Confederation Cup semis

The duo from Ghana combined to send Buccaneers into the last four of the Caf Confederation Cup

Ghana goalkeeper Richard Ofori and young striker Kwame Peprah combined to help Orlando Pirates reach the semifinals of Caf Confederation Cup over Simba on Sunday.

After losing 1-0 in Tanzania in the first leg, Kwame Peprah equalled the tie with a wonderful header in the second half. The former King Faisal star rose above his marker to head in a tailor-measured cross.

That goal sent the game into penalty shootouts and Ofori stepped up his performance to save some of the shootouts.

He eventually became the match winner as he sent in the last penalty to carry the day for the South African giants.

Highlights: Kotoko 1-3 Legon Cities: Watch the controversial penalty to Legon & reactions

The Porcupine Warriors were handed their second home defeat in the league as they faced their former coach

Asante Kotoko were defeated 3-1 on matchday 26 of Ghana Premier League by Legon Cities at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium on Sunday.

The visitors took the lead very early in the game after referee Yao Bless insisted that Christopher Nettey had brought down Jonah Attuquaye. Michael Otuo stepped up and scored by the 18th minute, sending the goalkeeper to the wrong direction.

Hans Kwoffie made it 2-0 ten minutes later with a simple tap in but Kotoko pulled one back through substitute Mudasiru Salifu.

After the break, Legon didn’t allow Kotoko to settle and added another goal to get the home fans frustrated.

Hans Kwoffie grabbed his second of the day by the 48th minute with a simple finish.

Despite Kotoko pushing men forward, they couldn’t reduce the deficit and went on to loss the game.

Kotoko after the defeat still lead the log with 52 points, eight points better than Bechem United who have a game in hand against Karela United on Monday.

Watch the controversial penalty awarded to Legon Cities

Prosper Ogum makes three changes in Kotoko’s starting XI to face Legon Cities

The Porcupine Warriors boss has ringed three changes in his squad to face Legon Cities this afternoon

Asante Kotoko coach Prosper Ogum Narteh has made three changes in his starting line up to face Legon Cities on matchday 26 of Ghana Premier League at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium on Sunday.

Defender Christopher Nettey has returned to take up his place following suspension last weekend as a result of accumulated yellow cards.

Also, centre-back Maxwell Agyemang has been benched and Andrews Appau will take over his place to partner Yussif Mubarik in defence

Meanwhile, Dickson Afoakwa has returned to the starting XI to take over the place of Patrick Asmah after the latter committed a penalty last weekend which irked the coach.

Nettey back but Agyapong still away as Kotoko name matchday squad against Legon Cities

The Porcupine Warriors would hope to return to winning ways on Sunday after that defeat to relegation threatened RTU

Asante Kotoko coach Prosper Ogum Narteh has named his matchday squad to face Legon Cities on matchday 25 of Ghana Premier League at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium on Sunday.

Defender Christopher Nettey who missed the game against Real Tamale United last weekend through suspension has returned and would likely start on Sunday.

George Mfegue and his countryman Etouga Mbella are expected to lead the attack for Kotoko.

A win for Kotoko would extend their lead at the summit of the table to at least eleven points since Bechem United who sit second place will play on Monday.

Kotoko squad vs Legon Cities

Goalkeepers:

Danlad Ibrahim, Kwame Baah

Defenders:

Christopher Nettey, Maxwell Agyemang, Imoro Ibrahim, Patrick Asmah, Charles Owusu, Andrews Appau, Mubarik Yusif, Samuel Appiah

Midfielders:
Stephen Amankona, Clinton Opoku, Gama Dos Santos, Richard Boadu, Mudasiru Salifu, Emmanuel Keyekeh, Sheriff Mohammed, Fabio

Strikers:

Georges Mfegue, Franck Etouga, Dickson Afoakwa, Samuel Boateng, Evans Adomako.

Ghanaian clubs are engaging in betting to survive – Hearts of Oak board member Akambi reveals

The Phobians chief has admitted that betting syndicates are destroying the game in the country but reveals that owners of clubs are becoming handicap due to lack of financial support

Hearts of Oak board member Alhaji Akambi has admitted that betting syndicates have been able to gatecrash into Ghana Premier League and constantly influence results.

According to Akambi, a lot of club owners are financially not sound and struggle to pay their players after several failed attempts to get sponsorship deals for the league.

In recent times, issues of match fixing have dominated the league and that has deterred investors away.

“Betting in our game is a dicey situation. We have been pushing for a sponsor for the Ghana Premier League but nothing has been done so how can the clubs survive? Hearts of Oak may not have issues paying players salaries but others clubs may not have the financial strength,” Alhaji Akambi said in an interview on Starr FM’s Friday Night Football.

“Majority of Ghanaian clubs engaging in betting are doing it to survive because there is no money in the Ghana Premier league but if you are club and you are not financially sound go into partnership,” he added.

Breaking News: Didier Drogba loses as new FA president of Ivory Coast is elected

Former Chelsea Football Club striker Didier Drogba has failed in his bid to be elected as the new Football Association president of Ivory Coast.

Drogba wanted to join Samuel Eto’o as the two former Chelsea players who later became leaders of their country’s football organisation.

However, he lost the race to Idriss Diallo who has been elected president of the Côte d’Ivoire Football Federation, following a second round of votes.

Diallo got 59 votes in the first round while Diabetes and Drogba had 50 and 21 votes respectively.

Therefore, there was a second round election between Diallo and Diabetes which Diallo won.

Watch Yaw Annor’s Ronaldo-like goal against Great Olympics which everyone is talking about

Ashanti Gold pipped Great Olympics 1-0 on matchday 26 of Ghana Premier League at the Accra Sports Stadium to breath life back into their Top Four aspirations.

Olympics had the better of starts as they were offered several chances but could not make it count.

Yussif was denied by the goal post before Ashanti Gold was also denied in similar situation as Yaw Annor’s long drive couldn’t go in.However, after the break, Annor was lucky the second time asking after he connected a pass from Elijah Addai and sent in a powerful drive which went past the goalkeeper on the 69th minute.Annor was played through four minutes later but he couldn’t guide his last ditch effort on target.Ashanti Gold have now moved four places up to ninth position with 35 points, five points below the top four spot while Olympics remain on fifth position with 39 points.

Watch the goal from Yaw Annor against Great Olympics

Great Olympics 0-1 Ashanti Gold: Annor’s incredible goal ends Olympics’ unbeaten home record & spoils anniversary celebrations

The Miners made amends as they shocked the Wonder Club and somehow dashed their hopes of making a Top Four finish

Ashanti Gold pipped Great Olympics 1-0 on matchday 26 of Ghana Premier League at the Accra Sports Stadium to breath life back into their Top Four aspirations.

Ahead of the game, Olympics had a short ceremony to mark their 68th anniversary as a club and were hoping to have a good results to complete the occasion but things move from worse to worst.

Olympics had the better of starts as they were offered several chances but could not make it count.

Ampem Dacosta cleared the danger for Ashanti Gold by the 18th minute after Olympics came close to opening the lead.

Yussif was denied by the goal post before Ashanti Gold was also denied in similar situation as Yaw Annor’s long drive couldn’t go in.

However, after the break, Annor was lucky the second time asking after he connected a pass from Elijah Addai and sent in a powerful drive which went past the goalkeeper on the 69th minute.

Annor was played through four minutes later but he couldn’t guide his last ditch effort on target.

Ashanti Gold have now moved four places up to ninth position with 35 points, five points below the top four spot while Olympics remain on fifth position with 39 points.

Ashanti Gold will host Berekum Chelsea next weekend at the Len Clay Sports Stadium while Olympics travel to Techiman to square it off with Eleven Wonders at the Ohene Ameyaw Park.