Home Blog Page 109

BREAKING NEWS: FIFA confirms Ghana’s qualification to play-offs of World Cup qualifiers; officially rejects South Africa’s protest

The World’s football governing body has confirmed that South Africa’s protest filed against Ghana did not have merit and has since rejected it

Fifa have officially rejected South Africa’s protest against Ghana on Friday, one week after AshesGyamera.com exclusively revealed.

The South Africa Football Association pleaded with Fifa to punish Senegalese referee Maguitta Ndiaye and further ensure that their 2022 World Cup qualifying game against Ghana will he replayed since the Black Stars were aided in the 1-0 win.

However, their case has been thrown out because Fifa insists it did not meet the requirements under article 46 of the Disciplinary Code and article 14 of the Regulations of the Preliminary round of the competition.

“The protest lodged by South Africa has been declared inadmissible by the Disciplinary Committee as it did not meet the requirements foreseen under art. 46 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code and art. 14 of the Regulations of the Preliminary Competition of the FIFA World Cup 2022,” FIFA said in a statement released on Friday.

“The decision is subject to appeal.”

Andre Ayew scored the only goal after referee Ndiaye awarded Ghana a penalty after Leicester City defender Daniel Amartey was heckled down in the penalty box but officials from South Africa believed that the referee was manipulated prompting a complaint to Fifa.

The further alleged that a Ghanaian official travelled to Senegal to meet referee Ndiaye before the game.

Although, Ghana responded to the allegations on November 20, the official ruling has since not been released.

However, reports in the local media indicate that Fifa has rejected all the allegations leveled against Ghana and the referee and therefore, there will not be any replay as earlier anticipated.

Despite no evidence of match manipulation and fixing, Senegalese referee Ndiaye Maguette, however, will likely be punished with some games ban since his general performance was below average according to the match review panel.

Ghana will now officially participate in the playoffs of the competition and likely lock horns with either Senegal who are currently the best ranked county on the continent.

There is also a possibility of the Black Stars facing Morocco, 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.

JS Souara vs Hearts of Oak; Referee Diouf’s last game involving Ghana ended in defeat

The Senegalese referee’s last game in charge involving a side from Ghana ended in a defeat for the Black Stars

Confederation of African Football (CAF) has appointed Senegalese referee Adalbert Diouf to handle the second leg of the play-offs of Caf Confederation Cup game between Algerian side JS Saoura and Ghana’s Hearts of Oak on Sunday.

The Phobians left Ghana on Wednesday and arrived in Algeria on Friday after making transit in Cote D’Ivoire and Turkey. They are expected to travel from Algiers to Bechar through Oran on Friday morning.

They head into the game with a 2-0 advantage thanks to goals from Salifu Ibrahim and Agyenim Boateng in the first leg at the Accra Sports Stadium last weekend.

Diouf, who last handled Ghana’s defeat to Morocco in a friendly game at Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Casablanca, will be assisted by his countrymen El Hadji Abdoul Aziz Gueye, Mamadou Ngom while Alioune Sow Sandigui act as the fourth official.

Meanwhile, Tunisian Yassine Harrouch will be the Match Commissioner of the game while Dorry Abd El Salam from Egypt plays the role as the referee’s assessor.

Referee Diouf was part of the officials that handled the 2021 Africa U20 Cup of Nations held in Mauritania earlier this year.

The game has been scheduled to kick of at 16h45 GMT (4:45 PM Local Time) on Sunday, December 5, 2021.

Video: Napo exposes Teacher Unions; insists Government never thought of providing teachers with laptops

The former minister of Education has shed light on the brouhaha surrounding the laptops being shared to teachers across the country

Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh, affectionately called Napo, has denied reports circulating on social media that he connived with the various Teacher Unions in the country to provide teachers with substandard laptops.

Napo takes his time to explain the brouhaha surrounding the laptops being shared to teachers

The One Teacher One Laptop labelled Teacher Mate 1 (TM1) project was initially rumoured to be an initiative of Napo together with his close allies who are the manufacturers but he has vehemently denied such suggestions and has further dared anyone who has evidence to come out so that he honourably resigns.

He however stressed that it was the various Teacher Unions who came up with such a suggestion in order to reduce the workload of their members.

In a statement signed by the Head of Public Relations, Cassandra Twum Ampofo, of GES, the distribution of the laptops has commenced and teachers at St. Mary’s Girls Senior High School (SHS) have even taken theirs.

The total cost of the TM1 laptop per one, according to the GES is Ghs1, 831.47 and each teacher has been deducted Ghs509 from their annual professional allowance paid in November.

“Distribution of the TM1 has commenced and all teachers at the St. Mary’s Girls SHS have received theirs”, the statement said.

It said, “the supply of the Teacher Mate 1 laptops was an initiative of the Teacher Unions (GNAT NAGRAT, CCT) to procure for all teachers at the pre-tertiary level to enhance the delivery of quality education in terms of planning, research, teaching and reporting”.

Pictures: Hearts of Oak arrive in Algeria; set for last TWO flights to match venue

The Phobians have finally touched down in the North African country after leaving Ghana two days ago

Ghana’s sole representatives in Caf Confederation Cup Hearts of Oak have finally arrived in Algeria on Thursday evening, AshesGyamera.com can report.

The Phobians left Ghana on Wednesday morning and made their first transit in Cote D’Ivoire before heading to Istanbul, Turkey.

They later left Turkey on Thursday afternoon and after spending almost six hours in the air, touched down in Algiers.

As earlier reported by AshesGyamera.com, Hearts will take another flight from Algiers to Oran on Friday morning before they connect with another flight to Bechar where the game will be played on Sunday.

The Phobians after the game will repeat the same route back to Ghana and the hectic travelling arrangements is one of the reasons why Ghana FA opted to grant them their request to postponed the matchday seven league fixture against Asante Kotoko indefinitely.

FULL LIST OF HEARTS PLAYERS IN TURKEY:

1.Richmond Ayi

2.Richard Baidoo

3.Richard Atta

4.Larry Sumaila

5.Fatawu Mohammed

6.William Denkyi

7.Raddy Ovouka

8.Mohammed Alhassan

9.Nuru Sulley

10.Caleb Amankwah

11.Emmanuel Nettey

12.Ansah Botchway

13.Salifu Ibrahim

14.Salim Adams

15.Isaac Mensah

16.Kofi Kordzi

17.Victor Aidoo

18.Agyenim Boateng

19.Suraj Seidu

20.Enock Asubonteng

21.Afriyie Daniel Barnieh

22.Patrick Razak

Ace journalist Captain Smart arrested for allegedly threatening the peace of Ghana

The veteran journalist is currently in the grips of Ghana Police Thursday evening after he was arrested for making some unfortunate comments on live TV

The Nima Divisional Police Command has arrested the host of Onua TV/FM morning show in Accra, Blessed Godsbrain Smart, popularly known as Captain Smart.

A statement from the Ghana Police Service said Captain Smart was arrested for making “some unsavoury pronouncements that hinge on peace and security”.

A separate statement from the National Media Commission (NMC) said Captain Smart called for “insurrection against the state of Ghana and its institutions” in a recent broadcast on Accra-based Onua FM.

Captain Smart has been cautioned on the offence of offensive conduct conducive to breaches of the peace as provided under section 2017 of the Criminal Act, 1960 (Act 29), according to a statement from the Ghana Police Service.

The Police said he is in their custody, assisting with the investigations.

Captain Smart was recently employed by Onua TV/FM, after resigning from Angel TV while on suspension regarding how he carried out his work there.

‘You’ve become a megaphone of war’ – NMC cautions Onua FM/TV

The National Media Commission, NMC, is disappointed in what it refers to as unprofessionalism on the part of managers of Onua TV/FM following its broadcast of some unsavoury pronouncements that hinge on peace and security.

The NMC in a statement issued on Thursday, December 2, 2021, said “on the morning show on Onua FM/TV, Captain Smart was heard allegedly inciting the Ghana Armed Forces against Members of Parliament and also calling on them to stage an uprising.”

“Where we have reached, we require an uprising with positive defiance. I am even shocked at Ghana’s soldiers. You can enter Parliament when MPs are being sworn in, but when MPs are fooling, you can’t enter Parliament. Everybody is quiet in this country,” he chanted.

The Commission said the media house “crossed the line of robust and critical broadcasting.”

It said the radio station by its action has transformed into a “megaphone of war”.

“Part of your broadcast raises concern for the peace and security of the country in a manner that demands immediate regulatory action. We are particularly concerned about a recent broadcast in which ‘Captain Smart’ calls for insurrection against the state of Ghana and its institutions.”

“While that particular broadcast, without more, constitutes adequate grounds for regulatory action, we still retain the belief that given the chance, management could take steps to bring your content unto a level of professional acceptability. We are fortified in this belief by the fact that considerable parts of your other broadcast, including the news, offer that hope. We will be glad if you noted that exercising the required professional caution is in your interest,” it added.

-Citi FM News

Video: Rich Lamptey returns to training as 26-man Kotoko prepare for Kumasi derby

The Porcupine Warriors midfielder has resumed training as they fine tune for the biggest game of the weekend

Asante Kotoko midfielder Richmond Lamptey returned to training Thursday afternoon ahead of the Kumasi derby against King Faisal in Ghana Premier League at Baba Yara Sports Stadium on Saturday

The youngster picked up an injury in the win over Techiman Eleven Wonders a fortnight ago and was forced to be replaced. As a result, he missed the trip to Ainyinase last weekend when Kotoko shared the spoils goalless with Karela United.

Lamptey’s return means that coach Prosper Ogum Narteh will likely revert to his favourite three-man midfield alongside Mudasiru Salifu and Fabio Gama.

During the training session on Thursday, youngster Joseph Amoako scored a brace during the training session just like Imoro Ibrahim Solomon Sarfo Taylor.

Also, there were goals scored by striker Evans Adomako, Mbella Frank Thierry and skipper Ganiu.

Kotoko top the league log with 13 points, three points above Faisal who sit second position. They are the only club yet to taste a defeat this season after five games.

Pictures: Hearts of Oak arrive in Istanbul, Turkey ahead of another transit; one key player dropped

The Phobians have safely arrived in Europe as they prepare to connect with another flight back to Africa for the make or break encounter

Ghana Premier League champions Hearts of Oak have arrived in Istanbul, Turkey on Thursday ahead of their second leg of Caf Confederation Cup play-offs.

The Phobians, who head into the game with a 2-0 advantage, left the shores of the country on Wednesday morning and made their first of the many transits in Cote D’Ivoire before boarding another flight to Europe.

The took another flight in the neighbouring country to Turkey and have safely arrived in its capital Istanbul, AshesGyamera.com can confirm.

Hearts of Oak in Turkey

Although, the Phobians initially announced a 23-man travelling contingent, one player failed to make the trip in the eleventh hour. Defender Robert Addo Sowah who missed the first leg last weekend was dropped.

The centre-back failed to recover from an injury he picked up at training as he failed the late fitness test conducted by the club’s medical team.

Hearts are expected to leave Istanbul on Thursday for Algeria and they will first touch down in the country’s capital called Algiers before they continue with their journey.

As earlier reported by AshesGyamera.com, Hearts will take another flight from Algiers to Oran on Friday morning before they connect with another flight to Bechar where the game will be played.

They will repeat the same route after the game and the hectic travelling arrangements is one of the reasons why Ghana FA opted to grant them their request to postponed the matchday seven league fixture against Asante Kotoko indefinitely.

FULL LIST OF HEARTS PLAYERS IN TURKEY:

1.Richmond Ayi

2.Richard Baidoo

3.Richard Atta

4.Larry Sumaila

5.Fatawu Mohammed

6.William Denkyi

7.Raddy Ovouka

8.Mohammed Alhassan

9.Nuru Sulley

10.Caleb Amankwah

11.Emmanuel Nettey

12.Ansah Botchway

13.Salifu Ibrahim

14.Salim Adams

15.Isaac Mensah

16.Kofi Kordzi

17.Victor Aidoo

18.Agyenim Boateng

19.Suraj Seidu

20.Enock Asubonteng

21.Afriyie Daniel Barnieh

22.Patrick Razak

“I’m a patriotic citizen, I can’t stop Hasaacas Ladies players from joining Black Queens,” says Basigi

The experience gaffer has rejected suggestions that he has kicked against his players joining the national team

Yussif Basigi, the coach of Ghana’s Women Premier League champions, Hasaacas Ladies, has vehemently denied reports that he has been advising and kicking against his players joining the female national team.

Reports were rife that Hasaacas Ladies players opted not to join the senior female national team in the past despite receiving invitations from coach Mercy Tagoe.

However, Basigi, who led Hasaacas Ladies to finish second in the maiden Caf Women’s Champions League held last month in Egypt, insists that is never true.

“I am a Ghanaian and a patriot, I have worked for the national team since 2011. It’s not about the Black Queens, it’s about Ghana,” Basigi said on Citi TV.

“If I should say my players should not play for the Black Queens it means I don’t love the country.

“It is not about individuals because the national team is for the nation.

“I don’t see why I would prevent my players from representing the national team.

“However six of my players were with the Princesses,” he stated on The Tracker on Citi TV.

Alhaji Grunsah TEARS APART ungrateful Asamoah Gyan after comments on penalty against South Africa

The veteran football administrator has aimed a dig at the country’s all-time top scorer after he suggested that the penalty awarded Ghana against South Africa was very soft

Alhaji Karim Grunsah, owner and bankroller of Ghana Premier League side King Faisal has launched a scathing attack on former Ghana captain Asamoah Gyan following his comment against Senegalese referee Maguitta Ndiaye who officiated the final Group G World Cup qualifying game.

Gyan suggested that the penalty which was awarded to the Black Stars in the Fifa World Cup qualifier against South Africa was a soft one.

According to the 36-year-old, Leicester City defender Daniel Amartey went down too easily after the challenge by the South African defender and because there was a high tempo in the game, it forced Senegalese referee Maguette Ndiaye to award Ghana a penalty which was scored by Andre Ayew who was making his 100th cap for Ghana.

“I think the incident was a bit casual,” Gyan told Asempa FM in an interview.

“There weren’t many cameras on the day to give us different angles unlike what we see in other league matches elsewhere but from where I sat and how I saw it, the infringement was debatable. I think Daniel Amartey went down too easily.

“This is my thought based on where I sat and how I saw things. However, the referee was closer to the spot and probably had he a better view of the situation.

“Remember also that the tempo of the game was also high and that could have influenced the referee’s decision to award the spot-kick to Ghana

“We all Ghanaians and support the Black Stars to win games so I always follow them even though I’m not part of the squad. I’m always supporting them to qualify to the World Cup. If I compare the game against Ethiopia and South Africa, I would say the Black Stars were better against South

“In the game against Ethiopia, Black Stars were dominated throughout but they improved their performance against South Africa,” Gyan added.

The comments has irked Grunsah and the outspoken administrator suggest Gyan is an ungrateful person who is on a mission to bring instability in the Black Stars ambitions to make it to the World Cup.

“Asamoah Gyan is an ungrateful person and a pretender,” Alhaji Grunsah told Atinka FM.

“He won’t even get the opportunity to become a ball boy again with the Black Stars. He should stop talking about the penalty against South Africa if he has no better things to tell Ghanaians,” he added.

South Africa officially protested against Ghana to Fifa and the referee and the final verdict is expected to be released in the coming days.

Herbert Mensah insists Asante Kotoko will win Ghana Premier League

The Porcupine Warriors former boss has insisted that they will be the eventual winners of the top-flight

Asante Kotoko former chief executive officer Herbert Mensah has reiterated that the club will be the winners of this season’s Ghana Premier League title.

The Porcupine Warriors currently lead the log with 13 points after five games, three points ahead of city rivals King Faisal.

The two clubs will square it off this weekend in the top of the table clash at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium on Saturday.

“I predicted earlier before the league started that Asante Kotoko will win the league and I still stand by that If there’s unity and great understanding amongst all the major stakeholders then no team can outcompete Kotoko,” Mensah told Akoma FM.

Mensah, however, advised the club’s supporters that they should not support individuals since that will only breed division.

“Kotoko is bigger than every individual, every time there’s a dispute or people are annoyed or there are factions, what people fail to realize is that Kotoko is bigger than everyone else.

“I still stand by it that Kotoko will win the league with unity, also I think Kotoko is the best-prepared team and stronger than all the other clubs. If you love Kotoko support Kotoko, not individuals,” he added.