Crystal Palace striker striker Jordan Ayew was on target when Black Stars defeated lower division side Golden Kicks FC 5-1 in a training match ahead of 2022 Fifa World Cup qualifiers against Ethiopia and South Africa.
After coming under intense scrutiny for going over 50 official games for both club and country, Jordan found the back of the net at the Accra Sports Stadium on Monday afternoon.
Israel-based striker Richmond Boakye Yiadom also scored twice in the game as the Black Stars fine tune for the all important games.
Also, Dreams FC youngster Abdul Fatawu Issahaku added another goal before Called Ekuban wrapped up the victory with a solo effort.
The Black Stars, after today’s friendly, will travel to Johannesburg, South Africa on Tuesday to continue with their preparations for the game against Ethiopia over the weekend.
Ghana will host South Africa in the last game of the qualifiers and the winner of the fixture will top the group.
The Giants of the West showed class as they dispatched their Malian counterparts to make it out of the group with a game to spare
Ghana’s Hasaacas Ladies defeated Malian side AS Manda 3-0 to make it out of Group B of the maiden Caf Women’s Champions League ongoing in Egypt.
After winning their first game against Malabo Kings last week, Hasaacas Ladies needed to prove their worth once again and they did it with class.
Two goals from Evelyn Badu and another effort from Perpetual Agyekum sealed the win for the Ghanaian giants and they now find themselves in the semifinals even before they play their last game.
Badu latched onto a loose ball after a poor defending by the Malians on 17th minute and opened the scoring. The bulky striker’s effort took a slight deflection to beat the goalkeeper.
Caf Women's Champions League
Badu's shot was deflected into the net and the Ghanaian champions are in front. Hasaacas Ladies 1-0 AS Manda pic.twitter.com/Fg3FifAlCb
Deep in additional time, Perpetual Agyekum a wonderful goal from a free kick. The midfielder sent in a powerful drive from almost 30 yards out which went straight through the hands of Manda goalkeeper.
After the break, Hasaacas Ladies fluffed several opportunities that came their way.
Badu scored her double of the day with calm finish after she connected to a pass from her teammate. The goal means that she has scored four times and currently leads the topscorer’s chart.
⏰ 58’ | 𝐺𝑂𝑂𝑂𝑂𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐴𝐿𝐿𝐿𝐿𝐿@EvelynBadu15 scores her second of the night and the fourth in this competition to become the top-scorer.
The striker has seized global headlines for the bad reason after his contract was terminated by the South African club following reports that he has bad luck
Ghanaian forward Mohammed Anas has been released by South African Premier Soccer League side TS Galaxy following complaints by some teammates and supporters that he has ‘bad luck’.
The Ghanaian, who has played in South Africa for almost a decade, has seen some of the clubs he represented relegated at the end of the season. And with his current struggling to survive or win games, the club’s top hierarchy agreed to ship him out to save themselves from future problems.
A source said some Galaxy players in the team raised their concern about Anas having bad luck and transferring it to the whole team.
“Every team he’s played for here (in South Africa) has either dodged relegation by a whisker or got relegated. He was at Maritzburg and they merely survived relegation that season. He was at Free State Stars when they were relegated and the same happened at Polokwane City.
“Last season he was with Black Leopards and the same thing happened. The players were worried that they are trying everything but the results are just not coming. He was quietly released by the club last week,” said the source.
In 2017, a post-match interview by Anas went viral after he thanked his wife and girlfriend. He, however, denied being unfaithful, saying, “My family knows that I call my daughter my girlfriend. That’s what I was talking about. I don’t have a girlfriend.”
The Kumasi-born moved to South Africa in 2016 from Eswatini and has represented five clubs including Maritzburg United and Black Leopards.
Ghanaian Champions Hasaacas Ladies on Monday, November 8, 2021 took part in the maiden CAF Women’s Club Licencing Workshop in Cairo, Egypt as part of advancing professionalism in women’s football clubs in Africa.
The Workshop was held for teams that are currently participating in the TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Champions League.
Chief Executive of the club Evelyn Nsiah Asare represented the Club at the Workshop.
The workshop, organized by CAF with the support of FIFA, was attended by coaches and managers from the eight clubs that have qualified for the final tournament.
Speaking at the workshop, CAF Vice-President and Chairperson of Women’s Football Committee, Kanizat Ibrahim said: “Having strong women’s football clubs is a guarantee of quality in the future. We owe it to ourselves to build a structure that respects standards and CAF is happy to support women’s clubs in order to improve professionalism.”
The objectives of the workshop were to:
Introduce the new CAF Women´s club licensing system and regulations to the clubs;
Explain the general objectives of the club licensing system;
Explain the club licensing criteria and requirements;
Understand the organization and structure of the participating clubs;
Have one on one meetings with the clubs to evaluate level of compliance of club licensing;
Gather administrative, financial and competition information related to the participating clubs;
Provide support and advise on fulfilment of the club licensing requirements;
CAF has worked on important updates on the Club Licensing Program at the continental level, which includes launching the inaugural edition of the CAF Women’s Club Licensing Regulations. This step comes in line with the creation of the 1st Edition of the CAF Women´s Champions League 2021 whereby clubs needed to meet certain criteria in order to obtain a licence and be able to participate in the competition.
CAF & FIFA Women’s Football departments and CAF Club Licensing gave brilliant presentations about women’s football clubs and development strategies.
The introduction and implementation of the system allows CAF to better understand the realities of the top women’s football clubs and accelerate the professionalization of the Women’s game in the continent.
The CAF Women’s Club Licensing Regulations focuses on the sporting, administration, infrastructure, finance, and legal pillars. It is particularly important to mention that the CAF Women’s club Licensing criteria are simple and realistic for the clubs to meet and is applied to the women’s football clubs participating in every edition of the CAF Women’s Champions League.
In view for the participation in the CAF Women´s Champions League 2021 which is organized in two phases (zonal qualifiers and final phase), the CAF member associations concluded a licensing process at national level in respect to the obligation of their clubs having to meet the criteria and requirements set by CAF for participation in the competition.
For the 2021 CAF WCL edition, 34 clubs were licensed and 32 took part in zonal qualifiers.
The Porcupine Warriors played in front of their home fans for the first time in almost two years and it ended the way they anticipated
Asante Kotoko have moved to the summit of the Premier League log as they were made to work tirelessly before they could break down a resilient Bechem United by two late goals.
AshesGyamera.com’s Editor-in-chief, Evans Gyamera-Antwi highlights the five most valuable lessons that the victory came along with on Sunday.
Prosper Ogum Narteh is stubborn but expert in substitutions
The Kotoko gaffer has shown once again that he prefers Mudasiru Salifu as a holding midfielder to Richard Boadu ‘Agadas’ even though it keeps failing. His stubborness may cost him one day. In spite of this, he has had his substitutions during games spot on in the two games played so far. In the game against Dreams on opening day, Ogum’s tactical changes won the day for Kotoko and it was the same story on Sunday against Bechem.
Ogum not ready to start Richard Boadu
With Kotoko struggling to break down the bulwark defence of Bechem, Ogum brought on Richard Boadu and Isaac Oppong for Stephen Amankonah and Joseph Amoako respectively. That decision changed the role of Fabio Gama and Richmond Lamptey and helped his side to exert more pressure on Bechem’s defence.
Very late in the game, Georges Mfegue Rodrigues and Samuel Boateng were introduced and the duo added bite to the attack which led to Oppong winning a penalty. Boateng then headed in another goal to seal the day after meeting a cross from Oppong.
Kotoko supporters missed their club in Kumasi
Per the performance Kotoko have displayed, it would not be a surprise if Kotoko maintain their top spot until new year since they have favourable games coming up but the atmosphere created by the supporters in their first game at Baba Yara Sports Stadium since March 2020 speaks a lot of things.
As early as 7am on Sunday, there were long queues at the various entrances to the stadium as supporters were waiting to be served tickets to enter and watch their beloved players and club. Out of the twenty players for the game on Sunday, only five had played at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium for Kotoko before and the remaining fifteen were waiting to make their bow.
Even when the going was tough for them, the supporters kept chanting and urging their players on to find an open and score a goal. It wasn’t surprising that their loud shout even pushed the referee to award them a penalty when Isaac Oppong was bundled down in Bechem’s penalty area.
The wild jubilations around the stadium and through the principal streets of Kumasi confirmed that football was indeed missed and Kotoko supporters have longed for months to watch live games after attending church, wedding, naming ceremonies and other social activities on Sundays.
Okrah exposes Yussif Mubarik & Ganiu is a lucky lad
Although, Kotoko won, they should be thankful that Bechem United were poor upfront. The visitors had numerous opportunities to win the day but fluffed them especially Emmanuel Avornyo. Augustine Okrah also beat the hell out of Yussif Mubarik.
Nice game today. I was elated to be back to Baba Yara Sports Stadium and thanks to the supporters for the warm reception.
The duo, who were teammates few months ago became sworn enemies on Sunday. However, it was Okrah who had the better side as he constantly exposed the weakness in Mubarik.
Also, Ganiu who partnered Mubarik was very luck not to have had an early shower. That career-threatening tackle on Avornyo would’ve been deemed a straight red card on any day but referee Gabriel Opoku Antwi favoured him.
Late goals carrying Kotoko
After two games, Kotoko have scored five goals and it will interest you to know that all of these goals came in the last five minutes of each game.
Against Dreams FC, Kotoko equalised on 86th minute through Mudasiru, before goals from Richmond Lamptey and Isaac Oppong wrapped up the win for them. Once again, they had to wait until 85th minute against Bechem United before Abdul Ganiu shot them in front through a penalty.
Samuel Boateng scored his debut goal for Kotoko and it was also deep in additional time.
Ganiu joined by Dickson Afoakwa to celebrate goal against Bechem
Henceforth, any side that will face Kotoko will be aware that until the referee blasts his whistle to bring down the curtains in the game, it is not all over and they can be punished even in the last few seconds.
Doubters To Believers
At the start of the season, many people questioned Asante Kotoko’s decision to tour Dubai as they failed to win even one game against all the lower tier sides they faced. Beside, reports were that new coach Prosper Ogum Narteh was struggling to make out his final starting squad as too many new players arrived at the club.
Lamptey challenging Avornyo for the ball
A lot of pundits, rival fans and media suggested that Kotoko will struggle especially in the early embers of the season but after two games, they are cruising at the top. At this point, people have now started to revise their notes.
Doubters are gradually becoming believers as they see Kotoko as the real deal. Of course, they’ve got to believe as as Kotoko is prospering under Prosper Ogum.
With Kotoko heading to Bibiani next weekend to face league debutants Gold Stars, they’re expected not to drop points or at worse not to end in a defeat.
The Hunters midfielder is concerned about the safety of Premier League players as referees are reluctant to issue red cards when matters most
Bechem United forward Augustine Okrah says the Ghana Premier League referees must do more to protect players following his side’s 2-0 defeat against Asante Kotoko at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium on Sunday.
Okrah, who was making a return to the Baba Yara Sports Stadium following his transfer from Kotoko to Bechem, had a fairly game but was concerned by some of the challenges that avoided strict punishment, as no red cards were issued despite several cynical challenges on his teammates.
Notably among them was the rush challenge by Kotoko’s captain Abdul Ganiu Ismail on Bechem United striker Emmanuel Avornyo in the second half.
The lanky striker went past defender Mubarik Yussif and with Ganiu as the last defender, the Kotoko skipper brought him down in a dangerous manner. However, despite the referee consulting the fourth referee, only a foul and yellow card were awarded to the surprise of Bechem United players and technical team.
Nice game today. I was elated to be back to Baba Yara Sports Stadium and thanks to the supporters for the warm reception.
The midfielder was full of praise after making his home debut for the Porcupine Warriors against Bechem United on Sunday
Asante Kotoko midfielder Richmond Lamptey has heaped praise on the club’s supporters following their ‘amazing’ display at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium on Sunday.
The Porcupine Warriors, who were playing at their favorite home grounds for the first time since March 2020, laboured to break down a resilient Bechem United by two late goals thanks to Abdul Ganiu Ismail’s penalty and Samuel Boateng’s header in matchday two of Ghana Premier League.
And Lamptey, who joined Kotoko from Inter Allies in a three-year deal, could not hide his joy as they picked the three points at stake to move top of the table.
“Everything I heard about Baba Yara and the fans was nothing but the truth. I felt the love. Great win and good to be back home playing in front of our amazing fans. #Homecoming,” Lamptey tweeted.
Everything I heard about Baba Yara and the fans was nothing but the truth. I felt the love. Great win and good to be back home playing in front of our amazing fans. #HomeComingpic.twitter.com/Xh9rZ9sb7s
Kotoko lead the table with six points after winning their first two games and they will head to Bibiani next weekend to face league debutants Bibiani Gold Stars at the Dun’s Park.
Gold Stars defeated Berekum Chelsea 1-0 in their first ever game played in the top-flight last weekend thanks to Randy Boafo’s long range shot. They will play their second game against Medeama on Tuesday at the Akoon Park in Tarkwa after Ghana Football Association rescheduled it from Sunday.
Organizers of the Biggest African Film and Festival Awards, ZAAFA Global Awards have invited the astute Ghanaian movie producer Mr Charles Boateng to take part in this year’s event.
The festival is set to take place on the 25th to the 27th of November in London.
ZAAFA Global Awards is an Award scheme which has always collaborated with the British Film Institute (BFI) to give master class workshops to filmmakers, with an aim of promoting African Films all over the world.
Organizers of the Award Scheme on Friday, October 15, 2021 sent a letter to the renowned Movie Producer asking him to grant their request for him to take part in this year’s awards.
According to the President of the ZAAFA Awards, Mr Prince Sam Anwuzia, there will also be a film workshop to be held at the new Nollywood Entertainment Studios in South East of London as part of the festival.
There weren’t too many goals this weekend from Ghanaian players plying their trade abroad, however, a lot of them showed class for their respective clubs
Ahead of the international break, we take a closer look at the players that have been called to represent Ghana in the 2022 Fifa World Cup qualifiers against Ethiopia and South Africa.
GOALKEEPERS
In England, lower tier side Swindon Town hammered Crewe Alexandria 3-0 in League Two. New Ghana goalkeeper Jojo Wollacot saw full action and the 25-year-old kept a clean sheet for the first time in many games.
Meanwhile, Hearts of Oak goalkeeper Richard Attah was in action when the Phobians shared the spoils 1-1 with WAFA at the Red Bull Arena in Sogakope in Ghana Premier League on Friday. Attah’s side are yet to taste a defeat this season as well as win a game.
Also, Abdul Manaf Nurudeen was in action for Belgian side KAS Eupen as they shared the spoils 1-1 with Zulte-Waregem in the Belgian Pro League.
In Switzerland, Lawrence Ati Zigi lasted the entire duration as St. Gallen won 1-0 away over FC Basel. Although, Ati-Zigi kept a clean sheet, he was booked later in the game.
Dreams FC defender Philimon Baffour was n action when the Still Believe lads picked a surprising 3-1 away win against Elmina Sharks
The controversially included player lasted the entire period of the game for Dreams FC when they surprised themselves with a 3-1 away win over Elmina Sharks on Sunday in Ghana Premier League.
In England, Baba Rahman was part of the Reading team that won 2-1 over Birmingham City in the Championship.
Baba, who is on loan from Chelsea, lasted the full duration in the game. Also, Andyy Yiadom played for Reading and saw full action.
Gideon Mensah
He was climbed off the bench to play 45 minutes for Bordeaux when they lost 3-2 against money-bags PSG.
Jonathan Mensah
He is expected to start for Columbus Crew when they take on Chicago Fire in the MLS on Sunday night.
Alexander Djiku
The Ghana international captained Strasbourg to a 2-2 draw at Nantes in the French Ligue 1.
Daniel Amartey
Amartey came off the bench to play the last 21 minutes for Leicester City as the Foxes drew 1-1 with Leeds United in the Premier League.
Joseph Aidoo
The ex-Inter Allies defender played at the heart of the defence for Celta de Vigo, who fought to draw 3-3 against Barcelona in La Liga.
Abdul Ismail Ganiyu
He captained and scored the opening goal for Kotoko in their 2-0 home win over Bechem United at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium on Sunday in the Ghana Premier League.
MIDFIELDERS
Edmund Addo
The new boy was in action for 90 minutes for Sheriff Tiraspol when they battered Zimbru Chisinau 6-0 on Saturday.
Thomas Partey
Thomas Partey was injured and missed Arsenal’s 1-0 win over Watford on Sunday.
Wakaso Mubarak
Wakaso’s club has not been involved in action over the weekend.
Kamaldeen Sulemana
The talented youngster started Rennais’ game against Olympique Lyon from the bench.
Daniel-Kofi Kyereh
The Accra-born was in action for 90 minutes for St Pauli in their 1-1 drawn game with Werder Bremen.
Abdul Fatawu Issahaku
He got on target for Dreams FC after scoring straight from a free-kick during a 3-1 win over Elmina Sharks.
Kudus Mohammed
Kudus started the game for Ajax but lasted only 63 minutes when they faced Go Ahead Eagles on Sunday night.
Baba Iddrisu Mohammed
He lasted 76 minutes for Real Mallorca when they drew 2-2 against Elche on Sunday afternoon.
FORWARDS
Jordan Ayew
The forward played just 2 minutes in Crystal Palace’s 2-0 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Andre Ayew
There was no action in the Qatari Star League this weekend.
Felix Afena-Gyan
The Sunyani-born attacker watched from the AS Roma bench when they lost 3-2 against Venezia on Sunday’s Serie A.
Benjamin Tetteh
The towering forward lasted 84 minutes for Yeni Malatyaspor in their 3-1 home reverse against Basaksehir.
Caleb Ekuban
The attacker was unused by Genoa in their 2-2 draw with Empoli on Friday in the Serie A in Italy.
Samuel Owusu
The winger lasted 74 minutes for Al-Feiha when they won 1-0 against Al Hazem.
Richmond Boakye-Yiadom
He came off the bench to play 23 minutes for Beitar Jerusalem in their 3-0 away win over Maccabi Pekta Tikva.
