The Royals continued their fine form as they pipped the returnees in a five-goal thriller at the Accra Sports Stadium on Saturday
Legon Cities left it late to defeat Real Tamale United 3-2 on matchday two of Ghana Premier League at the Accra Sports Stadium on Saturday.
The two clubs came into the game from a similar situation as they both shared the spoils in their respective games on opening day. Legon frustrated defending champions Hearts of Oak to a 1-1 draw while R.TU also drew 1-1 with Great Olympics at home in their first league game after seven seasons in the lower tier.
It was Joseph Adjei who drew the first blood for Legon Cities by the 22nd minute after a nice build up.
However, David Abagna Sangna, who joined RTU from Ashanti Gold last month, pulled even for the Giants of the North by the half-hour mark.
After the break, Nat Akwah sent Legon in front again with a composed finish on the 56th minute before Jonah Attuquaye added another from the spot on 75th minute to make it 3-1 as the hosts looked to be home and dry.
However, Abagna scored another goal for R.T.U three minutes later from the spot to sent the game to an electric finish.
The visitors threw several men forward to push for the equaliser and at least snatch a point, however, Legon were resolute at the back as they held on to win their first game of the season.
Legon Cities have temporarily moved to the summit of the league log with four points. The remaining games of the week will be held on Sunday across six venues.
The Miners failed to make it two wins in a row as they shared the spoils at home against Karela United on Saturday
Ashanti Gold shared the spoils 1-1 with Karela United on matchday two of Ghana Premier League at the Len Clay Sports Stadium on Saturday.
After picking a narrow win on opening day against Techiman Eleven Wonders, Ashanti Gold were hoping to continue their their winning ways but they were pecked back in the first half.
Mohammed Humin Dafie scored the opening goal of the day by the 33rd minute for Karela but Ashanti Gold restored parity seven minutes later.
Isaac Opoku Agyemang scored from the spot by the 40th minute to cancel out Dafie’s opener as they two sides went to the break even.
However, after the break, chances were at the premium as neither Ashanti Gold not Karela could find an opening in the opponent’s box to score the winner.
Both clubs are without a defeat after two games as the Miners now have four points while Karela have two points.
The Porcupine Warriors boss has announced the squad whom he will rely on for victory against Bechem United on Sunday
Asante Kotoko coach Prosper Ogum Narteh has announced a 20-man squad to be used for Ghana Premier League top of the table clash against Bechem United on Sunday.
The squad is made up of two goalkeepers including deputy captain Razak Abalora and Kwame Baah.
Also, Cameroonian import George Mfegue Rodrigues has been called up to the team and could make his debut for the club after sealing a three-year deal last month.
Interestingly, only five players out of the squad – Ismail Abdul Ganiu, Imoro Ibrahim, Mudasiru Salifu, Kwame Baah, Christopher Nettey- have played at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium for Asante Kotoko before and this game would be the biggest test for the fifteen remaining players.
Although, players like Fabio Gama, Yussif Mubarik, Patrick Asmah and Razak Abalora joined the club last season, however, they couldn’t get the opportunity to play in Kumasi since the stadium was closed down for renovations in March, 2020.
The rest including Clinton Opoku, Isaac Oppong, Sheriff Mohammed, Dickson Afoakwa and Richard Boadu ‘Agadas’ only joined the club few weeks ago.
Kotoko come into the game on the back of a 3-1 away win over Dreams FC in Accra last weekend while Bechem also hammered Medeama 4-0 at home on opening day.
The game will serve as a home coming to players like Augustine Okrah, Emmanuel Asante and Latif Anabila who at one point in their careers were representing Asante Kotoko.
Okrah, who won Ghana Premier League topscorer and Best Player awards with Bechem United in 2013/14 season joined the club in a one-year deal.
He was on target on his second debut for the club as they hammered Medeama 4-0 at the Fosu Gyeabour Park last weekend.
The Phobians boss admits they have had a slow start to the season but believes his side will pick up very soon
Ghana Premier League champions Hearts of Oak have failed to win any of their first two games of the season but head coach Samuel Boadu believes things will change very soon.
The Phobians were held in a 1-1 stalemate by WAFA on Friday which adds to the home draw on opening day against Legon Cities.
Although, they are without a defeat after two games, pressure gradually looks like creeping in but Boadu believes his charges will correct the wrongs and return to winning ways after matchday four which leads them into the month of December.
“There is a little mistake that we need to correct it. The goal that we conceded, from the dugout, I could see that it was a misunderstanding or miscommunication that cost us for them to cancel that lead we took,” Boadu said.
“Not at all, There is nothing [like pressure] on me. I know myself, maybe from the fourth match going [in December] things will change.
“When Hearts of Oak start picking up, we will he unstoppable,” he added.
Samuel Boadu also revealed how they were able to match WAFA and score their first goal at the venue after failing in the last five seasons.
“Tactically they are very discipline, their tactical awareness is okay.
“They are very young, they run a lot but we strategized not to allow them to advance.
“Because whenever they cross the centre [line], the only thing that they do is, they fast game to advance, they won’t come back so we planned to lock them always when they get the ball they should send the ball back or always send to the wings and their wings too are blocked,” he added.
Hearts will host Aduana Stars next week before they travel to Len Clay Sports Stadium in Obuasi to face Ashanti Gold.
They will then welcome Berekum Chelsea to the Accra Sports Stadium and then switch their attention to continental assignment.
The Phobians will host Algerian club JS Souara in the playoffs of Caf Confederation Cup on November 28 before they travel to North Africa a week later for the reverse fixture.
The African Sports Centre for Data, Research and Technology (ASC) has launched the third edition of the Ghana Premier League Report on Thursday. The report, which focuses on consumer behaviour in relation to revenue opportunities, provides data and insight into Ghana’s elite topflight.
The virtual event is the first ever launch of the report, which is turns from an annual publication to a biennial release from this year.
“The GPL Report, which looks at consumer behaviour in relation to revenue opportunities in the Ghana Premier League, is very dear to us as it stands among our top contributions to the development of our elite league and indeed the greater socio-economic front as a nation,” ASC CEO Prince Narkortu Teye said in his welcome address.
“This year’s GPL Report stands as our most-capital intensive project we have undertaken in our history as a company, while making use of a record least number of days and data collectors during our time out in the field nationwide.
“It is our hope that all players of the football ecosystem and beyond harness this business intelligence report to the highest level, and use it as a guide to inform decisions and strategies in various ways.”
Among the key findings of the report, as presented by ASC Project Coordinator Ewurama Kakraba-Ampeh, was a registered high (60%) but decreased (14%) football interest among respondents, with males and millennials the most dominant of the interested group.
A slight decline (2%) in general awareness and a more significant fall (18%) in followership of the Ghana Premier League was recorded.
Asante Kotoko’s Brazilian playmaker Fabio Gama is the new star attraction of GPL, replacing Ghana legend Asamoah Gyan who emerged top of respondents’ choice in 2020, while less people (34%) would choose to watch a GPL game over a European league game, a contrast to the 2020 finding where majority of respondents (56%) preferred GPL.
In a series of updates provided by the company, the GPL Report becomes a biennial production with a release every two years, in a move which “allows enough time for planning in-between projects, allows for derivation of maximum value from each production and allows enough time between measurement of report parameters”.
Mr. Teye explained that “the decision to turn the GPL Report into a biennial publication will facilitate expansion plans of exploring other markets in Africa,” adding that “while there will consequently be no 2022 release, we have something even bigger in the pipeline in Ghana next year.
Also, the company announced an upcoming webinar with the Johan Cruyff Institute for Sport to “further explore findings of the GPL Report and its applied relevance to the Ghanaian football ecosystem”.
The full copy of the 2021 GPL Report can be download on the company website at:
The Ghanaian champions had a flying start in the maiden competition currently ongoing in Egypt
Ghana Women’s Premier League champions Hasaacas Ladies defeated Malabo Kings 3-1 in their first ever CAF Women’s Champions League game currently ongoing in Cairo, Egypt.
The Giants from the West controlled the game from the start to end and could’ve even run riot of they were ruthless upfront.
Evelyn Badu scored the opening goals for Hasaacas Ladies in the first half with a fine finish as she drilled her effort to the lower angle of the post before Perpetual Agyekum added another beauty of a goal in after the break from a corner kick.
Badu wrapped the day with the third goal through a header after Malabo pulled one back.
The Phobians have now failed to record their a win in their last three games in all competitions
Hearts of Oak shared the spoils 1-1 against West African Soccer Academy (WAFA) in matchday two of Ghana Premier League at the Red Bull Arena in Sogakope on Friday.
This results means that Hearts are winless in their last three games played in all competitions as they also lost 6-1 to Wydad Athletic Club of Morocco a fortnight ago in the Caf Champions League.
Hearts made two changes in their squad that played the first game as Ushau Abu was handed his debut while left back Raddy Ovouka returned from his injury relay to replace William Denkyi.
The two clubs came into the game following a contrasting result in the opening day of the campaign. WAFA lost narrowly in Kumasi to King Faisal while Hearts shared the spoils goalless at home against Legon Cities.
On the half hour mark, WAFA came close to open the scoring but goalkeeper Richard Attah provided a wonderful save to deny Lawrence Agyekum.
On the stroke of halftime, Kofi Kordzi capitalised on a WAFA defensive inefficiency and slotted in the opener to send the traveling supporters into a wild jubilation.
That goal took Kordzi’s tally to nine in 27 league games including his first stint with the club.
After the break, WAFA regained their rhythm and began to cause problems to the back four of Hearts. Samson Agyepong finally found a breach in the defence by the 59th minute to restore parity for the host.
The goal is the fourth Premier League goal for the youngster after making 29 appearances.
Although, Hearts exhausted all their substitution slots, they failed to break down a resilience WAFA defence for the match winner.
⏲️FT"
The referee brings the game to an end. We share the spoils. We fought but it wasn't enough to give us all three points. We move.
The Phobians, despite going unbeaten after two games, are also winless which will obviously lead to a lot of pressure on coach Samuel Boadu and his technical team.
The Phobians once again failed to record their first win of the season as their title defence continues in a poor style
Hearts of Oak shared the spoils 1-1 against West African Soccer Academy (WAFA) in matchday two of Ghana Premier League at the Red Bull Arena in Sogakope on Friday.
Hearts made two changes in their squad that played the first game as Ushau Abu was handed his debut while left back Raddy Ovouka returned from his injury relay to replace William Denkyi.
The two clubs came into the game following a contrasting result in the opening day of the campaign. WAFA lost narrowly in Kumasi to King Faisal while Hearts shared the spoils goalless at home against Legon Cities.
On the half hour mark, WAFA came close to open the scoring but goalkeeper Richard Attah provided a wonderful save to deny Lawrence Agyekum.
On the stroke of halftime, Kofi Kordzi capitalised on a WAFA defensive inefficiency and slotted in the opener to send the traveling supporters into a wild jubilation.
That goal took Kordzi’s tally to nine in 27 league games including his first stint with the club.
After the break, WAFA regained their rhythm and began to cause problems to the back four of Hearts. Samson Agyepong finally found a breach in the defence by the 59th minute to restore parity for the host.
The goal is the fourth Premier League goal for the youngster after making 29 appearances.
Although, Hearts exhausted all their substitution slots, they failed to break down a resilience WAFA defence for the match winner.
⏲️FT"
The referee brings the game to an end. We share the spoils. We fought but it wasn't enough to give us all three points. We move.
The Phobians, despite going unbeaten after two games, are also winless which will obviously lead to a lot of pressure on coach Samuel Boadu and his technical team.
With the Porcupine Warriors returning to their favorite home ground for the first time in almost two years, AshesGyamera.com’s editor-in-chief, Evans Gyamera-Antwi highlights how a vast majority of the players will play in front of the supporters
Asante Kotoko will host Bechem United in the second game of the season at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium on Sunday and this news of their arrival to the favorite ground has completely flipped the mood at from sombre to hopeful.
Apart from the three points at stake, there are other things that will make this game quite interesting. The club last played at this venue in March 2020 before it was closed down for renovations. Later, COVID-19 pandemic struck the world which halted the progress of the works.
However, it was officially opened in October by Youth and Sports minister Ussif Mustapha. Sooner rather than later, King Faisal, Kotoko’s local rivals, had the first bite of the refurbished stadium as they defeated WAFA 1-0 there last weekend.
On Thursday afternoon, Kotoko had the opportunity for the first time to have a feel of their one-time fortress as they fine tune for their much-anticipated homecoming. Head coach Prosper Narteh Ogum and his assistant coaches John Eduafo and Ocloo who will also be facing the home fans for the first time like many other players.
Ogum inspected the facility before quickly running out onto the training pitch for a 3pm training session with his new team that was focused primarily on tactics but also featured a lot of work with the ball.
In between drills, Ogum also briefly introduced the players to the stadium and promptly alerted them of what they should expect on Sunday before wrapping up the session with a practice match. The former WAFA boss is aware of the potential pitfalls of having a large squad, just as reiterated by chief executive officer Nana Yaw Amponsah few days ago, but he could use it to his advantage.
Goalkeeper Razak Abalora, who joined Kotoko last season from Azam FC in Tanzania and quickly became the first choice, is among the tall list of players who were part of the squad but never played at Baba Yara Stadium and in front of the home fans.
Kotoko had to adopt Accra Sports Stadium and later Len Clay Sports Stadium in Obuasi for their home games.
Also, defenders Yussif Mubarik and Andrew Appau who joined the club from Ashanti Gold and Bofoakwa Tano respectively last season, as well as Patrick Asmah who arrived as a free agent, will have a feel of what the stadium is made up of on Sunday.
Nana Yaw Amponsah during Baba Yara Sports Stadium reopening
Moreover, despite the incredible displays by Brazilian midfielder Fabio Gama during the last campaign, none of his jawbreaking performances took place in Kumasi. Gama needs to play ‘Kama’ to further win the hearts of supporters who will for the first time watch him closely from the comfort of their seats.
Emmanuel Keyekeh, Solomon Sarfo Taylor, Andy Kumi and Evans Adomako complete the list of old players who will be hoping to make their debut appearance at the Baba Yara Stadium after joining the club last season.
Aside the aforementioned players, there are sixteen others who recently arrived following a massive shake up by the club’s top hierarchy. They include goalkeeper Yakubu Abdul Rafiu who arrived from WA Suntaa as well as youngster Isaac ‘Neymar’ Oppong who joined from lower division side Bectaro Sasana in Sunyani.
The rest are Augustine Agyapong, Charles Owusu, Samuel Appiah, Maxwell Agyemang, Richard Boadu ‘Agadas’, Joseph Amoako and Clinton Opoku.
Again, Richmond Lamptey who signed a three-year deal with Kotoko from Inter Allies will likely play his first game in Kumasi this weekend.
Dickson Afoakwa, Sherrif Mohammed, Mfeuge George Rodrigues, Etuoga Mbella Frank Thierry, Samuel Boateng and Stephen Amankonah are the rest of new players who may be handed the chance to taste Baba Yara.
Will the new players feel comfortable against Bechem who are also coming to Baba Yara Stadium with familiar faces like Augustine Okrah, Emmanuel Asante and Latif Anabila?
The Ghanaian was on target to save the blushes of the Foxes at home against the Russian side in the Europa League
Ghana defender Daniel Amartey was on target when Leicester City shared the spoils 1-1 with Russian giants Spartak Moscow in the Uefa Europa League on Thursday.
With Leicester badly in need of all points at stake, the English side failed to capitalize on the few chances that came their way.
After the break, former Chelsea midfielder Victor Moses shot Spartak in front after he combined with Mikhali Ignatov by the 51st minute.
However, Amartey headed Leicester level seven minutes later following a flick from a teammate Ayoze Perez.
An unlikely hero emerges 🙌
Daniel Amartey's winner for Leicester was his first Premier League goal since December 2016 – 1540 days ago 😲 pic.twitter.com/wLnyRSzFLj
Jamie Vardy had the chance to win the day for Leicester City after he came on for Zambia international Patson Daka. However, Vardy surprisingly saw his penalty kick saved by Spartak goalkeeper.
The goal from Amartey was the Ghanaian’s first goal in three games in the competition this season and the first since he scored for Copenhagen in 2014.
The results means that Leicester are now third on the group C log with five points. They are now two points behind leaders Napoli with two games left to be played.
Amartey has been named in Ghana’s squad to face Ethiopia and South Africa in the 2022 Fifa World Cup qualifiers next week and he is expected in the country after the league games over the weekend.
