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Video: Daniel Amartey scores first Europe League in seven years to save Leicester City from defeat

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.

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.

Daniel Amartey scores to save Leicester City from Europa League defeat

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.

¡LO EMPATAN!💥

Daniel Amartey iguala el partido con el remate de cabeza tras el tiro de esquina

#EuropaLeaguexFOX

Leicester City 1-1 Spartak Moskva

The goal was the Ghanaian’s first goal in three games in the competition this season.

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.

Video: Asante Kotoko train at Baba Yara Sports Stadium for the first time ahead of Bechem United clash

The Porcupine Warriors moved their training session from Adako Jachie to the Baba Yara Sports Stadium on Thursday

Asante Kotoko held their training session at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium for the first time since the stadium was closed down in March of 2020 for renovation works to begin.

Kotoko took the decision as they prepare to play their first home game of the season against Bechem United at the stadium after picking victory on opening day against Dreams FC at Accra Sports Stadium.

Head coach Prosper Narteh Ogum divided the Kotoko players into two and they played among themselves after going through some drills and shake ups.

Those in red bibs included goalkeeper Razak Abalora in post while Christopher Nettey, Patrick Asmah, Yussif Mubarik and Abdul Ganiu made up the back four.

Also, Mudasiru Salifu, Fabio Gama, Richmond Lamptey and Joseph Amoako made up the midfielders while Stephen Amankonah and Samuel Boateng led the attack.

Those in green bibs were made up of goalkeeper Kwame Baah in post, while Imoro Ibrahim, Andrew Appau, Maxwell Agyemang and Samuel Appiah were the defenders.

The midfielders were Richard Boadu ‘Agadas’, Sheriff Mohammed, Dickson Afoakwa and Isaac Oppong ‘Neymar’.

Cameroonian duo of Georges Mfegue and Mbella Etuoga Mbella led the attack for them.

It is likely that coach Ogum may start those in the red bibs on Sunday against Bechem United or make one or to changes. The team will train again at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium on Friday.

Kotoko will be meeting some old players like Augustine Okrah, Emmanuel Asante and Latif Anabila who will be playing for Bechem United.

BREAKING NEWS: Ghana coach Milovan Rajevac names 28-man to face Ethiopia and South Africa

The Serbian tactician has released the players he will use to face Walias Antelopes and Bafana Bafana

Ghana coach Milovan Rajevac has announced a 28-man squad that he will use to face Ethiopia and South Africa in the 2022 Fifa World Cup qualifiers at a press briefing in Accra on Thursday.

Notable among them include captain Andre Ayew and Jordan Ayew as well as Kamaldeen Sulemana.

Interestingly, AS Roma youngster Felix Afena-Gyan has been handed his madien call up following his recent performance in Serie A.

Also, FC Sheriff Tiraspol midfielder Edmund Addo has had his first call up following his consistent performance for the Moldovan giants in the Uefa Champions League.

Addo met Milovan a fortnight ago in Milan when Inter Milan hosted Sheriff in the Champions League.

Meanwhile, former Bechem United striker Richmond Boakye Yiadom has been called up to replace Joel Fameye while Spezia Calcio midfielder Emmanuel Gyasi has once again been overlooked.

Asante Kotoko defender Ismail Abdul Ganiu returns to the squad after missing the double header against Zimbabwe last month.

Full Ghana squad for Ethiopia and SA games

GOALKEEPERS
Joseph Wollacott(Swindon Town)
Lawrence Ati-Zigi ,(St.Gallen)
Manaf Nurudeen (Eupen)
Richard Attah (Hearts of Oak)

DEFENDERS
Andy Yiadom (Reading FC)
Philemon Baffour (Dreams FC)
Baba A. Rahman (Reading FC)
Gideon Mensah (Girondins B.)
Daniel Amartey (Leicester City)
Alexander Djiku (Strasbourg)
Joseph Aidoo (Celta Vigo)
Jonathan Mensah (Columbus Crew)
Ismail Abdul Ganiyu (Asante Kotoko)
MIDFIELDERS
Baba Idrissu (Real Mallorca)
Thomas Partey (Arsenal FC)
Mubarak Wakaso (Shenzhen F.C)
Edmund Addo (Sheriff Tiraspol)
Mohammed Kudus (Ajax Amsterdam)
Daniel Kofi Kyere (FC St. Pauli)

WINGERS
Andre Ayew. (Al Sadd SC)
Jordan Ayew (Crystal Palace)
Abdul F. Issahaku (Dreams FC)
Kamal D. Sulemana (Rennes)
Samuel Owusu (Al Fayha)

STRIKERS
Richmond Boakye Yiadom (Beitar Jerusalem)
Benjamin Tetteh (Yeni Malatyaspor)
Felix Afena Gyan (AS Roma)
Caleb Ekuban (Genoa)

Ghana’s 28-man squad

Jose Mourinho heaps praise on Ghanaian wonderkid Afena-Gyan ahead of Bodo/Glimit clash

The youngster has drawn positive comments from his boss as he misses their Uefa Conference League game on Thursday

AS Roma coach Jose Mourinho has lauded the qualities of young Ghanaian midfielder Felix Afena-Gyan ahead of their Uefa Conference League game against Bodo/Glimit on Thursday.

The 18-year-old was handed his debut in Serie A last week against Cagliari and once again featured in the derby against AC Milan. However, he wasn’t registered for the Conference League and Mourinho admits his absence will be felt.

“With Felix, he is a player who is not registered for the Conference League. But he is a player with qualities that we don’t have in the squad. He’s a player who looks for opportunities that we don’t often try to exploit,” Mourinho said at the pre-match press conference on Wednesday.

“We have a lot of players who want the ball at the feet; we don’t have many who look for the spaces to run into. I like him because of how he tries to run into space and how he works out on the pitch. How he presses. He’s aggressive in the spaces

“He is a long, long way from being the finished product – a long way from being a complete player and a long way from being the perfect player to start for a team like Roma. But he is a player that deserves to be worked with and deserves a chance to play.

“It’s good for him that he is training with us, just as it is good for other players.

Reports in the local media suggest that Afena-Gyan has been handed his maiden Ghana call up ahead of the 2022 Fifa World Cup qualifiers against Ethiopia and South Africa.

However, the reports add that Mourinho believes Roma should not allow the youngster to honour the invitation since it is too early for his development.

Breaking News: Former Kotoko midfielder Kwame Boahene retires from football

The former Porcupine Warriors midfielder last played for Asante Kotoko in 2019 and reports emerging from his camp suggest he will not be making a return to the game

Former Asante Kotoko and Medeama SC midfielder Kwame Boahene has reportedly retired from professional football at the age of 28, AshesGyamera.com understand.

Boahene has been without a club since leaving Kotoko in 2019, having made just handful appearances for the Kumasi-based giants before injuries cut his season short.

Why has Boahene retired?

The former Medeama and Liberty Professionals midfielder is believed to have said that he wants to venture into different things after injuries played a key role in his decision to retire.

Boahene is currently in Holland and he is expected to officially announce his next line of action.

How did Boahene start his career?

The attacking midfielder came through Liberty Professionals’ academy and made his professional debut for the club in 2012 at the age of 17. He went on to make 33 appearances over three years for the former Ghana Premier League side before he was bought by Medeama in 2016.

Boahene scored 16 times in his two seasons for the Yellow and Mauve before moving to Asante Kotoko in 2017/18 season for a fee around $50,000, and went on to win the FA Cup in 2017 as well as NC tournament in 2019.

Injuries soon started to affect Boahene at Kotoko and limited him to few game time. As a result,  he was unable to regain his place in the team and left out of the club’s new registered players for 2019/20 season.

He then traveled to Netherlands and after several consultations, he has opted to bring down the curtains.

Boahene was part of the Black Satellites (Ghana U20) squad that won silver medal at the 2013 Africa U20 Cup of Nations and bronze medal at FIFA U20 World Cup staged in Turkey in 2013.

Bechem United intensify preparations to shock Asante Kotoko in Kumasi [pictures + video]

The Hunters had a full house on Thursday as they fine tuned ahead of the top of the table clash on Sunday

Bechem United continued with their preparations for Sunday’s make or break encounter against Asante Kotoko in Ghana Premier League.

After being hit with health issues on Tuesday and Wednesday following the injection of COVID-19 vaccines, all the players of Bechem United showed signs of recovery and were present for the training session held at Presbyterian Senior High School in Bechem.

The Hunters are looking forward to make it two wins in a row after annihilating Medeama 4-0 at home last weekend.

Superstar Augustine Okrah was present and went through all the sessions without any issues just like Latif Anabila who also joined the club on loan from Kotoko last month.

Head coach Kassim Mingle led his players through drills and set pieces before they rehearsed portions of the tactics and formations they want to deploy for sunday’s game.

Kotoko, on the other hand, will hold their training on Thursday afternoon since they played a friendly game on Wednesday afternoon. The Porcupines defeated lower division side Future Stars 2-1 at the Adako Jachie training ground thanks to goals from Mbella and Clinton Opoku.

AKUFO-ADDO WILL DELIVER AFRICA PARA GAMES AND APC HEADQUARTERS SPORTS MINISTER ASSURES SAMSON DEEN.

The newly-elected President of African Paralympic Committee, Mr Samson Deen has paid a courtesy call on the Minister for Youth and Sports, Hon Mustapha Ussif at his office in Accra yesterday.

Mr Deen used the opportunity to express his sincerest gratitude and utmost appreciation to the Sector Minister for the support he gave him towards his aspiration to become the new Paralympic President on the continent.

He also thanked His Excellency Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo for approving his candidate and the best of assurances he gave him prior to the contest.

He also thanked all Ghanaians, from far and near, for their continuous prayers that ensured his victory.

The Minister also congratulated the President-elect and assured him of every support that he will need in the execution of his mandate and how the government of Nana Akufo-Addo has continously expressed the desire to promote and develop the least-financed sports in the country.

“I can assure you, His Excellency Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, President of the Republic is committed to seeing the least-financed sports grow and achieve laurels in Ghana, all geared towards the total promotion and development of sports.

With him for the courtesy call included the Deputy Minister of Youth and Sports, Hon. Evans Opoku Bobie who led the delegation to Rabat, Morocco to ensure the victory.

Others were the Chief Director of the Ministry of Youth and Sports, Alhaji Hafiz Adam, Director General of the National Sports Authority, Professor Peter Twumasi, Deputy Director (Technical), Mr Kwame Amponfi Jnr and some executive members of the Ghana National Paralympic Committee.

Nana Yaw Amponsah briefs Kotoko fans on Baba Yara Stadium return as they prepare to face Bechem United

The Reds chief has outlined to the supporters what is expected of them as they prepare to play their first home game of the season in Kumasi

Asante Kotoko chief executive officer Nana Yaw Amponsah has revealed his excitement to see the club play at Baba Yara Sports Stadium as they prepare to host Bechem United in Ghana Premier League on Sunday.

Following his appointment last year, the club opted to host their home games at the Accra Sports Stadium and later Len Clay Sports Stadium in Obuasi since Baba Yara Sports Stadium was under renovation.

As a result, the club failed to achieve its targets last season. However, they have been given the green light to return home after one year and seven months but it comes with obligations since they can’t allow a full capacity due to the COVID-19 protocols.

“We are all excited about the fact that we are going back to the Baba Yara Sports Stadium. Unfortunately, we have only 25 per cent at the moment but we need to prove to the government that we are capable of maintaining sanity and discipline at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium,” Amponsah said.

“I will urge all of us that even as we are going back to Baba Yara we are only capable of hosting 25 per cent of the capacity of the stadium with 10,000 people out of 40,000 so we should not waste the opportunity to remain at Baba Yara because if we go overboard we will have sanctions from the authorities and may have to move away from our home grounds from Babayara. I think nobody wants that.

“Then again, if we don’t maintain sanity, we don’t observe the protocols of the COVID-19 then we will have the government on our hails and at the end of the day, we will be able to justify that.

“We should be capable of maintaining law and older and therefore many more people to come to the stadium. I will plead with all of you in as much as we want to have all of you there we can’t because even with the full capacity of the stadium is allowed it can only be 40,000 in there and we have millions and millions of supporters.

“I will urge you that if you are not able to be at Baba Yara on Sunday we would prefer that if you able to come then support the team from home and wherever you are so that we can continue to convince the government that we are capable of observing the protocols and maintain good health and they will give us even an increased capacity going forward. So I will like to welcome you all once again to a new season, it going to be exciting,” he added.

Amponsah also shed light on the players and why he believes the core of the team is still intact to achieve something this season.

“We believe very much in this team,” he said.

“For instance, if you look at the old players – those who were there before this season – about 15 of them were all active in the first eleven during last season so it is not as if it’s a completely new team.

“The core of the last season’s team is there and we have introduced it with some qualities as well so we believe that the league is a marathon. We’ve just played one game out of the 34 so there are 33 more matches to go.”

“Kotoko haven’t built completely new team,” Nana Yaw Amponsah tells critics

The Porcupine Warriors chief has rejected suggestions that they have built completely a new squad following the arrival of about sixteen players

Asante Kotoko chief executive officer Nana Yaw Amponsah has refuted claims that the club may struggle to achieve its aims this season following the exit of several key players.

After Kotoko slipped off the pace in the Premier League last season and finishing as runners-up to rivals Hearts of Oak as well as reaching only the round of 16 in FA Cup, 12 players including captain Felix Annan and assistant captain Emmanuel Gyamfi left the club for various reasons.

Others including Augustine Okrah, Habib Mohammed, Wahab Adams and Naby Keita also moved out while sixteen players were signed to fill the void created.

Four new players started the opening day game against Dreams FC while the three substitutions made -Richard Boadu, Isaac Oppong and Dickson Afoakwa- were all new arrivals.


However, the CEO believes the core of the team is still intact and the decision to offload some of the players won’t affect the club’s progress despite now scrapping for an improved finish under new coach Prosper Narteh Ogum who took over from Portuguese manager Mariano Baretto.

“We believe very much in this team,” Amponsah said in an interview on Ceek.

“For instance, if you look at the old players – those who were there before this season – about 15 of them were all active in the first eleven during last season so it is not as if it’s a completely new team.

“The core of the last season’s team is there and we have introduced it with some qualities as well so we believe that the league is a marathon. We’ve just played one game out of the 34 so there are 33 more matches to go.

“But we are all excited about the fact that we are going back to the Baba Yara Sports Stadium. Unfortunately, we have only 25 per cent at the moment but we need to prove to the government that we are capable of maintaining sanity and discipline at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium,” he added.

Kotoko opened their season’s account with a 3-1 victory over Dreams FC last weekend. They will play their first home game at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium on Sunday for the first time in almost two years.