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.
β²οΈFT"
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.
— Phobians – GPLChampionsπ π (@HeartsOfOakGH) November 5, 2021
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 π
Daniel Amartey's winner for Leicester was his first Premier League goal since December 2016 β 1540 days ago π² 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.
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.
Β‘LO EMPATAN!π₯
Daniel Amartey iguala el partido con el remate de cabeza tras el tiro de esquina
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.
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.
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)
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.
βWith Felix, he is a player who is not registered for the Conference League. But he is a player with qualities that we donβt have in the squad. Heβs a player who looks for opportunities that we donβt often try to exploit,β Mourinho said at the pre-match press conference on Wednesday.
βWe have a lot of players who want the ball at the feet; we donβt 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. Heβs aggressive in the spaces
βHe is a long, long way from being the finished product β 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.
βItβs 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.
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.
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.
π₯ It's a lovely Thursday, preparations ongoing.
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.
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.
![Bechem United intensify preparations to shock Asante Kotoko in Kumasi [pictures + video]](https://ashesgyamera.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/20211104_090251-768x384.jpg "Bechem United intensify preparations to shock Asante Kotoko in Kumasi [pictures + video]")
