The former Black Stars midfielder has insisted that he disagrees with the assertion that the country currently lacks quality players to win trophies
Former Ghana and Udinese midfielder Emmanuel Agyemang Badu has rejected suggestions that the Black Stars lack quality players.
Following the retirement of the golden generation which included Stephen Appiah, Michael Essien, Sulley Muntari and Asamoah Gyan, Ghana have struggled to win games as well as outplayed their opponents.
And a section of Ghanaians have argued that the Black Stars lack quality players since the current crop of players are not up to the standard.
However, Agyemang Badu believes that is not the case since Ghana still has players like Kamaldeen Sulemana (Stade Rennes), Kudus Mohammed (Ajax), Emmanuel Gyasi (Spezia), Jordan Ayew (Crystal Palace), Daniel Amartey (Leicester City).
“I don’t side with those claiming Ghana does not have quality players. We have the players but the key point is that there isn’t teamwork,” Agyemang Badu said.
“If you have players in the Serie A, Bundesliga, French Ligue 1 and Premier League and still claim the Black Stars lack quality, then, I don’t understand
“All that the Black Stars is lacking is teamwork and it is up to the coaches to solve that issue. If there is cohesion among the players, people will be surprised with the kind of game Ghana will be playing going forward,” he added.
Ghana will host Zimbabwe in the 2022 Fifa World Cup qualifiers against Zimbabwe on Saturday at the Cape Coast Sports Stadium and the return fixture has been scheduled for October 12 in Harare.
The Black Stars sit second in Group G of the qualifiers with three points after defeating Ethiopia at home and suffering a narrow defeat against South Africa last month.
The Moroccan giants will arrive in Ghana without their influential player after he sealed a deal outside the country
Wydad Athletic Club captain Walid El Karti has signed a three-year deal with Egyptian Premier League side Pyramids FC, the two clubs have confirmed.
The 27-year-old, who had risen through the ranks of the club to become the captain, left them on few days ahead of their first game in the Caf Champions League.
WAC, unlike Hearts of Oak who played Guinean side CI Kamsar, were drawn bye in the preliminary round.
According to reports in Morocco, Karti’s move to Pyramids cost the Egyptian club around $1.6 million.
Hearts will host WAC at the Accra Sports Stadium on October 22 and the return fixture has been scheduled to take place a week later in Casablanca.
Karti helped Wydad Athletic Club to win four Moroccan Batola League titles, one Caf Champions League trophy and a Caf Super Cup after in eight years with the club.
He was also part of the Morocco national team that won the 2018 and 2020 African Nations Championships (CHAN) titles.
He is now ranked one of the top highest African players plying their trade on the continent.
Karti’s unavailability means that WAC have now seen two of their top players missing the game since youngster Salaheddine Benyachou has also been ruled out after he underwent a surgery this week.
The former Black Stars striker has advised the beleaguered forward on what to do to return to his fine scoring form after going almost 50 games without a goal
Former Ghana striker Prince Tagoe has advised Jordan Ayew on his movements during games in order to start scoring for Ghana and Crystal Palace in the Premier League.
Ayew, 30, has failed to score for both club and country after almost 50 games and has come under severe criticisms. He scored only a goal last season for Palace and has been fluffing opportunities in the Premier League.
Last week, the spokesperson for the Ayew brothers, Fiifi Tackie, defended the Crystal Palace forward that although he has not been scoring goals, his general contributions to the club and country have been immense and critics should also factor that in their assessments.
“Jordan Ayew is more of a team player than an individual player”, he told Happy FM.
“He doesn’t see anything wrong if he tries to assist than to score. Assess Jordan Ayew by his contribution on the pitch it is why Patrick Vieira will continue to use him,” he added.
However, Tagoe believes if Jordan doesn’t score in games, he should bear in mind that it amounts to not performing well.
“I spoke to Jordan Ayew some years back and he took my advice and everybody knew what he did. He should have it in mind that if he doesn’t score in a game then he didn’t perform,” Tagoe told Happy FM.
“He should focus on scoring and not holding onto the ball for long. He shouldn’t drop deep but stay at the attacking areas and concentrate on scoring,” he added.
Ayew is expected to start against Zimbabwe on Saturday at the Cape Coast Sports Stadium in the 2022 Fifa World Cup qualifiers despite his troubles.
Reports from Cape Coast have revealed that Ayew will be used on the wings by new Ghana coach Milovan Rajevac unlike the position he was deployed by former coach Charles Kwablah Akonnor.
The Black Stars will now have the luxury to have a full house for the return leg of the Fifa World Cup next week in Harare following a decision by the United Kingdom’s top hierarchy
Ghana coach Milovan Rajevac has been handed a major boost to defeat Zimbabwe both home and away in the 2022 Fifa World Cup qualifiers following a decision by the United Kingdom’s top hierarchy.
The UK government in February issued a new travel measures to visitors from 17 African nations including Zimbabwe and South Africa who are intending to travel to the country that they will be quarantined for 10 days in one of the government-approved hotels and will have to pay for themselves during their stay. Travelers will also foot a bill not less than $100 per night.
This as a result, led to several Ghanaian players including Jordan Ayew, Baba Rahman, Daniel Amartey and Jeffrey Schlupp ruled out of the game against South Africa in Johannesburg last month since their clubs didn’t want them to be quarantined after the international break. Their absence hugely affected Ghana the Black Stars narrowly lost to the Bafana Bafana.
Similar situation was likely to happen as Zimbabwe were preparing to host Ghana on October 12 in Harare after they play the first leg of the qualifiers in Cape Coast this weekend.
However, the UK government has confirmed that Zimbabwe will be out of the red list on Monday, October 11 just a day before the game with the Black Stars.
This means that if Ghana arrives in Harare on Monday, Key players like Daniel Amartey, Abdul Baba Rahman, Andy Yiadom and Jordan Ayew and Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey are expected not to miss the game and will not be quarantined upon arrival in UK
Also, other players like Daniel Kofi Kyereh and Kamaldeen Sulemana who plays in Germany and with Stade Rennes in France respectively are also safe to be part of the game.
Zimbabwe team manager Wellington Mpandare confirmed that their four UK-based players will play both home and away games with Ghana and will not have any issues with COVID-19 protocols. They include Nakamba, Zemura, Brendan Galloway, and Tendayi Darikwa.
“Zimbabwe will move off the red list at 4 am Monday 11 October. If you arrive in England before then, you need to follow the red list rules,” he said.
Ghana will host Zimbabwe at the Cape Coast Sports Stadium on Saturday, October 9, 2021 and the kick off has been scheduled at 16h00 GMT.
Below are the 17 Africa countries named in the red zone by UK government and travelers would need to be quarantined for ten days:
• Angola
• Botswana
• Burundi
• Cape Verde
• DRC
• Eswatini
• Lesotho
• Malawi
• Mauritius
• Mozambique
• Namibia
• Rwanda
• Seychelles
• South Africa
• Tanzania
• Zambia
• Zimbabwe
Ghana currently sit in second place in the Group G table with three points, one point behind South Africa following a win against Ethiopia and a defeat to Bafana Bafana.
The midfielder exchanged words with his coach at training earlier today following a bust up and things could’ve turned sour if he wasn’t restrained by teammates
Ghana midfielder Kevin-Prince Boateng was involved in a heated argument and exchange of words with the head coach of Hertha Berlin Pal Dardai during training – similar to what the midfielder did to Black Stars trainer Kwesi Appiah at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
Top players of the Bundesliga side had to intervene to separate the controversial football superstar from coach Pal Dardai to prevent the heated exchange of words from degenerating into an exchange of blows during the training.
In an unpleasant replay of what happened in the Ghana camp at the 2014 World Cup that severely affected the Black Stars at the tournament seven years ago, the controversial footballer re-enacted the incident in Brazil by verbally questioning the decisions of the coach in front of all the other players during training which led to the stand-off.
Boateng’s action of questioning the authority of the coach elicited a response from coach Dardai, who was keen on stamping his authority over the training session, leading to the prolonged exchange of words.
The reason for the outburst by the Ghanaian player was a goal he scored, which coach Dardai who was also action as the referee for the training session, ruled out back due to the offside position of Boateng.
The verbal back and forth between the two lasted a few seconds, in which striker Davie Selke tried to act as a peacemaker, without success.
The incident came as a shock for all the onlookers of the incident because Dardai personally called for the signing of the midfielder in the summer to boost Hertha despite some doubts by some members and supporters of the struggling Berlin club because of his fitness and questionable disciplinary record.
The verbal exchanges between the two is the sign of nervousness in Hertha Berlin after a shaky start to the season which has left them in the fourteenth position in the Bundesliga with six points in matches.
In incident occurred on Tuesday at 4 p.m. – the first training day of the week at the training ground. With pouring rain, the national team players were missing because they had joined their international team -mates for national team matches.
In the final training game halfway through the field, “referee” Dardai whistles back a Boateng goal for offside. The star doesn’t like that at all! He talks to his coach and doesn’t want to calm down.
Dardai interrupts the game and whistles for a water break. But Boateng doesn’t think about a break and continues with the verbal exchanges with Dardai from several meters away.
Teammate Davie Selke (26) intervenes and tries to calm Boateng down. Without success!Interestingly, Boateng played with Dardai at the same club from 2005 to 2007 and the latter is not the coach of the club.
The incident brings back the incident for the 2014 World Cup incident in the Ghana camp where Boateng clashed with coach Kwesi Appiah that led to the sacking of the midfielder from the Black Stars camp in Brazil.
Boateng was said to have rained unprintable insults on coach Kwesi Appiah right in front of the Black Stars players during their training at the World Cup.
Appiah broke down in teras over the insults he was subjected to and this was said to have led to the indiscipline in the Black Stars camp which subsequently led to the sacking of Boateng from the Black Stars camp together with Sulley Muntari who physically attacked a Black Stars management committee member.
Boateng’s exchange of words with Hertha Berlin coach captured word for word Boateng in the direction of Dardai: “Oh, don’t we discuss bad decisions? No? Do you allow everything?
“Dardai to Boateng: “I am a referee. Why are you arguing with me?
“Boateng: “Then whistle for us!
Dardai: “I don’t whistle for you.
“Boateng: “Yes, yes. If we’re always quiet, don’t whistle for us.
“Dardai: “Yes, but the second time offside, I can’t not whistle. As simple as that!
“Boateng: “It’s not that easy …
“Dardai: “Yes!
“Boateng: “If we are always calm, it is clear that you always whistle against us.
“The hotheads then part ways and the session continues as normal
The Porcupine Warriors boss has officially announced the players that will travel to the Gulf region for the pre-season tour
Asante Kotoko head coach Prosper Ogum Narteh has announced a 25-man squad that will travel to United Arab Emirates for the club’s pre-season tour ahead of the start of the 2021/23 Ghana Premier League season.
Two goalkeepers Razak Abalora and Kwame Baah made the squad which means that youngster Danlad Ibrahim who is currently with the Black Stars for international duties will be left behind.
New players Clinton Opoku, Richard Boadu, Samuel Appiah, Maxwell Agyemang, Augustine Agyapong, Joseph Amoako, Samuel Boateng made the squad.
The others include Richmond Lamptey, Dickson Afoakwa and Sherrif Mohammed, who will join old faces like Fabio Gama, Christopher Nettey and Imoro Ibrahim.
Kotoko are expected to depart Accra on Thursday evening and return on October 22 before Ghana Premier League kicks off a week a later.
Kotoko are expected to play at least two friendly games in UAE with unnamed clubs to enable coach Ogum to assess his players and select his first team for the new season.
The youngster has secured a deal with the Porcupine Warriors and will remain at Baba Yara Sports Stadium until 2024
Asante Kotoko have announced the signing of midfielder Joseph Amoako from Division Two side Young Red Bull FC, the two clubs have confirmed.
Amoako, 18, signed a three-year deal with Kotoko on Thursday together with forward Dickson Afoakwa after the duo passed their medical.
“We’re delighted to announce the signing of young talented midfielder Joseph Amoako on a three-year deal from Young Red Bull FC,” a club statement read.
𝑳𝒐𝒗𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕, 𝑭𝑨𝑩𝑼𝑳𝑶𝑼𝑺 𝒇𝒂𝒏𝒔!!🤩
📝 We're delighted to announce the signing of young talented midfielder Joseph Amoako on a three-year deal from Young Red Bull FC
Amoako is expected to join the senior team after their trip to United Arab Emirates.
He has now become the eleventh signing this season after Dickson Afoakwa, Augustine Agyapong, Sheriff Mohammed and Samuel Appiah, Clinton Opoku, Richmond Lamptey, Maxwell Agyemang, Samuel Boateng, Isaac Oppong and Richard Boadu.
The Porcupine Warriors have sealed a deal with the forward after meeting the expectations of the technical team during his two-week trial
Asante Kotoko have announced the signing of winger Dickson Afoakwa on Thursday ahead of the start of the new season.
The 26-year-old signed a three-year contract with Kotoko after impressing the club’s technical and management team during his trial.
Afoakwa joins Kotoko from his short stint in South Africa where he played for Premier Soccer League side Stellenbosch.
“DEAL DONE: We have completed the signing of winger Dickson Afoakwa. The offensive player joins as a free agent on a three-year deal,” a Kotoko statement read.
Dickson Afoakwa was born in Kumasi and started his professional career Cornerstones FC in the Ghana Division One League until 2016.
He later joined Dinamo Brest before signing for South African Stellenbosch in 2019.
Afoakwa has become the tenth player Asante Kotoko have signed this season. The others are Richard Boadu, Samuel Appiah, Richmond Lamptey, Maxwell Agyemang, Clinton Opoku and Stephen Boateng and Sherrif Mohammed.
Kotoko will travel to United Arab Emirates on Thursday to continue their preparations for the new season. They are expected to spend two weeks in the Gulf region and will return to the country on October 22.
The world’s football governing body has given Ghana the green light to allow a certain number of spectators to watch the Black Stars’ game against the Warriors on Saturday
Ghana Football Association has received an approval letter from Fifa to allow 4,000 spectators in the 2022 Fifa World Cup qualifying game against Zimbabwe on Saturday.
Although, Ghana had 20,000 spectators around when they played against Ethiopia, earlier reports suggested that the game could be played behind closed doors due to Covid-19 scare.
“Through the hard work and negotiating prowess of the Ghana Football Association, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and FIFA have approved Ghana’s request to admit spectators for Saturday’s Group G FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 qualifier against Zimbabwe,” a Ghana FA statement read.
“CAF has approved Four Thousand (4,000) spectators for the match – an improvement over the 2,250 spectators which was approved for last month’s opener against Ethiopia.
“Per this directive, the Safety and Security Officer of the GFA, Julius Ben Emunah shall together with all the relevant stakeholders i.e., Ministry of Youth and Sports, National Sports Authority, the Security Agencies and the COVID-19 Officer, Dr. Christine Baah ensure strict adherence of the CAF/FIFA COVID-19 protocols.
“The GFA advise Ghanaians to obey all the Protocols strictly to first and foremost have a successful match and also to avoid any sanctions from CAF and FIFA.
“The Group G encounter between Ghana and Zimbabwe will kick off at 1600GMT on Saturday, October 9, 2021,” the statement added.
Ghana sit second in Group G with three points, one point behind South Africa who will also play Ethiopia in the other group game.
The Porcupine Warriors new skipper has expressed his delight for the honour bestowed him to lead the new era of the club
Asante Kotoko defender Ismail Abdul Ganiu has expressed his excitement following the club’s decision to name him the new captain ahead of the start of 2021/22 Ghana Premier League season.
Ganiu, who joined Kotoko from Karela United in 2018 in a three-year deal, signed a new contract on Wednesday which will see him through to 2025 at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium.
Ganiu’s new contract with Kotoko
And with the club’s former captain Felix Annan and assistant captain Emmanuel Gyamfi now free agents following the mutual termination of their contracts, the technical team led by new coach Prosper Ogum Narteh has confirmed Ganiu as the new leader of a new era.
“Another platform to enjoy the teaming support of the Red Army and most importantly putting on the famous Red shirt,” Ganiu posted on his official Twitter page.
“I also take this opportunity to wholeheartedly accept the new responsibility placed on me as a leader,” he added.
Another platform to enjoy the teaming support of the Red Army and most importantly putting on the famous Red shirt.I also take this opportunity to whole heartedly accept the new responsibility placed on me as a leader. @AsanteKotoko_SC ❤️ pic.twitter.com/3VRmJ4Qvnr
According to AshesGyamera’s sources, midfielder Mudasiru Salifu will be the first deputy captain while goalkeeper Razak Abalora takes over as the second assistant captain when the duo are unavailable.
Kotoko are currently in Accra to continue with their pre-season. They are expected to depart Ghana for United Arab Emirates on Thursday for a two-week tour and arrive in the country on October 22.
They will play their first league match of the season against Dreams FC in Dawu on October 31 before they host Bechem United in their first home game at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium a week later.
PLAYERS LIKELY TO TRAVEL TO UAE:
Goalkeepers: Razak Abalora, Kwame Baah, Danlad Ibrahim
Defenders: Ismail Ganiu, Ibrahim Imoro, Christopher Nartey, Andrew Kwaku Apau, Samuel Appiah, Sheriff Mohammed,
Midfielders: Richard Boadu, Isaac Oppong , Clinton Opoku, Samuel Boateng, Fabio Gama, Patrick Asmah, Yussif Mubarik, Emmanuel Keyekeh, Mudasiru Salifu, Richmond Lamptey,
Strikers:
Maxwell Agyemang, Francis Andy Kumi, Evans Adomako, Solomon Sarfo Taylor, Dickson Afoakwa
