The former Black Stars squad member cannot see the pecking order between the sticks at the national team level currently since he believes the Phobian shot-stopper stands tall
Former Aduana Stars goalkeeper Stephen Adams believes that Hearts of Oak goalkeeper Richard Attah should definitely starts as number one” for Ghana ahead of the 2022 Fifa World Cup qualifiers against Zimbabwe.
First choice goalkeeper Richard Ofori has been ruled out of the game due to injuries and according to Adams, the rest of the goalkeepers -Danlad Ibrahim, Ati-Zigi – called for the game are good but Attah has special qualities ahead of them.
“I would say Richard Atta should start for the team in the current call-up not because he is my friend but checking his current statistics he is performing and has started well in the Champions League,” Adams told Ghanasportspage in an interview.
“For now Richard Atta is the number one goalkeeper in Ghana. His height, form and everything concerning him count.”
“He is like my junior brother. He always comes to my house and train with me but not because of this I am choosing him to start over the other goalkeepers.
“There were only two keepers who had a stunning performance last season in Ghana Premier League. I mean Richard Atta and the Hearts of Oak goalkeeper who spent last season on loan at Anyinase based Karela United, Richard Baidu. He had an incredible performance for the first time as a Premier League goalkeeper”
“They learn from me whilst walking with them. They are learning from those that have made it before.
Attah was an integral part of the Hearts of Oak squad that won the 2020/21 Ghana Premier League title as well as the FA Cup.
He had a wonderful game in the Caf Champions League preliminary round fixture against CI Kamsar of Guinea. He is expected to replicate that feat against Wydad Athletic Club from Morocco on October 22 in the fight for a place in the group stage.
The youngster became the first-ever Ghanaian player to score a goal in the group stage of the competition after coming on as a second half substitute
Ghana midfielder Kamaldeen Sulemana made history on Thursday evening as he became the first and only Ghanaian player to score a goal in the group stage of the Uefa Conference League.
The 21-year-old was on target when ten-man Stade Rennes defeated Dutch club Vittesse Arhemn 2-1 at the Gelredome Stadium in Netherlands to push up in Group G.
Sulemana was a second half substitute after coming on for Benjamin Bourigeaud but he turned out to be the match winner with a very fine finish.
Maximilian Wittek gave Vittesse Arhemn the lead by the half hour mark but Sehrou Guirassay levelled the score for Rennes by the 54th minute through a penalty.
Sulemana then added the winning goal by the 70th minute after latching onto a pass from Loum Tchaouna.
Although, Sulemana played only 45 minutes in the game, he was able to leave a mark as he had 18 touches in the game and won 4/7 of the ground duels.
Also, he won one foul and had 3/4 successful dribbles. The youngster also had three shots, which one was on target and eventually resulted into the goal while another was denied by the woodwork.
He made his debut in the competition against Rosenberg in August when they won 2-0 to aid their progress in the competition.
Sulemana is expected to arrive in Ghana next week after he was named among the Black Stars squad to play Zimbabwe in the 2022 Fifa World Cup qualifiers by new coach Milovan Rajevac.
Ghana will host Zimbabwe at the Cape Coast Sports Stadium on October 5 before the return fixture takes place in Harare four days later.
The Phobians risk playing their remaining home games in the Caf Champions League outside Accra Sports Stadium due to the terrible nature of the pitch
Confederation of African Football (CAF) has fined Ghana’s sole representative in Champions League, Hearts of Oak $5,000 due to the poor nature of the Accra Sports Stadium during their game against Guinean side CI Kamsar.
According to Caf, the standard of the pitch was below the expectations which made it difficult for both Hearts and Kamsar to exhibit good football in the preliminary round fixture.
With Hearts now preparing to host Moroccan giants Wydad Athletic Club on October 22 at the same venue, Caf has warned Hearts to improve the quality of the pitch or the game will be move out of Accra.
If Hearts are unable to meet the requirements of Caf, it is likely the game will be moved to the Cape Coast Sports Stadium since that was the alternative home ground the Phobians chose before the start of the competition.
Cape Coast has been hosting Ghana’s games in the 2022 Fifa World Cup qualifiers and it was the same venue where the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers were held.
In other related news, three Hearts of Oak players – Caleb Amankwah, Robert Addo Sowah and Raddy Ovouka- who had personal issues to settle sought for permission and we’re granted five(5) days off from training but the three defenders returned on Thursday morning for training.
The trio started the game against Guinean side CI Kamsar in the preliminary round of the Champions League and their return has been a good news to coach Samuel Boadu.
Meanwhile, midfielder Gladson Awako will likely miss the first leg of the clash against Wydad Athletic Club. The 30-year-old is expected to begin training next week after he was spotted doing personal training at home last week.
Hearts of Oak last reached the group stage of the competition in 2000 where they became the eventual winners that season.
Fast rising Ghanaian midfielder Edmund Addo has shed light on his rise to fame as a footballer following his heroic display this week against Real Madrid in the Uefa Champions League.
The 22-year-old helped Moldova giants FC Sheriff Tiraspol to stun Real Madrid 2-1 at home and that win has gotten the whole world talking about his style of play and disciplinary actions on and off the ball.
FMIG: Hello Edmund. Thanks for your time and congrats for your performance in the UCL so far.
EA: Hi. It’s a pleasure talking to you and thanks for congratulating me. I hope to do better than what you have seen so far.
FMIG: Which part of Ghana do you come from and where did you start playing football?
EA: I come from the Greater Accra Region of Ghana. Precisely, Korle Gonna. I started playing football with Mighty Cosmos. It’s a colts club at Korle Bu.
FMIG: Which clubs did you play for in Ghana before moving out?
EA: I played and did trial for several clubs such as Aduana Stars, Bechem United, Attram Di Visser and my mother club Mighty Cosmos.
FMIG: How come none of these sides saw the huge talent in you which you are now showing to the world?
EA: Well, maybe they felt I was just wasting my time. Maybe they didn’t believe in me.
FMIG: How did you get to Europe to start playing football?
EA: I was scouted through the ArthurLegacy Scouting Tournaments. That was the breakthrough. That was the beginning of God answering my prayers.
FMIG: Any challenges encountered in Europe with your career?
EA: Hmmmm [pauses and smiles] … A lot. I faced a lot of challenges as a fresh player in Europe including the weather, language, salaries, coaches decisions and choices but now am used to the system and very focused with my career. I don’t have such challenges any longer.
Addo and Toni Kroos
FMIG: How many clubs have you played for in Europe and where will you say is your best club?
EA: Professionally, I played for FK Senica and currently with FC Sheriff Tiraspol. My Current team is my best club now.
FMIG: You were part of those who qualified Sheriff Tiraspol to the UEFA CL. How did you feel after that qualification?
EA: Well I felt very happy, glad and favoured by God to be part of FC Sheriff’s UEFA Champions League history.
FMIG: You are one of the few Ghanaian players to have played in the UEFA CL. How proud are you with this achievement?
Addo and Karim Benzema in action
EA: Oh! I feel good and blessed as well. It’s every players’ dream to play in the UCL. So am really excited. I consider myself a lucky player. Wow, you are just telling me about this but if I’m part of the few who have traveled that far, I should be happy.
FMIG: You helped your side to beat Shaktar Donetsk 2-0 in your first game. Is that your biggest game of your career?
EA: At that time, yes it was. But definitely there can’t be any bigger game than playing against Real Madrid. I enjoyed playing against Real Madrid.
FMIG: Every player obviously plays for bigger opportunities. Where do you want to be in the next few years?
EA: Wow! In the next few years, I want to be among and with the biggest clubs in Europe. I also want to see myself playing for my childhood club Manchester United.
FMIG: Your appearance in the UEFA CL has made you a talking point in Ghana. Have you been following Ghana football?
EA: Yes I do I follow my country’s football because of friends and colleagues participating.
FMIG: Which team do you support in Ghana?
EA: Well in Ghana I support the best team which will emerge victorious at the end of every season.
FMIG: So you support Hearts? They just won every club trophy in Ghana.
EA: [Giggles] … well, I support the best.
FMIG: Every player dreams of playing for their national team. Do you also have the same dream?
EA: Well if I get the chance, why not? I’ll be fine though if I don’t the chance. It will depend on my performance.
FMIG: In recent times, some players have declined playing for the Ghana national team. Why do you think when some players play in Europe, they don’t want to play for their national teams?
EA: Wow! For that, I don’t know for them. I can’t think for them. If I were the one, perhaps I could give some reasons.
FMIG: What do you want to achieve this season in football?
EA: Definitely I want to win awards for myself and club. I want to win the league title or finish in a good position. Will love to finish in a good position in the UCL and any individual award will also be good.
FMIG: Thanks for your time Edmund. We are much grateful for this interview.
EA: You are always welcome. I have enjoyed this ‘convo.’ Please let me take this opportunity to thank the management of ArthurLegacy Sports and CEO Mr. Oliver Arthur for believing in me and also giving me the opportunity to show the world what I have in me as a footballer, and also not forgetting the management of Mighty Cosmos my colts club. Thank you.
FMIG: It’s a pleasure Eddie. We’ll have time for a proper one-on-one since you are a bit engaged now. Take care and get ready for The Big Interview.
The body selected by the football association to see to it befitting venues will be used for the upcoming season has rejected 33 centres
The Club Licensing Committee of the Ghana Football Association has announced its decisions on match venues submitted by Division One League Clubs with respect to the infrastructure criteria for their respective License application processes.
The decisions were taken based on the reports received from the Club Licensing Manager from the inspection visits across the various venues.
The Club Licensing Committee was not satisfied with the reports of all the venues submitted. However, five venues namely; WAFA Park, Aliu Mahama Stadium, Cape Coast, Len Clay Stadium and the Samartex Park have been granted CONDITIONAL APPROVAL pending the correction of and or repair of defects as stated in the inspection reports by October 29, 2021.
Meanwhile, five Clubs, namely; NZEMA KOTOKO FC, UNCLE T UNITED FC, TEMA YOUTH FC, TUDU MIGHTY JETS FC and NANIA FC have had both their main and alternative venues REJECTED and have until Friday, October 8, 2021 to submit a new venue for the consideration of the committee.
Additionally, 28 clubs have also had either Main or Alternative Venues CONDITIONALLY REJECTED pending a re – inspection to ascertain the status of recommendations as instructed in the decisions of the Club Licensing Committee.
The Club Licensing Committee shall be making final decisions on the venues after the final inspection on October 29, 2021 for Division One League Clubs.
The decisions on the match venues shall be final for the period of the first round. The Club Licensing Committee shall only review decisions of the match venues to update the venue list before the start of the second round.
Meanwhile, several home grounds for Premier League clubs including Baba Yara and Accra Sports Stadium have been rejected by the club licensing committee. This means that Asante Kotoko, King Faisal, Hearts of Oak, Accra Lions and Great Olympics stand the risk of playing away from their various home grounds unless the situation is rectified later by Ghana FA.
The Phobians have been handed a major boost as they prepare to face the Moroccan giants next month
Ghana’s sole representative in the Caf Champions Hearts of oak have been handed a major boost ahead of their Caf Champions League clash with Wydad Athletic Club from Morocco next month.
Three players -Caleb Amankwah, Robert Addo Sowah and Raddy Ovouka- who had personal issues to settle sought for permission and we’re granted five(5) days off from training.
However, the three defenders returned on Thursday morning for training and Hearts thus had a full house.
The trio started the game against Guinean side CI Kamsar in the preliminary round of the Champions League and their return has been a good news to coach Samuel Boadu.
Meanwhile, midfielder Gladson Awako will likely miss the first leg of the clash against Wydad Athletic Club on October 22. The 30-year-old is expected to begin training next week after he was spotted doing personal training at home last week.
Hearts are expected to play a friendly match against Tema Youth Football Club at the St. Thomas Aquinas school park on Saturday to continue their fine tuning.
A Kumasi High Court has granted an order to FREDCO FD Company Limited, a sub-contractor of the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA), to sell the Assembly’s administration building to defray a judgement debt of almost GH¢5 million.
In 2016, FREDCO FD obtained a similar order and attached three vehicles of the KMA and promised to go for more immovable properties of the Assembly if the amount from sale of the vehicles was not enough to defray the debt.
The Judgement creditor (FREDCO FD) in 2017, secured a similar order to get three other buildings including the Kumasi mayor’s residence at Plot no. 9 Old Peters Avenue at Nhyiaeso
Akoma FM’s visit to the KMA premises saw copies of the court order pasted at vantage points of the Assembly’s building located at Adum.
Speaking on the Kumasi-based radio station’s current affairs and political programme GhanAkoma Wednesday, September 29, Presiding Member for KMA Stephen Ofori fears “the development could throw the Assembly off gear”.
“We have been relying on internally generated funds to pay such debts. As I speak, we are in financial distress and if care is not taken, we shall fall into the abyss of insolvency,” the worried PM told host of the show.
Members of the Assembly earlier last month threatened to resist attempts to confirm any nominee as Chief Executive until the central government pays off the Assembly’s outstanding debts.
As at 31st December, 2016, KMA’s financial liabilities stood at GH¢119,213,333.22 as captured in the sessional address on 11th and 12th May, 2017 by the then Mayor, Osei-Assibey Antwi.
In a span of 4 years, the KMA owes its contractors and business allies over GH¢50 million, a situation that forced the Assembly to send SOS to the central government for bailouts.
According to the 2020 Auditor General’s report, KMA used the District Assembly Common Fund (DACF) committed sum of GH¢670,720.78 to pay judgment debt to some four contractors.
Court verdict
The Auditor General recommended the Assembly to refund the penalty paid from the Assembly’s Internal Generated Funds (IGF) into the DACF.
Meanwhile, President’s nominee for KMA, Samuel Payne, who spoke on the other side of the line, lamented that “even if I go through the confirmation, the financial distress of the Assembly will impede the smooth running of KMA, but we are confident that all these issues will be sorted out because we are assiduously in talks with central government to settle the debt”.
The Gunners legend believes Jordan Ayew should be burying clear chances to become a potent striker in future
Former Arsenal captain Thierry Henry launched a scathing attack on Ghana and Crystal Palace striker Jordan Ayew following his shocking miss against Brighton & Hove Albion in the Premier League on Monday.
With the game at 1-0, Ayew was presented a golden opportunity to score his first goal of the season when he came one-on-one with Brighton goalkeeper. However, the Ghanaian sent his strike narrowly wide to the surprise of everyone at the Selhurst Park.
Deep in additional time, Brighton stunned Palace as they made them pay for the missed chance. Striker Maupay got the equaliser with relatively the last kick of the game.
And Henry, who scored 175 Premier League goals during his time, believes the Ghana international should’ve passed the ball to Benteke if he realised he cannot put it at the back of the net.
“That’s the better option for Jordan Ayew to score,” said the former French international.
“You score, I come and celebrate with you – we do some somersault or whatever you want, we slide on our knees.
“If you don’t score, I would have killed you. Give me the ball….that is a sure goal.
“In that position, I’m thinking Benteke. This is where, in the Premier League, that’s a 2-0. Yes, he could have scored. But what about this [passing to Benteke], that’s 2-0 and we’re not talking anymore,” Henry added.
Ayew, according to his manager Patrick Vieira is lacking confidence in front of goal. The Ghanaian has scored only one goal in almost forty games.
Amid his troubles at the club level, new Ghana coach Milovan Rajevac has named him in Ghana’s squad for the 2022 Fifa World Cup qualifiers double-header against Zimbabwe on October 5 and October 9 at the Cape Coast Sports Stadium and Harare Sports Stadium respectively.
The Phobians former chief has ruled out any real threat that the players absence could create as they prepare to face the North African club
Hearts of Oak former managing director Neil Armstrong Mortagbe insists the absence of midfielders Gladson Awako and Benjamin Afutu will not have any adverse effect on the club ahead of their cliffhanger encounter against Wydad Athletic Club of Morocco in the Caf Champions League.
The Phobians are hoping to qualify to the group stage of the competition for the first time in several years but head coach Samuel Boadu will have to do it without the duo due to reasons beyond his control.
Awako is battling with illness and has been out of the team for almost a month while Afutu rejected a contract extension proposal made by the club. He is currently in Egypt to broker a deal with a top-flight side according to reports in the local media.
The Phobians defeated Guinean side CI Kamsar in the preliminary round and will host WAC at the Accra Sports Stadium on October 22 before they travel to Morocco for the reverse fixture.
“Gladson Awako will be a very good addition to any clubs in Ghana and Afutu proved to be very key part of our success story last season but as a person who has been in football for several years, I always say that you need to make the best or the most of what you have and so usually I don’t look at what we don’t have,” Mortagbe told GL Radio in China.
“I look at what do we have, who do you have and how do we sum up the courage and energy of those that we have to achieve the results that we want to achieve.
“When Messi left Barcelona they started all over and everybody was waiting for Ansu Fati to get back. He comes in and quickly he scores and it goes on to show that in the absence of Afutu, a player like Salim comes and he is fitting in the squad very smoothly.
“It is about the coach to work with what we have. Without them Hearts defeated Kamsar so I don’t see why the confidence level that the team has today will not push them to have a good game against Wydad Athletic Club of Morocco,” he added.
Hearts won the competition in 2000 and has since failed to make a meaningful impact since then.
The Phobians former chief believes the two coaches appointed to take up the assistant roles at the Black Stars on short term could become permanent
Former chief executive officer of Hearts of Oak Neil Armstrong Mortagbe says he is hoping Ghana Football Association will work around the clock to make the appointment of the two part-time assistant coaches for the Black Stars permanent in future.
Following the return of Milovan Rajevac as Ghana coach, Legon Cities coach Maxwell Konadu and Borrusia Dortmund assistant coach Otto Addo were announced as his assistants. Interestingly, the duo will not be handling the position on a permanent base but combine it with their roles at club.
And Armstrong believes that shouldn’t be the case since it may affect the progress of the Black Stars who are hoping to qualify to play in 2022 Fifa World Cup in Qatar.
“I was a bit surprised that we were taking coaches on a part-time basis,” Armstrong told GL Radio online.
“This would be a question of how much time do they spend on the other job. How much time will they be expected to stay on the Ghana job, I mean the Black Stars job?
“We have a team that is called from time to time to come and play. How many games do we play in a full year when football is active and not active.
“How much time commitment do we need from them for the work that they will do for Black Stars. The two part-time coaches have top good quality, like Maxwell as a coach and also as a former player same as Otoo Addo.
“I’m sure that the entities with whom who they are currently working with would have been consulted about their availability to the job of the national team and then with due considerations that may have been formed the decision of the FA to appoint these two coaches as a part-time coach.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if in the few months we will hear that they are going off the job they are currently doing and getting to full time focused on the job of the national team because as much as possible we need a main focus to be able to qualify to the World Cup and do well at the African Cup and win the trophy,” he added
Ghana, who are second with three points in Group C, will host Zimbabwe in the World Cup qualifiers on October 5 at the Cape Coast Sports Stadium before they travel to Harare for the reverse fixture four days later.
