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‘Support me; only local coaches have won Afcon for Ghana,’ says Akonnor

The Black Stars boss says he is capable of achieving the country’s aim of winning the Afcon but would need support from Ghanaians

Ghana coach C.K Akonnor has insisted that he can lead the Black Stars to win 2021 Africa Cup of Nations since only indigenous coaches have been to annex the trophy in the past.

Ghana are without a major trophy since 1982 and although, they have reached the final three times between that period. Charles Kumi Gyamfi won it three times  for the Black Stars in 1963, 1965 and 1982 while Fred Osman Doudu won the third title for the Black Stars in 1978.

“I want to achieve this but we all need to believe. It’s only local coaches who have won the AFCON”, Akonnor said in zoom conference with the press on Friday.

“I am confident it will happen with a local coach. Ghanaians must start believing us”.

“Our group is very hard and I am very happy the Ghana FA arranged that friendly against Morocco.

“If we have the chance of meeting Morocco again things will be different. They are the strongest among our group,” he added.

Ghana reached the round of 16 of the last edition hosted by Egypt as they were bundled out by North African side Tunisia.

Akonnor reveals why Thomas Teye Partey could miss World Cup qualifiers

The Black Stars gaffer has indicated that he may miss the services of the Gunners midfielder in the upcoming qualifiers

Ghana coach C.K Akonnor has revealed that Thomas Teye Partey may not play a part in the Black Stars upcoming schedules. 

The Arsenal midfielder suffered an injury during preseason and was not even part of the squad that lost 2-0 to Brentford on opening day of Premier League.

Although, Partey was named in Ghana’s 30-man squad to face Ethiopia and South Africa next month, Akonnor indicates that he may have to plan without him.

” I have contacted his club and Thomas Partey’s injury doesn’t look too good,” Akonnor said.

“We will only have to wish him a speedy recovery and expect him to return stronger. If he doesn’t recover before time, he will not be part of the games,” he added.

Ghana will host Ethiopia on September 3 at the Cape Coast Stadium before playing South Africa on Monday, in Johannesburg.

Ghana’s provisional squad for the World Cup qualifiers

GOALKEEPERS

  1. Richard Ofori – Orlando Pirates FC – South Africa
  2. Lawrence Ati Zigi – St. Galen FC – Switzerland
  3. Manaf Nurudeen – Kas Eupen – Belgium
  4. Richard Atta– Hearts of Oak – Ghana

FULL BACKS

  1. Benson Anang – Zilina FC – Slovakia
  2. Yiadom Andrew – Reading FC – England
  3. Baba Abdul Rahman – Chelsea FC – UK
  4. Gideon Mensah – FC Girondins Bordeaux – France
  5. Baffour Philimon – Dreams FC – Ghana

CENTER BACKS

  1. Alexander Djiku – RC Strasbourg – France
  2. Daniel Amartey – Leicester City FC- England
  3. Ismael Ganiyu – Asante Kotoko – Ghana
  4. Jonathan Mensah – Columbus Crew – USA

MIDFIELDERS

  1. Mubarak Wakaso – Shenzhen – China
  2. Iddrisu Baba – RCD Mallorca – Spain
  3. Thomas Partey – Arsenals FC – England
  4. Emmanuel Lomotey – Amiens FC – France

WINGERS

  1. Joel Fameye – Orenburg FC – Russia
  2. Samuel Owusu – Al Fayhad – Saudi Arabia
  3. Gyasi Emmanuel – Spezia – Italy
  4. Kamal Deen Sulemana – Rennes FC – France
  5. Tariq Fosu – Henry – Brentford FC – England
  6. Isahaku Fatawu – Steadfast FC – Ghana

ATTACKING MIDFIELDERS:

  1. Afriyie Banieh – Hearts of Oak – Ghana
  2. Kudus Mohamed – Ajax FC – Holland
  3. Majeed Ashimeru – RSC Anderlecht- Belgium

STRIKERS

  1. Andre Ayew – Al Saad – Qatar
  2. Jordan Ayew – Crystal Palace – England
  3. Kwame Opoku – USM Algiers – Algeria
  4. Kelvin Yeboah – Sturm Graz – Austria
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Medeama part ways with Yaw Preko & Acheampong; set to name Ofosu as new coach

The Yellow and Mauve had announced the departure of their coaches ahead of the new season and a new one will arrive soon

Medeama have mutually parted ways with first team coaches Yaw Acheampong and Yaw Preko on Friday, the club has announced.

The duo were appointed mid season to replace former coach Samuel Boadu who left the club to join Hearts of Oak. However, they could not meet the expectations as they failed to guide them to win Ghana Premier League as well as the FA Cup. 

Medeama even finished outside the Top Four spot and were eliminated from FA Cup in the semifinals by Hearts of Oak.

“We would like to thank coaches Yaw Preko and Yaw Acheampong for successfully ending their contracts with the club,” a club statement read.

“We thank them for their services and wish them well

#MauveandYellow  💜💛 “ the statement added.

AshesGyamera understands that Medeama are close to announce Techiman Eleven Wonders coach Ignatius Ofosu as their replacement ahead of the start of next season which kicks off in October.

Ofosu is expected meet Medeama owner Moses Armah Parker this weekend.

‘Hearts have quality players to excel in Caf Champions League,’ says Akoto

The defender believes the Phobians will do well as they compete in the Caf inter-club competition next month

Ashanti Gold defender Frank ‘Aziz’ Akoto has insisted that Hearts of Oak will make Ghana proud as they compete in the 2021/22 Caf Champions League.

The Phobians return to the continent’s flagship competition after winning Ghana Premier League last season despite a difficult start to the season.

“Hearts of Oak have a very good team. They don’t depend on a single player,” Akoto told OTEC FM. 

“I trust their team. I believe they will do well in Africa if they don’t become complacent. Hearts have quality squad and will make Ghana proud in the competition because when we played them in the final of the FA Cup, they showed their quality,” he added.

Hearts defeated Akoto’s Ashanti Gold in the final of the FA Cup on penalties to make it double this season after sharing the spoils in regulation time and extra time.

South Africa coach Broos names strong squad to face Ghana in World Cup qualifiers

The Bafana Bafana boss has announced his squad to be used against the Black Stars in the upcoming World Cup qualifiers next month

South Africa coach Hugo Broos has announced a 31-man squad for the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification matches against zimbabwe and Ghana.

The Bafana Bafana will travel to Harare on September 3 to face Zimbabwe in the opening group game before they host Ghana in Johannesburg four days later.

West Bromwich Albion midfielder Percy Tau made the squad together with Evidence Makgopa and Sphephelo Sithole who has been handed his maiden senior national team call up.

Ghana coach CK Akonnor named his squad last week with relatively known faces.

GOALKEEPERS:

Ronwen Williams (Supersport United FC) Veli Mothwa (AmaZulu FC) Bruce Bvuma (Kaizer Chiefs FC) Sifiso Mlungwana (Golden Arrows FC)

DEFENDERS:

Sydney Mobbie (Mamelodi Sundowns FC) Rushine De Reuck (Mamelodi Sundowns FC) Thapelo Morena (Mamelodi Sundowns FC) Siyanda Xulu (Haopel Tel Aviv FC, Israel) Thibang Phete (Os Belenenses, Portugal) Thabani Dube (Kaizer Chiefs FC) Njabulo Ngcobo (Kaizer Chiefs FC) Mosa Lebusa (Mamelodi Sundowns FC) Sibusiso Mabiliso (Kaizer Chiefs FC) Innocent Maela (Orlando Pirates FC)

MIDFIELDERS:

Kobamelo Kodisang (FC Braga B, Portugal) Sipho Mbule (Supersport United FC) Teboho Mokoena (Supersport United FC) Mothobi Mvala (Mamelodi Sundowns FC) Sphelele Mkhulise (Mamelodi Sundowns FC) Sphephelo Sithole (Os Belenenses FC, Portugal) Njabulo Blom (Kaizer Chiefs FC) Ethan Brooks (TS Galaxy) Yusuf Maart (Sekhukhune United FC) Siyethemba Sithebe (AmaZulu FC)

FORWARDS:

Thabiso Kutumela (Mamelodi Sundowns FC) Bongokuhle Hlongwane (Maritzburg United FC) Gift Links (Aarhus GF, Denmark) Evidence Makgopa (Baroka FC) Victor Letsoala (Bloemfontein Celtic FC) Percy Tau (Brighton and Hove Albion FC) Luther Singh (FC Copenhagen, Denmark)

‘I don’t care; I’m not under any pressure to win 2021 Afcon,’ Akonnor insists

The gaffer insists that he is not perturbed by public agitations for him to win the ultimate ahead of the upcoming competition

Ghana coach C K Akonnor has insisted that he is not under any pressure to win 2021 Africa Cup of Nation holding next year in Cameroon.

The Black Stars, who are yet to win a major trophy since 1982, were paired with Morocco, Gabon and Comoros in Group C on Tuesday during a draw in Yaoundé.

Akonnor was appointed to replace Kwesi Appiah after he failed to achieve the targets set for him.

“I think the draw is okay. I didn’t come here [to Cameroon] with expectations of which group I want to be in or not” Akonnor told TV3.

“Nowadays football is evolving and so you cannot expect weaker things.

“We are preparing feverishly for the tournament and the world cup qualifiers and I’m sure we will be ready,” he said.

“I am not under any pressure [to win the tournament]. You guys [the media] give me pressure back home but for me, I don’t care,” he added.

Ghana were booted out of the 2019 edition in round of 16 by Tunisia after penalties shootout having shared the spoils in regulation time.

‘Black Stars haven’t won Afcon due to Politicians,’ says Asamoah Gyan

The former Black Stars skipper insists that the country hasn’t won any major trophy for several years due to the conducts of politicians

Former Ghana captain Asamoah Gyan has revealed that the Black Stars have failed to win any major trophy for several years due to the posture of politicians and Ghanaians.

The 34-year-old, who was part of the legends invited for the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations draw held on Tuesday in Yaoundé, Cameroon, argues that how politicians have handled the Black Stars budget ahead of competitions has played a role in unstablizing the team’s camp.

The Black Stars are yet to lift a trophy since winning 1982 Africa Cup of Nations.

“I have been with the national team for years and it is the desire of every player to win the Afcon but the politics among government in power and the citizens has hampered the team’s chances of winning the trophy,” Gyan told Asempa FM.

“Why should the winning bonuses of the team be made public before any major tournament? These kinds of things make the players unstable mentally.

“If we handle these things well, I think the country can win a trophy sooner rather than later. We have a chance in the the upcoming one to be played in Cameroon,” he added.

Ghana have been paired with Morocco, Gabon and Comoros in Group C. The Black Stars will begin their campaign with a duel against Morocco on January 10, before they face Gabon and Morocco on January 14 and 18 respectively.

Laryea joins Ethiopian giants Defence Force in a short term deal

The Phobians former star has agreed to a deal in Zambia following the expiration of his contract in Japan

Hearts of Oak former player Emmanuel Saban Laryea has signed a one-year contract with Ethiopian giants Defence Force SC, the club has confirmed.

The 31-year-old saw his contractvwith Japanese club Ococias Kyoto expired in February 2021 and was linked with a lot of Ghanaian clubs.

Laryea previously played for moved Ethiopian side Dire Dawa City after leaving Hearts of Oak in November 2017.

In the 2019/2020 season, Laryea played 24 games for Ococias in all competitions during the 2019/2020 season and scored two goals as well as assisting two goals.

Reports in the local media earlier suggested that Laryea wanted to rejoin Hearts of Oak as the club prepares to play in the Caf Champions League.

Hearts will face CI Kamsar from Guinea in the preliminary round on September 12 in Guinea before they host them on September 19 at the Accra Sports Stadium.

Hearts goalkeeper Richard Attah reveals how match-fixing allegations destroyed his move to a foreign club

The shot-stopper says he was inches away from joining an unnamed club outside the country but the deal fell through due to match fixing allegations

Hearts of Oak goalkeeper Richard Attah has revealed that he could not leave the Ghana to play for one of the top clubs on the continent because of match fixing allegations which eclipsed 2020/21 Ghana Premier League season

The well-built goalkeeper claims he was on the verge of securing a bumper deal with a top African club but the deal was cancelled after the infamous 7-0 victory by Ashanti Gold over Inter Allies.

In that game, one of Allies’ players deliberately scored two own goals and later revealed that he did that destroy a correct scoreline pre-determined by the two clubs.

“Getting to the end of last season, I had an offer from a top African club. We started talking but they later called off the deal,” Attah told Angel FM Accra in an interview.

“Initially, I didn’t understand but later the club explained that because of the betting and match fixing issues that happened in the Ghana League.

“They didn’t trust the league. That issue was the reason why the deal was called off,” he added.

Attah has been named as one of four goalkeepers for Ghana’s upcoming 2022 Fifa World Cup qualifiers against Ethiopia and South Africa next month.

He is also expected to play an integral role as the Phobians participate in the Caf Champions League for the first time in seven years. They will play CI Kamsar in the preliminary round.

BREAKING NEWS: Ghana handed easy-looking group after 2021 Afcon draw

The Black Stars learned their opponents for the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations, and Akonnor’s men look like been handed an easy-looking group

Ghana on Tuesday were made aware of their opponents in the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations to be staged in Cameroon next year as they have been drawn to face Morocco, Comoros and Gabon in Group C. A total of 24 countries will be participating in the tournament as the Black Stars continue the search for their first major trophy since 1982.

The draw ceremony took place in Yoaunde and the event was was well attended by football legends and connoisseurs.

In attendance included former Ghana captain and all-time topscorer Asamoah Gyan, Ivorian Didier Zokora, Ghana coach C.K Akonnor and Cameroon legend Roger Milla.

Following a great fanfare in the West African country that showcased the culture of the people of Cameroon, it is expected that the five-time Champions will host a successful competition.

The crème de la crème of tthecontinent’s football present believe Ghana and Morocco are sure bet to make it from Group C, while hosts Cameroon qualify from Group A with Burkina Faso.

The Black Stars will begin their campaign with a game against Morocco on January 10 at the Stade Amaďou before the lock horns with Gabon four days later. They will wrap the group stages with a manageable fixture against Comoros on January 18 in Garoua.

In Group B which comprises of Senegal, Malawi, Zimbabwe and Guinea, a lot of people tip Senegal and Guinea as the favourites to make it out of the group.

Nigeria and Egypt are expected to also make it out of Group D while Algeria and Cote d’ivoire qualify from Group E.

In Group F, Mali and Tunisia are the favourites to qualify.

After the group stage, the top two teams from each group and the four highest ranked third-placed teams will advance to the round of 16. The round of 16 winners will advance to the quarter-finals

FULL AFCON GROUP STAGE DRAW:

Group A:

Cameroon
Burkina Faso
Cape Verde
Ethiopia

Group B:

Zimbabwe
Senegal
Guinea
Malawi.

Group C:

Ghana
Morocco
Gabon
Comoros.


Group D:

Nigeria
Egypt
Sudan
Guinea Bissau

Group E

Algeria

Sierra Leone
Equitorial Guinea
Cote d’ivoire

Group F:

Mali
Tunisia
Mauritania

Gambia