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Why Hearts of Oak have won a TREBLE this season and not DOUBLE?

Evans Gyamera-Antwi
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Why Hearts of Oak have won a TREBLE this season and not DOUBLE?

The Phobians have won three trophies this season and not two as earlier reported in the local media

Hearts of Oak is the club of the moment and the Phobians deserve every accolade and superlatives showered on them after a wonderful season.

After a poor start to the campaign where they appointed three different coaches until they settled on Samuel Boadu, they have been able to turn their season around to win Ghana Premier League and on Sunday added the FA Cup to it.

Hearts defeat AshantiGold 8-7 on penalties after a goalless draw in regulation time to lift the FA Cup for the first time since 2003.

The victory means that they have picked three trophies and not two as earlier reported. This is so because since the Champions of the league are always billed to face the winners of the FA Cup in the Super Cup, the Phobians are the automatic winners.

According to Ghana FA’s regulations, it states that “in the event of the League Champions being the same as the FA Cup Champions, that club shall be declared automatic Super Cup champions.”

The above has confirmed that there will not any Super Cup game this season, rather there will be a Coronation game between Hearts and any club which will be selected by Ghana FA and the results will be irrelevant.

Hearts will represent Ghana in next season’s Caf Champions League which kicks off in September.

From everyone at AshesGyamera.com, we say congratulations to the Phobians for a splendid finish to the season.

You’ve really proven that perseverance is the key to success.

BREAKING NEWS: Hearts of Oak win double after defeating AshantiGold to lift FA Cup

Evans Gyamera-Antwi
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BREAKING NEWS: Hearts of Oak win double after defeating AshantiGold to lift FA Cup

The Phobians have won their first FA Cup since 2003 after defeating the Miners through penalty shooutouts after a pulsating game in Accra

Hearts of Oak left it late but defeated Ashanti Gold 8-7 on penalty shootouts after goalless draw in 90 minutes to lift the 2021 Ghana FA Cup at the Accra Sports Stadium on Sunday.

After both clubs failed to break the deadlock in regulation time, the game travelled to extra time but both clubs failed to produce a winner until it reached penalty shootouts where the Phobains proved their might.

The Miners started the game on a brighter note but failed to capitalise on their dominance to open the scoring as they fluffed several opportunities.

Seth Osei came close to open the scoring very early in the game after combining with Eric Esso but his last ditch effort was saved by Hearts goalkeeper Richard Attah.

Hearts of Oak appealed for a penalty by the 46th minute after a powerful drive from Caleb Amankwa accidentally hit Ampem Dacosta to prevent the Phobians from scoring the opener. The players and supporters protested that Dacosta used his arm in the process but referee Daniel Laryea was not ready for any drama.

Ashanti Gold had their chances too when Frank Akoto’s long pass found Mark Agyekum but the striker fluffed the opportunity to the dismay of his colleagues.

Hearts brought on star player Ibrahim Salifu for Isaac Mensah by the 68th minute as they searched for a breakthrough.

However, the midfielder’s first attempt to force his way into AshantiGold’s box was unsuccessful and Fatawu Mohammed also picked a yellow card on the other side

Six minutes later, Hearts midfielder Ansah Botchway was brought down at the edge of the Ashanti Gold box but the resulting free kick by Ovouka was cleared.

Chances in the game became premium since both sides struggled to break down the bulwark defence of their opponents as referee Laryea brought the game to an end and signalled for extra time.

The two sides were unable to find the back of the net in the next 30 minutes.

After two Ashanti Gold players failed to score their penalties, Afriyie Barnie was presented with the opportunity to win the trophy for the Phobians but he surprisingly missed his kick as Ashanti Gold goalkeeper Kofi Mensah calmly saved the ball.

Benjamin Afutu later missed his kick and AshantiGold had the chance to win the day but Seth Osei surprisingly also missed his effort.

After all the ten outfield players for both clubs finished with their kicks and the scores still equal, it was left with goalkeepers to decide the day. Hearts goalkeeper Richard Attah was the first to step up and he perfectly sent Ashanti Gold goalkeeper Mensah to the wrong direction.

But when it mattered most to save AshantiGold, Mensah who had previously saved two kicks to keep his side in the game, saw his penalty saved.

The win means that the Phobians, who will be representing Ghana in Caf Champions League, have picked their eleventh FA Cup trophy making them the most successful and they have added it to their Ghana Premier League triumph. It is their seventh double in the club’s history.

Messi cries on live TV as he bids Barcelona & La Liga farewell

Evans Gyamera-Antwi
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Messi cries on live TV as he bids Barcelona & La Liga farewell

The Best player ever to play in La Liga leaves after 21 years in Spain and says he wasn’t ready for it

Barcelona legend Lionel  Messi has finally bid the club and its supporters goodbye as he leaves after 21 years.

The 34-year-old leaves the club at a time where they are struggling financially which forced La Liga top hierarchy to cancel his contract extension.

Although, Messi has been linked with a move to French giants PSG where he will link up with former teammate Neymar Jnr and Argentine international Di Maria as well as former rival Sergio Ramos, he insists he was not prepared to leave Barca this summer.

He added that he would’ve loved to play in front of the club’s teaming supporters since he hasn’t gotten the opportunity to do so over a year now due to Coronavirus pandemic that hit the world in 2020.

“I was convinced to stay here at Barcelona. This is my home, our home. I wanted to stay at Barça and it was the plan… and today I’ve to say goodbye after my entire life here, Messi” said. 

“These recent days I have been thinking about what I can say. The truth is that I can’t think of anything. This is very difficult for me, being here my entire life. I’m not ready for this.”

He added: “Today I have to say goodbye to all of this. Since I was 13, after 21 years, I’m leaving with my wife and with my three little children. This is our home.”

“Hopefully one day I can return to the club, to contribute and that Barça continue to be the best in the world.”

“We’ve not been able to play with public this past year due to the pandemic. I leave this club without seeing the fans for a year and a half. I would have liked to say goodbye in a different way, with people at the stadium.”

Barcelona is tipped by many soccer pundits and connoisseurs to struggle this season after they failed to won La Liga last season even when Messi was at one of his usual best.

Obeng Jnr dropped as Hearts name STRONG squad to face AshGold in FA Cup final

Evans Gyamera-Antwi
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Obeng Jnr dropped as Hearts name STRONG squad to face AshGold in FA Cup final

The Phobians have paraded the best of their squad to square it off this afternoon with the Miners as they search for their first double in many years

Hearts of Oak coach Samuel Boadu has announced a star studded 21-man squad for the final of the 2021 Ghana FA Cup against Ashanti Gold at the Accra Sports Stadium on Sunday.

Victor Aidoo and Emmanuel Nettey who missed the semifinals due to injuries have been welcomed back to the squad and could possibly start this afternoon.

However, striker Kwame Obeng Jnr is still out of the team after failing to recover on time for the crucial fixture.

As a result, Afriyie Barnie and Isaac Mensah look certain to lead the pack for the Phobians when they set off with their usual 4-4-2 formation with a little variation.

Hearts won the Ghana Premier League title for the first time since 2009 and they are looking flamboyant to add the FA cup to it.

Should the Phobians win the game, it will be their sixth double since the club was established in
1911.

Ashanti Gold, on the other hand, have other ideas following their poor performance in the league where they finished ninth on the log.

They arrived in Accra very late on Saturday after the players and technical team passed through the marriage ceremony of their player Amos Addai at Akrokerri.

The Miners have a full house and coach Thomas Duah has promised to cause a major upset to the Phobians who will be playing in front of their supporters.

The game will kick off at 15h00GMT (3PM) and it will be live on StarTimes’ Adepa channel.

HEARTS FULL SQUAD vs. ASHANTI GOLD

GOALKEEPERS 

Benjamin Mensah 
Richmond Ayi 
Richard Attah 

DEFENDERS 

Fatawu Mohammed 
Larry Sumaila 
Raddy Ovouka 
James Serwornu 
Mohammed Alhassan 
Robert Addo 
Caleb Amankwah

MIDFIELDERS 

Benjamin Afutu Kotey 
Frederick Ansah Botchway 
Dominic Eshun 
Emmanuel Nettey 
Abdul Manaf Gumah 
Salifu Ibrahim 

ATTACKERS

Daniel Afriyie Barnieh 
Franklin Owusu 
Victor Aidoo 
Isaac Mensah 
Patrick Razak

Andre Ayew finally reveals why he left England to play in Qatar under Xavi Hernandez

Evans Gyamera-Antwi
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Andre Ayew finally reveals why he left England to play in Qatar under Xavi Hernandez

The former West Ham record signing was linked led with several European clubs this summer but he opted to play in the Gulf region and has now lift the lid on the rationale behind it

Ghana captain and former Swansea City superstar Andre Ayew has revealed that he joined Qatari giants Al Sadd because he feels it was the best among the many options he was presented with.

The 32-year-old saw his contract with Swansea expired in June and he after the club failed to qualify to play in the Premier League this season, he decided to leave England to team up with Barcelona legend Xavi Hernandez who is currently building a legacy in Qatar with Al Sadd.

Ayew’s father, Abedi Ayew Pele, played with Al Sadd close to four decades ago and he had a major say in his son’s move.

“To be honest, Al Sadd is a club I know and I have followed for a long time. My father played here and this is the club that gave him the opportunity to leave Ghana. So it’s a club that I always followed. I followed the players who played here: Raul, Mamadou Niang, Abdelkader Keita – a lot of players played for this great club,” Ayew told his club’s website.

“As soon as I was informed that Al-Sadd was interested, I thought straightaway that it was a very good idea for me. For me, it’s the best club in the Gulf; I watched their style of play and it’s the best club here.”

He continued: “It’s also a club which I have a personal history with due to my father
I followed the club when I was young because my father always followed the club’s results. It wasn’t a surprise for me, I was very happy and proud, but I had to take some time to make the decision, because I had a few offers from the Gulf and from Europe, so I had to take time to make the right decision.”

“But as soon as I spoke to the coach Xavi, I knew this was the right place for me for my future. Then I took the decision to come and everything happened fast.”

“When you play for Al-Sadd, you know you have to win everything. We will try to do what we did last season – to win every trophy. And then next year, we will have the chance to play in the Champions League. We will take it step by step and for me, it’s important now to continue with what we started.”

“I hope I can be part of the winning team this season also inshaAllah. We will try and win maximum games and bring trophies to the club, and also try and prepare for the big tournament – the Champions League.” he concluded.

Ayew also shed lights on Al Sadd’s preseason currently ongoing in Spain and believes all is going well for him and his teammates.

“Everything is great,” said Ayew. “I feel good because the players made me feel good. The players who have been here for a long time, they all accommodated me well.

“They included me in the family and that’s very important for me because I feel before you are able to perform on the pitch, you have to feel good. The players are making me feel welcome and I want to thank them for the welcome they gave me.

“I’m still getting to know everybody, getting to know how training is going, the tactics, what the coach wants. But I am really sure everything will be fine. It is a process, but from what I’ve seen so far, everything has been great.

“The training, the fun between the players, everything has been great. I’m happy and this is what’s important for me. Now I have to get to my 100% and deliver on the field.”

Sunday’s Edition of Football Transfer Gossip around the world

Evans Gyamera-Antwi
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Sunday’s Edition of Football Transfer Gossip around the world

08/08/2021

Tottenham are prepared to consider selling England striker Harry Kane, 28, if Manchester City offer ÂŁ120m plus another ÂŁ20m in add-ons. (Star Sunday)

City are relying on Kane convincing Spurs chairman Daniel Levy to allow him to leave for the Premier League champions. (Sunday Mirror)

Lionel Messi and Paris St-Germain have agreed a two-year deal, with the 34-year-old Argentina forward expected to officially end his 21-year association with Barcelona with “dignity” on Sunday with a Nou Camp news conference. (Le Parisien – in French)

If Messi does move to the French capital, he is set to receive a yearly pay packet of 40m euros (about ÂŁ34m). (L’Equipe – in French)

Messi’s potential move to Parc des Princes could boost Manchester United’s hopes of signing Rennes’ 18-year-old French midfielder Eduardo Camavinga, who has previously been strongly linked with a move to PSG. (Star Sunday)

Sergio Aguero, 33, will remain at Barcelona, despite reports that he was looking to leave after news that his good friend and fellow Argentine forward Messi was not staying at the club. (Marca – in Spanish)

Arsenal are exploring the possibility of signing Manchester City’s 26-year-old Portugal midfielder Bernardo Silva, who has previously told the Premier League champions he wants to leave the club. The Gunners see Silva as an alternative option to Leicester City and England midfielder James Maddison, 24. (Sunday Mirror)

Silva is preparing for talks with City boss Pep Guardiola and will be pushing to get a move to Barcelona. (Sunday Sun)

Italian champions Inter Milan are planning for the departure of Belgium striker Romelu Lukaku to Chelsea and want two additions up front, with Chelsea’s England striker Tammy Abraham, 23, Atalanta’s Colombia forward Duvan Zapata, 30, and Roma’s 35-year-old Bosnian striker Edin Dzeko all targets. (Sky Sport Italia – in Italian)

Lukaku will have a medical in Belgium on Sunday before completing his move and is set to arrive in London on Monday. (Athletic – subscription required)

Aston Villa explored the possibility of selling England midfielder Jack Grealish to Real Madrid or Manchester United before a British record ÂŁ100m deal for the 25-year-old was reached with Manchester City. (Athletic – subscription required)

Tottenham have been linked with Barcelona’s Brazil midfielder Philippe Coutinho, but a move for the 29-year-old would hinge on Spurs selling England striker Kane. (Mundo Deportivo – in Spanish)

Barca have already offered Coutinho to Everton, but the Merseyside club are likely to turn down the chance to sign the former Liverpool playmaker. (Liverpool Echo)

Atletico Madrid are close to completing a deal to sign Wolves’ 24-year-old Spain striker Rafa Mir on a four-year deal. (Marca – in Spanish)

Burnley are struggling to get a deal for RB Leipzig’s 23-year-old English winger Ademola Lookman done, so may turn attention to trying to sign Ivory Coast defender Maxwel Cornet, 24, from Lyon. (Sunday Sun)

West Ham are continuing to negotiate personal terms with Fiorentina’s 23-year-old Serbia defender Nikola Milenkovic but are struggling to meet the demands set out by his representatives. (90min)

Newcastle United have enquired about signing 24-year-old English defender Nathaniel Phillips from Liverpool. (Athletic, subscription required)

Leeds United are tabling an improved offer for Huddersfield Town’s 22-year-old English midfielder Lewis O’Brien after an initial approach was rebuffed. (Football Insider)

Paris St-Germain are to offer France striker Kylian Mbappe, 22, a pay rise to convince him to sign a new deal with the club. (Le10Sport – in French)

Spanish club Granada are close to signing 34-year-old Argentine goalkeeper Sergio Romero, who is a free agent after leaving Manchester United at the end of his contract this summer. (Ideal – in Spanish)

Everton are expected to send Portuguese goalkeeper Joao Virginia out on loan after he was left out of the squad for Saturday’s pre-season friendly against Manchester United. There is interest in the 21-year-old from unnamed clubs in the Championship and abroad. (Liverpool Echo)

Liverpool have agreed to sign 16-year-old English midfielder Bobby Clark from Newcastle United after Tottenham turned down the chance to sign him this year. (Football Insider)

Breaking news: Brazil defeat Spain to win Gold in Men’s football at 2020 Olympic Games

Evans Gyamera-Antwi
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Breaking news: Brazil defeat Spain to win Gold in Men’s football at 2020 Olympic Games

The Brazilians left it late to stun the Spaniards they ran away with the ultimate in a pulsating game on Saturday

Brazil defeated Spain 2-1 in the final of the 2020 Olympic  Games to win the gold medal of Men’s Olympic Football Tournament after a late goal from substitute Malcom in extra-time.

It took a goal deep in extra-time from super-sub Malcom to see Brazil beat Spain 2-1 and claim their second (and second-straight) gold medal in men’s Olympic football at the International Stadium Yokohama.

The deciding strike, scored from a tight angle, settled the heavyweight contest after regular time ended tangled at 1-1 thanks to earlier goals from Spain’s Mikel Oyarzabal and Brazilian star Matheus Cunha.

The first quarter-hour of the game saw little by way of attack as both teams – the two best sides at these Olympic men’s football finals – looked to size each other up.

But in the 16th minute, Brazil’s Diego Carlos had to be alert to keep the ball out of his own goal when he slid to intervene after a bit of sharp interplay between Oyarzabal and Dani Olmo. The Brazilian’s goal-line clearance was a clever bit of improvisation that kept the scores level at nil-all.

Four minutes after that, Spain’s senior No1 goalkeeper Unai Simon had to dive low to his right to keep out a clever toe-poked shot from Matheus Cunha.
But it wasn’t until the 38th minute that the first clear chance of the game materialised. After a lengthy VAR review, Australian referee Chris Beath awarded Brazil a penalty kick for a foul by Simon, who raced off his line and tried for the ball, but caught Cunha on the chin instead.

The Spaniards, and their goalkeeper, breathed a big sigh of relief when Richarlison, the tournament’s top-scorer, blazed over the crossbar with his poor effort from the spot.

The Brazilian sadness didn’t last long though as the defending Olympic champions managed to find the back of the net before the half was over.

Cunha begins Brazil charge

Marc Cucurella switched off in defense, allowing 38-year-old Brazil captain Dani Alves to sneak in and lay in a low cross for Cunha, who worked himself away from his marker and buried a shot low inside Simon’s post to send the South Americans to the changing rooms with a slender lead.

When action resumed, Richarlison almost made amends for his penalty miss in the 52nd minute. But his effort from close range took a deflection off Simon and could only splatter against the crossbar.

The Spaniards, off the hook from nearly being down 2-0, found an equaliser just after the hour mark thanks to the outstanding Oyarzabal, who’s following up his break-out performance at the recent UEFA EURO with a smashing Olympic Games. Racing in from the left, he met a Carlos Soler cross from the right with a sliding left-footed volley past Santos that will go down in the annals of Olympic football finals’ best-ever goals.

And it was the Spaniards who finished strongest as the clock ticked toward the 90th minute, but substitute Bryan Gil’s sizzling volley from distance rattled the Brazilian crossbar as the second football final of these Olympic Games went to extra-time.

The first session was predictably cautious, as neither side looked willing to risk making the mistake that might cost them the Games’ top prize. But in the second, the injection of Zenit St. Petersburg man Malcom made all the difference for Brazil.

He chased down a long ball from midfield in the 108th minute, muscled past Jesus Vallejo and snuck the ball, from an acute angle, past Simon, who managed to get a hand to it.

Brazil (gold) and Spain (silver) were joined on the podium by Mexico, who beat hosts Japan 3-1 on 6 August to scoop bronze – a second Olympic medal for the North Americans after their shock gold in London in 2012

Bechem United sign goal poacher Avornyo for three years

Evans Gyamera-Antwi
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Bechem United sign goal poacher Avornyo for three years

The lanky striker has completed his switch from the lower tier side to the Hunters

Bechem United have announced the signing of new striker Emmanuel Avornyo in a three year  contract.

The 20-year-old who was in the wishlist of many Ghana Premier League spent last season on loan at Division One side UniStar Academy.

Avornyo has become the second player to join Bechem after the club announced the arrival of defender Samuel Osei Kuffour who also joined from Young Vipers.

Bechem are busily strengthening their squad after they were tangled in relegation battle throughout last season.

The club had to defeat Asante Kotoko in their last home game of last season before they avoided relegation.

‘Kotoko need to develop its infrastructure’, Nana Yaw Amponsah hints Kotoko may not play in Africa

Evans Gyamera-Antwi
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‘Kotoko need to develop its infrastructure’, Nana Yaw Amponsah hints Kotoko may not play in Africa

The Porcupine Warriors chief believes it will be better they develop their training facility rather than rushing to play in Caf inter-club competitions

Asante Kotoko chief executive officer Nana Yaw Amponsah has suggested that the club may opt not to play in Caf Confederation Cup next season despite being offered a golden opportunity to represent Ghana.

Although, Kotoko finished second in Ghana Premier League behind Hearts of Oak and got eliminated from the FA Cup in quarterfinals by Berekum Chelsea, Caf’s new licensing rule permits them to participate in the Confederation Cup since it was only Kotoko, Medeama and Hearts that fulfilled the regulations.

Already, Medeama have written to Ghana FA that they won’t participate in the inter-club competition leaving only Kotoko as the next option since Hearts will play in Caf Champions League.

However, Amponsah believes it will cost a lot in terms of finances for Kotoko who also need infrastructure to underline their supremacy as a great club in Ghana and Africa.

“The cost of going to Africa is not easy and if I am to tell you the cost involved in going to Africa last year, it can provide us with an astro turf at Adako Jachie and double of what we are doing now and many more,” Amponsah told Oyerepa TV.

“We must take advantage of that to develop and improve our squad and prepare them to win the league and FA cup next season if possible.

“We also need to develop our infrastructure so we can console ourselves with it,” he added.

Kotoko were eliminated last season from both Caf Champions League and Confederation Cup despite a bright start.

Exclusive: Highly rated Osei Kuffour joins Bechem United until 2024

Evans Gyamera-Antwi
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Exclusive: Highly rated Osei Kuffour joins Bechem United until 2024

The young centre-back has completed his move to the Hunters ahead of the new season

Bechem United have signed young and highly rated centre back Samuel Osei Kuffour as their first new player for the 2021/22 season, AshesGyamera.com can exclusively reveal.

Osei Kuffour at the unveiling

Osei Kuffour, 19, joins the Hunters from Kumasi-based lower division side Young Vipers in a three-year deal after he was scouted by club’s scouting team in Ashanti region.

Kuffour with Bechem United coach

Kuffour is expected to solidifies Bechem defensive setup with his height, strength and ball intelligence when the new season kicks off.

Bechem are aiming to finish within the Top Four position next season and reach at least semifinals of the FA Cup after avoiding relegation last season by the skin of their teeth.

AshesGyamera.com can reveal that Bechem will unveil a lot of new signings before the end of August.

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