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Ghana striker Kwabena Owusu scores first-ever goal in Europa League against Villarreal

The youngster had a bitter-sweet night as he netted the consolation for Qarabag in a home defeat to the Yellow Submarines

 

Ghana striker Kwabena Owusu was on target when Qarabag FK suffered a 3-1 home defeat to Spanish side Villarreal in Group I of UEFA Europa League at the Tofiq Bakhramov Stadium on Thursday.

 

After a pulsating first-half,  both clubs struggled to hit the back of the net as chances were limited in the game. However, the 23-year-old Ghanaian connected to a pass from a teammate and opened the scoring for Qarabag by the 78th minute.
Interestingly, two goals from Paco Alcacer cancelled his effort before Yeremi Pino sealed the win for the La Liga side in a fashionable style.
With a minute left in regulation time, Tural Bayramov came on to take the place of Owusu as Qarabag pushed men forward in a bid to stage a late comeback but it was too little to late for them.
The goal means that Owusu, who was part of the Ghana squad that participated in 2019 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt, has netted three times this season in eight appearances and could hit a double figure at the end of the campaign.
With Ghana preparing to face Sudan in the 2022 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers at the Cape Coast Sports Stadium on November 12, Owusu could be handed a call up by coach C.K Akonnor.

Asante Kotoko are wrong with wholesale player signing, says Yahaya Mohammed

The striker who spent a couple of years at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium believes the Porcupine Warriors are getting their priorities wrong

Former Asante Kotoko striker Yahaya Mohammed says he disagrees with the club’s decision to sign several new players ahead of the start of the new Ghana Premier League season.

The Porcupine Warriors have announced the signing of ten new players and released close to thirteen players and Yahaya, who now plies his trade with Aduana Stars, believes such mistakes only lead to pressure being piled on head coach Maxwell Konadu since his new squad would need time to take shape.

“It’s is very disturbing Asante Kotoko is signing all these players. Bayern Munich is a strong side without doing more signings, they only do strategic signings to fill holes,” Yahaya said in an interview with Kumasi FM.

“When clubs sign more players with a lot of the regular players leaving, what it means is that supporters and management must have patience for the coach and players.

“What is happening in Kotoko can be likened to purchasing foodstuffs from the market and finding it difficult to blend it into preparing a delicious meal.

“The team is almost a new team which will be difficult to have an immediate good performance,” he said.

“The management and the supporters must give the players time else sacking of players will be a routine exercise after every season.An example is Augustine Okrah who was sacked from the club after flopping in just a game against Hearts of Oak in 2012 but today he has rejoined the club. He left and won the best player and goal King in the league with Bechem United,” he addded

Kotoko are currently in Koforidua as part of their pre-season. They will face Techiman Eleven Wonders on opening day at the Accra Sports Stadium.

Shocking: Armed robbers steal floodlight cables at Len Clay Sports Stadium

The Miners preparations ahead of the new season has been dealt a major blow as robbers stormed their stadium to steal several valuables

Armed robbers have raided the Len Clay Sports Stadium in Obuasi, making away cables which provide electricity to the floodlights worth several thousands of Ghana cedis, AshesGyamera.com can confirm.

According to a video sighted by AshesGyamera.com and produced by Dunkwa TV on Thursday, the robbers dug and traced the cables that led to the control room from a nearby station and dismantled them before making their way out without being spotted.

It is unclear as at now the other items the robbers took along during their operations at the stadium since the club is yet to bring out an official release.

However, reports gathered suggest that an official complaint has been lodged at the Obuasi Municipal Police Station.

The current situation means that Ashanti Gold cannot play their home games, especially in the Caf Confederation Cup beyond 18h00 GMT since there will be no floodlights to improve visibility on the field as well as protect lives and properties.

Ashanti Gold will win 2020-21 Ghana Premier League, insists Karikari

The Miners spokesperson has insisted that they have the quality to win the top-flight despite losing some of their first team players

Ashanti Gold director of communications Eric Karikari has revealed that they have the quality to win 2020-21 Ghana Premier League.

The Miners have lost some of their key players including midfielders Latif Anabila and James Akaminko as well as defender Eric Donkor but Karikari still insists they have what it takes to emerge as champions.

“It is the dream of every club to win the league title so our target is to go into the league and win it,” Karikari told Bryt FM.

“We have good materials to make things happen next season. We’ve lost some key players but I believe their exit will not affect us because we’ve replaced them,” he added.

Ashanti Gold will also participate in the Caf Confederation Cup this season and their target is to reach the group stage according to their management team member.

“Our target for the upcoming Africa inter club competition is to qualify into the group stages. When we are able to get to the group stage that is where we will start thinking about the making it to the final four teams,” he added.

James Akaminko ready to join Asante Kotoko; reveals why US Tataouine terminated his contract

The box-to-box midfielder has confirmed his readiness to join the Porcupine Warriors few days after terminating his contract with the Tunisian club

Former Ashanti Gold midfielder James Akaminko has admitted his readiness to sign for Asante Kotoko two weeks to the start of the 2020-21 Ghana Premier League season.

The 25-year-old, who sealed a two-year deal with Tunisian club US Tataouine in September as a free agent, has returned to Ghana only a month later after mutually terminating the deal and believes he can realise his dreams with Kotoko.

The Porcupine Warriors have already signed ten players with the aim of winning the Premier League and reaching the group stage of Caf Champions League.

“I’m ready to join Asante Kotoko ahead of the new season only if they need my services and make an official bid,” Akaminko told Sikka FM.

“Kotoko is a big club with lots of opportunities which every player can build his career on. Therefore, I’m ever ready,” he added.

Akaminko also shed light on why his move to Tunisian side was terminated after only a month in the North African country.

“I was asked to do another trials which my agent and I declined,” he said.

“Many clubs were interested in me but the club prevented them from getting access to me.

“I’m a full package. I’m all in one. No team can get rid of me just like that. I do everything with passion, I don’t want to lose,” he added.

Akaminko was an integral part of the Ashanti Gold squad that won the Tier Two competition in 2019.

Caf names top Senegalese referees to officiate Ghana’s first competitive game under C.K Akonnor

The Black Stars are billed to host the North African country next month in Cape Coast as C.K Akonnor debuts in a competitive game as Ghana coach

Ghana will play their first competitive game under new coach C.K Akonnor as they welcome Sudan in their third game of the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers at the Cape Coast Sports Stadium on November 12.

The Black Stars will then travel to Khartoum three days later for the return fixture.

As a result, the Confederation of African Football (CAF), have appointed Senegalese referee Maguette Ndiaye to be the centre referee as the Black Stars hope to make it three wins in a row.

The defeated South Africa 2-0 and Sao Tome 1-0 in home and away games respectively under former coach Kwesi Appiah.

The 33-year-old will be assisted by countrymen  El Hadji Malick Samba and Serigne Cheikh Toure as line 1 and 2 respectively while Dauda Gueye takes up the role of fourth official.

Meanwhile, Sanusi Mohammed from Nigeria will be the Match Commissioner.

Ghana FA, who will announce the squad for the games next week, has announced that kick off for the game will be 16h00 GMT and 4PM local time.

Richard Ofori fails to keep clean sheet on Orlando Pirates debut against Stellenbosch

The Black Stars shot-stopper was handed his first full debut with the Buccaneers as the were held at home on Wednesday evening

Ghana goalkeeper Richard Ofori marked his debut for Orlando Pirates in a 1-1 stalemate against Stellenbosch in the Premier Soccer League at the Orlando Stadium on Wednesday.

The 26-year-old joined the Buccaneers in a three-year deal from Maritzburg United a week ago after helping the Team of Choice to achieve success over the years.

Despite Pirates taking the lead by the 32nd minute through Ntsiekelelo Nyauzu, Nathan Sinkala pulled even for the visitors ten minutes later. The Zambian met a cross by teammate Jayden Adams and goalkeeper Ofori could not do anything but his effort.

However, Ofori saved Pirates from going behind in the game on the stroke of half time as he blocked a shot by Du Pereez. He also made two important saves after the break as Pirates held on to record their first point of the season.

Since Ofori arrived in the South African Premier Soccer League with Maritzburg United from Wa All Stars in 2017, he made 29 clean sheets in 85 league games.

17/18: 27 Games: 11 Clean sheets
18/19: 30 Games: 7 Clean sheets
19/20: 28 Games: 11 Clean sheets

 

Hearts of Oak in Cape Coast for pre-season, set to spend 14 days

The Phobians have landed safely in the capital of the Central region as they seek to fine tune ahead of the new Ghana Premier League season

Hearts of Oak left Accra on Wednesday for Cape Coast as they embark on a pre-season tour in the central region ahead of the 2020-21 Ghana Premier League season, AshesGyamera.com understands.

The Phobians, who are hoping to end their run without a major trophy since lifting the league title in 2009 were led by interim head coach Edward Odoom with the able assistant from newly appointed technical director Carlos Manuel Vaz Pinto.

According to our sources, Hearts will spend fourteen days in Cape Coast and its surroundings and will play series of friendly games as the technical team assess both new and old players.

Notable among the contingent that made the trip were defender Nuru Sulley and winger Patrick Razak, who returned to the club after a short stint outside the country as well as goalkeeper Richmond Ayi and star striker Abednego Tetteh.

Hearts will kick off the season with an away fixture against sworn rivals Aduana Stars at the Nana Agyemang Badu Park in Dormaa Ahenkro on November 15.

Asante Kotoko target Mukwala joins FC URA in Uganda

The highly-rated striker has snubbed interest from the Porcupine Warriors to sign a deal wit the Tax Collecters ahead of the 2020-21 season

Vipers FC striker Steven Mukwala has joined Uganda Revenue Authority FC in a two-year deal amid interest from Ghana Premier League giants Asante Kotoko, both clubs have confirmed.

With the Porcupine Warriors expected to participate in the Caf Champions League this season, Maxwell Konadu was in a hot chase of the Uganadan striker to improve his attacking options but Mukwala opted to sign for URA with an option to add one additional year.

The Tax Collectors have unveiled another addition to their squad as they get ready for the 2020-21 campaign

“Uganda Revenue Authority (URA FC) is delighted to announce the signing of striker Steven Mukwala Dese from Vipers on a two-year contract, with an option to extend for a further year,” a club statement read.

“Mukwala is a great striker and we are hoping to have an incredible season with him during his time at the club,” the statement added.

AshesGyamera.com understands that following Kotoko’s failure to sign Mukwala, they will find his replacement from the pool of local players around.

Kotoko will play Techiman Eleven Wonders on Ghana Premier League opening day, November 15, at the Accra Sports Stadium.

Bartomeu resigns as Barcelona president as Messi achieves his dream

The Barca boss has left his post amid ongoing criticism and a looming vote of no confidence

Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu has resigned with the entire board also stepping down from their posts.

Bartomeu’s decisions come after several months of criticism in the wake of Barcelona’s 8-2 Champions League elimination to Bayern Munich as well as Lionel Messi’s shocking request to leave the club shortly after.

Although the club was able to keep hold of Messi, with the longtime Barca star staying to avoid having to take the club to court, Bartomeu’s position has been under scrutiny for weeks,.

The president had been due to officially end his tenure next year with elections called for March, but the club’s members called for a vote of no confidence in an effort to get Bartomeu out immediately.

A total of 20,687 votes were gathered for the motion against Bartomeu, passing the threshold of 16,250 signatures required for the vote to go ahead.

The Barca board repeatedly tried to suspend or postpone the vote but, on Monday, local authorities rejected the club’s push to delay the proceedings.

As a result, the vote was set to go ahead in the coming weeks, but will no longer be necessary as Bartomeu and the board step down.
Bartomeu originally joined Barca during Joan Laporta’s presidency, and he ascended to the role himself in January 2014.

He replaced Sandro Rosell, becoming the fortieth President of Barcelona as he signed on to complete the rest of Rosell’s tenure following his resignation.

During his time in charge, Barca won La Liga four times as well as the 2014-15 Champions League, but his tenure will largely be defined by the club’s failings in his final seasons.

Having struggled in the transfer market since Neymar’s departure to join Paris Saint-Germain, Barca finished the 2019-20 season trophyless.
Their 8-2 loss to Bayern only furthered unrest, with Messi’s request to leave proving the final straw for the president.

Messi said in September that Bartomeu “did not keep his word”, with former Barca star Luis Suarez saying that he believes Messi will stay at Barca if a new board arrives.

Bartomeu said on Monday that he believed that Messi could lead Barca to titles this season, admitting that he could not let the Argentine leave for the good of the club.

And now, it is Bartomeu that is leaving, as he ends his time in charge of Barca after nearly seven years.

Barcelona are set to face Juventus on Wednesday in the Champions League.

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