Home Blog Page 202

Black Stars players earned $2,000 after friendly against Mali and Qatar, GFA boss reveals

The country’s football association boss has revealed that each player pocketed $2,000 during the Black Stars’ double friendly in October

Ghana Football Association president Kurt E.S Okraku has revealed that each Black Stars player took home $2,000 after the friendly matches against Mali and Qatar in Antalya, Turkey two weeks ago.

The Black Stars suffered a 3-0 humbling against Mali in the first game before they thrashed Qatar, who will he hosting the next World Cup 5-1, in the subsequent game.

In an interview with Moses Antwi Benefo on Nhyira FM’s Power Sports on Monday, Okraku affirmed that the players were not interested in the monetary gains but rather team building as the Black Stars prepare under new coach C.K Akonnor ahead of 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers and 2022 Fifa World Cup qualifiers.

“The players were paid $2,000 for the friendly games [unlike the $5,000 we used to pay after each game] because of the circumstance at hand,” Okraku said.

“However, let me hasten to add that the players were not interested in the monetary benefits, rather team building. This is because we are preparing a new team for the future,” he added.

Ghana will play their first competitive game under Akonnor next month as they are billed to face Sudan in the Afcon qualifiers at the Accra Sports Stadium.

Medeama sign Abdul Basit on three-year deal from Turkish club

The Yellow and Mauve have added the former New Edubiase United midfielder to their ranks for the new season

Medeama have signed midfielder Abdul Basit Adam in a three-year deal from Turkish lower divison side Çanakkale Dardanel SK, the club have confirmed.

The 25-year-old was previously on the books of New Edubiase United in the Ghanaian top-flight has returned to the Ghanaian top-flight before leaving the country in 2013 to seek greener pastures.

“I am very, very happy to be here and I’m looking forward to the season,” Basit told medeamasc.com.

“This is a great club with a fantastic professional touch and I am happy to be part of this family.

“We want to work hard and achieve laurels for the fans and the people of Tarkwa. Its’ not going to be easy but we hope to make it count,” he added.

Medeama coach Samuel Boadu was full of praise of Basit and believes his quality will help in his ambitions for the season.

“Basit is a great addition for us and we’re looking forward to working with him.

“He bring a lot on the table and will add quality and depth to our squad. He has pace and power and will be a great addition to our team.

“He has so far integrated well and we are looking forward to working with him.”

“I’m sweating,” frustrated Alhaji Grusah unhappy with King Faisal’s poor pre-season performance

The Insha Allah bankroller has admitted he was frustrated with his side’s poor showing in their last pre-season friendly against a lower division side

King Faisal owner and bankroller Alhaji Karim Grusah has admitted he is not satisfied with his club’s pre-season performance following a 2-1 defeat to Wassaman United at the Paa JoePark on Saturday.

Despite having almost seven months to map up a plan for the new Ghana Premier League season, coach Slavisa Bozicic struggled to impress when King Faisal played their first major pre-season friendly leading to a little confrontation between him and Grusah.

The Serbian opted for a 4-4-2 and 4-5-1 formation ahead of the usual 3-4-3, 3-5-2 or 3-2-4-1 formations that won him the game against third-tier side Ebony FC and it backfired against Wassaman.

“I’m sweating. I wasn’t impressed with the performance of my club against Wassaman United in the friendly game,” Grusah told Otec FM in an interview.

“Our performance have been low but I believe we will because we some players who are yet to join just like Abdul Wadudu and others.

“We will register 26 players for the season so I’m waiting for the coach to submit the final list to us. Our players are individually good so it is now left to the coach to blend them and make a competent team out of them for the upcoming season.

“I can assure our supporters and admirers that we will not be relegated to Division One League after the season despite struggling in the truncated season,” he added.

King Faisal, who failed to win any of their 14 games before last season was truncated, will open their GPL account this term with a long trip to Sogakope to face West African Football Academy (WAFA) on November 15 before they welcome former champions Aduana Stars to the Nana Ameyaw Park in Techiman on Matchday two.

Former Ghana assistant coach Tanko ready to coach in Ghana Premier League

The former Black Stars assistant has opened up the lid on his future and admits his readiness to coach in the Ghana Premier League this season

Former Ghana assistant coach Ibrahim Tanko has revealed his readiness to coach any of the sixteen Ghana Premier League clubs ahead of the 2020-21 season only if they can meet his demands.

The experience tactician, who until recently was the head of the Black Stars B, has constantly been linked to Hearts of Oak, Asante Kotoko and Ashanti Gold but he was spotted at the training ground of King Faisal last weekend when the Insha Allah Boys suffered a 2-1 defeat to Wassaman United in a pre-season friendly.

And although reports suggested that he was there with Club Consult director Yussif Alhassan Chibsah to donate jerseys and other equipment to the King Faisal, it is believed he may take over from underfire coach Slavisa Bozicic.

“Why Not? I’m always available for any club that comes in with a good offer. It could be any time soon, either today or tomorrow, next month or year,” Tanko told OTEC FM

“My job is coaching so as long as I am here, I’m ready and willing for any club who can meet my demands. If the offer comes and it is in favour or close to my expectations, why not join that club and help?” he added

The new season kicks off on November 13 and it is expected to be concluded in May 2021.

Former Ghana FA top official confirmed dead on Sunday

The second-tier’s former boss has been confirmed dead by family and friends after battling with a short illness

Former Ghana Division One League chairman Evans Amenumeh has been confirmed dead on Sunday by close relatives few weeks after he was reported ill.

The experienced football administrator who until his demise became the vice Chairman of the newly constituted DOL board, was also a member of the Greater Accra Regional Football Association and later Juvenile Committee.

He worked with Kwame Ntow Fianko Esq at a point in shaping the second-tier league which was facing hooliganism and lack of sponsorships from the corporate world.

Amenumeh has become the second top Ghanaian football administrator, aside Alhaji Yakubu Moro of Berekum  Arsenals’ fame, to kick the bucket within the last week.

Details of his funeral rites arrangements will later be announced by his family and Ghana Football Association respectively.

Aduana Stars 5-2 Wamanafo Mighty Royals: Ogya Boys record flying start in pre-season friendly

The Ogya Boys recorded an important victory in their pre-season friendly against local rivals as they geer up for the new season

Ghana Premier League side Aduana Stars thrashed Wamanafo Mighty Royals 5-2 in a pre season friendly at the Nana Agyeman Badu I Park on Sunday in Dormaa Ahenkro.

Midfielder Elvis Opoku opened the scoring for Aduana after an end to end action in the opening minutes before a brace from Bright Agyei set them up to have a little breathing space in the game.

Two additional goals from former Techiman City midfielder Fatau Abdul Rahman and Justice Anane respectively won the day for them despite a brilliant brace from Martin Coby mid-way in the game for the visitors.

Aduana, who are eyeing for their third league title, will continue with their pre-season as coach Paa Kwesi Fabin has lined up a series of high-profile games for his charges before the season kicks off on November 13.

Felix Annan ready to leave Asante Kotoko to South Africa, agent reveals

The counsel of the Porcupine Warriors shot-stopper has admitted his client wants to depart from the club ahead of the new season

Asante Kotoko captain Felix Annan could leave the club ahead of the 2020-21 Ghana Premier League season, his agent Tsepo More has revealed.

The 25-year-old has fallen down in the pecking order of the club’s goalkeeping ranks after losing the starting place to Kwame Baah.

The situation has even worsen following the arrival of Ghana’s national team goalkeeper Razak Abalora and reports suggest he could take the first spot after reports suggest it was clearly stated in his contract.

And Annan’s agent believes his client could leave to South African Premier Soccer League side Chippa United despite initial plans falling through due to the Coronavirus disease pandemic a couple of months ago.

“The most important thing that we are trying to do is to bring the player to South Africa. He is a very quality player and Chippa United is one of the clubs that were keen on the player,” Tshepo More told Soccer Laduma.

“The club’s goalkeeping coach really liked him but due to the Coronavirus disease, we couldn’t bring the player here at the time but that is not the end.

“The boy has been working really hard and is very hungry and I can’t really point out any negatives about him,” he added in the interview.

Annan has previously ventured out his frustrations following Maxwell Konadu’s decision to bench him since he took time off to wed his long time girlfriend earlier this year.

Ghanaian referee confirmed dead in Takoradi

The Knight of the Whistle has passed on to the other side of the world after battling a short illness

Former Ghana Division One League referee Akorliga Kwoffie has been confirmed dead by family members according to reports filed by KYFilla.

The promising referee was one of the experienced men that was highly tipped to officiate the top-flight in the coming seasons but couldn’t live up to expectations that the Western Regional Referees Association had for him.

Details of his burial will be announced in the coming days as Ghana Football Association’s top hierarchy are yet to be notified officially.

Flashback: Kurt Okraku shocks George Afriyie to win Ghana FA presidential race; 18-club league approved

The country’s football association chief was elected into office exactly a year ago today and AshesGyamera.com chronicles the events leading to his rise to fame

Today marks exactly one year ago that Ghana Football Association president  Kurt Okraku came to power to replace beleaguered Kwesi Nyantakyi who had been handed a life ban from football activities by FIFA.

A night before the elections at the auditorium of College of Physicians and Surgeons in Accra, pollsters tipped George Afriyie to record a landslide victory over his opponents but things changed dramatically.

In the first round, Kurt Okraku took a surprising lead with 44 points while delegates ‘favourite’  George Afriyie only had 40. Meanwhile, Nana Yaw Amponsah who is currently the chief executive officer of Asante Kotoko came third and Fred Pappoe picked six votes while Amanda Clinton had zero.

After the second round of the GFA presidential elections Kurt Okraku was still in the lead but could not be crowned winner since he couldn’t beat the 50 per cent plus one vote expected once again despite having an improved figure.

He had additional 15 votes in this round while George Afriyie amassed only three additional votes as compared to the first round.

Kurt Okraku 59 (49.6%)
George Afriyie 43 (36.1 %)
Nana Yaw Amponsah 15 (13.4%)

After this round, a final lap began and a winner, regardless of the number or percentage, was expected to be declared by the Electoral Commission representatives around.

 

However, few minutes into the voting process, George Afriyie conceded defeat leaving only Okraku as the sole candidate left and members were allowed to vote whether they will accept him as their new president or not and he garnered over 90 per cent of the total votes casted.

It will be recalled that members present at the Congress accepted a motion by Randy Abbey that King Faisal and Great Olympics should be added to the top-flight clubs in order to make it an 18-team league since that will resolve all outstanding legal issues involving Ghana FA.

From the editorial desk of AshesGyamera.com, we say Ayekoo to Kurt Okraku and his administration.

Kotoko pre-season friendly in Akosombo cancelled; players play among themselves

The Porcupines did not make it to Akosombo for their pre-season friendly on Saturday due to undisclosed reasons

Asante Kotoko saw their plans to play another a pre season friendly match in Akosombo with an unnamed lower division side on Saturday cancelled,  AshesGyamera.com can confirm.

Maxwell Konadu’s charges kicked start their tour in the Eastern region with a 3-0 thrashing of Odweanoma FC last weekend and were hoping to step up their preparations but it was called off in the eleventh hour.

However, the technical team grouped the team into two sides with captain Felix Annan, who was later replaced with Kwame Baah, leading one of the sides while his deputy Emmanuel Gyamfi led the other side.

A brace fŕom Osman Ibrahim who returned from a loan deal at King Faisal, coupled by goals from William Opoku Mensah and Maxwell Baakoh helped Team A led by Annan to win 4-3 after regulation time. Augustine Okrah nearly scored a spectacular but his free-kick hit the underside of the post late in the second half.

The consolation goals from Team B were scored by Samuel Frimpong, Mudasiru Seidu and an own goal by Mubarik Yussif.

Team A:

Felix Annan (C)/ Kwame Baah, Christopher Nettey, Imoro Ibrahim, Mubarik Yussif, Wahab Adams, Kwame Adom Frimpong , Abdul Latif Anabila, Maxwell Baakoh/Augustine Okrah, Godfred Asiamah, William Opoku Mensah, Osman Ibrahim/ Evans Adomako

Team B

Razark Abalora, Samuel Frimpong, Patrick Asmah, Ismail Abdul Ganiu, Habib Mohammed, Emmanuel Sarkodie, Mudasiru Salifu, Emmanuel Kayekeh, Naby Keita, Emmanuel Gyamfi (C), Kwame Poku