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Ghana Premier League must restart in September, says Yaw Amponsah

Evans Gyamera-Antwi
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Ghana Premier League must restart in September, says Yaw Amponsah

The former football association presidential aspirant believes the current football season must be nullified and prepare for a new one in September

Phar Rangers bankroller Nana Yaw Amponsah has insisted that 2019-20 Ghana football season must be truncated due to Coronavirus disease pandemic in order to adequately prepare for a new campaign.

Amponsah, who contested for the Ghana FA Presidential elections in November last year, believes it will be in the best interests of all stakeholders to start afresh since that will be the only way to synchronise the local season with that of Europe.

“If we want to synchronize our league with that of Europe, then we must wait and start in September. At the moment the Accra Sports Stadium pitch will not be ready for football for the next one month” Nana Yaw said in an interview with Happy FM.

“Let us give ourselves up to September to start a new league so that the various clubs can start to prepare and meet the club licensing requirements, ” he added.

The top-flight was her to reach halfway since it has seen fifteen games.

 

‘Ghana FA Exco unanimously agreed to sack Kwasi Appiah’; Okraku denies taking revenge

Evans Gyamera-Antwi
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‘Ghana FA Exco unanimously agreed to sack Kwasi Appiah’; Okraku denies taking revenge

The country’s football association president has vehemently denied suggestions that he used his position to take a revenge on the former Black Stars coach

Ghana Football Association president Kurt Okraku has rejected reports that he initiated the process to part ways with former Black Stars coach Kwasi Appiah.

The 60-year-old was relieved from office a couple months ago after a decision was taken by Ghana FA not to extend his contract after it expired.

Although, there were media reports that Appiah was sacked because he failed to hand national team call ups to players who werenmanaged by Proton Sports, formerly owned by Okraku, the latter insists that was never the case.

“It will be most unfortunate because it could sound like a disrespect to all the twelve members on the Executive Council and other stakeholders who were engaged before that singular decision was taken,” Okraku told Sports Check.

“We all know that we woefully didn’t perform at the AFCON, we all know the happenings from the Brazil 2014 World cup, we all know all the things that has happened before.

“So when the council put the motion into vote, it was twelve out of twelve a big no. It was not about the president of the FA not wanting somebody,” he added.

Appiah in talks with Sudan and Libya to take over their national teams, according to reports.

‘King Faisal players not ready for Salary pay cut’, Osman warns club’s top hierarchy

Evans Gyamera-Antwi
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‘King Faisal players not ready for Salary pay cut’, Osman warns club’s top hierarchy

The highly-rated youngster has revealed that the players will not agree to any pay cut from the club’s management since they are paid a meagre amount

King Faisal striker Ibrahim Osman has insisted that the first team players have agreed not to accept pay-cut from the club’s top hierarchy despite rumours flying around.

Reports suggest that none of the players at the club, including Caf Champions League and Confederation Cup winner Daniel Nii Adjei, is paid above $300 at the end of every month.

“Our salaries at King Faisal aren’t enough, so how will the club’s management even think of pay cut? If they bring that idea up then they just want to worry the players,” Osman told Otec FM.

“How much do King Faisal pay us at the end of every month to even think of cutting down salaries? I’m not sure they will do that to us and I don’t believe the players will accept a pay cut if they propose it to us [despite Coronavirus disease affecting every businesses,]” he added.

On loan from Asante Kotoko, the 20-year-old has become King Faisal’s topscorer in the Ghana Premier League this season, netting ten times in 15 games as the club hopes to avoid the drop.

According to reports in the local media, Osman has become a transfer target of many European countries and could leave the country after the Coronavirus disease pandemic is over.

Fatau Dauda reveals main reason behind celebrating Cristiano Ronaldo’s header at 2014 World Cup

Evans Gyamera-Antwi
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Fatau Dauda reveals main reason behind celebrating Cristiano Ronaldo’s header at 2014 World Cup

The shot-stopper has shed lights on why he was seen in a wild celebration after thwarting an effort from the five-time World Best player at the World Cup

Ghana goalkeeper Fatau Dauda has revealed that he was excited to have saved an effort from Juventus forward Cristiano Ronaldo when Ghana played Portugal at the 2014 Fifa World Cup because he felt he had made his trainers proud.

After picking only a point from two games in Group G, the Black Stars needed a win badly against Portugal in the last game at the Brasilia National Stadium to stand a chance of qualifying to the next stage but despite Dauda’s initial heroics, Ronaldo proved too strong to aid his side win the day.

“Let me set the records straight for every Ghanaian to understand. The main reason why I jubilated after saving Cristiano Ronaldo’spoin-blank header during the 2014 Fifa World Cup in Brazil was that before the group stage games, our technical handlers showed us videos on our opponents especially the stars in each country so that we could know how to beat them or save the situation. The goalkeeping coach also taught me a lot of things when watching our opponents videos,” Dauda told B.A TV

“On that of Ronaldo, he gave me all the technicalities I can use to save Rinaldo’s balls from entering my net and one of the things he taught me on CR7 before the Portugal game was what I replicate o save that dangerous header from him.

“So it was like getting answers correct to exams questions but most Ghanaians thought I was just overly excited merely because I saved that header. I was just happy because as a good student, I was able to follow the instructions of my coach,” he added.

Dauda, after stints in South Africa and Nigeria, is now plying his trade with Ghana Premier League side Legon Cities FC.

Ghana’s Coronavirus disease cases shot to 5,918; three more deaths confirmed

Evans Gyamera-Antwi
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Ghana’s Coronavirus disease cases shot to 5,918; three more deaths confirmed

The global pandemic seems not ending anytime soon, especially in Africa as the numbers continue to soar each day

Barely after 72 hours since the last public announcement was made, Ghana’s Coronavirus disease numbers have shot up to 5,918 cases which means that 280 cases have been added to victims on Tuesday, as the country continues with a rigorous community contact tracing.

Despite the rise in number, it is worth noting that 294 people have also recovered fully within the same period adding up to 1,754 who have been discharged to join their various families across the country.

However, three additional deaths have been confirmed as they couldn’t survive despite the government’s efforts of saving them with first class treatment. This has made the number increased to 31 with more people still in critical situations.

Amid this unpleasant news, government through Ghana Education Service is making plans on how to resumes schools since closing them on March 16.

However, the three major Teacher Unions in the country namely NAGRAT, GNAT and CCT have kicked against this decision since they believe the lives of teachers and students as well as their parents or guardians will be hugely exposed to the disease in various ways because the country lacks infrastructure and financial strength to roll out social distancing and compulsory wearing of face masks before, during and after school hours.

Essien reveals why he didn’t sign for Liverpool in 2002

Evans Gyamera-Antwi
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Essien reveals why he didn’t sign for Liverpool in 2002

The midielder has revealed that he was on the verge of signing for the Anfield side but the Blues brought an improved offer later

Former Ghana and Chelsea international Michael Essien has revealed that he almost signed for Premier League side Liverpool in 2002.

After making a name in France with Bastia, Essien became a transfer target for many clubs in Europe and Liverpool’s former French manager Gerard Houllier tabled an offer for the defensive midfielder but the deal fell through.

The 37-year-old believes it wasn’t the best time for him to play in England until Jose Mourinho and Chelsea came into the scene.

“I had lot of offers. I was close to signing for Liverpool when Gerard Houllier was their coach,” Essien said in #ConvosWithCarol.

”I even went to Melwood to meet the coach. We had a talk and I returned to France but the offers were still coming. PSG, Olympique Marseille et al, but I told Bastia I don’t want to move and they also didn’t want to sell me at that time because they wanted me to stay for another year which was fine with me because I also didn’t want to leave the club so I stayed for another season, that’s my third year with the club.

”Olympique Lyon joined the three aforementioned clubs to enquire about me but I thought it was too early to move to England that was why I joined Lyon and later moved to Chelsea under Mourinho,” he said.

“Lyon were my favourite team when I went to France because they were winning everything. I told my agent that if Lyon have come into the picture I’d like to join them.

”PSG were then serious about signing me to the extent that they made an offer. I was back home at that time and the call came that PSG had made a bid for me. It was even on the national television that I had signed for PSG which I had not because I was still in Ghana.
”There was a lot of controversies going on between the board and my agent so when I went back to Bastia, we met with the board members and the president, and I told them I’d prefer to join Lyon although I liked Paris.

”I was really caught between PSG and Lyon but my preference was always Lyon. I had then spoken to the president and their coach. I gave them my word that when I return from my holidays in Ghana, I’ll do everything to sign for them but It was not easy,” he added.

Essien, after signing for Chelsea later in 2005 for £24.4 million, became the club’s most expensive player at that time under Jose Mourinho and went on to win the Premier League title in his maiden season.

 

Hearts of Oak players boycotted training ahead of 2017 FA Cup final humiliation by Kotoko – Thomas Abbey

Evans Gyamera-Antwi
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Hearts of Oak players boycotted training ahead of 2017 FA Cup final humiliation by Kotoko – Thomas Abbey

The Phobians former skipper has shed lights on why they were thrashed in the Cup final by their sworn rivals three years ago in Tamale

Hearts of Oak former captain Thomas Abbey has revealed that the club lost the 2017 Ghana FA Cup to Asante Kotoko due to an impasse among the players, technical team and management members.

After a wonderful run in the campaign, the Phobians were thrashed 3-1 by Kotoko at the Aliu Mahama Sports Stadium thanks to a first-half hat-trick by Sadick Adams and Abbey has insisted that the players were not mentally and physically prepared for the game since they were owed three months salaries as well as winning bonuses from seven games which generated confusion in camp.

In an interview with Angel FM Accra, Abbey said;

“I can say that before the match, everything favoured Hearts. We were supposed to win but there were very serious problems in the team. We had not been paid for three months and winning bonuses from seven matches were also not paid.

“I can tell you that, before the final, we were not even training. We were protesting so we will go to the training grounds and only jog for twenty minutes and go back home.”

He added: “Most of the players had their contracts expired so we knew the match was the last opportunity to demand our pay. Not surprising that we lost in the first half. I can say it was what led to the defeat.”

Hearts are without a major trophy since lifting the 2009 Ghana Premier League title and that has mounted pressure on the top hierarchy to change the direction of the club in other to return to winning ways.

‘Ghana should go under curfew to defeat COVID-19’, says GFA president

Evans Gyamera-Antwi
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‘Ghana should go under curfew to defeat COVID-19’, says GFA president

The West African country’s football governing body’s chief wants all activities within the day to come to a halt despite concerns by a section of Ghanaians that football must return soon

Ghana Football Association president Kurt Okraku has revealed that he would admonish a partial curfew across the country as a means to battle Coronavirus disease pandemic.

As at 19h00 GMT on Wednesday, an official number of 5,408 cases of Coronavirus disease had been recorded including 24 deaths. The uprise came as a surprise to many since all the country’s boarders have been closed while laws have been passed for a mandatory wearing of face masks.

And Okraku, whose association has submitted a request to government for a stimulus package to help various clubs to pay their players and workers, believes a curfew from sunrise until sunset will be the best of options under the current situation to stop the spread of the virus.

“My Opinion: COVID 19, per the way the numbers keep going up, I will suggest a 6pm to 6am curfew every day for some weeks to enable us control the spread of this virus,” Okraku posted on Facebook.

“It’s becoming really scary!!!! Do you agree ? 🇬🇭,” he added.

Ghana FA’s Ghanaman Centre of Excellence in Prampram has been adopted as on of the isolation centres to help in the battle against the disease.

Akonnor promises not to repeat mistakes of predecessors; eyes Afcon title with Ghana

Evans Gyamera-Antwi
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Akonnor promises not to repeat mistakes of predecessors; eyes Afcon title with Ghana

After failing to win the continent’s biggest trophy as a player, the Black Stars new coach is poised to end the country’s run without a major title

Ghana coach Charles Kwablah Akonnor has insisted that he will avoid mistakes his predecessors made which cost the country the chance of winning Africa Cup of Nations.

Since 1982, the Black Stars have failed in all their attempts to clinch the biannual competition, losing the final in 1992, 2010 and 2015 but were surprisingly bundled out in Round of 16 in 2019 edition staged in Egypt.

The outcome triggered Ghana Football Association’s decision not to renew former coach Kwasi Appiah’s contract and Akonnor, who deputised the former at a point, hopes to make amends.

“It’s not about me but about us. It’s been over thirty something years we’ve not won the Afcon. I don’t want to be any of the coaches that comes and just goes and it’s the same story,” Akonnor told Michael Oti Adjei of TV3, in an interview.

“I want us to work and at least do something to be relevant,” he added.

Akonnor also admitted that he is aware people have doubts concerning his appointment but believes if the Black Stars’ games against Sudan and Soa Tome weren’t postponed because of COVID-19, the narrative would’ve changed.

“It’s a bit uncomfortable because of all the demands,” he said. “I know a lot of people who have doubts but if we had played the two matches against Sudan and Sao Tome, by now there will be different views concerning my appointment.

“I’m a discipline person [and] my time I don’t joke with it. Once we have decided it’s five o’clock [that we are meeting], let’s do it five. Once we say six o’clock and we agree and you come thirty minutes late then it is a problem and I won’t shy away from letting you know that it’s a problem.

“These [are things] people term it to be like I’m a quick-tempered person,” he concluded.

Ghana top Group C of the 2021 Afcon qualifiers with six points, after victories over South Africa and Sao Tome and Principe.

C.K Akonnor hints at readiness to call K.P Boateng for Black Stars games

Evans Gyamera-Antwi
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C.K Akonnor hints at readiness to call K.P Boateng for Black Stars games

The new Black Stars coach believes he will reconsider given the midfielder an opportunity to represent Ghana if only all outstanding issues are solved

Ghana coach C.K Akonnor has admitted that he will not hesitate to give a call up to Besiktas midfielder Kevin-Prince Boateng.

The 33-year-old has been in the bad books of the Black Stars after he was infamously sacked from camp alongside Sulley Ali Muntari during 2014 Fifa World Cup in Brazil.

Although, Boateng made it public last week that he will relish another opportunity to represent the West African country, Akonnor believes outstanding issues must be resolved to pave ways for his return.

“If Kevin Prince Boateng is availability why not [give him the chance to play for Ghana again]? ” Akonnor told Joy FM.

“He has played before, he is experienced but for his issues with the Black Stars.

“I will have to take it up with the Ghana Football Association (GFA) before any such decision will be taken if need be. We all know his exit was with many issues and this must be clarified before we consider his return,” he added.

Boateng has made 15 appearances with the Black Stars since making his debut in 2010 and has scored two goals.

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