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Kotoko & Hearts board chairmen arrive in Cameroon ahead of African Super League meeting

Evans Gyamera-Antwi
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Kotoko & Hearts board chairmen arrive in Cameroon ahead of African Super League meeting

The Porcupine Warriors and Phobians chiefs have touched down in Yaounde to take part in the all-important meeting on the maiden Africa Super League

Asante Kotoko board chairman Kwame Kyei and Hearts of Oak board chairman Togbe Afede XIV have both arrived in Cameroon ahead of the imminent discussion on the African Super League competition which is expected to start this year.

A lot of powerhouses from Africa including Al Ahly, Al Hilal, Esperance are expected to partake in the competition but Kotoko and Hearts are the only two Ghanaian clubs expected to be part of the maiden edition.

In November last year, the Executive Council of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) approved the ‘African Super League’ at its Extraordinary Assembly in Cairo.

According to Caf president Patrice Motsepe the competition would contribute to making Africa’s soccer becoming more competitive in the near future.

“The super league for Africa is a new competition because all of those other competitions are locked into agreements and the money they get is not enough,” Motsepe said while speaking at a news conference in Ghana.

“There have to be fundamental changes in how we do things in football so that African football can be noticed across the world. We do not want aid from anybody. We can work on our own and that’s what I am here to do,” he added.

Although, similar tournament in Europe could not materialize as clubs like Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur and Real Madrid were forced to bow out at the eleventh hour or face sanctions from Uefa, Motsepe believes “Africa will learn from their experience and pitfalls” since such tournaments will bring additional revenue to “contribute to African soccer becoming competitive and self-sustaining.”

As at now, only 20 clubs are expected to compete in the maiden edition of the Super League including Kotoko and Hearts. However, there will be qualifiers for participation by other clubs through a regional play-offs in the offing.

Shocking: Former Kotoko players sent on loan to Moroka Swallows after joining Sekukhune for just one week

Evans Gyamera-Antwi
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Shocking: Former Kotoko players sent on loan to Moroka Swallows after joining Sekukhune for just one week

The duo were expecting to play for Sekukhune in the second half of the Premier Soccer League but they have been farmed out to another club

Former Asante Kotoko striker Abdul Fatawu Safiu and defender Habib Mohammed will have to fight for a place at struggling South African club Moroka Swallows after failing to make the cut at Sekukhune FC, AshesGyamera.com can report.

The duo arrived in South Africa a fortnight ago and sealed a deal with Sekukhune through the help of Club Consult led by Yussif Chibsah, however, things didn’t go as planned.

Sekukhune coach insists their services are not needed at the moment and with the club exhausting their slots for foreign players, they have been farmed out and will likely return after the season in July.

Habib, in particular, signed a three-year deal from Dreams FC where he had been very instrumental in the club’s fight for a top four finish this season in Ghana Premier League while

He became the fourth player to be signed by Sekhukhune United in the second half of the season after they unveiled former Orlando Pirates and Cape Town City striker Justin Shonga alongside Luckyboy Mokoena and former Supersport United striker Evans Rusike.

Fatawu, on the other hand, joined from Swedish lower division side FC Trollhattan after bagging just a goal in 14 games.

Now, both Habib and Fatawu will have to help Moroka who are fighting to avoid relegation as they are without a win in their last four games, conceding six goals in the process.

With the PSL resuming next month after going on a break since December last year, Swallows will host TSG Galaxy in the Nedbank Cup and Habib as well as Safiu will likely be in the stands to watch their new club.

“Gov’t can only check expenditure,” Caf warns Ghana government to stay away from Black Stars coaching race

Evans Gyamera-Antwi
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“Gov’t can only check expenditure,” Caf warns Ghana government to stay away from Black Stars coaching race

The continent’s football governing body has reiterated to Ghana government to stay away from the day-to-day activities of Kurt Okraku’s led FA

Confederation of African Football General Secretary of CAF, Veron Mosengo-Omba has advised Ghana government to stay away from daily running of football in the country insisting that they have no right.

Recent reports have suggested that Ghana FA were compelled to sack Black Stars coach Milovan Rajevac last week following an order by government through the ministry of Youth and Sports.

Following Ghana’s poor performance at the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations where they failed to win any of their three group games, the ministry of Youth and Sports held a meeting with the Football Association’s top hierarchy and advised them to sack the Serbian since a lot of Ghanaians are not happy with his output.

Although, the FA were adamant to such calls, they later budged to the growing demands but Veron says government can only check the expenditure of FA and cannot partake in key decision making.

As it stands now, Ghana is without a coach but rumours suggest that former Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle United coach Chris Hughton may be given the nod since government believes he has the technical know-how to manage the current crop of players.

“Ghana has to concentrate on the World Cup, they have important game and they have to concentrate on this. Everybody has to be behind the Black Stars because they have important game coming up in March,” Veron said in an interview with Ghanaian journalists in Cameroon.

“To lose the game, to lose the cup is part of football. Ghana was eliminated [in the AFCON] and this is the rule of the game. The government, financially, they put the fund for them to prepare for the competition, that I have to thank the Government of Ghana on behalf of CAF President, thank you very much and this is the way of cooperation we want for our members and the government.

“The money that the government put forward for the Black Stars, the government has to check with the GFA how you spend each penny, they have to do that, we encourage them to do that but the redline is the government cannot involve in the management of the federation.

“Even if they lose you cannot say change the management, you have to change the coach. This will be very dangerous. we don’t want to come back on that again because this looks like interference.

“I beg the government that if tis is the intention, stop it. They can coerce them to monitor the funds that are put in , that is normal , I don’t think the GFA is against this , the President of CAF is not against this but please not involved in the management of the Federation,” he added.


Ghana will face Nigeria in the final round of the 2022 Fifa World Cup qualifiers in March. The first leg has been slated for either Cape Coast or Accra Sports Stadium on March 26 with the return fixture set to take place a week later.

Bechem United 2-0 Ashanti Gold: Okrah & Annor help Bechem to close in on Asante Kotoko

Evans Gyamera-Antwi
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Bechem United 2-0 Ashanti Gold: Okrah & Annor help Bechem to close in on Asante Kotoko

The midfielders handed the Hunters another victory as they reduced the point gap between them and leaders Asante Kotoko

Bechem United defeated Ashanti Gold 2-0 on matchday sixteen of Ghana Premier League at the Nana Fosu Gyeabour Park in Bechem on Friday.

After shocking Aduana Stars last weekend in Dormaa Ahenkro, Bechem came into the game with the aim of continuing their ten-game unbeaten run.

Forward Augustine Okrah who missed the game against Aduana due to suspension returned and was handed a starting place.

Okrah benefited from a poor kick from Ashanti Gold goalkeeper Kofi Mensah and fired Bechem in front by the 16th minute and that goal marked his eighth of the season.

The 28-year-old could’ve doubled the lead nine minutes later but his effort this time around was blocked by defender Frank Akoto.

Watch Augustine Okrah’s eighth goal of the season

After the break, Bechem doubled their advantage through substitute Emmanuel Annor by the 60th minute. The substitute connected a pass from his teammate Essel and sent in a powerful shot.

Bechem have closed in on Asante Kotoko after the win as they are now on 29 points, four points behind the Porcupine Warriors

‘We’ve provided $430 million to Ghana to fight Covid-19 not $100 million’ – World Bank

Evans Gyamera-Antwi
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‘We’ve provided $430 million to Ghana to fight Covid-19 not $100 million’ – World Bank

World Bank Country Director, Pierre Frank Laporte has revealed that the World Bank had provided the government of Ghana $430 million to fight the Covid-19 pandemic.

According to him, the money was initially directed at the various campaigns that sought to inform and educate Ghanaians on the Covid-19 and its safety protocols.

“We’ve provided $430 million to Ghana to fight Covid. And this includes different activities including initially the communication campaign, the sensitization campaign, equipping labs, equipping new facilities to receive patients, to treat patients,” he said on JoyNews’ PM Express, Thursday.

He added that the World Bank further provided an additional $130million purposely for the purchase of vaccines.

But while the World Bank was actively supporting Ghana’s Covid-19 fight, it also set into motion several projects to enable the country’s economy to stay afloat.

Pierre Frank Laporte noted that these projects were targeted at Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs)which are the backbone of Ghana’s economy.

He stated that the Bank accelerated the disbursement of projects like the Ghana Economic Transformation projects which targeted SMEs in particular.

“The Tourism project that was suffering from other places before Covid. The Minister has done an excellent job in pushing these activities forward, helping a lot of small businesses,” he said.

He added that the World Bank was further accelerating the disbursement of its social protection project while approving $100 million more to support the project.

“So a lot of things are happening. We’re hoping that the Development Bank, the Development Finance will also get resources for small businesses so a lot happened that we’ve done,” he said.

Meanwhile, Pierre Laporte has revealed that Ghana could receive a further $60 million to help in its Covid-19 fight.

“You see the Omicron variant has reminded us of something that we should never think that Covid will just go away like that. It may go away, it may not. At this point in time, we’re discussing a further tranche of support for Covid.

“If all goes well it should be available early March. We’re looking at $60million dollars, which 20 will go directly for more vaccines and the 40 for additional treatment centres,” he said.

Source: Myjoyonline

Muntari ready to tattoo Ghana Premier League trophy on his body if Hearts win it over Kotoko

Evans Gyamera-Antwi
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Muntari ready to tattoo Ghana Premier League trophy on his body if Hearts win it over Kotoko

The midfielder says he doesn’t have any problems adding a tattoo of the Premier League trophy to the Uefa Champions League he won with Inter Milan

Hearts of Oak midfielder Sulley Muntari has admitted that he would wish to win Ghana Premier League this season and add a tattoo of the trophy to the collection he already has on his body.

The 37-year-old penned down a one-year deal this week with the Phobians, bringing to an end his three-year stay off the field and series of speculations about his future.

Although, Asante Kotoko have opened a ten-point gap between them and Hearts, Muntari believes it is possible to catch up and would not have a problem to make a tattoo of the trophy on his body should Hearts eventually win it.

Sulley Muntari talks about his readiness to tattoo Ghana Premier League trophy on his skin

“Yeah why not [I wouldn’t mind having a tattoo of the Premier League on my skin],” Muntari told Hearts media in his first interview.

“The things I have on my skin are important to me,” he added.

Muntari previously stated that he would love to play for Kotoko before hanging his boots, he believes Hearts play good football and it is one of the reasons why he chose to don the rainbow colours.

“Hearts of Oak play good football. It is a tough team and one of the best in Africa so I’m happy to be part of it,” Muntari said in his first interview with Hearts Media.

The former Uefa Champions League winner began his career in Ghana with Liberty Professionals before leaving the shores of the country to join Udinese in Italy.

‘Hearts of Oak play good football,” Sulley Muntari explains why he joined Hearts ahead of Kotoko & others

Evans Gyamera-Antwi
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‘Hearts of Oak play good football,” Sulley Muntari explains why he joined Hearts ahead of Kotoko & others

The Black Stars midfielder has heaped praise on the Phobians and explains why he opted to join them ahead of many other clubs that were chasing his services

Ghana midfielder Sulley Ali Muntari has finally open the lid on why he chose to sign for Hearts of Oak ahead of other suitors in Ghana Premier League.

The 37-year-old signed a one-year contract this week with the Phobians, bringing to an end his three-year stay off the field, as he hugely impressed head coach Samuel Boadu at training.

Although, Muntari has previously stated that he would love to play for Kotoko before hanging his boots, he believes Hearts play good football and it is one of the reasons why he chose to don the rainbow colours.

SULLEY MUNTARI’S FIRST OFFICIAL INTERVIEW WITH HEARTS OF OAK

“Hearts of Oak play good football. It is a tough team and one of the best in Africa so I’m happy to be part of it,” Muntari said in his first interview with Hearts Media.

The former Uefa Champions League winner began his career in Ghana with Liberty Professionals before leaving the shores of the country to join Udinese in Italy.

He has since played for several top clubs including giants AC Milan, Portsmouth and Inter Milan where he won the treble (Uefa Champions, Serie A and Italian Supercopa) under former coach Jose Mourinho.

Karma: Cameroon taste a dose of their bitter pill in Afcon semifinals as Egypt progress

Evans Gyamera-Antwi
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Karma: Cameroon taste a dose of their bitter pill in Afcon semifinals as Egypt progress

The Indomitable Lions were stunned on penalties by the North African giants as their ambition of winning the Afcon trophy on home soil came to an abrupt end

Cameroon’s aim of winning yet another Africa Cup of Nations trophy came to a crushing end on Thursday as they were pipped by record holders Egypt on penalties

After both sides failed to win the game in regulation time, it then progressed to extra time but still a winner was not selected.

However, Egypt stepped up their performance to shocking win 3-1 on penalties to progress to the final for the first time since 2017 as they search for their eighth trophy in the competition.

The vociferous Cameroon fans were left weeping uncontrollably but in truth, they have been served a dose of their own bitter pill to swallow.

After causing a lot of pains to many countries, Cameroon experienced how disheartening it is to host a tournament and lose in the semifinals.

In 1988 and 2002 Cameroon shocked hosts Morocco and Mali respectively, as well as Ghana in 2008 which forced me to abandoned the second semifinal game played later in the day.

Although, many people especially neutrals pity them but a lot also feel elated to just see Cameroon missing out of the final especially on home ground.

With Senegal edging out Burkina Faso in the other semifinal game on Wednesday, Egypt would now face Senegal led by Sadio Mane on Sunday while Cameroon try to save their blushes in the third-place game against Burkina Faso on Saturday.

Senegal are hoping to win their first-ever trophy after losing their previous two Afcon final in 2002 and 2019.

“Ghana Premier League goalkeepers should prepare for Sulley Muntari’s powerful shots,” fitness trainer cautions

Evans Gyamera-Antwi
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0
“Ghana Premier League goalkeepers should prepare for Sulley Muntari’s powerful shots,” fitness trainer cautions

The 37-year-old has returned to the pitch after three years and he is expected light up the local league

Hearts of Oak midfielder Sulley Ali Muntari is expected to score several long range goals in Ghana Premier League, according to his personal fitness coach Leonard Akoto.

Muntari, 37, signed a one-year deal with the Phobians last week after three years as a free agent and he is expected to start games in the coming days.

Although, a lot of people have raised concerns about Muntari’s fitness level, Akoto believes the former AC Milan and Inter Milan star is ready to take the local league by storm.

“Sulley Ali Muntari is very fit and he will shock everybody, he will score on his debut for Hearts of Oak. He will score from either a free kick or long range,” Akoto told journalist Vandal Andy in an interview.

“He has also told Ghana Premier League goalkeepers to prepare for his long range shots from 35 yards or 40 yards out,” he added.

Muntari officially trained with Hearts on Wednesday and was mobbed by supporters of the club who showered praise on him.

To them, the arrival of Muntari will spur them on to successfully defend the Premier League title they won last season despite their slow start this term.

Aliou Cissé makes third Africa Cup of Nations final with Senegal; Can he win the trophy now?

Evans Gyamera-Antwi
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Aliou Cissé makes third Africa Cup of Nations final with Senegal; Can he win the trophy now?

The fast-rising football coach has made history as the first Senegal coach to reach two final of the Africa Cup of Nations

Senegal brushed aside Burkina Faso 3-1 to reach the final of 2021 Africa Cup of Nations ongoing in Cameroon.

After losing the trophy to Algeria in the last edition, Senegal arrived in Cameroon with optimism to right the wrong but things did not start on a perfect note for them.

The Teranga Lions scored only one goal from open play in the group stage to book their place in the knockout phase. However, they have now scored eight goals in three games in the knockout stage – round of 16, quarterfinals and semifinals.

Interestingly, head coach Aliou Cissewho was initially under intense pressure due to the slow start has now become a national hero as Senegal are just one step away from annexing the ultimate.

Cisse has ever been present whenever Senegal make it to the final in their history. In 2002, he captained the West African side in the final but they lost title. In 2019, Senegal narrowly lost in the final to Algeria in the final and they are hoping to make amends this time around with Cisse still in charge.

Senegal will face either Egypt or host Nation Cameroon on Sunday in the final as the two countries are scheduled to play the second semifinals on Thursday evening.

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