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“Kotoko could’ve scored more goals against Ashanti Gold,” says unsatisfied Prosper Ogum

The Porcupine Warriors boss feels his charges could’ve walloped their rivals in the derby game on Sunday

Asante Kotoko coach Prosper Ogum Narteh has insisted that they could’ve scored more goals despite defeating Ashanti Gold 3-1 in the Ashanti derby at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium on Sunday.

After a slow start to the game, a second half hat-trick by Cameroonian striker Etuoga Mbella Frank Thierry broke down a resilient defence of Ashanti Gold.

Elijah Addai scored a late consolation goal for Ashanti Gold who have now gone three games without a win.

However, Ogum feels his charges fluffed several other chances which could’ve helped them to achieve a historic scoreline.

“It was good. I think that for the first time at the Baba Yara Stadium, we were able to find our rhythm,” Ogum said after the game.

“We were able to circulate the ball very well, confidently and if you look at the chances that we created we could have scored more. We could’ve won the game by a bigger margin than this.

“I’m happy that for the first time they were very calm on the ball, they were very calm without the ball and were able to exploit the spaces that we created.

Ashanti Gold is a big team which we all know and going up by 3 goals to 1 is fantastic. I’m happy for the boys,” he added.

Kotoko lead the Ghana Premier League log with 26 points, three points above Aduana Stars and they will travel to Golden City Park in Berekum next weekend to face Berekum Chelsea.

“I have unfinished business with Asante Kotoko,” Justice Blay tells fans

The midfielder who was spotted at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium on Sunday is expected to be unveiled by the Porcupine Warriors in the coming days

Justice Blay has insisted that he has unfinished business with Asante Kotoko few days after his contract with Medeama expired.

The 29-year-old has been heavily linked with a return to Kotoko and was even spotted at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium when the Porcupine Warriors hammered regional rivals Ashanti Gold 3-1 in the Ashanti derby.

“My next destination is Asante Kotoko because I have unfinished business in the team due to the love shown me by the supporters,” Blay told Focus TV.

“I decided not to extend my contract at Medeama and even told all my colleague players that I am leaving that is why there was a guard of honour from my colleagues.

“In football, you have to get a new challenge to make you improve as a player that’s why I am moving on.

“My happiest moment at Kotoko is when I see a lot of supporters at the stadium and cheering the players on. That thing makes me play above myself,” he added.

Blay helped Kotoko to reach the group stage of the Caf Confederation Cup during his first stint with the club and he is expected to be unveiled in the coming days after reportedly signing a two-year deal.

He is expected to boss Kotoko’s midfield with Mudasiru Salifu, Richmond Lamptey and Richard Boadu ‘Agadas’.

“I’m a believer; Black Stars will make Ghanaians proud at 2021 Afcon,” GFA president Kurt Okraku assures

There are growing concerns about the Black Stars’ chances of winning the Africa Cup of Nations title but Kurt Okraku believes they have the quality to make everyone proud

Ghana FA president Kurt Okraku has reiterated that the Black Stars have what it takes to make the country proud at the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations holding in Cameroon.

Although, the Black Stars preparations haven’t been one of the best and were even mauled 3-0 by Algeria in a friendly game last week, Okraku insists they will put up a good performance worth celebrating.

“We’ve arrived here in high spirit and like I said few days ago, I fully and entirely believe in this squad,” Okraku said in an interview with journalist Sheikh Tophic Seinu.

Black Stars arrival in Cameroon and Kurt Okraku’s words of encouragement to Ghanaians

“This squad is made up of some amazing and intangible assets and I believe that they will rise up to the occasion and be very competitive and millions of people across the globe as well as Ghanaians will be extremely happy about the national team.

“They will fully utilize the platform which is 2021 Africa Cup of Nations. Our Black Stars is on the rise and let us believe in the Black Stars.

“I’m a believer. I always believe. I believe that we have done very well up to this level and I believe that the team is well motivated.

“I believe that the technical team is up to speed and this team and players will rise up and make Ghana proud. I know that a lot of people read so many meanings into our friendly game against Algeria, to the level that they feel disappointed but everything will be alright when the tournament begins,” he added.

Ghana will play Morocco in the first game of Group C at Yaounde on Monday without influential midfielder Kudus Mohammed who could not arrive at the team’s camp on time due to injury concerns.

The Black Stars will face Gabon on Thursday before wrapping up the group stage with a clash with Comoros on Sunday.

“It will be difficult to defeat Ghana; They have great history in African football,” Morocco coach harbours fears

The Atlas Lions coach admits his side made struggle to defeat the Black Stars in the opening game of Group C at the Afcon

Morocco coach Vahid Halilhodzic has admitted that it will be extremely difficult to beat Ghana in the opening game of Group C of the Africa Cup of Nations ongoing in Cameroon scheduled for Monday in Yaounde.

Although, the Black Stars have had several uninspiring results recently including a 3-0 defeat in the hands of Algeria last week, the Morocco boss still believes they a force to reckon with since they have rich history and pedigree in African football history

“Ghana is a team with great history in African football. They have won the cup four times, the match against the Black Stars will certainly be difficult.” Halilhodzic said at pre-match briefing.

“It is true that our history is not as rich as other teams, but this generation is motivated and determined to achieve a historic feat during this Africa Cup of Nations,” he added.

Ghana arrived in Cameroon on Friday night from their camping base in Doha, Qatar with 27 players including Stade Rennes midfielder Kamaldeen Sulemana who was quarantined because of COVID-19.

However, Ajax Amsterdam youngster Kudus Mohammed was not part of the team as reports suggest he is yet to recover from a minor injury he picked up while playing in the Dutch Eredivise.

Fire destroys Asante Kotoko’s training pitch at Adako Jachie

One of the Porcupine Warriors’ training pitch was destroyed by a fire outbreak over the weekend

There was a fire outbreak at one of Asante Kotoko’s training pitches at Adako Jachie, near Ejisu over the weekend, AshesGyamera understands.

The source of the fire is unknown but our sources say that it has destroyed one of the pitches used by the players for training.

Although, some supporters and people who live nearby called on Ghana Fire Service for assistance, their calls could not yield any better result and they had to improvise to put out the fire by fetching water from a nearby tap.

In 2016, a similar incident happened at the training ground when the players were in Takoradi to participate in Ghalca G6 tournament.

Kotoko defeated regional rivals Ashanti Gold 3-1 in the Ashanti derby at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium on Sunday thanks to a hat-trick by Cameroonian striker Etuoga Mbella Frank Thierry.

Asante Kotoko: 3-1 Ashanti Gold: Mbella scores first hat-trick for Porcupine Warriors in GPL

The Cameroonian bagged a hat-trick against the Miners in the Ashanti derby to propel Kotoko to a famous victory

Asante Kotoko hammered Ashanti Gold 3-1 on matchday twelve of Ghana Premier League at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium on Sunday.

After a poor start to the game, a second half hat-trick by Cameroonian striker Etuoga Mbella Frank Thierry changed the outcome of the game.

Kotoko had the first opportunity by the 12th minute after Mbella combined with his countryman George Mfegue but Frank Akoto dealt with the threat.

Mbella saw his header cleared off the line by Ashanti Gold goalkeeper on 46th minute after the Cameroonian striker had already bolted to jubilate.

However, Mbella was lucky nine minutes later from the spot after Ashanti Gold defender handled the ball in the box.

Kotoko doubled their lead by the 67th minute after scoring from a rebound. Mfegue’s shot was blocked by the Ashanti Gold defenders and Mbella was at the right place to tap home the rebound.

Three minutes later, Mbella completed his hat-trick after beating his marker to connect a pass from his teammate.

With five minutes left to end proceedings, Elijah Addai pulled one back for Ashanti Gold as the Miners hoped to stage a late comeback.

Although, they pushed men forward for another goal, it was too little too late as Kotoko were resolute at the back.

Watch Black Stars arrival & COVID-19 test procedure in Cameroon; Ghana FA prez Okraku assures Ghanaians of good performance

The Black Stars touched down in Yaounde, Cameroon on Friday night and had to undergo the mandatory COVID-19 medical check up

Ghana national team arrived in Cameroon on Friday night ahead of 2021 Africa Cup of Nations which kicks off on Sunday.

The Black Stars arrived with 27-man squad with the exception of Ajax Amsterdam youngster Kudus Mohammed who is still nursing an injury and need last minute clearance to possibly take part of the games in group stage since he will miss the game against Morocco on Monday.

The players were made to undergo the mandatory COVID-19 medical check up at the airport before they left to their hotel.

According to Ghana FA president Kurt Okraku, the Black Stars will put up a good show and make Ghanaians proud.

A group of journalists and supporters left Ghana on early Sunday morning to Cameroon to cover and support the Black Stars respectively.

Behind the scenes: Gold Stars supporters charge on players; insist Michael Osei must be sacked

It was a disappointing scene as the Miners failed to once again pick a point against one of the big clubs in the league

A section of Gold Stars supporters were very furious following the 1-0 defeat to Hearts of Oak at the Dun’s Park in Bibiani on Saturday and believe head coach Michael Osei must be sacked.

The debutants have enjoyed a slow start to the their debut campaign in the top-flight and have lost two of their six home games this season.

A James Sewornu’s goal was all what Hearts needed to run away with a win and the results have left many supporters questioning the tactics of coach Michael Osei.

Some of the supporters vented out their frustrations

“I don’t understand why we lost to Hearts of Oak,” disappointed Gold Stars coach Osei laments

The Phobians pipped the debutants in front their supporters and their coach feels they were unlucky to end as losers

Gold Stars coach Michael Osei believes his charges deserved at least a point against Hearts of Oak in matchday twelve fixture of Ghana Premier League.

Despite dominating the Phobians in the game, a James Sewornu’s first half long range shot was all that Hearts needed to break down Gold Stars’ resilience defence.

And Osei believes it was an unfortunate result to take since his players did their best and played above themselves.

“I will not use the word disappointed but I feel for the boys, the playing body because they played very well,” Osei said after the game.

“They did their best. It was very unfortunate because this was the game we shouldn’t have lost but that’s football.

“It is a very strange game, sometimes such results happen and then you cannot understand but we have to move on and then see the next game,” he added.

Gold Stars have now lost two of their six home games this season and sit 12th on the log with 13 points, two points above safety.

They will travel to Tamale next weekend to face RTU before they host Legon Cities at the Dun’s Park in Bibiani.

Black Stars arrive in Cameroon in grand style

The Black Stars touched down in the West African country two days ahead of their first game in the Afcon

Ghana’s contingent arrived in Yaounde, Cameroon on Friday night ahead of the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations.

Thomas Partey and Sammy Kuffour

The Black Stars camped in Doha, Qatar for two weeks to fine tune and played one international friendly against Algeria.

Although, the Black Stars lost the friendly game 3-0, head coach Milovan Rajevac believes it was a nice opportunity for him to access his team ahead of the tournament.

Ghana will play their first Group C game against Morocco on Monday before they lock horns with Gabon and later Comoros.