2024-12-22

Local League

‘You won’t win GPL title without your own stadium’ – Bashir Hayford tells Kotoko, Hearts

Veteran coach and current Heart of Lions manager, Bashir Hayford, has advised Asante Kotoko and Hearts of Oak to build their own stadiums or risk facing difficulties in winning the Ghana Premier League.

The country’s two most prominent clubs have historically used government-owned infrastructure — Accra Sports Stadium and Baba Yara Stadium — as their home venues.

Both clubs have secured just one Premier League title each since 2014.

“As Ghanaians, we must learn to tell the truth, it will be very difficult for teams who do not have their own stadium facility to win the league,” he said in an interview with Akoma FM.

“Kotoko and Hearts of Oak don’t play at their own venues, but the likes of Samatex, Nsoatreman and Bechem all play at their own stadium facility. When you travel to these privately owned facilities, you really go through a lot of intimidation and the referees can’t be independent.

“Your chances of winning at such private venues are very slim, unlike the state-owned venues like Accra and Kumasi where security is assured and level playing grounds exist for all competing teams. Hearts and Kotoko must get their own stadium, otherwise winning the league will become difficult.”

With six games to, Samartex are seven points clear on top of the Ghana Premier League table with 52 points.

2023/24 Ghana Premier League: Week 28 Match Preview – Samartex vs Great Olympics

Ghana Premier League leaders Samartex aim to widen their lead at the top as they face Great Olympics in a crucial encounter on Saturday.

Coming off a defeat to Asante Kotoko last Sunday, Samartex are poised to intensify their defensive efforts, having conceded goals in their last three consecutive matches. The coach and players are expected to put in extra effort to shore up their defence and return to winning ways.

Meanwhile, Great Olympics enter the fixture following two consecutive draws against Nsoatreman and Bechem United.

The team have struggled defensively, conceding goals in their last five consecutive matches, adding psychological pressure as they aim to turn their fortunes around.

Samartex and Great Olympics have previously faced off three times since October 2022, with all matches ending in draws.

Their most recent encounter on November 20, 2023, concluded in a goalless draw.

Remarkably, neither Samartex nor Great Olympics have managed to score a goal in their three head-to-head matches, resulting in an almost identical record between the two teams in recent history.

GPL: Asantehene tasks Asante Kotoko to do ‘better’ after crucial meeting

The Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, has charged the playing body of Asante Kotoko to turn their ailing season around in the final stretch of the campaign after their recent misfortunes.

Kotoko are winless in seven games in the Ghana Premier League and occupy the 11th position after 26 genes played.

The team met the Asantehene who opened discussions with the players and technical team to determine the issues accountable for their poor performances.

He also used the opportunity to address the team’s grievances.

In his discussion with the team, he stated explicitly that “no member of the team works for any individual but him, and therefore should put their differences aside and fight for the team, as he won’t watch the team go down under his reign.”

“I am expecting something better from you,” said Otumfuo Osei Tutu II.

“Prove to me that you are capable and if the coach is the problem, then I will take a decision on him. But for now, make sure you go and play and win.”

The Porcupine Warriors take on league leaders FC Samartex on Sunday on matchday 27 of the league looking to bounce back to winning ways.

All Regional Games: Torch Relay ceremony held in Accra ahead of maiden edition

The All Regional Games kicked off its nationwide journey towards revitalising grassroots sports with a spectacular Torch Relay ceremony reminiscent of the Olympic Games.

The torch relay ceremony which was held on Thursday, April 18, at the Black Stars Square in Accra, set the tone for a nationwide movement aimed at rejuvenating the spirit of sportsmanship and athleticism across the country.

The ceremonial torch was ignited by the Director General of the National Sports Authority, Dadzie Numekevor, alongside the celebrated football icons Asamoah Gyan and Baffour Gyan.

This symbolic gesture marks the beginning of an inspirational journey to promote and nurture sporting talent at the grassroots level.

A city-wide float procession traversed the streets of Accra, carrying the illuminated torch to prominent landmarks, effectively raising awareness for the upcoming All Regional Games.

The participation of esteemed torchbearers including a Para-athlete, boxing legend Braima Kamoko (Bukom Banku), ex-Black Stars players Agyemang Badu, Samuel Inkoom, Kwadwo Asamoah and the Gyan brothers, Asamoah and Baffour, added to the fervour and excitement surrounding the event.

The All Regional Games aims to traverse all 16 Regions of the nation, scouting for promising athletes across eight sporting disciplines, including soccer, athletics, boxing, tennis, basketball, arm-wrestling, volleyball, and table tennis.

This comprehensive approach underscores the commitment of the All Regional Games to foster talent development and sports excellence at every level.

The main launch of the All Regional Games sports festival is slated for June at the Baba Yara Stadium.

GPL 2023/24: Hearts of Oak suffer third consecutive loss in defeat to Medeama

Medeama Sporting Club handed Hearts of Oak their third defeat in the last three games in the Ghana Premier League.

The game, which was played at the Akoon Park on Wednesday afternoon, saw the Tarkwa-based side record a 2-0 win on matchday 25 of the league.

Kobina Amoah opened the scoring for the Yellow and Mauve side after 65 minutes as he blasted his free-kick into the net to give his side the lead.

Godfred Abban doubled the lead for Medeama with nine minutes away from full time with the midfielder sending his low strike past the Hearts goalkeeper.

The Accra-based side were second favourites in the entire period of the game and failed to recover from the two goals conceded.

The defeat now means the Phobians have lost the last three games they have played in the league after no defeat in the previous eight.

Abubakar Ouattara’s men now drop to 11th on the league table after 25 games played and face Karela United in their next game.

In other results, Samartex earned a point with their 1-1 draw with Legon Cities.

Here are the full results from matchday 25:

Medeama SC 2-0 Hearts of Oak

Bibiani Goldstars 3-2 Karela Utd

Berekum Chelsea 3-2 Dreams FC

Heart of Lions 2-0 Accra Lions

Bofoakwa Tano 1-0 Aduana Stars

Real Tamale United 1-0 Nations FC

Legon Cities 1-1 Samartex

Great Olympics 1-1 Bechem United

Ghana’s Maxwell Woledzi stars for Fredrikstad in first league win against Brann

Ghanaian defender Maxwell Woledzi impressed on his second appearance in the Norwegian top flight as his side picked up all three points.

The 22-year-old played all minutes available for Fredrikstad FK who defeated Brann to pick up their first win of the 2024 Eliteserien season.

A goal in each by Stian Stray Molde was enough to hand the newly promoted side an away win over the weekend.

For Woledzi, it was a performance to cheer about following defeat to Bodo Glimit in their opening game of the campaign.

The centre-back, playing as part of a back three, made seven clearances with five interceptions to his game as well as his side claimed a clean sheet.

Woledzi won four tackles, the most by any of the players who started the game for Fredrikstad. He also completed the most dribbles in the game.

The Ghanaian joined the club last season and helped them to secure promotion to the top flight.

2023/24 Ghana Premier League: Week 22 Match Preview – Karela United vs. Real Tamale United

Karela United FC are currently enjoying some positive run in the Ghana Premier League. They have tasted only one defeat in their last six matches with two wins and three draws.

The Pride and Passion lads are keen on preserving the momentum when they face Real Tamale United in a crucial derby at the Naa Sheriga Park in Nalerigu.

Karela presently holds a 100 per cent home record since moving their home from Tamale to Nalerigu. Two wins out of two without conceding.

The victory over Asante Kotoko SC at home and the draw against Great Olympics at away is enough booster for Abukari Damba’s outfit to face their city rivals on Sunday.

The struggles of RTU continue as they approach this crunchy fixture against Karela. They are winless in their last four matches in the premiership with two draws and two losses.

Also, the Pride of the North have managed only one win in their last 10 league games as they remain bottom on the league standings.

RTU are five points away from the safety places. The same number of points they have behind their opponents on Sunday.

RTU are facing a lot of difficulties as players are owed several months’ salary amongst others. They are gradually getting close to relegation.

2023/24 Ghana Premier League: Week 21 Match Report- Asante Kotoko 2-3 Accra Lions

Accra Lions shocked Asante Kotoko in Kumasi after securing a historic 3-2 victory at the Baba Yara Sports stadium on matchday 21 of the Ghana Premier League. 

Red-hot teen sensation Blessing Asuman netted a brace to add to forward Dominic Amponsah’s thunderous strike as the young Lions edged the Porcupine Warriors in their own backyard despite consolation goals from Kalo Ouattara and Benard Somuah.

Having torn apart Berekum Chelsea in Sogakope on Sunday, Accra Lions came into the game beaming with confidence and under just ten minutes broke the deadlock following a quick counter attack, with Daniel Awuni serving Asuman on the left, who neatly controlled before firing past the Kotoko goalie.

The Kumasi-based giants responded twenty minutes later after Ouattara, who netted against the same side in the first round, majestically controlled an Andrews Appau cross before unleashing a left-footed strike.

With the scores at 1-1 before half time, Lions started the same way they began the game with a defense splitting pass from Seidu Saday finding Auman who fired home to restore the lead in the 49th minute.

Accra Lions maintained their composure as Asante Kotoko chased an equalizer and from a well-defended corner, the visitors started another counter attacker with second-half substitute Bernard Kesse finding Amponsah, who unleased a powerful strike to beat Moise Pouaty.

Bernard Somuah, who came on in the second half for Asante Kotoko, grabbed a late consolation but it was too late as Accra Lions recorded back-to-back victories in the Ghana Premier League.

2023/24 Ghana Premier League: Week 21 Match Report – Great Olympics 0-0 Karela United

Great Olympics and Karela United shared the points in a goalless draw at the WAFA Park in Sogakope on Wednesday afternoon.

Olympics, who were coming off a 3-0 loss to Bibiani Gold Stars, dominated the match with 60% possession and created plenty of chances, but were unable to convert any of their eight goal attempts into goals.

Karela United, on the other hand, sat deep and absorbed the pressure, content to catch their opponents on the counter-attack.

Despite their dominant display, Olympics were forced to settle for a point, which leaves them in 9th place with 28 points.

Karela United, meanwhile, remain in 15th position, just four points above the relegation zone.

However, they could drop into the bottom three depending on the outcome of Thursday’s matches.

The match may have lacked goals, but it was certainly an exciting encounter, with both teams showing great determination and fight in their quest for vital points in the Ghana Premier League.

African Games 2023: I’m not under any pressure to deliver – Black Satellites coach 

Black Satellites head coach Desmond Ofei has hinted he is under no pressure heading into the 2023 African Games. 

Ofei was given the Ghana U-20 national team job in the latter part of September 2023 replacing Samuel Boadu. 

The 13th African Games will be the first assignment for the 35-year-old since his appointment to lead the Satellites. 

Ghana face Congo in the opening game in Group A on Friday, March 8. 

Ahead of the game, Ofei says his team is well-prepared for the competition. 

“No, there is no pressure,” he said when quizzed about the burden carrying the team into this tournament. 

“We are fully prepared. We have a good squad. Our boys are ready and hungry. We don’t feel any pressure; not at all.”

The Black Satellites will be looking to better their performance from the last edition in 2019 when they failed to make it out of the group stage. 

GSN24LIVE NEWS

Yamal and Lewandowski help Barcelona beat Athletic Bilbao

Fulham vs Leicester: Alex Iwobi’s winner helps Cottagers triumph over Ndidi’s Foxes

Arsenal survived their latest severe examination from bogey side Aston Villa to emerge with a statement victory after a thunderous encounter at Villa Park.

Roglic wins stage to close on Vuelta leader O’Connor

Baba Yara Stadium will be ready for Ghana vs. Angola AFCON qualifier, assures NSA chairman