2024-12-22

Local League

Premier League ‘stay’ is King Faisal’s Top priority despite reaching FA Cup semis – Godwin Ablordey reveals

King Faisal No. 2 Godwin Ablordey has stated that avoiding relegation remains their main objective for now and not the FA Cup trophy.

Faisal booked a spot in the semi-finals of the FA Cup after edging out Aduana Stars on penalties on Sunday.

Aduana FC took the lead five minutes before half-time through defender Stephen Anokye Badu. In the 47th minute, Asiamah was brought down in the box and Abdul Latif successfully converted the penalty to make it 1-1.

Frank Owusu made it 2-1 for The Fire Boys in the 75th minute, but King Faisal succeeded in getting the equalizer through the in-form striker Benjamin Bature in the 78th minute.With the score locked at 2-2 after 90 minutes, the match was pushed into extra time.

The extra 30 minutes failed to see any more goals, and the match was decided in a penalty shootout. King Faisal won by 3-1.

In the Premier League, the ‘Insha Allah’ Boys are currently 11th on the League standings with 32 points, 4 points adrift the relegation zone. Ablordey maintains they must make the league a priority to steer clear the drop zone.

“I’m not thinking about FA Cup. I’m thinking about the league because we have to stay in the league. FA Cup when you are out you can still play so we are just concentrating on the league so that we make sure we stay in the league. So this is our focus now. FA Cup, we are going to the semi-finals but it’s down. We are thinking of the league now,” he told StarTimes.

King Faisal host Dreams FC when they return to league play on April 16 2023.

By Suleman Asante

Hearts of Oak show interest in Bibiani Gold Stars trio ahead of second transfer window

Hearts of Oak is interested in signing Gold Stars trio Ibrahim Laar, Augustine Randolf and Michael Ampadu according to a report by Asempa FM.

The Phobians are in search of new forward to replace Daniel Afriyie-Barnieh who is yet to pen a new deal with the club.

Laar has been identified as a suitable replacement by the scouting team.

The center-forward has scored four goals in eight matches in the Ghana Premier League this season.

His inclusion will be a big boost to the team as Hearts of Oak are short of attackers upfront.

Ibrahim Laar is contracted to Bibiani Gold Stars until 2024.

Augustine Randolf is also seen as a replacement for former captain Fatawu Mohammed.

Hearts of Oak have parted ways with Fatawu Mohammed and are looking to sign a replacement when the transfer window opens.

Randolf will be a priority signing for the Ghanaian giants if they are able to agree with Bibiani Gold Stars.

Randolf, a former Bechem United defender, joined Karela in September 2020 and is heading to the final year of his contract with the club.

Legon Cities’ right-back Michael Ampadu is another option for the Phobians are considering in case they miss out on Randolf who also has multiple suitors.

2022/23 Ghana Premier League Week 9: Match Preview – Nsoatreman FC vs Hearts of Oak

Hearts of Oak will look to pick up where they left off when they play Nsoatreman FC in their first match following the World Cup break.

The arrival of Serbian Slavko Matic as coach provided a breath of fresh air to the club, resulting in a five-game unbeaten streak before the league was halted to allow Ghanaians to focus on the 2022 World Cup.

The World Cup is over, and attention has returned to domestic football, with Hearts of Oak looking for a win away from home that could propel them into the top four.

The Phobians won three of their last five games before the break and are fully confident of defeating Nsoatreman, who lost 3-0 to Bechem United in their last match.

That defeat could have an impact on their season, and a strong performance against Hearts of Oak would help to erase the negative experience in Bechem.

The newcomers have outperformed expectations, currently in the top half of the table after eight games, but the job is far from done with a long season ahead of them.

It’s critical that they maintain their focus and play their hearts out, as they have done in previous games, as they have four wins, one less than surprise league leaders Bibiani Gold Stars.

Nsoatreman could go top of the league on Tuesday if they defeat Hearts of Oak at Nana Kronmansah Park in Nsoatre.

OFFICIAL: Asante Kotoko goalkeeper Ibrahim Danlad extends contract for further two years

Asante Kotoko SC goalkeeper Ibrahim Danlad has officially signed a new contract which will keep him at the club until the end of the 2023-24 season.

Danlad’s previous contract with the Porcupine Warriors was expected to run out in December this year but he has signed a two-year extension as GHANAsoccernet.com exclusively reported weeks ago.

The 19-year-old claimed the number spot of the club last term following the departure of Razak Abalora to Moldovan club Sheriff Tiraspol in January 2022.

Danlad became an integral figure for Kotoko after aiding to the Ghana Premier League triumph for the first time in eight years having made 20 appearances.

He managed to keep 12 clean sheets and conceded just 12 goals in the process making the Ghanaian giants the best defensive side at the end of the season.

Danlad is presently the first choice goalkeeper for the home based Ghana national team that have booked their place in the final round of the CHAN 2022 qualifications.

The former Ghana U17 shot stopper kept clean sheets in the back-to-back matches against Benin last month in the preliminary round of the qualifiers.

Danlad will be key to Kotoko in the upcoming season as they look to defend their league title, make an impact in the CAF Champions League and also aim at winning the FA Cup.

The highly-rated teenager was named the best goalkeeper when Ghana won the Africa U20 Championship last year in Mauritania.

He was also a member of the Ghana team at the 2019 U23 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt and the Ghana U17 team at the Africa Cup of Nations and World Cup in 2017.

Danlad was recently linked with a move to Sudanese giants Al Hilal Omdurman but the deal fell through after a breakdown in negotiations.

Source: ghanasoccernet

Hearts of Oak midfielder Ibrahim Salifu set for pre-season after injury recovery

Hearts of Oak midfielder Ibrahim Salifu has recovered from the injury that kept him out for the majority of the previous season and is ready to join his teammates for pre-season.

Salifu has been out for over three months, with his most recent injury occurring against Karela United on May 30, 2022 at the Ohene Gyan Stadium, just after he had returned from the sidelines after suffering another injury against the same club in Anyinase.

His rehabilitation has been ongoing for some time, but the good news for the ‘Phobians’ this time is that the metal on his foot has been removed and he will be back in action very soon.

Salifu was influential in Hearts of Oak winning the double in 2020/21 season. His injuries last term affected the club’s chances of defending the league but they won the MTN FA Cup.

A fit Salifu can play a major role again for Hearts of Oak, who will be fighting on three fronts next season.

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Asante Kotoko and Hearts of Oak could represent Ghana in African Super League as CAF announce $100m worth competition

Asante Kotoko and Hearts of Oak could be Ghana’s representatives in the African Super League, which was officially launched on Wednesday.

It was announced at the 44th Ordinary Congress of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) in Arusha, Tanzania.

CAF will offer $100m in prize money with $11.6m for the winner. CAF also intends to pay each African football association $1m annually from the league’s earnings. There are 54 member associations of CAF.

It is not clear whether CAF has finalised the list of clubs, but they will come from 16 different nations with a maximum of three per country.

They will play a group competition first, divided into three groups of eight clubs, before the majority of clubs move onto an American-style playoff system, including wildcard berths.

Source; Ghanasoccernet

Ex-Hearts of Oak Team manager W.O. Tandoh joins Aduana Stars as assistant coach

Former Hearts of Oak Team manager W.O. Tandoh has been appointed as the deputy coach of Aduana Stars, the club has announced.

W.O.Tandoh makes a return to the club after resigning from Hearts of Oak last month.

Tandoh will deputize new head coach Paa Kwesi Fabian who also returns to the club after his stint with the national U17 team, the Black Starlets.

“We are excited to announce Samuel “Paa Kwesi” Fabin as our new Head Coach. Welcome back to Dormaa Ahenkro,”, the club said in a statement.

Paa Kwesi Fabian will be in charge of the club for the 2022/23 season as the Dormaa based club seek to return to the top of Ghana football.

The two-times Ghana Premier League champions finished last season in 11th place.

Asante Kotoko ordered to remove Otumfuo’s image on new jersey by Manhyia

Management of Asante Kotoko have reportedly been asked to remove the image of Otumfuo Osei Tutu II from their soon-to-be released jersey. 

Management of Asante Kotoko have reportedly been asked to remove the image of Otumfuo Osei Tutu II from their soon-to-be released jersey. 

The leadership of the club decided to have the image of Otumfuo printed on their new jerseys ahead of the new season, as a way of celebrating the club’s life patron.

However, according to Kessben Media, the King of the Ashanti Kingdom has disapproved the idea of having his photo embossed on the club’s kit.

The unveiling of the jerseys manufactured by Errea has received mixed reactions, with bankroller of King Faisal Babies describing the move as uncivilized.

Meanwhile others believe it is the best way to advertise the Ashanti Kingdom to the world.

The Porcupine Warriors have start preparations to the defence of the title they won last season, and will leave Ghana on August 15 to continue pre-season in Turkey. They will play a series of friendlies before returning to start the new campaign next month.

Asante Kotoko’s new striker Steven Mukwala promises to repay fans’ faith and belief

Ugandan striker Stephen Dese Mukwala has promised to repay Asante Kotoko fans’ faith and belief in him after joining the club on a free transfer.

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“Basically, I want to thank the fans of mighty Asante Kotoko for the beautiful reception, I already feel at home because of the love showed me in the last few days and I promise to repay that faith and belief in me. I can’t wait to get started,” he said.

The former Uganda Premier League top scorer has been a top target for the Porcupine Warriors for the past two seasons and has finally signed for the Ghanaian giants.

Kotoko returned to the negotiations table with the goal-scoring machine as they search for a quality striker to replace Cameroonian striker Franck Mbella Etouga who is expected to leave the club before the 2022-23 season begins.

Mukwala sealed his transfer to the Porcupine Warriors on Wednesday after signing a two-year contract.

Mbella Etouga was outstanding for the Fabulous club last season in the Ghana Premier League, scoring 21 goals in 30 appearances helping them to clinch the title for the first time in eight years.

Mbella Etouga is expected to sign for Italian Serie A club Udinese Calcio in the coming days.

Mukwala who played for Uganda Revenue Authority SC in the last season will join Kotoko on a two-year contract with an option for another year.

The 23-year-old highly rated striker spent the 2019-20 season at Maroons FC where he was crowned top scorer of the Uganda Premier League.

He netted 13 goals in 23 appearances to emerge goal king of the 2019/2020 campaign while on loan from Vipers SC.

After his failed move to Ghana, the highly-rated striker signed for URA.

In his first season at the URA, the prolific attacker finished the 2020-21 campaign as the 3rd top scorer with 14 goals in 24 matches.

Mukawala in the second season at URA scored 13 goals in 26 games in the Ugandan top-flight, five behind the top scorer Cesar Lobi Manzoki who netted 18 goals at the end of the 2021-22 campaign.

Mukwala made his competitive debut for the Uganda national team on 6 September 2021 when the Cranes played Mali in the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

He has 11 international caps for the Uganda national team in total since making his debut and is also yet to score a goal.

Mukawala has 40 goals in 73 appearances across the last three seasons in the Ugandan top-flight.

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