FA Cup Match Report: Bechem Utd 2-1 Okwahu Utd

A brace from Yaw Arnold ensured Bechem United were crowned the 2015/16 MTN FA Cup champions.

The premier league side enjoyed the better part of the game at the newly-built Cape Coast Stadium.

Bechem started the game as the best side, rattling the crossbar of goalkeeper, Abassa Mohammed twice in the first half before Okwahu United did same with 10 minutes left to end the half.

Arnold, who had a memorable game, opened the scoring in the 54th minute after he was put through on goal and with just the on-rushing goal keeper to beat, coolly found the bottom left corner of Abass Mohammed’s net.

Like a lethal weapon, Arnold wasn’t done as he scored another which turned out to be the match winner in the 74th minute but, that was not how the story unfolded as Okwahu would not go down without a fight.

Akoto Danso tapped in from a goal mouth melee to send the majority of Okwahu United spectators into a frenzy with hopes of a comeback that never was.

Coach Zacharia’s team kept their cool after scoring the winner to ensure the side annexed their first major title in the history of the club.

FA Cup Match Report: Bechem Utd 2-1 Okwahu Utd

NWL: Ampem Darkoa Win 2015/16 Title

Ampem Darkoa Ladies have avenged last season’s defeat as they beat Sekondi Hasaacas by a lone goal at the Cape Coast Sports Stadium.

A sweet right foot free-kick from 20 yards inside the second half was enough to grant them a deserved winner’s title.

The defending champions, Hasaacas failed to create many clear cut chances at goal, in addition to great goal keeping heroics from Ampem Darkoa’s number one.

The newly-crowned champions dominated proceedings from the blast of the referee’s whistle and deservedly swept home the man of the match, best goalkeeper and most valuable player of the season accolades respectively.

NWL: Ampem Darkoa Win 2015/16 Title

Kotoko Back To Training Ahead Of Hearts Game After Dwarfs Humiliation

Kumasi Asante Kotoko returned to training on Thursday morning after their heavy 4-1 alienation against Ebusua Dwarfs on Wednesday in their Match-Day 20 Ghana Premier League (GPL) encounter played in Cape Coast.

They have started their preparations for Sunday’s big clash with arch rivals Accra Hearts of Oak at the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi knowing they cannot afford to lose guard ahead of this clash.

The entire playing body reported to work at their Adako Jachie training ground under acting coach Michael Osei who has come in for some heavy criticism following a run of poor results lately.

The Porcupines have not won in the GPL in their last three games and the defeat to Dwarfs at the Robert Mensah Stadium in Cape Coast was their biggest in the league in recent seasons.

They have dropped to fourth on the table from their previous second position, and trail the leaders Hearts of Oak incidentally the side they face on Sunday by five points.

Pressure is on Coach Osei and his technical staff to produce a result in this game, and they know they have to quickly put this latest setback behind them and look up to the Hearts of Oak game on Sunday.

The former Ghana international will continue to prepare his charges for the rest of the week and hope that on match-day, they will rise up to the task in a game they know they cannot afford to drop points if their hopes of winning the ultimate at the end of the season is to be sustained.

Kotoko Back To Training Ahead Of Hearts Game After Dwarfs Humiliation

Tang Palace Sponsors Chinese Team to Ghana

Ghana’s premier residential hotel, Tang Palace, sponsored Chinese national team to play national under 20 side, the Black Satellites.

The two countries met for the first time at the juvenile level at the newly built stadium in Cape Coast.

The Chinese Football Association (CFA) and the Chinese Ambassador’s residence in Ghana organised a friendly match between the two national sides.

The newly built Cape Coast Sports Stadium was commissioned by the President of Ghana, John Dramani Mahama along with the Sports Minister, Nii Lantey Vanderpuye.

The Black Satellites of Ghana drew 2-2 with China in the international friendly that was played to commission the newly built Cape Coast Stadium.

The new Cape-Coast Stadium will host the finals of the 2016 MTN FA Cup finals as well as Ghana’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifier with Rwanda.

Tang Palace Sponsors Chinese Team to Ghana

MTN FA Cup: Dwarfs Talking Tough Ahead Of Sharks’ Clash

Ghana Premier League new comers, Ebusua Dwarfs will seek to continue their dominance over Division One League side Elmina Sharks, when the two sides renew their regional rivalry in the MTN FA Cup this weekend.

Sharks will host Dwarfs in the Round of 32 of the MTN FA Cup at the Dr. Nduom Sports Complex in Elmina, on Sunday afternoon.

Ebusua Dwarfs recorded a home win and an away draw against the Elmina based side in last season’s GN Bank Division One league, beating Sharks to the only qualification slot to the Ghana Premier League at the end of the season.

And Speaking ahead of the two side’s first meeting this season, Public Relation Officer of Ebusua Dwarfs, Mr. Paul Adjetey expressed confidence that his side will eliminate their regional rivals from the MTN FA Cup.

“Come this Sunday we are playing with Sharks. No matter our performance presently, I don’t think Sharks can ever beat us. We are going to beat them in Elmina”, Paul Adjetey told SportsCrusader.com exclusively.

Ebusua Dwarfs reached the round of 32 of the 2015/2016 MTN FA Cup after beating another Division One side Eleven Wise in the previous round.

Elmina Sharks beat Astronomers on Wednesday in their outstanding Round of 64 fixture.

MTN FA Cup: Dwarfs Talking Tough Ahead Of Sharks’ Clash

Is the Premiership Too Big of a Task for Coach Sarpong to Handle?

The 2015/16 Ghana Premier League (GPL) may be only two weeks old, but some questions will have to be raised about the candidature of some of the teams and whether they can survive the competition.

Joseph E. Sarpong is coach of Ebusua Dwarfs and the veteran trainer said before the start of the championship that he hopes to guide the Cape Coast based side to a top four finish at the end of the campaign and build on that the season after.

Interestingly, that bold statement has not started on a good note as the ‘Abontoa Abontoa Boys’ have lost their opening two games of the season and could face an uphill task to fulfill their ambition for the season.

The newly promoted side was so dominant in the first division last season, and, qualified from Zone Two with games to spur prompting people to believe that they will do well in the top-flight league this season.

However, they have not started the campaign as they would have expected, losing their opening game 0-1 at home to debutants Dreams FC and went down by the same margin to New Edubiase United in their second game.

These results throw into despair the notion by Coach Sarpong that they will be difficult to beat this season and indeed, will be contenders for the title.

One is tempted be asked whether the top-flight league is too much of a burden for the veteran trainer who has had spells with virtually all the traditional clubs in the country with very little success.

Indeed, it is on record that he is the most hired and fired coach in Ghanaian football history and he also has a reputation of calling it quits when the situation is too hot for him to handle.

Could he do a similar thing at Dwarfs before the end of this season? Certainly, if results do not improve, he could be tempted to throw in the towel or chieftains at the club will take action in relieving him of his services.

The next few games would give us an indication as to what the next line of action will be – whether Coach Sarpong steps out or he is shown the window.

Their next two games are against Accra Hearts of Oak at home before trekking to Tarkwa to play Medeama SC. Dwarfs has further games coming up against Bechem United away and a home fixture with Inter Allies.

Results in these upcoming games will help determine the future of the retired Physical Education (PE) instructor and it will be interesting to see whether he will stay put at Dwarfs or be made to resign.

 

Is the Premiership Too Big of a Task for Coach Sarpong to Handle?

Bright Lukman Confident Of Finding Scoring Boots Soon

Ebusua Dwarfs centre forward Bright Lukman is confident of opening his season accounts very soon after an opening day shut out in the Ghana Premier League (GPL).

The division one league revelation racked in 30 goals across the season for Ebusua Dwarfs en-route to their qualifications to the premier league but failed to open his top flight account despite the flurry of chances.

The former Liberty Professionals attacker however remains confident of repeating his monstrous second tier form on the biggest platform in the next few games.

The prolific forward expressed his disappointment at failing to register a single goal in the opening game of the season but quickly assured fans of another goal party in the near future.

“I am confident of opening my accounts very soon after an opening day shut out.

“I am sure I will score goals in the premier league very soon but only needs patients and persistent hard work to start scoring.” Lukman told sports crusader.

The skinny attacker admitted to the immense pressure from his teaming fans but accepted the challenge to satisfy their demand with goals in the next few games.

“There is too much pressure on me to score from the fans but it is their legitimate right after my form in the division one league last season.

“I am not worried one bit and will surely deliver for these wonderful gruop of supporters who have been following me from the second tier league. My goals will make them happy”, Lukeman concluded.

Bright Lukman Confident Of Finding Scoring Boots Soon

Dwarfs are ready for the new season - Coach Sarpong

Dwarfs are ready for the new season - Coach Sarpong