Kotoko Target Return To Africa Next Year

The General Manager of Kumasi Asante Kotoko, Opoku Nti has said that the target of the club is to return to the CAF inter-club football competitions, CAF Confederation Cup or CAF Champions League.

The Ghana Premier League record winners were dethroned for the premier league title by Ashanti Gold last season having won the title thrice on the bounce.

They also failed to defend the MTN FA Cup trophy they won the previous year, and have made many signings in the off season to win back both titles.

The board of the club has signed as many as eight new players to augment the squad. The squad was divided into two for to honour a GHALCA Six invitational tournament in Sekondi, and international club friendly against Al Ittihad in Libya.

Both teams showed quality in their games, as the G-6 squad, dubbed ‘team B’ won the tournament, whilst the other part of the squad in Libya lost and drew against the same opposition in the space of three days.

And Opoku Nti is certain that the quality of the players at their disposal makes them a title contender for the upcoming season as they target a place in next year’s Champions League.

“Asante Kotoko is ready for the season. Even if the league is starting next week, i can tell you we are fully prepared for it,” a happy Opoku Nti told Atinka FM after a friendly between the G-6 squad and the Libya ‘burgers’ on Sunday.

“We have to go Africa (next season). We have to go back to Africa. We have to announce our presence in Africa again; so the league title and the FA Cup are our target.

“I believe Kotoko have a strong team and the dream we had for this year is on course. The players we targeted to take into the new Premier League season and to give the coach more options were signed.” He added.

The former striker now General Manager of the club revealed that the board anticipated fixtures for the next season will come thick and fast that’s why they signed many people who can step up to the plate.

“The anticipated the trend of the league will be like what happened last season. We are likely to play twice a week and you’ll need a good depth in squad.

“A good team is a team with a very strong options. So i am very excited we’ve got a very good team capable of competing in all fronts.” He said.

Kotoko Target Return To Africa Next Year

Hearts Is Improving Everyday - Kenichi

Accra Hearts of Oak head coach Kenichi Yatsuhashi has said that the team is improving everyday after a one-all stalemate against International Allies on Sunday.

The Phobians have been fumbling all pre-season, winning only two  matches in as many friendly games.

The 2000 CAF Champions League winners exited a GHALCA Six invitational tournament in Sekondi Takoradi earlier this month, a tournament he was tasked to win or lose his job.

But the team was bundled out of competition without scoring a goal. His future was said to be on the line after the dismal performance in the GHALCA Six tournament.

However he survived a crisis meeting four days after the competition and when all things were said to be done, Board member of the club Nyaho Nyaho Tamakloe called for his sacking because he has seen ‘no improvement’ since he took over the head of technical team of the club about four months ago.

With the team having already endured a torrid pre-season, letting in  many goals and scoring few and winning only two games, they drew at the Accra Sports Stadium on Sunday against International Allies in a friendly match to outdoor new signings in the off season.

But Kenichi took to twitter to insist the team is improving under his watch.

“We will (be) better for next game. Phobia!”

He added: “We are just improving everyday; that is all we have been doing since day 1: try to improve every time we step on the pitch.”

Kenichi Yatsuhashi was appointed in October last year as a permanent successor of  Herbert Addo who was sacked midway through last season.

Hearts Is Improving Everyday - Kenichi

Kotoko Divide Squad To Play Each Other

Kumasi Asante Kotoko has arranged a friendly match which will see the  First Trust invitational tournament, GHALCA Six winning team pit against the squad that travelled to Libya for a club friendly on Sunday.

Asante Kotoko divided their team into two with one travelling to Libya to honour a friendly match against Al Ittihad, whilst the other stayed in the country for the G-6 tournament in Sekondi.

Both teams showed quality in their games and the management has organised a match for them to display their potential against each other.

Assistant coach Michael Osei will be at the dugout for the G6 team whilst his boss David Duncan will coach the side that travelled to Tripoli.

G-6 Squad:

Eric Ofori Antwi, Ernest Sowah, Attah Kusi, Samuel Kyere, Joe Henry, Evans Quao, Ohene Brenya, Kwadwo Opoku, Benette Ofori, Stephen Nyarko, Elvis Amoh, Douglas Owusu Ansah, Michael Yeboah, Gyedu Reagan, Adzeko Mandela, Halipha Sedogo and Edwin Tuffour Frimpong.

Tripoli squad:

Felix Annan, Kaisan Yuisu, Ahmed Adams, Richard Agyemang, Manu Opoku Richmond, Amos Frimpong, Theophilus Nyame, Jackson Owusu, Amos Frimpong, Stephen Oduro, Akwasi Nti, Agyenim Boateng, Frank Sarfo Gyamfi, Obed Owusu, Dauda Mohammed and Eric Donkor.

The match will be played at the Baba Yara Stadium.

Kotoko Divide Squad To Play Each Other

Problems At Hearts Are Coaching Problems - Tamakloe

Football connoisseurs predicted failure of Kenichi Yatsuhashi when he was appointed head coach of Accra Hearts of Oak.

Many believed Kenichi was a novice and cannot manage a club of Hearts of Oak magnitude.

Nyaho Nyaho Tamakloe, Board member of the club, told Ghanaians long certificates don’t produce results.

“I have handled Hearts of Oak years back and we had five of the best coaches when I was the chairman of the club; I mean highly respected coaches but they all let us down.

“I went for coach Kobina who was a police man and he was the man who really put the boys on the map internationally, so I don’t believe in this in this long certificate.”

He added: “This long certificate don’t win matches, this long certificate don’t give you results. Players and coaches in the U.S believe in the spirit of the game and is the spirit that really counts. If the person has the spirit, then you believe that you are on the right path.

That is what we were looking for and I think we got that.”

Those were Tamakloe’s words defending the decision to appoint the Japanese -American trainer.

But Kenichi has since failed to live up to the billing. He led Hearts of Oak to back-to-back defeats against Libyan side Al Ittihad.

Failed spectacularly at the G-6 tournament, a competition Hearts exited without stories single goal.

His future was questioned, but the board backed him to respond well.

And just when Kenichi was told he is not in any danger of losing his job, Nyaho Nyaho Tamakloe has called on the board to part ways with the former Aspire Academy development coach with claims that he is the problem in the club.

“I believe strongly he cannot do the job. He looks like what we call a long term coach and I am not surprised he used to handle juvenile clubs,” Nyaho Nyaho Tamakloe made a u-turn on earlier comments about Kenichi in an interview with Joy FM.

He added: “He builds the strength of the boys but when it comes to serious coaching, Hearts is a big club and definitely if we are going to get serious in the league then he is not the type of person who should handle the club.

“He has been here for some time now and I have monitored them and I don’t see any game plan and any tactical formation when they are playing, mind you these are all coaching problems,” Tamakloe noted.

Hearts of Oaka appointed Kenichi about four months ago to replace Herbert Addo who was sacked midway through last season for a poor domestic performance.

 

Problems At Hearts Are Coaching Problems - Tamakloe

Pre-season Form Shows We Are Ready For GPL - Amos Frimpong

Kumasi Asante Kotoko skipper Amos Frimpong says if their pre-season form is anything to by, then he is optimistic Kotoko will have say as to where the league crown will end next season.

Asante Kotoko has won three trophies in the off season, the latest being the GHALCA Six invitational tournament in Sekondi.

In that competition, Kotoko divided their team into two, one for the tournament whilst the other emplained to Libya for inter-club friendly against Al Ittihad in Tripoli.

Dividing the team into two and competing very well at both ends clearly showed the work done to wrestle for the league crown they lost to Ashanti Gold last season by six points.

And captain Amos Frimpong believes the work input will yield edible fruits should they take to the field to battle for the league title.

“We have done a lot of work so far with encouraging results,” Amos Frimpong told the club official website, asantekotokosc.com.

“Based on that I can say we are ready for the new season. The players are anxiously waiting for the commencement of the league.” He revealed.

The Porcupine Warriors are the country’s record premier league winners with 23 titles, three better than their bitterest rivals, Accra Heart of  Oak.

Pre-season Form Shows We Are Ready For GPL - Amos Frimpong

Aduana Stars Acquire New Bus

The Board and Management of Aduana Stars have bought a new bus for enhance effective moving during the season.

Head coach Nurudeen Ali complained bitterly about how the lack of bus to travel for pre-season has affected the teams preparion towards the 2015/16 premier league season during the GHALCA Six invitational tournament in Sekondi.

Management have reacted swiftly to buy. 40-seated bus for the playing body and management.

The acquisition of quality players tin the off season to compliment the already exciting ones,who reached the final of the G-6 tournament, the purchase of a new bus which is yet to be cleared at the Tema harbour will serve as morale booster

Aduana Stars Acquire New Bus

We"ve Learnt From Our Mistakes In GHALCA Six

Ashantigold new signing Nuhu Fuseini has said his colleagues have learnt lessons from their shock exit from the Ghalca G6 Invitational Tournament which came to an end last Sunday.

Ashgold were tipped as one of the favourites to win the maiden edition of the competition, entering into the Ghalca G6 Tournament but failed to progress after two games.

The former New Edubiase talisman believes the Obuasi-based club has the potential and quality to retain the league title and will reach the group stages of the CAF Champions League next season despite their poor showing.

“People expected so much from Ashgold because we had won the league, recruited good and quality players ahead of the season but we failed to do well in the Ghalca G6 competition but we have learnt from our mistakes in the tournament and we will correct it in our upcoming games. ”

According to him, the pre-season friendlies will help them put the team in shape and improve on their goal scoring abilities ahead of the new term.

Fuseini joined the Miners from New Edubiase after scoring 11 goals in last season’s top flight league.

Source: Starr FM.

 

We"ve Learnt From Our Mistakes In GHALCA Six

GHALCA Boss Alhaji Raji Apologises To Aduana Stars

GHALCA president Alhaji Raji has apologized unreservedly to Aduana Stars and the people of Brong Ahafo after he was alleged to have labelled the club a ‘village club’.

Though Alhaji Raji has denied making such discriminatory comments, he has apologized to Dormaahene and the people of the Brong Ahafo region.

“No one would hear you have insulted him and the person would be happy. I apologise to Nana Dormaahene for what he heard and also apologise to the people of Brong Ahafo.

“I was once a director of Berlin FC, so I am associated with the people of Brong Ahafo,” he told Asempa FM.

Some of the B.A clubs in solidarity to Aduana Stars have threatened to withdraw their membership from GHALCA, due to the lose talk of Alhaji Ali Raji

GHALCA Boss Alhaji Raji Apologises To Aduana Stars

Come To Dormaa And Apologize - Aduana Fans To GHALCA Boss.

Dormaa Aduana stars chief supporter Addai Ampofo says Alhaji Raji should come to Dormaa and render his apology to the chiefs and people before his apology will be accepted.

Alhaji Raji is alleged to have labelled Aduana Stars village club who do not deserve to win the maiden edition of the GHALCA Six invitational tournament.

According to the PRO of Aduana Stars, Akwasi Appiah Kubi, Alhaji Raji said: “GHALCA never wanted Aduana Stars to win the cup. He said he won’t allow a village club like Aduana to win the cup.”

But Alhaji Raji has denied making those stereotypical comments and apologized.

And the Chief supporter of the club, Ampofo Addai says for his apology to be accepted, he should come Dormaa and apologize to the chiefs and people of Brong Ahafo.

“Alhaji Raji says the  Akwasi Appiah Kubi just wnat to mar his reputation and put into trouble, but we understand that many people were around when he made those damming comments and even Oduro Sarfo confirmed he made those comments.  So what’s Alhaji saying?” Ampofo Addai quizzed on Yankee FM

“Is Alhaji insinuating that he has problem with Appiah Kubi? If that is what he is saying, then he should come with evidence that the allegations is not true.

“But of accepts that he erred in his comments, he should apologize unreservedly to all the people in the Brong Ahafo. He should come and apologize to the chiefs and people in Dormaa.

Come To Dormaa And Apologize - Aduana Fans To GHALCA Boss.

GHALCA Distance Themselves From Raji"s Comments

The mother body of all Ghana Premier League Clubs, Ghana League Clubs Association, has distanced itself from comments made by the president of the association, Alhaji Raji prior to the finals of the maiden edition of the G-6 tournament.

Alhaji Raji is alleged to have labelled Aduana Stars, a finalist in the competition ‘village team’ who do not deserve to win the GHALCA Six invitational cup.

His stereotypical comments did not go down well with Aduana Stars, and they petitioned the body for the resignation of Alhaji Raji.

Berekum Chelsea in solidarity with their sister club has also suspended their membership.

Meanwhile, GHALCA says the comments were an individual’s opinion, but described them as ‘unfortunate.’

“We weren’t too happy about it [the stereotypical comments] and we’ve condemned it, but the problem is that, it wasn’t a statement issued by GHALCA as a whole.

“It was an individual’s opinion of the club. It was something that he said in public and we can’t say that we will stand by him after such statements or comments,” disappointed member of the Association, Kofi Poku told Joy FM.

“It wasn’t an organisers comments and more so, Alhaji (Raji) was up there as the chairman. He was at the VVIP when he made those comments. Is unfortunate those comments came from him.”

Alhaji Raji has since apologize unreservedly for his comments, but he is under immense pressure to relinquish his position.

GHALCA Distance Themselves From Raji"s Comments

Kotoko Optimistic Of Winning GPL.

Management member of Kumasi Asante Kotoko, George Kennedy believes they have done the right recruitment to compete well in next season’s Ghana Premier League.

Kumasi Asante Kotoko were dethroned  by Ashanti Gold to the First Capital Plus Bank (now Capital Bank) Premier League crown last season, and they responded well in the transfer market to beef up the squad for the upcoming premier league.

The new additions to the team seem to be paying off as they have won three trophies in the off season so far.

The team has been divided into two, and George Kennedy is optimistic blending both sets will give Kotoko a very good chance of making an impact in the Premier League next season.

“We have done a lot of work in the transfer market and what we can say is that, recruitment has been good and the sky is our limit,” George Kennedy told Accra-based radio station, Joy FM.

“The results we’ve had so far in the pre-season is a testimony of work done and are we’ve made enough preparation to have an impact in the upcoming premier league season.”  He assessed.

Kotoko depleted their squad during the GHALCA Six invitational tournament in Sekondi, but ended up winners of the competition.

The other squad which was taken to Tripoli for an international club friendly, will play Al Ahly Tripoli on Wednesday.

Kick off is 14:00 GMT.

Kotoko Optimistic Of Winning GPL.

Hearts Will Welcome Ahmed Toure - Opare Addo

Public Relations Officer of Accra Hearts of Oak, Opare Addo has said the club will welcome Ahmed Toure with open arms should he be ready to play for the team.

Ahmed Toure was left out Kotoko’s GHALCA Six invitational tournament squad and the team that travelled to Tripoli for an international club friendly against Ally Tripoli.

According to management member Ali Maradona: “Ahmed Toure has not yet reported to the club. We are still trying our best to hear from him. He came to Ghana for the Christmas holidays and returned afterwards. We believe he is with the mother because he told us his mother is sick, but time is up, we need his services, so, we are working on it.

“He (Ahmed Touré) is our player and there are rules and regulations guiding the club, so, if he did not turn up, we will use the appropriate measure to sanction him. But for now, we have to see him to tell us his reasons for reporting late. Even if we have to send for him, we will do that but if all efforts fail, we will take the next step or action because he was in Ghana during Christmas.”

From the latter comments from Ali Maradona, Kotoko are not happy with the conduct of the Ivorian. Media reports claim the contract of the striker will be terminated should he returned to the club.

And Hearts of Oak who have recently sacked four players after the GHALCA Six failure, will be happy to have the experienced striker despite the Ivorian dumping them at the last minute having represented the club during last season’s GHALCA Top-4.

“Ahmed Toure is one of the good strikers on the local scene,” Opare Addo told Accra-based radio station, Happy FM.

“If he believes that he doesn’t want to have anything to do with Kotoko and he want to play for Hearts of Oak why not, we will welcome him with open arms.

“We are a professional club and we won’t use any past failure in our deals against any player who wants to play for us.

“Our doors are opened for Toure and any player.” He said.

Hearts Will Welcome Ahmed Toure - Opare Addo