MTN FA Cup Final To Be Played September 4

The MTN FA Cup Committee of the Ghana Football Association has announced a change of date for the final of this year’s competition.

This year’s grand finale has been rescheduled to Sunday September 4, 2016 at the New Cape Coast Stadium.

It had been originally set for Sunday August 28 at the same venue but, the organizers have had to made this change for unexplained reasons.

Ghana Premier League (GPL) outfit Bechem United will take on second tier side Okwahu United in the final of this year’s competition.

In addition to the winner taking home the giant trophy and prize money at stake, they will also represent Ghana at the next year’s CAF Confederation Cup competition.

In view of the change of date of the final, the Premier League Board has announced that the Match-Day 27 fixtures which was originally fixed for the weekend of 3-4 September, 2016 has been rescheduled to the weekend of 27-28 August, 2016.

This is to pave way for the MTN FA Cup finals on the newly announced date.

Bechem United will be looking to win the competition for the first time whilst Okwahu United will be in search of their second triumph in the competition after winning the 1986 edition.

MTN FA Cup Final To Be Played September 4

Micheal Osei Credits Bechem United Scalp To Physical Fitness

Interim trainer for Kumasi Asante Kotoko, Michael Osei has credited his side’s 1-0 triumph over Bechem United in their Ghana Premier League (GPL) Match-Day 12 encounter to the physical fitness of the playing squad.

The confident trainer expressed satisfaction with the mental toughness and physical readiness of his players as they continue their resurgence in the domestic championship.

Frank Sarfo Gyamfi handed the rejuvenated Reds all three points as they moved into the top four club after a strong run of matches under the stop gap trainer.

Micheal Osei, who stepped as an interim trainer for his departed boss David Duncan openly tagged the Reds resurgence to the physical readiness of the players.

“Gradually our physical work is paying off and it can be seen in the second half performance of the team. They played according to instruction and we were better in the second half of the game”, Micheal Osei told reporters after the game.

The interim trainer added, “We deserved the win after our strong second half performance in the game. Our second half performance won us the game”, the confident trainer concluded.

Micheal Osei took over from the under pressure David Duncan and has since steered the media engulfed Kumasi Asante Kotoko from bottom of the log to the top four spot and a place in the last eight of the MTN FA Cup competition.

Micheal Osei Credits Bechem United Scalp To Physical Fitness

GPL Match-Day 12 Preview: New Edubiase United v Aduana Stars

Third placed on the Ghana Premier League (GPL) table, Aduana Stars will trek to the Len Clay Stadium at Obuasi in search of their seventh home win of the campaign on Wednesday.

A win for them in this Match-Day 12 fixture could see them jump to the top of the table should other results go their way.

They have been very consistent since new coach Coiaba Aristica took over after their poor start, and, will be determined to produce a result at Obuasi.

Early this season, they took a point of defending champions, AshantiGold SC at the same venue, and will not be intimidated there.

They have 19 points on the table, and will want to add to that tally after Wednesday’s game.

United have 12 points from their 11 games, and, are 13th on the table as they battle to get off the relegation bracket.

They have won just three of their games and, will be desperate to add to that tally after this encounter.

They will hope to take advantage of their home conditions as they look for their fourth win of the campaign.

Head-To-Head

06/09/15    Aduana Stars    0 – 0     New Edubiase

21/01/15    New Edubiase    1 – 1     Aduana

05/02/14    New Edubiase    1 – 0     Aduana Stars

15/12/13    Aduana Stars    0 – 0     New Edubiase

20/03/13    Aduana Stars    1 – 0     New Edubiase

30/12/12    New Edubiase    1 – 0     Aduana Stars

21/03/12    Aduana Stars    1 – 0     New Edubiase

11/12/11    New Edubiase    2 – 1     Aduana Stars

02/05/11    Aduana Stars    1 – 2     New Edubiase

03/10/10    New Edubiase    0 – 0     Aduana Stars

Match Officials:

REF: Emmanuel Ansah

ASST 1: David Laryea

ASST 2: Ashong Ibrahim

4TH REF: Isaac Quaye

MC: A.S. Seidu

GPL Match-Day 12 Preview: New Edubiase United v Aduana Stars

Okwawu United – Sekondi Hasaacas MTN FA Cup Game To Go Ahead

GN Bank Division One outfit, Okwawu United will hope to cause a minor upset when they host Sekondi Hasaacas of the Ghana Premiership in their round of 16 tie of the MTN FA Cup competition on Sunday.

The game will be played at the Nkawkaw Park, and, it is set to go ahead after earlier moves by the hosts to pull out of the competition.

At home, United will be favourites to win this one as they have been very strong at the Nkawkaw Park this season in the Division One League (DOL), winning all but one of their matches.

Hasaacas have been very poor travelers in the Ghanaian game for quite some time now, it will find it difficult to produce a result against the DOL high-flyers.

United are chancing a place in the top-flight league next season, and, will be high on confidence as they head into this battle.

Hasaacas have lost all their away games in the Ghana Premier League (GPL) this season, and, it will be interesting to see where they will draw inspiration from as they visit traditionally one of the most difficult venues in Ghana football.

Okwawu United – Sekondi Hasaacas MTN FA Cup Game To Go Ahead

Bechem United Confident Of MTN FA Cup Success

Ghana Premiership outfit, Bechem United are confident of advancing to the next round of the MTN FA Cup competition and believe they can go all the way to lift the trophy.

The Hunters will play Real Tamale United (RTU) on Sunday in a round of 16 tie at the Tamale Sports Stadium and hope to advance to the quarter finals of the competition.

Chieftains at the club believes the MTN FA Cup represents the best opportunity for them to win silverware this season, and, are not relenting in their efforts towards achieving success in the competition this season.

Head of their technical team, Manuel Zacarias has not lost a game since being appointed a couple of weeks ago, and, said they will approach their next game with all seriousness.

“We understand RTU is a step below us in the Ghana football league structure, but, this is an FA Cup game, and, if we want to progress, then we must take it head on,” he said.

The fact that RTU will be at home for this tie the Portuguese added, will, inspire them to go for it, knowing they will be in the last eight if they win.

However, he contends that they will hope to press home their top-flight status to progress to the next round of the competition at the expense of the GN Bank Division One outfit.

Bechem United will be at home to Kumasi Asante Kotoko when the Ghana Premier League resumes next Wednesday.

Bechem United Confident Of MTN FA Cup Success

Manchester United Post Record Revenues

Manchester United have posted record third-quarter revenues of £123.4m despite their continued inconsistency on the pitch.

The Premier League club reported that total revenue rose by 29.9% in the three months to 31 March.

It means they expect to earn between £500m and £510m in 2016.

United are through to the FA Cup final against Crystal Palace at Wembley on 21 May, but could miss out on Champions League football next season.

Louis Van Gaal’s side lie fifth in the Premier League table, two points adrift of Manchester City in the fourth qualifying spot.

United will climb above City if they beat Bournemouth at Old Trafford on Sunday and their neighbours lose at Swansea.

United could also drop to seventh if they lose and both West Ham and Southampton win.

BBC

Manchester United Post Record Revenues

Martial Close To Goals Record At Manchester United

Anthony Martial currently shares a goals record for players who started their first full season at Manchester United as teenagers with Brian Kidd and Wayne Rooney.

Martial, who was 19 at the start of 2015/16 and turned 20 in December, bagged his 16th and 17th goals of the campaign with a second-half brace during Tuesday night’s 3-2 defeat to West Ham at Upton Park.

Kidd scored 17 goals during his own debut campaign back in 1967/68, when he broke into Sir Matt Busby’s first team as a raw 18-year-old. He famously turned 19 on the day he netted in the European Cup final win over Benfica at Wembley.

Rooney also scored 17 times in his first season, 2004/05, starting with three goals on his debut against Fenerbahce at just 18 years and 335 days – a feat that made him the youngest player to register a Champions League hat-trick. Like Kidd, he scored for United on his 19th birthday, as Arsenal were defeated 2-0.

Norman Whiteside played his first two games at the close of 1981/82, but it was in the subsequent campaign, his first full one in the senior squad, when he wowed fans. The 17-year-old bagged 14 goals in 57 outings and became the youngest player to score in the League Cup final and the FA Cup final.

An 18-year-old Sir Bobby Charlton sits below Whiteside in our statistical table, after graduating through the ranks to score 12 goals in just 17 games during the 1956/57 season.

Andy Ritchie made his debut as a 17-year-old in December 1977 but only made four appearances that season. We consider 1978/79, when he scored 10 goals, to be his first full season. A 17-year-old Alex Dawson also scored 10 in 1957/58, including a hat-trick in the FA Cup semi-final replay against Fulham.

A 17-year-old Ryan Giggs registered seven goals in his first full season with the seniors and that places him level with his good friend Paul Scholes, who also scored seven as a 19-year-old in 1994/95.

United famously paid a world-record transfer fee for a teenager when Cristiano Ronaldo was bought from Sporting Lisbon in 2003 and the Portuguese forward went on to become the best player on the planet, although his six-goal haul during his debut season is less than half the amount registered by Martial.

Marcus Rashford has of course wowed supporters by scoring seven goals in 16 appearances since making his senior debut against FC Midtjylland back in February.

With one Barclays Premier League fixture and the Emirates FA Cup final left to play this season, Martial could yet score the one goal he needs to set a new record ahead of Kidd and Rooney.

Manutd

Martial Close To Goals Record At Manchester United

Jose Mourinho Knows Nothing About Manchester United

Jose Mourinho says he will return to football in July but knows nothing about his chances of joining Manchester United.

Mourinho remains long odds-on to be United’s next boss, although sources told Sky Sports News HQ last month no agreement was in place.

The former Chelsea manager, who left Stamford Bridge in December, has repeatedly denied a deal is in place to succeed Louis van Gaal.

And speaking in Mexico City, where he was coaching a FIFA Legends team against a Mexican All-stars line-up he said: “I don’t know. I know nothing about it really. I don’t have a club.”

Mourinho expects that to change soon, though, and he repeated a belief he will be back in management this summer.

“In July, I will be back,” he said. “So we are in May. May to July is nothing. I keep enjoying my life which I’m doing, keep enjoying my family. But in July I am back.”

Louis van Gaal has one year to run on his contract and could yet deliver an FA Cup and Champions League qualification this season if results go his way on the final day of the Premier League this weekend.

The Dutchman has already been involved in planning for next season, a luxury Mourinho will be denied wherever he ends up.

He said: “It’s difficult because when you get a new club in this period normally the clubs have already done their work.

“I give you an example. I’m not the Chelsea manager, but I organised the Chelsea pre-season in many aspects because I did that 10 months ago.

“Clubs have their commercial, marketing departments always involved in everything. When a new manager arrives in May, June it’s very difficult to touch in some points, but we know that.”

Skysports

Jose Mourinho Knows Nothing About Manchester United

I Will Be At Manchester United Next Season-Van Gaal

Louis van Gaal is adamant he will still be Manchester United manager next season, no matter what happens at the end of the season.

The Red Devils remain in contention for a top-four finish and are in the FA Cup final but speculation over the Dutchman’s future at the club persists.

Jose Mourinho has been heavily linked with replacing Van Gaal at Old Trafford but the 64-year-old is relaxed about his future and says he always felt it would take time to bring success to the club.

“I knew it would be like this. That’s why they hired me and we spoke about it,” he told reporters.

“We always knew that the process would take three years. I wanted to sign only for two years.

“The club wanted me to sign for three years, not me. I signed for three years – so next year you will see me again.

“Every week for six months I have been sacked – and yet I am still here. But this has happened to me at every club I have been at.

“I am doing the same job at United that I was hired to do at every club.

“People should assess the squad that I took over and make a comparison to the players we have now in terms of age.

“There is a big difference between what the people in the street think and the media. A big difference. I can only tell you my experiences and I don’t have to defend myself. I am a realistic man and so I only speak about facts.”

Van Gaal was also quick to defend his record since taking over in 2014 as he prepares to take on Leicester at Old Trafford on Sunday.

“The fact is that we finished fourth last year. At the moment we are fifth, but we are still able to finish third. On May 15 we will know for sure,” he added.

“The fact is that we are in the FA Cup Final. The fact is that we were in the Champions League. We didn’t do that last year.

“The fact is that we went further in the Capital One Cup. So there are a lot of pluses. Yes, we are in fifth and we are fighting for the one position that is the most important.

“We also have the best home record in the league, but we are one of the lousiest away teams of the top clubs and that is something we need to improve.”

Goal.com

I Will Be At Manchester United Next Season-Van Gaal

Manchester United After Brazil Teen Sensation

English Premiership giants, Manchester United are believed to have tabled in a bid for one of the most coveted players in the Brazilian game, Gabriel Jesus.

The Palmeiras’ forward is sought after by some of the top clubs in Europe, and he is expected to leave the club after the Olympics later this year.

Behind the scenes, agents are already trying to sell him and says that they have big proposals from clubs like Atlético Madrid and Manchester United.

His release clause at Palmeiras is €30 million, and clubs like Real Madrid, Barcelona, PSG, Manchester United and Bayern Munich have all shown interest in the 19-year old.

Manchester United have made their move, and, he could be heading to Old Traford next season should negotiations go through with his parent club.

Gabriel Jesus will be expected to star for Brazil at the Olympics in August as they attempt to win the football tournament for the first time.

The player has also been included in the Brazil preliminary 40-man squad for the Copa America.

Manchester United After Brazil Teen Sensation

Give Me Time To Turn Around Bechem United - Manuel Zacarias

Newly appointed coach of Ghana Premier League (GPL) side, Bechem United, Manuel Zacarias has pleaded for more time in a bid to turn around the fortunes of the club.

United have made an indifferent start to the GPL season, as they lie 11^th on the log with 10 points from the available 27 in the 16-club competition.

In an effort to turn their season around, the management of the club has appointed the Portuguese to take over from Kwame Opuni as head of the technical team, to save their season.

And this, the former FC Porto scout has accepted but is calling for patience from the top hierarchy at the club as well as from fans and sympathizers of the Brong Ahafo club.

“I will need time to get to know the players and fashion out a system that would suit the conditions in Ghana, and, most importantly, keep the team in the top-flight of the Ghanaian game,” he said.

The management of the club have confirmed that he will be on a three month probation before deciding whether to offer him a long term deal or not.

But, the has accepted this challenge and believes he has what it takes to keep Bechem United in the GPL if only he would be given enough time to work.

“I am determined to prove myself here in Ghana,” he said, adding that with the collaborative effort of the players, Bechem United will a success story this season.

On Sunday, they will host the West Africa Football Academy (WAFA) in their next GPL game and will hope to win this one after losing their last game.

Give Me Time To Turn Around Bechem United - Manuel Zacarias

Manchester United Must Break Kit Hoodoo To End Trophy Drought

Manchester United can end their three-year wait for a trophy when they come up against Crystal Palace in May’s FA Cup final – but they’ll have to overcome history if they’re to end their drought.

The Red Devils booked their place in May’s showpiece with Anthony Martial’s dramatic late winner against Everton last weekend.

There’s plenty left to play for in the Premier League before the showdown at Wembley but the coin toss for May’s clash has already been made and Crystal Palace will play as the home team.

It means Louis van Gaal’s side will play in their white away kit and a look at previous finals in which the Red Devils have worn white won’t leave Reds with much hope.

The Red Devils have played in white in eight previous finals – and they’ve won on just two occasions.

Manchester United’s record in finals wearing white kit

FA Cup 1909: Manchester United 1-0 Bristol City
FA Cup 1957: Aston Villa 2-1 Manchester United
League Cup 1983: Liverpool 3-2 Manchester United
FA Cup 1990: Crystal Palace 3-3 Manchester United
Cup Winners’ Cup 1991: Barcelona 1-2 Manchester United
League Cup 2003: Liverpool 2-0 Manchester United
Champions League final 2009: Barcelona 2-0 Manchester United
Champions League final 2011: Barcelona 3-1 Manchester United

United’s first ever FA Cup win came in white when the Reds beat Bristol City in 1909 but they on the next occasion when Matt Busby’s side were narrowly beaten by Aston Villa.

Arch rivals Liverpool beat the Red Devils in an entertaining League Cup victory in 1983, while United’s white kit is perhaps best remembered for its showing in the memorable 1990 FA Cup final with Crystal Palace.

Advantage Crystal Palace? History suggests Man United will struggle in FA Cup final

United overcame Palace in the replay of the 1990 FA Cup final (Picture: Allsport)

Sir Alex Ferguson’s side donned their white strip in the action-packed 3-3 draw at Wembley before overcoming the Eagles in the replay (wearing their home strip) with a 1-0 win.

Van Gaal’s side, though, have not had much luck of late and have lost all three of their previous finals wearing their away strip with Liverpool and Barcelona (x2) coming out on top.

Metro

Manchester United Must Break Kit Hoodoo To End Trophy Drought

Ferguson Reveals Man United Regret

Sir Alex Ferguson has revealed that he regrets not building the Manchester United gym overlooking the club’s training ground at Carrington.

The Old Trafford legend oversaw the move from The Cliff, United’s previous training ground, to the state-of-the-art complex in Cheshire in 2000 but admitted that he realised he had made a mistake three years after the project was completed, following a visit to Barcelona.

Speaking at the opening of Fleetwood Town’s new Poolfoot Farm training ground, where Ferguson cut the ribbon on the League 1 side’s new base, the former United boss indicated that he wished the gym at Carrington had been built overlooking the training pitches, to act as an incentive for injured players to get back to action.

“One part I wish I’d done at United was that the gym is one floor up and you can see into the training ground,” Ferguson said at Poolfoot Farm.

“Three years after we’d built Carrington I went over to Barcelona and realised we’d made a mistake. Our gym at Carrington is enclosed.

“Looking out at the training ground makes the players hungry to get out there. So when a player is coming back from injury he can see the pitches it’s an incentive to get out there.

“So there are things I wish I’d thought about when Carrington was built that I see here.”

Goal

Ferguson Reveals Man United Regret

GPL Match-Day Eight Preview: New Edubiase United – AshantiGold SC

New Edubiase United will host AshantiGold in a Ghana Premier League (GPL) Match-Day Eight encounter at the Len Clay Stadium, Obuasi on Wednesday afternoon.

Both sides have made disappointing starts to this year’s campaign and find themselves at the bottom half of the league table after seven games.

New Edubiase United are 15th with six points with neighbours, AshGold 13th with seven points making this Adansi derby one to look out for tomorrow.

United have drawn their last two games, and will be out to post their second win of the campaign against the defending GPL champions who have not won since the opening day of the season.

Last season, the Miners took four of the six points available in this fixture on their way to winning their fourth domestic league title, and, will feel confident of coming out with a good result.

United however are the form side at the moment and that could carry a huge baring on the outcome of this encounter.

HEAD-TO-HEAD

2009/10

AshGold 2-1 Edubiase

Edubiase 1-2 AshGold

2010/11

Edubiase 1-0 AshGold

AshGold 1-0 Edubiase

2011/12

Edubiase 1-0 AshGold

AshGold 2-1 Edubiase

2012/13

Edubiase 1-1 AshGold

AshGold 2-1 Edubiase

2013/14

Edubiase 2-0 AshGold

AshGold 2-1 Edubiase

2014/15

Edubiase 2-3 AshGold

AshGold 0-0 Edubiase

Total matches played – 12

Edubiase wins – 3

Goals scored – 12

AshGold wins – 7

Goals scored – 15

Drawn games – 2

GPL Match-Day Eight Preview: New Edubiase United – AshantiGold SC

Osei Wire Targets Mid-Table Finish With Bechem United

Acting coach of Bechem United FC, Seth Osei Wire insists his side can still finish in the middle belt of the Ghana Premier League (GPL) despite their indifferent start to the season.

The Brong Ahafo based club are 14^th on the GPL table with seven points after six games and have not won in their last four games, losing three of those.

Last Sunday, they went down to their heaviest defeat of the campaign when they went down 4-0 to Inter Allies at the Tema Sports Stadium.

But Osei Wire said they are very much capable of turning around their season as the season is too young to people to tag them as relegation favourites.

“We are not thinking about going down at the end of the season,” Coach Wire said, insisting that they are capable of being there with the best.

‘The quality in our squad is good enough to carry us through and, I believe we will improve on our performance as the games wore on,” he said.

“Our target is to finish in the middle of the log at the end of the campaign and we will do everything possible to get to the end of our dream,” he added.

Bechem United will next play league leaders Wa All Stars at home when the GPL resumes after the MTN FA Cup round of 32 games this weekend.

Osei Wire Targets Mid-Table Finish With Bechem United

Timothy Fosu-Mensah Earns Manchester United Praise

Tim Fosu-Mensah’s has earned the praise of his Manchester United team for his influential display in the clubs recent 1-0 win over Everton in the English Premiership.

The Dutchman of Ghanaian origin replaced Argentine Marcos Rojo at half-time in last Sunday’s game to make his fifth first-team appearance this season.

The 18-year-old started the second half at right-back but finished it at centre-back and made key contributions at both ends of the pitch, charging forward to cross for Anthony Martial’s winner before making a vital late clearance from Seamus Coleman’s cross to preserve United’s lead.

Former United Star, Quinton Fortune said: “The clearance is obviously brilliant but what I like here is he’s always looking where his man is. Some defenders tend to just focus on the ball but Tim has that awareness.

“He had a great impact after he came on and him being positive led to the goal. But he’s done well in every game he’s played for us. I’d like to see him get a starting position but that’s up to the manager.”

Coach Louis van Gaal was also impressed by Fosu-Mensah’s performance, saying after the game: “He did fantastically. I saw there was some space on the right side and I told Timothy he had to take advantage of that.

“When the player does that, it’s a bit of luck for the manager, so every credit is for Timothy and not for the manager.”

Timothy Fosu-Mensah Earns Manchester United Praise

Defender Luke Shaw Returns To Manchester United Training

Luke Shaw has returned to training as he battles back to fitness following a horrific double leg break.

The Manchester United defender, 20, has not featured since suffering the horrific injury in the Champions League clash against PSV Eindhoven back in September.

Luke Shaw returns from leg break

He has now stepped up his recovery and resumed light training at the club’s Carrington training base on Monday.

United midfielder Juan Mata confirmed the news as he uploaded a picture of the pair to his Instagram account.

Defender Luke Shaw Returns To Manchester United Training

GPL Match-Day Six Preview: New Edubiase United v Techiman City

Team News

New Edubiase United have very little injury worries and will hope their players will find the composure needed to perform as they host the league debutants at the Len Clay Stadium at Obuasi on Sunday.

Techiman City will hope star player Baba Mahama can continue with his efforts this season after winning the clubs player of the month award for March.

Preview

New Edubiase United will seek their second win of the season when they host Techiman City at Obuasi knowing the league debutants have lost all two away games played so far.

United have won one and drawn the other of their two home games and will be confident of maintaining their unbeaten run at the Len Clay Stadium.

They beat Ebusua Dwarfs 1-0 on Match-Day Two and drew goalless with Inter Allies in their next home game. They have scored just one goal at home this season and will want to add to that tally.

City has lost all their away games (2-4) to Hasaacas at Essipong and 0-1 Liberty Professionals at Dansoman and will be out to make amends this time.

Head-to-Head

No Record

Match Officials

REF: Jonathan Tetteh

ASST 1: James Osafo

ASST 2: Nii Kotey Kotei

4TH REF: Timothy Obuobisa

MC: M.I Salisu

GPL Match-Day Six Preview: New Edubiase United v Techiman City

GPL Match-Day Six Preview: Medeama SC V Bechem United

Team News:

Medeama SC have issues in their technical department with head coach Tom Strand and Technical Director, Evans Adottey at loggerheads, otherwise, their squad is a full one and should be ready for the game at the T&A Park on Sunday.

Bechem United have made changes in their technical team with Seth Osei Wire an assistant, being made the head coach. He will hope to start his reign on a good note win a win in Sunday’s encounter.

Preview:

Medeama SC hosts Bechem United at the Tarkwa and Aboso Park on Sunday and will be hopeful of recording their second home win of the season.

The MTN FA Cup champions have made an indifferent start to the season, winning just one of their opening five games and are already out of the knock out competition after losing to Liberty Professionals in the Round of 64.

They will therefore want to make amends in the league as that is the only route they can take to Africa next year unless they win the CAF Confederation Cup this year.

At home, they will be strong favourites to collect the three points after beating the same opposition 2-0 at home in this competition.

Bechem United are one of the poor travelers in the Ghanaian game and will need to up their game if they hope to return to the Brong Ahafo region with a point at least.

They have lost all the two games they have played away from Bechem this season – 0-1 to Dreams FC and 1-3 to Hearts of Oak and it could be a third defeat if they don’t up their game going into this one.

Head-to-Head

22/07/15              Medeama SC – Bechem United (2-0)

22/02/15              Bechem United – Medeama SC (2-1)

01/06/14              Bechem United – Medeama SC (3-0)

22/09/13              Medeama SC – Bechem United (1-1)

15/04/12              Medeama SC – Bechem United (3-1)

20/11/11              Bechem United – Medeama SC (1-0)

Match Official:

REF: J.A Amenya

ASST 1: Kwesi Brobbey

ASST 2: Abraham Jackson

4th REF: H.A. Henkel

MC: M.D Arthur

GPL Match-Day Six Preview: Medeama SC V Bechem United

Okwahu United Deserves Top-Flight Football – Richard Appiah

Play-maker Richard Appiah has said Okwahu United deserves a place in the Ghanaian top-flight league and, achieving that is their main target for this season.

The club was relegated from the Ghana Premier League in 2005, and has since struggled to get back to the elite division since.

But Appiah said the current generation of players at the club is determined to get things right this time as they compete in the National Division One League which leads to qualification to the premiership.

“Our team has been in the soccer wilderness for far too long and I think the time to get us back to where we truly belong is now,” he said after their MTN FA Cup game with Dreams FC last Sunday.

The player was instrumental in seeing them beat the top-flight side 2-1 at the Nkawkaw Park in their Round of 64 encounter to progress to the next stage of the competition.

Appiah won the man-of-the-match award in that encounter, and believes the win will spur them on to greater heights this season as they chase promotion to the top-flight league.

“This FA Cup success hopefully, should inspire our to do more for this football club which is one of the traditional one’s in Ghana and deserves to be better placed,” he added.

The objective he said is not FA Cup glory, but, a place in the GPL next season and that is what “we will keep working towards to achieve that dream at the end of the season.”

Okwahu United are in a hotly contested Zone Three in the race win promotion to the top-flight league with teams like Tema Youth, Amidaus Professionals, Heart of Lions, Great Olympics and Mighty Jets among others, all in contention for the sole ticket.

Okwahu United Deserves Top-Flight Football – Richard Appiah