Sudanese side, AL Hilal have terminated their contract with former Liberty skipper, Kennedy Ashia.
The former Ghana youth international joined the Sudanese side after a successful 2014-15 season with Liberty Professionals, but he failed to meet the requirements of the club.
The club agreed a compensation fee with the 22-year-old after a meeting with the hierarchy of the club on Saturday, and will return to Ghana next week.
Barcelona returned to the top of La Liga on Saturday evening, securing three points with a 2-0 win over Real Betis.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1h6kU0Ea58g
Betis were reduced to 10 men towards the end of the first half, but they put up a tough defence, and it was only a calamitous error which allowed Ivan Rakitic an easy finish to send Barca ahead.
A lovely ball into the penalty area from Lionel Messi caused confusion, as goalkeeper Antonio Adan came charging out to punch it, while centre-back German Pezzella attempted an overhead kick clearance.
Atletico Madrid are joint top with Barcelona after a 1-0 victory over Rayo Vallecano ,with Real Madrid also beating Real Sociedad by a goal to nil to stay third
Jermain Defoe scored a penalty in the final minute of stoppage-time as relegation-threatened Sunderland salvaged a dramatic 1-1 draw against Stoke on Saturday.
Desperate for points to boost their survival hopes, the Black Cats struggled to create clear-cut chances and it looked like Marko Arnautovic’s second-half goal would consign them to defeat.
But, with time running out, Defoe won and calmly converted a penalty after a lengthy delay to keep the Sunderland fans dreaming of survival.
The former Tottenham Hotspur forward will join 2016 Peace Ambassador, Stephen Appiah and world renowned ex and current footballers to form a World XI side in Ghana, in June this year.
They will play matches against record Ghana premier league champions, Kumasi Asante Kotoko and an Asamoah Gyan-led Ghana Black Stars on June 8 and 11 at the Kumasi and Accra Sports Stadia respectively in the much awaited, Vodafone Unity Match 2016 organised by Ghana’s premier event house, Primeval Media Ghana Limited.
Danny Welbeck spared Arsene Wenger’s blushes as Arsenal deepened Norwich’s relegation fears amid fan protests with a 1-0 win at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday.
It took Welbeck just three minutes to seal victory for Wenger on the Frenchman’s 750th Premier League game at the club, rifling home Olivier Giroud’s knock down on 59 minutes.
Disgruntled supporters voiced their concern at the club’s stagnation on 12 and 78 minutes of the Saturday Night Football clash, but they were in the minority as most fans in the stadium declined to join in.
For Norwich, defeat sees them remain 19th in the table and staring relegation in the face after positive results for Newcastle and Sunderland earlier on Saturday.
Arsenal, meanwhile, leapfrog Manchester City into third and move to within two points of north London rivals Tottenham.
Italy based Ghana international Ebenezer Afriyie Acquah steerd Torino to a 1-5 away triumph over Udinese in the Serie A.
The explosive midfielder spiced up his commanding performance at the middle of the pitch with his trade mark long range drives to earn the bragging rights over his compatriot Agyemang Badu.
Acquah followed up an opening strike from Pontus Jandon with his third of the campaign to cap an impressive outing for Giampero Ventura’s men.
The hard tackling midfielder gave his visiting team a 0-2 lead just on the stroke of 45 minutes before returning to set up Josep Martinez for the third of the game.
The 24 year old has enjoyed a spectacular season yet again in the Italian top flight despite his off field setbacks since joining Torino from Sampdoria at the start of the season.
Acquah traded Parma for Sampdoria after the former’s demotion to the fourth tie of Italian football.
International team mate Emmanuel Agyemang Badu lasted the torturing 90 minutes for the home side as Torino run out 1-5 victors to move into the 10th slot.
Udinese meanwhile remains 6 points clear off the drop zone with two games to end the season.
Asante Kotoko have unveiled their new bus for the 2015-16 Ghana Premier League (GPL) season.
The bus underwent branding with the Kotoko famous colours, red.
Versatile Ghanaian defender Daniel Sowatey look set to switch camp after recieving a couple of offers in the second tier league.
The Shumen 1929 utility defender enjoyed a stellar 2015/16 campaign with his Bulgarian side to ignite a mad scrabble for his services ahead of the new campaign.
The former Ghana Youth international has been tipped to win the defender of the season for his exploits at the back in a highly impressive display across the season.
Dunav Russe and Pomorie lead the home based bids for his signature whiles a flurry of bids from Belgian and Sweden has been tabled as well.
The former Olympics and Amidaus Professionals defender however look bound to leave the shores of Bulgaria with topflight football a priority on his agenda as against the financial gains.
Daniel Sowatey has been a regular at the back for the mid table Shumen across the campaign but look set to switch camp baring any unforeseen circumstances.
“For now I am weighing my options as at now. I am looking at whether to leave Bulgaria and go to another country (likely Belgium or Sweden) or stay here and change my club.”
“Two clubs have already approached my club for my services from Belgium, Malaysia, Malta and several others outside Bulgaria. I am looking at the offer that will suit my football not one I will later regret over’, Daniel told sports crusader exclusively.
The talented defender enjoyed spells in South America before finally sealing a move to Bulgaria with Shumen 1929.
Ghanaian striker Jordan was on target for already relegated Aston Villa in their 3-2 Premier League loss to Watford on Saturday afternoon.
The former Lorentz forward put Villa 2-1 up early in the second half after Ayman Abdi had cancelled out Ciaran Clarke’s opener in the first half.
Jordan’s goal look as though it had secured three point for the Villans but defender Ally Sissokho was sent off for a late challenge on a Watford attacker which swing the game to the advantage of the Vicarage Road outfit.
Watford pressed on until they finally rip benefit of their numerical advantage with Striker Troy Deeney scoring twice in injury time to hand the newly promoted side all three points.
The defeat means Aston Villa will finish the season bottom of the table as they are currently on 16 points with just two matches remaining
Kumasi Asante Kotoko will line up on Monday against Hearts of Oak without first choice centre-back, Osei Agyemang.
Osei Agyemang, who joined the Porcupine Warriors from Berekum Chelsea, knocked Ohene Brenya out of the starting role, and has been excellent at the back with Ahmed Adams.
He has earned plaudits for from the fans and management members of the Porcupine Warriors for his performances.
He is widely considered to be one of the best centre backs in domestic front, for his artistic tackles, elegance on the ball, distribution, and tight marking of opponents.
His absence will be a big blow for Michael Osei, but he will have Evans Quao and Ohene Brenya ask as back ups.
Skipper Amos Frimpong is versatile and could also switch into the central defence to partner Ahmed Adams while either Samuel Sekyere or Atta Kusi man the right back.
Division Two side Republicans Football Club have unveiled their new players and the new head coach of the club Kassim Mingle ahead of the coming season in a colourful orientation ceremony at the Madina Social Welfare School on Saturday, 30th April, 2016.
The unveiling ceremony was well attended by the Board and Management of the club together with the technical team and backroom staff, and the playing body.
There were also representatives from the Union Bank of Ghana and a Professional Referee, who came to educate the players on savings and the rules of the game respectively.
New head coach Kassim Mingle was officially unveiled at the ceremony together with eight new players.
The players were taken through the history and humble beginning of the club and plans for the club’s future Academy was also revealed at the ceremony.
Chairman of the club, Moro Mohammed advised the players to take the game seriously and also mentioned that the main target for the team this season is to secure promotion to Division One.
Also, the head coach mentioned that the players should be disciplined and committed at all times in order to help develop their game and fulfill their true potentials.
Meanwhile, Union Bank of Ghana representative Mike Shola was at the gathering to lecture the players on finances and the need for savings.He encouraged the players to save the little they have now so that they could earn more in the future.
Furthermore, Referee Acquaye Adotey also educated the players on the rules of the game and demonstrated some of the more difficult tenets of the beautiful game to the team.
The ceremony was a wonderful occasion, and before the gathering ended, the players assured the Board and Management team of their willingness to be committed at all times and their ambition of fulfilling the targets of the team come the end of the coming season.
The playing body of Kumasi Asante Kotoko will earn GH¢ 2000.00 each if they they beat Accra Hearts of Oak.
The Porcupine Warriors who have been a pale shadow of themselves in the 2015-16 Ghana premier league (GPL), will visit their bitter rivals, Hearts of Oak on Monday.
Matches between the two glamorous clubs in Ghana domestic football history go beyond 90 minutes of football.
And Life Patron and management have promised each player GH¢ 2000.00.
The life patron, Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II promised each player earlier today that he will give each player GH¢1000.00, and management also promised the same amount.
There is special package in place, but according to Sportscrusader sources, the package will only be unveiled should they win.
The Life Patron of Kumasi Asante Kotoko, Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II has charged the playing body of the club to beat Hearts of Oak.
The Porcupine Warriors set off on on Saturday evening to Accra to honour the biggest game in Ghana’s football calendar.
And Otumfuo charged them to return to the Garden City with pride. According to the over lord king of the Ashanti Kingdom, the game against the Phobians would either bring joy or sadness to the people.
The players were also promised a special package, should they win the game.
The playing body, about three weeks ago requested a new bus to facilitate their travels when the Asantehene visited them at the Adako Jachie training ground.
The team makes their first trip with the bus on Saturday afternoon out of Kumasi ahead of their epic clash with sworn rivals Hearts on Monday, May 2 in Accra.
The Asantehene inspected the bus before the Akyempimhene, Oheneba Adusei Poku presented the keys to the General Manager, Samuel Opoku Nti, who thanked the Asantehene for his kind gesture.Luke Shaw has handed Manchester United a significant boost as they prepare for their clash with Leicester City on Sunday by revealing that he could make his return from injury before the end of the season.
The full-back has been sidelined since September after suffering a double fracture of his leg during the Champions League defeat at the hands of PSV Eindhoven.
Shaw has been working hard on his fitness levels in recent weeks and has recently begun training outdoors with a physiotherapist at United’s Carrington training ground.
The England defender has not given up all hope of featuring before the end of the season and has revealed that he is fighting hard to make his first appearance of 2016 before the campaign is over.
Speaking to United’s website, Shaw said: “I am back outside now, still with the physio but, day by day, I am getting better and fitter.
“I am just going to keep pushing now until the end of the season and see what happens.
“At the moment, my leg feels really great every time I go outside. There was a bit of aching at the start but now they are all gone.
“It is just back to hard work now and hopefully I will see the fans before the end of the season.”
Former player and coach of Accra Hearts of Oak, Mohammed Polo has reiterated the need for the players of Accra Hearts of Oak and Kumasi Asante Kotoko to sell to the world the quality brand of football that is being played in the Ghana Premier League.
The start of the 2015/2016 GPL has seen a sizeable increase in spectatorship across the country which can be attributed to the level of quality of play been witness in the league so far.
The former Black Stars player in an interview with Sportscrusader.com said “this football match would be watched by millions around the round and it is the chance for us to prove to the world that we are gradually getting there as one of the football super powers in Africa,it is obligatory for this two clubs to give the fans value for their money”.
The ‘dribbling magician’ as he is being referred to also emphasized the need for fluidity with regards to play, in order to prevent any form of controversy that may arise, he also entreated the referee of the game to be firm in executing his officiating duties.
Manchester City will be without playmaker David Silva for two to three weeks, ensuring he will definitely miss Wednesday’s Champions League semi-final second leg tie at Real Madrid, manager Manuel Pellegrini said on Friday.
Pellegrini expressed his hope that the Spanish international might be fit should City reach the final in Milan on May 28.
The bad news for City came as Pellegrini reiterated his annoyance that having to play a key Premier League match on Sunday against Southampton might affect their European final ambitions.
Silva limped out of the first leg tie at the Etihad Stadium on Tuesday, with Pellegrini revealing: “He has a small hamstring injury and he’ll need two or three weeks to recover.” Asked when he might be back, he added: “He’ll be able to play the final.”
Yaya Toure remains another injury concern for Pellegrini following a muscle injury. “Yaya started working today, we saw the way he improved during the weekend and we’ll see if he can be fit for Wednesday. At the moment we don’t know.”
Pellegrini said he could not understand why, amid such a crowded schedule and with City still pushing for the top four finish that would guarantee Champions League football next season, they had not been given the chance by the Premier League to play on Saturday.
Osu Mantse, His Majesty Nii Okwei Kinka Dowuona VI joined this month’s fun packed aerobic session dubbed, ‘Accra Works Out’ at the Multi purpose court of the Accra Sports Stadium.
The event organised by Ghana’s premier event house, Primeval Media comes off on the last Saturday of every month as qualified fitness instructors guide participants through healthy works out.
Here are some images of the April session:
Primeval media-powered monthly fitness session dubbed ‘Accra Works Out’ came off today (April 30) on the multi-purpose court of the Accra Sports Stadium.
The primary aim of the fitness session is to enable employees of corporate Ghana de-stress at the end of each month in an atmosphere of fun, while networking for immediate and/or future benefits.
This month’s workout session was graced by Peace Ambassador and former Black Stars skipper, Stephen Appiah, the Osu Mantse, His Majesty Nii Okwei Kinka Dowuona VI as well as ex-Black Stars midfielder, Laryea Kingston.
Many other dignitaries including Ghana Black Stars team doctor, Dr. Prince Pamboe and also members of the Teshie Celebration Fitness Club were present.
Participants were led by licensed fit instructors and they were taken through various aerobic regimes vis-a-vis good music from Cil Soundz to make the exercise fun as always.
Those in attendance were refreshed after burning the calories.
The next edition of the fun filled aerobic exercise comes off on May 28 as the venue still remains the multi-purpose court of the Accra Sports Stadium.
The 2015/16 Ghana Premier League (GPL) enters match week 10 this weekend with top of the fixture pile, the Super Clash between bitter rivals, Accra Hearts of Oak and Kumasi Asante Kotoko.
Watch Sportscrusader.com preview show of the GPL with the national chief drummer of the Ghana Black Stars, Joseph Langabell.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RVhs8liCtD0
MANCHESTER UNITED have reportedly made a bid for Palmeiras’ striker Gabriel Jesus Gabriel, who starred for Brazil at last year’s Under-20 World Cup, scored 37 goals in 22 matches for Palmeiras’ youth team last term.
And according to Brazilian newspaper O Estado de Sao Paulo, United have made a bid to snap up the youngster.
The 19-year-old has a release clause of £23.5million, but the Red Devils are one of five clubs who get a discount on the forward due to another clause in his contract.
United, along with Barcelona, Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich can all apparently sign the teenager for £19m.
Gabriel, who has also been linked with a move to Arsenal, is expected to play for Brazil in the Olympics, and his agent, Cristiano Simoes, wants to wait and negotiate any deal for the striker after the tournament to get a bigger transfer fee.
He said: “Until then [the Olympics], it’s certain that he will stay. After that, we believe there will come good and concrete bids.
“Gabriel is calm and isn’t interested in these subjects, but he knows that many people want to take him and he’s now the main player who Palmeiras can make profit with.”
Ghana Oil Company (GOIL), an indigenous state-owned company has signed a one year sponsorship deal with Ghana’s two most successful clubs, Accra Hearts of Oak ad Kumasi Asante Kotoko.
The agreement which was signed at the headquarters of GOIL sees both clubs pocket a total of Nine hundred and sixty Ghana Cedis (Ghc960,000) with each receiving half of the total amount which will be paid in monthly installments of Forty thousand Ghana Cedis (Ghc40,000) and will include monthly fuel allocation.
Here are selected photos of the event:
