Tawfique Relishing Prospect Of Topflight Football With WA All Stars

Wa All Stars new recruit, Tawfique Deen is relishing the prospect of tasting top flight football when the second round of the Ghana Premier league resumes.

The 16 year old midfielder is itching for the domestic Championship to resume after switching camp to Wa All Stars ahead of the second half of the campaign.

The former AC Milan and BA United hard tackler joined the Wa based top flight campaigners as part of a squad beefing undertaken by the table toppers.

The defensive midfield anchor man is buzzing with confidence and is roaring for the return of the domestic Championship after his arrival in the half way line of the season.

Speaking to sports crusader ahead of the second round of the season, the new recruit for Wa All Stars pledged to pounce on the platform offered him by the league leaders to showcase his talent.

” It is a challenge given me to defend my self and my other WA boys in the clubs and show my God given talent to the watching world. It is a platform I cannot just play with given the quality of players in the team. I simply cannot wait any more for the second round to start on the domestic Championship “, Tawfique told sports crusader exclusively.

The Wa born former AC Milan and BA United player joins a couple of new faces added to the team by head coach Enos Adepa Kwame as they look to consolidate their place at the top of the log.

Tawfique Deen already opened his scoring account with Wa All Stars during the mid season friendly matches with a cracking finish to his name.

Tawfique Relishing Prospect Of Topflight Football With WA All Stars

Elmina Sharks Hero Confident Of Premier League Football

Elmina Sharks sensational forward Benjamin Tweneboah is optimistic of sealing top flight football for the Elmina based side after a dream start to the season.

The teen sensation has blossomed into one of the revered attackers on the local scene as demonstrated in his blistering treble at home to Tarkwa United over the weekend.

The talented marksman has fired verbal warning to domestic rivals in Zone II of the GN Bank Division One League (DOL) campaign after eight matches into the season.

Hart-trick Hero Ben Tweneboah ‘Neymar’ of Elmina Sharks

The media shy Benjamin Tweneboah expressed his readiness to shoulder more responsibilities in the coming weeks to consolidate their place at the top of the log.

“I think we are ready for any opposition. We are in good shape at the moment and Premier League qualification is our target and a collective ambition of the entire playing body at the club,” he said.

“My goals will flow at the right time but of course I cannot hide my excitement after scoring my first Hart-trick of the season,” he added.

“Hopefully my goals will play an integral role in our qualification process as well”, Ben Tweneboah told sportscrusader.com.

Elmina Sharks remain top of the log in Zone II with 20 points from the opening 24 available, four clear of second placed Eleven Wise ahead of this weekend’s round of matches.

Sharks spanked Tarkwa United 5-0 to continue their dominance in the zone on match-day eight with Benjamin Tweneboah taking the match ball home with his treble to match.

Elmina Sharks Hero Confident Of Premier League Football

Mafro Wishes Hearts And Kotoko Well

Mafro Sports Management Pte Ltd, Sports Apparel and General Sports Equipment company and official kit sponsor of Accra Hearts of Oak and Kumasi Asante Kotoko has sent a goodwill message to both clubs in their respective Match-Day Eight encounters in the Ghana Premier League this afternoon.

Hearts will be at home (Accra Sports Stadium) to West Africa Football Academy (WAFA) in a must win game for the Phobians who have not won a league game since they came from two goals down to beat Inter Allies 3-2 on Match-Day Five.

Kotoko on the hand have an away game at Dawu to Dreams FC and will look to continue with their resurgence in form under caretaker coach Mike Osei.

Mafro signed a three year deal with Ghana’s two biggest clubs earlier in the season and in accordance with their newly found relationship has taken to their official twitter handle to wish both clubs well in their respective games later today at.

The message read, Best of luck to @HeartsofOakSC and @AsanteKotoko_SC from Mafro Sports!”

Mafro Wishes Hearts And Kotoko Well

Hearts Ready To Sack Kenichi Yatsuahsi

Sportscrusader.com reliable source, has revealed Accra Hearts of Oak, is set to axe their Japanese-American coach, Kenichi Yatsuashi from his post.

According to the source the board headed by club owner and highest shareholder, Togbe Afede XIV has had it to the neck, especially with his recent Facebook ranting and criticism of the hierarchy over unpaid salaries owed him and his two assistants – Yaw Preko and Nassam Yakubu as well as the players who are owed winning bonuses.

The source said “the board and the strategic committee were billed to meet the Japanese today (Monday) at the club’s secretariat over his Facebook post, that revealed conflicting statement from the board in relation to his salary.”

According to our source, the Club heads will be meeting this afternoon at 12:30 to take a firm decision on the future of the coach after what they said was “a very bad thing to go on social media to state all that he did, painting a bad picture for the Club”.

The scheduled meeting though has been called off, the major topic for discussion – Kenichi’s post as head coach remains the topic for discussion but the source can confirm after the meeting the Japanese will no longer remain coach of the Phobians.

Hearts Ready To Sack Kenichi Yatsuahsi

Hearts Board To Meet Over Kenichi"s Post

Sportscrusader.com reliable source has revealed Accra Hearts of Oak Board and Strategic Committee are set to meet over coach Kenichi Yatsuashi’s position as head coach.

The Japanese-American has had little day off the Ghanaian media satellite since his appointment and his recent Facebook post criticisig the club of inconsistency with some media reports relating to his salary, players winning bonus and his back staff who are owed salaries just as himself.

The source revealed the soft spoken Japanese during a board meeting alongside the strategic commission headed by Vincent Sowah Odotei, walked off after a heated argument arose after

a disagreement on a proposed renewal of his contract hit the rocks.

Kenichi according to the source had to be cooled down by Frank Nelson who had to follow him down stairs after, he walked off to return him to the meeting.

Coach Keni has guided the Phobians to an impressive start to the 2015/16 season with four wins, two draws and just one deafeat from the seven games played this far, but his Facebook post over the

weekend has angered the high hierarchy at the club and a proposed meeting today has being re-scheduled to Tuesday, April 19 and the major topic for discussion is Kenichi’s post as head coach of the Rainbow club.

Hearts Board To Meet Over Kenichi"s Post

Hearts Midfielder Discharged From Hospital

Accra Hearts of Oak midfielder, Thomas Abbey has been discharged from hospital after a successful rib operation.

The creative midfielder was elbowed in the rib by a Dwarfs defender during a tussle for the ball in the air and the creative player came off worse as he was later diagnosed with a blood clot and needed surgery to aid his recovery.

Thomas Abbey playing against New Edubiase in match week 1

Abbey was operated last week and had been in the hospital for further medical observation since then.

Hearts of Oak midfielder, Thomas Abbey

Sportscrusader.com source has revealed the midfielder has responded positively to treatment and will continue with his recovery at home.

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Hearts Midfielder Discharged From Hospital

We"re Not Under Pressure - Wa All Stars

Wa All Stars head coach, Enos Adipa has told Sportscrusader.com, in an interview that his side is under no pressure, since they annexed top spot in the 2015/16 Ghana Premier League season.

The Wa club has been the revelation in the league this season and their recent 3-1 victory over Accra Hearts of Oak at the Accra Sports Stadium, sent a clear message of their intentions for the season.

All Stars are yet to taste defeat in the 7-week old premier league and remain the only side, with the best defensive record conceding just two goals and this impressive form has seen the bookmakers name the Enos Adipa led side favourites to record a historical league title.

This has been viewed as added pressure to a very young side but coach Adipa in an interview with Sportscrusader.com calmed down talks of the team being under pressure.

He said, “We are not under pressure as we approach each game as and when it is needed. we face each team with different tactics, mindset and strategy.”

“We vary the tactics as a league game nears on and this comes along with being on top of the league table, its own pressure. we are relaxed and will play our normal tactical game,” he added.

We"re Not Under Pressure - Wa All Stars

League Title Will Be Bonus - Wa All Stars Coach

Enos Adipa, head coach of league leader’s Wa All Stars has mentioned to Sportscrusader.com that, winning the Ghana Premier League, will be an icing on the cake for them, having prepared adequately for the season.

The Wa based club has been branded the ‘Leicester City’ of the 2015/16 Ghana premier league season, with an impressive five wins and two draws, from all the seven games played so far.

And this form, has seen the Adipa led team being named as favorites to win the league, but the soft spoken coach told Sportscrusader.com that, it will be a welcome news but winning it is not the focus.

He said, “it’s too early in the season as we are left with 23 matches to complete the season but winning the trophy isn’t our target. Our Target has been and remains a top four finish.”

“We are threading cautiously and taking calculated steps as we’re not far away from winning the league but our focus remains on a top 4 finish,” he added.

League Title Will Be Bonus - Wa All Stars Coach

We"ll Stick In The Boot Against Dwarfs - Wa All Stars

Head coach of in-form and table toppers of the Ghana Premier League, Enos Adipa has mentioned that their game with Ebusua Dwarfs on Sunday  will be tough but sees nothing short of victory for his side.

All Stars destroyed the unbeaten record of fellow Premier League side, Hearts of Oak in their Match-Day Six duel in Accra and this success has turned the media spotlight on the Wa based side.

Ahead of their next game with Dwarfs, Coach Adipa in an interview with sportscrusader.com, said their unbeaten run won’t end just yet  against the Abontoa Abontoa boys.

“Dwarfs won’t and can’t bully us especially at Wa. They won’t be the side to make us taste our first defeat of the season,” he said.

“it’s normal and possible for us to lose against them (Dwarfs), we are mortals and can’t or might not go unbeaten but losing to Dwarfs will never happen on Sunday,” he added.

We"ll Stick In The Boot Against Dwarfs - Wa All Stars

We Were At Half Strength Against Hearts - Wa All Stars

Head coach of Wa All Stars in an interview with Sportscrusader.com revealed that his team was at half strength in their emphatic win against Hearts of Oak.

Hearts in match week 6 tasted first defeat of the season at home to Wa All stars in a 3-1 demolishing from the Wa based club.

Though surprising that result might be considering the bookmakers prediction going through the window coach Adipa told Sportscrusader.com his sides performance was below par in that game.

He said, “we played (performance) less than 50 percent in my opinion against Hearts of Oak, what I had taught them prior to the game.”

“My boys started the game well and were in a better position to destroy Hearts, but we missed chances that should have been buried easily.”

“We played a constructive game that Hearts had no antidote to, though I was disappointed with our performance at goal the valuable three points was with us to Wa,” he added.

We Were At Half Strength Against Hearts - Wa All Stars

Ghana Premier League: Officials Named For Match Week 7

Match officials for this weekend’s round of matches in the Ghana Premier League (Match day 7) have been announced.

The following the Match officials for Week 7:

MATCH: Inter Allies vs Bechem United

Venue: Tema

REF: Prince Amoah

ASST 1: Ben Samari

ASST 2: Micahel Asare

4TH REF: Kenney Padi

MC: A. Annan-Lomotey

MATCH: Wa All Stars vs Ebusua Dwarfs

Venue: Wa

REF: Timothy Obuobisah

ASST 1: Effah Tetteh

ASST 2: Richard Kotey

4TH REF: Ali Alhassan

MC: Baah Agyei

MATCH: Techiman City FC vs Hearts of Oak

Venue: Techiman

REF: William Agbovi

ASST 1: A.S. Malik

ASST 2: Alex Anning

4TH REF: Maxwell M. Arhin

MC: Kweku Eyiah

MATCH: WAFA vs New Edubiase

Venue: Sogakope

REF: Theresa Bremansu

ASST 1: David Laryea

ASST 2: Theresa Akongyam

4TH REF: Daniel Laryea

MC: CW Okai

MATCH: Ashantigold vs Dreams

Venue: Obuasi

REF: Isaka Afful

ASST 1: Kwesi Brobbey

ASST 2: A.F. Zakari

4TH REF: Emmanuel Ansah

MC: Kwasi A. Boateng

MATCH: Asante Kotoko vs Liberty Professionals

Venue: Kumasi

REF: Otis Oppong

ASST 1: Joseph Sey

ASST 2: Falilu Rahama

4TH REF: Adari Latif

MC: Agyiri Banor

MATCH: Berekum Chelsea vs Aduana Stars

Venue: Berekum

REF: Ebenezer Amoh

ASST 1: Ashitey Amarh

ASST 2: Michael Agbenuzah

4TH REF: Wiseman Ghansah

MC: Augustine Asante

MATCH: Hasaacas vs Medeama (April 14)

Venue: Essipong

REF: Reginald Lathbridge

ASST 1: Dawood Ouedraogo

ASST 2: Bawa Haruna

4TH REF: Solomon Mordey

MC: Godsway Glah

Ghana Premier League: Officials Named For Match Week 7

I"m Delighted To Be Back - Kotoko Goalkeeper

Kumasi Asante Kotoko goal keeper, Felix Annan has expressed delight a t his return to first team training.

The young keeper suffered a knee injury in Kotoko’s first game of the season away to WAFA.

Initially fear was he was going to be away for a while but the medical diagnose revealed his presence will be missed at least for 8weeks.

Annan joined the first team train at the Adako Jachie grounds as he continues on the road to recovery and regain full fitness.

The former WAFA loanee has taken to his Facebook wall to express the joy of returning to training after a month and half absence.

Felix Annan’s Facebook status confirming his return to first team training

He wrote, “It Feels So Great To Be Back On The Field After All Those Weeks! Thanks To All Of You Who Have Been Supporting Me The Past Days And Weeks, I’m So Very Grateful! We Are Almost Back! #RoadToComeBack #GodIsTheReason #ThankYouAllForTheSupportAndPrayers #GodBless #OneLove #TeamKotoko.”

I"m Delighted To Be Back - Kotoko Goalkeeper

Yatsuhashi Must Focus On Tactics - Polo

Former Accra Hearts of Oak player and coach, Mohammed Polo has called on coach Kenichi Yatsuashi to change his training regiment to meet up with the challenges in the premiership.

Coach Yatsuhashi, since his appointment, has taken the fitness level of players to an appreciable level in comparison to last season and this has coincided with stellar performance in the 2015/16 Ghana premier league season.

The players are put through more physical training sessions and tactical routines as well but the club legend, Polo believes the former should not over ride the latter though it is of great importance.

Speaking to Sportscruader.com, Polo mentioned, “My source has revealed there are more physical training regiments, yes its good, but what I can advice is that the physical training routines are too much.”

“Before the season (pre-season trainings) a coach has to work on the physical abilities of his players but when the season starts the coach has to work more on the tactical and technical approach of the team as physique alone won’t work,” he added.

Yatsuhashi Must Focus On Tactics - Polo

Hearts Will Recover - Polo

Accra Hearts of Oak legend, Mohammed Polo has mentioned that his former club will recover from the heavy home defeat to Wa All Stars.

Hearts high-flying start to life in the 2015/16 Ghana premier league was brought to a halt when they tasted defeat for the first time after going five games without a defeat.

The lost has seen the Phobians fall slightly short of confidence going into match week 7 and this former player, Polo believes should not bring down the morale of the team.

Speaking in an interview to Sportscrusader.com, Polo said, “the pre-season form was a bad one and the good start to the season should serve as a morale booster for the side. It was unfortunate they lost heavily but they should not be down but rather go into the board room review what went wrong and correct all the mistakes.”

Hearts travel to face premier league debutant, Techiman City in match week 7; a cagey game it might be but this is the exact test the Accra based side needs to get back on winning ways.

Hearts Will Recover - Polo

Photos: "Home Alone" Duncan Swerved At Kotoko Training Ground

Beleaguered Kumasi Asane Kotoko coach, David Duncan has been swerved at the club’s Adako Jachie training grounds, after he was asked to ‘step aside’ but refuted and scheduled a training session today.

Duncan, has refused to accept the club’s position and that influenced his decision to arrange a training session today contradicting general manager Opoku Nti who had instructed the team train at the Kumasi Sports stadium.

Duncan meets empty Adako Jachie training grounds

Duncan meets empty Adako Jachie training grounds

Duncan meets empty Adako Jachie training grounds

Duncan meets empty Adako Jachie training grounds

Duncan meets empty Adako Jachie training grounds

Duncan meets empty Adako Jachie training grounds

Duncan meets empty Adako Jachie training grounds

Duncan meets empty Adako Jachie training grounds

Duncan meets empty Adako Jachie training grounds

Duncan meets empty Adako Jachie training grounds

Duncan meets empty Adako Jachie training grounds

The former Accra Hearts of Oak coach has been at the helm of affairs at Kotoko at a time when the 23-times Ghana premier league champions, have started the league poorly for the first time in 15-years and the latest result of a 1-0 defeat to Aduana Stars saw the tough-talking coach asked to stay away from his coaching duties.

Information gathered by Sportscrusader.com sources reveals General manager. Opoku Nti asked the team to train at the Baba Yara sports stadium instead of using the Adako Jachie training ground and this is why Duncan met an empty training field.

Interim coach, Michael Osei begins his tenure as head coach today leading the team out in the training routine at the Baba Yara stadium as Kotoko gets set to host Liberty professionals in match week 7 of the premier league.

Photos: "Home Alone" Duncan Swerved At Kotoko Training Ground

Photos: Hearts 1-3 Wa All Stars

Wa All Stars inflicted on Accra Hearts of Oak their first defeat of the season as they thrashed the Accra based side by three goals to one.

The Phobians were consigned to their first home defeat as they failed to prove any of the prowess that has seen them made league favourite to win the trophy that has eluded them since 2008.

All Stars dominated the game from start to finish and clearly were deserving winners of the game.

Here are photos of the game

Photos: Hearts 1-3 Wa All Stars

Photos: Wa All Stars Arrival For Hearts Game

Second placed, Wa All Stars have arrived at the Accra Sports Stadium as they get set to face league leaders, Accra Hearts of Oak.

The meeting dubbed the ‘quest for first place’ means a lot to each team as Hearts will cement a firm grip and extend their points to 16 which is 5-points away from All stars and a win for the visitors today will see the Wa based side leap-frog Hearts into first place.

Here are photos of the teams arrival:

Photos: Wa All Stars Arrival For Hearts Game

We"re Ready For Aduana Challenge - Kotoko

Kumasi Asante Kotoko public relation officer, Kwaku Ahenkorah has mentioned that the club is ready for the herculean task ahead going into their Match-Day Six figure of the 2015/16 Ghana Premier League (GPL) at Dormaa against Aduana Stars on Sunday.

Kotoko has had the worse start to a league season in 15-years, having gone matches without a win until their 1-0 victory over Sekondi Hasaacas in week five.

The GPL record champions will look to register their second win of the season at Dormaa knowing they can’t afford to lose grounds on arch-rivals Hearts of Oak who lead the log.

They face Aduana Stars, a side they have never beaten at the Nana Agyemang Badu Park since they joined the Ghanaian top-flight and that has got some of their fans worried.

But Ahenkorah speaking to Sportscrusader.com admitted the task is a tough one but are ready to give their all knowing another win at such a fortress could start their rise to the top of the league.

He said, “games like this and other difficult situations are what has made Kotoko the biggest club in Ghana”.

“We accept that the task ahead is a huge one, but, we are prepared for this challenge; we go into the game with a sole aim of winning and that is the mentality we carry,” he added.

We"re Ready For Aduana Challenge - Kotoko

Winner Of 2016 GPL To Pocket 30,000 US Dollars

Winner of the 2016 Ghana Premier League will be taking home 30, 000 US Dollars aside the glittering trophy at the end of the season. 

The five week old competition has defied its legal tussles to hit the local scene like a rocket with sizzling performances from across the various league centre.

The five week old league, has so far given indications of producing a new champion though the current holders Ashgold will refute such claims despite their slow start.

Information chanced upon by sports crusader reveals, that the eventual winner of the Super Fantastic GPL, will be pocketing a cool cash prize of 30, 000 US Dollars or GHC120,000.00 local currency.

Ashgold, current holders pocketed a paltry 13, 000.00 US Dollars for ending their 19 year wait on the local terrain under the sponsorship of First Capital Plus.

The huge 17,000 USD incremental jump will add to the already competitive 2016 topflight on the local scene.

Accra Hearts of Oak, Wa All Stars and the free scoring WAFA SC have enjoyed a strong start to the season though the holders are yet to taste defeat in their title defence season

Winner Of 2016 GPL To Pocket 30,000 US Dollars

16-Toothless Ghana Premier League Clubs

The top flight football in the country, the Ghana Premier league (GPL) can boast of 16-teams but same can’t be said of their confidence to stake a claim when it comes to seeking the commitment of the welfare of the various teams from the Ghana Football Association (GFA).

It’s mind boggling how teams in Ghana solely rely on the GFA for sponsorship money to help run their day-to-day affairs.

New Edubiase United had threaten to withdraw participation from the league after week three of the GPL, and, this has once again proven to be another false alarm from a Ghana Premier league side.

Majority of the blame in terms of how the club’s would have benefited from ensuring that the GFA managed the league well can be laid at the doorstep of the two most glamorous clubs, Hearts of Oak and Asante Kotoko – glamorous we will discuss later.

A strong statement of intent from Hearts and Kotoko as to the commencement of 2015/16 sponsor-less league would have awaken the GFA who appear to be sleeping on the job in terms of seeking sponsorship for their own flagship product- the league.

The two biggest clubs in Ghana have failed themselves and the remaining 14-clubs and this has been perceived as a trump card for the GFA to have a jolly ride with these clubs.

The GFA is yet to retrieve the remaining amount of monies owned it from the Glo sponsorship deal which collapsed a couple of seasons ago and have done little in terms of the current wrangling with 2014/15 season headline sponsor, First Capital Plus Bank now Capital Bank to win back what is theirs.

16-Toothless Ghana Premier League Clubs