Accra Sports Stadium Pitch Prepared For Stars Clash

The pitch at the Accra Sports Stadium is being readied for the upcoming African Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2017 qualifier between Ghana Black Stars and the Mambas of Mozambique.

Management of the state facility (National Sports Authority – NSA) has come in for criticism for the poor maintenance of the place but Sportscrusader.com visit to the stadium this morning as the players get ready to train for on Tuesday, March 22, showed vast improvement on the quality of the playing surface.

The pitch is not up to the standard or the quality the players led by captain, Asamoah Gyan are used to but coach Avram Grant will pleased with the level of improvement now then when he last visited the stadium.

Here’s a picture of the current state of the Accra sports stadium

The Accra sports stadium playing surface being prepared for the AFCON qualifier

The Accra sports stadium playing surface being prepared for the AFCON qualifier

The Accra sports stadium playing surface being prepared for the AFCON qualifier

The Accra sports stadium playing surface being prepared for the AFCON qualifier

The Accra sports stadium playing surface being prepared for the AFCON qualifier

The Accra sports stadium playing surface being prepared for the AFCON qualifier

The Accra sports stadium playing surface being prepared for the AFCON qualifier

The Accra sports stadium playing surface being prepared for the AFCON qualifier

The Accra sports stadium playing surface being prepared for the AFCON qualifier

The Accra sports stadium playing surface being prepared for the AFCON qualifier

The Accra sports stadium playing surface being prepared for the AFCON qualifier

The Accra sports stadium playing surface being prepared for the AFCON qualifier

Accra Sports Stadium Pitch Prepared For Stars Clash

News On Regional Marathons Ahead of Main Event

The 2nd edition of the highly acclaimed international millennium marathon will commence its preparatory regional marathons in the Northern regional capital, Tamale.

Ten (10) regional races will take place in all regional capitals of Ghana in anticipation of the main international marathon on September 3. The regional marathons this year will be launched by the Minister of Youth and Sports, Nii Lantey Vanderpuye in Tamale.

The theme for this year’s marathon is “Africa on the run for peace and health” and will commence later in March in the northern region. It will continue later in the Upper West and East regions before moving to the Brong Ahafo, Eastern and Western regions.

The Ashanti region will then have its turn before that of the Central and Volta regions with that of the Greater Accra region expected to be held on 11 June.

The climax of the marathon season will be held in Accra which will see well- acclaimed international runners from all over the world, elite Ghanaian athletes, corporate bodies, keep fit clubs, social runners, students and members of the diplomatic corps participating.

News On Regional Marathons Ahead of Main Event

GPL Preview: Hearts v Bechem United

Accra Hearts of Oak will welcome Bechem United to the Accra Sports Stadium on Sunday in their second home game of the 2015/16 Ghana Premier League season looking to preserve their unbeaten start to this campaign.

The Phobians have won two and drawn one of their opening three games and have scored three goals without conceding any and will be huge favourites to collect the three points on the day.

Team News:

Accra Hearts of Oak will welcome back Samudeen Ibrahim to their fold after recovering from the injury he picked up in their opening game of the season. Goalkeeper Soulama Abdoulaye is expected to be fit after recovering from the knock he picked up at Cape Coast against Dwarfs last Sunday.

Eric Kumi has finished serving his mandatory one-match suspension for the red card he picked up at Tarkwa against Medeama SC.

There are however doubts over the fitness of Paul Acquah and Richard Yamoah with Inusah Musah completely ruled out of this fixture as he is yet to recover from the foot injury he picked up in pre-season.

Bechem United will go into this tie with a clean bill of health and will count on the form of striking duo Francis Afriyie and Aminu Mohammed to provide them with the goals as they hope for an unset in Accra.

Match Preview:

Accra Hearts of Oak will be huge favourites to pick the points in this tie to continue with their unbeaten start to the season.

Coach Kenichi Yatsuhashi’s sidehave looked impressive in their outings so far, and with an expected huge backing to cheer them on in Accra, they will look to make the most of their home advantage.

Bechem United have never beaten Hearts in Accra and the prospects of that happening are slim as they have been one of the poor travelers in the Ghanaian game since they joined the elite division.

Last season’s encounter in Accra ended 1-0 in favour of the Phobians and they should niche this one after some stubborn resistance by the visitors.

Head – to- Head

09.08.2015                           Accra Hearts of Oak        1-0          Bechem United

31.01.2015                            Bechem United                1-0          Accra Hearts of Oak

20.04.2014                           Accra Hearts of Oak        2-1          Bechem United

05.10.2013                           Bechem United                0-1          Accra Hearts of Oak

26.02.2012                          Accra Hearts of Oak        0-0          Bechem United

11.01.2012                           Bechem United                0-0          Accra Hearts of Oak

 

Match Officials:

Referee: Patrick Kyeremanteng

Asst 1: Safo Adade

Asst 2: Frank Bossman

4th Ref: Justice A. Poku

Match Commissioner: Wilfred Kwaku Osei

GPL Preview: Hearts v Bechem United

Kennedy Ashia Tips Liberty Professional For Top Four Spot

Former Liberty Professional midfielder, Kennedy Ashia has tipped the Dansoman-based Premier League side for a top four finish in the upcoming 2016 domestic football season.

The prolific midfielder made his mark with Liberty Professionals before joining the exodus train to Sudan but has backed his former side for supremacy when the new season begins.

The strongly-built attacking midfielder, traded Liberty for Al Hilal in the Sudanese top flight after another impeccable season in the famous white jersey for the “Scientific” soccer lads.

The 23-year-old former Dansoman fan-favourite tipped Latif Blessing to lead the ‘Whites’to a fourth place finish at the very least if not the ultimate trophy in the coming season.

The Al Hilal attacking sensation revealed his feelings for his former side and urged the playing body to confirm their domestic supremacy with the ultimate trophy at the end of the season.

“I’m tipping Liberty Professionals for a top four finish at the very least. I did a lot for Liberty Professionals but I believe this crop of players can even do better before I left.

“I’m no more with the club but do miss my former team mates because Liberty Professional is my mother club and I cannot forget about them in anyway. Latif Blessing and Tamimu are just two of many quality players in the side that can inspire Liberty to the ultimate trophy.”

Kennedy Ashia passed on several attempts from domestic rivals to sign him in the off-season before joining the exodus train to Al Hilal, Sudan.

Kennedy Ashia Tips Liberty Professional For Top Four Spot

Forget About Titles And Build A Winning Team, Hearts Told

Accra Hearts of Oak have been advised on the way forward by the National Chapters Committee member, Barimah Atuahene who believes the club will do well focusing on building a winning team than a silverware.

 

 

The Phobians have not won the Ghana premier league since 2008 and have been consistently changing backroom staffs and players in their quest to reclaim their status as a formidable team in the league. Hearts finished the 2014/15 GPL season in thirteen place and the club nearly made it to the lower tier of Ghana football – division one but was saved by goal difference.

 

The club currently is undergoing transformation with new manager, Kenichi Yatshuashi who has not had it easy since he took over the job with mixed results in games he has managed but the board have been backing him to deliver the lost phobian glory.

 

The fans have been questioning why the club backed the Japanese-American but Barimah Atuahene believes the club currently needs consistency and not trophy as many supporters crave for.

In an interview with Kumasi based radio, Boss fm, Atuahene said,”For the past four years hearts have not been stable with either a head coach or players to help build a formidable team so for now what the club needs is to build a team and forget about winning titles.”

 

“Let the focus now be on putting together a group of players that can dominate both the domestic league and Africa and thence everyone will testify we have a strong team. The team that concurred Africa was built for 4-years and when the late Jones Attuquayefio took over the success was there to see, he added.

 

Hearts will play New Edubiase when the 2015/16 Ghana premier league season commences on Feb 20.

Forget About Titles And Build A Winning Team, Hearts Told

No Need : We"ll Replace Ankrah But Not In A Haste - Board Member

Hearts Won’t Rush In Replacing Ankrah

Accra Hearts of Oak is still in shock if board member, Frank Nelson’s comment claiming the board (hearts) were surprised is anything to go by but the club won’t rush into making a decision on who replaces him.

 

 

Gerald Ankrah submitted officially his resignation to the board of which he’s a member on Wednesday to announce his decision to step down with immediate effect. No names have been bundled around yet but reliable

information reaching sportscrusader.com states head of the strategic committee, Vincent Sowah Odotei will replace Gerald Ankrah temporarily.

 

 

Frank Nelson Nwokolo a member of the current Hearts board and also a member on the strategic committee spoke to Kumasi based Boss fm 93.7 and when quizzed on who replaces Gerald after the board met said, “When we get to the bridge we will cross.”

 

He added, “As a limited liability company a vacuum cant be left in the club and as such sooner than later an appointment will be made but until then the strategic committee will manage and handle all administrative issues.”

 

Ankrah a true and die-hard fan of the club before his resignation was the managing director and secretary to the strategic committee .

No Need : We"ll Replace Ankrah But Not In A Haste - Board Member

Hearts/Allies game ends in stalemate

A pre-season friendly match between Accra Hearts of Oak and Inter Allies ended one all at the Accra Sports Stadium on Sunday.

Hearts scored first through defender Vincent Atinga who headed in a cross from George Yamoah in the 60th minute.

The Tema based side equalised through Sierra-Leonean winger `Prince Barry who capitalized on a blunder by Hearts goalkeeper Soulama Abdulai in the last quarter of the game.

Hearts created several scoring chances afterwards but failed to utilised them.

The match forms part of activities by the two clubs for the impending 2016 Football season.

Hearts/Allies game ends in stalemate

Sol Campbell and George Boateng departs London for Accra

Sol Campbell and George Boateng at Heathrow, moments before emplaning to Accra to join Stephen Appiah to launch the Unity Match 2016.

They are expected in Accra, Ghana at 8pm by British Airways.

Sol Campbell and George Boateng departs London for Accra

Candid Opinion: FIFA Presidential Hope "Can"t Promise Africa

FIFA Presidential Candidate ‘Dashes African Hope’

 

FIFA presidential hopeful, Shakh Salma might have crashed the hopes of Africa and might have lost the continents vote as well after admitting Africa is not the only country that needs support.

 

 

Salma made his submission when he visited Ghana during the west african football union zone B congress held at the Movenpick Ambassador hotel in Accra to canvas for votes from the west african nations gathered in his bid to replace Sepp Blatter as FIFA boss.

 

 

‘FIFA is undergoing reforms’ – is the most comforting choice of words that can be used to describe what the worlds football governing body is going through nonetheless in the month of February, the whole ‘mess’ might be brought to a ‘partial stand still’ when FIFA executives go to the poll to elect a new president after Former President, Josep Blatter was hit with a long term ban from all football related activities by the Ethics committee of FIFA.

As a result of Blatter and then favourite to replace the him, Michel Platini’s suspension the chance of new FIFA boss has been opened and any candidate who isiable to sell his message his well shold annex the throne and it is this desire and ambition that brought Shakh Salma down to Ghana.

 

 

In a media briefing after meeting the executives for theind closed doors, Shakh said, “My desire is to help Africa, Asia and anyother continent that needs my help and not solely focus on one particular country”.

 

He added, “My intention for Africa and Asia will be to help the people (country) in need.

Candid Opinion: FIFA Presidential Hope "Can"t Promise Africa

Hearts Blowed: Hearts Midfielder Hands In Transfer Request

Kotoko Target, Hands In Hearts Transfer Request

Accra Hearts of Oak winger,  Ollenu Ashitey has handed in a transfer request for management to allow him leave the Club.

 

Footballcrusader.com can reveal the 29-year-old who has seen his chances with the Phobian club slim down to several injury woes on his part shocked management of the Accra based club with his request.

 

Ashitey who was initially reported to be on the transfer list at the Club wants out after falling out of favor.

Footballcrusader.com understands that the player has served management with a letter indicating his readiness to leave the Club.

The talented midfielder spent most of the 2014/15 season on the treatment table nursing numerous chronic injuries.

 

This news will be welcome for sworn rivals, Kumasi Asante Kotoko, who have not hidden their interest in securing the services of the creative midfielder.

Hearts Blowed: Hearts Midfielder Hands In Transfer Request

Primeval rounds up 2015 Accra Works Out

The Primeval Media powered Accra Works Out was held for the last time in 2015 early Saturday morning.

The work out was held on the Multi-Purpose Court of the Accra Sports Stadium on Saturday, January 26, 2015 from 7am to 9am, was again well patronised by people from the corporate world as it was as always free and open to all who wished to shake off the body and get in shape for the new year.

Participants were treated to good music as they were led through various training regimes by experienced instructors.

Primeval rounds up 2015 Accra Works Out

Traffic Jam In Accra

With days to the Christmas festivities, vehicular and human congestion in the heart of the capital, Accra, appears to have reached its peak amidst brisk business activities.

Reports indicate that persons trying to reach Makola to shop have either been stuck in vehicular or human traffic.

The situation some have described as worrying especially traders who say patronage is really.

One begins to wonder the reason for the traffic if people are not buying.

More soon……………………

Traffic Jam In Accra