GPL Match-Day 12 Preview: All Stars v WAFA

The Wa Stadium will be the center of attraction when homesters, Wa All Stars host the West Africa Football Academy (WAFA) in a Match-Day 12 fixture of the Ghana Premier League (GPL).

All Stars are second on the table with 20 points, one behind leaders Hearts of Oak after 11 games.

They will hope for a win to mount pressure on the Phobians who play Sekondi Hasaacas in Accra behind closed doors as they begin the sanctions imposed on them by the Disciplinary Committee of the Ghana Football Association (GFA) for failing to control their supporters in their home loss to All Stars.

The northern club have won six of the 11 games they have played this season, and, will be confident of winning this one against a WAFA side that has lost four of the five away games they have played so far.

All Stars are unbeaten at home and, will press home this advantage as they seek to continue with their fine form up north.

WAFA have been very disappointing away from their Sogakope base, and will need to put together a decent run of form on the road if they hope to finish in the top four as they promised before the start of the season.

They have 15 points from 11 games, and, sit in ninth position on the GPL log as we head into these midweek games.

Match Officials:

 

REF: Samuel K. Yeboah

 

ASST 1: Joseph Sey

 

ASST 2: Alex Ennin

 

4TH REF: Amofa Sarkodie

 

MC: Charles Darkwah

GPL Match-Day 12 Preview: All Stars v WAFA

Publish All My Drug Test Results - Nadal

World number five Rafael Nadal has invited the International Tennis Federation to publish the results of all of his drugs tests.

The Spaniard is suing former French government minister Roselyne Bachelot, who accused him of doping.

In a letter to the ITF, he said people should not “speak without evidence”.

The 29-year-old added: “Please make all my information public, my biological passport and my complete history of anti-doping tests.”

On receipt of the letter, the ITF said the 14-time Grand Slam champion has never failed a drugs test and is free to make public his anti-doping records, to which he has full access.

Nadal also asked the ITF to communicate all future occasions on which he is tested and the results, as soon as they are ready.

Earlier this year, women’s world number nine Maria Sharapova admitted to testing positive for meldonium at this year’s Australian Open. The Russian is serving a provisional suspension and faces a lengthy ban.

British number one Andy Murray told the Mail on Sunday this month he had been suspicious of some opponents who “don’t seem to be getting tired”.

The issue of full disclosure of athletes’ anti-doping results has proved controversial in other sports.

British Athletics warned past and present athletes against allowing their blood data to be revealed, warning results could be “misinterpreted”.

However, several athletes – including distance runners Mo Farah and Jo Pavey – have said results should be made public.

BBC

Publish All My Drug Test Results - Nadal

Laureus Awards 2016: Djokovic, Williams, Messi, Spieth All Win

Novak Djokovic and Serena Williams claimed the top accolades at this year’s Laureus World Sports Awards.

The tennis duo were named sportsman and sportswoman of the year at the Berlin ceremony for their 2015 achievements.

Djokovic, 28, reached all four Grand Slam finals, winning three of them, a feat emulated by Williams, 34.

Brazil’s Paralympic swimmer Daniel Dias was named disabled sportsperson of the year after winning seven golds at the IPC Swimming World Championships.

Other awards

Team of the Year: New Zealand, who won the Rugby World Cup

Comeback of the Year: Rugby player Dan Carter, who helped the All Blacks become champions after missing the 2011 final because of injury

Breakthrough of the Year: US golfer Jordan Spieth, who won the Masters and US Open

Action Sportsperson of the Year: German triathlete Jan Frodeno, who became World Ironman champion

Athlete of the Year: Argentina and Barcelona footballer Lionel Messi

Lifetime Achievement Award: Three-time Formula 1 world champion Niki Lauda

Spirit of Sport Award: Dutch football legend Johan Cruyff

Cruyff, who died of cancer aged 68 on 24 March, was recognised for his work helping to deliver sport-related projects for underprivileged children around the world.

“He represented everything that was good about sport,” said Laureus World Sports Academy chairman Edwin Moses.

Credit: BBC

Laureus Awards 2016: Djokovic, Williams, Messi, Spieth All Win

GPL Match-Day Seven Review, All Stars Still Unbeaten

Wa All Stars kept their leadership of the Ghana Premier League (GPL) and still remains the only unbeaten side in the competition so far after seven games as they accounted for Ebusua Dwarfs 1-0 at home.

Last Sunday’s round of matches saw wins for Asante Kotoko, Berekum Chelsea, Dreams FC and Inter Allies as 13 goals were scored in the seven games played.

Matches

Wa: All Stars v Ebusua Dwarfs (1-0)

All Stars kept their unbeaten start to the season going when they beat a very determined Ebusua Dwarfs side 1-0 at the Wa Stadium. A second half effort by Atta Kofi Yeboah was enough to secure all three points for the home side as they registered their fourth home win of the campaign.

They lead the standing with 17 points after seven games, three points ahead of both Hearts of Oak and Dreams FC as the season heats up. Dwarfs are bottom of the log with five points.

Berekum: Chelsea v Aduana Stars (1-0)

Asiwome Fumador scored in the second half to hand Berekum Chelsea victory over Aduana Stars as the won the Brong Ahafo derby at the Golden City Park. It was the first defeat for Aduana’s new coach Aristica Coiaba as Chelsea won their fourth home game of the season.

They sit fourth on the table with 13 points, six better than Aduana Stars who are 11^th and have lost three of the four away games they have played.

Kumasi: Asante Kotoko v Liberty Professionals (3-1)

Kumasi Asante Kotoko won their second home game of the season when they came from behind to beat an impressive Liberty Prosfessionals side 3-1 at the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi.

Latif Atta Blessing opened the scoring early in the game as Liberty went in search of their first away win of the season, but, Kotoko fought back gamely to earn the win the moved them off the bottom of the table.

Ahmed Adams, Dauda Mohammed and Amos Frimpong scored for the Porcupines who are ninth with eight points. Liberty are seventh on the log with 10 points.

Obuasi: AshantiGold SC v Dreams FC (0-1)

Dreams FC produced the shocked result of the weekend as they posted a slim 1-0 away victory over defending champions AshantiGold SC at the Len Clay Stadium in Obuasi. Emmanuel Hayford scored in the first half to hand his side their second away win of the campaign.

Dreams are third on the table with 14 points with the Miners down in 12^th position as they struggle to defend the title they won last season.

Tema: Inter Allies v Bechem United (4-0)

Inter Allies won for the first time since the opening day of the season with an emphatic 4-0 home victory over Bechem United at the Tema Sports Stadium.

Isaac Twum, Gockel Ahortor, Prince Baffoe and Ropapa Kwabena Mensah were all on the score sheet as they moved to eighth on the table with eight points. Bechem United are 14^th with seven points.

Sogakope: WAFA v New Edubiase United (1-1)

New Edubiase United earned their first away point of the season as they earned a draw with WAFA at the Red Bull Arena in Sogakope. Samuel Tetteh scored for the academy boys with Prince Antwi on target for United.

WAFA are sixth on the table with 10 points with New Edubiase United deep in the relegation zone as they lie 15^th with six points.

Techiman: Techiman City v Hearts of Oak (0-0)

Accra Hearts of Oak kept their unbeaten away record intact after drawing goalless with Techiman City at the Ohene Ameyaw in Techiman. The Phobians have won two and drawn the other two of the four games they have played on the road the season.

Hearts are second on the table with 14 points as Techiman City who lost their hundred per cent record at home, sit in fifth position with 11 points.

Sekondi: Sekondi Hasaacas v Medeama SC ?

The game between Medeama SC and Sekondi Hasaacas was postponed as a result of the latter’s involvement in the CAF Confederation Cup.

GPL Match-Day Seven Review, All Stars Still Unbeaten

Wa All Stars will Not Buckle Under Pressure - Coach Adepa

Coach Enus Adepa insists his Wa All Stars side will not buckle under pressure as they chase a first ever silverware in Ghanaian football.

The northern club has opened a three-point lead at the top of the Ghana Premier League (GPL) after six games and is also unbeaten in the competition.

Last Sunday, All Stars, beat Ebusua Dwarfs 1-0 to record their fourth home win of the campaign as they took their points tally to 17.

And Coach Adepa said their results this season have been measured as they prepared very well for the start of this campaign.

“Many have said our results have been misleading, but, we do not see it as such as we prepared very well ahead of the start of the competition,” he said.

“We had a good pre-season and I believe that it is the result of our hard work which is paying off,” Coach Adepa said after their win over Dwarfs.

He added: “We will manage the situation very well and take the games as they come, the so-called pressure will not affect us as we are well psyched up for the challenge ahead”.

All Stars will next play Bechem United in their next GPL game in Bechem were they will look to keep their lead at the top when the league resumes after this weekend’s MTN FA Cup games.

Wa All Stars will Not Buckle Under Pressure - Coach Adepa

Defeat To All Stars Is Wake-up Call - Hearts Captain

Accra Hearts of Oak captain, Robin Gnange has said their defeat to Wa All Stars in Accra last Sunday, is a wake-up call for the club and that, they must respond immediately to put the fear factor back into teams.

The Phobians lost their unbeaten start to the season as they went down 1-3 to the league leaders who remain the only unbeaten side in the six games old Ghana Premier League (GPL) this season.

Robin said the defeat was painful to take, but, rallied his colleagues to look to bounce back as soon as possible to continue with their good start to the campaign.

The Phobians will next play Techiman City away on Sunday, and the Ivorian insists that should be a new starting point as they look to get back to winning ways.

“This defeat should be a wake-up call for us that there are no easy games in all competitions, and, teams will come at us looking to win just like what All Stars did,” he told the club’s official newspaper, the Hearts News.

“We need to respond as soon as possible, and, the Techiman game has come at the right time to do just that,” he said, adding that they will go for it like wounded lions.

He rallied his teammates to look positive in their mindset, and, believe that victory can be attained in the next game as Hearts visit the Brong Ahafo region for the first time this season.

Robin will hope to be in the squad for the trip as Hearts look to keep their unbeaten away run going against a Techiman City side that has won all their home games.

The game with Techiman City will be Hearts’ fourth away game of the season with the Phobians having beaten Medeama SC and Inter Allies and drawing with Ebusua Dwarfs in previous encounters.

Defeat To All Stars Is Wake-up Call - Hearts Captain

We Are Sorry For All Stars" Defeat - Cosmos Dauda

Accra Hearts of Oak striker, Cosmos Dauda has issued an apology to fans of Accra Hearts of Oak following their Ghana Premier League (GPL) defeat to Wa All Stars in Accra last Sunday.

The Phobians lost 1-3 at the Ohene Djan Sports Stadium to the northern club in a battle of two unbeaten sides in the topmost liner of the Match-Day Six GPL fixtures over the weekend.

Dauda, who came on as a substitute in the game, said the players feel disappointed with the result and promised that they will bounce back stronger in their next game.

“We fell short on the day, and, All Stars deserved their win and we congratulate them on this,” he said after the game.

“We apologize to our die-hard fans and appreciate the love they have showed us throughout the season,” he added.

Dauda promised that they will work hard to bounce back to winning ways after seeing their unbeaten run to the season ended by All Stars on Sunday.

All Stars sit top of the GPL table with 14 points after six games, and, remains the league’s only undefeated side going into the next round of games at the weekend.

Hearts will travel to the Brong Ahafo region to play debutants, Techiman City on Sunday in what promises to be another tough game for the capital club.

We Are Sorry For All Stars" Defeat - Cosmos Dauda

GPL Match-Day Six Preview: Hearts v All Stars

Team News:

Accra Hearts of Oak have an almost full squad to choose from as they go into Sunday’s top-of-the-table Ghana Premier League (GPL) clash with Wa All Stars at the Accra Sports Stadium.

Coach Kenichi Yatsuhashi could consider Paul Acquah and Richard Akrofi for selection after shaking off their injury worries. Kennedy Appiah is also available after being passed fit to play. Samudeen Ibrahim, Thomas Abbey and Inusah Musah completely ruled out of this game as they are deemed not fit enough to play.

The injury situation at All Stars is not clear, but, with nothing new to report, they should come in with a clean bill of health as they take on the Phobians in a battle of two unbeaten sides.

Preview:

League leaders Accra Hearts of Oak will welcome Wa All Stars to the Accra Sports Stadium on Sunday in a top-of-the-table clash as the GPL enters Match-Day Six this weekend.

The Phobians lead the standing with 13 points and will extend their lead at the top to five points with a win in this battle of two unbeaten sides.

Hearts will be going for their third home win of the campaign after earlier wins over New Edubiase United (1-0) and Bechem United (3-1) at the Accra Sports Stadium.

A third league win will see them maintain their hundred percent home record this season after also beating Wassaman United 3-0 in the MTN FA Cup competition last Sunday.

This will be their motivation as they head into this fixture knowing they will be coming out against a very stubborn opponent that have also looked impressive this campaign.

Hearts coach, Kenichi Yatsuhashi says they will not be complacent going into this game, and, will take it very serious knowing the magnitude of this fixture.

It is expected to be a very tough one for both sides with All Stars having won one and drawn the other of the two away games they have played so far.

They defeated Aduana Stars on Match-Day Two (1-0) at Dormaa before drawing 1-1 with debutants Dreams FC at Dawu, and, will not like to bow to a Hearts of Oak side they have had the better of in recent meetings.

The two sides have meet 16 times since All Stars joined the top-flight league in Ghana in the 2007/08 season with Hearts winning five of those encounters drawing three and losing eight.

Hearts have scored 15 goals and conceded 18 in these league fixtures.

Head=To-Head

2007/2008

Accra: Hearts of Oak – All Stars (3-0)

Wa: All Stars – Hearts of Oak (1-0)

2008/2009

WA: All Stars – Hearts of Oak (1-1)

Accra: Hearts of Oak – All Stars (1-1)

2009/2010

Wa: All Stars – Hearts of Oak (2-0)

Accra: Hearts of Oak – All Stars (1-2)

2010/2011

Accra: Hearts of Oak – All Stars (3-0)

Wa: All Stars – Hearts of Oak (1-0)

2011/2012

Wa: All Stars – Hearts of Oak (0-1)

Accra: Hearts of Oak – All Stars (3-0)

2012/2013

Accra: Hearts of Oak – All Stars (1-2)

Wa: All Stars – Hearts of Oak (0-0)

2013/2014

Wa: All Stars – Hearts of Oak (3-0)

Accra: Hearts of Oak – All Stars (0-3)

2014/2015

Accra: Hearts of Oak – All Stars (1-0)

Wa: All Stars – Hearts of Oak (2-0)

Match Officials:

REF: Ernest Baafi

ASST 1: Eric O. Mensah

ASST 2: Freeman Anwulo

4TH REF: Reginald Lathbridge

MC: Nii Komiete Doku

GPL Match-Day Six Preview: Hearts v All Stars

GPL Week Five Preview: All Stars v New Edubiase United

Second placed All Stars will welcome New Edubiase United to the Wa Park on Sunday hoping to keep their unbeaten run in the Ghana Premier League (GPL) going.

With eight points from four games, the Wa based side can return to the top of the table if they win and the result in the Inter Allies/Hearts game at Tema, goes in their favour.

They will therefore seek to pile the pressure of the Phobians by taking full advantage of their home venue against a New Edubiase United side that have not performed well away from their Obuasi base in recent times.

All Stars have won one and drawn the other in their opening two home games at the Wa Park – against Hasaacas and Liberty Professionals respectively, and, will be confident of picking the three points on Sunday.

United have lost all of their two away games – against Hearts of Oak in Accra and Bechem United at Bechem, and, will have to improve on their performance if they are to return to base with a point.

HEAD-TO-HEAD

2009/10

All Stars 2-1 Edubiase

Edubiase 0-0 All Stars

2010/11

Edubiase 0-0 All Stars

All Stars 2-0 Edubiase

2011/12

All Stars 2-0 Edubiase

Edubiase 1-0 All Stars

2012/13

Edubiase 1-0 All Stars

All Stars 0-0 Edubiase

2013/14

All Stars 2-0 Edubiase

Edubiase 2-1 All Stars

2014/15

Edubiase 3-2 All Stars

All Stars 1-0 Edubiase

Total matches played – 12

All Stars wins – 5

Goals scored – 12

Edubiase wins – 4

Goals scored – 8

Drawn games – 3

Match Officials:

Ref:Desmond Abbey

Asist One: Dawood Quadrago

Asist Two: A F Zakari

Fourth Referee: Wiseman Ghansa

GPL Week Five Preview: All Stars v New Edubiase United

Wa All stars captain itching for new season.

Captain of Wa All Stars, Hafiz Adams is anxiously waiting for the 2016 season top flight season with his eyes firmly set on a top four slot.

The ambidextrous full back is buzzing with confidence and has predicted a top four slot for his side ahead of the much awaited domestic football calendar.

Adams tasked his colleagues to build on their record breaking 2014/16 season as consolation to the unlimited support from the club’s fun base at home.

The hard tackling wing back openly admitted his preparedness for the new season after coming out unscathed in the hectic off season preparation.

The former Wa Anokye Stars winger starred prominently for Jimmy Corbblahs youthful side in the first half of the 2014/15 FCPPL before losing his slot to Francis Nicholas Mensah due to injury set back.

He has however promised to storm the top flight in the coming season with top four slot top of the agenda.

“Last season was very competitive for all the clubs in the league but I think we played much better than the previous season.

“We matched every single club boot for boot and if we can repeat that on regular basis, our top four chances will be boosted when the 2016 season kicks off.” The 22 year old told sports crusader.

On his personal preparation after a long preseason programme, the club captain expressed his readiness to hijack nationwide headlines when the season kick off.

Wa All stars captain itching for new season.