AshGold Accepts Fianoo"s Resignation

The Board of Directors of Ashanti Gold, has accepted the decision of Kudjoe Fianoo to relinquish his position as Chief Executive Officer of the club.

Mr. Fianoo, tendered his resignation last week after almost ten years at the Miners and the board had meeting on Monday to deliberate on his decision.

After the meeting, the Board unanimously agreed and respected his decision, after Fianoo told them he has made his mind.

He cited his recent success in the Ghana League Clubs Association (GHALCA) elections as one of the reasons he can’t fully concentrate on the club any more.

He is expected to render audited accounts by the end of the month and leave office.

AshGold Accepts Fianoo"s Resignation

Give AshGold To Investor - NCC Tells AngloGold

The National Coordinating Committee (NCC), a Supporters Union of Ashanti Gold Sporting Club has written to AngloGold Ashanti, financiers of the club to hand over the club to any investor interested.

According to the supporters, the club is financially handicapped due to AngloGold’s inability to invest in the administration of the club.

It is believed AngloGold give the club about $25,000 a month, but the salaries of the players and other officials have not been paid.

And supporters believe it is about time the club is handed over to an investor to turn it’s fortunes around.

Give AshGold To Investor - NCC Tells AngloGold

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

GPL Match-Day Six Preview: Liberty Professionals v AshantiGold SC

Team News

Liberty Professionals have a full house and Coach George Lamptey will be confident of ending the unbeaten record of the defending league champions on Sunday at Dansoman.

Coach Bashir Hayford has no injury worries in his squad and will expect them to keep their momentum going with another assured performance.

Preview

Liberty Professionals lost their last league game 0-1 to WAFA at Sogakope, and, will be determined to get back to winning ways as they host the Champion Club at the Carl Reindorf Park.

Prior to that defeat in the Volta region, they had gone three games without defeat, a run that included home wins over Inter Allies (2-1) and Techiman City (1-0).

They sit ninth on the ladder, and, know a win over the Miners will push them up the table to boost their prophecy of finishing in the top four this season.

AshantiGold have drawn their last four games, and, Coach Hayford knows they need to start picking three points regularly if they hope to retain the title they won last season.

They have scored four goals all season, and, know this is not a good return as defending champions of the Ghana Premier League (GPL).

Last season, they did the double over Liberty, and, will be confident of producing another good result in the capital against a Liberty side that are one of the strongest teams at home in the Ghanaian game.

Head-to-Head (Since 2010)

02/08/15    Ashanti    1 – 0     Liberty

07/02/15    Liberty    0 – 1     Ashanti

01/06/14    Liberty    0 – 1     Ashanti

22/09/13    Ashanti    2 – 0     Liberty

29/05/13    Ashanti    2 – 0     Liberty

21/10/12    Liberty    0 – 0     Ashanti

29/04/12    Liberty    3 – 1     Ashanti

06/11/11    Ashanti    0 – 0     Liberty

02/05/11    Ashanti    2 – 0     Liberty

03/10/10    Liberty    2 – 0     Ashanti

Match Officials

REF: S.B. Bortey

ASST 1: B.A. Crentsil

ASST 2: Sam .O. Boateng

4th REF: Theresa Beremansu

MC: Umar Teni

 

GPL Match-Day Six Preview: Liberty Professionals v AshantiGold SC

GPL Match-Day Five Preview: AshantiGold v Aduana Stars

Defending Champions, AshantiGold are one of four clubs undefeated in the four game old Ghana Premier League (GPL) and they will seek to get that record intact when they play Aduana Stars on Saturday.

The Miners will welcome Aduana Stars to the Len Clay Stadium at Obuasi and will be favourites to collect the points at stake against one of their bitterest rivals on the local scene.

Some of the pressure on Coach Bashir Hayford has eased following improvements in results, and, they will look to build on this as they go into their third home game of the season.

They will hope to win and put pressure on those above them as the 2015/16 GPL gathers momentum week-after-week.

Aduana Stars won their first game of the campaign last weekend, and will have something to say about this. The win over WAFA was welcome news to their fans who will hope for another good fresult in this difficult away assignment.

 Head-To-Head

Ghana Premier League

05/07/15    Ashanti    1 – 0     Aduana Stars

08/03/15    Aduana Stars    1 – 0     Ashanti

30/03/14    Ashanti    2 – 0     Aduana Stars

23/10/13    Aduana Stars    1 – 1     Ashanti

05/05/13    Aduana Stars    1 – 2     Ashanti

11/11/12    Ashanti    0 – 1     Aduana Stars

16/01/11    Aduana Stars    1 – 0     Ashanti

28/11/10    Ashanti    1 – 0     Aduana Stars

Match Offcials:

Ref: Cecil Fleisher

Assit One: Malik Seidu

Assit Two: Samuel Asiedu

Fourth referee: Mclord Arhin

GPL Match-Day Five Preview: AshantiGold v Aduana Stars

Ashgold Return Home After CAF CL Exit

Ghana premier league club, Obuasi Ashantigold has returned home after exiting the CAF champions league to Algerian club, Mouloudia Olympique de Bejaia on a 3-2 aggregate.

 

The 2014/15 Ghana premier league champions were the sole representative of the nation in this years tournament and going into the return with a slim 1-0 lead a fortnight ago along with Ghanaian clubs record against North African sides, chances were slim for the Ghanaian club to progress.

 

Ashgold started the game poorly after Hudu Yakubu scored an own goal to give the Algerians the lead but equalised before the half time to give glimpse of hope only to fall apart in the second half.

 

The ‘Aboakese’ will immediately go into domestic action as they host Berekum Chelsea on Saturday in a game that will see Bashiru Hayford and his men try regain their confidence and make a statement of intent to retain their premier league crown.

Ashgold Return Home After CAF CL Exit

GPL Preview: Champions AshantiGold open at home to Medeama SC

GPL Preview: Champions AshantiGold open at home to Medeama SC

Full 2015/16 Ghana Premier League Fixtures RELEASED

The 2015/16 Ghana Premier League season will kick –off on Saturday and Sunday 20th and 21st February, 2016 at match venues across the country.

Note:

1. The 2nd Transfer Window will be opened on Monday, May 2, 2016 and shall be closed on Wednesday, June 1, 2016 in accordance with Article 28(1)(d) of the GFA General Regulations.

2. Match days and times are subject to live TV telecast arrangements.

3. Match Venues are subject to the issuance of a valid licence from the Club Licensing Board.

Below are the fixtures for the season:

MATCH DAY ONE – SAT/SUN – 20TH /21ST FEBRUARY, 2016

Accra: Hearts of Oak Vs New Edubiase

C. Coast: Dwarfs Vs Dreams

Bechem: Bechem Utd Vs Liberty Prof

Tema: Inter Allies Vs Aduana

Wa: Wa All Stars Vs Hasaacas

Techiman:Techiman City Vs Chelsea

Sogakope: Wafa Vs Kotoko

Obuasi: Ashantigold Vs Medeama

MATCH DAY TWO – SAT/SUN – 27TH / 28TH FEBRUARY, 2016

Obuasi: New Edubiase Vs Dwarfs

Kumasi: Kotoko Vs Ashantigold

Berekum: Chelsea Vs Wafa

Sekondi: Hasaacas Vs Techiman City

Dormaa: Aduana Vs Wa All Stars

Dansoman: Liberty Prof Vs Inter Allies

Dawu: Dreams Vs Bechem Utd

Tarkwa: Medeama Vs Hearts Of Oak

MATCH DAY THREE – SAT/SUN – 5TH / 6TH MARCH, 2016

C. Coast: Dwarfs Vs Hearts of Oak

Bechem: Bechem Utd Vs New Edubiase

Tema: Inter Allies Vs Dreams

Wa: Wa All Stars Vs Liberty

Techiman: Techiman City Vs Aduana

Sogakope: Wafa Vs Hasaacas

Obuasi: Ashantigold Vs Chelsea

Kumasi: Kotoko Vs Medeama

MATCH DAY FOUR – SAT/SUN – 12TH / 13TH MARCH, 2016

Obuasi: New Edubiase Vs Inter Allies

Accra: Hearts Of Oak Vs Bechem Utd

Berekum: Chelsea Vs Kotoko

Sekondi: Hasaacas Vs Ashantigold

Dormaa: Aduana Vs Wafa

Dansoman: Liberty Vs Techiman City

Dawu: Dreams Vs Wa All Stars

Tarkwa: Medeama Vs Dwarfs

MATCH DAY FIVE – SAT/SUN – 19TH / 20TH MARCH, 2016

Bechem: Bechem Utd Vs Dwarfs

Tema: Inter Allies Vs Hearts of Oak

Wa: Wa All Stars Vs New Edubiase

Techiman:Techiman City Vs Dreams

Sogakope: Wafa Vs Liberty

Obuasi: Ashantigold Vs Aduana

Kumasi: Kotoko Vs Hasaacas

Berekum: Chelsea Vs Medeama

MATCH DAY SIX – SAT/SUN – 2ND / 3RD APRIL, 2016

Obuasi: New Edubiase Vs Techiman City

Accra: Hearts Of Oak Vs Wa All Stars

C. Coast: Dwarfs Vs Inter Allies

Sekondi: Hasaacas Vs Chelsea

Dormaa: Aduana Vs Kotoko

Dansoman: Liberty Vs Ashantigold

Dawu: Dreams Vs Wafa

Tarkwa: Medeama Vs Bechem Utd

MATCH DAY SEVEN – SAT/SUN – 9TH / 10TH APRIL, 2016

Tema: Inter Allies Vs Bechem Utd

Wa: Wa All Stars Vs Dwarfs

Techiman:Techiman City Vs Hearts Of Oak

Sogakope: Wafa Vs New Edubiase

Obuasi: Ashantigold Vs Dreams

Kumasi: Kotoko Vs Liberty

Berekum: Chelsea Vs Aduana

Sekondi: Hasaacas Vs Medeama

MATCH DAY EIGHT – WED/THUR – 20TH / 21ST APRIL, 2016

Obuasi: New Edubiase Vs Ashantigold

Accra: Hearts of Oak Vs Wafa

C. Coast: Dwarfs Vs Techiman City

Bechem: Bechem Utd Vs Wa All Stars

Dormaa: Aduana Vs Hasaacas

Dansoman: Liberty Vs Chelsea

Dawu: Dreams Vs Kotoko

Tarkwa: Medeama Vs Inter Allies

MATCH DAY NINE – SAT/SUN – 23RD / 24TH APRIL, 2016

Wa: Wa All Stars Vs Inter Allies

Techiman: Techiman City Vs Bechem Utd

Sogakope: Wafa Vs Dwarfs

Obuasi: Ashantigold Vs Hearts of Oak

Kumasi: Kotoko Vs New Edubiase

Berekum: Chelsea Vs Dreams

Sekondi: Hasaacas Vs Liberty

Dormaa: Aduana Vs Medeama

MATCH DAY TEN – SAT/SUN – 30TH APRIL / 1ST MAY, 2016

Obuasi: New Edubiase vs Chelsea

Accra: Hearts Of Oak vs Kotoko

C. Coast: Dwarfs vs Ashantigold

Bechem: Bechem Utd vs Wafa

Tema: Inter Allies vs Techiman City

Dansoman: Liberty vs Aduana

Dawu: Dreams vs Hasaacas

Tarkwa: Medeama vs Wa All Stars

MATCH DAY ELEVEN – SAT/SUN – 7TH / 8TH MAY, 2016

Techiman: Techiman City vs Wa All Stars

Sogakope: Wafa vs Inter Allies

Obuasi: Ashantigold vs Bechem Utd

Kumasi: Kotoko vs Dwarfs

Berekum: Chelsea vs Hearts Of Oak

Sekondi: Hasaacas vs New Edubiase

Dormaa: Aduana vs Dreams

Dansoman: Liberty vs Medeama

MATCH DAY TWELVE – WED/THUR – 18TH / 19TH MAY, 2016

Obuasi: New Edubiase vs Aduana

Accra: Hearts of Oak vs Hasaacas

C.Coast: Dwarfs vs Chelsea

Bechem: Bechem Utd vs Kotoko

Tema: Inter Allies vs Ashantigold

Wa: Wa All Stars vs Wafa

Dawu: Dreams vs Liberty

Tarkwa: Medeama vs Techiman City

MATCH DAY THIRTEEN – SAT/SUN – 21ST / 22ND MAY, 2016

Sogagope: WAFA vs Techiman City

Obuasi: Ashantigold vs Wa All Stars

Kumasi: Kotoko vs Inter Allies

Berekum: Chelsea vs Bechem Utd

Sekondi: Hasaacas vs Dwarfs

Dormaa: Aduana vs Hearts Of Oak

Dansoman: Liberty Prof vs New Edubiase

Dawu: Dreams vs Medeama

MATCH DAY FOURTEEN – WED/THUR – 25TH / 26TH MAY, 2016

Obuasi: New Edubiase vs Dreams

Accra: Hearts Of Oak vs Liberty Prof

C.Coast: Dwarfs vs Aduana

Bechem: Bechem Utd vs Hasaacas

Tema: Inter Allies vs Chelsea

Wa: Wa All Stars vs Kotoko

Techiman: Techiman City vs Ashantigold

Tarkwa: Medeama vs WAFA

MATCH DAY FIFTEEN – SAT/SUN – 28TH / 29TH MAY, 2016

Obuasi: Ashantigold vs WAFA

Kumasi: Kotoko vs Techiman City

Berekum: Chelsea vs Wa All Stars

Sekondi: Hasaacas vs Inter Allies

Dormaa: Aduana vs Bechem Utd

Dansoman: Liberty vs Dwarfs

Dawu: Dreams vs Hearts Of Oak

Tarkwa: Medeama vs New Edubiase

2ND ROUND

MATCH DAY SIXTEEN – SAT/SUN – 4TH / 5TH JUNE, 2016

Sogakope: WAFA Vs Ashantigold

Techiman: Techiman City Vs Kotoko

Wa: Wa All Stars Vs Chelsea

Tema: Inter Allies Vs Hasaacas

Bechem: Bechem Utd Vs Aduana

C. Coast : Dwarfs Vs Liberty

Accra: Hearts Of Oak Vs Dreams

Obuasi: New Edubiase Vs Medeama

MATCH DAY SEVENTEEN – SAT/SUN – 11TH / 12TH JUNE, 2016

Dawu: Dreams vs New Edubiase

Dansoman: Liberty Prof vs Hearts Of Oak

Dormaa: Aduana vs Dwarfs

Sekondi: Hasaacas vs Bechem Utd

Berekum: Chelsea vs Inter Allies

Kumasi: Kotoko vs Wa All Stars

Obuasi: Ashantigold vs Techiman City

Sogakope: WAFA vs Medeama

MATCH DAY EIGHTEEN – SAT/SUN – 25TH / 26TH JUNE, 2016

Techiman: Techiman City vs Wafa

Wa: Wa All Stars vs Ashantigold

Tema: Inter Allies vs Kotoko

Bechem: Bechem Utd vs Chelsea

C. Coast: Dwarfs vs Hasaacas

Accra: Hearts of Oak vs Aduana

Obuasi: New Edubiase vs Liberty Prof

Tarkwa: Medeama vs Dreams

MATCH DAY NINETEEN – WED/THUR – 29TH / 30TH JUNE, 2016

Dormaa: Aduana vs New Edubiase

Sekondi: Hasaacas vs Hearts Of Oak

Berekum: Chelsea vs Dwarfs

Kumasi: Kotoko vs Bechem Utd

Obuasi: Ashantigold vs Inter Allies

Sogakope: Wafa vs Wa All Stars

Dansoman: Liberty vs Dreams

Techiman: Techiman City vs Medeama

MATCH DAY TWENTY – SAT/SUN – 2ND / 3RD JULY, 2016

Wa: Wa All Stars vs Techiman City

Tema: Inter Allies vs Wafa

Bechem: Bechem Utd vs Ashantigold

C. Coast: Dwarfs vs Kotoko

Accra: Hearts Of Oak vs Chelsea

Obuasi: New Edubiase vs Hasaacas

Dawu: Dreams vs Aduana

Tarkwa: Medeama vs Liberty

MATCH DAY TWENTY-ONE – SAT/SUN – 9TH / 10TH JULY, 2016

Berekum: Chelsea vs New Edubiase

Kumasi: Kotoko vs Hearts Of Oak

Obuasi: Ashantigold vs Dwarfs

Sogakope: Wafa vs Bechem Utd

Techiman: Techiman City vs Inter Allies

Dormaa : Aduana vs Liberty

Sekondi: Hasaacas vs Dreams

Wa: Wa All Stars vs Medeama

MATCH DAY TWENTY-TWO – SAT/SUN – 16TH / 17TH JULY, 2016

Tema: Inter Allies vs Wa All Stars

Bechem: Bechem Utd vs Techiman City

C. Coast: Dwarfs vs Wafa

Accra: Hearts Of Oak vs Ashantigold

Obuasi: New Edubiase vs Kotoko

Dawu: Dreams vs Chelsea

Dansoman: Liberty vs Hasaacas

Tarkwa: Medeama vs Aduana

MATCH DAY TWENTY-THREE – WED/THUR – 20TH / 21ST JULY, 2016

Obuasi: Ashantigold vs New Edubiase

Sogakope: WAFA vs Hearts Of Oak

Techiman: Techiman City vs Dwarfs

Wa: Wa All Stars vs Bechem Utd

Sekondi: Hasaacas vs Aduana

Berekum: Chelsea vs Liberty

Kumasi: Kotoko vs Dreams

Tema: Inter Allies vs Medeama

MATCH DAY TWENTY- FOUR – SAT/SUN – 23RD / 24TH JULY, 2016

Bechem: Bechem Utd vs Inter Allies

C. Coast: Dwarfs vs Wa All Stars

Accra: Hearts Of Oak vs Techiman City

Obuasi: New Edubiase vs Wafa

Dawu: Dreams vs Ashantigold

Dansoman: Liberty Prof vs Kotoko

Dormaa: Aduana vs Chelsea

Tarkwa: Medeama vs Hasaacas

MATCH DAY TWENTY FIVE – SAT/SUN – 6TH / 7TH AUGUST, 2016

Techiman: Techiman City vs New Edubiase

Wa: Wa All Stars vs Hearts Of Oak

Tema: Inter Allies vs Dwarfs

Berekum: Chelsea vs Hasaacas

Kumasi: Kotoko vs Aduana

Obuasi: Ashantigold vs Liberty

Sogakope : Wafa vs Dreams

Bechem: Bechem Utd vs Medeama

MATCH DAY TWENTY SIX – SAT/SUN – 13TH / 14TH AUGUST, 2016

C. Coast: Dwarfs vs Bechem Utd

Accra: Hearts Of Oak vs Inter Allies

Obuasi: New Edubiase vs Wa All Stars

Dawu: Dreams vs Techiman City

Dansoman: Liberty vs Wafa

Dormaa: Aduana vs Ashantigold

Sekondi: Hasaacas vs Kotoko

Tarkwa: Medeama vs Chelsea

MATCH DAY TWENTY SEVEN – SAT/SUN – 20TH / 21ST AUGUST, 2016

Tema: Inter Allies vs New Edubiase

Bechem: Bechem Utd vs Hearts Of Oak

Kumasi: Kotoko vs Chelsea

Obuasi: Ashantigold vs Hasaacas

Sogakope: WAFA vs Aduana

Techiman: Techiman City vs Liberty

Wa: Wa All Stars vs Dreams

C. Coast: Dwarfs vs Medeama

MATCH DAY TWENTY EIGHT – WED/THUR – 7TH / 8TH SEPTEMBER, 2016

Accra: Hearts Of Oak vs Dwarfs

Obuasi: New Edubiase vs Bechem Utd

Dawu: Dreams vs Inter Allies

Dansoman: Liberty vs Wa All Stars

Dormaa: Aduana vs Techiman City

Sekondi: Hasaacas vs Wafa

Berekum: Chelsea vs Ashantigold

Tarkwa: Medeama vs Kotoko

MATCH DAY TWENTY NINE – SAT/SUN – 10TH / 11TH SEPTEMBER, 2016

C. Coast: Dwarfs vs New Edubiase

Obuasi: Ashantigold vs Kotoko

Sogakope: WAFA vs Chelsea

Techiman: Techiman City vs Hasaacas

Wa: Wa All Stars vs Aduana

Tema: Inter Allies vs Liberty Prof

Bechem: Bechem Utd vs Dreams

Accra: Hearts Of Oak vs Medeama

MATCH DAY THIRTY – SAT/SUN – 17TH / 18TH SEPTEMBER, 2016

Obuasi: New Edubiase vs Hearts Of Oak

Dawu: Dreams vs Dwarfs

Dansoman: Liberty Prof vs Bechem Utd

Dormaa: Aduana vs Inter Allies

Sekondi : Hasaacas vs Wa All Stars

Berekum: Chelsea vs Techiman City

Kumasi: Kotoko vs Wafa

Tarkwa: Medeama vs Ashantigold

Full 2015/16 Ghana Premier League Fixtures RELEASED

PRESS RELEASE: 2016 Super Cup To Be Launched On Wednesday

The Ghana Football Association respectfully invites the media to the launch of the 2016 FA Super Cup between Premier League champions, Ashantigold and FA Cup winners, Medeama on Wednesday, February 3, 2016.

In attendance will be head coaches and captains of the two clubs respectively.

They will have the opportunity to answer questions by the media concerning the match.

The launch will be held at the conference room of the GFA at 11:00 a.m.

The Super Cup ushers in the new season, which will kick off on February 20, 2016.

PRESS RELEASE: 2016 Super Cup To Be Launched On Wednesday

"Beating Ashgold Was A Sign That We Are Ready For The League"-Bechem United Coach

Coach Osei Wire, head coach of Bechem United has mentioned that if the Ghana Premier League is to commence today, his team is very ready for action.

Bechem United last Sunday beat the 2014/2015 Ghana Premier League champions 1-0 in a preseason inter-club friendly match played at the Bechem Park.

Their preparation as compared to the likes of Asante Kotoko, Hearts of Oak and Ashgold has been on the quiet, but on Sunday, they showed glimpses of what other clubs should expect from them in the coming season.

“We are ready, very ready for the start of the season and I can tell you on authority that if the league is to start today we will face any team boot for boot”, the confident Osei Wire told sportscrusader.com.

We have done a couple of recruitment and indeed some other players have left the team, but the new players are really doing well and we are not surprised with their ability to fine tune with the rest of the team”.

Indeed, I will admit that no team is 100% and indeed there will be a few lapses from time to time, but we are confident in what we have done so far and believe that we are on the right track”, he added.

"Beating Ashgold Was A Sign That We Are Ready For The League"-Bechem United Coach

Lawrence Lartey Hoping To Settle Well At Ajax Cape Town

Ghanaian international  Lawrence Lartey is hoping to settle in quickly with the Urban Warriors as he hopes to help plug a leaky defence.

The Ghanaian defender, who was signed in November, finally received his work permit earlier this month, and has started the last three games for the Cape side, who are struggling in 12^th position in the PSL standings.

Ajax have let in 20 goals in their 14 League matches thus far this season, and five in their last three, and Lartey hopes he will help shore up the backline.

“I have only played a few games, but I hope as time goes on, I hope to settle in properly and cope with every situation at the club,” the 21-year-old mentioned.

“In the first two games, it wasn’t bad, but then we lost the last game [3-1 to Chippa] and I felt bad. As a defender you always hope for a clean sheet, but unfortunately we didn’t and let in three goals. But things are on course and as time goes on, I believe we will get used to each other a bit more and sort out the small problems.”

Lartey has been utilised in his favourite centre-back position alongside Rivaldo Coetzee, with Abbubake Mobara pushed out wide at right-back, and the junior Black Stars international says he is forming a solid paring with the Bafana Bafana defender.

“Our relationship is good,” he said. “We’ve played a few games now and we are on course. Gradually we will get used to each other and hopefully do the job as one body.”

Lartey then noted the difference between the PSL and Ghana’s top-flight, where he played previously at Ashanti Gold.

“In my point of view, the fields make a huge difference,” he said. “In Ghana we have very few well-kept fields, but coming to South Africa you have much better pitches than Ghana.

“The level football is not that different – it’s good, the reason being here you have the better pitches which makes the game much faster, so that’s a slight difference.”

Lawrence Lartey Hoping To Settle Well At Ajax Cape Town

Ashantigold"s Robert Dabuo Insists League Title Defense Won"t Be Easy

Ashantigold goalkeeper Robert Dabuo has predicted a very tough league title defence in the upcoming season.

The player who was part of the all-conquering Ashantigold team that won the 2014/15 First Capital Plus Premier League trophy mentioned that following the performance last season, many teams become very aggressive when they meet them and it will continue in the coming season.

Ashgold failed to qualify out of the group stages in the recently held G-6 Invitational Tournament though they beat Berekum Chelsea in the first game and drew 1-1 with Asante Kotoko.

And looking at the performance of the two teams against Ashantigold, Dabuo wants his team to gird their loins ahead of the new season.

“It’s not going to be easy. We are the defending league champions and every team that meets or will be playing against us wants to beat us to make a name for themselves.”

“Last season Chelsea in England won the league but look at what happened to their coach because almost all the Clubs they met wanted a piece of them.”

“Our team is still intact, but I believe that we have a few loose ends that needs to be tightened and I believe that we will be good to go.”

He was however, confident that Ashantigold will record a successful title defence.

Ashantigold"s Robert Dabuo Insists League Title Defense Won"t Be Easy

Photos: See Pictures Of Ashgold"s Draw Against Kotoko In First Tust G6

Kotoko Draw Ashgold To Qualify For First Trust G6 Final Against Aduana Stars

Photos: See Pictures Of Ashgold"s Draw Against Kotoko In First Tust G6

"I Will Slap You If You Ask Me That Stupid Question Again"-Fatau Dauda Threatens Journalist

It was near mayhem on Saturday at the Essipong stadium when Black Stars and Ashantigold goalkeeper Fatau Dauda threatened to beat up a journalist for asking what he termed a ‘stupid’ question.

The league champions were knocked out of the G-6 invitational tournament following their inability to go past eventual group winners Asante Kotoko.

Fatau Dauda who was rested in the goalless drawn game against Chelsea, returned to the post for Ashgold and he conceded a goal, one that was later equalized.

At the post match conference inside the Essipong stadium, one journalist during the questions nad answer time Empire FM’s sports Journalist Kojo Darko Sakyi-Gyinae asked the goalkeeper whether he felt rusty judging from the goal he conceded.

This by far did not go down well with the goalkeeper who threatened to beat up the journalist if he dares ask him such a ‘stupid’ question again.

“Are you a spectator or a Journalist? I don’t expect you to ask me such question. I will slap you if you ask me that stupid question again. Villager”.

It took some other journalist including the Kotoko PRO, Kweku Ahnkorah to restrain him, after which head coach of Ashgold Bahir Hayford decided to intervene.

“I’m his coach and I know his standard as a goalkeeper. Saying he is rusty is too strong for him and I’ll not allow him to answer that question.”He did whatever he could as a goalkeeper.”

“If you look at the goal he conceded, how was it his fault. For me he did whatever he could as a goalkeeper to keep us in the game until we equalized.”

“When you are standing in the goal post and you are not getting any action in terms of goals coming to you, I don’t think you will be jumping and catching air.”

“It is when the ball comes that he will catch it. So once you didn’t see him catching air, it doesn’t mean he is rusty”, Coach Bashir Hayford mentioned.

"I Will Slap You If You Ask Me That Stupid Question Again"-Fatau Dauda Threatens Journalist

G-6: Asante Kotoko Hold Ashantigold 1-1 To Qualify For Finals

Kumasi Asante Kotoko survived a last minute scare from Ashgold to qualify to the finals of the 2016 G-6 Invitational Tournament played at the Essipong stadium on Saturday afternoon.

Prior to the game, Kotoko had beaten Brekum Chelsea 3-1 on Friday afternoon and had one foot in the finals, provided they can claw at least a draw against and Ashgold side that drew with Chelsea on Thursday.

The Kotoko starting XI that played in the first match against Chelsea on Friday is on its way to Libya to play in an international friendly match, and as such paraded an entirely different team with only goalkeeper Richard Ofori and Edwin Tuffour Frimpong maintaining their positions in the starting XI, and were led by assistant coach Michael Osei.

Ashantigold on the other hand, paraded almost the same players that drew goalless with Berekum Chelsea in match day one of the competition.

When the game finally commenced it was Kotoko who showed signs of wanting to carry the day as they pinned their opponents in their own half for a considerable amount of time.

In the 9th minute, Asante Kotoko get the first real chance of the game an action that fell to Elvis Amoh, but the lanky striker wasted too much time trying to get his acts together. When he finally managed to get a shot in, it was cleared off the line by an Ashgold defender.

Ashgold accepted the challenge and mounted their own series of attacks. In the 15th minute, they  nearly scored the opener, but Isaac Amoah couldn’t connect to a swift cross by Emmanuel Osei.

Just when Ashgold were beginning to dream again, they suffered a sucker punch as Kotoko grabbed the openr in the 19th minute.

The goal came out of nothing. A back pass from midfielder Eric Opoku found Desmond Agbekpornu but the defender could not control the pass. By then Kotoko striker Kwame Boateng was lurking in his shadows and pounced on the loose ball to coolly slot home the first goal.

There was nothing goalkeeper Fatau Dauda could have done about it because none of them expected it.

Both teams failed to add to the goal tally till the end of the first half, but it was Ashgold who effected the first change of the game. Alhassan Nuhu came off for Francis Adjei

Back from recess, both teams thrilled the fans to good end to end football and by far it was Ashgold where won most of the ball possession but failed to score any of the many chances they managed to create.

Frustration set in for the Ashgold players as they failed to score. On on of those many occasions, defender Augustine Sefa hacked down Kotoko striker Elvis Amoh and that warranted his exit. He was red carded in the 88th minute.

Coach Bashir Hayford’s men kept fighting and in the 93rd minute grabbed the equalizer through Hudu Yakubu.

It was a nervy finish, but Kotoko managed to hold their heads high till the blast of the final whistle.

They will play in the finals against Aduana Stars who earlier in the day, cut SC Medeama to size with a 3-0 win.

G-6: Asante Kotoko Hold Ashantigold 1-1 To Qualify For Finals

G-6 Day 3 Preview: Who Will Qualify For The Finals?

The Day-3 fixtures of the G-6 Invitational Tournament will come off this afternoon at the Essipong stadium.

The past two days of the competition has produced nothing but thrills and exdcitement for the fans who trooped to the stadium to watch their idol Clubs to battle.

Indeed, the unfortunate incident with the floodlighting on match day one nearly marred the beauty of the tournament, but organizers were able to weather the storm by coming up with some sort of arrangement, thus forcing all matches to be played in the afternoon, instead of the evening.

Originally, the first game was supposed to commence at 4:00 pm with the second 6:45 pm, but all that has been changed now as all matches today will follow the same kickoff times as yesterday, 1:30pm first match and 3:30 pm for the second match.

Today is the final day of the group stages and with two casualties already recorded, the stakes are high for the remaining four team to ensure qualification to the finals tomorrow.

Berekum Chelsea became the first team to exit the competition after they were walloped 3-1 by Asante Kotoko. They drew their first match with Ashantigold, an action that meant that they had only one point to their credit.

Next to xit the competition was Hearts of Oak, who were beaten1-0 by SC Medeama on Friday. Hearts, just like Chelsea, drew their first match with Aduana Stars an action that meant that they have only a point to their nam, making qualification unrealistic.

On paper Asante Kotoko following their 3-1 win over Chelsea look set to be in the finals, but league champions Ashantigold would want to pick the sole ticket from the Group. Ashgold has one point to the name and a win over Kotoko will give them three more, making it four, with Kotoko still with three points.

This could be their motivation this afternoon as they face their old foes once again in a must-win match for both teams. A draw will suit Kotoko very well as Ashgold will exit the competition with just two points.

If not for anything at all, pride and bragging rights will be at stake at the Essipong stadium this afternoon. Kotoko beat Ashgold 1-0 at the Baba Yara stadium last November to lift the SWAG Cup, and the miners will be looking to avenge th at defeat.

In a similar fashion, Aduana Stars who have a point, following their goalless draw with Hearts on match day one, will be looking to pull a fast one on their opponents SC Medeama at the same venue today.

Medeama go into today’s game with three points already in th bag and a draw will take them through to the finals.

Aduana on the other need to win at all costs to ensure their dream of winning the G-6 tournament stays on course, but that will not come on a silver platter looking at the performance of SC Medeama against Hearts of Oak yesterday.

The stakes are high and come what may, two other teams will exit the competition today, with two others qualifying for the finals tomorrow.

Day 3. Saturday 9th Jan

1. Medeama v Aduana- 1:30 pm

2. Kotoko v Ashgold- 3:30 pm

G-6 Day 3 Preview: Who Will Qualify For The Finals?

Asante Kotoko Send Berekum Chelsea OUT Of The G-6 With Emphatic 3-1 Win

Kotoko on Friday thrashed Berekum Chelsea 3-1 in their first game of the FirsTrust G-6 tournament in Sekondi. Captain Amos Frimpong and Dauda Mohammed gave the fabulous lads a comfortable 2-0 lead as they scored in the 41stn and 46th minutes (45+1) respectively.

Theophilus Nyame was sent off midway inside the second half and moments after that, Berekum Chelsea cancelled one of the two-goal deficit through Asiworme Fumawor.

Kotoko’s response was swift. Substitute Kwame Boateng grabbed the third goal to put the game quite beyond the reach of Berekum Chelsea. The impressive win means the Porcupines now lead Group B with 3 points and on Saturday they will play Ashantigold who drew goalless in their first game.

Friday’s excellent show ensured that the Porcupines’ fantastic pre-season performance continues. After dominating play for 40 minutes, Amos Frimpong soared above everybody inside the penalty arc to head home Eric Donkor’s free kick.

He then assisted the second goal a minute into injury time with a perfect cross to Dauda Mohammed inside the box, which the striker controlled with his chest before hitting it beautifully into the net.

Berekum Chelsea’s Coach Solomon Odgey foresaw danger. He made two quick changes just before the start of the second half. That did his side a bit of good since they had a fair share of the exchanges in the early stages.

Berekum Chelsea found a consolation goal on the hour mark with a header by substitute Asiworme Fumawor. The goal came two minutes after Theophilus Nyame was given the marching off orders for needlessly retaliating Nicholas Opoku’s brutal tackle on him.

The Berekum lads threw more men forward but Coach David Duncan had other ideas. He brought on striker Kwame Boateng for Dauda Mohammed. Duncan’s strategy worked to perfection as the Porcupines maintained their control on the game with Kwame Boateng fetching third goal in the 73rd minute.

Kotoko will play their next game on Saturday against familiar foes Ashantigold.

Asante Kotoko Send Berekum Chelsea OUT Of The G-6 With Emphatic 3-1 Win

We did not come to amuse the fans, focused Bashir Hayford hits back at critics over drab draw with Chelsea

AshantiGold coach Bashir Hayford has defended the form of his team in their first game in the G6 tournament against Berekum Chelsea.

The Miners who are preparing to represent Ghana in the CAF Champions League played out an unexciting draw with the Blues in the opening game of the inaugural GHALCA invitational tournament on Sunday.

The uninspiring performance of AshGold is already drawing some criticisms but coach Bashir Hayford insists the side remains on track in preparing itself for Africa.

“If I had wanted to play to the gallery, I would have started from the market so the team will be hailed even before we get on the pitch,” he said.

“We came here with a purpose, otherwise we would not be here.

“And the purpose is to prepare the team for Africa.”

We did not come to amuse the fans, focused Bashir Hayford hits back at critics over drab draw with Chelsea

G-6: Chelsea"s Safianu Awudu Wins Man-Of-The-Match Award In Match Against Ashgold

Youngster Safianu Awudu was voted the best player in the G-6 Invitational tournament match between Brekum Chelsea and Ashantigold.

The diminutive player who was a delight to watch at the midfield of Chelsea and it came as little surprise when his name was mentioned as the man of the match for the first game of the tournament.

For his prize, he received a plaque from the headline sponsors of the tournament First Trust Savings and Loans.

Safianu Awudu mentioned that he was humbled by the award taking into account the calibre of players he played against in the match and dedicated it to both his Berekum Chelsea teammates as well as the technical team.

“I did not really thunk I was going to win this. In fact, we did not know there anything like that. All we wanted to do was to give the fans a good game and I believe that though we failed to score, we managed to achieve that”, Safianu Awudu told footballcrusader.com.

G-6: Chelsea"s Safianu Awudu Wins Man-Of-The-Match Award In Match Against Ashgold

G-6 Live Updates: Ashantigold Vs. Berekum Chelsea

G-6 Live Updates: Ashantigold Vs. Berekum Chelsea