Results Of National U15 Championship Opening Matches

The National U15 Championship commenced last weekend across the country.

Below are the results of matches played over the weekend:

Northern Sector

KUMASI: Ashanti “A” 1 – 0 Tamale Utrecht Academy

WA: Upper West 1 – 1 Northern Region

(Northern Region won 5 – 3 on penalties)

SUNYANI: Brong Ahafo “B” 0 – 0 Ashanti “B”

(Brong Ahafo “B” won 7 – 6 on penalties)

BOLGA: Upper East 0-0 Brong Ahafo “A”

(Upper East won 4 – 2 on penalties)

Southern Sector

5. H0: Volta 0-0 Greater Accra”A”

Match rained off

6. KOFORIDUA :Winneba 3-2 Eastern

7. ACCRA: Gt.Accra A 3 -3Western

(Western won 3-0 on penalties )

8. CAPE COAST:Central 0-1 Unistar

League Table Northern sector

P W D L. F A PT GD

Ashanti A  1  1  0 0  1 0  3   +1

Brong    B 1 0  1 0  0 0  2     0

Uppereast 1 0  1 0  0 0  2     0

North        1 0  1 0  1 1  2     0

Upperwest 1 0 1 0  1 1  1      0

Ashanti  B  1 0 1 0  0 0  1      0

Brong    A  1 0 1 0  0 0  1      0

Utrecht      1 0 0 1  0 1  0     -1

League Table southern sector

P W D L. F A PT GD

Winneba 1  1  0  0 3 1  3   +1

Unistar    1  1  0  0 1 1  3   +1

Western  1  0  1  0 3 3  2     0

Accra A  1  0  1  0 3 3  1     0

Accra B  1  0  1  0 0 0  1     0

Volta       1  0  1   0 0 0  1    0

Central    1 0   0   1 0 1  0   -1

Eastern   1 0   0   1 2  3 0   -1

Results Of National U15 Championship Opening Matches

Grant Unperturbed By Contract Talks

Ghana Black Stars head coach, Avram Grant has mentioned he’s less worried about being offered a new deal as his current two-year deal ends in January 2017.

The former English Premier League side, Chelsea gaffer, led Ghana to the final of the Afcon in 2015 where they lost to West African neighbours, Ivory Coast in a dramatic penalty shoot-out.

The Ghana Football Association (GFA) are yet to open negotiations with the Israeli head coach and Grant, who is hoping to repeat the AFCON 2015 feat and hopefully, win a gold medal in Gabon 2017, as well as lead Ghana to a historic semi final world cup berth, is apparently not worried about whether or not he would be offered a new deal.

 

Speaking to the media before the Black Stars’ day 3 training session, the soft-spoken Grant said; “I hope to qualify Ghana to the World cup in Russia 2018 and that is one thing I want very much.

“My current contract ends in January next year (2017), there are lots of things I am happy with since I became head coach of Ghana and hope the people also feel happy with me at the helm of affairs.

 

 

“But I am not concentrated on being offered a new deal as the World Cup qualifying matches ahead (in October) as well as the Africa Cup of Nations tournament are very important to me as well as leading the team to AFCON success.”

Avram Grant watched on as his Black Stars lost by a lone goal to World Cup 2018 host, Russia, in an international friendly match on Tuesday night.

Grant Unperturbed By Contract Talks

FA Cup Match Report: Bechem Utd 2-1 Okwahu Utd

A brace from Yaw Arnold ensured Bechem United were crowned the 2015/16 MTN FA Cup champions.

The premier league side enjoyed the better part of the game at the newly-built Cape Coast Stadium.

Bechem started the game as the best side, rattling the crossbar of goalkeeper, Abassa Mohammed twice in the first half before Okwahu United did same with 10 minutes left to end the half.

Arnold, who had a memorable game, opened the scoring in the 54th minute after he was put through on goal and with just the on-rushing goal keeper to beat, coolly found the bottom left corner of Abass Mohammed’s net.

Like a lethal weapon, Arnold wasn’t done as he scored another which turned out to be the match winner in the 74th minute but, that was not how the story unfolded as Okwahu would not go down without a fight.

Akoto Danso tapped in from a goal mouth melee to send the majority of Okwahu United spectators into a frenzy with hopes of a comeback that never was.

Coach Zacharia’s team kept their cool after scoring the winner to ensure the side annexed their first major title in the history of the club.

FA Cup Match Report: Bechem Utd 2-1 Okwahu Utd

NWL: Ampem Darkoa Win 2015/16 Title

Ampem Darkoa Ladies have avenged last season’s defeat as they beat Sekondi Hasaacas by a lone goal at the Cape Coast Sports Stadium.

A sweet right foot free-kick from 20 yards inside the second half was enough to grant them a deserved winner’s title.

The defending champions, Hasaacas failed to create many clear cut chances at goal, in addition to great goal keeping heroics from Ampem Darkoa’s number one.

The newly-crowned champions dominated proceedings from the blast of the referee’s whistle and deservedly swept home the man of the match, best goalkeeper and most valuable player of the season accolades respectively.

NWL: Ampem Darkoa Win 2015/16 Title

Hearts: Yaw Preko Vows To Change Players" Mentality

Newly-appointed interim coach of Accra Hearts of Oak, Yaw Preko, expressed his displeasure at his players’ body language in his first training session.

Preko was elevated from his assistant coaching role of the club to an interim coach after the demotion of head trainer, Sergio Traguil to the club’s feeder side, Auroras FC, for non-performance in his nine-match tenure.

And, in his first training session as interim coach of the club today, Yaw Preko assured fans that his players’ body demeanor will change before the GPL resumes, as the team begins stern preparation for the last three games of the league.

“The players’ body language is something that we have talked about. It is something that we have to work on because we still have less time to do that. I’m sure that by next week before the Dwarfs game, we’d be ready“, Preko said.

He was then asked whether his team will go for the kill in the final three games after the supporters’ front of the club threatened to abandon their games amid management instability.

“The fans should not lose hope. This is Accra Hearts of Oak, and our motto is “Never Say Die” and we’re aware that we’ve performed below our level“, he said.

“They should support and come in their numbers and they should bring the Hearts of Oak spirit in these last three games and I believe if they come in their numbers to ginger the boys, they would also get the best out of the boys.

“I believe with the good support of the fans, and I’ve seen Hearts of Oak when it comes to support from the fans and how far they can go and take them. And I want to tell them to continue giving that support,” Preko concluded.

Hearts of Oak will host Ebusua Dwarfs at the Accra sports stadium when the league resumes and hope for a win in boosting their ambition of winning the Ghana Premier League title.

Hearts: Yaw Preko Vows To Change Players" Mentality

Afcon Qualifiers: Dede To Be Part Of Black Stars

Ghana Black Stars deputy captain and uniBank (Ghana) Limited’s brand ambassador, Dede Ayew, has confirmed in an interview with Sportscrusader.com that he will be part of the Black Stars contingent in Accra for Ghana’s last AFCON 2017 qualifier vs Rwanda.

The West Ham United record signing picked up an injury during his debut game against Chelsea.

But the uniBank brand ambassador, whose level of patriotism, has never been in doubt, will be flying to Ghana to offer morale support to the team as they vie to complete the qualifiers with a 100% record.

 

The Hammers have failed to reveal the date for his comeback, despite having confirmed Dede will not need surgery to heal the injury.

Afcon Qualifiers: Dede To Be Part Of Black Stars

CNN Selects GPL Striker"s Goal For Honours

Aduana Stars’ attacking midfielder, Bright Adjei’s goal has been selected yet again by international television news network, CNN for their Goal of The Week show.

Adjei scored a beauty of a goal against West African Football Academy (WAFA) when he slotted home an overhead kick to give the Adansi side the lead.

This is the second time this season CNN has selected a goal from the Ghana Premier League and, all have been ones scored by Adjei who has been an influential player for Aduana who are in a two-horse race to the title with leaders, Wa All Stars.

CNN Selects GPL Striker"s Goal For Honours

I Won"t Tolerate That - GFA Veep Warn

Ghana Football Association (GFA) veep, George Afriyie, has mentioned that his absence will be sorely missed when he quits his position.

Media reports lately, has suggested that a distant and tense relationship exists between Kwesi Nyantakyi (GFA president) and his veep.

Though the former has denied (rift), the latter, is his latest post, appears to have affirmed a suspicion that his relevance has been undermined.

“When I leave the FA, they would know that they had someone like George Afriyie,” he said in a radio interview on Joy FM.

“Some of us were not poor when we got into football. Some of us were well to do before we became football people.

“I won’t sit there (FA) for people I have worked with, for people we’ve come this far to question my honesty and integrity at the association.”

I Won"t Tolerate That - GFA Veep Warn

GPL Match Report: Hearts" Title Hopes Blown Off

Bechem United avenged their corresponding fixture result as they thumped Hearts by 3-goals to one at Bechem on Sunday afternoon.

The Hawks’ strongly-built forward, Abednego Tetteh had his scoring boots on as he scored twice in the first half and completed a very good afternoon shift with his hat-trick goal in the 83rd minute.

Coach Sergio Traguil’s men didn’t get going until the 33rd minute when Ollenu Ashitey and Isaac Mensah wove through a packed defence only to be robbed off the ball in the final third.

Coach Manuel Zacharia’s prediction of beating Hearts, should his side get fair officiating, materialised as, with three minutes to end the game, Tetteh scored his third.

Owusu Bempah scored in added time from a free kick but was only a consolatory one as the Phobians’ wait for a first league title since 2008 will extend into next season’s campaign.

GPL Match Report: Hearts" Title Hopes Blown Off

GPL Preview: Bechem vs Hearts of Oak

Bechem United will be looking at upsetting the odds when they host Hearts of Oak in their match week 27 encounter at the Bechem Park.

The Hunters would have revenge on their minds, as well as, a top four finish as they are six points adrift of fourth-placed side, Kumasi Asante Kotoko.

Hearts still hold the best away record with the only dent on it, being the humiliating 3-0 loss to West African Football Academy.

 

And coach Sergio Traguil will be focused on getting the team its first win in three games after a treble of drawn results against Techiman City (1-1 at home), one all away to ‪‎All‬ stars and the same result against relegation candidates, Inter Allies.

Hearts trio of Isaac Mensah, Sam Yeboah and Mustapha Essuman would be available for the game barring any last-minute injury scare, whilst coach Manuel Zacharias and his Bechem United team would hope to break their poor record against the Phobians at home which reads just one win in three games played.

Head-to-Head
Hearts of Oak 1-0 Bechem United
Bechem United 1-0 Accra Hearts of Oak
Accra Hearts of Oak 2-1 Bechem United
Bechem United 0-1 Accra Hearts of Oak
Accra Hearts of Oak 0-0 Bechem United
Bechem United 0-0 Accra Hearts of Oak
Hearts of Oak 3-1 Bechem United

MATCH DETAILS
Bechem United vs Hearts of Oak
Venue: Bechem
REF: Isaac Quaye
ASST 1: Kenedy Bentil
ASST 2: Abu Williams
4TH REF: Eku Boateng
MC: Stephen Kpen

GPL Preview: Bechem vs Hearts of Oak

uniBank Congratulates Dede On Record West Ham Move

Upon confirmation of his successful transfer from Welsh side, Swansea City, to London-based West Ham United for a club record fee, leading indigenous Ghanaian bank, uniBank has congratulated Dede ayew on his move.

In a post today, uniBank said it wished Ayew, who is its brand ambassador, well as he begins another journey in his football career.

Ayew completed a move to West Ham United on Monday in a club record fee of £20.5million.

The versatile striker/winger/attacking midfielder joins the Hammers on a three-year contract, with an additional two-year option, on the back of an exceptional debut Premier League season with Swansea City.

Boasting an equally impressive spell at Marseille on his CV, where he played alongside Dimitri Payet, along with goals at four major international tournaments for the Black Stars, the 26-year-old is now set to shine on the London Stadium stage.

He said: “I am very proud and happy to be at this magnificent Club. I am happy to be playing for these fans and I hope to make the people very happy here.

“The Club have a lot of ambition and have a great manager. They want to become a bigger Club every year and with the new Stadium and a new training ground, you can feel they are moving onto another level and I want to be part of this project.

“I want to train hard, do my job and show that I deserve to play for West Ham United. I want to give back to the manager and the fans the confidence they are showing me.”

Born in Seclin, northern France, in December 1989, Ayew had spells in Germany and Ghana as a youngster before making his professional breakthrough at Marseille – the same club that his father Abedi Pele starred for in the late 1980s and early 1990s.

He debuted for Marseille in 2007, and after spending time on loan with Lorient and Arles-Avignon, established himself as a regular on the scoresheet at Stade Velodrome from 2010 onwards.
In all, he scored 60 goals in 202 games for L’OM, many of them assisted by Payet, winning the Coupe de la Ligue and the Trophee des Champions twice apiece during his time in France.

An impressive 16 goals in 2011/12 included four in just nine European appearances and he has hit double figures in five of his last six campaigns.

Included in that is his impressive Premier League bow, where he scored at a rate of better than one every three games for the Swans, with his goals steering the Welsh club away from danger and to another year of Premier League safety.

Internationally Ayew has enjoyed great success, featuring for Ghana in four major tournaments – and scoring in all four.

He netted twice at the 2014 FIFA World Cup and followed that with three goals at the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations to claim that tournament’s Golden Boot.

A two-time Africa Cup of Nations runner-up and FIFA U20 World Cup winner, Ayew has scored eleven goals in 67 senior caps for the Black Stars.

Ayew became a uniBank ambassador this year following a deal in June.

In an official signing ceremony, the bank said he was he expected to “use his image and value as a player to help boost the image of the indigenous bank outside the shores of Ghana.”

Chief Operating Officer of uniBank, Dr. Kwabena Duffuor Jnr, added they’re looking forward to a fruitful relationship with the former Swansea City player.

uniBank Congratulates Dede On Record West Ham Move

GFA, Sports Minister Rift Shifts Gear

Communication Director of the Ghana Football Association (GFA), Saani Darra, has said the association will push Ghana’s Youth and Sports Minister to name the official who requested him (Minister) to bend the rules for the Black Satellites.

Youth and Sports Minister, Nii Lantey Vanderpuye, in a radio interview, made a claim that, “an official of the football association made approaches for certain things to be done but I declined”.

And this submission has got Saani worried, consequently requesting the minister to name and shame that individual as his allegation is highly damaging.

Ibrahim Saanie Darra, Ghana Football Association (GFA) Communication Director

Ibrahim Saanie Darra, Ghana Football Association (GFA) Communication Director

Speaking on a Joy FM sports show, Saani said; “the last thing we heard, he [Sports Minister] said someone [from the GFA] demanded some special favours from him before the Black Satellites game against Senegal.

“We are not taking this lightly, as such allegations are damaging and as such, will request the minister to name the official.

“We will, during the next executive meeting, raise the issue after gathering all the points he has raised,” he added.

This is no news, as lately, the relationship between the GFA and the Sports Ministry has turned sour.

GFA, Sports Minister Rift Shifts Gear

Find Out Traguil"s Opinion on Hearts Fans

Hearts of Oak head coach, Sergio Traguil has heaped praises on the supporters of Hearts for the love shown the club since he took office.

 

The fans didn’t let the team down as they travelled from far and wide to support during their week 21 clash against arch rivals, Kumasi Asante Kotoko.

 

The game ended in a stalemate but it was the Phobians who cheered the loudest as they maintained their 100 percent away record of no defeat and kept their 5-point lead at the top of the league table.

 

Traguil, in an interview, said; “I have to say that I have never seen so much love and support [like I witnessed on Sunday against Kotoko from Hearts fans].

 

“I saw it in Hasaacas but what I saw in Kumasi was something else – something from another world. I think the Phobians are the best supporters in the world.

 

“I saw Benfica and I was part of them. I was thinking that Benfica have the best supporters in the world but I will have to review that. Now, I am sure that Phobians are the best supporters in the World. Thank you for that support”, he added.

 

Hearts fans climaxed their support on the match day by escorting the team’s bus out of the stadium through to the outskirts of the Garden City, Kumasi.

Find Out Traguil"s Opinion on Hearts Fans

Exclusive: Satellites To Play Burkina Faso

Ghana Black Satellites have sealed a friendly  with Burkina Faso at the Cape Coast sports stadium ahead of their return leg in the AYC   qualifiers.

The wounded national Under 20 side, arranged the friendly match to fine-tune their preparation towards their must-win home tie against Senegal.

Masud Dramani’s charges crashed to a 3-1 defeat in Dakar and will need at least, a 2-0 win to book a place in the 2017 youth soccer fiesta slated for Zambia.

Management of the U-20 side, settled on the Burkinabes’ game to keep the players in top shape and, mentally ready for the main task in two weeks’ time.

The 2009 FIFA World Youth Champions will regroup later in the week for the friendly game at the new Cape Coast sports complex to fine tune their preparation ahead of the second leg of the tie against Lamine Niane’s inspired Senegalese.

Exclusive: Satellites To Play Burkina Faso

Smoke The Peace Pipe - SWAG Prez Tells MOYS and GFA

The strained relationship between the Sports Ministry and the Ghana Football Association is beginning to affect football in Ghana according to Sports Writer’s Association of Ghana president Kwabena Yeboah.

Earlier this week, key officials from  the Ghana FA failed to attend a scheduled meeting for peace talks with the Sports Ministry.

For Kwabena Yeboah,  he feels if things are not sorted out soon, the Black Stars and Ghana Football as a whole will crash.

“Are we not tired of that and are we suggesting for instance that every Sports Minister we have had in the last 15 years was bad enough?” he asked

“We will definitely have our differences but I believe in the spirit of humility and sobriety and the larger picture of serving Ghana football, it will be important for people to bury their differences to move forward all in the name of Ghana Football.”

It will be expedient for this be resolved as quickly as possible before Ghana begins its World Cup qualifying campaign.

Smoke The Peace Pipe - SWAG Prez Tells MOYS and GFA

Nii Lantey Talks Too Much - Saani Darra

Ghana Football Association (GFA) communication director, Saani Darra has said Youth and Sports Minister, Nii Lantey Vanderpuye, has lost all respect due to his attitude.

The once active Sports journalist has been bullish since his appointment as Sports Minister.

Notably, his famous position on the Black Stars’ winning bonus, which has become a major topic for discussion in the nation after the players’ poor and disgraceful showing at the World Cup 2014 in Brazil.

Speaking in a radio interview with Boss FM, the former BBC Sports journalist said, “truth be said, the Sports Minister (Nii Lantey Vanderpuye) has lost every bit of respect due to too much talking and his demeanor.

“There’s a lot he has said about the GFA that we could have responded but we (GFA) have decided not to,” he added.

Nii Lantey Talks Too Much - Saani Darra

"He Has Lost Every Bit Of Respect"

Ghana Football Association (GFA) communication director, Saani Darra has said Youth and Sports Minister, Nii Lantey Vanderpuye, has lost all respect due to his attitude.

 

The once active Sports journalist has been bullish since his appointment as Sports Minister.

 

Notably, his famous position on the Black Stars’ winning bonus, which has become a major topic for discussion in the nation after the players’ poor and disgraceful showing at the World Cup 2014 in Brazil.

 

Speaking in a radio interview with Boss FM, the former BBC Sports journalist said, “truth be said, the Sports Minister (Nii Lantey Vanderpuye) has lost every bit of respect due to too much talking and his demeanor.

“There’s a lot he has said about the GFA that we could have responded but we (GFA) have decided not to,” he added.

"He Has Lost Every Bit Of Respect"

DOL Blues: Man Assaulted For "Planting" Juju

An elderly man was subjected to severe beating when he was allegedly caught by fans of BA United, a Division One side based in thd Brong Ahafo region, attempting to plant some form of magic, known in local parlance as “juju” at the Coronation Park.

 

The thinking by the fans, was that, had he been successful, the juju would have aided fellow Division One side, Berekum Arsenals’ victory over BA United at the coronation park in a Division One League fixture.

 

According to sources, BA supporters who were sleeping at the stadium prior to the march, saw the man, a worker at the Coronation Park, popularly known as “Alibey” attempting to plant something on the field.

 

They subsequently apprehended and subjected him to severe beatings while interrogating him, during which it reportedly came to the fore that Alibey was sent by one Yakubu Moro to execute tgat job.

 

Sportscrusader enquires;

Does juju play any significant role in Ghana football?

Do the GPL teams also dabble in it?

How different is it from “ways and means”?

DOL Blues: Man Assaulted For "Planting" Juju

GFA Accuses Sports Ministry

The Ghana Football Association (GFA) has accused the Ministry of Youth and Sports of being the architect of the purported sour relationship between the two institutions.

After several weeks of media reports of bad blood between the country’s first citizens of the sport, they confirmed they are at loggerheads with each other, and the FA believes the Sports Ministry’s decision to go public with the issues instead of approaching them is the cause of the friction.

“We can all say we don’t have a problem with the Sports Minister,” GFA President Kwesi Nyantakyi said in an interview with Kessben FM.

“But if issues that can be handled between the two bodies are addressed in public, then clearly he has shown that he has a problem with us.

“If he thinks there are matters that must be addressed, he can invite us for discussion instead of going to the media to address those issues.” He stated.

GFA Accuses Sports Ministry

Dare Me In Court - Nii Lantey Tells GFA

Youth and Sports Minister Nii Lantey Vanderpauye has dared the Ghana Football Association to challenge him in court that government does not own the national teams.

There is a dispute over who owns the national teams after the Sports Ministry wrote to the Ghana Football Association to include them in all contracts and memoranda regarding friendly matches of the Black Stars and all other national teams.

Nii Lantey last month publicly noted his displeasure at the FA for no including his outfit in a friendly involving the Ghana Local Black Stars team and Japan.

The former Sports broadcaster has reiterated that the national teams are for the state and that he hopes that action will not be repeated by the GFA.

“ If any member of the Ghana FA feels otherwise, they can write to me or go to court and say that I am claiming what constitutionally is not my mandate and authority- so they can go to court and restrain me from taking that path,” he told Joy Sports

“I will not hesitate to take the most serious decision in the interest of Ghana football and Ghanaians if that thing happens again, I have got an informal response but it will be better for them to put it on paper so that we can continue a very healthy relationship.

He added that “Once this thing happened and I have got a member of the GFA executive committee to say oh Honourable sorry it was an oversight and that it will not happen again, I have taken it in good faith because I respect the opinion of that person and I know it will not happen again.

“We are suppose to work together in the interest of Ghana Football and  I wouldn’t want to go on a path of any strange relationship with anybody- I would want to be respected and I would respect everybody.”

Dare Me In Court - Nii Lantey Tells GFA