Richard Yamoah Hoping To Return Stronger For Hearts

Richard Yamoah has vowed to return to the field stronger than ever for Accra Hearts of Oak as he continues his recovery from a knee injury.

The former Sekondi Hasaacas midfielder has not featured for the Phobians since the team’s win over Medeama SC in Tarkwa in Match-Day Two action of the Ghana Premier League (GPL) at the Tarkwa T&A Park.

Yamoah has since missed nine games which included famous victories over Inter Allies (Tema), AshantiGold (Obuasi) and Berekum Chelsea (Berekum), wins which has boosted Hearts’ record as the top the GPL table after 11 games.

Some soccer fans have questioned whether Yamoah still has a prominent role to play at Hearts but the midfielder says he is determined to show he can still be a key contributor to Hearts’ title chase.

“I promise to return stronger than ever. It has been a very difficult time for me mentally sitting on the touchline and monitoring my teammates at training and in the games. I always want to help the team as a player. It is the worst thing possible when you are forced to watch on from the sidelines,” he told the club’s official newspaper, the Hearts News.

Meanwhile the Hearts technical team says they will not take any unnecessary risks with all injured players who are making their return.

Yamoah will therefore have to bid his time and regain full fitness to stand in with a chance of being included in Coach Kenichi Yatsuhashi’s plans for the rest of the season.

 

Richard Yamoah Hoping To Return Stronger For Hearts

Steven Gerrard Plans Liverpool Return

Former Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard is confident he will return to the club “sooner rather than later”.

The ex-Reds midfielder, who made over 700 appearances during a 17-year career at Anfield, is currently playing for Major League Soccer side Los Angeles Galaxy.

Gerrard says he is enjoying going unnoticed in the United States – but plans to return to Liverpool “somewhere down the line”.

The 35-year-old said he and his family were happy living in California, but admitted he missed friends and family in the UK as well as attending games at Anfield.

Speaking at a fans’ question and answer session at LA Galaxy’s stadium, he said: “I will be going home at some point.

“I don’t want to start any unnecessary rumours. I’m really happy where I am at the moment. But I’m sure somewhere down the line I will represent Liverpool Football Club.

“I miss my friends and my family. I miss a bit of cold weather.

“I miss going to the games. I spent 35 years in Liverpool. Liverpool’s my home, it always will be. This is my second home for a short period of time.

“Sooner rather than later I will return to where I’m comfortable with my people – and that’s Liverpool.”

Gerrard, who came on as a substitute and scored the Galaxy’s final goal in their 4-2 win over New England Revolution on Sunday, said his wife Alex and daughters, Lilly-Ella, Lexie and Lourdes, were “enjoying a different life experience” in LA.

He added: “Obviously the city’s a fantastic city for myself and my family, the climate, there’s plenty to do. I’m pretty much unnoticed as well, which is a bonus.

“I’m getting on a little bit now so eventually we’ll move back and settle in Liverpool.”

Skysports

Steven Gerrard Plans Liverpool Return

Suarez Scores Four As Barcelona Return To The Top

Luis Suarez scored his second consecutive four-goal haul as Barcelona returned to the top of La Liga with victory over Sporting Gijon.

Victories for Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid earlier on Saturday had left Barca third by kick-off.

Lionel Messi’s looping header into an empty net gave Barca the lead.

Suarez made it 2-0 before Barca won three late penalties, the Uruguayan scoring two and Neymar the other, and Suarez converted Messi’s pass late on.

Sporting had Ognjen Vranjes harshly sent off for conceding the third penalty for a foul on Neymar.

Striker Suarez also scored four in Wednesday’s 8-0 win over Deportivo La Coruna.

Barca over their crisis?

At the start of April, Barcelona were nine points clear at the top of La Liga – and unbeaten in 39 games.

But losing to Real in El Clasico sparked a disastrous run of one win in six games, allowing the Madrid clubs to close the gap, while Atletico knocked them out of the Champions League.

However, 14 unanswered La Liga goals in four days have taken them to within three wins of successfully defending their title.

They are level on points with Atletico and one point above Real, with their head-to-head record meaning they will edge out either Madrid side if they finish the league equal on points.

Unstoppable Suarez?

Pichichi

Luis Suarez took control of the race for the Pichichi – the Spanish golden boot – with his second quadruple of the week.

He now leads Real’s currently injured star Cristiano Ronaldo 34-31 with three games left.

Suarez’s fellow Uruguayan Diego Forlan is the last player other than Ronaldo or Messi to win the award – back in 2008-09.

The former Liverpool striker had a hand in the opener, putting keeper Ivan Cuellar under pressure before the ball came to Messi, who headed a looping effort into the empty net from 18 yards.

Barca’s second did not come until the 63rd minute when Suarez converted Andres Iniesta’s pass – possibly from an offside position.

Suarez scored their first penalty after Roberto Canella handled Dani Alves’ cross. His hat-trick goal came from the spot after Antonio Sanabria shoved over Neymar.

Barcelona got a third penalty when Vranjes was deemed to have pushed Neymar, and was sent off for a second booking.

Out-of-form Neymar this time took the penalty, and scored down the centre, with keeper Cuellar almost keeping it out.

But Suarez still had time for his fourth when he fired home Messi’s pass via the post.

BBC

Suarez Scores Four As Barcelona Return To The Top

Nassamu Yakubu – Soulama’s Return Is A boost

Accra Hearts of Oak goalkeepers’ trainer Nassamu Yakubu says Soulama Abdoulaye’s return from international duty to the team is a boost for the side going into Sunday’s game in Techiman, but believes the fans must still throw their support for second choice goalie, Samuel Akurugu.

Akurugu deputized for Soulama Abdoulaye in the last match-day against Wa All Stars, and although he had been in impressive form against Medeama SC and Wassaman United, he did not have a good day last Sunday in Accra.

Speaking after the team’s Thursday training session, Nassamu admitted the team buckled under pressure against All Stars, but has welcomed Soulama’s timely return to the setup.

“Soulama’s return is a boost to the team,” Nassamu told the club’s official newspaper, the HEARTS NEWS. “I think for once we saw the team playing under pressure and we faulted.

“The communication was not there, if you look at the third goal we conceded [against All Stars] for instance, three players were round the ball with no one  getting his foot to it. It was uncalled for. We have done that correction and so whoever is around the ball should be vocal. If you are not getting the ball, don’t let your opponent get to it,” he said.

Despite impressive outings and two clean-sheets against Medeama and Wassaman, Akurugu’s confidence has gone down, but Nassamu believes support from the fans can help the young goalkeeper overcome the bad feeling.

“The pressure fell on Akurugu on Sunday but it is a process and you cannot play that position without having that bad feeling,” the Hearts goalkeepers’ trainer said.“I know Akurugu is not comfortable now because he feels he has let the team down. But I think he can recover from it and we have to work hard on it.

“We shouldn’t just throw him away with the bath water; we may need him again. In my dialect, they say, ‘if your child drowns in water, would you stop drinking water?’ Never! So we should support Akurugu.”

On Sunday’s game against Techiman City and what we should expect from his goalkeepers, Nassamu said: “We will do our best and we will see after 90 minutes; what result we will get.”

Nassamu Yakubu – Soulama’s Return Is A boost

Yaya Toure Returns To Ivorian Squad

Ivorian International Yaya Toure will return to action for the first time in more than a year after being named by the Ivory Coast in their squad for the African Nations Cup qualifiers against Sudan this month.

The 32-year-old Manchester City midfielder has not played for his country since captaining the Ivorians to Nations Cup success in February last year, missing several qualifiers for the next Nations Cup finals in Gabon in 2017 plus the start of the preliminaries for the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

Coach Michel Dussuyer in an interview with the Ivorian Football Federation website said, “Yaya Toure had requested a break, which was understandable. He had given much to the selection and wished to catch his breath”.

“I think he put that time to good use to relax and set new goals, such as winning a second straight African title and looking to play at the World Cup for a fourth time, which would be exceptional and enrich his already magnificent record,” the coach added.

The Ivorian team has been boosted by Bournemouth’s  Max Gradel who recently returned from injury and Paris St Germain fullback Serge Aurier, who was suspended by the French champions last month for insulting coach Laurent Blanc; both are included in the 24-man squad for the two games in Abidjan on March 25 and Khartoum four days later.

Yaya Toure Returns To Ivorian Squad

Roger Federer To Return From Surgery In Miami

Roger Federer will return to action following knee surgery earlier than expected at the Miami Open next week.

The 34-year-old Swiss, ranked third in the world, last played in January’s Australian Open semi-final defeat by Novak Djokovic.

Federer suffered a torn knee cartilage the following day and underwent surgery in February.

He had been expected to return on clay in Monte Carlo next month but the Swiss will now make his comeback in Miami.

Federer won the Key Biscayne title in 2005 and 2006, and last played there in 2014 when he reached the quarter-finals.

Credit: BBC

Roger Federer To Return From Surgery In Miami

Jonathan Mensah Returns in heavy defeat for Evian Thonon

Crocked Black Stars defender Jonathan Mensah made a dreadful return for Evian Thonon Gillard as they lost by four goals away to Clermont in a mid table clash.

The 25 year old former Udinese defender lasted the full duration on his league return but could do little to prevent his side from a 4-goal mauling in the mid table clash.

Evian Thonon slipped further down the log with 21 points from 20 matches.

The Black Stars center back was given the green light in his side’s heavy away win to Annecy in the Coupe de France last 32 stage to seal a place in the starting XI for the first time since November 6, 2015.

The former Udinese centre back lasted the full mettle of the Clermont as the visitors stormed to a four goal lead in the opening half before an own goal from Cedric Avreil toned down the heavy win.

It was Mensah’s third league appearance of the season in an injury ravaged 2015. Evian Thonon Gillard could move further down the log in the French Ligue II if results go against them on Saturday in the second tier league in France.

Jonathan Mensah Returns in heavy defeat for Evian Thonon

Isaac Amoako itching for an early return

Injured Kumasi Asante Kotoko shot stopper Isaac Amoako is eagerly anticipating a return to the pitch after a long spell on the treatment table.

The crocked goalie went under the knife to correct a recurring injury in the off season ahead of the 2016 domestic season.

Amoako joined the record domestic league champion in 2006 and has since won flurry of title including four league trophies.

The experience safest pair of hands for the Reds rued the missed opportunity at joining his colleagues on the pitch as he continues to nurse a career threatening injury.

The acrobatic shot stopper refused to set a tentative time frame for his return but hinted at joining his colleagues anytime soon.

The returning injury ravaged Amoako continued with his physio work and could build on the uncertain kick off of the 2016 season to play another staring role between the sticks for David Duncan charges.

He told sports crusader, “Every thing is going on well with my rehabilitation ahead of my come back. I am still on my physio but I believe I will soon get back to the field. I do miss my colleagues and the pitch. I cannot however tell when I will come back”.

Amoako has established himself as one of the trusted safest pair gloves on the local scene in the past decade. A nine year relationship with Kumasi Asante Kotoko has earned him numerous trophies including four successive league titles and the 2014 FA cup to boot as well.

Isaac Amoako itching for an early return

Appiah Open To Ghana Return

Former Ghana coach Kwesi Appiah says he is open to the idea of working in Ghana again after spending two years in Sudan.

 

Appiah insist he is thoroughly enjoying his spell as Al Khartoum coach as he looks to build a side that will break the Al Hilal, Al Merreikh duopoly in the league.

 

But he is also aware coaching evolves and keeping his options open. He said :”you never know, in our line of work there is nothing like I will not do this again.

 

It’s always important to make yourself open and allow God to lead you and as to whether you will coach here or there depends on the day, the people around and whether you are prepared to work with them at any particular time.

 

It also depends on the available package. There are so many factors that will influence the call you make in that regard.”

 

Working with the Black Stars exposed Appiah to an income level that no Ghanaian side is capable of marching but Appiah admits Sudan has been good in financial terms

“Personally I will say it’s much better than here, for me where I am is even better than when I was with the Black Stars.”

By Benoni Teye

Appiah Open To Ghana Return