Solomon Asante Wins Super Cup

Black Stars forward, Solomon Asante, won the Congolese Super Cup with TP Mazembe after a heavy win over Renaissance.

The diminutive attacker added the domestic trophy to his cabinet to increase his burgeoning reputation with the CAF Champions league holders.

The former Berekum Chelsea forward, came on in the second department of the game to guide Mois Katumbe Chapwe’s side to a dominant 4-1 win in the FA cup.

Solomon replaced Ivorian  import, Roger Assale, in the second department of the game they won convincingly, and another trophy, with one eye on the CAF Confederation Cup semi final.

The Ghanaian has been in stupendous form all season for the DR Congo outfit since his return from injury at the tail-end of last season.

Solomon Asante Wins Super Cup

Tom Strand Deny Labeling AshGold Fans "Unprofessional"

Medeama Sporting Club head coach Tom Strand has denied labelling the fans of Ashanti Gold unprofessional.

Medeama SC lost their Ghana Premier league opener against defending league Ashanti Gold at the Obuasi Len Clay stadium.

And it is alleged the Swede blamed the fans of Ashanti Gold, describing them as unprofessional for intimidating his players.

But the 34-year-old has rubbished the allegations and said they were fantastic.

“I never said AshGold fans are unprofessional, never.” The MTN FA Cup and Super Cup winner told sportscrusader.com

“My post match comments were misquoted. The fans were fantastic and I couldn’t have said they are unprofessional.  I rather congratulated AshGold because they played well.” He added.

Medeama SC will host Accra Hearts of Oak, who defeated New Edubiase before a parked Accra Sports Stadium at the Tarkwa T & A park on Sunday for match week two of the season.

Tom Strand Deny Labeling AshGold Fans "Unprofessional"

GFA Charge AshGold

The Ghana Football Association (GFA) has sanctioned the assistant coach of Ashanti Gold Sporting Club, Yakubu Mambo, and the club for their unsportsmanlike conduct that brought this year’s Super Cup into disrepute.

The two breached some sections of article 35 of the GFA’s General Regulations when they boycotted the award ceremony after the match played on January 31.

A charge sheet signed by the GFA prosecutor, Raphael Tottimeh, and made available to the Daily Graphic, said assistant coach Mambo was charged with inciting, encouraging and directing the players and technical team of the club against the directive of the Match Commissioner in charge of the Super Cup to go for their medals from the dignitaries.

The GFA further charged the Premier League champions with failing and refusing to make available the club’s coach and a player for the post- match press conference.

The statement described the behaviour of the assistant coach and the conduct of the club as unsporting that put the game into disrepute, saying it was in violation of the GFA regulations.

“Yakubu Mambo and the assistant coach of Ashanti Gold Sporting Club are hereby charged with breaching Articles 35(1)(b) and 35 (7) (d) of the GFA general regulation,” the charge stated, adding that Ashanti Gold had also been charged with breaching Articles (35)(2) and 35(7)(d) of the GFA’s general regulation in respect of the Super Cup match.

The statement, however, cautioned that “should the prosecution be successful of Mr Mambo’s breach of the GFA Statutes, regulations and the code of conduct, the prosecution shall pray the Disciplinary Committee for the imposition of the maximum sanctions.”

It also noted that the prosecution intended to rely on the evidence in the reports of the referee, the Match Commissioner as well as witnesses and the video of the match, pointing out that the defendants had by close of Friday to respond to the charges.

 

Source: Daily Graphic

GFA Charge AshGold

AshGold Must Beat Bejaia - Fatau Dauda

Ashantigold keeper Fatau Dauda is optimistic his side that he and his colleagues has no option than to beat MO Bejaia in their CAF Champions league preliminary first leg qualifier on Sunday.

The Miners are scheduled to play the Algerians in Obuasi this weekend but raised some doubts after an unimpressive display against Medeama in the Ghana Super Cup.

However, the Ghana international believes his side are focused on achieving victory irrespective of their performance in the Super Cup.

“Some of the players are young players. We also started when we were young and they gave us the platform to play and we got to where we are now,” Fatau told Joy FM.

“We the experienced players in the team will be together and push the boys so we win and win well.

“We have no option but to win. We know it will be difficult but we believe in ourselves and we know we can do it.

“So we are preparing well.” He said.

Ashantigold are playing in the Champions League by virtue of their status as Ghana league champions.

AshGold Must Beat Bejaia - Fatau Dauda

AshGold Didn"t Play To Their Best - Fianoo

Chief Executive Officer of Ashanti Gold, Cudjoe Fianoo has admitted that his side were not good to beat Medeama SC in the FA Super Cup played at the Accra sports stadium yesterday (Sunday).

A late controversial goal from substitute Bernard Ofori won the Super Cup for the Tarkwa-based club in a game they dominated from the on set.

AshGold snubbed the runner-up medal and the post match press conference with claims that the organisers of the match and the match day referee Daniel Laryea robbed of a game they felt they should have won.

But the GHALCA  chairman hopeful says  otherwise.

“Our poor performance could be that the players didn’t play to the instructions of the coach. We have about 5 days before we play the Champions League game, so we need to double our effort,” he told Happy FM.

Ashgold will on this Sunday come face to face with M.O Bejaia in the First leg of the CAF Champions League preliminary stage at the Obuasi Len Clay Sports Stadium.

And Cudjoe Fianoo warned that if the performance against the MTN FA Cup champions is anything to go by, then the team has a long way to go.

Last he stated that AshGold has no excuse if they fail to win against Algerian side MO Bejaia in Obuasi, but he seems to be revising his books.

“We have a long way to go ahead of our CAF Champions League. I think we didn’t play to our best against Medeama, although we have our reservations.”

MO Bejaia are expected to arrive on Friday February 12 and will travel to Kumasi immediately after arrival before travelling to Obuasi.

AshGold Didn"t Play To Their Best - Fianoo

Bashir Hayford Bemoan Poor Officiating.

Ashanti Gold head coach, Bashir Hayford says poor officiating in the country could lead him to retire from coaching.

The former Kumasi Asante Kotoko coach whisked his players off the Accra sports stadium pitch after their 1-0 loss to Medeama SC on Sunday in the FA Super Cup.

Substitute Bernard Ofori finished off a smart move for the Yellow and Mauve’s late on to give Medeama their first Super Cup in history.

Before that Frederick Quayson had scored what looked like a legitimate goal, but the referee on the day called it for offside.

And the wrong decisions has forced him to have a rethink of his future on the touchline.

“It is very disheartening to see a perfect goal disallowed by a referee while the opponent was awarded with the same goal,” disappointed Bashir Hayford told Hot Fm.

“For me, the kind of things going on in the country regarding officiating, God willing at the end of the season I will call it a quit,” he added.

Bashir Hayford guided Ashanti Gold to win their first premier league title in almost two decades.

Bashir Hayford Bemoan Poor Officiating.

Fatau Dauda Call On Fans To Support AshGold.

AshGold goalkeeper Fatau Dauda has called on Ghanaians to match to the Len Clay stadium on Sunday when they begin their CAF Champions League campaign against Algerian side, MO Bejaia.

Ashgold lost the Ghana Football Association’s Super Cup to usher in the new premier league season against  MTN FA Cup champions Medeama SC, but that will not distract their preparations.

Substitute Bernard Ofori finished off a smart move for the Yellow and Mauve’s late on to give Medeama their first Super Cup in history.

Before that Frederick Quayson had scored what looked like a legitimate goal, but the referee on the day called it for offside.

“We are focused on the continent’s prestigious competition on Sunday and we are calling on all Ghanaians to be at the Len Clay Stadium to give as the necessary support so we can go all out,” he told Starr FM.

MO Beijai are expected to arrive in Ghana February 12 and travel to Kumasi before heading to Obuasi to train.

Fatau Dauda Call On Fans To Support AshGold.

We Will Do Ghana Proud In Africa.

Ghanaian clubs competing in CAF inter-club football competitions have failed to wow the football loving people of the country to take them serious.

The unbridled enthusiasm and buzz that often accompany the competition is lost because no club seems to know the trick to success in Africa.

The last time a ghanaian club reached the money zone of a CAF inter-club football competition was in 2012 when Berekum Chelsea defied all odds to place third in a group involving former Champions Zamalek and TP Mazembe.

But Medeama SC skipper Muntari Tagoe has called on Ghanaians to throw their weight behind the Mauve and Yellows because they are ready to the rewrite the script when they join the CAF Confederation Cup competition in match.

The tall goalkeeper believes the team has the quality to stand toe-to-toe against any opposition and they will certainly fly high the flag of Ghana.

“We can do Ghana proud because we have the materials to do it,” he told the press after lifting the FA Super Cup on Sunday.

He however added that they will need more games under their belt to be in competitive shape; “When we are able to get enough matches, before the competition starts, we can do well.

“We’ve been there once and we want to do better than we did.

“Ghana should have their confidence in Medeama to do well in Africa.” he said.

The super cup game performance could not be a measuring rod for Ghanaians to bang their hopes on the Tarkwa-based club, but he insist that wasn’t their best display.

“We can do better than what we did. This game (super cup) was just an exercise and I know by the time we join the competition we will be a better side and we will be able to raise the flag of Ghana high,” he said.

Medeama SC booked their ticket to represent Ghana in the Confederation Cup after defeating Asante Kotoko to the MTN FA Cup trophy last year.

We Will Do Ghana Proud In Africa.

Tom Strand Slam Poor Accra Sports Stadium Pitch.

Medeama SC boss Tom Strand had mixed feelings after his side’s victory over AshGold in the FA Super Cup at the Accra sports stadium on Sunday. 

The Swede slammed the poor state of the pitch and warned that Ghana will continue to fail against the elite sides in the continent should they not develop their infrastructure.

The state of the pitch made it difficult for players to control the ball, and was unhappy with the condition despite the win.

“The pitch was bad and made a difficult game more difficult. I was asking my captain [Muntari Tagoe] about the pitch and he said the pitch was bumping and it was difficult to control the ball. When I seat behind by DSTV somewhere in Tarkwa and watching some leagues, the play go faster,” The MTN FA Cup winner told the press after the game.

“So if Ghana want to compete with the other countries they have to work on the infrastructure.” He added.

The Black Stars made clear their happiness about the condition of the pitch last when they weren’t preparing to host Comoros.

But it seems their cry fell on death ears and Tom Strand comments serves as a reminder that maintenance of of the little structures available will be key to the success of Ghana local football.

Tom Strand Slam Poor Accra Sports Stadium Pitch.

Super Sub: Bernard Ofori Floor AshGold In Battle of Champions.

Medeama SC floored Ashanti Gold at the Accra Sports Stadium on Sunday afternoon to lift the Ghana Football Association’s Super Cup trophy.

A late controversial finish by Bennett Ofori was enough to send the sparse spectators who had enjoyed the scientilatting performance from the Mauve and Yellows frenzy.

Tom Strand on Wednesday stated emphatically he was going to win the trophy, and the alacrity with which the MTN FA Cup champions took the game to the Miners showed they were ready to replicate the words the Swede told the press at the launch of the match at the FA secretariat.

They hit hard at the premier league title holders from the blast of the referee’s whistle, dominating the early exchanges and Ashgold had to revise their notes. The Miners quickly settled for the counter-attacking approach and soaked the enormous pressure Medeama SC poured on them.

However, they were very poor in executing the plan as the players hardly knew where to find their colleagues on the pitch, Medeama won all the 50-50 balls and asked Fatau Dauda numerous questions, but fortunately, he had answers.

At the other end, Muntari Tagoe was enjoying a holiday until AshGold broke through the right flank with Augustine Sefa. The final ball though, was feeble.

Few minutes later, the under post denied AshGold who woke from their siesta the lead when Emmanuel Osei Baffour struck a well executed interplay with Tijani Joshua.

The pendulum again swung in favour Medeama SC who were doing almost everything right but only a goal deluded them. Donsu who was AshGold biggest threat orchestrated the midfield with his super balls. Fatau Dauda, AshGold’s best on the day was at his best and pulled off fantastic saves to deny Benjamin Bature and and Yaw Ansah, forcing the game to end goalless in the first half.

Medeama SC took off from where they left in the 2nd half of the game by taking the game to Ashgold like they did in the early minutes of the first half. Ashgold, however managed to curtail the attacking threats of the Tarkwa-based club.

The tempo of the game cool as Medeama settled into the ‘control the game’ approach.

The glorious opportunity of the match fell to Kadri Mohammed to shake the net, after Hudu Yakubu’s corner kick found his head in an unmarked position, but his header missed the post.

Medeama responded by putting together a fast counter attacking play that finally fell the way of Benjamin Bature, their leading attacker. However he shot wide to create no problem for Fatau Dauda in post.

Muntari Tagoe pulled off a super save to deny Joseph Atto Bissah who struck a sumptuous bicycle kick with less than a quarter to the end of the match. His save forced to ball onto the path of Emmanuel Osei, he slotted home the rebound,  but flagged offside.

Bernard Ofori grabbed the headlines with three minutes to end proceedings when he scored from a position but believed he was offside, but the referee pointed to the center circle for AshGold to restart the match.

And Medeama led 1 nil. Three additional minutes was not enough for AshGold to claw back into the game, and the CAF Confederation Cup participants matched to the VIP for the Super Cup trophy — defending Tom Strand’s words last Wednesday.

Ashgold starting line-up: Fatau Dauda, Augustine Sefah, Tijani Joshua, Awudu Nafiu, Kadiri Mohammed, Eric Opoku, Joseph Atto Bissah, Shafiu Mumuni, Isaac Amoah, Emmanuel Osei Baffour, Nuhu Fuseini

Medeama starting line-up: Muntari Tagoe, Moses Sarpong Samuel Adade, Paul Aidoo, Daniel Amoah, Malik Akowuah, Atta Adjei, Kwasi Donsu, Benjamin Bature, Abass Mohammed, Enoch Atta Adjei.

Super Sub: Bernard Ofori Floor AshGold In Battle of Champions.

Super Cup Preview: Clash Of Trophy Winners.

The euphoria gathered momentum, the stakes grew higher, Bashir Hayford had promised to walk to the stance and insult any supporter who insult him for losing the match. But within the twinkling of an eye, the Ghana Football Association connived with the Ethics Committee to blow the fever deep down the ground, and the anticipation for the high-profile match is now as low as the belly of a snake.

The Ethics Committee met on case brought before them by Wa African United for alleged match-fixing with Techiman City on their match week 22 Division One League fixture last season.

They found Techiman City guilty and gave their ruling to demote the Techiman-based club which qualified as winners of Zone 1 in the Division One to the third tier of Ghana football, putting the start of the season in limbo.

However, the FA insist their planned date for the Super Cup clash between league champions Ashanti Gold and Medeama SC at the Accra Sports Stadium on February 7 and the commencement of the league has not changed.

And it means, the cup match which was launched at the FA secretariat last week, will have the teams representing Ghana in CAF inter-club football competitions — Champions League and Confederation Cup respectively, lock horns for the first major silverware to open the gates for the football weather which has been missing since September last year.

The game will serve as a good opportunity for both technical benches to test their readiness for Africa. Ashanti Gold have MO Bejaia of Algeria to engage in their opening encounter in the Champions League next week, and been in a competitive shape for the fixture will be massive.

Bashir Hayford said “It is a very good opportunity for us to prepare for the CAF Champions League game because everyone knows that we haven’t started the league whilst our counterparts have played about six matches.”

Medeama SC on the hand will use the game as a preparatory ground for the premier league because their Africa campaign will begin in March.

And the Swede pronouncements stated emphatically that his side will win the trophy.

“We have beaten them many times. We will both battle it out but Medeama will win on the day.”

Football fans across the country have been offered free entry into the stadium to support their clubs as they entertain themselves to usher in the new football season.

Super Cup Preview: Clash Of Trophy Winners.

We Will Beat AshGold - Tom Strand

Medeama SC head coach Tom Strand is optimistic his side will defeat AshGold on Sunday for the FA Super Cup.

The FA Super Cup is an annual fixture played between winner of the Ghana Premier league and the MTN FA Cup champions.

And Medeama SC who defeated Kumasi Asante Kotoko last year at the Essipong Stadium to the trophy will lock horns with the league champions the league title holders.

And Tom Strand is confident he beat AshGold to the Super Cup trophy on Sunday.

Speaking at the launch of the Super Cup at the Ghana Football Association secretariat, the Swede pronouncements stated emphatically that his side would win the trophy.

“We have beaten them many times. We will both battle it out but Medeama will win on the day.” he said.

The Ghana Football Association has opened free gates for all football loving fans to watch the match at the Accra Sports Stadium.

We Will Beat AshGold - Tom Strand

Tom Strand Eye AshGold Scalp

Head coach of Medeama SC, Tom Strand is optimistic he has the materials to defeat AshGold on Sunday for the FA Super Cup.

Medeama SC who are the FA Cup holders will clash with the Premier League champions at the Accra Sports stadium in the prestigious Super Cup.

And the Swedish, 35, claims the Mauve and Yellows will emerge victorious.

“We want to win this Cup. It’s very important for us and I believe we’ll win,” he told the Ghanaian media during the launch of the cup on Wednesday

He added, though it won be easy flooring the Miners for the cup, they won’t underrated the trophy at stake.

“We are not joking with such an important cup. I know we’ll beat them.

“I have a lot of respect for Ashantigold for their organisational abilities and what they have achieved, but we want to win.

“I think we’re the favourite for the title and we look forward to an exciting game.”

Strand defeated Kumasi Asante Kotoko on his debut season in the finals of the MTN FA Cup last year.

Tom Strand Eye AshGold Scalp

Medeama Need Financial Support - Tom Strand

Medeama Sporting Club head coach, Tom Strand has sent a call to government to stretch its arm and offer financial support for the club to compete in the CAF Confederations Cup campaign.

The Swede last week could not hide his disappointment at government’s failure to provide some assistance to clubs representing the country in CAF inter-club football competitions.

And he has again told the government to stretch their umbrella to help the Yellow and Mauves when their campaign begin in March against the winner of the Ittihad vs AS Sonidep tie in the 1/16th stage of the competition.

He said that Moses Armah Parker cannot handle the financial issues of the club alone.

“We need financial help because there is only one person supporting us now and that is Moses Armah but he cannot do it alone,” the MTN FA Cup winner told Otec FM.

“It would be nice if the government helped us or if they could help the Ghana Football Association to help in turn.

“I am a little disappointed by the state of affairs but I know that Moses Armah will handle things for us,” he added.

Medeama SC will play AshGold on Sunday at the Accra Sports Stadium for the Super Cup.

The two sides will meet again on Match Week One when the Ghana Premier League begin on February 20.

Medeama Need Financial Support - Tom Strand

Free Gate For Super Cup

The Ghana Football Association has offered football fans across the country, the opportunity to witness Sunday’s Super Cup match between league champions AshantiGold and MTN FA Cup winners Medeama SC for free at the Accra Sports Stadium.

The Super Cup is played between winners of the league and Telecommunications network sponsored competition, the MTN FA Cup annually as the curtain raiser to usher in the football fever.

And The Ghana Football Association (GFA) has decided to open the gates for free to the public for the match scheduled for Sunday February 7.

According to the Communication Director of the Ghana Football Association, Ibrahim Saani Daara, the decision of the GFA to open the gates for free is to show appreciation to the football fraternity for their support.

“Over the past few months we have been debating how we can show our appreciation to the fans for the support they have given local football,” Ghana FA spokesman Ibrahim Sannie Daara said.

“We had different suggestions on how we can show our appreciation to the fans. One of the key ideas was the suggestion that we make this gesture and we thought its was great idea.

“So we are calling on supporters of all the clubs in Ghana, the various supporter groups and the ordinary football fans to come to the stadium on Sunday and enjoy this game for free.”

The two clubs will be representing Ghana in CAF inter-club football competitions, CAF Confederation Cup and Champions League after winning the league and FA Cup respectively.

It will be an opportunity for both technical benches to test their readiness for Africa as well the Ghana Premier League which will begin later this month.

Ashantigold will host Algerian side MO Bejaia in their Champions League match on Sunday February 14, and will play Medeama SC again in their opening league fixture at the Obuasi Len Clay stadium.

Whereas Medeama SC will begin their Confederation Cup campaign against either  Ittihad of Libya or AS Sonidep of Niger.

Free Gate For Super Cup

Super Cup For February 7

The annual FA Super Cup, the curtain raiser for the Ghana Premier league commencement has been scheduled for February 7.

The FA Super Cup is played between winner of the Ghana Premier League against the MTN FA Cup champions.

Ashantigold, First Capital Plus Bank Premier League winners last season will lock horns with FA Cup winners, Medeama SC at at the Accra Sports Stadium in the season-opening encounter.

The match will precede the commencement of the 2015/2016 Football Season, which kicks off on February 20.

The two sides will represent Ghana in upcoming CAF inter-club football competitions, the CAF Champions League  and the CAF Confederation Cup, and the game could serve us an opportunity for both technical benches to have a close look at their teams as they head into Africa. 

The will again meet on Match Week One of the new season the Essipong sports stadium. 

Super Cup For February 7