Top XI facts About Wa All Stars

In what was a historic season for Wa All Stars, Sports Crusader’s Saani Abacha chronicles the top XI facts about the Northern Blues.

From their nomadic campaign that saw them travel across eight of the ten administrative regions to their variety of goal scorers, we recap the historic feat chalked by the division’s most travelled side.

1. With a total of 51 points to show for their efforts, Wa All Stars finished the season as the number one club. The Wa-based side kept their cool to end a nine-year wait for domestic glory with a deciding 2-1 win over Aduana Stars in Wa. Also, the Northern Blues have benefited from one own goal across the season(scored by Isaac Baah of TCFC)in a 2-0 win at the Wa Park.

2. Wa All Stars have failed to score in just two of the eight regions they have featured in across the campaign. Shut outs in Western region and the central region remains the only centres not to have awarded Wa All Stars a goal.

3. Wa All Stars’ longest winning streak across the season ended with three wins on two different occasions. Successive wins over New Edubiase, Hearts of Oak and Ebusua Dwarfs was halted by a painful defeat away to Bechem United.

Another run saw them win in succession against Kotoko and back-to-back wins over Berekum Chelsea.

4. The Ghanaian champions have won in four of the eight regions across the seasons. Triumphant trips to Greater Accra, Brong Ahafo region and Ashanti region added to their 11 wins on home soil. The youthful looking side ended Aduana Stars’ three year home invincibility before downing Berekum Chelsea, Accra Hearts of Oak and New Edubiase away from home.

5. Wa All Stars picked at least one point in five of the eight regions toured. Wins for Hasaacas and Medeama over All Stars, followed by a 1-0 defeat in Cape Coast alongside the 2-1 deficit at Sogakope in an otherwise impressive away record all season.

6. The newly-crowned winners of the 2016 GPL found the back of the net in six different regions in their energy sapping 16, 879.4 km travelled. Also notable, is their highest point earned from one region away from home (six points from Brong Ahafo region).

7. The longest unbeaten run across the season saw All Stars play seven games without defeat. Wins over Hasaacas, Aduana, New Edubiase, Hearts of Oak and Ebusua Dwarfs were dimmed by two drawn games against Liberty and Dreams FC.

8. The division’s most nomadic side stopped at almost every single region, except Upper East and Northern Region. They also dropped eight points at home all season.

9. A total of nine players made their league debut for the Wa-based side. From David Sandan Abagna through to Alhassan Rashid, All Stars handed topflight debut to 9 different players.

10. Ten different players found the back of the net for All Stars all season. The variety of scorers was highlighted by the goal distribution ratio(2 goals from defenders, 10 from the midfielders, 18 from the strikers and 1 own goal). Richard Arthur, Emmanuel Ocran, Atta Kofi Yeboah, Kweku A. Baffoe, Mathew Kelvin Andoh, Maxwell Baako, Paul Asare, Saddick Alhassan, Ismail Abdul Ganiu, Mumuni Wahidu and an own goal from Isaac Baah.

11. Jersey number eleven for the Champions featured the least of the remaining players left with the club at the end of the season. Moomin Khalid managed 20 minutes in the league. The fewest amongst the remaining players.

Written by : Saani Abacha

Follow on Twitter: @saani_abacha

Top XI facts About Wa All Stars

GPL: Prof Delle Congratulates Wa All Stars On Historic Feat

National Chairman of the Convention Peoples Party(CPP), Prof. Edmund N. Delle, has officially congratulated Wa All Stars Football Club for their historic feat in winning this season’s GPL.

The ace politician, who hails from Nandom in the Upper West region, had kind words for the entire Wa All Stars setup for ending the Northern region’s domestic hoodoo and tipped the Wa-based team to defend their title in the upcoming campaign.

In an official letter copied to the life patron of the club, Mr Edmund N. Delle commended the mental fortitude of the triumphant All Stars team that put the Northen region on the football map of Ghana.

The Nandom-born politician, openly expressed his excitement as a Northerner and a true son of the region at a time Upper West is trending on the football landscape.

“As a true son of Upper West, I am proud of your achievement as the first club in the three Northern regions to have come this far and it is my hope you would defend this title in the coming years and maintain a high standard of the game.

“Congratulations once again and keep the good work”, a portion of the statement reads.

Wa All Stars FC became the first club from the Northern part of the country to win the top flight trophy after a nine-year wait in the league.

The Upper West-based side surged top of the division with a game to spare after a monstrous campaign in the 2016 domestic championship.

GPL: Prof Delle Congratulates Wa All Stars On Historic Feat

CAF CL: Enos Adepa Confident Of Making Statement

Head Coach of Wa All stars, Enos Adepa, is defiant his team will make a statement in the CAF Champions league next season after guiding the club to its maiden league trophy.

After being touted as an outsider to win the league by the bookmakers  of Ghana football prior the start of the 2016 premier league, Wa All Stars defied the odds by becoming the first club from the northern part of the country to win a league title with a match to finish.

However, after recent poor outings of Ghanaian clubs in CAF organized club competitions, Enos Adepa reiterated that his outfit will aim to use the feat they chalked on the local scene as a stepping stone when the competition gets underway next season.

“Qualifying to play in the Champions league is a different ball game altogether. But with adequate preparation, we can make impact,” Enos Adepa said after being handed the league trophy.

“I’m very hopeful that if we prepare well towards it like we did before the start of the league, nothing is impossible because good preparation and sacrifice got us this far in the league, but this time, we know the task ahead will be huge, hence the preparation will also have to be doubled.

“We’ll approach it with a different mentality before we can achieve our goal in the history of African football but I can assure our fans that we’re not going to disappoint Ghanaians, and we’ll do our possible best to move the nation and the club Wa All stars forward in the competition.”

Wa All stars were beaten 3 nil by the already demoted Sekondi Hasaacas in the last match of the GPL season, but still managed to finish with two points clear of second-placed team Aduana stars.

CAF CL: Enos Adepa Confident Of Making Statement

All stars Set Wa Agog with 2016 GPL Trophy

The keenly-contested for 2016 Ghana Premier League trophy finally landed in the north after Wa All Stars’ slim win over Aduana Stars at the Wa Park.

The Malik Jabir Park outfit climaxed their remarkable season with a 2-1 win over the Ogya Boys in what was marred by flared tempers at the end of the game.

A stunning strike from Paul Asare opened the scoring just 7 minutes into the game but Bright Adjei brightened the future for the visitors with an instant response 4 minutes later.

Then, a missed spot-kick from Richard Arthur midway through the first half, kept fans on tenterhooks before Saddick Alhassan kept his cool to slot home the winner from 12 yards, 10 minutes to time.

The Brong Ahafo-based visitors arrived in Wa with a teeming fan base evidenced by the 10 travelling buses that accompanied the team from Dormaa to the Upper West region.

The much talked about ‘season decider’ actually lived up to its billing when Paul Asare feasted on a dropped ball inside the 18-yard-box to open the floodgates just seven minutes into the clash.

The former Berlin FC talismanic playmaker kept his composure to give Enos Adepa Kwame’s ambitious side a fully deserve lead.

Two-time CNN Goal-of The-Week winner, Bright Adjei, however silenced the record crowd attendance inside the Wa Park with another beauty to level the scores only 4 minutes after trailing.

The leading marksman then missed the chance to restore the lead for All stars and then saw his day move from bad to worse when his poorly taken spot-kick was saved by goalkeeper Joseph Addo.

Arthur however came inches close to his ninth of the campaign when he was located by the lovely David Sandan Abagna pass, only for the former to shoot tame at goal.

The exciting battle, at the end, saw Yahaya Mohammed being given a first half curfew by Ismail Abdul-Ganiu despite his physicality as Ofori enjoyed a free day in post.

The tables continued to tilt in favour of Aduana Stars until childish defending from the Ogya boys handed Wa All Stars the second spot-kick which was duly converted by the ever-precise Saddick “Paul Pogba” Alhassan after 10 minutes of hold up.

The visitors walked off the pitch after being punished for the second time but later came back on for the game to continue.

End-to-end stuff in the final 10 minutes yielded no other goal as Asuandzie came close to the game’s 4th strike on the stroke of full time.

It ended 2-1 and officially confirmed Wa All Stars not only as the winners of the 2015/16 GPL season, but the first club from Northern Ghana to have won the league.

A trip to Sekondi Hasaacas for the final match of the season might end up becoming a “jama” trip which will likely be accompanied by drumming and dancing from fans of the ‘Leicester’ of Ghana football.

All stars Set Wa Agog with 2016 GPL Trophy

GPL Match Preview : Battle Of the Stars

The Upper West region will be the centre of focus in the penultimate round of fixtures of the Ghana Premier League when Wa All Stars play host to Aduana stars at the Malik Jabir Park.

The Brong Ahafo-based Hunters head North in search of three points that will keep alive, their title hopes as the hosts aim at their first domestic championship trophy.

A win for Wa All stars confirms them as winners of the 2015/16 Ghana top flight league with one game to spare after an impressive campaign all season.

The turquoise coloured Northern Blues welcome a “noisy” Aduana Stars side that is bent on destroying the hosts’ long term dreams.

A 4-0 image redemption win over Techiman City levelled the point tally at the summit of the log after Wa All Stars’ painful setback in Dansoman.

One win in 6 attempts at the Wa Park however leaves Aduana Stars with a mountain to climb if they are to stop Wa All Stars from annexing the trophy.

The hosts have been boosted by the return to fitness of Emmanuel Ocran, who limped off in the 1-0 defeat to Liberty whiles the attacking prowess of Richard Arthur might come in handy.

The hosts have won 5 of the last 10 ties in the league and are yet to lose on their own turf in the last 24 home fixtures.

Backed by an entire Northern regional support base ahead of the crucial tie, the travelling fans from Dormaa to Wa might regret skipping their school sessions and job schedules for the long trip to Wa if the hosts gel as a unit.

Having spent over 3000 days in the top flight, Wa All Stars could not have asked for a befitting match ahead of their 10th anniversary early next year.

Statistically, Wa All Stars have won 10 and drawn 4 of the opening 14 fixtures at home this season and have lost just once to Aduana stars in 6 attempts on home turf.

Will it be a Northern delight or Dormaa dreams?

GPL Match Preview : Battle Of the Stars

GPL : All Stars Defender Confident Of Liberty Scalp

Wa All Stars’ defensive guard, Moses Nyarko, is optimistic his side will pick the maximum points when they take on Liberty Professionals in their penultimate away match of the season.

The energetic left-back stoked the flames ahead of the crunch tie at the Dansoman Carl Reindorf Park as his All Stars side seeks to close the contest for the GPL trophy in the capital.

Wa All Stars looks set for their first-ever top flight trophy with three fixtures left to be honoured, but the skinny defender wants his side to kill off any mathematical possibilities going into the last home tie against second-placed Aduana Stars.

The ambitious rear guard is leaving no stone unturned as his side bids to make history.

All Stars lead the log with 48 points after 27 matches and could clinch the trophy in Accra if they pick the maximum points and Aduana Stars drop points at home to TCFC.

“It’s a game of equal chances played by 11 players each and I see no reason why we cannot win in Accra.

“To be the best, you have to beat the best and I’m sure with our current form, no team will want to play us.

“The first leg at the Wa Park ended all square but we will pick more than they had in Wa at the end of the 90 minutes.

“A win in Dansoman will take the pressure off our supporters and lay a very strong foundation for our final home match of the season, one that could win us the ultimate trophy”, Moses Nyarko told Sports Crusader.

The skinny defender stormed the top flight with stellar performances down the flanks for Enos Kwame Adepa’s league leaders.

His 17 appearances across the season in a highly competitive Wa All Stars defensive unit, has been punctuated by injuries.

GPL : All Stars Defender Confident Of Liberty Scalp

Bright Addae Tips All Stars For GPL Trophy

Ghana youth International, Bright Addae, has tipped WA All  Stars for ultimate glory in the Ghana Premier league with three rounds of matches remaining.

The Italy-based midfielder, rallied his former side to eschew complacency in the title run-in, as they bid to win their first-ever topflight trophy.

The former national U-20 Star commended the mental strength of the playing squad of his former side despite their geographical disadvantage.

Speaking from his Italian base ahead of the final round of matches, Bright remains hopeful his former side will emerge winners.

“I am tipping WA All Stars to win their first-ever trophy at the end of the season.

“They have been very consistent all season and deserve the league trophy by all standards.

“When you look at their location and the distance they travelled, you are made to love them.

“There is  no other premier league club close to them but their mindset have been super all while.

“I am sure they will win the league if they avoid any complacency”, Addae told sports crusader.

Wa All Stars currently lead the division with 48 points, ahead of the final 3 rounds of matches in the domestic championship.

The Wa-based side will win the championship if they win at home to second-placed Aduana Stars.

Bright Addae Tips All Stars For GPL Trophy

Sunday’s GPL Match-Day 27 Preview

With four games to end the 2016 Ghana Premier League (GPL), it is still uncertain which club will win the diadem at the end of the campaign or who will be relegated at the end of the season.

Just four points separates the top four clubs with life at the bottom also an interesting one as the seventh placed team down to the bottom, could all be relegated.

Positions are bound to change after the Match-Day 27 matches on Sunday afternoon with clubs eager to improve on their standing as the season heads to a close.

In the pick of this round of games, Accra Hears of Oak will trek to the Brong Ahafo region to play Bechem United with leaders Wa All Stars at home to Dreams FC while Asante Kotoko hosts Berekum Chelsea with Aduana Stars playing away to WAFA.

Preview:

Bechem: Bechem United v Accra Hearts of Oak

Accra Hearts of Oak will look for their 11^th win of the campaign when they trek to the Brong Ahafo region to play Bechem United at the Nana Fosu Gyeabour Park on Sunday.

The Phobians who are third on the GPL table will hope to complete the double over Bechem United after they won the first round tie in Accra 3-1.

A win could take them to the top of the standing if other results go their way and, they will be poised to go for the three points against a Bechem United side that is seventh on the log.

Wa: All Stars v Dreams FC

Wa All Stars will look to preserve their leadership of the GPL table when they welcome Dreams FC to the Malik Jabir Park in Wa. In the first round tie played at the Dawu Park, the spoils were shared as the game ended 1-1 after 90 minutes.

The leaders will be the odds on favourites to register a win against the league debutants after claiming a hard fought 1-0 victory over New Edubiase United last Sunday in Bekwai.

Dreams FC who are fifth on the ladder and chasing a top four position, will however have something to say about the outcome of this game as they hold ambitions of their own.

Kumasi: Asante Kotoko v Berekum Chelsea

Kumasi Asante Kotoko will be at home to Berekum Chelsea in a game they will need to win if they are to sustain their pursuit of the league title this season.

The Porcupines are fourth on the ladder, three points behind the leaders, and a win will take them towards toughing distance with those above them.

Chelsea who are 11^th on the log, won the first round tie 2-0 at the Golden City Park in Berekum and will look to cause further misery for their hosts at the Baba Yara Stadium.

Sogakope: WAFA v Aduana Stars

Second played Aduana Stars will look to end the unbeaten home run of the West Africa Football Academy (WAFA) when they visit the Red Bull Arena at Sogakope.

A win will take them top of the standing if other results go their way, and, they will be inspired to go for it against the Academy lads who are sixth on the table.

Cape Coast: Ebusua Dwarfs v Medeama SC

Ebusua Dwarfs will play Medeama SC at the Robert Mensah Stadium in Cape Coast and they will look to bounce back from their defeat at the same venue to Bechem United last Sunday.

Dwarfs are ninth on the table and, a win will take them to the seventh position if other results go their way. Medeama SC won the first round tie 2-1 in Tarkwa.

Obuasi: AshantiGold SC v Sekondi Hasaacas

Reigning champions AshantiGold SC will lock horns with relegation threatened Sekondi Hasaacas at the Len Clay Stadium at Obuasi.

The Miners will be looking for their seventh win of the campaign against a Hasaacas side that is yet to win an away game this season.

Hasaacas failed to win the corresponding fixture in the first round, and, it will be difficult to see how they will respond against an AshGold side that is eager to return to winning ways.

Techiman: Techiman City v Liberty Professionals

Debutants Techiman City will look to register their ninth win of the campaign when they welcome Liberty Professionals to the Ohene Ameyaw Park in Techiman.

They hover just above the relegation zone and, cannot afford to lose this fixture in front of their home fans after losing their last two home games.

Liberty Professionals, who are 12^th on the log, will need to avoid defeat to stay above the drop zone and will have to play one of their best games of the season if they are to pick something out of this one.

Tema: Inter Allies v New Edubiase United

A fierce relegation battle will be fought at the Tema Sports Stadium here Inter Allies will host New Edubiase United in a game neither side can afford to lose.

Inter Allies are 15^th on the log, just a place above their opponents and, they could jump to the 12^th position if they win this one and other results go their way.

New Edubiase United could be relegated if they fail to win this one but, it will be a difficult task for them to procure the three points against an Inter Allies side that is bent on avoiding the drop.

 

 

 

 

Sunday’s GPL Match-Day 27 Preview

GPL PREVIEW: Wa All Stars Targets Top Spot With Bechem Scalp

Wa All Stars will be looking to reclaim their place at the summit of the Ghana Premier League when they host Bechem United at the Wa Park on Sunday.

The second-placed Wa-based side will go top of the division if they emerge victorious at home to the Hunters from the Brong Ahafo region.

The Northern Blues have their fate in their own hands after Hearts of Oak’s Sogakope nightmare on Saturday in the early kick-off game.

The division’s most nomadic side lost the corresponding fixture 2-1 in Bechem but their current run of 1 defeat in the last 20 home matches slides the table in favour of Wa All Stars.

Bechem United could slip into the red zone with defeat at the Wa Park, having previously lost 2 of the 3 trips to the Upper west.

The MTN FA Cup finalist eased past another Wa-based side, in Wa Rockets FC, but will have to up their game if they are to avoid another glaring defeat on Sunday.

The visitors have lost 9 of their 12 away ties this season and have kept just 2 clean sheets in the process, a thrilling 0-0 stalemate away to Kumasi Asante Kotoko.

With the return to form of Richard Arthur and the defensive solidity of Ismail Ganiu and Nicolas Mensah, energetic Hafiz Adams has been freed to surge forward.

Statistically, Wa All Stars might just breeze past their desperate visitors in grand style.

The host have won 2 of the 3 previous home ties and are unbeaten at home all season, last defeat at home is now exactly 364 days.

Wa All Stars have kept 18 clean sheets in the last 20 home fixtures, while their 1 goal conceded in the last 1,080 minutes at the Wa Park cannot escape mention.

Kennedy Ashia remains the last Ghanaian player as an opposition to find the back of the net at the Malik Jabir Park that has Richard Ofori on top of his game all season.

With first spot up for grabs, Bechem United will have to prepare mentally for a painful 90 minutes on the pitch.

GPL PREVIEW: Wa All Stars Targets Top Spot With Bechem Scalp

Winning The GPL Title Is Our Foremost Desire - WA All Stars CEO

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Wa All Stars, Oduro Nyarko has reiterated their foremost desire of clinching a top four position in the 2015/2016 Ghana Premier League (GPL) with the top spot being their ultimate desire.

Wa ALL Stars since it promotion to the top-flight of Ghana football have never being in the top four places, but Mr Nyarko is very confident of turning things around this season.

In an interview with Sunyani based radio station, Success FM, he said: “Our main target is to be in the top four after the season and that includes the first position but I will be very disappointed if we are not able to make it into the top four”.

Wa All Stars reclaimed their second place on the domestic league log with a hard-earned 1-0 win over Tarkwa-based Medeama SC and will host Bechem United in their Match-Day 23 fixture of the GPL at Wa on Sunday.

Winning The GPL Title Is Our Foremost Desire - WA All Stars CEO

Match Report: Arthur Shoots Down Gallant Medeama SC

Wa All Stars reclaimed their second place on the domestic league log with a hard-earned 1-0 win over Tarkwa-based Medeama SC.

The Northern Blues tamed the Mauve and Yellows, courtesy a late strike from Richard Arthur to put their title hopes back on track.

Medeama SC fought a gallant battle but did little to prevent Richard Arthur’s thunderbolt free-kick from finding the back of the net, late into the game.

The former Windy Professionals man ended a run of over 600 minutes without finding the back of the net with a perfect free-kick in the 7th minute that caught Daniel Agyei flat-footed.

The Wa-based title contenders bossed majority of the opening half but could not find that elusive opener with six goal-scoring opportunities created, thanks to the energetic runs from Hafiz Adams.

The introduction of tricky winger, Mathew Kelvin Andoh, at the start of the second half, however, beefed up the toothless attack led by the profligate Arthur.

The star forward however ended his personal goal drought with a dream finish to send the fans inside the Wa Park into a frenzy.

Dead-ball expert, Kwesi Donsu, thought he had pulled parity for his side but wicked goal keeping from star goalie, Richard Ofori, denied Medeama SC an equaliser.

Both sides resorted to safety play in the final few minutes with an eye on the weekend’s clashes .

Wa All Stars next host Bechem United at the same venue whiles Medeama SC will be looking to end a run of three straight defeats when they host Inter Allies at Tarkwa.

Match Report: Arthur Shoots Down Gallant Medeama SC

GPL Preview: Wa All Stars Targets First Win In Tema

Wa All Stars returns to domestic league action at the Tema Park after their extended rest over the weekend.

The second-placed visitors head to the Tema Park in search of their  first win against an Inter Allies side managed by their former trainer,  Jimmy James Cobblah.

The Wa-based title contenders have their eyes set on a return to the summit of the log having enjoyed a buffer weekend due to  Medeama’s involvement in the CAF Confederation Cup.

Their host, however, will be looking for a way out of the drop after their late collapse in Techiman with relegation hooting at them. The “Eleven-is-to-One” can however draw inspiration  from the poor run of matches for WA All Stars at the Tema Park.

Wa All Stars FC have lost both fixtures played at the same venue without even scoring in the said games.

A reunion with their departed trainer, James Cobblah, could however inspire the visitors  to register their first win at the third time of asking.

With 12 goals registered in the previous 5 fixtures and no drawn game played, goals are surely guaranteed at the Tema Astro Turf pitch.

A win for Inter Allies will pull the “Eleven-is-to-One” away from the drop zone whiles WA ALL Stars could surge top with three maximum points.

GPL Preview: Wa All Stars Targets First Win In Tema

Saddick Alhassan Plays Down Title Charge

Wa All Stars’ stalwart midfielder, Saddick Alhassan, has played down any imagined title charge from his side despite their convincing win over Techiman City FC.

The player enjoyed his best game in the colours of the club as they tamed TCFC by two unanswered goals to maintain their second place spot on the log.

The former Dreams FC and Kumasi Asante Kotoko midfielder, however took the pressure off his team mates ahead of the title run-in.

The versatile midfielder  redirected the media lenses away from his club, assuring fans of consistent performance though.

“We are not bent on winning  the Ghana Premier league by all means.

” We will do our part and hope to be among the race in the last few matches.

” If we have the chance to battle for the trophy in the last five games, we will not hesitate to pounce on it.

“All we need is to be consistent  and enjoy our football on weekly basis”, Saddick Alhassan told sports crusader.

Wa All Stars maintained their second slot on the league standing thanks to an own-goal from Isaac Baah and a screamer from Paul Asare.

The Wa based side will next host Medeama SC at the Wa park before heading to Accra for the Inter Allies game.

Saddick Alhassan Plays Down Title Charge

GPL Match Report : Brilliant Wa All Stars Breeze Past City

Wa All Stars FC ended  their winless home run with a convincing win over Techiman City at the Wa Park.

The Northern Blues spanked the Citizens by 2-0 to maintain their second place on the log.

Isaac Baah’s own goal on  the stroke of half time was followed by a beautifully driven goal from Paul Asare to maintain the unbeaten home form for the host.

An avalanche of chances in the first half left the supporters wondering when the ball will cross that magical line with the attackers toying with the fans’ pulse.

A solo run from the middle of the pitch by the quick-footed Mathew Kelvin Andoh, however resulted in the opening  goal on the stroke of half time.

The former Sammin FC wide man danced past four defenders which was unfortunately  whipped home by Isaac  Baah for the visitors.

Returning Paul  Asare then made sure of the points midway through the second half of the game with his first goal in 540 days.

The former Berlin  FC talismanic forward, dummied the entire back line with his left foot before unleashing a better strike from the edge of the box on the 70th minute mark.

The host maintained the one way traffic in search of the third goal only to be denied by desperate defending from the Citizens.

Wa All Stars next play Medeama SC at the weekend in pursuit of the top spot.

GPL Match Report : Brilliant Wa All Stars Breeze Past City

AYC: Satellites Midfielder Confident Of Qualification

National under 20 star, Mohamed Amando  is confident his side will overturn their first leg defeat in the AYC qualifiers when they host Senegal  in the final lap.

The Black satellites slumped to a surprise 3-1 defeat in Dakar thanks to a Lamine  Niane’s treble but the imposing midfielder  for the Ghanaians in hopeful of a massive turn out in the second leg.

The 2009 FIFA  Under 20 world champions will need a minimum of 2-0 to book their ticket to Zambia 2017 after that set back,  a feat Amando envisaged.

The Wa All Stars versatile anchor man rallied his colleagues to develop that mental toughness and the can-do spirit that saw them dispatch Ethiopia at the Cape  Coast Sports Stadium.

“It is a painful defeat and very difficult to contain as a group of players.

“We just have to build our mental set up and approach the game like like we did against Ethiopia.

“I am sure we can still turn around the results and book a place in the Championship itself.

“We need the support of the entire football family in the return leg on matter the chosen venue”, Amando told sports crusader.

The Satellites host their Senegalese counterparts in a fortnight’s with a 3-1 aggregate defeat to overcome.

AYC: Satellites Midfielder Confident Of Qualification

GPL MATCH REPORT: Inspired Dauda Denies Wa All Stars At The Wa Park

Ghana Premier League leaders, Wa All Stars, were denied all maximum points in front of their home fans by an inspired Fatau Dauda.

The Miners’ custodian earned his side a fully deserved point in a thrilling 0-0 stalemate at the Wa Park.

The leaders dropped valuable points for the second game running after the 1-0 defeat to Kumasi Asante Kotoko in midweek.

Enos Adepa Kwame and his gallant Wa All Stars charges met an inspired Ashgold side that has their goalkeeper to thank for the point earned.

The corresponding fixture ended in a stalemate at the Len Clay park due to the goalkeeping heroics of Richard Ofori but it was his opposite shot-stopper who took the plaudits this time, at the Wa park.

Dauda proved his status as one of the finest on the local scene with not fewer than 8 fantastic saves on the day.

The Black Stars shot-stopper capped his boisterous form at the Wa park with a one hand save to deny Richard Arthur and Wa All Stars an injury time winner.

The host can however draw inspiration from the return of Paul Asare to the starting XI for the first time in over a year.

Accra Hearts of Oak’s lacklustre stalemate at home to Aduana, however means, Wa All Stars will maintain their place on top of the log after 18 rounds of fixtures in the division.

GPL MATCH REPORT: Inspired Dauda Denies Wa All Stars At The Wa Park

GPL Preview: Leaders Host Reigning Champions At the Wa Park.

The return of the domestic championship will see the current leaders Wa All Stars play as host to the rejuvenated title holders at the Wa Park on Sunday July 10, 2016.

The two sides sold out a thrilling 0-0 stalemate in Obuasi but will be gunning for the three contested points at the dreaded Malik Jabir Park.

The miners boast of the best defensive record at the Wa Park having shipped just 3 goals in eight attempts.

Wa All Stars however remained one of the two unbeaten clubs left in the competition and will be looking to amass all three points against for only the fourth time in their own backyard.

Profligate shooting from Enos Kwame Adepa ‘s charges left Ashgold off the hook on Obuasi under the inspiration  of Emmanuel Ocran who has since traded the GPL for the Swiss  top flight.

The host have been boosted by the return to fitness of Moses Nyarko, who was rocked with a nasty injury in their MTN FA Cup quarter final defeat.

The Wa based side will be denied the services of number one center back Issahaku Konda, who is with the National Under 20 side in Dakar.

Having conceded just one goal at home all season, the defensive solidity of the northern blues have been galvanized by their well-oiled midfield duo of Saddick Alhassan and Atta Kofi Yeboah.

Ashgold’s duo of Robert Dabuo and Tijani Joshua will be back at their former hunting grounds in search of three points for the miners.

If 536km down the earth can earn them gold at their backyard, why not three points away from home?

Defeat for Wa All Stars could see them dropped to fourth.

 

GPL Preview: Leaders Host Reigning Champions At the Wa Park.

GPL Report: Frimpong Power Kotoko To Second

Big players arise when they are needed. Leaders step up and take responsibility when it matters most. The Asante Kotoko’s armband is not antonymous to leadership.

Leading Porcupines comes with responsibility and Amos Frimpong has shown his presence when the team needs a leader on the pitch for the second time on the bounce.

Having led a team threatened off the pitch last Sunday to earn a point against a side who made visitors look second fiddle — powering in the equaliser with a thumping header, Amos Frimpong downed league leaders Wa All Stars at the Baba Yara sports stadium on Wednesday to lift the Porcupine Warriors to second — a step above bitter rivals, Hearts of Oak who were held to a one-all draw at the Accra sports stadium by Liberty Professionals.

It was a difficult game for Asante Kotoko as a resolute midfield and defensive play by Wa All Stars nullified their threats. When the Porcupines managed to break through occasionally, they squandered their chances. Bennett Ofori, Obed Owusu and substitute, Duada Mohammed were all culpable, with Bennett Ofori the worst among trio.

Enos Adepah’s men went on the break a number of times but the Kotoko defence, comprising Edwin Tuffour and Ahmed Adams in the middle; Amos Frimpong and Samuel Kyere on the laterals were bullet proofs. Wa All Stars can’t be overlooked for wastefulness too.

Both sides were frustrated for their profligacy, and as Kotoko searched that precious goal to avoid falling behind wider at the tender age of the second round of the 2015-16 Ghana Premier League (GPL), Amos Frimpong led by example and thumped home the first and only goal of the game after 67 minutes — his second goal in two successive games.

Neither side could fined the back of the net again and Kotoko go second on the league log, 1 point less than leaders, Wa All Stars.

Kotoko line-up: Ernest Sowah, Amos Frimpong, Samuel Kyere, Edwin Tuffour, Ahmed Adams, Theophilus Nyame, Sarfo Gyamfi, Stephen Nyarko/Kwadwo Poku, Obed Owusu/Dauda Mohammed, Bennett Ofori, Eric Donkor/Emmanuel Gyamfi.

Bench: Atta Kusi, Ohene Brenya, Emmanuel Osei, Ofori Antwi.

GPL Report: Frimpong Power Kotoko To Second

Wa All Stars Rocked By Injuries Ahead Of Berekum Chelsea Visit

Ghana Premier league leaders Wa All Stars have been rocked by injuries ahead of the return of the domestic championship.

The Wa based top flight campaigners look set to host Berekum Chelsea without injured star duo who suffered respective injuries in the 1-0 defeat to city rivals Wa Rockets FC in the FA Cup quarters.

Midfielder Wahidu Mumuni was stretchered off the pitch just four minutes into the cup tie with a nasty foot injury before Moses Nyarko joined his team mate on the touchline moments to recess in a high tempo local derby at the Wa park.

Mumuni remains an integral part of the league due to his versatility on the pitch and his ferocious power on the dead ball.

Club mate and the fast emerging Nyarko landed awkwardly in the tail end of the rugged cup tie at Wa park.

Enos Adepa Kwame will be counting on invincible home form when Wa All Stars return to league action over the weekends at home to Berekum Chelsea in a bid to consolidate their place at the top of the division.

Wa All Stars Rocked By Injuries Ahead Of Berekum Chelsea Visit

Wa All Stars Attacker Predicts A Stronger Second Round In The League

Wa All stars attacking midfielder Mathew Kelvin has predicted a highly competitive second round on the domestic championship after photo finish in the first half.

The trickery wide man has made life unbearable for fullbacks in the opening half of the season but has already envisaged a stronger opposition from the entire competing clubs as the season reaches its home streak.

Wa All Stars top the division with 28 points followed closely by a trio of clubs traling by just two points in a kernly contested first half of the season.

The dancing feet Wa based attacker, however even predicted a tougher opposition than they met in the opening half of the season.

The lanky attacker rose to fame when became the first ever player to register an away goal at the Nana Ohene Ameyaw Park against Techiman City in a 3-1 defeat for Wa All Stars.

Speaking to sports crusader ahead of the return of the championship after the three break, Mathew Kelvin Andoh, readies himself for the expected keenly fought round two on the Ghanaian top tier league.

” The first was keenly contested by every single competing club whether at the top, middle or the bottom. The strength of the league in the first half should be enough to hint at an even tougher second round with relegation and eventual winners fighting for points on weekly basis.

It could be the most competitive 15 rounds of matches played in the Ghanaian league as hinted in the strong end to the first round. The good thing however is that Mathew Kelvin Andoh is ready to even start the secound round straight away having recharged my system mentally”, Andoh told www.Sportscrusader.com exclusively.

The dribbling wideman joined Wa All Stars last season from division one side Aswin FC in Takoradi but has since made himself a crowd favourite with eye catching footwork on weekly basis.

The attacker is expected to shoulder more responsibilities in the second department of the season with some odd goals to add to his devilish crosses.

Wa All Stars Attacker Predicts A Stronger Second Round In The League