Okwahu United Deserves Top-Flight Football – Richard Appiah

Play-maker Richard Appiah has said Okwahu United deserves a place in the Ghanaian top-flight league and, achieving that is their main target for this season.

The club was relegated from the Ghana Premier League in 2005, and has since struggled to get back to the elite division since.

But Appiah said the current generation of players at the club is determined to get things right this time as they compete in the National Division One League which leads to qualification to the premiership.

“Our team has been in the soccer wilderness for far too long and I think the time to get us back to where we truly belong is now,” he said after their MTN FA Cup game with Dreams FC last Sunday.

The player was instrumental in seeing them beat the top-flight side 2-1 at the Nkawkaw Park in their Round of 64 encounter to progress to the next stage of the competition.

Appiah won the man-of-the-match award in that encounter, and believes the win will spur them on to greater heights this season as they chase promotion to the top-flight league.

“This FA Cup success hopefully, should inspire our to do more for this football club which is one of the traditional one’s in Ghana and deserves to be better placed,” he added.

The objective he said is not FA Cup glory, but, a place in the GPL next season and that is what “we will keep working towards to achieve that dream at the end of the season.”

Okwahu United are in a hotly contested Zone Three in the race win promotion to the top-flight league with teams like Tema Youth, Amidaus Professionals, Heart of Lions, Great Olympics and Mighty Jets among others, all in contention for the sole ticket.

Okwahu United Deserves Top-Flight Football – Richard Appiah

NLA back Stephen Appiah 2016 Peace Match

The National Lottery Authority (NLA) has joined the list of corporate bodies who have pledged their support for the 2016 Peace Match initiated by former Black Stars captain Stephen Appiah.

Brigadier General (RTD) Martin Ahiaglo, Director-General of the National Lottery Authority (NLA), said the decision of his outfit to support the event was to help in maintaining peace and unity in the country ahead of the Parliamentary and Presidential elections.

Brigadier General Ahiaglo said, his outfit cannot operate smoothly without the existing peaceful conditions in the country, hence the decision to be part of the projects.

He said his outfit will give their unflinching support to the two-legged football match slated for June 8 and June 11, at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium, Kumasi and Accra Sports Stadium respectively.

The NLA boss made these remarks when Ghana’s Peace Ambassador for the elections, Stephen Appiah paid a courtesy call on him at his office in Accra.

He also praised Appiah for his laudable initiative, adding that the NLA will support back Appiah to the hilt.

Appiah, said “This game is my key project as the Peace Ambassador for the 2016 elections and together with the match organisers, Primeval Media we hope that football will once again unite this nation in a time of tension.

“I cannot do this alone. I need the support of all to ensure a successful implementation of this project.

“That is why I have decided to inform the NLA of my plans as well as solicit their support. I am convinced corporate bodies like the NLA buy into this project it and support it.” He added.

 

NLA back Stephen Appiah 2016 Peace Match

Kwesi Appiah"s Al Mereck Suffers Home Defeat; Morrison Makes Wining start In CAF CL

Ex Black Stars trainer Kwesi Appiah suffered a home defeat on his 2016 continental assignment as Al Khartoum slumped to a 0-1 defeat to Villa.

The Sudanese giants were tamed in their own backyard by a spirited Villa side to put the Ugandans in pole position ahead of the return fixtures in the CAF Confederation cup preliminary round of fixtures.

Ghanaian trainer Kwesi Appiah was powerless to prevent Al Khartoum from the early set back as Lwanga’s 26th minute winner proved to the only goal in the game.

Ghanaian duo of Seth Owusu and Lawrence Lartey suffered different fortunes in their CAF Confederation matches as well with Lartey outwitting Owusu in the derby.

Ajax Cape Town proves too much for Sagrada Esperance in the preliminary round of matches in a thrilling 1-2 first leg defeat.

Lawrence Lartey joined Cape Town from Ashgold in the transfer window but has been shipped straight into the starting XI of the PSL side both at home and on the continent.

Both players featured prominently for their sides but Seth Owusu will have to hope for a commanding win with Sagrada when they head to South Africa in two weeks time.

Finally in the CAF Champions league, former Ashgold attacking midfielder Bernard Morrison powered AS Vita past Tanzania side Matunzu to announce their early season domestic form to the rest of Africa.

Morrison missed a spot kick for his Congolese side on the road but they still racked in three goals without reply ahead of the mathematical second leg in two weeks time.

Goals from Ekanga, Ngudikama and Ngondo proved pivotal for AS Vita in an evisceration exercise away from home.

Kwesi Appiah"s Al Mereck Suffers Home Defeat; Morrison Makes Wining start In CAF CL

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