MTN FA Cup Final Preview: Bechem United vs Okwawu United

Ghana Premier League (GPL) outfit Bechem United will challenge second tier side Okwawu United in the final of the 2016 MTN FA Cup on Sunday.

The game is set to come off at the newly built Cape Coast Sports Stadium on Ghana’s western coast and it promises to be an interesting spectacle on the day.

Bechem United will be seeking their first major silverware in Ghana football and should they do so, they will become the first team from the Brong Ahafo region to win this competition.

The two famous clubs from the region, Brong Ahafo (BA) United and Tano Bofoakwa came close to winning it in 1975 and 1983 respectively, but, on both occasions, they were undone by Accra Great Olympics in the final.

Okwawu United won the competition in 1986 when they defeated Real Tamale United (RTU) 1-0 in the final game with Bright Owusu the hero for the Mountaineers in Accra.

They have lost two other finals; against GHAPOHA FC in 1997 (0-1) and Accra Hearts of Oak in 2000 (0-2) and, will be eager not to make it a third straight final defeat.

Bechem United are the bookmakers’ favourites to win this game considering their elite division status as compared to their rivals who play in the second tier league.

In the ongoing GPL, Bechem United are eighth on the table with 38 points with three games to end the season and, do have a mathematical chance of finishing in the top four at the end of the campaign.

They will seek to make the most of this opportunity against an Okwawu United side that has no chance of making it to the top-flight league next season from Division One.

On their way to the final, Bechem United beat Wa Rockets in the semi-final with Okwawu United accounting for another GPL outfit Liberty Professionals to set up this contest.

One of the hottest strikers on the Ghanaian local scene Abednego Tetteh is on the books of Bechem United and he will be needed to turn the game in his side’s favour.

On reaching this far, Okwawu United accounted for three GPL sides to get to this final and, they will have no fear competing for the title against another opposition from the same division.

MTN FA Cup Final Preview: Bechem United vs Okwawu United

MTN FA CUP Final: Sunday Will Be Okwawu United’s Day Of Glory - Prince Siaw

Okwawu United captain Prince Siaw has said Sunday’s MTN FA Cup final between them and Bechem United will go in their favour and that they are ready to savour the moment.

The Mountaineers will be contesting the final of this competition for the first time since 2000 and, Siaw believes their determination will see them through to add to their success in this competition in 1986.

“We are highly motivated and determined to do well in Sunday’s final and, we will push ourselves to the limit to win this trophy having come this far” Siaw told Sportscrusader.com.

The game is set to come off at the new Cape Coast Stadium with the winner of this year’s competition going ahead to represent Ghana in the CAF Confederation Cup next year.

“Our top hierarchy has told us that they are ready to sponsor our participation in the African campaign next year, and, this is enough motivation for us to go for the ultimate on Sunday” he added.

The second tier side will be the bookmakers’ underdogs going into this final against their premiership opponents, but, Siaw is not fancied by that.

“They said the same thing when we played other top-flight sides like WAFA, Hasaacas and recently Liberty Professionals in the semi-finals, but, we overcame them all and, we are positive about our chances against Bechem United.

He has therefore called for maximum support from fans of the club ahead of this game and, promised to lead the Okwahu United to the title for the challenging campaign they have had.

 

MTN FA CUP Final: Sunday Will Be Okwawu United’s Day Of Glory - Prince Siaw

GPL Match-Day 24 Preview: Bechem: Bechem United v Inter Allies

Relegation threatened Bechem United will welcome fellow strugglers Inter Allies to the Nana Fosu Gyeabour Park in a Ghana Premier League (GPL) Match-Day 24 encounter.

They will be hoping to get their campaign back on track after poor results has seen them falling into the relegation zone within the last couple of weeks.

A win could take them out of the relegation zone if other results go their way and, they should be inspired by this as they chase their eighth win of the season.

All their wins in the competition has come at home, and, they will count on that strong character as they go in search of the three points.

They should be able to stand up to this test as they host an opposition that has struggled to hold their own away from the Tema Sports Stadium.

Inter Allies have failed to win an away game this season and will need to be at their maximum best if they hope to take something out of this game.

The prospect of playing their fellow strugglers should inspire them to put up a performance knowing that the points crucial to both sides chances of survival.

Head-to-Head

13/08/16    Bechem United       ? – ?    Inter Allies

10/04/16    Inter Allies              4 – 0    Bechem United

06/09/15    Inter Allies              0 – 0    Bechem United

21/01/15    Bechem United       1 – 0    Inter Allies

30/03/14    Bechem United       1 – 1    Inter Allies

23/10/13    Inter Allies              3 – 0    Bechem United

GPL Match-Day 24 Preview: Bechem: Bechem United v Inter Allies

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

MTN FA Cup: Wa Rockets Attributes Defeat to Poor Officiating

Wa Rockets trainer, Joseph Fosu has attributed his side’s MTN FA Cup semi final defeat against Bechem United to bad officiating.

According to him, the Division One League side came into with the purpose of booking a spot in the final but we’re denied by the Referees.

Speaking to the media after the game, Fosu noted that his young team were denied two clear penalties during the first half of the game which affected their second half performance.

“We came to win and you saw that in the first half. We actually dominated, even though we were playing a Premier League side – the status was the same”,  he said.

“Everyone saw it clearly that the referee was not fair in the first half: we had two penalties, he denied us and as young players as my boys are, they became demoralised. So, in the second half, they knew the referee was against them. They lost concentration in the middle, our central defender got injured, and he ignored it, so, the boys saw that even if they scored a goal, he would disallow it,” Fosu added.

Bechem United are through to the final of the 2016 MTN FA Cup where they will beating second tier side Okwawu United.

The Nkawkaw based based side defeated Liberty Professionals 3-2 on penalties in the other Semi-final after a 1-1 draw in regulation time.

MTN FA Cup: Wa Rockets Attributes Defeat to Poor Officiating

MTN FA Cup: Okwawu, Bechem United Through to The Final

Second tier side, Okwawu United shocked Liberty Professionals via penalty shootout at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium on Sunday to book a a place in the 2016 MTN FA Cup final.

The Nkawkaw based side came into the semi final game dull of confidence, out-playing the Dansoman based Scientific Soccer Lads in the early minutes.

However, it was Liberty Professionals, who struck first on the stroke of half time through Ghana Premier League joint top scorer Latif Blessing.

Blessing’s goal was canceled by Okwawu United forward McLean Ampadu early in the second half to send the tie to penalty shootout.

Ampadu’s goal proved vital as Okwawu United won the shootout 3-2 to book a first FA Cup final slot since 1960.

In the semi final match, Premier League side Bechem United continued their fine run of form in the FA Cup, making light work of Division One side Wa Rockets in a thrilling encounter.

The Brong Ahafo based side,  after falling to glitter in the first half, bounced back in the second in spectacular fashion to record a 2-0 win over the second tier side with goals coming from Midfielder Hamza Mohammed and defender Richard Baffour.

The victory puts Bechem United in pole position to lift a first ever major trophy but after eliminating top flight sides WAFA and Liberty Professionals enroute to the final of the FA Cup, Okwawu United will not go into the final in Cape Coast as mere participant.

 

MTN FA Cup: Okwawu, Bechem United Through to The Final

MTN FA Cup Semi-Final Double-Header In Kumasi On Sunday

The Ghana Premier League (GPL) takes a break this weekend to make way for the MTN FA Cup semi-final duels which comes off in Kumasi on Sunday.

Both games will be played at the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi and will see two Premier League clubs taking on opponents from the second tier competition.

It will be the first ever double-header semi-final games in the history of the competition to be played at the same venue and will see GPL outfit Bechem United facing Wa Rockets of the GN Bank Division One League (DOL) in the first semi-final match which will kick off at 3:00pm.

Bechem United kicked out Asante Kotoko on penalties in the quarter-finals stage and will be the odds on favourites to advance to the final of the competition.

Wa Rockets advanced to this stage after beating Wa All Stars 1-0 in a fierce Upper West regional derby played at the Wa Park.

The second game of the day will kick off at 6:00pm and will see the 1986 winners Okwahu United of the DOL taking on Premiership side, Liberty Professionals at the same venue.

Okwahu United beat Premiership outfit, WAFA 1-0 at the quarter-final stage of the competition with Liberty accounting for another DOL side, Elmina Sharks 3-0.

The FA Cup Committee has announced ticket prices for this weekend’s games as:

Popular Stand – GH¢ 3.00 (MTN Credit included)

VIP – GH¢ 10.00 (MTN Credit included)

 

MTN FA Cup Semi-Final Double-Header In Kumasi On Sunday

Kotoko Drop Points

Asante Kotoko were denied the opportunity to go top of the 2015-16 Ghana Premier League (GPL) by Bechem United at the Baba Yara sports stadium.

The league leaders Wa All Stars, who were a point better than Kotoko prior to the week-end fixtures, slipped at Sogakope, when West African Football Academy edged them 2-1, but Kotoko misfired, while Hearts of Oak earned a 1-0 victory at Essipong against Hasaacas to occupy to go top of the Ghana Premier league.

Bechem United came to Kumasi with a game plan to delay play and lie on the ground with the least contact.

Asante Kotoko who were bent on carrying the day opened fire on Bechem United, but it was as if the Porcupine Warriors were not destined to score.

The hosts hit the woodwork, then after missed chances from Evans Quao, Ahmed Adams, Samuel Kyere, before the best opportunity of the first half fell the way of Bennett Ofori, but he failed to hit the back of the net.

Bechem United suffered 0-1 defeat in the first round against Kotoko at home, but they inflicted pain on Kotoko when they saw them off the FA Cup on penalties to reach the semi final.

Hence, revenge was on the minds of Kotoko, however, the visitors managed to walk away from Kumasi smiling with a point.

Kotoko Drop Points

Osei Certain Of Win Over United

Asante Kotoko coach Michael Osei is hopeful of a win in their game against Bechem United on Sunday at the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi.

Kotoko are 2nd with 31 points need a win to keep up the pressure on league leaders Wa All Stars.

Coach Osei who is still acting as an interim manager is sure of beating Bechem United.

“We consider the game very important, the three points matter to us, we will be doing everything to fight for it,” he said

The last time the two teams faced off was at the same when in an MTN FA Cup game which Bechem United won on penalties.

“That win they had was painful; very painful that we didn’t know what to do moments after the game.

“It broke our spirit for that moment but we have overcome the pain. We have to teach them a lesson on Sunday. There can’t be two ways about that. We have to beat them.”

Kotoko will be aiming for the fifth straight win at home in the league.

Osei Certain Of Win Over United

Kotoko Knocked Out Of FA Cup

A determined Bechem United stunned Asante Kotoko at the Baba Yara sports stadium in the quarter finals of the MTN FA Cup.

After 120 minutes of scintillating football, neither side could find winner and result had to he decided from the spot kicks.

Bechem were more accurate from 12 – yards, burying three of their five kicks, whilst Kotoko could only manage two.

The Porcupine Warriors had rallied from an early set-back from Yaw Arnol’s 6th minute goal to draw parity courtesy of Bennett Ofori.

The had an opportunity late on the game to win but Dauda Mohammed missed from the penalty spot with only 10 minutes to play.

Dauda Mohammed again missed during the penalty kicks, and Yaw Arnol sent the Bechem-based club to the last four of the competition.

Kotoko Knocked Out Of FA Cup

MTN FA Cup: Bechem United Defender Confident of Victory Over Kotoko

Bechem United defender, Richard Baffour is confident his side can cause an upset against Asante Kotoko in their MTN FA Cup quarter finals tie at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium this Sunday.

According to the 26-year old center, although the Porcupine Warriors are the favorites for the tie, his side will work hard to progress to the semi final.

In an exclusive interview with SportsCrusader.com on Wednesday, Baffour revealed that Bechem United have identified the potential threats in the Kotoko set up and are going to stop them on Sunday.

“Things are going better for us this time and I am sure we are going to beat Kotoko on Sunday”, he said.

” We are coming in for a win so we are approaching the game with metal toughness and hard work.

“We have watch them a lot of times and we are going to stop them this time round”, Baffour added.

The experienced defender also indicated that the arrival of new signing Alfred Nelson will motivate him to up his game.

“Nelson’s arrival will push me to work hard to maintain my place in the team.

“I wouldn’t have any problem if he is selected ahead of me do long as we continue to football matches. The progress of the team is what matters most for now”, Baffour noted.

With Nelson expected to be handed his Bechem United debut on Sunday, Richard Baffour will hope to line up along side the former Liberty Professionals Skipper as the Brong Ahafo based club eye a first ever major silverware.

MTN FA Cup: Bechem United Defender Confident of Victory Over Kotoko 

GPL Match Report: Aduana Stars 4-2 Bechem United

Aduana Stars got back to winning ways as they thrashed Bechem United in the Brong Ahafo Region derby by 4-goals to two at the Nana Agyemang Badu Park.

Top league scorer and ex Kumasi Asante Kotoko forward, Yahaya Mohammed continued his fine form in front of goal as he hit a brace to extend his goal tally to 11 goals.

CNN Sport Goal of the Week Award winner Bright Adjei also netted a double to consign Bechem United to their defeat of the season.

Bechem went into the game knowing any results than a win will see them drop into the relegation zone and the Bechem side did little to prevent a defeat to Aduana Stars who had a statement to make after losing in Match week 14.

could end the first round in the drop zone if they suffer defeat but there was little they could do to stop the Fire Boys.

Goals from Abednego Tetteh and Aminu Mohammed were just consolatory ones the first round of the week came to an end.

GPL Match Report: Aduana Stars 4-2 Bechem United

Toure Rubbish Bechem Reports

Former Asante Kotoko striker, Ahmed Toure has rubbished media reports that he is close to joining Bechem United.

For the past weeks, there have been series of reports stressing that the Burkinabe international has signed a two year deal with Ghana Premier League (GPL) ahead of the second round of games.

But Toure has dismissed those reports confirming that he has not signed any contract with Bechem United.

“I will not be returning to the Ghana League to play for Bechem United. I am not even aware of the interest,” Toure told Acrra based Happy FM.

“I am looking at other clubs and when the time is due the whole world will be aware.”

The 29 year-old forward last season in Kotoko shirt – he scored 15 goals in all competition.

Toure Rubbish Bechem Reports

GPL Report: Chelsea Win Derby

Berekum Chelsea ousted regional rivals Bechem United in the Brong Ahafo derby when the two sides met on match week 13 of the 2015-16 Ghana Premier League (GPL).

Karim Abedi scored the only goal five into the second half as Solomon Odwo’s men returnes to winning ways at the Golden City Park haven succumbed to league leaders, Hearts of Oak on Week 11.

Bechem United dominated the game from start to finish, but lacked the needed ingredient to turn their dominance to goals.

The first half ended with neither side finding the back of the net. There was urgency in both side’s play, and the home side drew the first and the only blood in the derby.

A ‘world class’ howler by Lawrence Osei paved the way and Chelsea took advantage courtesy of Karim Abedi.

Bechem huffed and puffed, but Chelsea held to end the day victorious.

 

GPL Report: Chelsea Win Derby

GPL Matchday 13 Preview: Berekum Chelsea v Bechem United

Berekum Chelsea who lost their four year unbeaten home record to Hearts of Oak in their last home game, will host Bechem United in a Brong Ahafo regional derby at the Golden City Park.

The Ghanaian Blues are eighth on the Ghana Premier League (GPL) table with 17 points after 12 games, and, will want to get back to winning ways having not won in their last three.

This regional derby should be one to savour for fans in Berekum as the two sides have sold out good games in the past, and, this should follow a similar pattern.

Chelsea will be favoured to collect the three points but, United will have something to say about that as they try to save their battling campaign.

Bechem United have not made any serious impact away from home, having lost five of the six away games, and, are 10^th on the table with 14 points.

Head-to-Head

24/07/15    Bechem United        2 – 1     Berekum Chelsea

11/02/15    Berekum Chelsea    4 – 2     Bechem United

19/03/14    Bechem United       0 – 0      Berekum Chelsea

10/11/13    Berekum Chelsea   1 – 0      Bechem United

28/03/12    Bechem United       0 – 0      Berekum Chelsea

03/12/11    Berekum Chelsea    1 – 1     Bechem United

GPL Matchday 13 Preview: Berekum Chelsea v Bechem United

GPL Report: Kotoko Pip Bechem United

A solitary goal courtesy of Frank Sarfo Gyamfi after 73 minutes in the Bechem against Bechem United, was enough to earn Asante Kotoko a hat trick of victories in their last three league matches.

The Porcupine Warriors started slowly in the game, and Bechem United pounced on every error, but failed to take advantage of their early dominance.

Neither side could bring the virginity of the game though the best chance fell the way of Abednego after Samuel Sekyere’s poor back pass. The 5.7t striker fluffed the chance  when he was one-to-one with Ernest Sowah.

Kotoko were better in the second half, winning all the 50-50 balls and were quick in the ball transition from defense to attack. Their persistence paid devidends as they won a Greek kick at the edge of the box. However, Sarfo Gyamfi flew his shot into the air.

Numerous chances followed, but Bennet Ofori and Obed Owusu lost their goal scoring boots. It took 73 minutes to break the deadlock, and it was beautifully done by Sarfo Gyamfi.

A perfect swinging corner was nodded on his path, and the volley was sumptuous.

Bechem United’s response to going behind was terrific but Kotoko held on to secure all points, and close the gap to the second place on the league log to 2 points.

GPL Report: Kotoko Pip Bechem United

GPL Match-Day 12 Preview: Kotoko Seek For Hat-Trick Of Wins In Bechem

A hundred percent success in the last two games against Ghana’s traditional clubs – Hearts of Oak and Ebusua Dwarfs respectively, is a morale booster as Kotoko raves for a place in the summit of the league log.

The Porcupine Warriors victories since Michael Osei took over the mantle of technical leadership from David Duncan often throw butterflies into the stomach of their faithfuls, and their journey to Bechem is one fans are optimistic about their chances, but they are also skeptical due to Bechem United’s superior home performance.

Kotoko have lost only one of their last five premier league matches under Michael Osei, but will be wary of the threat that will be posed by a United side to be led by their newly signed Portuguese coach, Manuel Zacarias.

In the last four matches between Asante Kotoko and Bechem United, the latter have won only one, and that victory was recorded on October 20, 2013 at the Nana Gyeabour Park.

Bechem United have recorded only one victory over Kotoko at home, and the recorded Premier League champions will be buoyed by previous successes chalked at the venue.

BECHEM UNITED FORM GUIDE (Last 5 matches)

Bechem United 2-0 Wa All Stars

Techiman City 2-0 Bechem United

Bechem United 2-0 WAFA

Ashanti Gold 0-0 Bechem United

RTU – 1 Bechem United

KOTOKO FORM GUIDE (last five matches)

Dreams 0-1 Asante Kotoko

Asante Kotoko 0-1 New Edubiase

Hearts of Oak 0-1 Asante Kotoko

Asante Kotoko 3-0 Ebusua Dwarfs

Storm Academy 0-0 Asante Kotoko (3-5 penalties)

Head-to-Head

Bechem United 1-0 Asante Kotoko (20.10.13)

Asante Kotoko 2-1 Bechem United (06.04.14)

Bechem United 1-3 Asante Kotoko (22.03.15)

Asante Kotoko 2-1 Bechem United (28.06.15).

 

GPL Match-Day 12 Preview: Kotoko Seek For Hat-Trick Of Wins In Bechem

Tetteh Blames Red Card For Loss

West Africa Football Academy winger, Samuel Tetteh has blamed their 2-0 defeat to Bechem United due to Kennedy Boateng’s early sending-off.

Boating was shown the exit after he pulled down a Bechem United player in the penalty box which was expertly converted by midfielder Aminu Mohammed.

Striker Patrick Afriyie scored again to make it 2-0 to put the game beyond the Sogakope-based side’s reach.

Tetteh said after the game that they were undone by the dismissal of Boateng and that the team was unlucky.

He noted that the poor away results churned by the club is due to countless problems.

“It was a good game. We intended grabbing the maximum three points or a point at least but we were unlucky. The red card we had changed the game entirely,” Tetteh said.

“It is not easy to get good results away from home in football and we find it difficult to impose our play due to the condition of away pitches, not ruling out bad officiating at times.

“We were affected by the red card because it changed our game plan. It came early and we had to adjust our tactics and play to suit 10 men,” Tetteh explained.

WAFA lie eighth on the Ghana Premier League table with 14 points after 10 rounds of matches.

Tetteh Blames Red Card For Loss

Nathaniel Asamoah Set For Bechem United Switch

Former Medeama SC and Kotoko center forward Nathaniel Asamoah is set for a switch to Bechem United ahead of the second round of the 2016 GPL.

The 26 year old left the shores of the country for a trip to Morocco with Raja Casablanca but has since parted ways with the North Africans after a torrid time with the embattled Moroccans.

Asamoah led the 2014/15 FCPPL goal king chart with 18 strikes before joining the exodus bus en route to Raja.

Information spotted by sportscrusader.com however hinted at an imminent return to the domestic scene by the revered centre forward ahead of the start of the second round of the GPL.

The former Wa All Stars goal poacher came close to sealing deals with a number of premier league sides on transfer deadline day but missed out due to differences in contractual agreement.

His arrival will boost the attacking department of Bechem United as they battle for premier league sustenance at the end of the season.

Asamoah missed most of the second half of last season for Medeama SC but still managed an impressive 18 goals and just one behind Kofi Owusu, the eventual winner of the golden boot.

Asamoah could be joined by former Bechem United Ernest Baffle who has since returned from his Saudi Arabia loan spell.

Nathaniel Asamoah Set For Bechem United Switch

Wafa Poor Form Not Tactical

West Africa Football Academy (WAFA), coach John Killa has shirked responsibility for consistent poor away results in the Ghana Premier League.

The Dutchman’s continuously altered side lost 2-0 to Bechem United on Sunday, as they continue to find a remedy to their poor away form at the Red Bull Arena in Ghana’s elite division.

He is of the opinion that player faults have played a major role to WAFA SC’s disappointing travels.

Speaking after the game, the coach who saw his 10-man team, lose again in an away game feels they were less expectant of a red card so early in the game and that changed the game.

“Our preparations before the game was not what we expected and the red card as well, but when the red card came, it was a mistake.

“We received a penalty in addition to the red card and at that moment, I had to reorganize the team. I think the boys did well especially in the last 10 minutes of the first half, where we created some free kicks, but the game was changing and you have to organize your team very well if you are playing with 10 men,” John Killa said in a post-match interview.

“We were waiting for the equalizer in the second half, because we knew that we had some chances between the second half only to see a poor marking from a free kick by our right defender giving us away,” Killa added.

Wafa Poor Form Not Tactical