Hearts To Miss Five Players For Dwarfs Game

Premier club, Accra Hearts of Oak are set to miss five players for their matchday 28 fixture of the Ghana Premier League (GPL) encounter with Ebusua Dwarfs at the Accra sports Stadium on Sunday.

Cosmos Dauda, Robin Gnagne, Richard Yamoah, Eric Kumi, and Ashitey Ollenu all have various degrees of injury and are set to sit out the game.

Hearts’ top marksman, Cosmos Dauda has not recovred from the ankle injury he picked up against Techiman City.

Captain Robin Gnagne and Richard Yamoah have started training but are not in good enough shape to play on Sunday.

Eric Kumi is recovering from malaria with Ashitey Ollenu also not well as Hearts head into the first of their remaining three games of the season.

The Phobians are six points behind the leaders Wa All Stars and will need to win all their remaining games to stand in with a chance of winning the premier league title.

Hearts To Miss Five Players For Dwarfs Game

Kotoko Back To Training Ahead Of Hearts Game After Dwarfs Humiliation

Kumasi Asante Kotoko returned to training on Thursday morning after their heavy 4-1 alienation against Ebusua Dwarfs on Wednesday in their Match-Day 20 Ghana Premier League (GPL) encounter played in Cape Coast.

They have started their preparations for Sunday’s big clash with arch rivals Accra Hearts of Oak at the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi knowing they cannot afford to lose guard ahead of this clash.

The entire playing body reported to work at their Adako Jachie training ground under acting coach Michael Osei who has come in for some heavy criticism following a run of poor results lately.

The Porcupines have not won in the GPL in their last three games and the defeat to Dwarfs at the Robert Mensah Stadium in Cape Coast was their biggest in the league in recent seasons.

They have dropped to fourth on the table from their previous second position, and trail the leaders Hearts of Oak incidentally the side they face on Sunday by five points.

Pressure is on Coach Osei and his technical staff to produce a result in this game, and they know they have to quickly put this latest setback behind them and look up to the Hearts of Oak game on Sunday.

The former Ghana international will continue to prepare his charges for the rest of the week and hope that on match-day, they will rise up to the task in a game they know they cannot afford to drop points if their hopes of winning the ultimate at the end of the season is to be sustained.

Kotoko Back To Training Ahead Of Hearts Game After Dwarfs Humiliation

We Were Determined To Beat Kotoko – Bright Luqman

Ebusua Dwarfs top marksman Bright Luqman has said they were determined to take all three points in their Match-Day 20 Ghana Premier League (GPL) game with Kumasi Asante Kotoko on Wednesday.

The Abontoa Abontoa Boys handed the Porcupines their heaviest defeat of the season with a 4-1 thrashing at the Robert Mensah Stadium in Cape Coast to jump out of the relegation zone.

And Luqman who scored a brace on the day, said his outfit were highly charged up going into this game and, was not surprised with the outcome.

“Before the game, we told ourselves about the importance of winning this one and, the boys responded in great fashion to hand us the three points”, he said after the game.

“We hope to draw positives from this one and, I believe we can put a few results together take will take us out of trouble and put us in a good position on the table”, he added.

The win helped Dwarfs jump to 11^th on the table from the previous 14^th position. They have 23 points from the 20 games they have played and will look to build on this in their subsequent games.

Dwarfs will next play defending champions AshantiGold SC at the Len Clay Stadium in Obuasi on Saturday when the GPL’s Match-Day 21 games are cleared this weekend.

We Were Determined To Beat Kotoko – Bright Luqman

Dwarfs Coach Confident Of Survival

Newly  appointed Head of struggling Ebusua Dwarfs, Prosper Nartey is confident about his side’s chances of survival despite despite their faltering start to the 2015/2016 Ghana Premier League campaign.

The Cape Coast based side came from behind to beat Aduana Stars 2-1 at the Robert Mensah Sports Stadium on Wednesday with goals coming from Bright Luqman and Nicholas Gyan.

And speaking to the press after the game, Prosper Nartey,  who was brought in to replace veteran trainer Yaw Sarpong, praised his side’s impressive showing.

“If we are able to keep such performances, then we are likely to move from the bottom of the table and stay in the league”, Nartey noted.

Dwarfs are currently lying 15th on the 16-club League log with 13 point after 14 games.

The final game of the Round will be against Liberty Professionals at the Dansoman Carle Reindoff Park on Sunday

Dwarfs Coach Confident  Of Survival

GPL Report: Dwarfs End Aduana Six Games Unbeaten Run

Ebusua Dwarfs exorcised the ghost which has haunted them for the past five week to secure their first win under Prosper Nartey.

The Abontoa Abontoa boys returned to winning ways, as they handed Aduana Stars a 2-1 defeat at the Cape Coast Robert Mensah Sports Stadium on match day 14 of the Ghana Premier League (GPL).

Aduana Stars prior to this game had won 5 of their last 6 games, while Dwarfs were still searching for a win in 5 games since their last win over Techiman Citast month.

The Dormaa lads shot into the lead during the 2 minutes of added time in the first half through Richard Mpong.

However, Ebusua Dwarfs staged a sensational comeback in the second half to win the game by two goals to one courtesy of Bright Lukman, the topscorer of the GN Division League last season and Nicholas Gyan goals.

The win moved them a step above the last slot on the league with only a game to end the first round.

GPL Report: Dwarfs End Aduana Six Games Unbeaten Run

GPL Matchday 13 Preview: Sekondi Hasaacas v Ebusua Dwarfs

Sekondi Hasaacas will host bottom club Ebusua Dwarfs at the Sekondi Stadium at Essipong in a game they will look to win after losing their last encounter to Hearts of Oak in Accra.

Hasaacas are 13^th on the Ghana Premier League (GPL) table with 13 points all of which have come on home soil as they have found the competition very tough going on the road.

They will hope to add to that number on Sunday when they host the leagues bottom side in a game they are favourites to win.

Dwarfs have been very disappointing upon their return to the top-flight and, unless they improve, will go down again to Division One at the end of the campaign.

They have picked just one point from their away games, and, have won just two games all season, losing six with four drawn games.

It will be a difficult game for the away side as Hasaacas will be out to exploit the weaknesses in the Dwarfs team in front of their fans.

Match Officials

REF: Timothy Obuobisa

ASST 1: Eric O. Mensah

ASST 2: Freeman Anwulo

4TH REF: Ebenezer Amo

MC: Ofori Antwi

GPL Matchday 13 Preview: Sekondi Hasaacas v Ebusua Dwarfs

Sarpong Paid His Dues - Dwarfs

Despite ending their relationship the veteran coach Joseph E. Sarpong abruptly, Ebusua Dwarfs have praised the output of the coach.

Sarpong, who qualified the team to the Premier League, was relieved off his post last week after a rather poor start to the season which saw the Cape Coast-based side languishing at the bottom of the league log.

The Board and Management after a meeting last Monday parted ways with Coach Sarpong, and brought on Prosper Nartey, a lecturer at the University of Cape Coast.

“Football is dynamic and changes might come from every corner of its administration,” Technical Director of the club, John Ansah said.

“The technical head, if he has been replaced, tells you that things are not going the way Management and the Board expect it to go,” he added.

“But I won’t take anything from Coach Sarpong, he has done his bit but in marriage it gets to a point you cannot even continue the marriage, you are better off being separated, we have gotten somewhere and then he can also look out for new challenges,” he said.

Sarpong Paid His Dues - Dwarfs

I Enjoyed Working At Dwarfs - Sarpong

Former Ebusua Dwarfs coach – Joseph E. Sarpong says he has come to terms with the management of his former club’s decision to part ways with him.

The outspoken coach guided Dwarfs from Division One soccer to the Premier Division last year, but life in the top-tier league has not been favorable to the Crabs – 2 wins, 3 ties, 6 defeats for a meager total of 9 points from eleven games and the bottommost spot on the PL ladder – forced the team’s brass to relieve him of his job.

Reacting to the decision to let him go, he told the Daily Graphic that he bore the team and management no ill will or grudge.

“I bear nobody any grudge. They gave me an opportunity and I enjoyed a good working relationship with them,” he revealed.

According to Coach Sarpong, despite the short notice he deemed it as an opportunity to move on to seek fresh challenges elsewhere.

“The coaching job is like that. I thank the management, board and supporters of Dwarfs for their support during the period I worked with them.”

Coach Sarpong will continue to draw his salary for the next three months and any bonuses owed him by the club.

Dwarfs’ management on their part wished the veteran Coach success in his next endeavors.

Credit: Graphic sports

I Enjoyed Working At Dwarfs - Sarpong

Dwarfs Coach Reveals Target

Ebusua Dwarfs new coach, Prosper Nartey says his target for the club is to maintain the club’s premier league status.

Mr. Nartey, lecturer at the University of Cape Coast, was appointed on Thursday to succeed veteran coach, JE Sarpong who was sacked on Monday.

Nartey takes over a team which are s currently at the bottom of the league table with 19 league matches to end the season, and he has set an immediate target for the team.

“I know there is pressure at Dwarfs and it is because in football and in coaching you can’t do without pressure,” Mr. Nartey said on Asempa FM

“My aim is to help the team out of the relegation zone. We thank God that the first round has not ended yet, we have more matches to play.

“I will meet with the management and the technical team to see how we can get out of the relegation zone; that’s our major target.” He said

On whether he knows the team well to achieve his goais, Nartey said:

“I wasn’t an insider. I watched their some of their matches but I cannot give me a clue on what will move the team forward. I will be able to tell what the team needs when I meet the players and other officials.

“For now, i can’t pinpoint the major challenges of the team that has prevented the team from performing.” He noted.

Dwarfs Coach Reveals Target

We Were Second Best - Coach Sarpong

Joseph E. Sarpong, head coach of Ebusua Dwarfs, has admitted that his side were second best in their 0-3 loss to Kumasi Asante Kotoko on Sunday.

The Abontoa Abontoa boys were awful at both ends of the pitch and were duly punished for their failure to rise to the occasion.

Kotoko took advantage and scored an early goal through Dauda Mohammed before Frank Sarfo Gyamfi doubled Kotoko’s lead in added time of the first half.

The final nail was hit on Coach Sarpong’s side late into the game courtesy a  Dauda Mohammed effort, his second and Kotoko’s third of the game.

And the former Great Olympics boss heaped praises on the Porcupine Warriors.

“I think Kotoko did very well and I will not take that away from them, for a team that went away to beat a traditional rival (Hearts of Oak), they were very confident heading into this game,”he said.

“And coupled with all the promises, we knew we were coming to play a very difficult match because they are well motivated and they also want to climb to the apex of the league,”  he  added.

“We are also struggling down there, but I think in terms of intensity and transition in the game, I think Kotoko were ahead,” Sarpong told the press after the game.

Sarpong also blamed his players for some of the goals they conceded.

“Players carelessness might have caused some goals that were avoidable, but this is football,” he noted.

We Were Second Best - Coach Sarpong

GPL Report: Dauda Mohammed Lead Kotoko To Victory

Asante Kotoko’s young striker, Dauda Mohammed scored twice as the Porcupine Warriors defeated Ebuasu Dwarfs 3-0 on match Week 11 of the 2015-16 Ghana Premier League (GPL).

The record league champions began the game on bright note to write the wrongs that denied them victory against New Edubiase in their last outing before their fans at the Baba Yara stadium.

The huffed and puffed, but it took them 18 minutes to find the breakthrough needed to calm nerves at the technical bench and the sparse spectators at the stadium.

A fantastic combination between Dauda and Nyarko on the final third of the pitch, saw the former finishing off brilliantly and the fans went frenzy. The early minutes of pressure yielded positive fruits.

Dwarfs struggled to contain Kotoko’s heat, but were able to hold on until added time in the first half. Dwarfs paid dearly for lack of communication in the box and Sarfo Gyamfi capitalised on a defensive mix-up to cushion Kotoko’s advantage, placing the ball through the legs of helpless Frank Andoh.

Dwarfs returned to the second half more determined and piled forward to reduce the deficit and get back into the game.

However, Kotoko were first to threaten. Dauda Mohammed found Burkinabe impitt Halipha deep inside the goal area all alone. With the goalie beaten, Halipha shockingly shoots wide.

Numerous of chances followed, but the Porcupine Warriors were too awful to make them count.

At the other end of the pitch, Ohene Brenya, making his debut this season, was adjudged to have brought down Agban in the box by E.R Binney.

Gilbert Fiamenyo took responsibility but failed to beat Ernest Sowah from 12 yards.

Dauda Mohammed made it 3 for Kotoko after 81 minutes. Ahmed Adams supplied him a perfectly lobbed ball. His first strike on goal was saved but he swiftly connects the rebound to seal victory for Michael Osei who has been the lubricant since his boss, David Duncan was asked to step aside until further notice.

GPL Report: Dauda Mohammed Lead Kotoko To Victory

Bonney Joins Dwarfs

Former Kumasi Asante Kotoko defender,  Chistopher Bonney has made a return to Ghana Premier League (GPL), after a failed trial in Hungary.

Bonney, according to Sportscrusader checks, completed his move to his former side, Ebusua Dwarfs on Friday.

Ebusua Dwarfs were unable to register him for the weekend games, but the Cape Coast-based club is confident of registering him before Week 12 of the ongoing season.

Bonney becomes the 4th player to join the 1966 GPL champions after Agya Fuseini, Ricky Adjei Mensah, and Gilbert Fiamenyo.

Christopher Bonney left Asante Kotoko in January this year for a trial with Ujpest FC in in Hungary.

Bonney Joins Dwarfs

Fiamenyo Confirms Dwarfs Talks

Former Hearts of Oak striker, Gilbert Fiamenyo has confirmed he is close to joining Ebusua Dwarfs.

The former Heart Of Lions striker failed to reach an agreement with the Phobians after the expiration of his contract last season, and, a deal in Indonesia also failed to materialise.

The potbelly striker also had a stint in Malaysia, but it was unsuccessful, and he returned to Ghana last week to strike a deal with J.E Sarpong’s side.

According to him, the deal is 98% done and he will soon be part of the Dwarfs family.

“I am currently in talks with Dwarfs and everything is moving on smoothly,” Fiamenyo told Accra based Happy FM.

“I can say that its about 98% done but in football everything is possible. Dwarfs is a big club with a lot of potential so I am really delighted with the progress,” he said.

Dwarfs are currently at the foot of the Ghana Premier League table and his acquisition would be a boost for the chances of the team maintaining their Premier League status.

Fiamenyo Confirms Dwarfs Talks

Dwarfs Rate GPL Stay Ahead Of Cup Glory

Struggling Ghana Premier League side, Ebusua Dwarfs will not accept Domestic cup glory at the expense of top flight football next season.

The Cape Coast based side have had a poor start to the 2015/2016 campaign, recording just one victory in the league with their other victory coming in the MTN FA cup.

Dwarfs are in cup action this Sunday away at regional rivals Elmina Sharks at the Dr. Nduom Sports Complex.

And ahead of the game, Public Relations Officer of Dwarfs, Paul Adjetey in an exclusive interview with SportsCrusader.com indicated that, although his side is going for the win on Sunday, their main aim for the season is Premier League survival.

According to him, winning the cup does not guarantee Premier League life line and focus on it can cause the team.

Adjetey also expressed delight that Dwarfs are progressively improving and it us just a matter of time before they start to get results.

Dwarfs would next face fellow newly Promoted side Techiman City at the Robert Mensah Stadium in Cape Coast on Match Day eight of the Ghana Premier League.

Dwarfs Rate GPL Stay Ahead Of Cup Glory

Dwarfs Players Launch Operation 9 Points

The playing body of newly promoted Ghanaian Top Flight side, Ebusua Dwarfs, has set their sight on winning their next three league games to enhance their chances of surviving in the league.

The Cape Coast based has had a rough start to life in the Ghana Premier League following their promotion from the GN Bank Division One League at the end of last season.

Dwarfs are currently bottom of the league log with 5 points, after seven rounds of matches and in their quest to bounce back from that slump; the playing body have set a target of three straight wins to start with.

In an exclusive interview with SportsCrusader.com on Thursday, Public Relations Officer of the club, Mr. Paul Adjetey revealed that Dwarfs’ players are not happy with the club’s position on the log and have set a three game target.

“Interestingly, after our match in Wa, there was an emergency meeting because of an experience we had. We had a break down and we had to stay in Bole. There was an immediate meeting between the playing body, technical team and management”, he said.

“And I can assure you that the boys are committed and they are saying Operation nine points. They are desirous and determined to collect the nine points at stake in our next three matches.

“Playing Techiman City at home, playing WAFA in Sogakope and playing Ashgold in Cape Coast. And we as management are putting everything together and we will give them the necessary support and everything that will make them achieve their target”, Paul Adjetey added.

Dwarfs Players Launch Operation 9 Points

MTN FA Cup: Dwarfs Talking Tough Ahead Of Sharks’ Clash

Ghana Premier League new comers, Ebusua Dwarfs will seek to continue their dominance over Division One League side Elmina Sharks, when the two sides renew their regional rivalry in the MTN FA Cup this weekend.

Sharks will host Dwarfs in the Round of 32 of the MTN FA Cup at the Dr. Nduom Sports Complex in Elmina, on Sunday afternoon.

Ebusua Dwarfs recorded a home win and an away draw against the Elmina based side in last season’s GN Bank Division One league, beating Sharks to the only qualification slot to the Ghana Premier League at the end of the season.

And Speaking ahead of the two side’s first meeting this season, Public Relation Officer of Ebusua Dwarfs, Mr. Paul Adjetey expressed confidence that his side will eliminate their regional rivals from the MTN FA Cup.

“Come this Sunday we are playing with Sharks. No matter our performance presently, I don’t think Sharks can ever beat us. We are going to beat them in Elmina”, Paul Adjetey told SportsCrusader.com exclusively.

Ebusua Dwarfs reached the round of 32 of the 2015/2016 MTN FA Cup after beating another Division One side Eleven Wise in the previous round.

Elmina Sharks beat Astronomers on Wednesday in their outstanding Round of 64 fixture.

MTN FA Cup: Dwarfs Talking Tough Ahead Of Sharks’ Clash

MTN FA Cup: Dwarfs Defender Hails Wise Determination

Following his side’s 1-0 victory against Division One League club Eleven Wise, Ebusua Dwarfs defender, Yussif Ayoma has praised the determination of the Sekondi based side despite exiting the competition.

Striker Bright Luqman scored the only goal of the game as the Cape Coast based Premier League outfit progress to the round of 32 of the 2015/2016 MTN FA Cup.

But Speaking in an exclusive interview with SportsCrusader.com after the game, Ayoma who played the full throttle of the game was full of praise for the losing side for their gallant showing.

“It was not easy because they [Eleven Wise] played with a lot of determination. It is always not easy to play a lower tier side because they are always more determined” he said.

“But we did well as a team. We talked to each other and we made it. That is the most important”, the former Liberty Professionals right back added.

The young defender also expressed hope that the win against Wise will propel Dwarfs to higher height as they look to bring their Premier League campaign back on track.

Dwarfs are currently bottom of the Ghana Premier League table after accumulating just 2 points in their first five games of the campaign.

MTN FA Cup: Dwarfs Defender Hails Wise Determination

J.E Sarpong Won"t Blame Referees For Defeat

Head coach of Ebusua Dwarfs, J. E Sarpong prefers to take positives from his sides loss on Wednesday against Medeama, instead of blaming referees.

The Abontobontoa boys suffered a 2-1 in their outstanding 2015/16 Ghana Premier League game against Medeama SC at the Tarkwa T & A Park.

It is alleged that the referee’s calls were questionable, but coach Sarpong prefer what his players did than apportion blame on the referee.

“We played very well today especially in defence but I don’t want to complain about the referee,” Sarpong told Accra-based radio station, Happy FM

“I will concentrate on my team because we played very well in some section of the game and that is where we have to look up to. We will pick the positives from the game and move on.” he added.

Ebusua Dwarfs is yet to record a win after five Ghana Premier League matches.

J.E Sarpong Won"t Blame Referees For Defeat

Lukman Predicts Bright Future For Ebusua Dwarfs

Ebusua Dwarfs centre forward Bright Lukman has envisaged a very bright future for his beleaguered side despite their dreadful start to the campaign on the domestic scene.

The prolific forward has hinted at a new lease in life in the team after halting a run of two successive defeats with a deserved point at home to Accra Hearts of Oak.

The 30-goal forward expressed their readiness to readiness to build on the firts point earned to confirm their division one form on the top flight.

Dwarfs stormed the second tier league in a grand style to book their place in the 2016 GPL, but has since struggled for with two successive defeats to Dreams FC and New Edubiase.

Lukman, who topped the scoring chart for the entire nation across the division II, I and the premier league, is yet to hit the ground running but has predicted a bright future reminiscent to their division one form soon.

“Our poor start to the season hasn’t affected us in anyway.

“It is something that happens to every good thing with a very bright preseason.

“We are working hard as a team and with determination we will maintain our premier league status at the end of the season.

“I am not surprised by our form but we are ready for any opponent now”, Bright told sports crusader.

Lukman Predicts Bright Future For Ebusua Dwarfs

GPL Preview: Ebusua Dwarfs v Hearts of Oak

Ebusua Dwarfs will look for their first win of the season when they host Accra Hearts of Oak at the Robert Mensah Stadium in Cape Coast on Sunday.

This will be one of the eight match-day three Ghana Premier League (GPL) fixtures that will be played this weekend as the competition gathers momentum.

Dwarfs have made a poor start to the season, losing their opening two games and could suffer another defeat if they are not careful.

Coach Joseph E. Sarpong has served notice that he could call it quits if results and performances do not improve and, his departure could be confirmed this weekend.

Hearts of Oak have looked impressive in winning their opening two games and could add a third against a Dwarfs side the has failed to show the promise they exhibited in qualifying to the elite division from the second tier league.

Coach Yatsuhashi of Hearts of Oak said in the lead up to this game that they will not underrate the opposition, and, his team looks poised to collect all three points on Sunday unless Dwarfs proves otherwise.

Hearts have not lost to Dwarfs in their last three games; winning two and drawing the other, and, the confidence in their camp could swing the game in their favour on Sunday.

Match Officials:

Referee: William Agbovi

Asst 1: Tetteh Effah

Asst 2: Alex Anning

Fourth Official: Timothy Obuobisa

GPL Preview: Ebusua Dwarfs v Hearts of Oak