Referees Will Excel In GPL

L .O Laryea, former chairman of the Referees Association of Ghana (RAG), has assured football loving fans of the Ghana Premier League (GPL) excellent officiating from the selected referees for the upcoming 2015/16 season.

 

 

Ghanaian referees have been brandished names for been incompetent and accept bribes to influence matches.

During the 2014/15 First Capital Plus Premier League (FCPPL) season there were pick pocket of incidence where referees were deemed to have accepted money to influence games.

 

Recently in season curtain raiser – the super clash between League champions Ashgold and Fa cup winners, Medeama the Miner’s accused referee David Lartey of bad officiating after a goal was denied.

 

The former FIFA referee and head of the referees association of Ghana, referees are fallible like all human but that can’t be used as an excuse.

 

“In the 2014/15 season the referees performed better and proved many critics wrong and it’s based on this I assure all fans and premier league clubs of an even better officiating in new season”, he said.

 

The RAG are currently finalising an arrangement to organise a two-week refresher course for the 40-selected referees and 40-assistants as they prepare for the upcoming season.

Referees Will Excel In GPL

Kenichi"s Coaching Licence Is Fine - Hearts

Accra Hearts of Oak have rubbished media reports claiming the Club’s head coach coaching certificate doesn’t match up to the required licence A certificate.

 

 

The FA under the FIFA club licensing rule has instructed all clubs to ensure coaches have the licence A certificate or it’s equivalent else the culprit won’t be allowed to manage in the Ghana premier league.

 

Hearts’ Japanese-American coach has been reported to have a less qualified certificate to manage in the league but the club has debunked those claims.

 

Speaking in an interview with Kumasi based, Boss Fm, the Club’s public relations officer, Opare Addo said,  “the FA as part of the FIFA club licensing rule have requested from all clubs documents on their officials and not just Hearts alone. Kenichi’s coaching licence hasn’t been queried and that signifies the FA see nothing wrong with it. ”

 

 

“The Coaches certificate matches up to the CAF/GFA licensing certificate A which is the required certificate to coach in the Ghana premier league,” he added.

 

Coach Keni will lead Hearts to mark his debut in the premier league against New Edubiase when the league commences on February 20.

Kenichi"s Coaching Licence Is Fine - Hearts

Assurance: The League Will Start As Scheduled - GFA Emergency Committee

The Ethics committee of the Ghana Football Association (GFA) on Wednesday ruled on the bribery allegation involving Techiman City and Wa Africa United during the 2014/15 GN Bank Division One League and the verdict read both teams are immediately demoted to division two.

 

 

Many football fans and journalist since the publication of the ruling have questioned whether the league will commence on the scheduled date of February 20. Upon the announcement of the league starting on the said date skeptics doubted it will believing past incidences as reasons why they have that feeling.

 

Techiman City have vouched to fight their demotion case even as far as with the court of arbitration for sports (CAS). The GFA announced after the ethics committee ruling that nothing has changed in relation to the 2015/16 premier league calendar.

But Eddie Doku, a member of the 5-man emergency committee of the GFA has quashed those claiming to know how many teams will be involved in the league and has asked football loving fans to remain calm as the committee finds a solution to the case and pave way for the commencement of the league.

 

He said, “we have got rules and regulations that govern everything football at the GFA and with the FA president a lawyer we are always guided to make the right decisions and not contradicting the law. ‘The adjudicating body have ruled on the bribery issue and per our rules we (the emergency committee) can’t rule against the decision and this means the rulings binds everyone in football.”

“We cannot, will not and are not in a position to move forward until a number days and per our rules the affected party has a number of days to react and after then the emergency committee can issue a statement on the number of clubs that will compete in the 2015/16 Ghana premier league season until then no one can mention the number of teams either 15/16 will play in the league,” he added.

Assurance: The League Will Start As Scheduled - GFA Emergency Committee

Wa All stars Reveal League Failure

Wa All stars have revealed reasons behind their inconsistent form shown in the Ghana Premier League (GPL) since they qualified from the first division.

 

 

The club owned by the Ghana Football Association (GFA) president, Kwesi Nyantakyi has failed to place in the top four and the Wa based club’s best league placement was in the 2013/14 season when they finished the league in 8th place.

 

Oduro Nyarko, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the club has revealed why the side start every league season they’ve been involved so well but end disappointing both fans.

 

He said, “Our geographical location does not favour us as we get travel more distance than any other side in the Ghana premier league. The first 5-games in the opening league fixtures for the 2015/16 sees us travel to Kpando to play Heart of Lions then play Kotoko in mid-week at home. After the Kotoko game we play Accra Hearts of Oak then travel to Tarkwa to play Medeama SC.”

 

“Look at the distance we would have travelled for the 5-games about 5000-10000km and this makes our team lose their fire power. We start well then the latter part of the game we lose form as the players like all mortals get tired and that tells in the final league table,” he added.

 

 

Wa All stars finished the First Capital Plus Ghana Premier League (FCPPL) 2014/15 season in 9th place with 41-points just one above the relegation zone.

Wa All stars Reveal League Failure

We"re Ready To Replace Demoted Techiman City - RTU

On Wednesday night the ruling on one of arguably Ghana football’s longest legal tussle involving a bribery allegation was brought to a conclusion by the Ethics committee of the Ghana Football Association (GFA) headed by vice Chairman, Felix Anyinsan. Techiman City and Wa Africa United were both found guilty of giving and accepting bribe respectively to play a match of convenience.

 

 

The Chief Executive Officer of Wa African United, Nana Gyamerah Kwabena Yiakwan II, informed the GFA that the match between the two sides – Wa African United FC and Techiman City FC in the 2014/15 GN Bank Division One League Week 22 match played at the Damongo Park was a pre-arranged game.

 

Wa African United further alleged that they were given GH¢2,000.00 (Two Thousand Ghana Cedis) by Techiman City FC as well as other payments for agreeing to play a match of convenience.

The President Charles Kwadwo Ntim also known as Micky Charles has vehemently denied the allegations and with the ruling of demotion against his club has threatened to pursue the case to its latter end.

 

Real Tamale united (RTU) team manager, Mohammed Iddi has reiterated the club’s readiness to replace the demoted Techiman based club after finishing second in Zone 3 of the 2014/15 GN Bank division one season.

Speaking in an interview to Kumasi based Boss fm 93.7, Iddi said, “The Ghana Football Association (GFA) alone can confirm with the laws of the game which team – Real Tamale United or Berekum Arsenal replaces demoted Techiman City. For now we will like to keep mute on it and wait for the Football Association come out officially on who plays in the premier league.”

 

“Before player and club registration deadline day, the GFA organised a forum for the clubs and asked clubs to register as their current status reads and will make the necessary decision based on the ruling involving the Techiman city and Wa Africa united bribery case. RTU as a club complied and registered as a division one club but we’re equally prepared for premier league football should the FA rule state we do,” he added.

 

Berekum Arsenal finished third in zone 3 and according to the clubs general secretary, Douglas Effah are the right club to be reinstated due to better head-to-head against RTU.

We"re Ready To Replace Demoted Techiman City - RTU

Revelation: I Don" Regret Coaching Hearts But ...

Ghana Football Association technical director, Francis Oti Akenteng has revealed his time at Hearts as the Head coach will forever remain a memorable no matter treatment was melted out towards him.

 

Accra Hearts of Oak Sporting Club terminated the appointment of head coach, Francis Oti-Akenteng, n 2006, citing uninspiring and unsatisfactory performance as the reason for the decision made.

 

Coach Oti-Akenteng joined Hearts in December 2005 and led Hearts to annex the Ghana League Clubs Association (GHALCA) and Professional League Board (PLB) Top Four and Special Knock-Out competitions respectively but failed to translate such achievements unto the continental level.

 

 

Hearts lost their maiden game in the CAF/MTN Champions League 2-0 against Enyimba International of Nigeria at home and followed with a humiliating 3-0 defeat by Asec Mimosas in their second away game in Abidjan over the weekend.

 

Oti Akenteng who now is the Ghana Football Association – technical director and also a Confederation of African Football (CAF) instructor explained though he was treated unfairly with the termination of his contract but he loved every bit of time he spent with the Phobians.

 

 

In an interview sportscrusader.com, Oti Akenteng said, “I don’t regret ever taking up the job to coach Accra Hearts of Oak. Honestly I don’t regret at all. It’s always a pleasure to work with any other team. I have coached Okwahu united, All Blacks, Ashgold and so man more teams but at Hearts I learnt so many things both positive and negative and that has toughened me and is a reason why I will never regret coaching Hearts.”

 

“Nii Ayi Bonte II, TT Brothers, Alhaji Hearts, Frank Nelson and so many other management members made my stint with Hearts a memorable and enjoyable one,” he added.

 

 

The former Swedru All Blacks and Obuasi Ashgold coach is currently leading a coaching course in Kumasi for coaches with CAF/GFA license B certificate or its equivalence as they upgrade to license A.

Revelation: I Don" Regret Coaching Hearts But ...

Sue The GFA And Get Expelled! - Malik Jabir

Former Kumasi Asante Kotoko coach and player, Malik Jabir has called on the Ghana football Association (GFA) to find a stiff punishment for clubs that tend to delay and halt the league with court cases.

 

Ghanaian clubs often implore all the legal options available to them when an a disciplinary case has been reviewed and the verdict has not gone their way. The 2014/15 premier league season was delayed as owner and bank-roller of Kumasi based club, King Faisal, Alhaji Grunsah felt the FA treated his club unfairly and accused GFA of having a hand in their relegation – the issue is still in court and yet to be reviewed.

 

 

The 2015/16 has equally started late due to a bribery allegation scandal involving Techiman City and Wa Africa united with the former club accused of receiving an amount of Ghc2000 to play a fixed game that will enable Wa Africa united stay in the division one league.

 

In an interview with Boss fm 93.7, Malik Jabir with his vast experience in Ghanaian football said, “The Ghana football association should just ignore teams that sue the FA. Football has nothing to do with court cases so everyone who feels a case did not go their way so the next option is the judiciary then there will be no need for matches to even be played.”

 

“There should be a policy that will ensue teams that sue the FA are expelled from the club and that will be a language they will surely understand,” he added.

 

The Ghana premier league is scheduled to commence on February 20 but Wa Africa united, Berekum Arsenal and Real Tamale united lawyer Obiri Boahen’s has threatened to serve the GFA with a court injunction should the league start.

Sue The GFA And Get Expelled! - Malik Jabir

Ghanaian Footballers Asked To Use Kit Else ... - Doctor

An ankle injury is a condition where the ligaments of the ankle or tendons of the ankle get pinched or compressed and this causes pain, swelling and inflammation. The cause can be an injury where the ankle has been overstretched or over-flexed according to e-painassist.com, a sports website.

 

Some Ghanaian footballers in the local league are noted for playing football matches without their protective gears.

Injuries that are avoidable have hit Ghanaian players due to their ignorance and also the poor nature of the playing pitches at some league centres.

 

Most stadia are owned by the clubs who are quite often financially insufficient and as a result fail to see reason why they should maintain a level playing surface when they can barely administer the day-to-day activities of the club. Kumasi Asante Kotoko team doctor, has revealed a solution to what he terms ‘an avoidable injury’ suffered by players in the domestic game.

 

Speaking in an interview with Kumasi based radio, Boss fm, Dr. Kwaku Boateng Arthur said, “our pitches here in Ghana are uneven unlike it is in Europe or developed countries and for this reason we call on all footballers to wear anklets or ankle support before a match. The anklet will protect a footballers ankle or give it support should a footballer twist the ankle during a game.”

 

“A research conducted 3/4 years ago revealed Ghanaian players are usually plagued with ankle injury. We as football doctors will entreat all footballers – either premier league, division one or colts to heed to this advice,” he added.

The Ghana premier league season 2015/16 is scheduled to commence on February 20 and Dr. Arthur will hope players heed to this advise.

Ghanaian Footballers Asked To Use Kit Else ... - Doctor

It Won"t Be Easy But We"ll Defeat Mo Bejaia - Nuhu Alhassan

Obuasi Ashgold will return to CAF champions league action after been absent for almost a decade. The Obuasi based side won the 2014/15 Ghana premier league crown and will be the sole flag-bearer of Ghana in the champions this season after the nation lost the two slots for consistent poor performance in African competition.

 

New Ashgold signing from fellow premier league side, New Edubiase has expressed his joy at playing in the CAF champions for the  first time as his new side also return to a familiar competition they were regulars in the 90s.

 

In an interview with Kumasi based, Boss fm, Nuhu said, “Isha Allah we’ll defeat Bejaia and I know by the grace of God we will. We will also call on the fans to back us spiritually with prayers and with that we shall win.”

 

 

“It wont be easy but either side – Ashgold or Bejaia is strong at home and for that matter the home advantage will count and should be grabbed with both hands as it might be a deciding factor in who does qualify.”

“I can assure the fans on the 14th of February, we will win by more goals at the Obuasi Len clay stadium,” he added.

 

Obuasi Ashgold will play Berekum Chelsea in the Super cup on Sunday and this game will act as a dress rehearsal for the champions clash.

It Won"t Be Easy But We"ll Defeat Mo Bejaia - Nuhu Alhassan

Revelation: Some Journalists Are On The Payroll Of the GFA - Alhaji Gedo

Nyantakyi Is Paying Some Journalists And…

Alhaji Ahmed Gedo has lashed in on some journalist who he believes are in bed with the Ghana football association and as a result a contributing to the decline of game.

 

 

The Amidaus professional president alleges the current state of Ghana as it battles with legal issues, sponsorship and marketing is not solely the fault of the GFA but also some sports journalist who have failed to seek accountability from the administrators of football here in Ghana.

 

 

The GFA has come under huge bashing and criticism from notable sports journalist and skeptics alike who have fingered the Kwesi Nyantakyi led GFA for the fall from grace to grass of the local league that has seen fans prefer watching European league games on television than visiting league centres to watch Ghana premier league games.

 

In an interview with Kumasi based, Boss fm, Alhaji Gedo said,”football in Ghana is losing its relevance and you journalist are sitting idle as the game wears out. You journalist are afraid of Nyantakyi and that’s why the game is gradually falling.”

 

“Some journalists go to the GFA President, Kwesi Nyantakyi for money and that is influencing their decision to be quiet on the truth else they will lose the financial assistance from the FA. At the appropriate time I’ll expose all of them (journalists) who have bent over for the FA and it is our game that is suffering,” he added.

Revelation: Some Journalists Are On The Payroll Of the GFA - Alhaji Gedo

GFA Spokesperson, Saani Darra Is A Lie - Baba Gedo

Who Saani? Don’t Mind Him, He’s A Liar

Amidaus Professionals president Alhaji Ahmed Gedo has questioned why no one is asking for explanation as to why lawyer Maxwell Opoku Agyemang has resigned.

 

The seasoned football administrator believes there are some hidden truths behind why the Ghana football association will just accept lawyer Opoku’s resignation without at least pushing for him to stay on. Alhaji Gedo thinks the hierarchy at the FA were all caught ball-watching as lawyer Maxwell Opoku Agyemang who until his resignation headed the player status committee.

 

Speaking in a radio interview to Kumasi based, Boss fm 93.7 Gedo claims, “Our game here is Ghana is gradually drawing closer to a ditch. If a respectable, truth-telling man as lawyer Opoku resigns and no one is asking what influence his decision then there’s no future for football in this country.”

 

“The lawyer has sat on a case and brought out the ruling then the FA takes the matter to the court of arbitration (CAS) to challenge the ruling and then they come out to deny – processing the case to CAS. Don’t pay attention to Saani Darra, he’s a liar. I’ve a copy of the ruling and it does confirm the players registration is fictitious and fraudulent and null and void,” he added.

 

The GFA are yet to name a successor to the throne as the new chairman of the player status committee.

GFA Spokesperson, Saani Darra Is A Lie - Baba Gedo

"Ghanaian Referee"s Are Like Soldiers" - Ref Debrah

Ghanaian referees have spoken of their preparedness for the start to new Ghana premier league season. 
With the announcement of the league start date, all stakeholders – Ghana football association, clubs, referees and administrators in the game are putting in final touches as the start to the 2015/16 league season looks nigh.

 

Many Ghanaian referees have been deemed unfit and at times even their persona is questioned along with their capability whether they are qualified to even blow the whistle as a signal of authority. Some names have stood out to help salvage what is at times targeted at been a contributing factor to the decline of football in Ghana.

 

Vice president of referees association of Ghana (RAG) Joe Debrah has allayed the fears of many football fans on whether the referees are ready for the league start as many doubt they will perform better than they did last season.

 

In an interview with boss fm 93.7, referee Debrah said, “referee’s are like soldiers we’re always battle ready – We don’t give excuses because we always plan ahead. Referees are always training and for those who train at the various stadia namely, El-wak, Tema astro-turf, Essipong, Accra and Kumasi stadium will testify seeing them in training in readiness for officiating whenever they are called upon.”

 

“I can boldly say should the league even commence today or swiftly tomorrow we (referees) are ready,” he added.

Recently, referee J.O. Lamptey and David an assistant referee were selected by the confederation of African football – CAF for the ongoing African nations championship in Rwanda; a feat that signals a glimpse of hope the Ghanaian referees.

"Ghanaian Referee"s Are Like Soldiers" - Ref Debrah

Our Best Games Are Not Televised - Hearts Coach

Accra Hearts of Oak are still finding their feet and tying the loose ends as new manager Kenichi Yatshuashi continues in his search to find the formula to enable restore the lost glory.

 

 

The Phobians hosted Nigerian club, Ifeanyi Ubah in an international friendly match at the Accra sports stadium on Sunday and the game saw the Ghanaian side winning by 2-goals to nil thanks to goals from reigning GN Bank DOL player of the year, Samudeen Ibrahim and Thomas Abbey. Hearts’ Japanese-American coach, Kenichi Yatshuashi has had a tough start to his managerial career in Ghana with more defeats to his name than victory.

 

Hearts had lost to back-to-back against Libyan side Al-Tripoli in a 5-0 aggregate score-line and that result angered many fans of the club who called for his sacking. Rumours had it he was tasked by his employers to go and win the GHALCA G6 else face the sack but neither – his sack or winning the trophy happened.

 

Coach Keni was in a bullish mood in his post match presser claiming Hearts have had better games under his tenure and it is not all gloomy a picture as has been painted out in the public.

 

Speaking to the media Keni said, “We played a very good game against them (Ifeanyi Ubah) and I’m happy with the performance of the players. The best game we (Hearts) have played so far was the second game in Libya against Al-Tripoli and that game no one in Ghana saw the game because it was not televised. Our next best game was against Aduana in the GHALCA G6, that was not televised either because the light went off.”

 

 

“Those who saw the game today (against Ifeanyi Ubah) saw a little bit of what we can do even though it was not the best but we are hopeful of winning the league and the FA cup. I’m satisfied with the progression the team has made so far,” he added.

 

The 20-times Ghana premier league champions have won just three games and recorded 4-defeats in ten matches coach Keni has been in-charge but the result in the club’s recent game against Ifeanyi has given the Japanese a glimpse of hope going into the new season.

Our Best Games Are Not Televised - Hearts Coach

Techiman City "Fight To Buy" The Truth - Takyi Arhin

Controversial Ghanaian football administrator, Takyi Arhin has revealed some hidden moves been implored by Techiman city to hide the truth behind the bribery allegations leveled against the Techiman based side by Nana Dwamerah.

 

Wa Africa united owner and bank-roller, Nana Dwamerah revealed he bribed Techiman city led by Micky Charles to a sum of Ghc2000 to help play a fixed game in the ultimate game of the GN bank division one league for the 2014/15 season. The bribery was to enable Wa Africa united win their game against Techiman city to ensure they stay in division league as they were battling relegation.

 

Owner of Techiman city,Micky Charles has not refute the claims of the allegations but in an interesting statement revealed his side only took the money to return it after beating Wa Africa united and not to play a fixed match.

Former Berekum Arsenal administrator and currently Chief Executive officer of division one club, Berlin FC has since the allegations went before the ethics committee of the Ghana football association – GFA has descended heavily on officials and individuals who claim to be affiliated with Techiman city calling officials of Wa Africa united to help curtail the truth.

 

In an interview with Boss fm, Mr. Arhin said, “some people with influence are working on Techiman city’s behalf to suppress the truth. Some individuals namely Boahene and Fred had called officials of Wa Africa united asking to let sleeping dogs lie; they continued asking what will they achieve should Techiman city be relegated?”

 

He added, “Nana Dwamerah – owner and bank-roller of Wa Africa united has spoken the truth and won’t lie as the customs and traditions of a Chief demands, based on this I advice those who believe they can influence him (Nana) with money and sweet talk to please come again because it won’t help. Football is about rules and regulations and so those laws must and should work.”

Techiman City "Fight To Buy" The Truth - Takyi Arhin

Verdict: Kotoko Will Win The League But... - Ernest Sowah

Kotoko Will Win The League  – Ernest Sowah

Kumasi Asante Kotoko goal keeper, Ernest Sowah believes his new team are best placed to reclaim the Ghana premier league title they lost to regional rivals, Obuasi Ashantigold.

 

Kotoko have been in fine off-season form and the quality players available at the mercy of manager, David Duncan has seen the Porcupine warriors been named as favourite to win the league when it starts for the 2015/16 season.

The record 23-times Ghana premier league champions divided the playing body into two with the first team leaving for a two-legged international friendly in Libya and the other half competed and won the maiden GHALCA First Trust G6 tourney at the Essipong stadium.

 

 

The success chalked by the team left behind with assistant coach, Michael Osei spear-heading is what bemused many football pundits and supporters of the club alike to see a new breeze of air blowing within the club after ending the 2014/15 season trophy-less.

 

The Former Tema youth number one and new signing for Kotoko, Ernest Sowah has been unable to hide his joy about the potency of the team and the believe among the players of reclaiming the GPL title.

 

Speaking in an interview with Kumasi based Boss fm, the former Black stars goalie said, “We have had a good pre-season and that is all that matters and based on this I hope we win the league. It is not easy to be able to divide a team into two and still excel at winning games and trophies.”

 

“We’re the best team currently and with the pre-season we’ve had in addition to the faith we ask of the fans, surely we can win the league,” he added.

 

The Ghana premier league is scheduled to start on February 20.

Verdict: Kotoko Will Win The League But... - Ernest Sowah

Referees Warned On Home Teams Influence

Ghanaian referees have been brandished with names such as – incompetent, clueless and the top of name calling is being corrupt for receiving petty-cash from teams and influence games to their benefits.

 

The Ghanaian premier league is battling with brand image, style of play exhibited from teams and sponsorship deals which tops them all. The debate has been going on whether referees game or match bills should be footed by clubs or remain the sole responsibility of the Ghana football association.

 

Retired referee and now a reverend minister, Nsiah Boafo has called on the FA not to buy into the idea of teams footing bills of referees as it will be a breeding ground for more match-fixing allegations. In an interview with Boss fm, Mr. Nsiah Boafo said, “I suggest the GFA should be in-charge of the referees – food, hotel, security and all that is needed for referees to protect our game just as international referees enjoy.”

 

In an interesting banter experience Ghanaian referee, Ladbridge has talked down Rev. Boafo’s submission and believes the clubs taking responsibility of referees bill for a game will only challenge the men-in-black to be more professional and officiate in fairness.

 

In an interview with Boss fm, referee Ladbridge said, ‘In the game of football there are human and technical errors. there are instances where the referee might be making genuine mistakes and some deliberate as well but his conscience should serve him better.

 

“If you as a good referee allow the home team influence your decision it casts a slur on you as a person and even your kids will be mocked at school for your poor performance"” he added.

 

 

Ghana’s Joseph Lamptey and David Laryea are part of the selected referees – as referee and assistant referee at the ongoing African Nations Championship (CHAN) in Rwanda.

Referees Warned On Home Teams Influence

Bechem Belgian Coach Speaks For First Time Since ...

Ghanaian premier league side, Bechem united appointed Belgian trainer, Erradi Adil as the club’s new head coach on a one-year deal.

 

The 37-year-old holds a UEFA (A) license badge and before joining the Brong-Ahafo region club, he handled FC Brussels in his native, Belgium. Adil is expected to be assisted by Solomon Adwo who was working as an interim coach of the side and becomes the second foreign coach to handle the side after Swedish trainer Tom Strand who is now with Medeama SC.

 

Adil was appointed on Wednesday and upon receiving his work permit spoke for the first time since his appointment as the head coach of the Bechem based club, saying, “I’m the manager of Bechem united and I’m delighted to have signed for Bechem club. I am happy to work in the Ghana premier league and in Ghana.”

 

He is however expected to take the Club through their preseason exercise before the League start on February 20.

Adil will lead Bechem in their opening match at home game to Liberty Professionals before they travel to Dewu to play Dreams FC and host Edubiase United in Week two and three respectively.

Bechem Belgian Coach Speaks For First Time Since ...

Ghanaian Clubs Got To Be Sensible - GFA Veep

Vice president of the Ghana football association and chairman of the Black stars management committee, George Akwasi Afriyie has had pop shot at Ghanaian club in relation to their attitude during the pre-match and post match session of game.

 

 

The Ghanaian league has delayed its start to the 2015/16 season due to legal wranglings involving newly promoted side, Techiman city and Wa African united and Wilfred Osei Palmer’s ineligible player case against Kurt Okraku Mantey’s Dreams FC.

Clubs in Ghana are noted for their weird and archaic motives when it comes to the release of team news and tactics to be employed by a coach going into a game and quiet often this negative ideas has to do with ‘juju’ – black magic. This semantics and childish play causes undue delay to games and at times a club’s refusal to play the game when money and resources have been invested into the match.

 

 

George Afriyie believes most clubs if not all tow this ‘cheap’ path due to the number of legal options available to them should they be punished – deducted points, banned from playing at their favourite home grounds or given a fine.

 

“We must enshrine just two legal options for clubs to have their cases heard and not the numerous options – appeals committee, review committee and court of arbitration (CAS) currently available, just two should do,” he said.

 

“A club attends a technical meeting and forgets to present the uniform (jersey) for the upcoming match should be deducted points meanwhile a body or someone has paid for media rights. A scheduled game to be broadcast on super sports at 3pm is delayed or called off because a club failed to submit a sample of the kit for the game. Is that sensible for a club to do?” he added.

The Ghana league us set to commence on Feb 20 but head od the legal team for Techiman City has threatened to serve the league with a court injunction should it start.

Ghanaian Clubs Got To Be Sensible - GFA Veep

Feature: Accra Sports Stadium Gradually Turning Into Refuse Site

Accra Sports Stadium Gathers Rubbish

The Accra sports stadium is a national property that has a sole purpose of entertaining fans with the world’s beautiful  game of football and other sports that have centres allocated within the stadium – lawn tennis, karate and so on. The stadium refurbished to a 40,000 all sitting capacity before Ghana hosted the African cup of nations – AFCON in 2008 was a beautiful spectacle when it was commissioned by ex-president John Agyekum Kufuor.

 

 

Almost six years after the continental piece the stadium has acted as the home ground like it was before for Accra based and one of Ghana’s biggest clubs, Accra Hearts of Oak and also hosted boxing bouts – notably the Bukom Banku vs Ayitey Powers  first showdown, music shows and an annual church service on the 31st December of every year by the International central gosple church – ICGC.

On a tour of the stadium recently, sportscrusader.com can reveal the state of the stadium leaves a sour taste in the mouth and an awful sight when one takes a retrospective view when the stadium was officially opened to the public when the Ghana Black stars played the first game of the AFCON 2008 tournament.

Accra sports stadium turning into a refuse site

The metal bars that hold the stadium together are at the mercy of the weather as they rust away swiftly without any attendance to halt this gradually developing disaster. The playing surface which ought to be green and well mowed to allow the free-flow of football during matches is turning into a potato field but that discussion like the state of the whole stadium is for another day.

The Accra sports stadium in the absence of the Ghana premier league and enough games is turning into the ‘Accra refuse site’. The stands that faces opposite the Accra Conference centre is gradually turning into refuse site as rubbish gathered by the sanitation workers at the stadium is dumped there. It started small like all the filth that has engulfed Ghana and the current state is much appalling for a country that beats its chest to be a harbour of  African football.

 

The heap of refuse has overflown the refuse container that is meant to contain it and is gathering pace from the ground and is slowly catching-up with the height of the refuse container. Whoever (herein the National sports authority – NSA) is in-charge of sanitation at the Accra Sports stadium seems to have forgotten his job and his immediate attention has to be drawn to the mess gathering at his doorsteps in-case he might have forgotten what the taxpayers paid him as salary is meant for.

 

 

The Accra sports stadium on February 20th when the Ghana premier league commences for the 2015/16 season will be the venue as Accra Hearts of Oak host New Edubiase and that sight should have left the venue before it develops into a cholera epidemic breaking scene.

Feature: Accra Sports Stadium Gradually Turning Into Refuse Site

Patience: Don"t Judge Coach Keni based On Pre-season Results - Ali

Give Coach Keni 7-Matches, Then … – Ali Jahra

Accra Hearts of Oak’s appointment of Kenichi Yatshuashi late last year has still not go down well with the Hearts faithfuls who believe the Japenese-American tactician is not competent enough to handle the team.

 

Coach Keni as affectionately referred to is yet to impress and convince the fans – with just one win under his belt in 6-matches that he’s been in-charge of the continental club masters hasn’t been a good start. Hearts lost woefully to fellow premier league side, WAFA in the clubs first game under the new coach and the club’s back-to-back defeat to Libyan side Al-Ettihad in Libya angered the fans who called for his axing as as soon as possible.

 

Ex-Black stars and Hearts goal keeper, Ali Jahra has called on the supporters to rally behind the embattled manager and support him as he tries to bring to live a youthful team that he’s in-charge.

In an interview with Kumasi based radio, Boss fm 93.7, the former Phobian number one said, “Hearts should have appointed Coach Keni earlier after the sacking of Herbert Addo and that would have afforded him time to observe the Ghanaian premier league before it ended. I’ll call on the fans to be patient with him (coach) and ask for him not to be judged based on his sides.”

 

“Hearts fans are used the seeing the best players sign for the rainbow club but the current Hearts players are very youthful and as such the team needs time to gel then after 5-7 matches we can judge the coach’s performance,” he added.

Hearts play Nigerian side, Ifeanyi Ubah in a club international friendly on Sunday at the Accra sports stadium but the game against the merged squad – the CAF champions league winners in 2000 and the CAF confederation cup winners of 2004 will precede that game.

Patience: Don"t Judge Coach Keni based On Pre-season Results - Ali