Ghana Suffer Defeat In Addis Ababa

Ghana suffered defeat in the first leg of the 2017 Africa Youth Champions qualifier against Ethiopia in Addis Ababa.

The national U-20 team went down 2-0 under 10 minutes, but 88th minute consolation goal from Jonathan Osabutey means the former world youth champions return to Ghana with an advantage ahead of the second leg.

Didi Dramani named an attack minded team and he paid the price early as the host took the lead within four minutes into the game.

Three minutes later, Ethiopia doubled their advantage, giving Ghana mountain to climb.

The Satellites bulked up and took the game to their opponents but were unable to reduce the deficit within the first half.

Ghana improved the second department of the game but breaking the back line of Ethiopia was difficult. However, at the dying embers the Jonathan Osabutey scored to reduce the deficit.

Time ran out for Ghana to draw parity, but the away goal gives the Satellites the edge ahead of the second leg in Accra in a fortnight.

The winner of the tie over the two legs will meet Tunisia or Senegal.

Ghana Suffer Defeat In Addis Ababa

Black Stars Will Be Paid In Cedis - Sports Minister

The Minister of Youth and Sports, Hon. Nii Lantey Vanderpuije says he will insist the Black Stars are paid winning bonuses in local currency.

The winning bonuses of the national team is always paid in hard currency,  but Nii Lantey Vanderpuije says that, he will ensure the outstanding winning bonuses of the Black Stars game against Comoros will be paid in cedis.

He explained that even the president of the country, His Excellency President John Dramani Mahama is not paid in foreign currency.

In an interview with Kumasi-based Nhyira FM, the former boxing promoter said: “Yes I have directed that the bonuses of the Black Stars should be paid in local currency into the individual accounts of the players.

“No player will be receiving bonus in dollars anymore. That is not our currency.” Nii Lantey Vanderpuije, who succeeded Mustapha Ahmed last month as the Youth and Sports Minister said.

“We are aware that where the players play, they are not given cash money as their salaries or bonuses. It is paid into their accounts so we will also do that.

“We will pay the dollar equivalent of the amount agreed upon as their bonus into their accounts. No dollars again,” he added.

 

Black Stars Will Be Paid In Cedis - Sports Minister

Black Starlets Squad Prunned To 35-Players

Coach Paa Kwesi Fabin has selected thirty five (35) youngsters to form the nucleus of the National U-17 male team subject to they passing all medical tests.

 

The final list of the recruitment was decided after a nationwide tour to identify talented youngsters into the next Black Starlets squad.

The Technical team also invited and accessed players from various football academies as well as some players who excelled at the Airtel Rising stars competition.

All selected players are expected to report at the Ghana Soccerman Centre of Excellence (GSCE), Prampram on Sunday February 14, 2016 before 6pm.

Below are the players who have been selected in the final National U-17 squad list:

GOALKEEPERS

1. Mathew Tigasi

2. Tawfik Yahuza

3. Bukari Abdul Rafui

4. Ibrahim Selly Seydou

5. Frederick Asare

DEFENDERS

6. Faisal Osman

7. Abdul Razak Yussif

8. Gideon Acquah

9. Benjamin Aloma

10. Paul Tetteh Addour

11. Najeeb Yakubu

12. Stephen Boye

13. Samuel Taylor

14. Seydou Issaka

15. Omar Farouk

MIDFIELDERS

16. Frederick Agyeman

17. Kwadwo Asamoah

18. Emmanuel Toku

19. Rashid Ibrahim

20. Obed Yankey

21. Emmanuel Kuvedu

22. Eric Ayiah

23. Nuhu Sule

24. Silas Kyeremeh

25. Obed Appiah

26. Ibrahim Appiah

27. David Ayi Akwetey

28. Abdul Halik Hudu

29. Mohammed Iddriss

ATTACKERS

30. Sylvester Simba

31. Aziz Abdul Yakubu

32. David Cudjoe

33. Abubakar Lawal

34. Aminu Mohammed

35. Ibrahim Sulley

Black Starlets Squad Prunned To 35-Players

Gideon Baah Fits Our Style Of Play - Red Bulls Director

Major League Soccer (MLS) club, New York Red Bulls sporting director, Alan Curtis has showered praises on new signing and ex-Kumasi Asante Kotoko left Gideon Baah’s quality and revealed it was a contributing factor to the club’s decision to sign him.

 

 

The club the transfer of Ghanaian central defender Gideon Baah from Finnish side Helsingin Jalkapalloklubi (HJK Helsinki)on Tueday and the deal will be officially completed pending his (International Transfer Certificat (ITC) and P1 Visa.

Baah, 24, has experience in both the UEFA Champions League and Europa League, and made his international debut for Ghana last October – the former winner of MTN soccer academy will team up with Ghanaian international, Lloyd Sam.

 

“Gideon has all the characteristics we were looking for in a central defender,” said Sporting Director Ali Curtis. “He fits our style of play extremely well and we are anxious to have him get started with our club.”

 

 

The New York Red Bulls open the 2016 MLS regular season at home on Sunday, March 6, when Toronto FC visits Red Bull Arena.

Gideon Baah Fits Our Style Of Play - Red Bulls Director

The Current U-17 Is Cursed - Awudu Issaka

It’s Clear The Black Starlets Is Cursed – Awudu Issaka

The Ghana national U17 team, popularly referred to as the Black starlets have not won the FIFA U17 trophy since 1995 and former Black starlets player and a key member of the team that won Ghana’s last, Awudu Issaka knows why this barren run of trophy exists.

 

 

Awudu Issaka, 36, started his playing career with the youth team of record 23-times Ghana premier league champions, Kumasi Asante Kotoko before signing for Prampram Mighty Royals FC in Ghana’s second division, where he already played for the first team at the age of fifteen.

 

The dribbling magician as he was nicknamed signed for Belgian side, RSC Anderlecht after the FIFA World Youth Championship and in an interview with Boss 93.7 fm in Kumasi revealed what he knows and believes is the reason why the recent Black starlets have not been successful since he last played in the 1995 winning team.

 

According to the former Liberty professionals play maker, “before the Ecuador 1995 FIFA U17 world cup, head coach, Oti Akenteng lead the playing body to visit a man of God at Akim-Oda for prayers (spiritual assistance – to help the team win the trophy) before leaving for the tournament.”

 

“After the tournament the Black starlets and the technical team failed to return to the man of God and show appreciation and the one-time creative midfielder believes it is why the Ecuador squad was not so successful.”

“I’ve cursed the players , he (the man of God) said. I (Awudu Issaka) believe Servant Isaac’s comment – he’s done’ with the team is a bare fact to what the current U17 team is experiencing. The thanks and appreciation he wanted in return was missing and I believe he’s still hurt,” he added.

 

Head coach, Paa Kwasi Fabian along with the technical head at the Ghana football association

The Current U-17 Is Cursed - Awudu Issaka