Kotoko Secret Revealed!

Kumasi Asante Kotoko interim head coach, Michael Osei, has revealed that determination was a key element in his side’s hard-fought away win over Liberty Professionals.

The record Ghana premier league champions have had a play-pause 2015/16 season and, after winning by a slim margin against Dreams FC in their last game, Osei’s side’s recent convincing victory over Liberty has given the club and fans a glimmer of hope in the bid to reclaim the trophy.

And Osei, a former player of the club, in his post-match presser, attributed their win to hard work and determination from the technical team and the playing body.

“We knew ahead of kick-off it was going to be a tough but good game to play George Lamptey and his technically gifted team.

“We were determined to get a good result against them [Liberty] and the players played very well, dictating the pace of the game and that gave us a good result.”

Kotoko will be extra motivated when they face second-placed Aduana Stars on Wednesday at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium, knowing a win and other favourable results elsewhere would see them as new league leaders.

Kotoko Secret Revealed!

Ghana Premier League Live Update: Hearts of Oak vs Techiman City

Follow Sportscrusader.com live text commentary of the Ghana Premier League game between second placed, Hearts of Oak against league debutants, Techiman City live at the Accra Sports Stadium.

Ghana Premier League Live Update: Hearts of Oak vs Techiman City

No More Excuses - Medeama Coach

Prince Owusu, head coach of Medeama SC, has said there is no more room for excuses ahead of facing TP Mazembe in their crucial CAF Confederations Cup tie.

The Mauve-and-Yellows recorded their first win of the group stage with a comfortable 3-1 victory over Young Africans of Tanzania, to occupy third spot in the Group B standings on five points – same as Algeria’s MO Bejaia.

According to Owusu, his men are very much aware that only the maximum points against leaders, Mazembe, will aid their quest for a place at the semis.

 

Speaking in an interview to CAFonline.com, Owusu said, “Like I said the last time, our destiny to qualify to the semi-finals is in our hands and, like we did against Young Africans, we need to be flawless against Mazembe because they are a very good side.

“The team is still preparing for the game on Sunday and I believe that we will get a good result.”

Medeama will be without influential duo, Enock Atta Agyei and Daniel Amoah, who signed for Tanzanian, side Azam.

No More Excuses - Medeama Coach

Ghana Premier League Live Update: Hearts of Oak vs Ashgold

Follow Sportscrusader.com live text commentary on the Ghana premier league game between league leader’s, Hearts of Oak and defending champions Obuasi Ashantigold SC.

Ghana Premier League Live Update: Hearts of Oak vs Ashgold

Ghana Premier League Live Update: Kotoko vs Hearts of Oak

Follow Sportscrusader.com live text commentary on the Super Clash between Ghana’s two most successful Kumasi Asante Kotoko and Hearts of Oak at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium.

Ghana Premier League Live Update: Kotoko vs Hearts of Oak

I Won"t Play for Kotoko Again!

Former Kumasi Asante Kotoko defender, Christopher Bonney, has declared he will never play for the Kumasi side so long as Opoku Nti remains with the club.

The right-back, who now plays for Cape Coast Mysterious Ebusua Dwarfs, was a key member of the Dwarfs team – and in fact, converted a penalty – that thrashed the record Ghana Premier League Champions by four goals to one.

Bonney returned to Kotoko after an unsuccessful trial with a Bulgarian club, but left the Porcupine warriors under strange circumstances.

Christopher Bonney had a torrid time during a short spell with Kumasi Asante Kotoko

After surprisingly celebrating wildly upon scoring against his former employers, the right-back said, “My performance and goal against Asante Kotoko was a payback for the bad treatment I received from the current management and I thank God for answering my prayers.”

“Until Opoku Nti leaves Asante Kotoko, I will never make a return to the club,” he added.

I Won"t Play for Kotoko Again!

Hardwork is Paying Off - Dreams FC

Assistant head coach of Ghana Premier League debutants, Dreams FC, Winfred Domod, has attributed the club’s recent good run of results to hard work.

The Dawu-based club has been very exciting to watch, recording some enviable feats for a first-timer in the league.

 

Notably, defeating Liberty Professionals away from home and revenging their 4-0 loss to Aduana Stars with a comfortable 2-0 victory, readily come to mind.

And this has got elated Domod, a former Accra Great Olympics midfielder, praising the players for their hard work.

“Very elated with our results in our last two games to Liberty & Aduana. I’m glad that, our consistency of efforts is beginning to show off,” he posted on his timeline.

“We can only continue to work extremely harder to improve the team because that’s what we believe in,” he added.

Dreams FC will be storming Sekondi like ‘kakai’ to honour their match week 21 GPL fixture vs Hasaacas.

Hardwork is Paying Off - Dreams FC

We Deserved the Victory - Hearts

Hearts of Oak head coach, Sergio Traguil, has maintained that his side deserved the win they recorded against Berekum Chelsea.

A 78th minute Kwame Kizito goal gave the Phobians all the maximum points as they extended their point total to 35 from 20 matches.

And Sergio, who oversaw just his second win in three league games believes they were deserving winners, having created all the clear goal-scoring opportunities.

In his post-match interview, the Portuguese trainer said, “It was a tough game against a very well organised side. They came into this game for a point, created a couple of chances and it’s not surprising as all teams prepare extra well to play us.

“We deserved to win as we created more chances and the best ones as a matter of fact and got the goal in the end to gain all the three points and that’s all that matters,” he added.

Hearts head straight into training as they gear up for the ‘Super Sunday’ clash against fierce rivals, Kumasi Asante Kotoko at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium.

We Deserved the Victory - Hearts

Hearts American Fans Present Gift to Forward

Hearts of Oak supporters wing based in the North America, the National Chapters Committee 10 yesterday presented in-form striker, Cosmos Dauda with an undisclosed motivating gift.

 

The former Tudu Mighty Jets striker has been in scintillating form since the commencement of the 2015/16 league season and in the match week 17 encounter against Liberty Professionals took his tally for the season to 7 in 17 league games. A representative of the Chapters executive committee was in Ghana and presented the lanky forward with his gift after the game at the Accra Sports Stadium.

 

And Dauda has taken to his official Facebook wall to acknowledge receipt of the present and also appreciate the morale boosting item.

Cosmos Dauda receives his motivating gift from a representative of North America Chapter 10

“A special thanx to our Noble supporters ‪#‎Chapter110‬ ‪#‎NorthAmerica‬ for the Motivational gift…Want U to know I recieved it🎁…It’s a Process…I really do appreciate and together as a Team we ll live up to expectations…God bless U all..‪#‎CD14‬,” he wrote.

 

Dauda will look to reward the North American fans immediately with a goal and win over arch rivals, Kumasi Asante Kotoko on Friday when Ghana’s two most successful football clubs reignite their rivalry in the 2016 President’s Cup at the Accra Sports Stadium.

Hearts American Fans Present Gift to Forward

Liberty Did "No Wrong" Changing Match Venue - PLB

The organisers of the Ghana Premier League (GPL), Premier League Board (PLB), have told Sportscrusader.com in an interview that, Liberty Professionals did no wrong changing match venue for their match week 17 encounter against Hearts of Oak.

The Dansoman-based side have divided the football community with their decision to change league venue from their favourite Dansoman Park popularly known as the Carl Reindorf Park to the Accra Sports Stadium.

But Tamimu Issah, the Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the PLB, has, on behalf of the body, mentioned that Liberty Professionals did no wrong per the regulations of the Ghana Football Association.

“Liberty wrote to us (PLB) ahead of time to ask for permission to use the Accra Sports Stadium for their match week 17 encounter against Hearts of Oak. The reason stated by the management of Liberty was their expectation of more spectators than their home venue can accommodate,” he told Sportscrusader.com.

“We granted their permission because it does not flout any of our regulations – the Accra Sports Stadium is an approved league venue and it is within the jurisdiction of the two clubs (Accra). Should Liberty have requested to play away from Accra, that request won’t have not be granted as it will be to the Away side’s disadvantage and would have compromised sporting integrity,” he added.

Liberty will be looking to do a league double over the Phobians as they won the first encounter by a lone goal after they bossed the entirety of that game.

Liberty Did "No Wrong" Changing Match Venue - PLB

GPL Preview: Liberty Professionals vs Hearts of Oak Match Facts

Liberty Professionals have set their sight on a league double against Hearts of Oak when the pair meet in match week 17 fixture later today at the Accra Sports Stadium.

The Dansoman based side will be hoping to ad to their superiority of nine wins against the Phobians in 33 previous meetings.

Here are the full match facts between Liberty Professionals and Hearts of Oak.

Match Facts: Liberty vs Hearts

Total matches played = 33

Liberty Professionals wins = 9

Drawn matches = 5

Hearts of Oak wins = 19

*Liberty Professionals have lost just two of their last six matches in the premier league.

(W2-D2-L2)

*Hearts of Oak have lost only one of their last six premier league games.

(W3-D2-L1)

*Liberty Professionals have lost two of their home matches in the premiership this season.

(P8-W5-D1-L2)

*Hearts of Oak are unbeaten in their last eleven away fixtures in the premier league.

They have won four and drawn four this season.

(W5-D6-L0)

*Liberty Professionals have been able to beat Hearts of Oak just twice in their last seven meetings in the premiership.

(W2-D1-L4)

*Hearts of Oak have won six of their last ten visits to Liberty Professionals in the premier league.

(W6-D2-L2)

*The “Scientific Soccer Lads” have kept just two clean sheets in their last nine premier league games at home.

*The Phobians have managed to keep seven clean sheets in their last eleven away matches in the league.

GPL Preview: Liberty Professionals vs Hearts of Oak Match Facts

GPL Preview: Liberty Target League Double Over Hearts

Hearts of Oak will be seek to avenge a defeat later today when they play as guest to Liberty Professionals in the GPL at the Accra Sports Stadium.

Liberty Professionals dominated the entirety of the first round fixture with midfield wizkid, Latif Blessing, being a thorn in the flesh of the Phobia defence as they took all three points, courtesy a slim 1-0 win.

 

The Dansoman-based side have moved home grounds from the Carl Reindorf Park to Accra Sports Stadium particularly for this game with no information coming from their management as regards the rationale behind the venue change but Sportscrusader.com’s source reveals it is aimed at realising significant financial gains – as they hope Hearts fans will troop-in in their numbers to see their side try to avenge their previous defeat.

Liberty’s last league game ended in an away loss to Cape Coast giants, Ebusua Dwarfs, last Sunday in match week 16 and will hope to revive a promising season by completing a hopeful double over their regional rivals.

 

Recently recruited players, Derrick Appiah and the returning Kennedy Ashia, could make the match day squad and hope for a league debut against the second placed team on the log.

Hearts started life after former coach, Kenichi Yatsuashi on a high note, with a hard-fought 1-0 home win in match week 16 against league debutants, Dreams FC.

Newly appointed caretaker coach, Sergio Daniel Traguil, is expected to manage the team from the technical area this time around after securing his work permit certificate.

GPL Preview: Liberty Target League Double Over Hearts

Kenichi"s Departing Message To Hearts Fans

Dismissed Hearts of Oak head coach, Kenichi Yatshusashi has taken to his official Facebook wall to send an emotional farewell message to the fans who gave him their unflinching support since his appointment.

He wrote:

My fantastic time in Ghana with Accra Hearts of Oak in Ghana Premier League has come to the end as of today, Monday 20th of June 2016 16:30 at Hearts secretariat where I met with the management.

At the time of signing my contract in 1st week of November 2015, I told the managing director at that time that I have a prior commitment in July 2016 that I can’t change the date. At that time, GPL was scheduled to start by December 2015 and we assumed that the league must be over by July 2016 or at least very close to end of the season. So, he said “We will deal with it when the time comes”.

As you know, start of GPL got delayed from December 2015 to end of February 2016; therefore, end of the season got delayed to end of September 2016. So, I approached the board about the 25 days/five matches I will miss.

My 1st option was to let my two assistant coaches care take while I am away. If that is not acceptable by the board and the management, then we must terminate my contract to replace me by someone else.

The board and the management decided to terminate the contract now, and I signed the letter of termination of the contract by mutual consent.

What my prior commitment is in July 2016 is something I will not discuss publicly. I asked Hearts management not to reveal it and they agreed.

I have had great memories with Accra Hearts of Oak for good time and for difficult time.

I thank our supporters for their criticism in the beginning; that made me push harder to do better. I also thank them for unbelievable amount of support after 1st league match; without their support, I would not have accomplished what I had accomplished today.

It is bitter that I have to leave now.

I thank our players for making unbelievable efforts they had made and teamwork they had shown. We achieved many successes because of their efforts and teamwork on and off the pitch.

I thank my two assistant coaches, Nassam Yakubu and Yaw Preko. We three were perfect, and it was an excellent working relationship we had together. I am sure I will work with them again.

I thank for our staff for coping with my demands.

I thank the club for the opportunity.

It is bitter that I must leave now in midway to the season. It is disappointing to find myself in this situation, and I don’t think we can point any single person out for what has happened today.

For sure, time I was with Hearts of Oak this year was my best time in my coaching career so far.

I would like to concentrate on my commitment in July 2016 1st. I would like to think about my future in August 2016.

Thank you for everyone, and

Keep the Ball Rollin’

Kenichi"s Departing Message To Hearts Fans

Kenichi "Bitter" at Leaving Hearts

Sacked head coach, Kenichi Yatshashi has expressed disappointment at his dismissal by Accra Hearts of Oak.

 

The Japanese-American has helped the Phobians rediscover their believe and mojo since they last won the league title in 2008 and this made supporters believe the bad spell will end this season.

But their hopes were dashed late yesterday as management of the club confirmed the mutual exit of the spiky haired trainer.

In his first interview since the news broke the former Aspire Soccer Academy trainer has admitted bitterness at leaving the former premier league Champions.

“I’m bitter, I feel so bitter to be in this situation. It is sad that I’m leaving but it is a situation I cannot control,” He told TV3.

The outspoken Coach led Hearts of Oak to an unbeaten run away from home at the end of the first round of the Ghana Premier League.

Kenichi "Bitter" at Leaving Hearts

Wa All Stars Rocked By Injuries Ahead Of Berekum Chelsea Visit

Ghana Premier league leaders Wa All Stars have been rocked by injuries ahead of the return of the domestic championship.

The Wa based top flight campaigners look set to host Berekum Chelsea without injured star duo who suffered respective injuries in the 1-0 defeat to city rivals Wa Rockets FC in the FA Cup quarters.

Midfielder Wahidu Mumuni was stretchered off the pitch just four minutes into the cup tie with a nasty foot injury before Moses Nyarko joined his team mate on the touchline moments to recess in a high tempo local derby at the Wa park.

Mumuni remains an integral part of the league due to his versatility on the pitch and his ferocious power on the dead ball.

Club mate and the fast emerging Nyarko landed awkwardly in the tail end of the rugged cup tie at Wa park.

Enos Adepa Kwame will be counting on invincible home form when Wa All Stars return to league action over the weekends at home to Berekum Chelsea in a bid to consolidate their place at the top of the division.

Wa All Stars Rocked By Injuries Ahead Of Berekum Chelsea Visit

Wa All Stars Attacker Predicts A Stronger Second Round In The League

Wa All stars attacking midfielder Mathew Kelvin has predicted a highly competitive second round on the domestic championship after photo finish in the first half.

The trickery wide man has made life unbearable for fullbacks in the opening half of the season but has already envisaged a stronger opposition from the entire competing clubs as the season reaches its home streak.

Wa All Stars top the division with 28 points followed closely by a trio of clubs traling by just two points in a kernly contested first half of the season.

The dancing feet Wa based attacker, however even predicted a tougher opposition than they met in the opening half of the season.

The lanky attacker rose to fame when became the first ever player to register an away goal at the Nana Ohene Ameyaw Park against Techiman City in a 3-1 defeat for Wa All Stars.

Speaking to sports crusader ahead of the return of the championship after the three break, Mathew Kelvin Andoh, readies himself for the expected keenly fought round two on the Ghanaian top tier league.

” The first was keenly contested by every single competing club whether at the top, middle or the bottom. The strength of the league in the first half should be enough to hint at an even tougher second round with relegation and eventual winners fighting for points on weekly basis.

It could be the most competitive 15 rounds of matches played in the Ghanaian league as hinted in the strong end to the first round. The good thing however is that Mathew Kelvin Andoh is ready to even start the secound round straight away having recharged my system mentally”, Andoh told www.Sportscrusader.com exclusively.

The dribbling wideman joined Wa All Stars last season from division one side Aswin FC in Takoradi but has since made himself a crowd favourite with eye catching footwork on weekly basis.

The attacker is expected to shoulder more responsibilities in the second department of the season with some odd goals to add to his devilish crosses.

Wa All Stars Attacker Predicts A Stronger Second Round In The League

Medeama Can Win Confed Cup But ... - TP Mazembe

Ghana Premier League side, Medeama SC are a good side and can even win the confederation cup but defeating us (TP Mazembe) at home is not part according to TP Mazembe midfielder Daniel Nii Adjei.

The Mauve-and-Yellow have set sights on an upset as they travel to DR COngo to face tournament favourite, Tout Pissant Mazembe popular known as TP Mazembe in their maiden participation in the group stage of the CAF Confederation Cup.

Former Kumasi Asante Kotoko midfielder, Nii Adjei who plies his trade with the Congolese side has warned his compatriots to expect nothing short of a defeat when they face on Sunday at the Stade TP Mazembe.

“They (Medeama) can say they will win the trophy, every team can win the tournament but coming to beat us in Lubumbashi will not happen,” Adjei told Accra FM.”

“We know them and we have watched them so we will do everything possible to defeat them here in Lubumbashi.”

Medeama will leave Ghana on Thursday for the first game in the 2015/16 CAF Confederation Cup group stage.

Medeama Can Win Confed Cup But ... - TP Mazembe

Tawfique Relishing Prospect Of Topflight Football With WA All Stars

Wa All Stars new recruit, Tawfique Deen is relishing the prospect of tasting top flight football when the second round of the Ghana Premier league resumes.

The 16 year old midfielder is itching for the domestic Championship to resume after switching camp to Wa All Stars ahead of the second half of the campaign.

The former AC Milan and BA United hard tackler joined the Wa based top flight campaigners as part of a squad beefing undertaken by the table toppers.

The defensive midfield anchor man is buzzing with confidence and is roaring for the return of the domestic Championship after his arrival in the half way line of the season.

Speaking to sports crusader ahead of the second round of the season, the new recruit for Wa All Stars pledged to pounce on the platform offered him by the league leaders to showcase his talent.

” It is a challenge given me to defend my self and my other WA boys in the clubs and show my God given talent to the watching world. It is a platform I cannot just play with given the quality of players in the team. I simply cannot wait any more for the second round to start on the domestic Championship “, Tawfique told sports crusader exclusively.

The Wa born former AC Milan and BA United player joins a couple of new faces added to the team by head coach Enos Adepa Kwame as they look to consolidate their place at the top of the log.

Tawfique Deen already opened his scoring account with Wa All Stars during the mid season friendly matches with a cracking finish to his name.

Tawfique Relishing Prospect Of Topflight Football With WA All Stars

WAFA Announce Signing of Kotoko Striker and Two Others

Ghana Premier League side, West Africa Football Academy (WAFA) has announced signing three players in the recently shut second transfer window of the 2015/16 Ghana Premier League (GPL) season.

The players namely, Richard Lartey, Elvis Amoh and Omar Chieck Oudraogou have been duly registered and ready to represent the Sogakope based

side for the commencement of the second round of the GPL.

Marquee among the trio is the arrival of Kotoko’s promising forward, Amoh who has initially joined on for the rest of the season. Lartey, a midfielder, also joins from lower division Golden Tulip on a six-months deal.

As has been the club’s mantra, teenager Oudraogou has been promoted from the youth team.

WAFA Announce Signing of Kotoko Striker and Two Others

It"s Been A Memorable Half A Season But ... - Kenichi

Under-fire Accra Hearts of Oak coach, Kenichi Yatsuashi has told Sportscrusader.com that it has been a bitter-sweet debut season in the Ghana Premier League (GPL) for him.

The Japanese-American started life to Ghana football on a high note with no defeats in his first five games in the GPL a hiss side accrued 13-points from a possible 15.

And this changed the views of many fans and critics alike who had questioned the appointment of the spiky-haired tactician who was unknown to Ghana football before his arrival in the country.

Coach Kenichi said “It has been great how quick the fans had warmed up to me and that has been memorable though it could have been better” taking into consideration where the team finished (fourth) at the end of the first half of the season.  

“It has been an amazing and memorable first half of the season and not forgetting (the season) has brought a lot of good times. But football administration has to be a little better than it is now in terms of the pitches and as we witness in parts of Europe the playing surface allows them to play at a higher tempo and allows tactics to be displayed better,” he said.

“My team started well as you know and we ended the season (first half) unbeaten in terms of away matches but it was the home form that cost us, however, we are ready to correct all the wrongs and hopefully lay hands on the trophy for the fans,” he added.  

Coach Keni as he is affectionately called was rumoured to have been sacked from his post but he still remains at the helm and is raring to go when the second half commences.

It"s Been A Memorable Half A Season But ... - Kenichi