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

Video: GFA Prez Cautions Fans on Stadium Hooliganism

Watch the President of the Ghana Football Association (GFA), Kwesi Nyantakyi speak at the 15th Anniversary of the May 9 stadium disaster.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WOkUDcNkj7E

Video: GFA Prez Cautions Fans on Stadium Hooliganism

Photos: May 9 15th Anniversary Commemoration

The saddest day in Ghanaian Football history was once again remembered as football dignitaries and fans led by Sports Minister, Nii Lantey Vanderpuye observed the May 9 Stadium disaster.

Here are photos of the event:

Photos: May 9 15th Anniversary Commemoration

It"s A Great Feeling to Beat Hearts - Annan

Former Ghana U-20 and Kumasi Asante Kotoko goal keeper, Felix Annan has told Sportscrusader.com that his sides win over Hearts is always ‘a great feeling’ to pull a fast one over a bitter rival.

Kotoko defeated Hearts 1-0 at the Accra Sports Stadium in a Ghana Premier League (GPL) encounter after a costly mistake from goalkeeper, Soulama Abdulaye saw the Burkina Faso number one shot stopper miscue a back pass into his own net.

Felix Annan (middle) waves at fans during warm up session before the game against Hearts

Annan in an interview with Sportscrusader.com said, “wins in these games is always great however, a victory over your bitterest rivals (herein Hearts of Oak) is a great feeling to have experienced and we are happy to return the favour of endless support from the fans during a bad start to the 2015/16 GPL season.

Kotoko will look to have consistency after this victory after a stop-start 2015/16 campaign.

It"s A Great Feeling to Beat Hearts - Annan

Maiden Edition: Super Sports To Use Camera Drone in Hearts-Kotoko Game Coverage

The Official television broadcast partner of the Ghana Premier League (GPL), Super Sports will on Monday, 2 May introduce for the first time in the history of Ghana football, camera borne drone in the coverage of the Super Two clash between Accra Hearts of Oak and Kumasi Asante Kotoko.

The Camera drone at times referred to as the Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) is a wireless remote-controlled device that gives limitless mobility capacity and allows the capture of elegant aerial shots, as well as also providing an advanced crowd monitoring option as it can discreetly focus on specific sections of interest inside the stadium.

To add additional spice to Ghana’s biggest game on the domestic calendar, Super Sports has introduced this innovation in the GPL.

A blackmagic micro camera drone

The use of the drone will provide an all-inclusive angle shots from all four corners of the Accra Sports Stadium and would allow for fans watching the game at homes appreciate the stadium from aerial view as never seen before.

 

Maiden Edition: Super Sports To Use Camera Drone in Hearts-Kotoko Game Coverage

Ahmed Adams Plays Down Richard Agyemang"s Absence Ahead Of Hearts Game

Kumasi Asante Kotoko’s talented center back Ahmed Adams has played down the absence of his defensive partner ahead of Monday’s trip to the capital.

 

The commanding defender admitted missing the partnership of his team mate but remains confident the Reds will triumph without their injured colleague.

Richard Osei Agyemang was billed to team up with the imposing Adams for the top liner between Hearts of Oak and Kotoko before picking up an injury ahead of the trip.

Ahmed Adams, an ever present figure at the back for the embattled Reds however refused to bulge into any negative void that will be left by his crocked defensive partner when they head to Accra.

The former Berekum Chelsea defender rubbished any fear factor harboured by struggling side ahead of the most coveted domestic fixture on Ghanaian soil.

“The absence of Osei Agyemang will not affect us as a unit. Yes we will miss him but they are enough replacements for him in the squad capable of filling in for him”, Ahmed Adams told sports crusader exclusively.

The 23 year old added, ” We respect every single team in the league but we fear none. We are fully prepared for the game on Monday and Insha Allah, Victory will be ours at the end of the game”.

Kumasi Asante Kotoko have not lost a league fixture to Accra Hearts of Oak in Accra since 2010, winning this same fixture last season under the inspiration of Dauda Mohammed.

The record league champions returns to the capital on the backdrop of a 0-1 reverse at home to New Edubiase in match day 10.

Ahmed Adams Plays Down Richard Agyemang"s Absence Ahead Of Hearts Game

Hearts Smokes Peace Pipe With Coach Kenichi

Head of the Strategy Committee of Accra Hearts of Oak, Vincent Odotei-Sowah has revealed to Sporstcrusader.com that the feud the club had with head coach Kenichi Yatsuashi has been settled.

The Japanese-American caused a stir with his recent Facebook rants in connection with players salaries and bonuses with the latest been the dismissal of chief scout, Joe Addo and this public declaration of internal wranglings agitated the Board led by Togbe Afede XIV who according to Sportscrusader.com source were advocating for his dismissal.

But speaking after the signing a one year sponsorship deal with Ghana owned, Ghana Oil Companay (GOIL), Mr Odotei-Sowah nicknamed, ‘Sports Obama’ said, “there was no crisis in Hearts of Oak and there has ever been one.  We have made it clear to Kenichi that we wont accept such conduct in the near future after we smoked the peace pipe with him.”

“Employees are individuals and do have their peculiar issues with employers and ours with Kenichi is no exception. Kenichi’s is our head coach and our employee and we respect him but there are standing issues with management and we are following the terms of his contract as there are no issues with management as it has been reported by the media,” he added.

Hearts are currently in a secret camping place outside Accra as they prepare to face fierce and sworn rivals Asante Kotoko in a Ghana Premier League match on Monday.

Hearts Smokes Peace Pipe With Coach Kenichi

GPL Match Officials Announced

Match officials for this weekend’s round of matches in the Ghana Premier League (Match-Day 10) have been announced.

The following are the Match officials for Week 10:

MATCH: New Edubiase vs Berekum Chelsea

Venue: Obuasi

REF: Sylvester Adzoku

ASST 1: E.B. Baiden

ASST 2: Ashong Ibrahim

4TH REF: Charles Bulu

MC: M.N Mohammed

MATCH: Ebusua Dwarfs vs Ashantigold

Venue: Cape Coast

REF: S.B. Bortey

ASST 1: Ben Samari

ASST 2: S.O. Boateng

4TH REF: Sam K. Yeboah

MC: K.A. Sarpong

MATCH: Bechem United vs WAFA

Venue: Bechem

REF: Uriah Glah

ASST 1: Ashittey Amarh

ASST 2: Abraham Jackson

4TH REF: Wiseman Ghansah

MC: Annie K. Ansah

MATCH: Hearts of Oak vs Asante Kotoko (Mon)

Venue: Accra

REF: Awal Mohammed

ASST 1: Adams Badiu

ASST 2: Samuel Asiedu

4TH REF: Nathan Anaafo

MC: Leanier Addy

MATCH: Inter Allies vs Techiman City

Venue: Tema

REF: Ernest Baafi

ASST 1: Appiah Richard

ASST 2: Safo Adade

4TH REF: Amofa Sarkodie

MC: Francis Dogbatse

MATCH: Liberty Professionals vs Aduana Stars

Venue: Dansoman

REF: Solomon Mordey

ASST 1: Michael Agbenuza

ASST 2: Michael Asare

4TH REF: Benard Dunfe

MC: Kojo Yankah

MATCH: Dreams vs Hasaacas

Venue: Dawu

REF: Justice A. Poku

ASST 1: Kwesi Brobbey

ASST 2: Rahman Falilu

4TH REF: Issaka Afful

MC: Osei Tutu Agyeman

MATCH: Medeama vs Wa All Stars

Venue: Tarkwa

REF: William Agbovi

ASST 1: Effah Tetteh

ASST 2: Richard Kotey

4TH REF: A.D. Mohammed

MC: Agyiri Barnor

GPL Match Officials Announced

Thomas Abbey Cautions Teammates Ahead Of Kotoko Game

Accra Hearts of Oak enterprising midfielder Thomas Abbey has called on his colleagues to eschew complacency ahead of their Ghana Premier League (GPL) clash with Kumasi Asante Kotoko on 2 May in Accra.

The crocked midfielder envisaged a tougher opposition from their fiercest rivals when the beleaguered Reds trek to the nation’s capital.

Thomas Abbey however remains confident the three contested points cannot be compromised if they are to confirm their mini resurgence on the domestic scene.

The 23 year old talented midfielder has missed the Phobians last few  matches due to a bow with his stomach but could return to hunt their troubled Oseikrom boys on Monday.

Accra Hearts geared up for the domestic classic with a well deserved away win in Obuasi whilst Kotoko were tamed in front of their own fans by New Edubiase United.

Thomas Abbey told Sportscrusader.com “It is going to be a very tough game for both sides on the day as a top liner. The most important thing however is that we are going to beat them at home God willing”.

“We just have to respect them and avoid complacency when we take to the field on Monday. It has been a great season for us this campaign and a win over Kotoko will even help us the more,” he said.

“The most important thing is for us to avoid complacency although they are not dangerous this time around,” he added.

Kumasi Asante Kotoko has endured their worst start to a season in over four decades with 3 wins in nine games whiles their fiercest nemesis are flying high with 18 points from the 27 available so far.

Thomas Abbey Cautions Teammates Ahead Of Kotoko Game