Ibrahimovic Scores Double In Final PSG League Game

Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored twice in his final Paris St-Germain league appearance in a game which was briefly stopped for a standing ovation.

PSG’s all-time top scorer is leaving the club this summer and after 10 minutes the game with Nantes was halted while fans applauded their number 10.

By scoring twice, he broke another club record – for most goals by a PSG player in a league season, with 38.

He chested in an opener, and headed home to make it 4-0 late on.

His 89th-minute goal saw him overtake Carlos Bianchi’s 37-goal league haul of 1977-78.

The 34-year-old Swede has scored 154 goals in 179 appearances in his four years in France. Next Saturday’s French Cup final against Marseille will be his final game for the club.

PSG have won Ligue 1 in each season Ibrahimovic has been at the club, with the veteran – who has been linked with a move to LA Galaxy – winning the golden boot three times.

His 38 goals in 31 league games this season saw him finish 17 goals above second-placed Alexandre Lacazette of Lyon.

BBC

Ibrahimovic Scores Double In Final PSG League Game

Doyle Wins Diamond League Opener

Great Britain’s Eilidh Doyle ran the fastest time in the world this year as she won the women’s 400m hurdles at the first Diamond League meeting of the season in Doha.

Doyle clocked 54.53 seconds to beat Bahrain’s Kemi Adekoya into second.

Reigning Commonwealth champion Kaliese Spencer of Jamaica finished third.

Doyle, 29, is hoping to compete at her second Olympics in Rio de Janeiro this summer, having failed to make the final in London.

The European champion, formerly known as Eilidh Child, was competing under her married name for the first time.

In the women’s 800m, South Africa’s Caster Semenya was victorious in a time of 1 minute 58.26 seconds – the fastest in the world this year.

It was a first Diamond League victory since 2011 for Semenya, who was subjected to gender testing after winning gold at the 2009 World Championships.

BBC

Doyle Wins Diamond League Opener

UEFA Defends Europa League Final Venue

UEFA has defended its decision to host the Europa League final at St Jakob-Park, which has a capacity of 35,000.

The home of Swiss club FC Basel will become the second smallest venue to host the competition’s final when Liverpool face Sevilla there on 18 May.

The executive committee of European football’s governing body made its decision in September 2014.

“Of course, it is impossible to predict in advance which clubs will reach the final,” UEFA said on its website.

“Europe’s largest stadiums are usually selected to host the Champions League final, and UEFA tends to select slightly smaller, top-quality venues for the Europa League final.

“This means UEFA can give more of its national associations an opportunity to host a club final, and gives fans across Europe the chance to experience a major final in their home nation.”

Liverpool have been allocated 10,236 tickets for the final, with Sevilla given a similar amount.

An additional 8,000 went on general sale, with the remainder taken by the local organising committee, national associations, commercial partners, broadcasters and the corporate hospitality programme.

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp, whose side overturned a first-leg deficit to beat Villarreal in the semi-finals, said he could find “30 million people who want to see the game”.

“It is a wonderful opportunity for all of us to play this final but we cannot change the stadium so we cannot think about this,” he said.

“I have been to Basel one or two times, it is a wonderful stadium and a wonderful city.

“It is even worth going there without having a ticket for the game to be around the stadium and enjoy yourself and enjoy life as a Liverpool supporter.”

However, the club has urged supporters who do not have a ticket not to travel to the Swiss city for the final.

BBC

UEFA Defends Europa League Final Venue

Casemiro To Miss Tonight"s Champions League Semifinal Against Manchester City

The excitement of Real Madrid fans with the return of star player Cristiano Ronaldo this week would’ve suffered a blow following the news that both Karim Benzema and Casemiro are unavailable against Manchester City.

Midfielder Casemiro and striker Karim Benzema did not attend the last training session on tuesday at Valdebebas, and were not included in the match-squad for the UEFA Champions League semifinal second-leg at the Santiago Bernabéu, against Manchester City.

Brazilian midfielder Casemiro, who has been a key figure in the team’s starting XI over the past months, took a blow to the hip in the victory over Real Sociedad on Saturday, but was expected to play against Manchester City.

He was absent from Monday’s training, but the fact that he just stayed in the gym again on Tuesday raised concerns, and coach Zidane declined to force the inclusion of the player, not to aggravate the injury.

Sambafoot

Casemiro To Miss Tonight"s Champions League Semifinal Against Manchester City

Atletico Madrid Champions League Success Like A Movie - Diego Simeone

Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone says his side’s “thrilling” Champions League semi-final success over Bayern Munich was like the final moments in a movie.

The Spanish club, beaten finalists under Argentine Simeone in 2014, will play Manchester City or Real Madrid in the final after a 2-2 aggregate score sent them through on away goals.

“Over the 180 minutes we showed the work of three years,” Simeone said.

“I hope that destiny will eventually help us in the final.”

Trailing 1-0 from the first leg in Spain, Bayern levelled the tie through Xabi Alonso’s deflected free-kick, before Atletico keeper Jan Oblak saved a Thomas Muller penalty,

Antoine Griezmann scored an equaliser on the break after-half-time – and although Robert Lewandowski’s header set up a tense finish, Atletico held on, despite Fernando Torres missing a penalty.

Simeone, whose side beat holders Barcelona in the quarter-finals, was clearly emotional as he addressed the media after the game.

“It doesn’t matter who we play in the final,” he said. “I’m proud of what has happened to this club. We are beating the best teams in the world.

“It was a very good first half by Bayern, they’re a great team. The missed penalty gave us life. The penalty miss by Torres hurt us – but in the end it was like a movie, thrilling, with five minutes extra time.”

Torres, who rejoined his boyhood club Atletico after disappointing spells with Chelsea and AC Milan, said: “It was very intense. We are so proud of this team, it is fully deserved.

“We’ve beaten some of the best teams in Europe, now we’re one step closer to the dream we all have. We have a chance to write the history that nobody at Atletico has.

“It doesn’t matter who the opponent in the final is. We are ready to fight with everyone.”

BBC

Atletico Madrid Champions League Success Like A Movie - Diego Simeone

Juventus Celebrate Title With 10th Successive League Win

Juventus celebrated the Serie A title in style with a 10th successive league win.

Hernanes and Simone Zaza scored the goals as Juventus extended their club record for successive home clean sheets to 10.

They were crowned champions for the fifth season in a row on Monday when Napoli, their closest challengers, lost to Roma.

And their players celebrated with fans after maintaining their stunning form.

Juventus celebrate winning Serie A

Juventus fans unveil a banner thanking their team for another successful season

Hernanes’ first-half strike and Simone Zaza’s late header helped Massimiliano Allegri’s men brush aside relegation-threatened Carpi.

They can complete a double by beating AC Milan in the Italian cup final on 21 May.

“I am happy with the win,” Allegri said. “It was a good one to get because the crowd was smaller than usual, after the celebrations and such.

“It pleased me that we did not concede a goal. Now we are thinking about the last two games and then the Coppa Italia final, which we are all looking forward to.”

BBC

Juventus Celebrate Title With 10th Successive League Win

Thiago Silva Wants Champions League Glory With Barcelona

Barcelona had repeatedly tried to sign the Brazilian defender during his spell at AC Milan, and also after his move to Paris Saint-Germain.

According to the information from Mundo Deportivo, Thiago Silva is willing to come to Barça and this time it’s very serious. Another story is that the club wants to sign him, now that the Brazilian is 31 years old.

Barcelona were unsuccessful in their previous attempts to bring Thiago Silva, and the player revealed few seasons ago that, at Camp Nou, he would’ve earned less wages than what he makes at Paris.

The report adds that Thiago Silva is tired of winning leagues and cups in France because his team have been consistently disappointing in the UEFA Champions League.

It is public knowledge that Barcelona are seeking central defenders to strengthen their back-four, and Thiago Silva and his entourage are also aware of this.

He wants to play in one of the biggest clubs in the world before ending his career and also dreams of finally lifting the European Cup, which hasn’t been possible at Paris Saint-Germain.

Barcelona had repeatedly tried to sign the Brazilian defender during his spell at AC Milan, and also after hia move to Paris Saint-Germain.

According to the information from Mundo Deportivo, Thiago Silva is willing to come to Barça and this time it’s very serious. Another story is that the club wants to sign him, now that the Brazilian is 31 years old. Barcelona were unsuccessful in their previous attempts to bring Thiago Silva, and the player revealed few seasons ago that, at Camp Nou, he would’ve earned less wages than what he makes at Paris. The report adds that Thiago Silva is tired of winning leagues and cups in France because his team have been consistently disappointing in the UEFA Champions League. It is public knowledge that Barcelona are seeking central defenders to strengthen their back-four, and Thiago Silva and his entourage are also aware of this. He wants to play in one of the biggest clubs in the world before ending his career and also dreams of finally lifting the European Cup, which hasn’t been possible at Paris Saint-Germain.

Thiago Silva Wants Champions League Glory With Barcelona

PSG Win French League Cup For Third Year In A Row

Angel di Maria scored the decisive goal as 10-man Paris St-Germain beat Lille to win France’s Coupe de la Ligue for the third year running.

Javier Pastore’s volley gave Laurent Blanc’s side a half-time lead, as Lille appealed for offside.

Djibril Sidibe equalised with a free-kick, before PSG midfielder Adrien Rabiot was sent off.

Di Maria rolled in the winner as keeper Vincent Enyeama inexplicably charged 30 yards from goal to meet the winger.

Victory means that PSG remain on course for a clean sweep of domestic trophies, having won the Trophees des Champions and Ligue 1, and with the Coupe de France final against Marseille to come on 21 May.

Manager Blanc’s future, though, remains uncertain because of his failure to take the club beyond the quarter-finals of this season’s Champions League, where they were defeated by Manchester City.

Di Maria shot weakly at Enyeama in the opening seconds of an entertaining final at the Stade de France, with Lille looking the more dangerous side after surviving a difficult opening 10 minutes.

Frederic Antonetti’s team had won six successive games going into the final, but went behind to a controversial goal five minutes before before half-time.

Pastore lashed a shot at goal as Lille struggled to clear a corner, with PSG full-back Layvin Kurzawa standing in an offside position inside the six-yard box as the ball flew into the net.

The officials ruled that Kurzawa was not active because he did not move towards the ball, but Enyeama believed that he was effectively prevented from diving to save the shot because the PSG man was in the way.

Lille responded positively, though, with Sidibe directing a free-kick into the corner of the net four minutes into the second half after Adrien Rabiot had been booked for fouling Sofiane Boufal.

Rabiot picked up a second booking, and was dismissed, for a late challenge on Boufal with 20 minutes left.

Lille, though, gave away a soft goal four minutes later, as Adama Soumaoro’s weak back header allowed Di Maria to sprint on to goalkeeper Salvatore Sirigu’s clearance, and the Argentian international nicked the ball past the onrushing Enyeama.

Soumaoro headed wide with a good chance to bring Lille level again, but PSG held on.

BBC

PSG Win French League Cup For Third Year In A Row

Defending Champions Out Of CAF Champions League

Holders TP Mazembe have been knocked out of the 2016 African Champions League after a 3-1 aggregate loss to Wydad Casablanca of Morocco.

The Moroccans drew the return encounter 1-1 in Lubumbashi on Wednesday after winning the first leg 2-0 in front of their home fans.

Mazembe will now drop down to the Confederation Cup play-offs for a place in the group phase of the competition in an attempt to win continental silverware this year.

Eight-times record African champions Al Ahly of Egypt also progressed at the expense of Tanzania’s Young Africans.

The Egyptians’ powerhouse won their return encounter 2-1 in Cairo to advance on a 3-2 aggregate after drawing 1-1 in Dar es Salaam in the first leg.

Elsewhere in the competition, ASEC Mimosas of the Ivory Coast also made it through on a 3-2 aggregate despite losing their second leg to Libya’s Al Ahly Tripoli 2-1 on Wednesday.

AS Vita Club of the Democratic Republic of Congo went through on the away goals rule after losing the second leg against South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns 2-1 in Pretoria.

The draw for the group stage will be held on 24 May in Cairo, Egypt.

Defending Champions Out Of CAF Champions League

Former Champions Through To Group Phase of CAF Champions League

Former Africa champions Zamalek of Egypt and Entente Setif of Algeria have joined Zambia’s Zesco United in the group stages of the African Champions League.

Zamalek grabbed a late equaliser against Mouloudia Bejaia of Algeria to progress 3-1 on aggregate.

Setif, African champions in 2014, were held to a goalless draw at home by Sudan’s Al Merreikh but go through on the away goal rule having earlier drawn 2-2 in the first leg.

Zambia’s Zesco beat Mali’s Stade Malien 2-1 on Tuesday to complete a 5-2 victory on aggregate to reach the Champions’ League group stage for the first time.

The losers get a second chance as they enter the draw for the play-offs in the second-tier Confederation Cup competition.

In that competition, former African champions Esperance of Tunisia booked their place in the play-off round of the competition on a 4-2 aggregate win over Tanzania’s Azam.

They have been joined in the next stage by fellow Tunisians, Stade Gabesian who beat Zambia’s Zanaco 3-0 on aggregate while Sagrada Esperanca of Angola went through at the expense of  V Club Mokanda of Congo.

Former Champions Through To Group Phase of CAF Champions League

Samartex FC Sets Premier League Target

GN Bank Division One League (DOL) club, Samartex FC, has set a target of Premier League promotion after their ‘giant killing’ effort of knocking out 20-times Ghana Premier League champions, Hearts of Oak in the 2015/16 MTN FA Cup round of 32 clash.

The Samreboi based side made the news over the weekend after they eliminated Hearts from the competition and this has boosted the morale of the side with the management and players believing it is a reality to book promotion to the elite division of Ghana football.

Welfare and Operations Manager of Samartex FC, Simpson Darko in a post match interview after the game against Hearts revealed the club’s Premier League target and how they intend to go about it.

He said, “our target is to gain promotion to the Ghana Premier League next season and our elimination of Hearts from the MTN FA Cup competition justifies the good work we have put in place to ensure this aim becomes a reality”.

Samartex FC will know on 26 April their round of 16 opponent when the draw is held.

Samartex FC Sets Premier League Target

NWL: Real Upper Ladies Suffer Home Defeat In Debut Match

National Women League newbies Real Upper Ladies suffered an opening day home reverse in the hands of Ashtown Ladies at the Wa Park.

The NWL new comers saw their debut match ended in a bizzare manner thanks to their comical defending in front of their teaming fans.

An own goal from shot stopper Issahaku Barikisu was followed up by a screamer from the enterprising Anima Ruth in a 1-2 home reverse for the Upper West region based side.

Tijani Umar Farouk’s gallant ladies ushered in their inaugral match in the NWL under the watchful eyes of Deputy Minister of Education Honourable Okudjeto Ablakwa and the Wa Municipal Cheif Executive Honourable Issahaku Nuhu Putiaha but saw their joyous mood muddied by the spirited Ashtown Ladies.

A sumptuously whipped long range pass from star midfielder Amina Naomi forced Issahaku Barikisu out of his goal line in an attempt to parry the ball away from goal.

The teen custodian however succeeded in kicking the ball straight at the back of his own defender which eventually reverted into her own net moments into the first half.

Real Upper Ladies however came out of recess pumped up and came close to drawing level through the lively Appiah Gladys.

The new comers however found themselves 0-2 down when Naomi raced onto a dropping past to unleash a screamer that made Issahaku Barikisu look like a statue.

Appiah Gladys however her reward in the final 10 minutes of the match in a magical moment to give hope to her team mates.

The elusive equalizer however could not come despite the territorial dominance of the home team.

Honourable Issahaku Nuhu Putiaha, MCE for Wa Municipal graced the occasion and pledged to provide support for the gallant ladies win, loose or draw.

NWL: Real Upper Ladies Suffer Home Defeat In Debut Match

Premier League Would Be “A Step Down” For Ibrahimovic - Thiago Silva

Brazil and Paris Saint Germain captain Thiago Silva says that Zlatan Ibrahimovic would be taking a step down if he were to leave PSG for the Premier League this summer.

The 34 year old is out of contract at the French club in July, with rumours percolating of a move to England.

However, teammate Silva, also a teammate of Zlatan’s at A.C. Milan, thinks the Swede would be better off staying in Paris, “He is my good friend, but also at 34 he is playing the best football of his career.

He is one of the best in the world, he is unique, there is not another player like him.

“Of course I want him to stay at PSG, I cannot imagine us without him. I know he has offers from England – and it is a big league – but I don’t think there is a team in England that is at the level of PSG at the moment. For me it would be a step down in quality for him.”

Manchester United are the club being linked with Ibrahimovic most regularly.

Credit: Sambafoot

Premier League Would Be “A Step Down” For Ibrahimovic - Thiago Silva

Zonal Women"s League Officially Launched

This year’s Ghana national zonal women’s league has been officially launched in Accra. It came off successfully at the premises of the Ghana Football Association (GFA) on Wednesday.

Kwesi Nyantakyi, President of the GFA graced the occasion with his presence and officially declared the season opened after his statement.

Two regions, the Greater Accra and the Northern Regions, have been selected to host the competition for the Southern and Northern Zones respectively. Six teams from the selected regions will take part in each zone to select three (3) to join the National Women’s League this season.

Hosts for the championship are requested to assist with the acquisition of two (2) grassed playing fields and other technical arrangements for the competition.

Participating teams for the Southern Zone are:

a. Hasaacas Ladies

b. Soccer Intellectuals

c. Lady Strikers

d. Police Ladies

e. Immigration Ladies

f. Halifax Ladies

g. Samara Ladies

h. Elmina Bafana Ladies

Northern Zone

a. Ampem Darkoa Ladies

b. Prisons Ladies

c. Fabulous Ladies

d. Ashtown Ladies

e. Lepo Ladies

f. Real Upper Ladies

g. Northern Ladies

h. Subayo Golden Ladies

Zonal Women"s League Officially Launched

Kotoko"s Atta Kusi Confident of Winning in Dormaa

Kumasi Asante Kotoko full back Atta Kusi, has set his sight on the three vitals points at stake when they head to Dormaa for the clash with Aduana Stars on Sunday.

The flying full back tasked his colleagues to end their away day shut out at the Nana Ameyaw Park, since they have never scored a goal in six previous attempts.

The 24 league champions endured a nightmarish start to the 2016 with one win in five attempts but their talented wing back reveled in their first triumph of the season ahead of the trip to Brong Ahafo region on Sunday.

Kusi rallied his team mates to be motivated by the need to muster a run of successive wins on the local scene and especially banishing that disastrous record of failing to score at the Dormaa Park in over 540 minutes.

The winger turned defender urged fans of the Reds to troop to the Dormaa Park and cheer them to that vital first win at the dreaded Nana Agyemang Badu Park.

“We are poised for our first ever victory at the Dormaa come Sunday, when we take on Aduana Stars.

Collectively as a group of players, we are ready to extend our winning run on the local scene after recording the first of the season against Hasaacas.

“It was the turning point of our season and Aduana Stars will fall just like any other side from now.

We know we have not even scored in Dormaa before, but this is football and everything has a first time.

Our supporters should continue the support and we will make them happy once again”, Kussi told sports crusader exclusively.

The record league holders endured its worst start to a domestic league in almost five decades after failing to win any of its opening four league fixtures.

A hard earn first win of the season at the hands of Sekondi Hasaacas however look set to ignite the fading light of David Duncan’s men ahead of the Dormaa trip on Sunday.

Kotoko"s Atta Kusi Confident of Winning in Dormaa

CAF Champions League Exit Has Affected Us - AshGold

Defending Ghana Premier League champions, Obuasi AshantiGold SC has admitted the club’s preliminary exit from the 2015/16 CAF Champions League has had a negative effect on the team.

The Obuasi based club started the defense of their league title with a slim 2-1 home victory over Medeama SC since then, subsequent results has been four straight draws and this has seen their chance of retaining the crown slashed by the bookmakers.

The ‘Aboakese’ lads lie seventh on the log with seven points, six behind leaders Hearts of Oak going into this weekends Match-Day six clash with Liberty Professionals. Only a win can get the yellow-and-black side back into the title fight even at this early stage of the season.

Kofi Yawson, Public Relations officer of the side, in an interview with Sportscrusader.com mentioned that some players are still shell-shocked and are yet to recover from the Champions League exit as they feel disappointed and this has had some effect on their league form.

He said, “we qualified to the CAF Champions League as league winners and we were hoping to make it to the group stage but it did not work. The players were impressed with the fans support in the first leg against MO Bejaia and were looking to reward them with a good result in Algeria but we lost 3-1 and that sealed our fate”.

“And this I believe has had some negative effect on the side’s showing in the league this season,” he added.

CAF Champions League Exit Has Affected Us - AshGold

Kotoko WIll Turn Around Poor League Start - Malik Jabir

Former Kumasi Asante Kotoko player and coach, Malik Jabir has tipped his old side to turn around their poor start to the 2015/16 Ghana Premier league season.

Kotoko lie 11th on the league log after five matches having won just one, drawn two and lost two games and this has brought undue pressure to the playing body and technical team headed by coach David Duncan, as well as the management.

The Porcupine Warriors have another daunting task on Sunday when they come up against Aduana Stars away, a side they have never defeated at the Nana Agyemang Badu Park at Dormaa since they gained promotion to the top flight league some six years ago.

Bookmakers have tagged them favourites to record their third defeat of the season on Sunday against an Aduana Stars side that have been unbeaten in their last two league games.

But Coach Jabir who has seen league glory with Kotoko as a player and coach has admitted that the club has had a bad start to the season but will turn things around beginning with the away game to Aduana Stars.

He said, “the league is still young after five weeks but if Kotoko will pick themselves up now and through to the second round of the league after correcting the earlier wrongs, then Kotoko will be back in the title race”.

“I don’t think Kotoko is in a big mess now but there’s no need to press the panic button just yet but they should start with the Dormaa game and find some winning consistency,” he added.

Kotoko WIll Turn Around Poor League Start - Malik Jabir

Atta Kusi Confident Kotoko Will Bounce Back Soon

Kumasi Asante Kotoko right back Atta Kussi is confident his embattled side will bounce back very soon after a difficult start to the campaign.

The enterprising wing back admitted enduring a difficult start to the campaign on the domestic scene as a unit but promises an instant return to form by the players.

Kumasi Asante Kotoko endured its worst start to a league season in ten years with no win in four attempts.

Atta Kusi, who has been one of few survivors from last season’s trophy less winning squad played down the dreadful to the season and has charged his colleagues to kick off their campaign with a convincing victory over Sekondi Hasaacas over the weekend.

The confident speaking versatile defender remains confident of fruitful season at the end of the current campaign despite their current troubles.

Speaking exclusively to sports crusader, Atta Kussi said, “Football is unpredictable but we will bounce back.

“We will have to work harder and come back stronger as well.

“We just have to train very hard and take our remaining seriously as a unit.

“There is no problem in the team or with the teamWe have played only four matches and anything is still possible in the league.” He stated.

The full back then charge his colleagues to show their mettle with a home victory over Sekondi Hasaacas to get their season going.

“We have no option but to win our next match so as to start our campaign. We can’t afford to drop points for now.

This is the time we need the support of our fans on weekly basis as a club. We are still working to get things going”, Atta concluded.

Atta Kusi Confident Kotoko Will Bounce Back Soon

Ofori Tipped To Pick Number One Spot in Black Stars

Wa All Stars General Manager Seth Panwum has called on Richard Ofori to make a real assault on the Black Stars after an impressive start to the season.

The confident speaking administrator tasked the lanky shot stopper to extend his monstrous start to the season with a real assault at the national team’s number one custodian.

Ofori extended his impressive form from last season into the current campaign with one goal conceded in the opening 360 minutes of league action.

The 22 year old agile goalie capped an impressive 2014/15 FCPPL season with the goalkeeper of the year award and his club’s General manager has charged him to even improve on his personal performance if he is to unseat the current number one goalie in the black stars.

“Ofori enjoyed a very spectacular 2014/15 season and has already shown enough signs to suggest his readiness for any competition.

His performance keeps improving on regular basis and I was not surprised seeing him win the best goalie last year.

For now he just needs that elusive exposure to unleash the best in him.

Fortunately for him, he has worked on his mental toughness and I think he will soon be the number safest pair of hands for the black stars”, Seth told sports crusader.

Ofori earned his debut Black stars call up late last year in a heavy thumping of Mauritius in Kumasi.

The 22 year old has however blossomed since into one of the revered custodian on the local scene.

Ofori Tipped To Pick Number One Spot in Black Stars

GPL Report: Kotoko - AshGold Fire Blank

Kumasi Asante Kotoko and Ashanti Gold drew blank in their outstanding Ghana Premier League (GPL) fixture on Wednesday afternoon.

It was the second draw in succession for both sides having drawn last weekend against Medeama SC and Berekum Chelsea respectively.

David Duncan made five changes to the starting lineup against the Miners and his decision looked to have made little impact in his quest to end the early season ghosts, which has haunted the Porcupine Warriors.

The record premier league champions started on the front foot, looking to satisfy the burning desire of fans for a win in the season and created the best chances of the afternoon, but failed to take advantage of AshGold’s leaking defence to amass all points at stake.

There was an early scare for AshGold on the early stages of the game when promising youngster, Dauda Mohammed darted his way into the Miners backline, but his final finish though, was poor.

A cagey first half ended with nothing separating the two teams.

A rejuvenated AshGold returned and dictated proceedings but the final product was again disappointing.

Several challenges dominated the game as the midfield battle became stiff with match day referee Awal Mohammed cautioning Theophilus Nyame for a ‘needless’ lunge on Eric Opoku.

Kotoko won the 50-50 challenges and the pendulum swung in their favour, and a split ball to Ahmed Adams from Sekyere carved an opening for the center back to hit a ferocious shot which hit the cross bar for the second time.

AshGold settled for a draw and soaked all the pressure from the two time CAF Champions League winners. They sat back playing on the counter, and one of those surging forward on the break gave them their best chance chance of afternoon.

It fell on the way of Nuhu Fuseini but the former New Edubiase striker failed to tap in to earn AshGold a second a win in 27 league played at the Baba Yara Sports stadium.

There was nothing more as both fired blank. Both coaches will however be happy because it was an improved performance from their previous games.

GPL Report: Kotoko - AshGold Fire Blank