WAFA, Rockets, Make MTN FA Cup Progress

Ghana Premier League (GPL) outfit, WAFA and GN Bank Division One (DOL), side Wa Rockets have advanced to the quarter-finals of this year’s MTN FA Cup competition.

The Academy lads beat Emmanuel FC 1-0 in their round of 16 tie at the Red Bull Arena, Sogakope on Friday to advance as they chase their first major silverware in the Ghanaian game.

Caleb Amankwah scored the lone goal for WAFA who will now await the draw for the last eight of the competition with high hopes.

Also on Friday, Isaac Bawa got the only goal for Wa Rockets who gained a 1-0 victory over Asokwa Deportivo at the Wa Stadium.

The DOL side are also confident of making further progress in this year’s competition, and, will anticipate a favourable draw in the next round.

WAFA, Rockets, Make MTN FA Cup Progress

Okwawu United – Sekondi Hasaacas MTN FA Cup Game To Go Ahead

GN Bank Division One outfit, Okwawu United will hope to cause a minor upset when they host Sekondi Hasaacas of the Ghana Premiership in their round of 16 tie of the MTN FA Cup competition on Sunday.

The game will be played at the Nkawkaw Park, and, it is set to go ahead after earlier moves by the hosts to pull out of the competition.

At home, United will be favourites to win this one as they have been very strong at the Nkawkaw Park this season in the Division One League (DOL), winning all but one of their matches.

Hasaacas have been very poor travelers in the Ghanaian game for quite some time now, it will find it difficult to produce a result against the DOL high-flyers.

United are chancing a place in the top-flight league next season, and, will be high on confidence as they head into this battle.

Hasaacas have lost all their away games in the Ghana Premier League (GPL) this season, and, it will be interesting to see where they will draw inspiration from as they visit traditionally one of the most difficult venues in Ghana football.

Okwawu United – Sekondi Hasaacas MTN FA Cup Game To Go Ahead

Bechem United Confident Of MTN FA Cup Success

Ghana Premiership outfit, Bechem United are confident of advancing to the next round of the MTN FA Cup competition and believe they can go all the way to lift the trophy.

The Hunters will play Real Tamale United (RTU) on Sunday in a round of 16 tie at the Tamale Sports Stadium and hope to advance to the quarter finals of the competition.

Chieftains at the club believes the MTN FA Cup represents the best opportunity for them to win silverware this season, and, are not relenting in their efforts towards achieving success in the competition this season.

Head of their technical team, Manuel Zacarias has not lost a game since being appointed a couple of weeks ago, and, said they will approach their next game with all seriousness.

“We understand RTU is a step below us in the Ghana football league structure, but, this is an FA Cup game, and, if we want to progress, then we must take it head on,” he said.

The fact that RTU will be at home for this tie the Portuguese added, will, inspire them to go for it, knowing they will be in the last eight if they win.

However, he contends that they will hope to press home their top-flight status to progress to the next round of the competition at the expense of the GN Bank Division One outfit.

Bechem United will be at home to Kumasi Asante Kotoko when the Ghana Premier League resumes next Wednesday.

Bechem United Confident Of MTN FA Cup Success

Mighty Royals Hope To Cause MTN FA Cup Upset At Wa

Wamanafo Mighty Royals will hope to cause a huge upset in the round of 16 ties of the MTN FA Cup competition when they visit the home of Wa All Stars on Sunday.

Royals are flying high in the GN Bank Division One League in Zone One as they chase a spot in the top-flight next season, and, have been impressive in the knockout competition so far.

It will be a huge upset if they are able to beat All Stars at the Wa Stadium on Sunday as the home side has been very dominant at that venue over the last few seasons.

And playing against the premiership side, Royals will have to punch above their weight to be in contention of knocking out their more illustrious opponents from the competition.

All Stars have targeted winning silverware this season, in either the League or Cup competition and will mount a massive assault on this game with a place in the last eight assured for the winner.

It should therefore be a good game to savour for fans in the Upper West region with the possibility of a shock not been ruled out entirely.

Mighty Royals Hope To Cause MTN FA Cup Upset At Wa

Elmina Sharks Hope To Continue With Good Form In MTN FA Cup Competition

GN Bank Division One Zone Two leaders, Elmina Sharks hope to advance to the quarter-finals of the MTN FA Cup competition on Sunday.

They will play True Democracy at the Nduom Stadium, Elmina in a round of 16 tie with the winner set to advance to the last eight of the competition.

Sharks are unbeaten in the Division One League (DOL) as they chase a place in the Ghanaian top-flight next season, and, at home, will be favoured to win this encounter.

True Democracy has surprised many with their run to this stage of the competition, and, the Greater Accra Second Division outfit will not be short on confidence heading into this game.

This game has all the attractions of being the tie of these rounds of 16 ties, and, it should therefore be a game to look up to in the Sunday encounters.

 

Elmina Sharks Hope To Continue With Good Form In MTN FA Cup Competition

MTN FA Cup: Atta Kusi Targets Storm Academy Scalp

Kumasi Asante Kotoko right back Atta Kusi has switched his attention to the MTN FA Cup after their heavy triumph over Ebusua Dwarfs in the league.

The energetic fullback has set his target on hurdling past Storm Academy FC for a place in the last eight of the coveted MTN FA Cup competition.

Kumasi Asante Kotoko endured a torrid start to the season but has since shown signs of resurgence with back to back wins in the league.

Workaholic fullback for the record domestic league champions, Atta Kusi, however remains confident his side will sail through to the last eight of MTN FA Cup when they trek to Nkawkaw on Saturday, May 14, 2016 o play the third tier side.

“We are going into the fixture on the back of a fine performance in recent matches and I am confident we will qualify to the next stage,” Kusi said.

It is very important for us to continue our winning ways both in the MTN FA Cup and League matches”, he told sportscrusader.com.

The ambitious defender added, “We have to keep the moral very high and this can be achieved if we continue winning. We have to avoid complacency going into the fixture and play as a team and I am confident we will progress”.

Kotoko have enjoyed a roller coaster ride in the MTN FA Cup in the opening two runs en route to the last 16.

 

MTN FA Cup: Atta Kusi Targets Storm Academy Scalp

MTN-Ghana to headline 41st SWAG Awards

Communication Giants MTN Ghana Limited, will remain the headline sponsors for the 41st Edition of the Sports Writers Association of Ghana (SWAG) Awards night.

This was after a successful meeting with officials of MTN Ghana and the Executive Committee of SWAG.

The 41st MTN-SWAG awards will be held at the Banquet Hall State House, Accra on Saturday, May 28 and it is aimed at conferring honours on spots men and women who excelled in 2015 sporting Calender.

A statement signed by William Dodzi Ezah, General Secretary of SWAG said, the event would remain “MTN-SWAG Awards Night” making it the sixth consecutive year, since the two bodies joined hands in the sponsorship agreement.

According to the statement, the 41st MTN-SWAG Awards would coincide with the 20th Anniversary celebrations of the communication giants as well.

The statement said, MTN-Ghana has over the years been satisfied with their relationship with SWAG, hence the decision to renew the contract after the expiration of the last contract in 2015.

It said, the MTN-SWAG Awards, one of the longest running sports events in the country, would officially be launched on Monday, May 16, at the head office of MTN-Ghana at Ridge.

The headline sponsors, would use the launching to announce their package for the 41st MTN-SWAG Awards, whilst SWAG would also use the occasion to announce to the public details of this years event.

In all 26 sports men and women drawn from the various sporting disciplines would be honoured on the night for their performance in the year 2015.

Below is the list of nominees and award winners; Sports Personality of the Year: Andre Ayew, Asamoah Gyan, Yusif Basigi, Bashiru Hayford, Footballer of the Year; Andre Ayew, Asamoah Gyan, Harrison Afful, Premier League Star of the Year

Eric Opoku (Ashgold), Kennedy Ashia (Liberty Pros), Richard Ofori (Wa All Stars), National Team of the Year; Black Queens     – The female national team, Golden Rackets   – National Tennis Team, Coach of the Year; Yusif Basigi (Black Queens, Hasaacas Ladies), Bashiru Hayford (Ashgold), Henry Quansah (Golden Rackets), Professional Boxer of the Year; Richard Commey, Amateur Boxer of the Year; David Bawa, Athlete of the Year (male); John Ampomah, Athelete of the Year (female); Nadia Eke, Para-Athlete of the Year; Patrick Yaw Obeng, Female Hockey Player of the Year; Jonny Botsio, Female Hockey Player of the Year; Nafisatu Umaru, Table Tennis Star of the Year; Felix Lartey, Bernard Joe Sam, Emmanuel Commey, Derrick Abrefa, Judoka of the Year (female); Szandra Szogoli, Judoka of the Year (male); Emmanuel Nartey (All Africa 60kg bronze),

Taekwondo Star of the Year; David Adjetey, Association Chairman/President of the Year; Frederick Otu Lartey of the Ghana Taekwondo Association (GTA), Discovery of the Year; Richard Seklorwu (long jump gold medallist, Commonwealth Youth Games in Samoa), Joseph Tindan Kuyon (silver medalist, World Children Taekwondo Culture Festival in South Korea), Most Promising Star: Joel Fameyeh, Dedication and Valour: Stephen Oduro (Asante Kotoko), Lifetime Achievement Award: Sophia Okulley (women’s football), The Special Awards; Asamoah Gyan (sports philanthropy), Eben Annang Whyte (development of table tennis) and Police Women’s Hockey team (silver medalist, African Clubs Championship).

MTN-Ghana to headline 41st SWAG Awards

MTN FA Cup Committee "Happy" With PL Club"s Elimination

Vice Chairman of the MTN FA Cup Committee, Kofi Poku has said in an interview with Sportscrusader.com that the excitement surrounding the round of 32 ‘giant killing’ of Premier Division clubs by lower tier one’s, excites them.

The Football Association’s organised knock-out competition saw many Premier Division clubs fall to Division One clubs in the round of 32 and this surprise and giant-killing effort by these lower division clubs has excited the MTN FA Cup Committee members especially vice Chairman, Kofi Poku.

Mr Poku said the Committee is happy with the surprise elimination of top division sides and this according to him justifies the competitive nature of the competition and how ‘equal all clubs are’ competing in the competition.

“This is what the MTN FA Cup competition is meant to be – to excite fans and lovers of the beautiful game, the results and how the big clubs are exiting the competition justifies the competitive nature of this knock out tournament,” he told Sportscrusader.com.

The round of 16 draw of the competition will be held at the Alisa Hotel in Accra on 26 April.

MTN FA Cup Committee "Happy" With PL Club"s Elimination

MTN FA Cup: Give Us Kotoko, Samartex Demands

Ghanaian Division One League (DOL) side, Samartex FC has asked to be paired with giants Kumasi Asante Kotoko in the next round of the MTN FA Cup competition.

This follows their conquest of another of Ghana’s biggest clubs Accra Hearts of Oak in the last round of this year’s competition with Kotoko also accounting for Real 24 Hours of Tumu.

The Timber boys caused a major upset in the Round of32 ties when they beat the Phobians 4-2 on penalties at Samreboi on Saturday to advance to the last 16.

The game played at the Samartex Park, ended goalless after 90 minutes before the DOL Zone Two side kept their nerves better in the ensuing shoot-out.

And chieftains at the club have asked to be paired with Asante Kotoko in the next round, believing they have what it takes to cause another upset.

“We want to play Kotoko in the next round of the competition and, we want the venue to be the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi their home ground,” club administrator, Alex Eshun said.

“You saw today that we have the boys to march any team in Ghana, and, should have beaten Hearts of Oak in regulation time,” he added.

“We are ready for any side in the competition, and, our aim is to win it and represent Ghana in Africa next year,” he stated, stressing further that they will beat Kotoko if they are paired in the next round.

MTN FA Cup: Give Us Kotoko, Samartex Demands

GPL Giants Exist MTN FA Cup

Ghana Premier League (GPL) giants, Accra Hearts of Oak and AshantiGold SC have existed the MTN FA Cup competition after being knocked out at the Round of 32 stage by lower class opposition.

Both went out on penalties after their respective games ended in a stalemate after 90 minutes allowing their Division One League (DOL) opponents to sail through.

Hearts of Oak lost 2-4 in the shoot-out to Samartex FC of the DOL Zone Two in a highly uncompromising encounter played at the Samartex Park, Samreboi.

AshantiGold also failed to make it to the Round of 16 after losing their shoot-out 2-4 to Asokwa Deportivo of the DOL Zone Two, after their game ended 1-1 after 90 minutes at the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi.

Other GPL sides however made it through safely in the games played on Friday and Saturday in the race to succeed Medeama SC as champions of this competition with the defending champions already out.

A goal in each half ensured that Kumasi Asante Kotoko advanced past third tier side Real 24 Hours FC 2-0 at the Tumu Park to book their place in the next round.

WAFA beat DOL Zone Two side, Karela FC 1-0 at the Red Bull Arena in Sogakope to advance to the last 16 of the competition.

Liberty Professionals knocked out DOL Zone Three side Pure Joy FC 7-6 on penalties in a game played at Prampram. The 90 minute encounter ended 1-1.

In other results, Power Sporting Club lost 4-5 on penalties to Wa Rockets after their encounter ended 1-1 after 90 minutes.

True Democracy beat Accra Youth FC 1-0 at the Tema Park; Third tier side, Storm Academy beat Kotoku Royals FC of the DOL Zone Three 1-0 at the Nkawkaw Park.

AC Milan drew 1-1 after 90 minutes but lost the shoot-out 4-5 to Mighty Royals of Wamanafo at the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi.

The rest of the Round of 32 ties will be played this afternoon (Sunday) to complete the line up for the last 16 teams.

GPL Giants Exist MTN FA Cup

Sabahn Laryea Back For Hearts’ MTN FA Cup Game

Accra Hearts of Oak midfielder Sabahn Laryea is available for selection for his side’s MTN FA Cup round of 32 game with Samartex FC on Saturday.

The player has duly served the one match suspension imposed on him after he picked a third yellow card of the season prior to their last game.

Laryea picked up a third yellow card of the season in the 1-3 loss to Wa All Stars in Accra, and, therefore missed Hearts’ Ghana Premier League game with Techiman City at the weekend.

His position in the starting line-up was taken by Leonard Tawiah as the Phobians drew goalless with the league debutants in that away encounter.

Laryea expressed satisfaction about the team’s performance in last Sunday’s game, and thanked his colleagues for being up to the task as they came out unscathed in that difficult encounter.

“I will like to thank my teammates for leaving up to the task in last Sunday’s game in Techiman, as we kept our unbeaten away run intact in that goalless draw game,” he said.

He was swift to point out that the side will look to take the games as they come and believes that Accra Hearts of Oak will rise to the task on Saturday as they engage Division One side, Samartex FC in the FA Cup competition.

Laryea will look to play a part in that game as Hearts seek to book a place in the next round of the competition by overcoming the lower tier side in their own backyard of Samreboi in Ghana’s Western region.

Sabahn Laryea Back For Hearts’ MTN FA Cup Game

MTN FA Cup Round of 32 To Be Held On Wednesday

The clubs who have made it to the round of 32 of the MTN Fa cup will know their fate when the official draw is held live at the premises of Metropolitan Television (Metro TV) on Wednesday, 6 April.

The Round of 32 draw will see all the 32 qualified clubs go into the draw as they battle for the MTN FA Cup this season after 2014/15 defending champions, Medeama SC exited in the round of 64 to fellow Premier League side, Liberty Professionals.

Accra Hearts, Kumasi Asante Kotoko and AshGold remain big names among the lot and have been named as favourites to win the trophy this year.

The draw will be held at 9pm with FA Cup Committee Executives officiating the draw.

MTN FA Cup Round of 32 To Be Held On Wednesday

MTN FA Cup: We Are Ready For Any Opposition – Hasaacas

Coach Yusif Basigi says Sekondi Hasaacas is ready for any opposition after seeing his side through to the next stage of the MTN FA Cup competition.

The Premiership outfit beat third tier side Holy Stars 2-0 at Anyinase on Saturday to advance to the Round of 32 of this year’s competition.

And Coach Basigi said after the game that his side is ready for any opponent in the next round, insisting that they are very much capable of winning it.

“This is a knock out competition and you should be ready to face any opponent as you don’t know what the draw will look like in the next round,” he said.

Goals in either half by Amos Kuranchi and Eric Bekoe secured victory for the Ghana Premier League side over their lower tier opponents.

Coach Basigi said, they await the draw for the next round of the competition with keen interest and will go all out to make the most of any opportunity that would be presented them.

He will hope to guide the Sekondi-based club to a first silverware in the competition for the first time since 1985 when they defeated Asante Kotoko 2-0 in Accra for their only triumph so far.

MTN FA Cup: We Are Ready For Any Opposition – Hasaacas

Bekoe Scores As Hasaacas Progress In MTN FA Cup

Former Ghana goal king Eric Bekoe was on target for Sekondi Hasaacas as they progressed to the Round of 32 in the MTN FA Cup competition on Saturday.

Bekoe scored in the second half to add to a first half effort by Amos Kuranchi as the Ghana Premier League side beat Holy Stars of the second division 2-0 at Anyinase.

The win sees Hasaacas qualify to the next stage of the competition as they seek to win this trophy for the first time since 1985.

In other Round of 64 games played on Saturday, Okyeman Planners of the First Division, beat third tier side Red Lions of Akatsi 4-1 on penalties after their encounter ended 2-2 after 90 minutes.

Premier League side Inter Allies beat Krystal Palace 1-0 at Akosombo to advance to the next stage of the competition. Ishmael Ntifuni scored the lone goal for the Tema-based club.

Wa Rockets beat Real Bawku United 1-0 at the Wa Stadium and will be in the pool for the Round of 32 draw later.

Asokwa Deportivo beat STK Stars 2-1 away at Swala; Dunkwa United recorded a 2-0 home victory over Heart of Lions; Rainbow FC of Kumasi beat Real Tamale United 3-1 on penalties after their game ended 1-1 after 90 minutes at the Kumasi Anglican Secondary School Park.

In an all First Division affair, Pure Joy FC beat Danbort FC 2-0 at Prampram; Unicon FC lost 0-1 at the Sekondi Stadium at Essipong to True Democracy.

On Friday, Sunyani Liberty FC beat Tamale Liberty FC 2-0 at the Coronation Park; Karela FC beat Sporting Mirren 1-0 at Anyinase; WAFA beat Efutu Great Kingdy FC 2-0 away at Winneba with Power Sporting Club losing 0-1 at home in Wa to Nsuatre FC.

Bekoe Scores As Hasaacas Progress In MTN FA Cup

MTN FA Cup: Cape Coast FC Protest Thrown Out

The Disciplinary Committee (DC) of the Ghana Football Association (GFA) headed by lawyer Prosper Harisson Addo has dismissed the protest filed by Cape Coast Metro Youth Football Club (FC)  against Great Astronomers in their MTN FA Cup game.

Cape Coast Metro Youth Football Club (the Petitioner) on March 15, 2016 filed a protest against Great Astronomers Football Club (the Respondent) for using six (6) unqualified players who they claim did not have their players’ licenses for inspection at the match in contravention of Articles, 16(1), 16(5)(b), 26(4) and 34(1)(e) of the General Regulations of the GFA.

The Committee stated the basis for throwing out the case as; Metro Youth failing to file the protest within two (2) days after the said match as stipulated by Article 30(b) of the FA Cup Regulationsth and that the protest of Cape Coast Metro Youth FC was filed out of time.

It ruled that the match result of 2-0 in favour of Great Astronomers FC shall stand and that there shall be no order as to cost.

The DC further ruled that should any party be dissatisfied with or aggrieved by this Decision, the party has within two (2) days of being notified of this Ruling to appeal to the Appeals Committee of the Ghana Football Association.

MTN FA Cup: Cape Coast FC Protest Thrown Out

MTN Ready To Sponsor GPL If ...

MTN Ghana’s leading telecommunication network, MTN will consider sponsoring the Ghana Premier League (GPL) if the Ghana Football Association (GFA) submits a proposal.

The GFA has been hunting for a new sponsor for the league after Capital Bank abrogated its deal with the body ahead of the start of this season for yet to be made known reasons by both parties.

The acting Chief Marketing Officer at MTN, Noel Kojo Ganson said in an interview with Accra based Starr FM that his outfit will consider sponsoring the league once a proposal is made.

“When it comes up, we will look at it. Some of the discussions will come up and when it does, we will look at it,” Mr Ganson said.

He emphasized that they will measure the benefits and since football is one of “our pillars, we will analyze all the opportunities that are available once an approach is made.

The Ghana Premier League since it commenced this season, has been highly patronized at all centers and sustaining it will require some sponsors as the season rolls on.

MTN Ready To Sponsor GPL If ...

Coach Allotey happy with win over Great Olympics FA Cup

Abrahams Allotey of Danbort FC, has said he was happy with his side’s 3-2 victory over Accra Great Olympics at the Nungua Presby Park in this year’s MTN FA Cup competition, which saw them progressed to the next round of the competition.

Danbort FC scored a last gasp winner to hurl the former champions out of the competition on Saturday and Coach Allotey praised the efforts of his charges in overcoming this obstacle.

“I am happy for the boys for defying all odds to knock out such a big opposition out of this year’s competition and I am hopeful that we will build on this result to reach far this season. ” He told Sportscrusader.com after the game.

He added: “This was one game in which we prepared very well knowing the caliber of opposition we were going to face, therefore we are happy and satisfied with this result which should build our confidence up ahead of upcoming matches.” He said.

Danbort FC wants to be very competitive on all fronts this season and have made some quality inclusions into their squad for this season.

“The objective this season is to do very well in all the competitions we play; we want to go far in the FA Cup and get noticed as well as pushing for the ultimate in the second tier league,” he hoped.

Coach Allotey happy with win over Great Olympics FA Cup

Kwesi Nyantakyi Led Executive Committee Team Lose To Sponsors

GFA Lose To Sponsors In Football Gala

The Ghana Football Association engaged its sponsors in a football gala on Saturday December 26 at the Lizzy Sports Complex in Accra.

Kwesi Nyantakyi (right) kicks off the match

The game brought together stakeholders in Ghana football to celebrate and appreciate eachothers effort towards the development of the game in the country. The minister for youth and sports, Dr. Mustapha Ahmed, president of the Ghana football association, Kwesi Nyantakyi, Vice President of the GFA, George Afriye and other members of the FA executive committee were present.

The media team that participated in GFA gala

 

Ghana football technical director, Oti Akenteng (right) was not left out of the fun

 

 

The GFA Executive committee team pose for the cameras

The GFA executive committee lost all the games played. The media select team coached by Asempa fm morning show host, Kojo Mensah ‘Moshosho’ drew their game.

(L – R) Agyemang Badu and Asamoah Gyan were present to grace the FA/sponsors gala

Some Black Stars players who are currently on winter break attend the games and played as guest players. Udinese midfieder, Agyemang Badu captained the GFA xecutive committee team whilst Black stars captain, Asamoah Gyan and Evian TG defender, Jonathan Mensah watched on.

Former Black stars forward, Baffour Gyan in hat and flanked by some friends

 

Sponsors that took part in the event included GNPC, Unibank, MTN and GN Bank. The game was in line with the Association’s quest to strengthen its existing cordial relationship with its sponsors.

Kwesi Nyantakyi Led Executive Committee Team Lose To Sponsors