Thomas Abbey: Player Declared Fit By Hearts Medics

Winger Thomas Abbey has been passed fit to return to training with Accra Hearts of Oak after suffering a rib injury in the Ghana Premier League (GPL) Match-Day Three game with Ebusua Dwarfs at Cape Coast.

He suffered the injury in that goalless stalemate and has since been on the treatment table as the club medics worked on him.

The player has been declared fit to start training again and, will join the team in Friday’s training session at the Ajax Park, Legon in Accra.

Abbey enjoyed a blistering start to this campaign, playing crucial roles in helping Hearts of Oak record important wins in their opening two games of the season before that draw at Cape Coast where he suffered the injury.

It had a serious effect on his health as he had to spend a week at the Ridge Hospital in Accra upon the recommendation of the club’s medical team.

The good news though for all Hearts of Oak fans is that he is back to full fitness and will join Coach Keni’s side in training ahead of the midweek GPL clash with Sekondi Hasaacas at the Accra Sports Stadium.

Thomas Abbey: Player Declared Fit By Hearts Medics

Hearts of Oak v Asante Kotoko: Player To Watch-Amos Frimpong

Either side of the wing-back is perhaps one of the most unglamorous positions in the game and there have been some impressive players who have put up commanding displays for their clubs in the Ghana Premier League so far.

Amos Frimpong, for example, has been key to Kotoko’s defensive resilience not only this term, but since monopolising the position since joining the Porcupine Warriors from Brong Ahafo Stars in 2011/12 Premier League season.

He’s been the most trusted right-back in the club, and picking over the captain’s armband was only a bonus after Ohene Brenya was knocked out the starting role.

Amos Frimpong is versatile, and his presence in games is a plus at the back-line. He’s not a threat in aerial duels, but he is a bee when he is in the third end of the pitch.

He has played 90% of Kotoko’s games this season and he’s been industrious. His presence will not only be the player leading the playing body of Kotoko, but the leader his colleagues will look up to when the grass gets thicker.

The local Black Stars defender will look to lead his Kotoko side to victory over Hearts of Oak and bring back the smiles back on the faces of their fans in a season that has seen them struggle for form.

Hearts of Oak v Asante Kotoko: Player To Watch-Amos Frimpong

Hearts vs Kotoko: Player To Watch-Mustapha "The General" Essuman

Mustapha Essuman is a midfielder who was born on January 17, 1983 and plays for Ghana Premier League (GPL) club, Accra Hearts of Oak.

Essuman signed on a free for Accra Hearts of Oak after numerous stints across Europe and his last stint was in the Vietnamese football league with Cần Thơ football club.

The 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) started his professional career with Liberty Professionals FC and in 2003 was named as captain of the club before he left in 2005 for his exploits abroad.

Upon his return to Ghana, Hearts signed him aged 33 and this got opposing fans mock the Phobians for signing a player whose career has already hit its peak but the commencement of the 2015/16 season has seen Essuman’s critics revise their harsh verdict on him.

The former Liberty professionals midfielders performance has seen Hearts record seven wins, a draw and defeat in the nine game old GPL season.

His vast experience coupled with the young, enterprising Isaac Mensah has got Hearts off to an impressive start to the season.

Hearts host their fierce and sworn rivals, Kumasi Asante Kotoko on Monday, 2 May at the Accra Sports Stadium and the Porcupine Warriors midfield will have to put in an extra shift to stop Essuman who already has a goal from midfield and three assists to his name to have any chance of picking at least a point or all the three available on the day.

Hearts vs Kotoko: Player To Watch-Mustapha "The General" Essuman

Former Player Says LVG Can Succeed At Man Utd

Javier Hernandez believes Louis van Gaal is still capable of turning Manchester United’s fortunes around – despite being told he was surplus to requirements by the Dutchman.

The Mexican striker has taken the Bundesliga by storm this season since leaving Old Trafford for Bayer Leverkusen in September.

Hernandez was named Bundesliga player of the month three consecutive times in November, December and January and has scored 16 goals in 25 league games so far this season.

In contrast, United have struggled in front of goal and are currently in danger of missing out on Champions League qualification as they trail both Arsenal and Manchester City by four points with five games to play in the race for the top four.

Many would forgive Hernandez for harbouring resentment towards Van Gaal for the manner in which he was forced to leave Old Trafford.

But the 27-year-old still respects the beleaguered United manager and says he can guide the club back to the summit of English football if he is given more time.

“He is a really good manager to be honest,” Hernandez said, speaking exclusively to Sky Sports News HQ. “He has his own ways like all the managers in the world.

“You will not find the new Sir Alex Ferguson in the next 50 or 100 years because he was unique. He was special.

“Van Gaal can do it but in football, time and results are going to speak about if he is the main man or if he is not.”

After being loaned out to Real Madrid during Van Gaal’s first season in charge, Hernandez was told by the Dutchman that Wayne Rooney would be his first-choice striker and his chances in the United first team would be severely limited if he stayed.

While Hernandez has scored freely for Leverkusen, United have struggled in front of goal and are on course to shatter their record for lowest goals scored in a Premier League season.

The Red Devils have managed just 40 goals from their 33 games so far, while their previous low of 58 goals was set in 2004/05.

Anthony Martial is United’s top scorer in the league with eight goals while Rooney is second with seven. Their combined total of 15 league goals is one less than Hernandez has managed for Leverkusen.

Given how the season has gone for both parties, many United fans have questioned the decision to sell Hernandez but he says it was made clear to him that he was no longer wanted at Old Trafford.

“He just told me that my chances to play would be very hard,” Hernandez said. “I appreciate that he was very honest since the beginning.

“When I left, he told me my chances and my opportunities were going to be less because his main striker was going to be Wayne Rooney.

“If he wasn’t fit for example, I was going to play but when he was ready he would play.”

Credit: Skysports

Former Player Says LVG Can Succeed At Man Utd

Real Madrid Want £60million For Star Player

Manchester United and Chelsea are being asked for £60million if they want to sign James Rodriguez from Real Madrid .

The Colombian playmaker caught the world’s attention with his brilliant displays at Brazil 2014 and earned himself a big-money Madrid move, but is expected to leave the Bernabeu this summer after a disappointing campaign.

Real Madrid midfielder, James Rodriguez

Still just 24, there are a raft of clubs who are willing to take a punt on the former Porto and Monaco man but Madrid’s asking price has scared away the likes of Juventus.

Documents revealed by Football Leaks show that Madrid paid Monaco €75million (£60million) for the midfielder, plus clauses, but the Bernabeu club would be willing to write off the minimal bonus payments that have been triggered.

Real Madrid Want £60million For Star Player

Andre Ayew To Battle Williams And Briton For Swansea January Player Of The Month

Black Stars attacking midfielder Andre Ayew has been nominated for Swansea January Player of the Month Award.

The 26 year old former Marseilles attacker has been nominated for the monthly accolade alongside club captain Ashley Williams and Leon Britton.

The summer arrival at the Liberty Stadium has seen Ayew pick three player of the month award for the Welsh side since joining on a Bossman rule.

Ayew, announced himself to English football with the August Player of the month in the division and has since gone on to win three more player of the month at the club level.

The much sort after Ghana international registered 2 goals in 4 appearances for Swansea City in the month of January to steer the Whites away from drop.

Andre is set to rival captain Ashley Williams who capped a highly productive January with an important goal in a 1-0 over Watford.

The list is completed by the experienced Leon Britton who starred prominently for the Liberty based side as they ended January 2016 with one defeat in four matches.

Andre will be gunning for his fourth Swansea player of the month when the winner is decided by the clubs fans.

Andre Ayew To Battle Williams And Briton For Swansea January Player Of The Month

Gabon striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang wins CAF Footballer of the Year Award

Gabon striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has been crowned CAF African Player of the Year for the first time.

The 26-year old beat Ivorian Yaya Toure and Ghana’s Andre Ayew to the crown, the most prestigious individual award in African football.

He polled 143 points, seven more than Toure whilst Ayew finished a distant third with 112 points.

He thus becomes the first from his country, Gabon, to win the prize and was decorated at the 2015 Glo-CAF Awards Gala held on Thursday, 7 January 2016 at the International Conference Centre, Abuja, Nigeria.

The feat by Aubameyang ended the four-year reign of Toure, which lasted 2011 to 2014.

For the African Player of the Year – Based in Africa, Tanzanian Mbwana Aly Samatta was decorated, becoming the first from East Africa to win the coveted prize, reserved for footballers plying their trade on the continent.

Samatta garnered 127 points, ahead of his TP Mazembe teammate and DR Congo goalkeeper Robert Muteba Kidiaba, who amassed 88 points.

Algerian Baghdad Bounedjah trailed in third place with 63 points.

Cameroonian Gaelle Enganamouit was adjudged Women’s Player of the Year becoming the first from her country to pick up the prize.

It was double delight for hosts Nigeria with two prizes, Victor Osimhen – Youth Player of the Year and Etebo Peter Oghenekaro – Most Promising Talent of the Year.

For guiding Cote d’Ivoire to continental glory, former coach Herve Renard was named Coach of the Year and ‘Les Elephants’ as National Team of the Year.

Cameroon scooped the Women’s National Team of the Year prize and DR Congo giants, TP Mazembe, Club of the Year, whilst Gambian Papa Bakary Gassama went home with the Referee of the Year award.

Former Ghana coach Charles Kumi Gyamfi and Cameroonian Samuel Mbappe Leppe were honoured posthumously in the African Legend category.

Edwin Gyamfi received the honour on behalf of his dad whilst …… picked the prize for Mbappe Leppe.

The event, sponsored by Nigerian telecommunication outfit, Globacom, was a night to celebrate and reward sporting excellence, also showcased superb and first-class entertainment from outstanding entertainers across different parts of Africa. There were musical performances by Shatta Wale (Ghana), Ahmed Soultan (Morocco), Salif Keita (Mali), Awilo Longomba (DR Congo) and Nigerians King Sunny Ade, Dija, Korede Bello, Flavour, Omawumi, Bez and Ego.

The crème de la crème of football administrators around the continent were in attendance

Gabon striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang wins CAF Footballer of the Year Award

Ighalo is Africas Best in EPL for December

New African Soccer has announced announced Nigerian striker, Watford FC’s Odion Ighalo as winner of Premier League’s African Player of the month of December.

A statement put out by the organisers stated that “Ighalo’s prolific December, which made him second highest scorer in the league and joint top scorer in the country in the 2015 calendar year made him so overwhelming that there was no need for a shortlist.

By winning this award, Ighalo also made history by being the first player in the short life of the awards by New African Soccer, to win it twice in one season.

It will be recalled that he also won the October award and was in the shortlist for November.

We shall be hearing more from this player soon, who is fast establishing himself as a pride of Africa.

Ighalo is Africas Best in EPL for December

Confirmed: Micheal Sai joins Medeama SC

The Management of Berekum Chelsea FC have confirmed the release of their player Micheal Sai to Medeama SC, after reaching an agreement with the Tarkwa based club.

A statement from the Communications Director of the Club, Isaac Amponsah said both sides have reached an agreement for the release of the player.

Sai played a vital roll for the club in the just ended 2014/2015, having joined them in 2012.

He played a total of 89 matches for the club in the league as well as the Confederation of Africa Football (CAF) Champions League.

The statement said, the club is grateful for the services of the player, and his commitment during his time with the club and his professionalism through the years.

Confirmed: Micheal Sai joins Medeama SC