Strand"s Departure Could Be A Blessing- Medeama Chief

President of Medeama Sporting Club, Mr. Moses Armah feels the unceremonious departure of Head Coach Tom Strand could be a blessing in disguise.

The 33-year old Swede trainer shocked many football fans across the world when he disappeared from his side’s hotel, leaving his resignation letter after their 3-1 defeat to Mamelodi Sundowns in the CAF Confederation Cup play-off first leg tie in Pretoria over the weekend.

Strand’s action has gained international lenses with widespread fears his coaching career could be all but over.

But the two-time Ghanaian FA Cup holders are undaunted by the bizarre exit of the controversial trainer and club President Mr. Moses Armah reckons the current situation could be a blessing in disguise.

“It is good for us, whatever has happened is very good for us,” Armah told reporters on arrival from South Africa.

“Before our departure I didn’t even want to go with him but the CEO pleaded on his behalf so if he has left fine.

“We are going all out to qualify for the next stage, coach Adotey will handle the team”, he added.

Medeama host the Brazilians in Sekondi on May 18 needing to overturn the 3-1 deficit.

Strand"s Departure Could Be A Blessing- Medeama Chief

Evans Adotey To Take Charge Of Medeama

Technical Director of Medeama SC, Augustine Evans Adotey will take over the coaching responsibilities of the club on interim basis until a substantive coach is appointed.

According to Sportscrusader.com sources, the club reached a decision to appoint the experienced former Ghana female Under-17 national coach to lead the team after head Coach Tom Strand left the team in South Africa for no reasons.

Coach Adotey had earlier in the season stepped in to take charge of the technical bench in Medeama’s Ghana Premier league (GPL) games on days the Swede abandoned his duties.

And he has been assigned to take charge of their upcoming league game against Liberty Professionals and their CAF Confederations Cup second leg encounter against Mamelodi Sundowns on May 18 at the Essipong Stadium.

Adotey was appointed technical director of the club in November 2015. He led the team to beat Inter Allies and Wa All Stars this year, and was headed the technical directions of the team in the second half when they visited Asante Kotoko in Kumasi earlier this season.

Evans Adotey To Take Charge Of Medeama

Official: Strand Goes AWOL

Ghana Premier League (GPL) side, Medeama SC has confirmed that head Coach, Tom Strand has gone AWOL.

Sportscrusader.com reported earlier today that the Swede left the team hotel, Holiday Inn in Pretoria, and officials made a complaint to the South Africa police.

The club has confirmed the report.

Medeama would like to announce our coach Tom Strand has gone AWOL in South Africa after the team’s defeat to Mamelodi Sundowns in the CAF Confederation Cup play-off tie.

A resignation note has been found in his room after he checked out of the Holiday Inn Express Hotel without our consent.

A report has been lodged with the South African Police who have assured us of acting swiftly to know his whereabouts.

Accordingly, the Ghana High Commission in South Africa has also been duly notified of the current situation.

The club is in constant touch and cooperating fully with authorities to unravel the mystery surrounding his whereabouts.

We would like to assure to our teeming fans and Ghanaians to remain calm in these trying times.

 

Official: Strand Goes AWOL

Tom Strand Goes AWOL In South Africa

Sportscrusader can confirm that head coach of Medeama SC, Tom Strand has absconded from the team’s hotel Holiday Inn around Sunny Park in Pretoria.

The Tarkwa-based club is due to return to Ghana on Monday night to prepare for the second leg CAF Confederation Cup play-off on Sunday against Mamelodi Sundowns.

As the team were preparing to lodge out of the hotel, officials realised that the Swede was nowhere to be found.

Their enquiries at the hotel revealed Strand might have sneaked out on Sunday night when the contingent were been hosted by the Ghana High Commission.

Officials of the club has confirmed to Sportscrusader.com that the 35-year-old is no where to be found and they have made an official complaint.

According to Sportscrusader gathering, Strand left a resignation letter in his hotel room.

It will be recalled that Strand has had issues with technical director of the club, Augustine Evans Adotey since match day 2 of the 2015-15 Ghana premier league (GPL).

Tom Strand Goes AWOL In South Africa

Strand Attributes Sundowns Collapse To Fatigue

Medeama SC Coach, Tom Strand attributed his side’s defensive frailties which led to their 3-1 defeat against South African side Mamelodi Sundowns to fatigue.

The Ghanaian side were  1-0 up until the 81st minute, but three goals in six minutes from Leonardo , Khama Billiat and Cuthbert Malajila turned the tie on its head.

And speaking to reporters after the game, Swedish Trainer Strand, said the defeat was a painful one.

“It was very painful to see this happening in the last minutes but still I think we played a very good game today”, he said

“Unfortunately we got a little bit tired and got out of our positions and let Mamelodi get too much space to play in and they came back into the game.

“We shouldn’t have let them come back into the game but it happened today, and it’s football, it happens”, Tom Strand added.

However, the young tactician also opined that fatigue and playing at altitude was a contributor to their demise.

“It felt like we got really tired in the last ten minutes and we started to play in a different way that I don’t want to play, so we’ll work on that”, Strand said

Strand Attributes Sundowns Collapse To Fatigue

Medeama Name Squad For Sundowns

Medeama SC have named a 20-man squad for their CAF Confederations Cup game against South African side, Memalodi Sundowns.

The Mauves and Yellows are expected to depart for South Africa today (Thursday) after after their initial departure date was rescheduled due visa acquisition challenges.

Medeama’s 20-man squad for the trip to South Africa.

Goalkeepers: Muntari Tagoe, Michael Sai, Yaw Ansah

Defenders: Daniel Amoah, Paul Aidoo, Moses Sarpong, Victor Ayire, Francis Addo, Samuel Adade

Midfielder: Malik Akowuah, Kwame Boahene, James Akaminko, Bismark Oppong, Emmanuel Yeboah, Eric Kwakwa

Striker: Samuel Bio, Abbas Mohammed, Enoch Attah Agyei, Benjamin Bature, Bernard Ofori

Technical Staff

Tom Strand (Head Coach)

Evans Adotey (Technical Director)

Ben Owu (Goalkeepers Coach)

Henry Asante (Physiotherapist)

Abass (Team Manager)

Samuel Akyeh (Equipment Officer)

Medeama Name Squad For Sundowns

Strand Apologizes To Medeama

Medeama SC coach, Tom Strand has apologized to his employers for abandoning his coaching responsibilities.

The former Bechem United coach adopted a lackadaisical attitude towards his job since their 2-2 draw against Asante Kotoko in Kumasi earlier in the season.

He has not been at the bench for the last three league matches, the latest being their 1-0 win over Wa All Stars. According to Sportscrusader.com highly placed sources, the Swede watched the game from the stands without any explanation.

The hierarchy of the club met with the Swede on Monday, May 2, where he apologized for his attitude towards his job. He was asked to write an official apology letter which he did.

The club will decide his fate before flying to South Africa for their CAF Confederation Cup tie against Mamelodi Sundowns.

Strand Apologizes To Medeama

Tom Strand To Travel With Medeama For Sundowns Clash

Ghana’s sole representatives in Africa’s club competition, Medeama SC have confirmed that Head Coach Tom Strand will travel with the team to South Africa for their CAF Confederations Cup Play-off first leg tie with Mamelodi Sundowns.

Local media reports earlier in the week suggested that the Swedish trainer has been left out of the squad due to his recent conduct at the club.

But the Tarkwa based club has quickly moved to deny the claims, insisting it’s a figment of people’s imagination.

“I don’t know where the reports are coming from. He is traveling with the team,” Chief Executive Officer of Medeama SC, Mr. James Essilfie said in an interview.

“We are focused on the game and don’t want to get distracted by such reports. It’s a total fabrication”, he added.

The statement of the Club’s Chief was further reiterated by the ‘Mauve and Yellow’s official twitter handle.

https://twitter.com/MedeamaSC/status/727799210670755840

Medeama SC have been impressive in this year’s CAF Confederations and will be hoping to secure a result that will make the reverse fixture in Ghana a mere formality.

The Ghana FA Cup and Super Cup Champions are on quest to make a historic appearance at the Group Stages for the first time having failed to get past the second round three years ago.

Tom Strand To Travel With Medeama For Sundowns Clash

Oti Akenteng To Travel With Medeama

Sportscrusader.com can confirm that veteran coach, Oti Akenteng will assist in the technical responsibilities of Medeama in their CAF Confederation Cup match against Mamelodi Sundowns.

The Mauve and Yellows approached the veteran coach to assist in their next Africa campaign in South Africa, and he accepted to lead the club.

Medeama is expected to leave Ghana to South Africa, Pretoria, for the final round of the race to reach the money zone of the competition on Wednesday.

The game will be played on Saturday May 6.

Oti Akenteng To Travel With Medeama

Medeama To Meet Strand Tomorrow

The hierarchy of Medeama Sporting Club will meet head coach, Tom Strand on Monday to ask questions on his current behaviour towards his coaching responsibilities.

The Swede has abandoned his coaching responsibilities for the past three league games, the latest being their week 10 fixture against Wa All Stars.

According to Sports crusader sources, Tom Strand watch the match from the stands, and management do not understand his behavior.

A meeting will be held tomorrow, and the 35-year-old will be asked to explain why he has gone contrary to the agreement he signed about a year ago.

The club is not ready to let go the former Bechem United boss because they know his abilities, but will apply the contract agreement if the need be.

Medeama To Meet Strand Tomorrow

Medeama SC Denies Tom Strand"s Departure Rumours

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Medeama SC, James Essilfie has rubbished rumours suggesting the departure of their Swedish trainer Tom Strand from the club.

The celebrated Swede was conspicuously missing from the bench when the CAF Confederation Cup hopefuls edged out Inter Allies on Wednesday to spark another swift of rumours of him leaving the club.

The Mauves and Yellow have however vehemently denied such wrongly circulated news ahead of their clash with league leaders Wa All Stars on Sunday.

Tom Strand has been a focal figure at the helm of affairs with the Tarkwa-based side as they draw ever closer to the money zone of the CAF Confederation Cup.

“Strand is currently at his residence in Tarkwa and so reports that he is ‘lost’ must be disregarded”, an official club statement read.

“However , management is concerned about his attitude in recent weeks and will hold a crunch meeting with him today to take a definite decision,” the statement said.

He has not trained the team since Monday and failed to show up for our deserved Premier League win over Inter Allies on Wednesday”, the statement further added.

Medeama SC has endured an indifferent start to the domestic league but continues to excel in the CAF Confederation Cup.

The Tarkwa based side next welcome league leaders Wa All Stars on Sunday in a Match-Day 10 encounter in the 2016 GPL.

Medeama SC Denies Tom Strand"s Departure Rumours

Domestic Woes A Worry - Medeama SC

Medeama SC head coach, Tom Strand has said that his side’s domestic performance is a cause of worry for him.

The Mauve and Yellows have been woeful in this year’s league, but are doing well in the CAF Confederation Cup.

However, the domestic competition is a priority and he is worried their performance will affect their confidence.

“It’s a source of worry. We didn’t play as we’re known for but this is football,” he said.

“I am concerned about our domestic form. But I’m confident things will improve.

“Very disappointing to lose by such a margin but sometimes it happens,” he added.

“We have to put the Aduana Stars defeat behind us and move on.”

Medeama will host Inter Allies in an outstanding Premier League fixture on Wednesday.

Domestic Woes A Worry - Medeama SC

Medeama Will Qualify - Strand

Medeama SC coach, Tom Strand says his side will qualify to the next phase of the CAF Confederation Cup at the expense of Al Shendy of Sudan today.

After eliminating Al Itthad 2-1 on aggregate at the Essipong Sports Stadium in the last round, expectations are high that the team will take advantage of the home support to go further in the competition after drawing goalless in the first leg in Sudan.

Though the Swede admits the encounter will not be a stroll on the park, he is optimistic his side is better placed to qualify.

“I believe in my team and, so, I believe that we will qualify and win the game. That is the only way, otherwise we will be out,” he told Accra based Class FM.

Tom Strand also called on supporters to fill the stands of the Essipong Sports Stadium to cheer the team on to victory.

“We are in dire need of their support because they are the 12th player and without them we are never going to make it.

“It is very important that they come in their numbers so they can lift Medeama to a higher level and give us the support required to lift us up to the next step in this campaign.”

Medeama are Ghana’s sole representative in Africa inter-club competition this year following the elimination of AshantiGold from the CAF Champions League.

Medeama Will Qualify - Strand

Medeama Hold Final Training In Ghana

Ghana Premier League outfit, Medeama SC on Tuesday, held their final training session in Tarkwa ahead of their trip to Sudan for the CAF Confederation Cup round of 16 first leg tie against Sudanese side Al-Ahly Shendi.

The two-time Ghanaian FA Cup champions trained at the Tarkwa and Aboso Park under the supervision of Swede Trainer Tom Strand ahead of their departure on Wednesday.

The team, is expected to arrive in Accra on Wednesday morning before connecting to Adis Ababa where they will board a flight to Sudan for the first leg tie which slated on April 10.

The Mauves and Yellow will hold further training sessions in Khartoum before flying to Shendi-venue for the match on Saturday.

The Ghanaians will play the Sudanese side on Sunday afternoon at 2:PM Ghana Time.

Medeama Hold Final Training In Ghana

Medeama Won"t Sack Strand

Medeama SC is on the crossroads with head coach Tom Strand, but say they won’t sack him.

The 35-year-old has made his displeasure known public after his coaching responsibilities was taken over by Technical Director, Evans Addotey in their two-all stalemate against Asante Kotoko in Kumasi.

He returned to duty for the club’s CAF Confederation Cup tie against Al Ittihad of Libya, and the MTN FA Cup game against Liberty Professionals, but has since refused to attend training sessions.

It is alleged he made certain decisions in the MTN FA Cup tie against Liberty Professionals and was criticized. Tom Strand did not take the criticisms in good faith and his close allies says his attitude is to trigger a sack from Medeama.

But Medeama SC insist he will not be sacked. According to sportscrusader.com sources, the club will rather have him sit at home than let him leave.

They have also promised no amount of money will convince them to release Strand to suitors. The club has warned him against resigning from the post.

Clubs sources says that the club do not owe Tom Strand and his attitude is only pushing them to react, but they will not.

Medeama Won"t Sack Strand

I Have Not Resigned From Medeama- Tom Strand

Under Fire Medeama SC trainer, Tom Strand has debunked rumours that he has handed in his resignation letter to the management of the Tarkwa based club, insisting that he’s happy at the club despite mounting reports linking him with a move to Kotoko.

The 33-year-old has in recent times not been spotted on the bench on Medeama and the Swede did not travel with the team to Berekum for the outstanding Premier League fixture against Chelsea on Wednesday.

The recent absence of the young trainer fueled speculations that he wants out of the club, with some reports indicating that officials of Asante Kotoko had held ‘secret talks with the European tactician.

Both Medeama and Asante Kotoko have publicly come out to deny the stories, but coach Tom Strand in an interview has confirmed that the reason for his absence while reaffirming his commitment to the club.

“I have not resigned from Medeama. I have not said anywhere that I have resigned,” he said

“I had malaria but now I’m getting better. I have no plans of leaving the club.I have a contract and plans to respect that till the end.

“Please people should disregard the so-called resignation reports.” Strand added.

Strand is expected to return to the dugout ahead of the side’s home game against Bechem United on Sunday.

I Have Not Resigned From Medeama- Tom Strand

Tom Strand Praises Home Based Players

Medeama SC expatriate trainer Tom Strand has described the home based Ghanaian players as “diamond bars that only needs polishing to appeal to the international market”.

The Helsingborg born Swedish tactician has praised the quality of players plying their trade on the local scene, whiles acknowledging the work done by the various coaches.

The much sought after trainer commended the effort by the various clubs in keeping their players in shape during the long absence of league matches.

Strand, who is reported to be on the wanted list of Kumasi Asante Kotoko’s should they part ways with David Duncan expressed his amazement at the calibre of players on the local scene.

“I will like to say Ghanaian players are like diamond cave. There are so many young talented players based here in Ghana.

“All they need is processing or polishing and after that they will become pure diamonds”, Tom told sports crusader exclusively.

The expatriate coach, who has been in Ghana for the past three seasons rated last season’s league higher than the current campaign.

“The league this year has not been that high in quality (as compared to last year).

This is because every one has done a great job on his players and team at large”,Tom Strand concluded.

The 35 year old Swedish trainer stormed the GPL three seasons ago with Bechem United before finally settling with Tarkwa based Medeama SC.

Tom Strand Praises Home Based Players

Tom Strand Wants Out Of Medeama

Medeama Sporting Club head coach, Tom Strand wants to quit the Takoradi-based club, sportscrusader.com can confirm.

The Swede who was hired from Bechem United last season, has been involved in power struggle with ‘co-technical’ team members and some members of the board since Medeama’s two-all stalemate against Asante Kotoko in Kumasi.

The 35-year abandoned touchline responsibilities in that game, threatened to quit the club if management meddle in his job, but returned to lead the team to Tunisia for their CAF Confederation Cup tie against Al Ittihad of Libya in Tunis.

He was again on the touchline for their CAF Confederation Cup return leg against Al Ittihad, but failed to sit on the bench for their outstanding league match against Ebusua Dwarfs.

He was also not on the bench when the MTN FA Cup defending champions were knocked out of the competition by co-premier league side Liberty Professionals on Sunday, and has since not showed up for training.

Sports crusader follow ups confirmed that Strand is ready to quit and join Kotoko as its being reported by the local media, though sportscrusader.com sources say Kotoko has not made any contact, but have not ruled it out in the near future.

Tom Strand Wants Out Of Medeama

CAF Confed Cup: Medeama Lose 1-0 To Al-Ittihad

MedeamaSC will go into the return leg of the CAF Confederation Cup in buoyant mood after losing by a lone goal to Libyan side, Al Ittihad of Tripoli in the first leg in Tunisia on Sunday.

A first half strike from El Bulki turned out to be the games only goal which has given the Ghanaian club hope of overturning the goal deficit in the second leg.

The home side, Al Ittihad started the game the brightest in the opening 10 minutes, with the Ghanaian club resulting to counter-attacks in an exciting game.

The North Africans, looked hungrier and their intent was clear after Hasuna went wide after just two minutes.

Striker Bush Naf was handful for the Medeama defenders, using his physical presence and experience to out-muscle defender, Daniel Amoah.

As the first half was drawing to a close in, centre-back Daniel Amoah fouled Bush Naf, and Sudanese referee Mutaz Khairalla pointed to the spot kick.

Midfielder El Bulki elected picked himself after the foul and brilliantly lost goalkeeper Muntari Tagoe who was completely beaten.

Medeama midfielder Malik Akowuah and goal keeper, Goalkeeper Muntari Tagoe put in Man-of-the-match performances to keep the scoreline at a respectable position and a possible task going into the return leg.

 

Medeama will host the return encounter in Ghana on March 20.

CAF Confed Cup: Medeama Lose 1-0 To Al-Ittihad

Nurudeen Ahmed To Assist Tom Strand In CAF CC

Sportscrusader.com can confirm that Nurudeen Ahmed will travel with Medeama SC to Tunisia for the first leg of their Confederation of Africa Football (CAF) Confederation Cup, (CAF CC) match on Sunday.

Ahmed left his post two weeks ago after suffering a second successive Ghana Premier League defeat against Wa All Stars in Dormaa.

And he has been contacted by the management of the Mauve and Yellows to follow the team to Tunisia as a stand in for Technical Director, Evans Addotey who has a national assignment this weekend.

Sports crusader sources say Ahmed has been lined up as a potential replacement for Tom Strand who has threatened to quit after Evans Addotey meddled in his job.

Medeama SC will leave Accra on Thursday with 29-man contingent for the first leg of their CAF CC against Al Ittihad.

Nurudeen Ahmed To Assist Tom Strand In CAF CC