GAA Announces Athletes" Departure On Scholarship Programmes

The Ghana Athletics Association (GAA) has announced that three of its athletes have taken up college scholarships in the USA as of the first semester of the 2016/17 academic year.

The athletes, Martin Owusu-Antwi, Safia Bright and Agnes Abrokwah have already left Ghana for their new schools and will be seeking to further their education and career development, while also developing their athletic talent.

Martin Owusu-Antwi, who enjoyed a breakthrough season, winning gold in the men’s 200m final and 4x100m final at the 8th Africa Universities Games in Johannesburg, South Africa, has joined Coppin State University in Baltimore, Maryland.

Owusu-Antwi will be hoping to improve on his personal best of 20.73(PB) which he achieved in the men’s 200m final at the Soga-Nana Memorial on 8th July, 2016 at his new base.

Likewise, Agnes Abrokwah, after recording the fastest time by a Ghana-based athlete in the women’s 400m in 2016 when she stopped the clock at 53.06s, joins South Plains College, a public institution located in Levelland, Texas.

Abrokwah, one of the standout performers in the just-ended season, made her international debut at the CAA Championships in Durban, South Africa in July.

The three athletes are the latest to join the long list of athletes who are in the USA on similar student-athlete scholarships.

Meanwhile, 800 meters Youth Olympic Gold medallist, Martha Bissah, has gained a personal full scholarship worth $32,000 to study at the Norfolk University in Virginia USA earlier this month.

GAA Announces Athletes" Departure On Scholarship Programmes

Franz Beckenbauer Investigated For Corruption Over 2006 World Cup

Swiss prosecutors have opened a criminal investigation into German football legend Franz Beckenbauer and three others over Germany’s bid for the 2006 World Cup.

As members of that cup’s organising committee, they are suspected of fraud, criminal mismanagement, money laundering and misappropriation.

Some of the alleged crimes were carried out on Swiss territory.

Mr Beckenbauer, who headed the bid, has previously denied corruption.

Last October, he said he had made a “mistake” in the bidding process to host the competition in 2000 but denied votes had been bought.

In March, football’s world governing body FIFA began looking into six men for their part in Germany winning the rights to host the 2006 cup.

‘Repayment of a debt’

After launching their own investigations, linked to those of FIFA, Swiss prosecutors named four suspects on Thursday:

• Franz Beckenbauer: Former vice-president of the German Football Association (DFB), president of the 2006 World Cup local organising committee (LOC) and former member of the Fifa executive committee


• Wolfgang Niersbach: Former president of the DFB, vice-president of the LOC and current member of the Fifa and Uefa executive committees


• Theo Zwanziger: Former president of the DFB, vice-president of the LOC and former member of the Fifa and Uefa executive committees


• Horst Rudolf Schmidt: Former secretary-general of the DFB and vice-president of the LOC

Premises were searched in eight undisclosed locations on Thursday with the co-operation of the Austrian and German authorities, the prosecutors said.

Several suspects were also questioned, they added.

Germany beat South Africa 12-11 in the World Cup vote, which took place in July 2000.

The Swiss investigation centres on the use of 7m euros (£6m; $7.8m), later reduced to 6.7m euros, earmarked for a gala event.

“It is suspected that the suspects knew that this sum was not being used to fund the gala event, but instead to repay a debt that was not owed by the DFB,” prosecutors said in a statement.

“In particular, it is suspected that the suspects wilfully misled their fellow members of the executive board of the organising committee for the 2006 World Cup.

“This was presumably done by the use of false pretences or concealment of the truth, thus inducing the other committee members to act in a manner that caused DFB a financial loss.”

No further details were given.

Reporting earlier on Thursday, Germany’s Spiegel magazine said the investigation centred on payments made from 2002-2005.

‘This mistake’

Last October, Mr Beckenbauer said he did not give “money to anyone in order to buy votes”.

But in a statement, he said: “In order to get a subsidy from FIFA [for the organisation of the 2006 World Cup] those involved went ahead with a proposal from the FIFA finance commission that in today’s eyes should have been rejected.

“I, as president of the then-organising committee, bear the responsibility of this mistake.”

He captained West Germany to victory as hosts at the 1974 World Cup and was coach when they next lifted the trophy, in Italy 16 years later.

The former defender went on to manage French side Marseille and German giants Bayern Munich, where he is now honorary president.

Franz Beckenbauer Investigated For Corruption Over 2006 World Cup

Stoke City Sign Man City Striker Bony On Loan

Stoke City have signed striker Wilfried Bony on a season-long loan deal from Premier League rivals Manchester City.

Ivorian Bony, 27, has made 15 league starts since joining City for £28m from Swansea in January 2015, but had not featured under new boss Pep Guardiola.

The Potters have also signed Derby goalkeeper Lee Grant, 33, on loan until January.

Meanwhile, Porto and Netherlands defender Bruno Martins Indi, 24, is in talks with the club over a move.

“Bringing Wilfried in was a no-brainer for us,” said Potters manager Mark Hughes. “He has power, speed and very good physical attributes.”

Stoke targeted Ivory Coast international Bony as there had been no development in their attempt to sign West Brom forward Saido Berahino.

Last week, West Ham United manager Slaven Bilic said he was interested in signing Bony, who has three years left to run on his contract at Etihad Stadium.

BBC

Stoke City Sign Man City Striker Bony On Loan

Hearts In Crucial Stakeholders Meeting On Saturday

The National Chapters Committee (NCC), the leadership of the supporters union of Accra Hearts of Oak Sporting Club Limited, will hold a crucial stakeholders meeting at the Club’s Secretariat in Accra on Saturday.

Sportcrusader.com can confirm that the main agenda for the meeting will be issues affecting the club in these last few months.

Representatives from all the main organs of the club namely the old players association, regional supporters unions and Hearts Ladies, are expected to be present at this meeting.

Hearts have slummed from potential winners of this seasons Ghana Premier League (GPL) title and could finish outside the top four at the end of the campaign.

Since the club parted ways with the Japanese-American Kenichi Yatsuhashi, results have been dwindling, and, with three games to end the campaign, Hearts are six points behind the leaders.

This has not gone down well with majority of the supporters and Saturday’s meeting has been called to address these issues and many more.

On Tuesday, the club asked their Portuguese caretaker coach Sergio Traguil to revert to the position for which he was brought in for (to coach their youth side, Auroras) and placed Yaw Preko who was assistant to Kenichi, in charge for the rest of the season.

Hearts of Oak will need to win the remaining three games of the GPL to stand in with a chance of winning the title at the end of the campaign.

When the league resumes on the weekend of September 10 and 11, the Phobians will play Ebusua Dwarfs in Accra with another home game against Medeama SC following before they play New Edubiase United in their final game of the season.

Hearts In Crucial Stakeholders Meeting On Saturday

Abednego Tetteh Eyes MTN FA Cup Glory With Bechem United

Bechem United leading marksman Abednego Tetteh is eyeing winning the MTN FA Cup to as a compliment for the season he has had with the Hunters.

Tetteh has scored 12 goals in the ongoing Ghanaian top-flight league which has here games to go, and, will on Sunday lead the line when Bechem United takes on Okwawu United in the final of the MTN FA Cup competition.

That game is scheduled to come off at the new Cape Coast Stadium where Bechem United will look to win their first major silverware in Ghanaian football.

And Tetteh, who scored a hat trick in his side’s last league game against Accra Hearts Oak at Bechem last Sunday, hopes to replicate that form in Cape Coast on Sunday.

“We want to win this MTN FA Cup on Sunday, and, we will do everything possible to get our hands on the trophy at the end of the day”, he said.

Tetteh added: “This Sunday’s game means so much to us as players as it represents a great opportunity for us to write our names in the history of this football club (Bechem United) and we will go all out to win the cup at stake.”

Bechem United will come up against an opposition that has won this competition before when in 1986; Okwawu United beat Real Tamale United 1-0 to win the competition.

However, Tetteh insists that will have no effect on Sunday’s encounter as they hope to make their premiership status count when they play the second tier opponents.

 

Abednego Tetteh Eyes MTN FA Cup Glory With Bechem United

Ghana’s World Cup Qualifying Group Opponents Held In Friendlies

Egypt and Uganda failed to win their friendlies ahead of the start of the final round of qualifying to the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia as they were held to draws on Tuesday.

Both Egypt and Uganda are in Ghana’s group for the qualifiers which starts in October and, were looking to put their teams in shape ahead of those encounters.

Seven-time African champions Egypt were held to a 1-1 draw at the Alexandria’s Borg El Arab stadium in front of a packed house.

Uganda were also held to a stalemate as they drew goalless with their neighbours and bitter rivals Kenya at Mandela National Stadium, Namboole.

Mahmoud Hassan put the Pharaohs ahead seven minutes before break but, Bangoura Alhassane equalized for the Guineans midway through the second half in a game largely dominated by the hosts.

Egypt are also set to play another friendly with South Africa on September 6 as their new Argentine coach Hector Cuper puts his team together ahead of the final round of qualifiers to the next FIFA World Cup.

The Pharaohs will play Congo Republic on October 3 in their opening campaign with the Cranes of Uganda facing Ghana in the other group opener that same weekend.

The top nation after the round robin of the qualifying campaign will advance to the tournament in Russia in 2018.

Ghana’s World Cup Qualifying Group Opponents Held In Friendlies

Ghana’s World Cup Qualifying Group Opponents Set-Up Friendlies

Ghana’s group opponents in the qualifiers for the 2018 FIFA World Cup, Egypt and Uganda have lined up friendlies ahead of the start of the campaign in October.

Seven-time African champions Egypt will play Guinea tomorrow (Tuesday, August 30, 2016) at home as they continue with their preparations for the Russia 2018 qualifiers.

The Pharaohs are also set to play another friendly with South Africa on September 6 as their new Argentine coach Hector Cuper puts his team together ahead of those encounters.

Uganda will also play Kenya at Mandela National Stadium, Namboole with the Cranes seeking to be in good shape before they face Ghana in the first of those qualifiers in October.

Coach Cuper has admitted that he has been forced to win all friendly matches ahead of the start of the FIFA 2018 World Cup qualifiers after their recent defeat to Jordan in a similar exercise.

The 1-0 warm-up loss to Jordan at Aswan Stadium was followed by two 2-0 friendly victories over Libya and Burkina Faso but the Egypt FA was not satisfied.

“After losing a previous friendly to Jordan I was subject to intense criticism despite it being just a friendly,” Argentine boss Cuper said at a press conference last Friday.

“After that, I understood that I should be focusing on winning friendly games, even though playing these games is only intended to prepare the team.”

Egypt were drawn in a tight group at the qualifiers’ final round alongside Ghana, Congo and Uganda in June and will kick off their qualifying campaign against Congo on October 3.

The Pharaohs have made only two World Cup appearances, both in Italy in 1934 and 1990 and are desperate for a third to go with their status in the African game.

Tuesday’s meeting between Uganda and Kenya is also meant to fine tune the 1978 losing AFCON finalists ahead of a must win tie against Comoros on Sunday, September 4 with Kenya scheduled to play Zambia in group E on the same weekend – though both have no chance of qualification.

Uganda will face the Black Stars of Ghana in their opening qualifier and will hope these games will build them up ahead of that encounter.

Ghana’s World Cup Qualifying Group Opponents Set-Up Friendlies

Athletics: Olympic Champion Jebet Breaks Steeplechase World Record

Olympic champion Ruth Jebet smashed the world record for the women’s 3,000 metres steeplechase by more than six seconds at the Paris Diamond League meeting on Saturday.

The 19-year-old, who was born in Kenya and runs for Bahrain, clocked eight minutes and 52.78 seconds, more than nine seconds ahead of Olympic silver medallist Hyvin Kiyeng Jepkemoi of Kenya who finished second.

The previous record of 8:58.81 was set by Russian Gulnara Galkina at the Beijing Olympics eight years ago.

Jebet narrowly missed out on the world record when she won Bahrain’s first-ever Olympic gold medal in Rio de Janeiro this month.

It was clear that the world record was in danger after Jebet completed the first kilometre in 2:56.36.

She went through the second kilometre in 5:54.16 compared to Galkina’s split time of 6:01.20 in her record-breaking run in Beijing.

“I tried many times to beat the world record and today we decided to push each other to go for a good time,” said Jebet.

“I was not expecting such a big difference with the record. I think I finished my season today.”

Times of Oman

Athletics: Olympic Champion Jebet Breaks Steeplechase World Record

Salomon Kalou To Miss Ivory Coast"s AFCON Qualifier

Ivory Coast forward Salomon Kalou is set to miss the Africa Cup of Nations qualifier with Sierra Leone after suffering two family bereavements.

The 31-year-old Hertha Berlin player lost his father Antoine to a heart attack two weeks ago and is now also mourning the loss of his aunt Fernande.

He will fly home to spend time with his family during the international break.

Ivory Coast need only a draw with Sierra Leone on 3 September to qualify for the 2017 finals in Gabon.

“I’m travelling home to support my family,” Kalou told German daily Bild.

“Of course, I am unbelievably sad and feel empty,” he added.

“Football is a therapy for me at the moment. It will take a while to get over this.”

After last weekend’s opening round of Bundesliga matches, Berlin’s next German league game is on 10 September at Ingolstadt, but no date has been fixed for Kalou’s return.

Kalou was Berlin’s top scorer last season with 14 goals in 32 league games.

BBC

Salomon Kalou To Miss Ivory Coast"s AFCON Qualifier

Sierra Leone Camping In Accra Ahead Of Ivory Coast Game

Sierra Leone have set up a training camp in Accra ahead of their 2017 African Cup of Nations qualifier against Ivory Coast this weekend.

This move by the country’s Football Association, is to avoid pressure from home fans as they prepare for this final qualifier.

The Ivorians will host this Group I encounter in Bouake on Saturday, September 3 and Sierra Leone need to win to qualify for the tournament next year.

Should they achieve that, itwill be the first time they have made it to the finals in 20 years.

Ivory Coast need only a draw to secure the chance to defend their title in January’s finals in Gabon.

“We are taking the team to Accra to reduce the pressure and tension from the fans at home who would like to see the team succeed in the historical match,” Leone Stars Ghanaian born coach, Sellas Tetteh told the BBC.

“In the process we’ll create a conducive atmosphere for the boys to concentrate on the task ahead.

“This is a very important match for the country and for the team of young players who have never played in the Afcon finals.

“We are going to do our best and come out of the match with our heads raised up.

Sierra Leone provisional squad:

Goalkeepers: Solomon Zombo Morris (Quevilly, France), Unisa Koroma (East End Lions), Alhaji Dauda Conteh (Diamond Stars FC)

Defenders: Mohamed L. Bangura (Ports Authority FC), Umaru Bangura (FC Zurich, Switzerland), Ibrahim A. Kamara (Mighty Blackpool), Abu Kanu (FC Johansen), David Simbo (Krumkachy Minsk Belarus), Mohamed Kamanor (Unattached), Gibril Sankoh (Meizhou Kejia, China), Yeami Dunia (FC Johansen), Abu Suma (FC Johansen), Kemson Fofanah (East End Lions)

Midfielders: Prince Barrie (Kallon FC), Kwamie Quee (FC Johansen), Ibrahim Kabba (FC Kallon), Hassan Sesay (FC Lahti, Finland), Mohamed Kamara (Kuwait FC, Kuwait), Khalifa Jabbie (FC Sheriff, Maldova), Alfred Sankoh (Denizlispor, Turkey), John Bankole Kamara (Riga Latvia), Julius Woobay (Olimpija, Ljubljana, Slovenia)

Forwards: Mohamed Bangura (Dalian Yifang, China), Abdul Sesay (OPS, Finland), Sheka Fofanah (Vejle BK, Denmark) George Davies (Greuther Fürth, Germany), Donald Wellington (East End Lions), Christian Moses (Lion Pride FC), Abu Bakarr Mansaray (Old Edwardians), Ibrahim Sorie Barrie (FC Johansen)

Sierra Leone Camping In Accra Ahead Of Ivory Coast Game

FIFA Seeks "Good Solution" To Olympics

FIFA president Gianni Infantino wants to address the “sensitive issue” of football at the Olympics.

Brazil won the men’s tournament for the first time at Rio 2016, beating Germany at the Maracana Stadium.

However, while Infantino feels the women’s game has developed due to its inclusion in the Olympics, he says problems remain to be solved.

“The men’s game, which is primarily for under-23 players with a few added, is not a good solution,” Infantino said.

“The tournament is neither fish nor bird in this form. Also, the football calendar is too tight.”

Apart from 1896 and 1932, football has been in every summer Olympics, with the women’s tournament added in 1996.

Sixteen teams contested the men’s tournament in Brazil, with 12 sides in the women’s competition in which Germany beat Sweden in the final.

Following legal action by Barcelona, Werder Bremen and Schalke in 2008, clubs are no longer required to automatically release their players because the competition falls outside the recognised FIFA international calendar.

BBC

FIFA Seeks "Good Solution" To Olympics

Usain Bolt Pictured In Bed With Brazilian Student

Brazilian student Jady Duarte, 20, has revealed all about their night together in Rio – and now Usain’s girlfriend has reacted online.

Usain Bolt’s girlfriend has reacted to his night of passion with a Brazilian student, and near-constant wild nights out with a bevy of beauties since finishing the Olympics.

Model Kasi Bennett, 26, who he refers to as his ‘First Lady’, has remained silent on claims her man has cheated following his victory at the Games.

But now she appears to have thrown serious shade online, by liking a series of cutting comments from fans, and memes online hitting out at the star.

The brunette beauty liked an Instagram meme showing her and Brazilian Jady Duarte pictured side by side with the caption: ”When you girl is Selfridges, and you cheat on her with Primark.”

Mirror

Usain Bolt Pictured In Bed With Brazilian Student

Roger Federer Targets Australian Open For Return

Seventeen-time Grand Slam champion Roger Federer had knee surgery in February

Roger Federer is aiming to be fit for next year’s Australian Open after injury wiped out the last half of his 2016 season.

Federer, 35, has been out of action since late July – his last match was a Wimbledon semi-final loss to Milos Raonic.

The 17-time Grand Slam winner had surgery in February before a back issue ruled him out of the French Open.

“I’m working for the Australian Open,” the Swiss said. “I’m doing well.”

“I never thought I’d have a year like this. I’ve learned a lot from this year,” added Federer, who missed the Rio 2016 Olympics and will be unable to go for a sixth US Open title when the tournament begins on 29 August.

“It’s painful being here in New York, and it was painful during the Olympics because I love competing. But you can’t have it all.

“It was a tough decision to say the least – going out of Rio, the US Open, the [season-ending] World Tour Finals. But in some ways it ended up being a simple decision. Health is my number one thing.”

Federer was speaking at an event in New York to launch the ‘Laver Cup’, a Ryder-Cup style tournament named after Australian legend Rod Laver and set for September 2017 in Prague, with Europe playing the Rest of the World.

Former greats Bjorn Borg and John McEnroe are captains of the respective teams, with long-time rivals Federer and Spaniard Rafael Nadal set to play doubles together.

BBC

Roger Federer Targets Australian Open For Return 

Ibrahimovic Scores As Man United Begin Season With Win

Jose Mourinho made a winning Premier League start as Manchester United manager with a comprehensive opening victory at Bournemouth.

Juan Mata, who was substituted after coming on in last week’s Community Shield, opened the scoring with a tap-in after Simon Francis’ error.

Wayne Rooney headed the second before Zlatan Ibrahimovic marked his United league debut with a goal from 25 yards.

Adam Smith scored a consolation goal for the Cherries.

United were without world-record £89m signing Paul Pogba through suspension, while midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan started on the bench, with Mata preferred.

Can Mourinho bring back the fear factor?

As starts go, this was a highly satisfactory day for United – the Mourinho era began with a solid victory at a ground where they came unstuck under Louis van Gaal last season.

United started slowly and did not register a shot on target until a Rooney effort produced a comfortable save from Boruc in the 27th minute.

Yet it was job done once the visitors opened the scoring with a messy goal and added two more in the space of five second-half minutes to put them in a commanding position.

Mata looked unhappy when he was replaced 30 minutes after coming on at Wembley against Leicester last Sunday but the Spaniard was all smiles as he got Mourinho’s reign up and running.

Boruc made a fine block from Mata after Francis’ under-hit back-pass but the rebound bounced off Francis into the former Chelsea player’s path and he tapped home.

United’s second goal was also down to some good fortune – Rooney was well positioned to head home after Anthony Martial’s mis-hit shot fell perfectly for his captain.

Ibrahimovic was denied by a one-handed Boruc save but the Swede made it 3-0 with a drilled low finish from outside the area to leave Mourinho smiling.

Ibrahimovic conjures another debut goal

Ibrahimovic continued his remarkable record of marking debuts with a goal.

The 34-year-old Swede has now scored on his first league starts in England, Italy, Spain and France, and in the Champions League.

Any concerns the frenetic pace in English football’s top-flight might not suit Ibrahimovic were dispelled with his well-executed finish to follow a goal at Wembley last week.

Mourinho’s oldest signing of the summer could turn out to be his shrewdest.

BBC

Ibrahimovic Scores As Man United Begin Season With Win

GPL Match-Day 24 Preview: Hearts of Oak v Techiman City

Accra Hearts of Oak will welcome Techiman City to the Accra Sports Stadium in a Match-Day 24 Ghana Premier League (GPL) encounter as they continue their quest to win the competition at the end of the season.

The Phobians suffered their first away loss of the season last Saturday at Sogakope as they went down 0-3 to the West Africa Football Academy (WAFA) at the Red Bull Arena, a result that ensured that they lost their leadership of the table to Wa All Stars.

Hearts have dropped to second on the table and, they will seek to get back to winning ways when they welcome 12th placed, Techiman City to the capital.

They have lost three times already this season at the Accra Sports Stadium and, this partly accounts for their present position on the league log.

Hearts will be desperate not to drop points in this game as they chase their first win in three games and, it will be interesting to see how they respond after that humiliating defeat to WAFA last Saturday.

A win will take them top of the standing if leaders Wa All Stars lose at Cape Coast to Ebusua Dwarfs and, this will inspire them to perform as they chase their 11th win of the campaign.

Techiman City has not won an away encounter in their debut campaign in the Ghanaian top-flight and they also failed to beat the Phobians when they visited Techiman in the first round.

That game in the Brong Ahafo region ended goalless as the spoils were shared but, it may not be the case in Accra on Saturday with the odds heavily in favour of the home side.

Defeat for Techiman City could see them drop to the relegation zone if other results go against them and they should be really up for this one.

It sets the stage for an uncompromising encounter at the Accra Sports Stadium on Saturday with the points very crucial to both sides with seven games to end the season.

Head-to-Head

April 10, 2016: Techiman: Techiman City v Hearts of Oak (0-0)

August 13, 2016: Accra: Hearts of Oak v Techiman City (?-?)

GPL Match-Day 24 Preview: Hearts of Oak v Techiman City

GPL Match-Day 24 Preview: Aduana Stars v Berekum Chelsea

Aduana Stars will host their regional rivals Berekum Chelsea in a Ghana Premier League (GPL) Match-Day 24 encounter at the Nana Agyemang Badu I Park, Dormaa on Saturday.

They will be looking for their 12th win of the season and victory will take them to the second position on the table if Hearts of Oak lose at home to Techiman City in Accra.

Aduana Stars should be the favourites for this one and, they will also look to avenge the first round loss they suffered at the Golden City Park, Berekum.

That 0-1 deficit on Match-Day Seven was a painful one to take as they played one of their best games in the league this season.

Aduana Stars have stated their intension of battling for the title this season, they will be inspired by this as they chase the three points that would help keep them on course track.

Chelsea are one of six clubs yet to win an away game this season and, it looks a very difficult preposition in breaking this streak looking at the form of Aduana Stars at home.

They will need to play one of their best ever games if they are to take anything away from the Nana Agyemang Badu I Park on Saturday.

Head-to-Head

13/08/16    Aduana Stars              ? – ?       Berekum Chelsea

10/04/16    Berekum Chelsea       1 – 0       Aduana Stars

21/06/15    Berekum Chelsea       2 – 1       Aduana Stars

29/03/15    Aduana Stars              2 – 1       Berekum Chelsea

20/04/14    Aduana Stars              3 – 1       Berekum Chelsea

06/10/13    Berekum Chelsea        1 – 1       Aduana Stars

09/06/13    Berekum Chelsea        1 – 0       Aduana Stars

14/10/12    Aduana Stars              0 – 0       Berekum Chelsea

23/02/12    Aduana Stars              3 – 0       Berekum Chelsea

15/01/12    Berekum Chelsea       1 – 0       Aduana Stars

20/04/11    Aduana Stars             1 – 0       Berekum Chelsea

17/10/10    Berekum Chelsea       1 – 0       Aduana Stars

GPL Match-Day 24 Preview: Aduana Stars v Berekum Chelsea

GPL Match-Day 24 Preview: Bechem: Bechem United v Inter Allies

Relegation threatened Bechem United will welcome fellow strugglers Inter Allies to the Nana Fosu Gyeabour Park in a Ghana Premier League (GPL) Match-Day 24 encounter.

They will be hoping to get their campaign back on track after poor results has seen them falling into the relegation zone within the last couple of weeks.

A win could take them out of the relegation zone if other results go their way and, they should be inspired by this as they chase their eighth win of the season.

All their wins in the competition has come at home, and, they will count on that strong character as they go in search of the three points.

They should be able to stand up to this test as they host an opposition that has struggled to hold their own away from the Tema Sports Stadium.

Inter Allies have failed to win an away game this season and will need to be at their maximum best if they hope to take something out of this game.

The prospect of playing their fellow strugglers should inspire them to put up a performance knowing that the points crucial to both sides chances of survival.

Head-to-Head

13/08/16    Bechem United       ? – ?    Inter Allies

10/04/16    Inter Allies              4 – 0    Bechem United

06/09/15    Inter Allies              0 – 0    Bechem United

21/01/15    Bechem United       1 – 0    Inter Allies

30/03/14    Bechem United       1 – 1    Inter Allies

23/10/13    Inter Allies              3 – 0    Bechem United

GPL Match-Day 24 Preview: Bechem: Bechem United v Inter Allies

Phelps On Course For 22nd Olympic Gold

American Michael Phelps remains on course for his 22nd Olympic gold after he reached the final of the 200m individual medley at the 2016 Olympics.

Phelps, 31, who has secured three gold medals in Rio, finished ahead of fellow American Ryan Lochte to win the semi-final in one minute 55.78 seconds.

Six-time Olympic gold medallist Lochte is through along with GB’s Dan Wallace, but Briton Ieuan Lloyd missed out.

The men’s 200m individual medley final takes place at 03:01 BST on 12 August.

Phelps is the most decorated Olympian in history with 21 gold medals, two silver medals and two bronze medals.

He has won the 200m individual medley in the past three Olympic Games and has already collected a gold medal in Rio in the 200m butterfly, as well as helping the United States win two relay golds.

BBC

Phelps On Course For 22nd Olympic Gold

MTN FA Cup Final To Be Played September 4

The MTN FA Cup Committee of the Ghana Football Association has announced a change of date for the final of this year’s competition.

This year’s grand finale has been rescheduled to Sunday September 4, 2016 at the New Cape Coast Stadium.

It had been originally set for Sunday August 28 at the same venue but, the organizers have had to made this change for unexplained reasons.

Ghana Premier League (GPL) outfit Bechem United will take on second tier side Okwahu United in the final of this year’s competition.

In addition to the winner taking home the giant trophy and prize money at stake, they will also represent Ghana at the next year’s CAF Confederation Cup competition.

In view of the change of date of the final, the Premier League Board has announced that the Match-Day 27 fixtures which was originally fixed for the weekend of 3-4 September, 2016 has been rescheduled to the weekend of 27-28 August, 2016.

This is to pave way for the MTN FA Cup finals on the newly announced date.

Bechem United will be looking to win the competition for the first time whilst Okwahu United will be in search of their second triumph in the competition after winning the 1986 edition.

MTN FA Cup Final To Be Played September 4

Theo Anobaah Targets Top Four Finish With Dreams FC

Dreams FC midfielder, Theophilus Anobaah is targeting a top four finish with the club at the end of the season and believes that is very much attainable.

The Ghana Premier League (GPL) debutants are fifth on the table after 23 rounds of games with 35 points, just one point off the top four positions with seven games to end the campaign.

Anobaah who joined Dreams FC at the start of the second round, believes the quality in the side is strong enough to finish that high and said that is their target for the season.

“We have a very strong squad and I can attest to this”, Anobaah said ahead of their next game and believes they will collect they points at stake.

Dreams FC will play reigning champions AshantiGold SC at the Dawu Park on Saturday and, Anobaah will hope to be part of Coach Akunnor’s squad that will try to do the double over the Miners.

An Emmanuel Hayford free kick in the first round encounter at the Len Clay Stadium, won the day for Dreams FC as they won 1-0 on the day.

Anobaah will hope Hayford and the rest of his teammates will rise to the occasion as they go in search of the three points that could take them third of the table if other results go their way.

The midfielder has called for support for his side as they target a win that would do their top four ambitions a lot of good with seven games to end the season.

Theo Anobaah Targets Top Four Finish With Dreams FC