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Alexander Manu elected as Asante Kotoko’s Ashanti Regional Circles Chairman

In a resounding victory, Alexander Asare Manu was elected as the new Chairman of the yet-to-be-formed Ashanti Regional Circles Council on Saturday, July 8, 2023.

The election had been eagerly anticipated after Obeng Sekyere Benjamin, who served as the Ashanti Region Circles Council Chairman since September 24, 2017, and completed his second term, was reluctant to relinquish the position to new leadership.

Obeng Sekyere and his council members had called for an extension of the election schedule to November 2022. However, the National Circles Council tactfully addressed the issue and allowed the polls to proceed with two other candidates: Robert Osei-Assibey and Vincent Paul Achaab.

After an hour of peaceful voting, Alexander Manu emerged victorious with 98 votes, followed by Vincent Achaab with 36 votes, and Robert Osei-Assibey with eight votes after a total of 142 votes were casted.

As the newly elected Chairman, Alexander Manu now assumes the role previously held by Obeng Sekyere. He has a month to assemble his team and facilitate a smooth transition of power from the IMC, enabling them to commence their four-year mandate.

Fixtures released for 2023 Ashanti Regional Inter-school Soccer; Adu Gyamfi battle Bodomase in first game [Check full fixtures)

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The Ashanti Regional Schools Sports Federation has released fixtures for the 2023 Ashanti Regional Inter-school and College Boys’ Soccer Competition.


The knockout stage of the competition, which involves 32 schools, will begin on Tuesday, July 11, 2023, at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium.


Defending champions Kumasi High School will no longer be participating in this year’s tournament despite qualifying through the use of an unqualified player. Asare Bediako, who filed the protest against them, replaces them.


KSTS and Owerriman will play on Monday, July 10, 2023, to determine which side will book the late slot.


Below are the full fixtures:


Tuesday, July 11, 2023
Bodomase vs. Adu Gyamfi
T.I. AMASS, Kumasi vs. Dwamena Akenten
KASS vs. Bodwesango
Tweneboah Koduah vs. Ejuraman
Aduman vs. Agona Sec. Tech.
Obuasi Sec Tech vs. SIMMS


Wednesday, July 12, 2023
Antoa vs. Prempeh College
Nyinahin vs. Islamic
Asanteman vs. Mpasatia
Toase SHS vs. Mankranso
Okomfo Anokye vs. KSTS/Owerriman
OKESS vs. Asare Bediako


Thursday, July 13, 2023
EFFISCO vs. Sakafia
Bosome Freho vs. Kumaca
OLAG vs. T.I. AMASS, Fomena
OWASS vs. Church of Christ

“Our monthly salaries cannot take us beyong one week” – Bechem Utd midfielder Francis Twene reveals


Salaries in the Ghana Premier League, as well as in various job sectors across Ghana, continue to fall behind those offered in other parts of Africa, leaving players in a precarious financial situation.

This stark reality has driven many athletes to seize opportunities to play in far-flung corners of the world, as long as they are compensated in foreign currency that can improve their own lives and the lives of their loved ones.

Francis Twene, a promising midfielder for Bechem United, has highlighted the harsh realities faced by players in the Ghana Premier League.

Their modest monthly salaries prove to be grossly inadequate, often failing to sustain them beyond a single week.

Concerned fans and supporters have expressed their unease, urging the Ghana Football Association and clubs to address the persistent salary challenges within the league.

Recognizing the vital role these players play in entertaining and inspiring them, the supporters understand the urgency of finding a solution to support their beloved athletes.

In an interview with Akwaaba Sports Arena, Twene shared his anguish, stating, “Our salaries for a month do not even take us beyond one week.”

This poignant statement emphasizes the severe financial hardships endured by players in the Ghana Premier League, where their earnings fall significantly short of meeting their basic needs.

Twene went on to reveal the emotional toll these financial struggles take, saying,  “Sometimes we look at our salaries and weep.”

This honest admission draws attention to the daunting circumstances faced by players in the league as they grapple with the challenge of making ends meet.

The glaring disparity between meager salaries and the high cost of living presents a pressing issue for these athletes. It underscores the urgent need for improved financial support within the Ghana Premier League.

Addressing this matter will not only benefit the players themselves but also contribute to the overall growth and development of Ghanaian football.

Official: De Gea departs Manchester United

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David De Gea has announced his departure from Manchester United, bringing an end to a 12-year stay during which he secured an array of trophies and personal accolades to cement his place as one of the greatest goalkeepers in the history of the club.

Since joining from Atlético Madrid in 2011, David made 545 appearances for Manchester United with 190 clean sheets – both club records for a goalkeeper.

He won the Premier League, FA Cup, UEFA Europa League and two Carabao Cups.

His personal honours include two Premier League Golden Glove awards, a record four Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year awards (voted by fans), and four Player’s Player of the Year awards.

Erik ten Hag, First Team Manager, said:

“It takes great quality and character to reach the level of even playing one game for Manchester United. To do it 545 times over 12 years is a special achievement, particularly in the goalkeeping position where every game puts you in the spotlight.

“To have won Player of the Year awards from both the fans and his team-mates, each on four occasions, shows the level of his performance and he will always be remembered as one of the very best goalkeepers in the history of the club.

“I am personally grateful for the 25 clean sheets he helped provide last season and his overall contribution on the pitch during my first year at the club. All the players and staff send him our very best wishes for the next phase of his outstanding career.”

John Murtough, Football Director, said:

“David leaves Manchester United with the deepest respect and warmest appreciation of everyone associated with the club. To have set new club records for goalkeeper appearances and clean sheets, surpassing Alex Stepney and Peter Schmeichel respectively, shows just how great a player he has been for us.

“Just as important are his qualities as a person, and he will be missed by all of us who have had the privilege of working with him over the past 12 years. David will always be part of the Manchester United family and we look forward to welcoming him back to Old Trafford in future as a legend of the club.”

Source: Manutd.com

“Our performance was below expectations” – Ernest Nuamah apologises for Black Meteor’s poor display at U-23 Afcon

Ghana’s U-23 forward Ernest Nuamah has penned down an apology for the team’s abysmal performance during the U-23 AFCON tournament in Morocco.

The Black Meteors failed to progress to the next round of the competition after a frustrating 1-1 draw with Guinea on Friday, June 30.

Ghana opened their Group A campaign with a 3-2 victory against Congo on Sunday, June 25 before suffering a disappointing 5-1 defeat to hosts Morocco on Tuesday, June 27. 

Ghana’s exit means the team will have to wait for 2027 to fight for another Olympic Games qualification, having last participated in the 2004 edition held in Athens, Greece. 

According to Nuamah who had a splendid campaign for Nordsjealland in the Danish Superliga, they have no excuses because the team performed below expectations, adding that he personally could have done better to help the team.  

“No excuses but our performances as a group was below expectations, Personally I could do better to help the team. As a group, if we ever have the opportunity again, Ghana deserves better. I made some wrong decisions but I’m grateful for this opportunity”, he posted via his Twitter account. 

Nuamah featured in two games for the Black Meteors, against Congo and Morocco in the first two games but started from the bench against Guinea in the last game with reports that he had a slight knock. 

He scored one goal in three games for the Black Meteors. 

©Ghanaweb

Interim Coach David Ocloo leaves Hearts of Oak


David Ocloo, the interim coach of Accra Hearts of Oak, has resigned from his coaching role following the club’s disappointing performance in the 2022/23 Ghana Premier League season, according to media reports.

On Friday, July 7, 2023, Ocloo submitted his resignation letter to the board of directors of Hearts of Oak, citing personal reasons for his departure after just one season.

In October 2022, Ocloo joined Hearts of Oak as an assistant coach under Serbian coach Slavko Matic for the 2022/23 season, taking over after the dismissal of Samuel Boadu’s coaching staff.

However, due to an underwhelming performance in the Premier League, Hearts of Oak terminated their contract with Slavko Matic, and Ocloo was subsequently appointed as the interim coach.

Under his guidance, Hearts of Oak finished in 12th position on the 2022/23 Ghana Premier League table, narrowly avoiding relegation on the final day of the season.

Prior to his time at Hearts of Oak, Ocloo had coaching experiences with West African Football Academy (WAFA), Liberty Professionals, Inter Allies, and Asante Kotoko.

Match Report: Niger score late to deny Ghana win at 2023 WAFU U20 Cup

In the opening match of the 2023 WAFU B U20 Cup of Nations tournament, held in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, the Ghana U20 men’s national team suffered a late concession on Friday night.

The tournament commenced on Friday, July 7th, with Ghana facing Niger in a crucial Group A encounter in the second game of the day.

After a strong start, the Ghana U20 team, known as the Black Satellites, managed to score and take the lead before halftime.

Despite maintaining a good performance in the second half, Ghana’s opponents, Niger, displayed resilience and scored a late goal, resulting in a 1-1 draw at the end of the 90 minutes.

As a result, there is now pressure on Ghana to secure a victory in their second group stage match against Burkina Faso, scheduled for July 10th.

Burkina Faso already holds three points in the tournament, having defeated Ivory Coast on Friday afternoon.

“Kurt Okraku needs uninterrupted tenure to refix the wrongs of the past ” – Medeama SC Spokesperson

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Director of Communications for Medeama SC, Patrick Akoto, maintains that the Ghana FA president Kurt Okraku needs a continuous term to right the wrongs in Ghana football.

Following the exposé by investigative journalist Anas Aremeyaw Anas and the COVID-19 pandemic, Ghanaian football took a step back in recent years.

Along with some other high-ranking officials, the former Ghana FA capo Kwasi Nyantakyi was disqualified from the contest, which also led to the suspension of football-related events.

When everything were finally back on track, the COVID-19 pandemic struck, putting an end to football activities for over a year.

Kurt Okraku, the head of the Ghana FA, is on the right track, in Akoto’s opinion, and that he will require an uninterrupted term to improve the game.

As his first term as the head of the Ghanaian football organization ends in just over four months, Mr. Okraku is running for re-election.

“Mr Nyantakyi took football to the apex. Elements within colluded with outsiders to destroy him and his regime, ” Akoto said on Light FM in Kumasi.

“Kurt is now rebuilding the collapsed football system – and will need an uninterrupted tenure to refix the wrongs.”

The Ghana FA has confirmed that the 2023 elections will be held despite the threats from stakeholders over the release of the timelines for the important activity.

‘Free agent’ Victor Aidoo opens up on his difficult spell at Hearts of Oak

Striker Victor Aidoo has officially confirmed his departure from Hearts of Oak SC following the conclusion of his contract with the club.

After joining the Phobians in 2020 on a three-year contract from FC Samartex, Aidoo’s contract has now expired, and the club has decided not to renew it, making him a free agent.

During his time with Hearts of Oak, the 24-year-old striker had limited opportunities to showcase his talent and was loaned out to Real Tamale United last season. As a result, Aidoo has made the decision to seek new challenges elsewhere in order to continue his development.

“I no longer have any affiliation with the club. I lost interest in Hearts of Oak due to the way they treated me,” Aidoo stated.

“Before the start of the season, I was in the final year of my contract, and the club approached me about an extension before sending me out on loan. However, I declined and requested a mutual termination of my contract, but unfortunately, it didn’t happen.”

“As a result, I was asked to stay at home until my contract expired, and I did not participate in the first half of the campaign.”

“However, when Coach Matic arrived, I was called to join the team for training, and I impressed them. Subsequently, I was registered for the second round to fulfill the remaining six months of my contract,” Aidoo explained, as quoted by Sportsworldghana.com.

Throughout his three-year tenure with the Phobians, Aidoo made 53 appearances, scoring 11 goals and providing one assist. He played a significant role in Hearts of Oak’s success, contributing to their triumph in the MTN FA Cup and the league title in the 2021/22 season, as well as their recent victory in the President’s Cup.

Al Hilal to take legal action against former Asante Kotoko defender Imoro Ibrahim

Al-Hilal Club, Omdurman, a prominent Sudanese football club, has officially announced its intention to pursue legal action against Ghanaian defender Imoro Ibrahim, along with two other players, Fabrice Ngoma and Lamin Gargo, for the termination of their contracts.

The club alleges that on Tuesday, July 4, Imoro and the other two players violated the terms of their contracts and unjustly terminated their agreements. Al-Hilal Club firmly rejects their reasons for contract termination and has made the decision to take legal measures against the players in order to protect the club’s rights.

Imoro, who previously served as the captain of Asante Kotoko, joined Al-Hilal Club in August 2022 on a three-year deal, initially for a fee of approximately US$150,000. He still has two years remaining on his contract with the Blue Waves. Notably, Imoro played a significant role in helping the team secure a 2-0 victory over Ahli Khartoum in the final of the Sudanese Cup in November 2022.

Imoro, along with his compatriot David Abagna, temporarily returned to Ghana in June due to the political turmoil in Sudan. However, he rejoined his teammates on Friday, June 30, in preparation for the upcoming season. It is worth mentioning that he did not participate in the team’s 1-0 victory against Tunisian side CX Sfaxien in the Arab Club Championship on Tuesday, July 4, held in Tunisia.