FootyDream

According to a report from Nhyira FM, a Kumasi-based radio station, former Ghanaian international and Black Stars coach, James Kwesi Appiah, was reported to have had a meeting with Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II at the Manhyia Palace on Tuesday, July 4.

While the official purpose of the visit has not been disclosed, there are speculations that the former Ghanaian coach might be appointed as the next head coach for Asante Kotoko on a long-term contract.

On Monday, June 3, the Patron of the club dissolved the entire management and board after the expiration of their contract. The board, led by Dr. Kwame Kyei and Chief Executive Officer Nana Yaw Amponsah, has been called to the Manhyia Palace on Wednesday, July 5, to give an account of their tenure.

Following Otumfuo’s recent action, a new board for Asante Kotoko is expected to be announced by the Manhyia Palace before the start of the 2023/24 season.

Kwesi Appiah previously had a coaching stint with Kotoko between 1992 and 1995 as an assistant coach before becoming the head coach from 1995 to 1996.

Additionally, he served as Ghana’s assistant coach from 2007 to 2012, working under Claude le Roy and Milovan Rajevac during that period.

His most recent coaching role was with Kenpong Football Academy from 2021 to 2023, in addition to previously managing Sudanese side Al Khartoum and serving as the head coach of the Black Stars for the third time between 2017 and 2020.

Kwame Aboagye, the Secretary of Manhyia Chief of Staff Kofi Badu, has confirmed to Kessben Sports that the Board of Directors (BoD) led by Dr. Kwame Kyei has been dissolved by the Asantehene, who is the owner of the club.

During an interview on Kickoff with Kwame Mekke, Kwame Aboagye stated that the Asantehene expressed his gratitude to the outgoing BoD for their service over the past three years but informed them that their mandate would not be renewed.

He further mentioned that the club would be heading in a new direction, and an official announcement regarding the changes is expected to be made soon as the new season approaches.

“Yes, it’s true. Otumfuo told them that their time is up. He cannot renew their mandate and thanked them. They also expressed gratitude for their service. The majority of the BoD members were present; only three couldn’t come.

With limited time remaining before the start of the season, we called them because our supporters are concerned about the ticking clock. Therefore, we will expedite matters for the good of the club,” he said.

The outgoing Board of Directors was composed of Dr. Kwame Kyei as Board Chairman, Mr. Jude Arthur as Vice Chairman, and other members including Kwadwo Boateng Gyamfi, Kwasi Osei Ofori, Kwamena Mensah, Miss Evelyn Nsiah Asare, Mr. Kofi Amoah Abban (MD of Rickworld Oil Group), Mr. Martin Osei Kwaku Brobbey (CEO of Lexta Ghana Limited), Mr. James Osei Brown (CEO of Joshob Construction Company), Nana Ankobeahene of Asanteman – Baffour Kwame Kusi, Alhaji Lamin, and Joseph Yaw Adu.

Jordan Ayew, the forward for the Black Stars, has expressed his desire to play in the Ghana Premier League before retiring from professional football.

Throughout his career, the Crystal Palace forward has been based in Europe, playing in leagues in France and England. However, as he approaches the latter stages of his career in Europe, the 31-year-old is contemplating a return to his home country to play for a Ghanaian club.

Ayew has set his sights on playing for a team based in Accra, with clubs like Hearts of Oak and Great Olympics being among the options he is considering.

“The Ghana Premier League is something that I have in mind. One day, I could play for a team in Accra because I am based here,” he revealed during an interview with GTV Sports Plus.

Before the new season commences, the former Olympique Marseille striker is set to return to England for pre-season preparations with Crystal Palace.

However, his intention to eventually participate in the Ghana Premier League highlights his connection and desire to contribute to football in his home country before concluding his illustrious career.

Asante Kotoko has taken decisive action following a disappointing season in which they failed to secure any trophies.

Sources have informed footy.ghpush.com/ that club owner Asantehene Otumfuo Nana Osei Tutu II has ordered the dissolution of both the board and management.

The board, led by Dr. Kwame Kyei, was established in 2020 and appointed Nana Yaw Amponsah as the head of the management team in August of that year. Initially, the collaboration between these entities brought success, with the club clinching the Ghana Premier League title in their second season.

However, it appears that disagreements have arisen between the management and the board. Dr. Kwame Kyei’s involvement with his own club, Nations FC, which earned promotion to the Ghana Premier League last season, seems to have diverted his attention from Asante Kotoko.

In June, Nana Yaw Amponsah openly addressed the issues within the club’s leadership, stating, “Personally, I don’t have any issue with Dr. Kwame Kyei as I sit. I give him the maximum respect wherever and whenever I meet him, but our relationship and communication as CEO and board chairman are not as good as they were in the beginning.”

The trophyless campaign and the lack of harmony within the club’s leadership are reported to have led Asantehene Otumfuo Nana Osei Tutu II to dissolve both the board and the management team. This action indicates the need for a fresh start and a reevaluation of the club’s direction moving forward.

Asante Kotoko, renowned for its rich history and passionate fan base, now faces the task of regrouping and rebuilding under new leadership.

Annor Walker has been announced as the returning head coach of Great Olympics for the upcoming 2023/24 Ghana Premier League season.

Walker previously left the Wonder Club to join Samartex when the Timber Giants earned promotion to Ghana’s top flight. Under his guidance, Samartex achieved a commendable tenth-place finish in their debut season in the league.

Now, Walker is making a comeback to Great Olympics, taking over from Bismark Kobby Mensah, who left the Accra-based club after his contract expired last month.

Walker’s previous stint as the head coach of Great Olympics began before the start of the 2020/21 league season, during which he guided the team to a respectable sixth-place finish. He built on that success in the following season, helping the Dade Boys secure a fifth-place finish.

Although Great Olympics faced the threat of relegation at one point last season, they ultimately ended the campaign in 15th place, having accumulated 42 points from 34 games.

Accra Hearts of Oak has initiated contact with Stephen Amankona, a former striker for Kumasi Asante Kotoko, expressing their interest in recruiting him for the upcoming 2023/24 season in the Ghana Premier League.

Amankona himself confirmed the discussions, acknowledging that he had engaged with the club’s representatives, including Samuel Inkoom.

In an interview with Ghanasportspage.com, Amankona confirmed, “Yes, some of their leaders, including Samuel Inkoom, have held talks with me.”

While recognizing the appeal of joining a prestigious club like Hearts of Oak, Amankona emphasized that the terms of the deal would be a significant factor influencing his decision.

After an underwhelming period at Asante Kotoko, Amankona returned to Berekum Chelsea in January.

Before his time with Kotoko, the 23-year-old forward played a vital role for Berekum Chelsea in the 2020/21 Ghanaian top-flight season, scoring 10 goals in 28 matches and helping the team reach the semi-finals of the FA Cup.