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Lord Zico confirms Kassim Mingle didn’t have a contract with Bechem United, as the gaffer is set to join Nations FC

Bechem United General Manager, Kingsley Osei-Bonsu, popularly known as Lord Zico, has revealed that coach Kassim Ocansey Mingle has left the club.

According to him, Mingle, who is credited with the team’s recent impressive performance, has not been working under any contract since he joined the Hunters.

He disclosed that the coach is not willing to stay despite handing him an improved offer.

“We have done everything on our part for him to stay. He didn’t have a contract with us. If Mingle goes, another Mingle will come,” Bechem United General Manager Lord Zico said on Kessben FM.

“We only paid the enticement fee when he joined us. This has become a lesson for us. But where he’s going, he will definitely meet us in the league. Kasim is a perfect gentleman, and we wish him the best.”


Sources have confirmed that newly-promoted Ghana Premier League side Nations FC are set to announce the experienced gaffer as their new head coach.

Coach Kasim Mingle guided the Hunters to another impressive season since joining them in 2021, placing third in the just-ended season with 54 points.

Business mogul Dr. Kwaku Oteng debunks reports linking him to Asante Kotoko board chairman role

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Dr. Augustine Kwaku Oteng, the President and Founder of Angel Group of Companies, has dismissed rumors of his potential appointment as the next Executive Board Chairman of Asante Kotoko SC. Speculation had been rife after Dr. Oteng recently paid a visit to Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, the life patron of the club, at his residence in the United Kingdom.

Reports in the local media suggested that there could be changes in the leadership of Asante Kotoko, with the possibility of dissolving the current board of directors and introducing new members. The current board, led by Executive Chairman Dr. Kwame Kyei, is said to be preparing for their final meeting, during which they will finalize their reports and present them to Otumfuo Osei Tutu.

A photograph that surfaced online, showing Dr. Kwaku Oteng alongside Otumfuo, intensified speculation that he might be next in line for the prestigious position at Asante Kotoko.

However, in an interview with Kumasi-based Angel FM, Dr. Kwaku Oteng unequivocally stated his lack of interest in assuming the role of Executive Board Chairman at Asante Kotoko. He made it clear, saying, “I am not interested in being the next Asante Kotoko Executive Board Chairman.”

Asante Kotoko recently completed the 2022–23 betPawa Premier League season, finishing in fourth place with 52 points. While they fell short of capturing the league title and FA Cup, the club continues to strive for success and remains committed to its goals.

The focus now shifts to the future and the potential changes in the board’s composition, as Asante Kotoko looks to build a strong foundation for the seasons ahead.

King Faisal winger Baba Yahaya on the verge of joining Asante Kotoko


King Faisal’s talented midfielder, Baba Yahaya, is on the verge of joining the renowned Ghanaian club Asante Kotoko.

The 21-year-old has garnered interest from multiple clubs in the Ghana Premier League following his impressive performances in the recently concluded season. Yahaya showcased his skills by scoring three goals in 33 appearances during the 2022/23 campaign, and he played a vital role in guiding his team to the finals of the FA Cup.

Sources indicate that negotiations between Kotoko and Yahaya’s representative are well underway, with a potential move in this transfer window being highly likely. Reports suggest that Kotoko has made significant progress, with talks reaching an advanced stage, standing at approximately 80% completion.

Although King Faisal has been relegated from the top-flight league, they still have an opportunity to retain their position if their protest against Tamale City proves successful.

In the meantime, King Faisal is preparing to face Dreams FC in the final of the 2022/23 FA Cup competition. This upcoming match is expected to be a significant event for Yahaya, as it could potentially be his final appearance for the club before joining Asante Kotoko.

Ghana coach Chris Hughton provides fresh update on Hudson-Odoi, Eddie Nketiah’s nationality switch

Chris Hughton, the Head Coach of the Black Stars, has provided an update on the Ghana Football Association’s (GFA) pursuit of Ghanaian players born abroad to represent the national team.

In recent times, the GFA has successfully convinced several Ghanaian players born abroad, such as Dennis Odoi, Inaki Williams, Antoine Semenyo, Elisha Owusu, and Tariq Lamptey, to feature for the Black Stars. Reports suggest that the FA is actively seeking to bring more players of similar background into the fold, including Eddie Nketiah, Callum Hudson-Odoi, Grejohn Kyei, Brandon Thomas-Asante, among others.

During a media interaction ahead of Ghana’s African Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier against Madagascar, Hughton was asked about the latest developments regarding the situation.

He responded, “What I can tell you is that we are monitoring all of these players and what I actually did say is that it’s not about consistency is that. It is not so important for me to have the same squad every camp but what I did say is that it’s important for me to have the balance,” Hughton told the press.

Hughton acknowledged the challenge of changing five or six players in each camp, as there are also players who have decided to explore other options to represent the Black Stars. He emphasized the importance of achieving the right balance within the squad. However, he assured the press that they maintain a comprehensive list of eligible players and make the best efforts to track them.

“What is difficult to do is that I can’t change five or six players every camp, because there are also players that decided when they had other options to play for the Black Stars. So I have to get the right balance, but I can tell you all that we have a date list of players that are eligible and we track them the best way that we can,” he added.

Hughton is currently preparing his team for the AFCON qualifier against Madagascar, scheduled to take place on Sunday, June 18, 2023, at the Stade Kianja Barea in Antananarivo.

A victory in this match will secure a spot for Hughton and his team in the 2023 AFCON, set to be held in Cote d’Ivoire next year.

Jerome Otchere writes: Increase GPL prize money

It is worth commending the GFA and the league managers for steering the season to an end. It would even be disingenuous to withhold praise when it is deserved and, on this occasion, there is also ample evidence authenticating fine improvement for example in the quality of medals given to league winners Medeama.

The GFA was ridiculed two seasons ago over the kind of medals it handed to earlier winners of the GPL. They were substandard. They got better last season. In what FA communicators call “continuous improvement” this season’s medals are nicer. Some commentators have even called for the recall of the medals given in recent seasons.

Thus, while my commentary on the medals points to steady progress, my primary point is still that the GPL would be better if the FA showed better interest in its administration and standards. Public interest in the league would rise if close attention were paid to the competition. No one should be content with the snail, if not tortoise pace of growth of the GPL. Take for instance the issue of prize money.

Presently, the GPL winner takes home a meagre US$26,000 which is an insult. This is insulting because it does not come anywhere close to what clubs put in the competition, travelling nationwide to play, accommodating, feeding, and paying players and coaching staff besides supplying vital care like treating injuries and other health-related issues.

Leagues prize money all over in the world do not meet the cost clubs incur yet they are attractive. Ours is not but we find ourselves in a system where the FA, along with state actors deem it conscionable to expend funds earned from the Black Stars’ World Cup participation in a manner that makes you wonder if it is a taboo to invest a bit of the millions of dollars in the GPL.

We spent around US$5million at the Qatar 2022; saved about US$3million according to the Youth and Sports Minister, Mustapha Ussif. What proposal does the GFA have for the government to give a fraction of this money to the GPL? After four FIFA World Cups, earning by conservative figures, US$35million, what do we have to show, no matter how small, as a pointer to the GPL’s development?

The GFA President, Kurt Okraku’s manifesto talked about a world cup benefit fund, which pledged to give “35 percent of the World Cup benefit fund” to the GPL clubs. What has happened to that? It is high time the GFA worked hard to build proper interest in the GPL and also increase the prize money. As it stands now, several things put some people off the GPL and the prize money issue is one.

GPL Golden Boot winner Abednego Tetteh ready to stay at Gold Stars

Abednego Tetteh, the forward for Bibiani Gold Stars, has hinted that he is inclined to stay at the club despite rumors of a potential departure in the upcoming season.

Tetteh, who joined the club midway through the season, experienced considerable success with The Miners, scoring an impressive 18 goals.

This outstanding achievement earned him the Golden Boot award for the 2022-2023 Premier League campaign.

The 32-year-old player has expressed satisfaction with positive discussions held with club officials regarding the possibility of extending his contract.

In an interview with Kessben Sports, Tetteh stated, “At the moment, I am a player for Bibiani Gold Stars, so my focus is here for now. We are still in talks, and I am pleased with the club’s statements so far. We will all take some time to rest and reflect on it, but I fully intend to return.”

REPORTS: Two South African clubs battling for Legon Cities coach Maxwell Konadu’s signature


Reports indicate that two Premier Soccer League (PSL) teams in South Africa are vying for the services of Maxwell Konadu, the current head coach of Legon Cities FC, to fill their vacant coaching positions.

One of the interested clubs is Polokwane City FC, while the other is Black Leopards Football Club. Both teams have expressed a strong desire to appoint Konadu, who previously served as an assistant coach for the Ghana national team and as the head coach of Kumasi Asante Kotoko SC.

Despite the challenges faced by his current team, Legon Cities FC, in the 2022-23 Ghana Premier League season, Konadu is highly regarded as one of the most experienced managers in the country.

According to reports, the South African clubs are engaged in a fierce competition to secure Konadu’s signature before the commencement of the 2023-24 PSL season.

Ghanaian sensation Emmanuel Hammond joins Bahrain’s club Al-Budaiya [+video]

Ghanaian forward, Emmanuel Hammond has completed a transfer to Al-Budaiya Club FC, a Bahraini club, following an impressive season with Um Alhassam Club.

Hammond showcased his talent during his time with his previous employers, where he made a significant impact by scoring 14 goals in 22 matches and maintaining an impressive average of 0.63 goals per game in the Bahraini second-tier.

Before joining Um Alhassam, Hammond made a name for himself in the Ghanaian football scene. He initially rose to prominence while playing for Heart of Lions, where he demonstrated his scoring prowess by finding the back of the net 15 times in the Division One League.

In 2018, he made a significant move to Inter Allies, a team in the Ghana Premier League, where he continued to showcase his skills and ability to perform at a higher level.

With his wealth of experience and lethal finishing abilities, the 26-year-old striker is poised to strengthen Budaiya Club’s attacking force.

His arrival is expected to provide a significant boost as the club strives to secure a coveted spot in the top-flight league for the upcoming season.

Hammond’s presence on the team greatly enhances Budaiya Club’s aspirations for success in the league, and fans eagerly anticipate his contributions on the field.

Here is a video of how he was welcomed by his new club.

“Ups and downs at clubs won’t affect performance of Ghana vs Madagascar” – Joseph Paintsil

Joseph Paintsil, the Ghanaian forward, remains confident that the challenges and successes experienced by Black Stars players at their respective clubs during the recently concluded 2022/23 football season will not hinder their performance in the upcoming 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers against Madagascar.

Under the guidance of Chris Hughton, the team is preparing to face the Bereas at the Mahamasina Municipal Stadium in Antananarivo, Madagascar on June 18, marking round five of next year’s AFCON qualifiers.

Despite Paintsil’s impressive season with Genk in the Belgium Jupiler Pro League, narrowly missing out on the title on the final day to Royal Antwerp, he remains optimistic that the team is focused on the Madagascar game and has moved past any setbacks.

“As you can see, we still have belief, teamwork, commitment, and everything. Even though there have been ups and downs at their clubs, it doesn’t really affect them in the national team,” he stated confidently during a press conference in Accra after their second training session on Tuesday.

He added, “I believe every player invited here is highly motivated for the clash between Ghana and Madagascar.”

A draw is all that is needed for Chris Hughton’s side to secure their place in the tournament, which will be held in Ivory Coast. The Black Stars currently lead Group E with 8 points, having secured two wins and two draws in their four group games.

“Getting good results is very important to me” – Ghana coach Chris Hughton

Chris Hughton, the head coach of the Ghanaian national team, the Black Stars, has emphasized his determination to achieve positive outcomes for the team.

Currently in Accra, Hughton and the national team are preparing for a crucial match against Madagascar scheduled for the upcoming weekend.

Addressing the press on Tuesday, Coach Chris Hughton highlighted the importance of obtaining results, stating, “Getting results is my top priority. I constantly assess the squad’s level and utilize my experience and knowledge of the local teams to improve. There needs to be a balance, and I will discuss with my assistants to identify the best players and alternatives.”

He also revealed that the team’s morale is high as they focus on securing a victory in the upcoming game against Madagascar.

“The overall spirit in camp is excellent. Our sole focus is on the football match, and that is winning,” commented Chris Hughton.

The match between Madagascar and Ghana is the penultimate fixture in Group E of the qualifiers for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament.

Scheduled for Sunday, June 18, the game will take place in Antananarivo.