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Former Kotoko star Augustine Okrah to leave Simba SC at the end of the season

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Augustine Okrah’s future at Simba SC is reportedly uncertain, putting Asante Kotoko and Hearts of Oak on high alert, according to African football journalist Micky Junior.

Both parties, Okrah and Simba SC, have apparently reached an agreement to part ways at the end of the season. The former Ghana Premier League top scorer joined Simba SC from Bechem United during last year’s summer transfer window, signing a two-year contract with the Tanzanian club.

During a preseason friendly against Ismaily SC of Egypt, Okrah showcased his goal-scoring prowess by finding the back of the net, registering his first goal for Simba FC in a 1-1 draw.

Okrah made a name for himself during his debut season with Bechem United in the 2013/14 league campaign, impressively scoring 16 goals. He not only emerged as the league’s top scorer but also claimed the prestigious Player of the Season award.

Following his successful spell at Bechem United, Okrah embarked on loan stints at Swedish club BK Hacken before joining Sudanese giants Al Merreikh. After a season, he switched to their rivals, Al Hilal Omdurman.

The Ghanaian forward has also had experiences playing for NorthEast United in India and Smouha SC in Egypt.

2023 AFCON Q: No local player included in latest Black Stars call up for Madagascar clash

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For the upcoming 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Madagascar, Black Stars coach Chris Hughton has excluded any players based in Ghana from his latest 24-man squad. The match is scheduled to take place next month.

Despite his promise to closely monitor local players for future call-ups, Hughton seems to have deemed their performances as falling short of his requirements. Instead, he has opted to invite a group of foreign-based players, including the talented Ernest Nuamah, who has been in sensational form for FC Nordjaelland in the Danish Super League.

The squad also sees the return of Alidu Seidu, a versatile defender from Clermont Foot, as well as Kwesi Okyere Wriedt, who previously featured in Ghana’s doubleheader against Nigeria in the 2022 World Cup qualification playoffs.

Below is the 24-man squad:

Goalkeepers: Lawrence Ati-Zigi (St. Gallen), Joseph Wollacott (Charlton Athletic), Abdul Manaf Nurudeen (KAS Eupen)

Defenders: Denis Odoi (Club Brugge), Alidu Seidu (Clermont Foot), Gideon Mensah (Auxerre), Patrick Kpozo (Sheriff Tiraspol), Daniel Amartey (Leicester City), Joseph Aidoo (Celta Vigo), Alexander Djiku (Strasbourg), Nicholas Opoku (Amiens)

Midfielders: Thomas Partey (Arsenal FC), Mohammed Kudus (Ajax Amsterdam), Majeed Ashimeru (Anderlecht), Salis Abdul Samed (Lens), Edmund Addo (Spartak Subotica)

Wingers: Joseph Painstil (Genk), Osman Bukari (Red Star Belgrade), KamalDeen Sulemana (Southampton), Ernest Nuamah (FC Nordsjaelland)

Attackers: Andre Ayew (Nottingham Forest), Jordan Ayew (Crystal Palace), Inaki Williams (Athletic Bilbao), Kwasi Okyere Wriedt (Holstein Kiel).

2023 AFCON Qualifier: Ghana coach Chris Hughton names 24-man squad list for Madagascar clash; Nuamah, Ashimeru & others included

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Chris Hughton, the coach of Ghana’s national team, has announced the squad for their upcoming Africa Cup of Nations Group E qualifier against Madagascar. The match is scheduled to take place on Sunday, June 18, 2023, in Antananarivo.

Hughton has selected a 24-player group for the important fixture. Two notable returnees to the squad are Alidu Seidu and Kwasi Okyere Wreidt. Additionally, Ernest Nuamah, who has been performing impressively for Nordsjaelland in the Danish Superliga, has received his first call-up to the senior national team.

The squad also includes the recalled players Nicholas Opoku, a defender from Amiens, Patrick Kpozo, who is based in Moldova, and Majeed Ashimeru, a midfielder from Anderlecht.

Ghana currently sits at the top of their Africa Cup of Nations Cote D’Ivoire 2023 qualifying group with 8 points, having secured two wins and two draws in their first four matches.

The match against Madagascar will be held at Stade Kianja Barea in Antananarivo, with kickoff scheduled for 17:00 on Sunday, June 18, 2023.

Here is the complete squad:

Goalkeepers: Lawrence Ati-Zigi (St. Gallen), Joseph Wollacott (Charlton Athletic), Abdul Manaf Nurudeen (KAS Eupen)

Defenders: Denis Odoi (Club Brugge), Alidu Seidu (Clermont Foot), Gideon Mensah (Auxerre), Patrick Kpozo (Sheriff Tiraspol), Daniel Amartey (Leicester City), Joseph Aidoo (Celta Vigo), Alexander Djiku (Strasbourg), Nicholas Opoku (Amiens)

Midfielders: Thomas Partey (Arsenal FC), Mohammed Kudus (Ajax Amsterdam), Majeed Ashimeru (Anderlecht), Salis Abdul Samed (Lens), Edmund Addo (Spartak Subotica)

Wingers: Joseph Painstil (Genk), Osman Bukari (Red Star Belgrade), KamalDeen Sulemana (Southampton), Ernest Nuamah (FC Nordsjaelland)

Attackers: Andre Ayew (Nottingham Forest), Jordan Ayew (Crystal Palace), Inaki Williams (Athletic Bilbao), Kwasi Okyere Wriedt (Holstein Kiel).

SAD NEWS: Ghana and Asante Kotoko legend Dogo Moro is DEAD

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Sad news has emerged as reports indicate the passing of Dogo Moro, the legendary defender who represented both the Black Stars and Asante Kotoko.

Moro, who played a vital role in Kotoko’s triumph in the CAF Champions League, is said to have peacefully departed in the early hours of Tuesday morning.

The experienced defender showcased his skills while donning the national team jersey during the 1970s and 1980s, leaving an indelible mark on Ghanaian football.

During his illustrious tenure at Kotoko, Moro played an instrumental role in the club’s conquest of the African Cup, now known as the CAF Champions League.

The late footballer will be laid to rest on Tuesday, with the burial proceedings conducted in accordance with Islamic customs, paying due respect to his legacy.

Ghana winger Kamaldeen opens up on next move after Southampton suffered relegation

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Black Stars midfielder Kamaldeen Sulemana is open to any opportunity that may come his way after Southampton suffered relegation from the Premier League.

The 22-year-old joined the Saint Mary’s outfit in the 2023 winter transfer window for a club-record fee of €25 million from French Ligue 1 side Stade Rennes.

The pacy midfielder has been impressive since joining Southampton five months ago, ending the season with a brace against Liverpool on Sunday, May 28, 2023.

Speaking to BBC Radio Solent Sport, Kamaldeen indicated that he would stay if need be but was quick to express his willingness to explore other opportunities following the club’s relegation to the Championship.

“I’m ready for whatever’s next. If I stay, I’ll stay and help the team bounce back. If there’s an opportunity to explore, I will take it.”

Southampton finished last on the table with a paltry 25 points after 38 games in the 2022–2023 Premier League season.

Eleven Wonders battle Bofoakwa Tano in DOL championship play-off Tuesday

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Two former Premier League sides Techiman Eleven Wonders FC and Bofoakwa Tano FC will do battle in the Access Bank Division One League play-off final at the Accra Sports stadium on Tuesday, May 30, 2023.

Whiles Eleven Wonders suffered relegation last season, their opponents, Bofoakwa Tano, a Ghana football giant have been in the wilderness since 2006/07 and see this as a huge opportunity to make a return to the elite level.

Bofoakwa Tano FC were in a two horse race with Young Apostles for a place in the championship but a spirited second round performance led them to a 15 point lead in Zone One B – leading to the qualification slot four weeks ago as they won the Zone with 63 points.

Bofoakwa Tano won 20, lost 5 and drew 3 of the 28 League matches – confirming their superiority over Young Apostles, Wamanafo Mighty Royals and Nkoranza Warriors to win the sole ticket in the Zone. The Sunyani based side are looking ahead to their first Premier League qualification in 16-years.

Striker Sakaa Dauda finished the season as joint top scorer with 9 goals – sharing the top spot with Amponsah Aveo (Berekum Arsenal) and Bismark Kyeremeh of Wamanafo Mighty Royals.

The Sunyani based side is known for their rich history on the domestic scene – having won the SWAG Cup in 1975 and produced a number of household names like Kwesi Owusu (a 1978 Africa Cup of Nations winner), Osei Boateng, Joseph Derchie, Dan Owusu (1974, 1975, 1976 League top scorer) and Opoku Sampene who later played for Asante Kotoko.

Techiman Eleven Wonders beat off competition from Debibi United and Steadfast FC as they amassed 52 points from 28 matches – five points ahead of Debibi United to win the Zone.

Wonders grabbed 10 wins, 4 defeats and 10 draws to finish on top of Zone One A. The search for a quick return to the Premier League is on the cards after suffering relegation last season.

Techiman Eleven Wonders ended the campaign with two of their players occupying the top two places in the Top scorers chart in Zone One A.

Andrews Kumah finished the season as the top scorer as his 10 goals propelled the club to the top spot whiles Osman Zackaria netted 8 goals to finish as the second top scorer.

The match which is scheduled for 3pm kickoff will broadcast live on Max TV and also stream on the Facebook and YouTube page of the Ghana Football Association.

Match report: Struggling Karela United hold Kotoko in Kumasi

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Asante Kotoko were held to a 1-1 draw by Karela United at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium in the final game of Gameweek 32.

The Porcupine Warriors after early domination went ahead in the 28th minute, center-back Mohammed Rashid deflected a crossing from John Tedeku into his own net.

Karela United leveled the score in the 74th minute, Owusu Boakye went pass some few bodies to set up Mohammed Fatawu who showed composure to hammer the ball pass Frederick Asare.

In the remaining minutes of the game, the two teams pushed bodies forward for the winner but no avail as it ended 1-1.

Ex-GFA spokesperson Sannie Daara rates Kurt Okraku 9.8 out of 10 in first term

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Ex-GFA spokesperson Sannie Daara rates Kurt Okraku 9.8 out of 10 in first term

Former Ghana Football Association (GFA) Communications Director, Ibrahim Sannie Daara has commended the current president of the association Kurt Okraku for his brilliant management of Ghana Football despite the challenges encountered.

Okraku, who was elected in 2019 is seeking reelection as his first tenure ends in October.

While his administration have come under massive backlash from football fans and pundits in Ghana, Sannie Daara who has been a good student of the game says the GFA boss deserves applause for his massive input.

According to him, Ghana football lacks support from the government as compared to other federations in the continents but those challenges were no hindrance to achieving much for the association.

“Over 10, I will put him on 9.8. I think so and I say this for these reasons Let me just take one point. One, Ghana Football was disrupted for two years by the COVID pandemic. and our case was very unique as compared to other colleagues on the continent,” he told 3Sports on Sports Ultras.

“I was speaking to the lady in charge of Women’s football at the Benin Football Federation. She told me the level of support they had from the government when their football was interrupted and also revealed to me that at the start of every season each of the clubs in the top tier of the Benin Football Federation gets an annual cash injection of 75,000 dollars apart from the cash injection those club could also get when they travel to play in continental competitions.

“We don’t have the level of blessing. We don’t have the attention and focus on our game from the authorities,” he explained.

Ahead of the elections anticipated to come off in a few months, Berekum Chelsea’s bankroller, Bernard Amofa Jantuah is the only one to have declared his intentions to contest the reigning boss of the GFA.

Source: 3news

Ghana’s Joseph Paintsil coming of age under Wouter Vrancken

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In the summer of 2018 Genk spent around €3m to sign Ghanaian winger Joseph Paintsil following a successful spell in Hungary with Ferencvaros. In 25 games for the Hungarian side he had scored 10 goals. Yet after two seasons, it appeared that Paintsil did not have a long term future at the club. After six goals in 60 games, he was loaned out to Ankarugucu in Turkey. While in Turkey, he scored 11 goals in 33 games, a nice return for the winger.

Yet, despite rumours that a transfer was imminent, he returned to Genk and fought for his place from July 2021 onwards. Paintsil had to settle for minutes off the bench with the likes of Theo Bongonda and Junya Ito above him in the pecking order, limiting the winger to just 13 league starts during the 2021/2022 season. During that time he provided just two assists and scored three goals.

Yet Ito and Bongonda were gone this summer, and Paintsil had a new coach in Wouter Vranken. This, in hindsight, was just what Paintsil needed. At his former side Mechelen, Vrancken was a huge fan of wingers, with the likes of Nikola Storm being one of his best players. It is no coincident that under the former Belgian international, two of Genk’s best players this season have been wingers. Mike Tresor has been the standout with assists, but Paintsil has been equally as impressive.

Prior to this season, Paintsil had managed just seven goals in three years at Genk. After his brace against Club Brugge this past weekend, the winger is up to 17 league goals, alongside 11 assists. It has been quite the turnaround for the winger at the club, making it easy to forget that he is still just 25-years-old. Transfermarkt currently value the winger at €9m, so should Genk decide to sell they can once again make a tidy profit.

It was remarkable that, even after just a few months of this season, he was not included in the Black Stars squad for the World Cup. Chris Houghton will certainly be unable to ignore the player now. Painstil should certainly, barring injury, be part of the Ghana squad for the African Cup of Nations in Cote d’Ivoire in January 2024.

Source: GBeNeFN | Ben Jackson

Danlad, Blay benched as Abdulai Gazale names Asante Kotoko starting lineup for Karela United test

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Danlad, Blay benched as Abdulai Gazale names Asante Kotoko starting lineup for Karela United test

Asante Kotoko interim coach Abdulai Gazale has announced his starting lineup for the upcoming match against Karela United in the BetPawa Premier League.

With both teams aiming for a victory, as Karela United looks to avoid relegation, the match promises to be a highly competitive encounter. Asante Kotoko, known for their strong performances at home, will be eager to secure a positive result.

In their previous game, the Reds emerged victorious with a 3-1 win over Kotoku Royals, while Karela United played to a goalless draw against Great Olympics.

Kotoko also gained a confidence-boosting win in a friendly match against Sporting Time FC, which provides them with some momentum heading into this afternoon’s game.

The confirmed starting XI for Asante Kotoko includes Frederick Asare in goal, with Mohammed Alhassan, Augustine Agyapong, Yusif Mubarik, and John Tedeku forming the defensive line.

In midfield, Eric Zeze joins Richmond Lamptey and Rocky Dwamena, while Justice Blay and captain Richard Boadu Agadas will begin the game on the bench.

Up front, Coach Gazele has selected Mukwala, who missed the previous game against Kotoku Royals, to lead the attacking line. He will be supported by Georges Mfegue and Sarfo-Taylor.

Here is Asante Kotoko’s starting XI for the match against Karela United:

Goalkeeper: Frederick Asare

Defenders: Augustine Agyapong, John Tedeku, Mohammed Alhassan, Yusif Mubarik

Midfielders: Rocky Dwamena, Eric Zeze, Richmond Lamptey

Forwards: Georges Mfegue, Steven Mukwala, Sarfo-Taylor

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