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Former player Laryea Kingston is reportedly in line to become the new head coach of Hearts of Oak, as the club looks to fill the vacant position following the departure of Slacko Matic.

Matic, who was asked to step aside after a poor run of form, has been temporarily replaced by assistant manager David Ocloo, who has overseen six games, winning three, drawing two, and losing one.

With the club currently sitting in fifth place on the league table, five points behind the leaders Aduana Stars, the appointment of Kingson could signal a change in fortunes for the Phobians.

Kingston would replace the Serbian coach, who signed a two-year contract with Hearts of Oak in October 2022, taking over from Samuel Boadu.

The club will next host Nsoatreman FC in a matchday 26 fixture of the Ghana Premier League at the Accra Sports Stadium.

Francis Andy Kumi, the striker for Kotoku Royals, has expressed his openness to joining Hearts of Oak, a Ghanaian football giant.

Kumi has attracted interest from multiple clubs, including Hearts of Oak, due to his impressive performance in the Ghana Premier League, having scored 9 goals in 12 matches since joining Kotoku Royals in February.

While the Accra-based club is reportedly interested in Kumi, the 23-year-old player is currently focused on his current team and wants to leave any decision regarding his future to his agent, Arthur Legacy, after the season.

Kumi is willing to take on new challenges and would be happy to join Hearts of Oak if the offer is acceptable, but he is also prepared to stay with Kotoku Royals if necessary.

“Accra Hearts of Oak is a big club in Ghana but I don’t want to make any decision now because of where I am. I want to focus on Kotoku Royals. There is more time after the season and I will leave that to my agent [Arthur Legacy] to decide. I will be happy to have that challenge but my focus is on Kotoku Royals for now,” he told Ghanasportspage.com.

“Every player is ready for a new challenge. I will be prepared to join Hearts of Oak if the offer is acceptable, but if I have to remain with Kotoku Royals, I will.”

Asante Kotoko’s board spokesperson, Kwadwo Boateng Genfi, has stated that Nana Yaw Amponsah, the club’s CEO, will not be dismissed.

This declaration comes after reports emerged that Amponsah was called by the board to explain his decision to sack Coach Seydou Zerbo without informing them.

The board members held a meeting, and six out of seven voted in favor of keeping Amponsah as the CEO, despite one member proposing his dismissal for not consulting with the board before sacking the coach.

Genfi stated that Amponsah would remain in his position, but he could not reveal the details of the board meeting.

“Whatever it is, Nana Yaw Amponsah will not be sacked now. We will not sack him. Although I cannot disclose what the board discussed I can confidently confirm that he will not be sacked. For him to be sacked or continue after his term I will say we will cross the bridge when we get there,” Kwadwo Boateng Genfi told Ghanasportspage.com.

The former GFA presidential aspirant was appointed CEO in August 2020 and has worked with four different coaches. The team won a Premier League title under his leadership and is presently ranked fifth in the BetPawa Premier League with one game in hand.

Francis Andy Kumi, a striker for Kotoku Royals, has caught the attention of Hearts of Oak, one of the giants of the league, and has become their top transfer target.

Kumi, 23, has been on a revival crusade since leaving Bechem United to join the Premier League new boys.

Despite being a former Asante Kotoko flop, Kumi has been on the rise, scoring nine goals and providing two assists in 12 matches for the Oda-based side. His performance has alerted Hearts of Oak, who have expressed interest in acquiring him next season, according to media reports.

Kumi joined Kotoku Royals in the transfer window after a disappointing campaign with powerhouse Asante Kotoko in Kumasi. However, he has now found his rhythm and form, emerging as a key transfer target for the capital giants.

In recognition of his excellent performances, the striker has been nominated for the Player of the Month award for March after scoring four goals during the period under review.

Abdulai Gazale, the interim coach of Kumasi Asante Kotoko, expressed confidence in his team’s ability to defend their Premier League title despite their inconsistent form.

Gazale believes that other teams at the top of the league will also drop points, giving Kotoko a chance to catch up.

Kotoko recently drew 0-0 with city rivals King Faisal, failing to secure back-to-back wins. The defending champions are currently in fourth place on the league table, with 39 points, trailing five points behind Aduana, the current league leaders.

Gazale stated that with nine matches left to play, Kotoko still has a lot of opportunities to gain points and close the gap.

He explained to StarTimes’ Jude Acheampong, “We are very much in the hunt to hold on to our title because we still have about nine matches to go. With these nine matches, there are a lot of points up for grabs, and we also know that the teams at the top will also drop points while we continue to improve.”

Kotoko will resume their Premier League campaign on April 15, 2023, with an away game against Berekum Chelsea.

Newly appointed head coach of King Faisal FC, Ignatius Osei-Fosu believes his side has what it takes to win the 2022–23 Ghana Premier League after leading them to a scoreless draw in his first game against Asante Kotoko.

Osei-Fosu, who has coached Techiman Eleven Wonders, Medeama, and Dreams FC in the past, thinks King Faisal can accomplish that with a results-driven strategy.

He indicated that his team wanted to win but was unable to do so while praising their defensive efforts.

“When you look at the points build up. It’s possible we can win the League. The reality is that I’m a results oriented. I saved Dreams FC, and I’m here to save King Faisal, too”, Ignatius was quoted  by King Faisal FC on Twitter.

“It was a difficult game. Considering I had one session with the team. And we also went down by a man down. So we had to defend and not concede.

“We wanted to win, trust me, we wanted to win. But it’s football.” , King Faisal new head coach Ignatius Osei-Fosu added after the game.

With 32 points from 25 games played, King Faisal is presently 10th in the league.

Aduana FC had previously threatened to boycott the Ghana Premier League in response to the Ghana FA’s temporary ban on their home ground, Nana Agyemang Badu I Park.

This came after fans of Aduana attacked players and staff of Tamale City following a premier league clash which Aduana won one-nil.

Despite initially exploring the option of boycotting the league, Aduana’s board members now feel they have come too far to give up. Board member Collins Atta Poku revealed that their PRO’s comments about boycotting the league were made in the heat of the moment and that the club is fully committed to playing in the ongoing Premier League.

While the club is unhappy with the ban and the need to play their games outside their home ground, Atta Poku acknowledged that football is governed by laws and expressed apologies for the attacks and vandalism.

“It was one of those spur of the moment comments” Atta Poku stated. “Aduana is fully committed to playing in the ongoing Premier League. We have come too far to say we are going to boycott the league.

“We are not so happy with the developments and the fact we have been banned, but football is played with laws. And because of the very despicable actions that happened over the weekend, is the reason we are [now going to] play our games outside our home comfort of Dormaa Ahenkro,” he said to JoySports.

Tamale City has threatened a reprisal in response to what they perceive as an insufficient sanction against Aduana.