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Former Kotoko striker Franck Etouga predicts winner of 2022/23 betPawa Premier League winner

Former Asante Kotoko striker and Cameroonian international, Franck Etouga Mbella, has predicted that the Porcupines will win the current Ghana Premier League despite their recent inconsistent form.

Mbella played a key role in helping the Porcupine Warriors secure the title last season by scoring 21 goals under the leadership of Coach Prosper Narteh Ogum.

Although the team has struggled this season, sitting in fourth place with 28 points and having failed to win any of their last seven away games, Mbella remains optimistic about their chances.

Despite Kotoko’s recent winless run and seven-point deficit behind league leaders Aduana Stars, Mbella believes the team will turn things around and successfully defend their title.

“I’ve been following the team and the performance. They have a good group. I sincerely think they will win the Ghana Premier League again,” he predicted in an interview with Ghanasportspage.com.

MTN FA Cup: Aduana Stars striker Isaac Mintah vows to gun down Kotoko on Sunday

Isaac Mintah, a forward for Aduana Stars, has declared his intention to score against Kotoko during their upcoming match in the Round of 16 of the MTN FA Cup.

The game between the two teams is scheduled for Sunday.

Mintah, who plays for the fire boys, has pledged to take down the Ghanaian giants and secure a spot for his team in the quarterfinals.

Asked if he will score a brace against Kotoko just as he did to Hearts of Oak, he said, “It could even be more than that, we are determined to beat them and qualify”

Isaac Mintah hit a brace to propel Aduana Stars to victory in matchday 18 of the Ghana Premier League last Sunday.

‘Seydou Zerbo isn’t the right man for the Kotoko coaching job’ – former club’s Communications Director

Seydu Zerbo, the current head coach of Asante Kotoko, has received criticism from Sarfo Duku, a former Communications Director of the club.

Duku believes that Zerbo is not the appropriate choice for the team and there are better coaches who could excel in his place.

According to Duku, Asante Kotoko’s league performance has suffered under Zerbo’s leadership, resulting in the team being in third place with only 28 points after 18 games in the BetPawa Premier League. Duku believes that the team should be leading the league table by a margin of at least 10 points.

In an interview with Space FM, Duku stated, “I want to say on record that the current Kotoko coach, Seydou Zerbo, is not the best coach for Kotoko.

“There are better coaches out there who could fit into his position and do better than what he is doing. His performance is not the best, to me, so far.”

Liberia president George Oppong Weah donates $10,000 to late Christian Atsu’s family

On Wednesday, Kwame Ayew, a former player for the Black Stars, paid a visit to the family of the late Christian Atsu.

He presented a donation of $10,000 on behalf of African football legend and current President of Liberia, George Weah.

Atsu, who previously played as a winger for Newcastle United and Chelsea, passed away in a devastating earthquake that occurred in Turkey on February 6. His remains were recovered from the debris of his demolished apartment a week later.

“I am deeply saddened to hear the devastating news of the passing of my neighbour, my small brother, and my young friend, the late Christian Atsu, who was a victim of the recent earthquake in Turkey,” said President Weah.

“I knew him personally, and in his formative years in the game of soccer, I had the opportunity to interact with him during his early training.”

“I would like to express my deepest condolences and sincere sympathy to the bereaved family and to his friends everywhere for this irreplaceable loss. Rest In Peace, Small Brother.”

Atsu, who was crowned best player at the 2015 AFCON, was only 31 years old. His family has not yet announced any plans for his burial and funeral.

Eight clubs revealed for first ever African Super League edition; Check them out

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The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has selected eight clubs to participate in the newly established Africa Super League starting in August, and no Ghanaian club has been included.

Initially proposed to consist of 24 teams from 16 countries, it is now suggested that the tournament will feature only eight teams. These eight clubs have been inspected for their facilities, selected stadiums, and final participation details.

High-profile clubs such as Raja Athletic Club, Orlando Pirates, and Kaizer Chiefs will not participate, with TP Mazembe replacing Botola Pro giants. The eight clubs include Petro de Luanda (Angola), Mazembe (DR Congo), Horoya (Guinea), Wydad Athletic Club (Morocco), Simba SC (Tanzania), Esperance de Tunis (Tunisia), and Masandawana, with unclear reports of each club’s monetary compensation and total prize money pool.

Despite reports in Egyptian media that Ahly would decline the invitation in favour of the Arab Champions Cup tournament, it has been debunked by the club’s hierarchy as false news. The tournament is likely to feature a single group of home and away fixtures during the 2023/24 domestic season, with the winner earning a spot in the newly expanded FIFA Club World Cup, and four spots available for Africa in 2025.

As of now, there is no indication that it will replace the traditional CAF Champions League and CAF Confederation Cup tournaments.

GFA shouldn’t pretend they love Christian Atsu – John Painstil

The management of the Ghana Football Association (GFA) has been hugely criticised by former Ghana Black stars defender John Painstil for allegedly showing Christian Atsu fake affection after his demise.

John Painstil claims that the GFA expelled Christian Atsu from Blackstars when he was without a club, but they now want to participate in his funeral.

The GFA is a hypocritical organization that needs to be denounced, as John Painstil alleged.

John Painstil reportedly said the following in an exclusive interview with Original FM:

“You snubbed him and kicked him out of the Black Stars at age 31. Atsu has been struggling to get a permanent stay in a club since the snub.

We all know the value and respect your club gives you when you play for your nation. Don’t pretend you loved him because you don’t at all”

Hearts of Oak trio set to join FC Cincinnati on loan

Gideon Asante and Rashid Okine, two players from Hearts, are poised to join FC Cincinnati in Major League Soccer (MLS) on loan, with an option to purchase.

Already, the club have agreed to sign Enock Asubonteng on loan with an option to buy.

As part of the Common Value Club Alliance between TSG Hoffenheim, Accra Hearts of Oak, and FC Cincinnati, the two players will be assigned to FCC 2. Following Salim Adams and Enoch Asubonteng, Asante and Okine will be the third and fourth players from Hearts to join the American club.

Hearts of Oak youngster Gideon Asante Yeboah will be a hit ...
Gideon Asante

Asante, 20, who arrived at Hearts from Tema XI at the start of the season, quickly endeared himself to the team’s supporters with his nimble footwork and trickery.

May be an image of 5 people, people standing, people playing sports and grass
Rashid Okine

In the absence of Dennis Korsah, Okine, 19, played more games at left-back. He also joined the club at the beginning of the season.

Dutch legend Marco van Basten rates Kudus Mohammed over Brazil and Man United forward Antony

Kudus Mohammed’s exceptional performance this season has earned him praise from Marco van Basten, a former Holland and AC Milan star.

The Ghanaian international has been in excellent form, scoring 14 goals in various competitions.

During an interview, the Dutch icon expressed concern over Kudus Mohammed’s restricted playing time under his former manager, Alfred Schreuder.

“Kudus is Ajax’s best player. What a class player. Why didn’t he always play under Schreuder? He often sat on the bench there. You let him stand for three or four games and you immediately see his class,” he told Ziggo Sport.

Meanwhile, Van Basten believes the Ghana star is a much better player than Brazil and Manchester United winger Antony.

“Antony had moves, but he could also be so muddled. Kudus has a much firmer technique and knows where he is going. Antony may be faster, but Kudus is smarter and more technical. He is much more of a footballer and an all-rounder for the team,” he added.

‘I don’t regret leaving Asante Kotoko’ – Franck Etouga

Franck Etouga Mbella, a former Asante Kotoko and Cameroonian international, has shared his experience regarding his departure from the Kumasi-based club.

Mbella joined Kotoko from Fortuna du Mfou, a Cameroonian side, and quickly became a fan favorite, helping the Porcupine Warriors clinch the Ghana Premier League title.

During the 2021/2022 campaign, Mbella left his mark on Ghana football by scoring 21 goals in 30 league appearances, narrowly missing out on the golden boot to Yaw Annor, who scored 23 goals.

In an interview with ghanasportspage.com, the prolific striker discussed his absence from Kotoko. He refused to travel with the team to Sudan for their pre-season tour and expressed his desire to force his way out of the club.

“I made a choice to leave Asante Kotoko after helping them win the league title and I do not regret any decision to leave the team”

“I’m a professional player and I stay focused to attain my goals in life. Currently, my focus is on Al Masry and to help the team win glories” he added.

Although Mbella received offers from a number of European clubs, including Udinese, he ultimately chose to join Al Masry in the Egyptian league on a permanent deal.

GFA consider retiring Black Stars jersey No.7 in honor of Atsu

Linford Boadu Asamoah, Chairman of the Eastern Regional Football Association, has hinted at the Ghana Football Association’s intention to retire Atsu’s number 7 shirt as a tribute.

Christian Atsu, a former Ghanaian international footballer, tragically lost his life in a devastating earthquake in Turkey, and his remains were repatriated on Sunday.

The Hatayspor winger’s body was recovered on Saturday, two weeks after being trapped under rubble. At the time of his passing, Atsu was 31 years old and had been playing for the Turkish club since September.

Regarding the FA’s proposal to retire the number 7 jersey in Atsu’s honor, an Executive Council Member of the football governing body stated:

“The Executive council of the FA is considering many things, including retiring the number 7 jersey in honor of Atsu. However, a meeting must be held to make a decision.”

Atsu played in 65 matches for Ghana’s national team, and his contributions helped the team reach the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations final.