The first batch of players of the national U-17 male team – otherwise known as Black Starlets are to report to the Ghanaman Centre of Excellence at Prampram on Wednesday, February 15, 2023 for camping.
The players were selected from a recent scouting exercise that took place across the 10 football regions of the country.
The selected players will undergo training, screening and also play test matches as the top quality ones will be picked-out to form the nucleus of the next Black Starlets.
In all, about one hundred and fifty players will have the opportunity to be observed by the U-17 Technical team led by Asante Kotoko and Ghana legend Abdul Karim Zito.
The first batch of players will report on Wednesday, February 15, whiles the second and third batches report on Monday, February 20 and Friday, February, 24, 2023, respectively.
Ghana were denied passage to the 2023 U-17 Africa Cup of Nations after losing 1-0 to Burkina Faso in the semi -final of the WAFU Zone B U-17 Cup of Nations in Cape Coast last year.
The Black Starlets have not played at the U-17 Africa Cup of Nations and FIFA U-17 World Cup since 2017.
Find the invited players in the attached document:
Abass Samari and Abednego Tetteh each scored twice as Accra Lions and Bibiani GoldStars played out a thrilling 2-2 draw on Monday to round off the first half of the 2022/23 betPawa Ghana Premier League (GPL).
No goal was scored in the opening 45 minutes of the final fixture of match-day 17 at the Accra Sports Stadium.
But striker Abednego Tetteh broke the deadlock in the first minute of the second half with a brilliant header after left-back Emmanuel Appau timed his cross to perfection.
Lions looked sharper upfront after the introduction of Seidu Bassit. Not long after, the striker set up Abass Samari to bring them level with a diving header.
Samari then turned things around for the hosts by converting a penalty in the 59th minute after Isa Ibrahim was hacked down in the box.
But the hosts could not hold on to the 2-1 lead.
Midfielder Charles Gyamfi won a penalty for GoldStars, allowing Tetteh to step up and complete his brace from the spot in the 79th minute.
The visitors managed to hold firm for the remaining minutes and snatched a point from the game.
Abass Samari was adjudged the man of the match.
After 17 games, both Accra Lions and Bibiani GoldStars are tied on 27 points with the latter holding a superior goal difference. They join Asante Kotoko and Bechem United in a quartet sharing the same points. Hearts of Oak come in second with 28 points and trail leaders Aduana FC by four.
Ghana Premier League giants, Asante Kotoko have responded to the Disciplinary Committee’s decision about the protest Aduana Stars filed against the use of Nicholas Mensah in the Ghana Premier League matchup during Week 10.
While the Porcupine Warriors club is pleased that the protest has been rejected, it expresses concern that the player may have suffered mentally as a result of the incident.
In line with this, the club says it will provide every needed help for the player.
“Aduana FC filed a protest against Asante Kotoko SC for fielding an unqualified player in the person of Nicholas Mensah after our match day 10 encounter.
“The protest case has been determined and duly dismissed. However, the registration of Nicholas Mensah has been suspended due to infractions which according to the Disciplinary Committee occurred prior to him joining Asante Kotoko.
“Our legal team is dealing with the matter and would take the necessary steps to assist the player.
“Nicholas will be given the necessary psychological help throughout this debacle.”
Former Black Stars player Laryea Kingston has urged Chris Hughton, the newly appointed head coach of the team, to retain the majority of the players who participated in the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
Chris Hughton, a former manager of Newcastle United and Norwich City, has taken over the role previously held by Otto Addo, who stepped down following the early exit of the Black Stars from the tournament.
As the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations [AFCON] doubleheader qualifier against Angola approaches, Hughton is expected to announce his squad soon.
However, Kingston believes that at least 70% of the World Cup players should be kept in the team. He emphasized that the core of these players is necessary for the Black Stars to succeed under the leadership of the former Brighton manager.
“I think 70 per cent of the players that played at the 2022 World Cup must be maintained by Chris Hughton,” he said on Joy News.
“We need these players to be able to build a formidable team and I am sure Hughton will do that,” he added.
Chris Hughton was named as the technical advisor for the Black Stars ahead of the World Cup playoff against Nigeria in February 2022.
He maintained his position when the team played at the world tournament.
Ghana’s Mohammed Kudus wrapped up the goals as champions Ajax came from behind to defeat RKC Waalwijk 3-1 at home in the Dutch Eredivisie on Sunday.
Mats Seuntjens put the visitors in front after 17 minutes. The attacker finished off a fine move by slotting the ball past Gerónimo Rulli.
Five minutes into the second half, Brian Brobbey – who came on in a halftime change – equalised with a close-range finish after a shot from Steven Berghuis rebounded to him.
Jurrien Timber made it 2-1 for Ajax from a Berghuis free kick in the 78th minute.
Kudus sealed the victory in the 81st minute after good work by Dusan Tadic and Berghuis. It is the 8th league goal and 14th overall so far for the 22-year-old this season. He was also named King of the Match.
Ajax are now in third place in the league, three points off the top.
The first round of the 2022/23 Ghana Premier League came to a close over the weekend with some exciting outcome across the various venues.
Asante Kotoko’s hopes of topping the Ghana Premier League took a hit after they suffered a 2-0 defeat to Dreams FC in Dawu on Sunday.
The home team dominated the game, scoring a goal in each half through Aholou Avocevou and Agyenim Boateng Mensah.
The loss sees Asante Kotoko fall five points behind the league leaders Aduana Stars.
Aduana Stars, on the other hand, managed to secure a draw in a goalless match against Bechem United and maintain their four-point lead at the top of the table.
Meanwhile, Karela United returned to winning ways with a 2-1 victory over bottom-placed Kotoku Royals in Aiyinase.
King Faisal managed to secure a win despite a missed penalty, as they scored a late goal to beat Real Tamale United.
Samartex also ended their two-game winless run with a 2-1 victory against Legon Cities, while Tamale City and Medeama played out a goalless draw.
Kotoko will look to bounce back from their defeat and close the gap on Aduana Stars in the race for the title.
Accra Lions drew 2-2 with GoldStars on Monday afternoon to bring the first round of the league to a close.
Scores at a glance;
NANA FOSU GYEABOUR: Bechem United 0-0 Aduana Stars
Man of the match: Seth Kwadwo (Bechem United)
ACCRA: Hearts of Oak 3-1 Berekum Chelsea
Scorers: Fuseini Zakaria(O.G), Benjamin Yorke, Victor Aidoo || Pandrous Kusi
Man of the match: Eric Esso (Hearts Of Oak)
ALIU MAHAMA: Tamale City 0-0 Medeama SC
Man of the match: Felix Kyei -GK (Medeama))
BABA YARA: King Faisal 1-0 Real Tamale United
Scorer: Benjamin Bature
Man of the match: Samuel Boakye (King Faisal)
DAWU: Dreams FC 2-0 Asante Kotoko
Scorers: Aholou Avocevou, Agyenim Boateng Mensah
Man of the match: Augustine Koomson – GK (Dreams FC)
NSENKYIRE PARK: FC Samartex 2-1 Legon Cities
Scorers: Seidu Abubakar, Francis Oteng || Kofi Kordzi
Man of the match: Francis Gyetuah (Fc Samartex 1996)
NANA KROMANSAH PARK: Nsoatreman FC 2-1 Great Olympics
Scorers: Baba Mahama, Nana Kwame || Aryeetey Ayikwei
Man of the match: Baba Mahama (Nsoatreman FC)
CAM PARK: Karela United 2-1 Kotoku Royals
Scorers: Abdul Ayeh, Evans Adomako || Richard Dzikoe
The Ghana Football Association has appointed Chris Hughton as Head Coach of the Black Stars following extensive deliberations between the two parties.
The appointment is in line with the vision of the GFA to continue with the project of building a formidable squad that started with Otto Addo in the lead up to the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 tournament.
Mr. Hughton has been the Technical Advisor of the Black Stars for the past twelve months.
The GFA has also decided to maintain Assistant Coaches George Boateng and Mas-Ud Didi Dramani.
The three coaches were part of the technical team for the World Cup in Qatar.
Details about the duration of the contract and terms of engagement are expected to be announced in due course.
Karela United returned to winning ways with a 2-1 victory over relegation threatened side Kotoku Royals at CAM Park on Sunday, February 12 2023.
Shaibu Tanko’s boys were hoping to recover from their 2-0 defeat to Gold Stars at Dun’s Park, and they responded positively by taking an early lead on 12 minutes through Kharim Ayeh.
The home side’s celebrations were cut short as Royals equalized six minutes later through Richard Dzikoe.
Karela were awarded a penalty in the 35th minute which was converted by Evans Adomako to restore their lead.
The two sides went on half time with the score at 2-1.
The second half produced no goals as Karela held on to their goal advantage to secure all three points at home.
The Pride and Passion are 2 points above the relegation zone after the win. Kotoku Royals remain at the foot of the League standings.
King Faisal managed to pick up a crucial three points with a narrow 1-0 victory over Real Tamale United at the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi on Sunday.
Despite staying in the relegation zone, the win will give the team a much-needed boost in their fight against the drop.
The decisive goal came in the 88th minute, with Benjamin Bature netting the winner for King Faisal. Earlier in the match, David Oppong had a great opportunity to open the scoring for King Faisal but was unable to convert a penalty, much to the disappointment of the home fans.
Real Tamale United tried to find an equalizer in the closing stages, but King Faisal’s defence held strong and was able to secure the three points.
The result means that King Faisal are now three points clear of the bottom of the table, and they will be looking to build on this result in the coming weeks.
Dreams FC triumphed 2-0 over Asante Kotoko at Dawu Park in their 2022/23 betPawa Ghana Premier League (GPL) match-day 17 clash on Sunday.
A goal in each half ensured the ‘Still Believers’ picked up their sixth win in the first round of the season by handing the defending champions their fourth defeat.
Dreams opened the scoring in the 12th minute through Beninise striker Gael Avocevou Aholou who connected to a Michelle Sarpong free-kick with a one-time volley from close range.
Aholou could have recorded a hat-trick in the first half but for two sitters he missed after having goalkeeper Danlad Ibrahim at his mercy.
At the other end, it was Dreams keeper Augustine Koomson who drew some top saves to deny Enoch Morrison and Rashid Nortey from finding the equaliser.
Kotoko thought they deserved a penalty late on in the first half when Dreams’ captain Abdul Jalilu brought down Nortey, but referee Rustum Gameli Senorgbe was not convinced to blow his whistle.
The Porcupine Warriors came on strong in the second half but conceded through the brilliance of Agyenim Boateng Mensah. The forward stole the ball from Augustine Agyapong before hitting past Danlad for his 5th goal of the campaign in the 61st minute.
Dreams almost added the third goal in the 85th minute when Sylvester Simba went past Danlad but he missed the target.
The 2-0 victory lifts Dreams FC into 10th position with 23 points while Asante Kotoko drop to 4th with 27 points.
Dreams keeper Augustine Koomson won the man-of-the-match award.
