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Kwasi Appiah steps down as GFA ExCo member

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Kwasi Appiah steps down as GFA ExCo member

Kwasi Appiah held two roles as Executive Council Member of the Ghana FA and head coach of Sudan

Kwasi Appiah has temporarily stepped down from his position as a member of the Executive Council of the Ghana Football Association (GFA) following a directive from CAF.

Appiah, who currently serves as the head coach of the Sudan national team, is set to face Ghana in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.

This raised concerns of a potential conflict of interest, as he would be working for two different associations involved in the same competition.

In response, CAF issued a letter to the former Black Stars coach, requesting his resignation from the GFA Executive Council until the conclusion of the AFCON qualifiers.

“This situation is contrary to the CAF Statutes and the FIFA Code of Ethics.

“For that reason and to preserve the integrity of the AFCON qualifiers, I urge you to take immediate action to resolve this conflict of interest, including, at the minimum, temporarily stepping down from one of the two roles until the conclusion of the competition.“

The qualifiers will conclude in November 2024 with Sudan set to face Niger before hosting Angola.

Appiah took over Sudan job in 2023 and guided the Falcons of Jediane to four wins in six competitive matches.

He will hope to add Ghana to his list of casualties on October 10 in the first-leg of the qualifiers at the Accra Sports Stadium.

The Black Stars suffered a 1-0 defeat to Angola before a 1-1 draw against Niger, leaving them third in Group F with just one point.

Source: JoySports

2024/25 GPL: 10-man Aduana FC hold Hearts Of Oak to goalless draw in Accra

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2024/25 GPL: 10-man Aduana FC hold Hearts Of Oak to goalless draw in Accra

Hearts of Oak got held to a goalless stalemate against Aduana FC at the University of Ghana Stadium on Friday evening.

The match-week 5 fixture in the 2024/25 Ghana Premier League was a crucial one for the Phobians who failed to defeat Nations FC in match-week four.

Hearts coach Ouattara has been under intense criticism after their poor start in the new season and against Aduana, most fans believed a daunting task lied ahead.

But the visitors looked extremely cautious, and their game plan was more of a team needing at least a point from the clash.

The first half was cautious, with both teams adopting a strategic approach, neither willing to risk it all. The score remained 0-0 at halftime, despite the evenly contested nature of the game.

Aduana changed their game plan and began the second half strongly, creating several scoring chances, but Hearts of Oak goalkeeper Ben Asare made crucial saves.

In the 60th minute Aduana were reduced to ten men after referee Latif Adaari sent off Rich Sakey for a second bookable offence.

But Hearts failed to capitalize on the numerical advantage as Aduana held on till full time, leaving the Phobians disappointed.

The 0-0 stalemate leaves Hearts of Oak in 14th place with 4 points from 5 matches, while Aduana Stars languish in the relegation zone at 17th, also with 4 points, but separated by goal difference after five match-weeks.

Hearts of Oak’s next challenge takes them on the road to face Young Apostles, while Aduana FC will host Dreams FC at the Nana Agyeman Badu II Stadium in Dormaa.

@Footyghana

AFCON 2025Q: Otto Addo names 25-man squad for Ghana’s double-header against Sudan

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AFCON 2025Q: Otto Addo names 25-man squad for Ghana’s double-header against Sudan

Coach Otto Addo has called up 25 players for the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Sudan. Defenders Alexander Djiku and Gideon Mensah are back in the squad after missing out on last month’s qualifiers against Angola and Niger. FC Samartex left back Isaac Afful has been handed a debut call up after an impressive performance in the preliminary round of the CAF Champions League and the ongoing Premier League. Olympique Lyon forward Ernest Nuamah and Ibrahim Sulemana of Atalanta have also made a return to the squad after recovering from injury setbacks that kept them out of last month’s qualifiers. Ghana will play Sudan at the Accra Sports Stadium on Thursday, October 11 before traveling to Libya for the reverse fixture at the Martyrs of Benina Stadium in Benina, Libya, on Tuesday, October 14, 2024.

AFCON 2025Q: CAF approves Accra Sports Stadium for Ghana vs Sudan

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AFCON 2025Q: CAF approves Accra Sports Stadium for Ghana vs Sudan

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has approved the Accra Sports Stadium to host the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier between Ghana and Sudan.

The Black Stars face the Falcons of Jediane on match day three of the qualifying series for the tournament to be hosted in Morocco.

Prior to the approval, CAF had directed the Ghana Football Association (GFA) to select an alternative venue for the game after the temporary approval of the Baba Yara Stadium was lifted.

CAF inspected both the Cape Coast Stadium and the Accra Sports Stadium last week before eventually turning down the former.

A statement from CAF on the approval read:

‘’Following a comprehensive review of the reports of the CAF independent inspection regarding the Cape Coast and Accra Sports Stadia, we are pleased to inform you that the Accra Sports Stadium has been approved to host the AFCON Qualifiers for Morocco 2025. Specifically, it will host the Group F – Matchday 3 encounter between Ghana and Sudan, which is scheduled for October 11, 2024.

“In light of this approval, we kindly request that the Ghana Football Association (GFA) and the stadium management team prioritise the necessary enhancements to the pitch and other critical areas of the stadium leading up to the match day to ensure an optimal experience for both teams and the attending fans.

“Please note that CAF will continue to closely monitor the readiness of the stadium for this match, as well as for future CAF-sanctioned events.”

The Black Stars are hoping to get their qualifying campaign back on track after failing to win any of their opening two games against Angola and Niger.

This fixture is scheduled for Friday, October 11, 2024.

Source: Joy Sports

2024/25 GPL Wk3: Dominant Hearts Of Oak defeat Bechem United to secure first win of the season

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Hearts of Oak recorded their first win of the 2024-24 Premier League campaign after a comfortable 2-0 win over Bechem United at home on Sunday night.

Two second half goals condemned United to their first defeat of the season at the University of Ghana Stadium.

After a barring first half, Ransford Mensah opened the scoring in the 51st minute before Hamza Issah added the second 15 minute to regulation time.

Coach Abubakar Ouattara’s charges put up an impressive shift in front of a decent crowd at the University of Ghana.

Hearts have now ended the streak of back-to-back losses in the Ghanaian top-flight to ease the pressure on the 21-time Premier League winners.

2024/25 GPL Wk3: Kotoko fail to beat debutant Young Apostles at home as Nations FC stun Aduana FC in Dormaa

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Asante Kotoko SC were held to a pulsating 1-1 draw by Young Apostles FC in the Premier League at home on Sunday September 22, 2024.

The Porcupine Warriors shared the points against the Premier League boys at the Len Clay Stadium in Obuasi in front of a decent crowd.

Daniel Lomotey, who joined the Wenchi-based side from Medeama SC, put the visitors ahead in the 51st minute.

It looked as though Young Apostles FC were heading to a famous win against the record Premier League holders until  midfielder Emmanuel Antwi scored to level matters in the 76th minute.

Asante Kotoko piled pressure for the match-winner but the visitors put up an impressive defensive shield to sniff a point in Obuasi.

Nations FC pulled the chest nut out of the blazing fire with a remarkable 2-1 win at Aduana FC at the Nana Agyemang Badu I Park on Sunday.

Nafiu Sulemana put the visitors ahead in the 26th minute before Kelvin Obeng pulled parity in the 75th minute. But Faisal Charwetey sealed the famous victory with an 89th minute strike, to ensure the side’s first Premier League win of the 2024-25 season.

Frank Amankwah scored the decisive goal for GoldStars FC in their solitary 1-0 win over Basake Holy Stars at the Duns Park in Bibiani.

The midfielder produced a moment of magic to score the only goal of the match in the 73rd minute  against the Premier League new boys to maintain their perfect start to the season.

Karela United FC and Accra Lions are still without a win after the two teams shared the points on match week 3 of the Premier League in Nalerigu on  Sunday.

Lions scored three minute into injury time to deny the home side maximum points at the Naa Sheriga Sports Complex.

Najeeb Fuseini opened the scoring for the Pride and Passion in the 29th minute and appeared to be cruising to their first win of the campaign. But Ezekiel Alladoh popped up with the equaliser in the 93rd minute.

In Sunday’s late kick-off (18:00GMT), 3pm local time, Hearts of Oak host Bechem United in an epic match week 3 fixture of the Ghanaian top-flight, scheduled to take place at the University of Ghana Stadium.

Akufo-Addo sacks NSA Director General Dodzie Numekevo

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President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has dismissed the Director General of the National Sports Authority (NSA), Dodzie Numekevor, with immediate effect, JoySports can report.

The decision reportedly follows CAF’s withdrawal of Baba Yara Sports Stadium licence from hosting International matches.

On Monday, JoySports gathered that president Akufo-Addo ordered the sacking of individuals responsible for renting out the Baba Yara Stadium for a church programme for six days prior to the AFCON 2025 qualifier against Angola.

The President also reportedly told the Sports Minister he will be held responsible if Ghana plays any of its home matches outside of this country.

The Sports Minister, Mustapha Ussif, through his Chief Director, William Kartay Caesar queried Mr Numekevor, demanding that he explains why he should not penalised for leading an authority which has embarrassed the office of the president and the country at large.

Mr Numekevor had Wednesday, September 18, 2024, to respond to the query, but President Akufo-Addo who appears dissatisfied with the state of sports infrastructure under the NSA’s leadership, relieved him of his duty Tuesday afternoon, JoySports sources revealed.

Prior to his dismissal, he had closed down Baba Yara, Accra, and Cape Coast stadia for maintenance. It was in response to growing concerns to the bad nature of the facilities.

CAF recommended reconstruction of the Baba Yara pitch and noted the poor state of the Accra and Cape Coast Sports stadia in a letter to the Ghana Football Association on September 10.

Ghana FA was directed to choose an approved venue outside Ghana to host Sudan on matchday 3 in the 2025 AFCON qualifiers.

Ghana is currently considering Togo if the country is unable to convince any of its facilities to host Sudan.

Dr. Dodzie Numekevor had been serving as interim Director General of the NSA since 26 February 2024, after taking over from Professor Peter Twumasi, who held the position for six years.

Source: Joy Sports

NSA closes down Accra and Cape Coast stadiums

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The National Sports Authority (NSA) has closed down the Accra Sports Stadium and Cape Coast Stadium for ‘minor’ works, 3Sports understands.

This comes about a week after the body closed down the Baba Yara Sports stadium for maintenance after CAF withdrew their approval of the facility for Black Stars home matches in the AFCON 2025 qualifiers.

Ghana are currently in a race to get one stadium ready for their AFCON 2025 qualifiers home game against Sudan in early October, with the Ministry of Youth and Sports instructing the GFA to engage CAF to inspect the Accra Sports Stadium and the University of Ghana Stadium for their suitability.

As it stands, Ghana may play their home game away from home with Togo earmarked as a possible destination unless one of their stadiums undergoes a facelift on time.

The Black Stars are currently third in Group F of the qualifiers with one point from two games.

2024/25 GPL: Asante Kotoko to play home games at Len Clay Stadium

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Kumasi Asante Kotoko have confirmed the Obuasi Len Clay Sports Stadium as their temporary home ground for the 2024/25 football season.

This decision follows the closure of their initial venue, the Baba Yara Sports Stadium, which is undergoing renovations by the National Sports Authority (NSA).

The club made the announcement on social media, revealing that all home matches will be played at the Len Clay Stadium until the Baba Yara renovations are completed.

Asante Kotoko is set to host their next home game against Young Apostles on Sunday, September 22.

Having finished fourth in the league last season, Kotoko is determined to push higher in the current campaign.

The Porcupines picked a narrow 1-0 victory against Karela United on opening day of the GPL and rested on match-week two due to Nsoatreman’s Caf Confederation Cup assignment.

@Footyghana

2024/25 GPL Wk2: Hearts Of Oak fall in Kpando, Chelsea defeat Karela as Aduana hold Bechem United

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Heart of Lions defeated Hearts of Oak a 2-0, deepening the troubles of under-pressure coach Aboubakar Ouattara, who is struggling to win back the trust of the fans.

After a shock loss to newly promoted Basake Holy Stars in their season opener, all eyes were on Ouattara to guide his team to a recovery.

Instead, they suffered another disappointing defeat, this time in Kpando against a resolute Heart of Lions.

With their head coach Bashir Hayford watching from the stands due to a misconduct charge, Heart of Lions put on a solid display.

It took 83 minutes for the deadlock to be broken when forward Nana Oppong struck to give Lions the lead.

Just minutes later, midfielder Ishmael Addo sealed the win with a second goal, leaving Hearts of Oak with no way back.

This defeat marks the first time since October 2009 that Hearts of Oak have lost their opening two games in the Ghana Premier League.

Coincidentally, it was Heart of Lions who inflicted a similar 2-0 defeat on them in the opening round of that 2009 season.

Ouattara, who received the backing of the club’s management earlier this week, will now face even greater scrutiny after back-to-back losses.

The Phobians narrowly avoided relegation last season, and their poor start to this campaign has left fans anxious about another stressful season ahead.

With two losses in a row, changes could be imminent if Ouattara is unable to turn things around quickly.

FULL TIME

Young Apostles 0-0 Nations FC

▪︎Basake Holy Stars 0-0 Dreams FC

▪︎ Berekum Chelsea 1-0 Karela United

▪︎Bechem United 0-0 Aduana FC

▪︎ Heart of Lions 2-0 Hearts of Oak

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