Bernard Don Bortey has slammed Hearts of Oak’s technical team for deeming Frederick Ansah Botchway as surplus to requirement.
The 25-year old who joined the Phobians in January 2020 was a key member of the Heart of Oak team that dominated the domestic scene two seasons to win the Ghana Premier League and MTN FA Cup as well as last season’s FA Cup.
However, things didn’t look any better for the former Liberty Professionals midfielder who was dropped in Samuel Boadu’s pecking order of midfield options.
On Tuesday, the club reveal that Ansah Botchway has been released from the club after mutually terminating his contract.
However, Don Bortey who’s a legend of the club disagrees with the decision to release Ansah Botchway and keep Agyenim Boateng whom he believes does not have the qualities to play for Hearts of Oak.
“If Nii Ansah Botchway is Surplus what about this guy. He doesn’t have the qualities to play for Hearts let’s be serious for once my people. If I talk p3 they will come after me. Hmmm,” Bortey wrote on his official Twitter handle.
If Nii Ansah Botchway is Surplus what about this guy. He doesn't have the qualities to play for Hearts let's be serious for once my people. If I talk p3 they will come after me. Hmmm pic.twitter.com/NtSnPdBhqp
Hearts of Oak have announced that they’ve parted ways with six players, a statement on the club’s website revealed.
The players include Kofi Kordzi, Fredrick Ansah Botchway, Patrick Razak, William Dankyi, Larry Sumaila Ibrahim and Abdul Manaf Umar.
Hearts of Oak reached an agreement with Kofi Kordzi and Ansah Botchway to mutually terminate their contracts, while Patrick Razak, William Dankyi, Larry Sumaila and Abdul Manaf Umar have been informed that their contracts will not be renewed following its expiration.
“Accra Hearts of Oak has officially notified Kofi Kordzi and Ansah Botchway that they are surplus to requirement. Both parties are in the process to mutually terminate their contracts,” a statement on the club’s website read.
“Meanwhile, the club has also informed Patrick Razak, William Dankyi, Larry Sumaila Ibrahim and Manaf Umar that their contracts will not be renewed. We wish to thank them for their services during their stay with the club and wish them all the best in their future endeavours,” the statement ended.
The Phobians are currently in the transfer market looking to bolster their side as they sights on winning the Ghana Premier League title and making an impact in the CAF Confederations Cup.
Per reports, the club has wrapped up a deal for Cameroonian center forward Junior Kaaba. The club is also reported to be close to reaching an agreement for goalkeeper Eric Ofori Antwi and Bechem United midfielder Francis Twene.
Medeama has announced six players have agreed to mutually terminate their contracts with the club.
The Mauves and Yellow after a satisfactory 2021/22 season that saw them finish in second place are hoping to chase for the Premier League title in the upcoming season.
In bid to do so, the technical team after engagements has reached an agreement to terminate the contract of six players who are currently deemed surplus requirements. This is to make way for reinforcements.
The six players include goalkeeper John Moosie, defenders Samuel Frimpong, Ali Ouatarra and Kingsley Adjei. The rest are midfielders Michael Sefah and Sule Musah.
Medeama is currently active in the ongoing transfer window looking for replacements. The club has already secured the signature of youngster Francis Havor.
The burgeoning winger is joining the Tarkwa-based side from Division Two fold Accra NewTown Youth.
Ghana Premier League side, Berekum Chelsea Football Club have appointed prodigious Miss Exonam Opoku Adwoa-Pokua as the new head of communications, an official communique from the club has announced.
Her appointment comes at a time when the club is seeking to build a resolute fortress and become a leading name in football on the African continent.
The Berekum-based side elevated the versatile female journalist to the status of the head of communications to add to her journalism career.
Exonam served as the veep spokesperson to the Chelsea supporters based in Accra before his latest elevation.
Not a household name in the field of journalism in the West African country, but the elegant woman keeps rising to the top.
Ahead of the start of the 2022/2023 football season, Exonam Opoku has been appointed to the position of Communications manager at Berekum Chelsea.
🗞️ | 𝐂𝐋𝐔𝐁 𝐍𝐄𝐖𝐒
We are pleased to inform that Miss. Exonam Opoku Adwoa – Pokua has been appointed as the new Head of Communication.
We urge the general public and all stakeholders to grant her the necessary recognition and acknowledgment.
Asante Kotoko are usually among the biggest spending clubs each transfer window in the local scene due to their massive riches.
Despite winning the Premier League last season, the club as always, will be keen to improve the squad in any way possible.
With several players reported to be leaving the club with Fabio Gama and Mudasiru Salifu already gone, big changes need to be made to the squad and the importance of getting it right cannot be underestimated.
Several areas of the squad, not least in midfield, need upgrading and it promises to be interesting transfer window for everyone connected with the club.
With that in mind, speculation surrounding what this transfer window could bring for the Porcupines is already rife. Several players are already being linked with the club and the rumour mill is in full swing.
With that said, we take a close look at five GPL players that the bookmakers are already linking with moves to Kotoko ahead of the next season.
Iddrisu Abdulai
The 25-year-old goalkeeper impressed for Bechem United in the just ended season, helping the Hunters to finish third in the league and runners up in the MTN FA Cup.
Sources reveal that Danlad Ibrahim has received numerous offers from abroad and it’s likely the Reds will cash in on him. Kwame Baah on the other hand might not renew his contract as he believes he needs a new challenge elsewhere. Should Danlad stay or not, signing another goalkeeper will be a leading priority.
However, Kotoko have contacted Bechem United to discuss the custodian’s availability with official bid yet to be sent. Reports reaching Myfabulousonline.com indicate that the Reds have agreed personal terms with the custodian but are yet to make an official contact with his club.
Iddrisu was a standout performer in Premier League last season, keeping 18 clean sheets in 31 games, conceding 18 goals and clinching one MVP award.
Michael Ampadu
With Augustine Agyapong rumoured to be joining Italian side Lecce before next season starts and Samuel Appiah likely to leave on loan, the Porcupines are reportedly interested in bringing in Legon Cities defender Michael Ampadu.
Legon Cities are ready for negotiations before his contract runs out in November.
A dependable defender and very effective in his surging runs with speed and good command on the ball, Ampadu featured 29 times last season for the Accra-based club and managed just an assist.
Samuel Osei Kuffuor
Linked with Kotoko by several media outlets, Kuffuor would be a great addition to the team. The Bechem United defender predominantly featured in the heart of defense for the Hunters, featuring 29 times, scoring once. He is rumored to have agreed on personal terms with the Reds and a move is imminent.
Similar to Andrews Appau, Kuffuor has a marauding streak in him, which sees him gallop forward with the ball, albeit with slightly more technical poise than Appau.
Although, his inexperience has seen a few lapses in judgement, but he’s clearly a very talented player. Adaption to the Porcupine family may be a difficult step, though.
However, he would provide a composure in possession and help Kotoko build through the thirds.
Jonah Attuquaye
Legon Cities star Attuquaye has long since been earmarked as Kotoko top target to bolster their attacking options this forthcoming season. He has gone from strength-to-strength over the last two years and the Porcupines are very keen on his signature.Ogum is a fan of his ability to play both through the middle and on the wing.
The 22-year-old is a direct attacker with a lot of acceleration, very intelligent on and off the ball and also has the wits for goals. Attuquaye has become far more of a creator, and Ogum’s side could do with a player who can create something out of nothing.
The diminutive forward according to various reports has expressed his desire to join the Porcupines this time around and negotiations are in the advanced stage with his club.
Emmanuel Adu-Siaw
Imoro Ibrahim is rumored to be leaving the club after receiving several offers after the season. Patrick Asmah played well in patches last campaign, but was suspended due to indiscipline and is also likely to leave the club this window, the Samartex skipper looks likely to join the Reds.
The Porcupine despite facing opposition from Hearts of Oak and Medeama are offering the expected fee placed on Siaw plus a player as part of the deal which is seemingly to be more pleasing for the Premier League newbies.
Adu-Siaw is rated as the best left back in the just ended division one league season and also among the few players from the division to be included in the final squad of Black Galaxies towards the CHAN qualifiers.
In the 2021/22 division one league campaign, he provided nine assists, one goal and three Man of the match accolades in 27 appearances, the 26-year was regarded as one of the best players.
Two seasons ago which was his debut season with Samartex, he scored five goals with all coming from a free kick and provided six assists in 24 appearances.
David Abagna Sandan
Competent at controlling the game from deep or bursting forward into more advanced positions, Sandan blossomed in the RTU jersey despite his club’s poor run.
With his reading of the game, reliability in possession and ability to resist an opposition press still up there with the very best in the division.
Then there’s his passing. Outside of the foot, inside of the foot, short or long, it really doesn’t matter. You know as soon as the ball leaves his foot it’s finding its intended target.
He does not have the same amount of energy as Mudasiru and is certainly not as strong defensively, however, Sandan is deadly from set pieces and may end up being even more prolific than the man he could replace.
Junior Kaaba has revealed he watches a lot of videos of former Ghana striker Manuel Junior Agogo to gain inspiration as he was “one of the best in Africa” at running in behind defenders.
Kaaba arrived in Ghana on Friday to complete a two-year deal with the Phobians having ended the Cameroonian season with 11 goals, 5 assists in 20 games for Fauve Azur Elite FC-helping them to avoid the drop.
Despite his excellent figures, the 23-year-old has admitted there are still plenty of areas he can improve and revealed his career as striker has been greatly influenced by the former Ghanaian striker.
“I’ve been, not studying, but watching a lot of players,” Kaaba told phobianews. “Let’s take an example: the running in behind the centre-back when the No 10 has the ball. Agogo was the best in Africa especially during the AFCON 2008. I watched a lot of his videos”
“That’s how I am, I’ve always been watching a lot of football. I still do. When we play on Saturday or Sunday, I go home and on Monday, I watch football all day. I’ve always liked football a lot.
” I have watched a lot of Ghanaian players, especially strikers. I really admire Manuel Junior Agogo of blessed memory.” When I saw him play especially at AFCON 2008, I was very impressed with his power and his pace. He really influenced my style of play. If the club allows me, I would want to wear the jersey number 9 because that was his jersey number for the Black Stars.
“I think I can improve on everything, ” Kaaba added. “I can improve my finishing a lot, everything.
“I can become faster, I can become stronger so I can improve that. But if I was to improve one thing, it’s: don’t be injured. Because if I’m not injured, I can play a lot more games and I can deliver even better.”
Ghana has been appointed to host the FIFA Technical Leadership Development Seminar/Workshop for Member Associations Technical Directors in Accra. The Workshop will run from Tuesday, September 27 to Thursday, September 29, 2022.
This was contained in a letter sent to the General Secretary Prosper Harrison Addo (Esq.) by FIFA’s Director of Global Football Development Steven Martens.
Participants will be given the opportunity to build critical leadership and management skills which help to solve real-world business and people challenges facing the global game whilst enhancing their ongoing professional growth and capability as leaders.
The three-day seminar is also aimed at supporting participants to Improve insight into their strengths and development priorities as senior organisational leaders, Consider the suitability and effectiveness of different methods when confronting different complex scenarios and to Develop a plan for turning insights into actionable behaviours to ultimately support the performance of their Member Associations.
The course is also expected to provide an opportunity to develop a stronger peer to peer network within and between the different member associations invited among the participants and other representatives.
Technical Directors from Burundi, Cape Verde, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Congo, Eritrea, Eswatini, Gabon Gambia and Ivory Coast will attend the course.
Others include Guinea, Lesotho, Liberia, Mali, Mauritania, Nigeria, Sâo Tomé and Príncipe, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Tanzania, Tunisia, Uganda, Zambia and host Ghana.
FIFA’s Regional Technical Consultant Dominique Niyonzima who has been instrumental in putting this Workshop together, will serve as liaison officer for the smooth facilitation and running of the course in Accra.
On Sunday, July 24, the Black Galaxies of Ghana recorded a resounding victory over Benin at the Cape Coast Stadium in the first leg of their CHAN first-round qualifiers.
Goals from Daniel Afriyie Barnieh, Mohammed Alhassan and Gladson Awako sealed a 3-0 victory for Annor Walker’s side.
The win means Ghana boast a commanding lead going into the second leg of the fixture.
Speaking after the game in Cape Coast, the head coach of the Black Galaxies said he was satisfied with the team’s performance although he had planned for more goals.
“[I am] more than a happy man today because it’s a match that I was determined [to win] and got myself ready to win. I wanted four goals but God gave me three and I have accepted it,” Walker said after the game.
“Technically we were better than them this afternoon. I will give thanks to my boys for listening to me.”
The scorer of the third goal and captain of the team, Gladson Awako, also praised the team’s performance ahead of the return fixture.
“It’s very good teamwork. We really worked hard for this game and you all can see we did well on the field. I know it’s not done yet so we will prepare and go for the second leg,” he said.
Should Ghana overcome the hurdle of Benin in the reverse encounter, they will proceed to face Nigeria in the next round of the qualifiers to fight for a spot to Algeria.
The Black Galaxies are chasing a return to the CHAN tournament to be staged in Algeria next year after missing out on the last three editions.
SuperSport viewers on DStv and GOtv can look forward to the English season’s traditional season-opening fixture, the FA Community Shield, which sees FA Cup champions Liverpool face Premier League champions Manchester City at the King Power Stadium in Leicester on the evening of Saturday 30 July.
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This clash is being held in Leicester due to the ongoing UEFA Women’s European Championships (for which Wembley Stadium is a key venue) and sees the Reds and the Citizens renew their rivalry.
The clubs have dominated English football in recent years and will be expected to do so again in the 2022-23 season. Liverpool have lost Senegalese marksman Sadio Mane to Bayern Munich, but have boosted their squad with the additions of Fabio Carvalho and Darwin Nunez, while the big arrival on Man City’s side is of course striker Erling Haaland, but they have also cannily snapped up Calvin Phillips from Leeds United.
“It’s important we all recognise we are getting a work in progress with Darwin,” said Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp.
“He recognises that himself, for sure. I love how much focus and humility he has. We have wonderful attacking options already and he becomes part of that now. So there is no pressure on him at all.”
Man City’s Phillips said, “City have again proved to be the best team in the country with an amazing squad and a manager in Pep Guardiola who is rightly considered to be the finest in the world. To be able to play under Pep and learn from him and his coaching staff as well as be part of such a fantastic squad is a prospect that I am incredibly excited about.”
Key players
Mohamed Salah – The Egyptian recently signed a new contract extension at Liverpool and has committed himself to taking the Reds back to the top of the English game. This match presents him and the team with the chance to lay down a marker for the upcoming season.
Kevin De Bruyne – The Belgian playmaker enjoyed another brilliant campaign last term and will be looking to lead Man City to yet more glory in the new season. This clash against Liverpool is one in which De Bruyne will look to use his unrivalled range of passing and shooting to full effect.
Head-to-head stats
In head-to-head stats, Liverpool and Man City have met in 220 matches across all competitions since their first clash back in 1893. The Reds have claimed 106 wins compared to 58 for the Citizens, while 56 games have been drawn.
The teams met three times last season: both Premier League matches ended in 2-2 draws, while Liverpool claimed a 3-2 win in the FA Cup semifinal played at Wembley Stadium in mid-April, with goals from Ibrahima Konate and Sadio Mane (two).
Battles to watch
Jurgen Klopp v Pep Guardiola – These two managers have enormous respect for each other, but the rivalry burns bright. Klopp will hope his team’s intensity dominates, while Guardiola’s nous and perceptive approach could give City a tactical edge.
Virgil van Dijk v Erling Haaland – A heavyweight clash of arguably the best defender in the world against the most exciting striker to arrive in the Premier League for many a year. VVD will hope to assert his authority from early on, but Haaland won’t give an inch as he looks to impress on debut.
Andy Robertson v Riyad Mahrez – A key battle out on the flank will see Mahrez looking to cut inside from the right to use his left foot, but Robertson is a determined competitor who will offer his own hard-running threat when Liverpool have possession.
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FA Community Shield broadcast details, 30 July 2022
All times CAT – Saturday 30 July 18:00: Liverpool v Manchester City – LIVE on SuperSport Premier League.
