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WAFU-B U-20: Expect improved performance against Burkina Faso – Zito

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WAFU-B U-20: Expect improved performance against Burkina Faso – Zito

The Black Satellites are poised for victory when they take on Burkina Faso in their final WAFU-B U20 Championship Group B match.

The National U20 side lost their opening game against Nigeria last Sunday and will need nothing but a win on Saturday to advance to the semi finals.

Coach Abdul Karim Zito believes his side will be up to the task against their Burkinabe counterparts and have picked the lessons from the game against the Flying Eagles.

“As defending champions, the defeat to Nigeria has been a wake up call for the team. We are poised to back up and qualify to reach the semi’s  and clinch an AFCON slot”.

“We will do everything possible to qualify from this group to the next round”, the 2021 U20 WAFU & AFCON winner emphasized.

After missing some glaring scoring opportunities, the head coach mentioned that his side has been working on improving their attacking and scoring prowess.

“We have been practicing and trying to improve on goalscoring”, he stated

On the weather conditions, Coach Zito stated that after their test match against the U17 team of Niger, he’s confident that his side is used to the weather conditions in Niger.

“After watching the Burkina Faso side, I think they play similar to our style. We are hoping that on Saturday we will come out victorious and make our selves and our nation proud”, Coach Zito stated.

Captain Zubeiru Ibrahim also expressed optimism that his team can surmount the Burkina Faso challenge and advance to the next stage.

“After the defeat, we received lots of encouragement from the technical team and management. Hopefully Ghanaians should expect to see a better performance from the Black Satellites. We are determined to make ourselves and Ghana proud”, the King Faisal FC forward stated.

Nigeria is leading Group B with 4 points and has advanced to the next stage of the competition. A win for the Black Satellites will take Ghana to the semis with three points ahead of Burkina Faso who currently have a point after drawing 2-2 with Nigeria.

The match is expected to kick off at 5pm (4pm GMT) at the Stade General Seyni Kountché in Niamey.

2022 Sheikh Sharubutu Ramadan Cup: Three best young players to earn trial opportunities at Kotoko

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2022 Sheikh Sharubutu Ramadan Cup: Three best young players to earn trial opportunities at Kotoko

Ghana Premier League leaders, Asante Kotoko will offer trial opportunity to three (3) best young players from the 7th Sheikh Sharubutu Ramadan Cup.

The tournament, organised annually at the end of Ramadan as part of activities to mark the Eid, brings together youth from Zongo communities across the country.

The competition is also in honour of the National Chief Imam, Sheikh Osman Nuhu Sharubutu, which highlights his acclaimed values of discipline, peace and togetherness, to inspire the youth.

The tournament was initially scheduled to take place on Saturday, May 7 and Sunday, May 8 but has now been postponed to Saturday, May 14 and Sunday, May 15 at Fadama.

However, the organizers of the tournament have reached an agreement with Asante Kotoko to offer three best young players from the 7th edition, a trial opportunity with the first team.

“Asante Kotoko is a massive, community-based club, and as part of our social responsibilities, and the club’s proud history with the Zongo community, we are excited to offer this opportunity to youngsters from Zongos through the Sheikh Sharubutu Ramadan Cup, which is also played in honour of our revered grandfather, the National Chief Imam,” said Asante Kotoko CEO, Nana Yaw Amponsah during the agreement.

The organizers also expressed their heartfelt gratitude to Kotoko for the opportunity giving them.

Jawula to settle RTU bonuses after players boycott training

Dennis Murpuri
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Jawula to settle RTU bonuses after players boycott training

Former Board Member of Real Tamale United, Lepowura MND Jawula has promised to help settle the team’s outstanding bonuses after the players decided to boycott training.

RTU players refused to turn up for training on Thursday and Friday following management’s failure to pay their bonuses for three wins and two draws in recent Ghana Premier League matches.

It would be recalled that RTU secured home wins against Berekum Chelsea, Asante Kotoko and Accra Lions and managed two stalemates away at Elmina Sharks and Dreams FC.

Jawula, a former Ghana FA Boss, is currently in the USA but has requested for a budget from the RTU management to facilitate the payment of the outstanding bonuses before next Wednesday.

The playing body has agreed to management’s plea to return to training on Saturday ahead of the GPL match-day 29 fixture against Bechem United at the Aliu Mahama Stadium in Tamale on May 18.

14th placed RTU is flirting with relegation from the domestic top flight after securing 33 points from 28 games.

Sarfo Gyamfi mentions three Kotoko players who can easily start in the current Black Stars team

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Sarfo Gyamfi mentions three Kotoko players who can easily start in the current Black Stars team

Former Black Stars and Asante Kotoko striker, Sarfo Gyamfi has made a bold assertion that three players from the Reds can command a starting berth in the current Black Stars set-up.

According to outspoken former player, Kotoko’s Goalkeeper Danlad Ibrahim has all the abilities to keep the post of the senior national football team, the Black Stars.

He reckoned the Keepers who have been earning call ups in recent Black Stars games like Richard Ofori, Jojo Wollacott and Lawrence Ati Zigi are not better than Danlad.

Sarfo Gyamfi speaking in an interview with Kumasi-based Kessben FM stressed that Asante Kotoko’s left-back Ibrahim Imoro will also have his way in the defence of the Black Stars team.

In midfield, Sarfo argued that workaholic midfielder Salifu Mudasiru will easily break into the midfield of the current Black Stars setup.

Allow Nana Yaw Amponsah to decide on Mbella’s future – Herbert Mensah advises Kotoko Supporters

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Allow Nana Yaw Amponsah to decide on Mbella’s future – Herbert Mensah advises Kotoko Supporters

Former Asante Kotoko Chief Executive Officer, Herbert Mensah has advised the supporters of the club on the future of Cameroonian striker Franck Mbella Etouga.

The 20-year-old has been impressive since joining the Porcupine Warriors prior to the start of the season.

He leads the goal king race with 19 goals and has so far caught the eyes of many European clubs. According to several reports, Atletico Madrid, Elche and Sevilla , all in Spain have shown keen interest in snatching him.

Clubs like Galatasary, Lile, and Marseille are also reported to be interested in the Cameroonian Under-20 forward.

Above all, Mbella has been handed his maiden call-up into the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon ahead of their 2023 Afcon qualifiers against Burundi and Kenya next month.

Kotoko are the clear favourite to win the ongoing 2021/22 Ghana Premier League and the club’s supporters have been urging the Management of the club to maintain Mbella in order to participate in the Caf Champions League.

But Herbert Mensah believes Nana Yaw Amponsah has the requisite knowledge in the area and should therefore be allowed to make the right decisions.

“This is an internal business decision, everybody who runs a sporting club, takes business decisions in times like this, ” he told Akoma FM in Kumasi.

“A decision on how to raise revenue and still maintain quality standards.
Take a team like Juventus. The reason why they have been brilliant over the years is the fact that they sold and replaced their players at the right time.

“People questioned why Juventus sold Zidane, Pogba, Figo and other good players. They had cheaper and better alternatives lined up for them.

“Nana Yaw Amponsah so far has demonstrated that the finances of Kotoko is in good hands, he doesn’t run to the board for money but raises it through sponsorship and he has to maintain that standard over a period of time but I trust him (Nana Yaw), he is a deep thinker, clear in some time he wants to achieve.

“Supporters may want things in a certain way but Nana Yaw is clear in his mind on who should stay and who should go. Nana Yaw knows what he is doing. I can’t lecture him.”

‘Hearts of Oak’s Barnieh deserves Black Stars call-up’ – Kotoko legend

Dennis Murpuri
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‘Hearts of Oak’s Barnieh deserves Black Stars call-up’ – Kotoko legend

Asante Kotoko legend Sarfo Gyamfi insists Hearts of Oak attacking midfielder Daniel Afriyie Barnieh is one of Ghana’s best forwards and deserves to be handed a Black Stars call-up.

The 20-year-old was overlooked by Black Stars technical handlers despite his impressive form for Ghana at the 2021 Africa Under-20 Cup of Nations, where he captained the Black Satellites to win the continental championship for the first time in 12 years.

However, the tournament’s Best Player Fatawu Issahaku of Sporting CP and Rio Ave right-back Philemon Baffour were promoted to the Black Stars.

After helping Hearts of Oak achieve their historic treble last term, Barnieh has played a key role in the Phobian’s Ghana Premier League campaign this season, scoring 8 goals in 24 appearances, with 6 games remaining.

“Philemon Baffour and Fatawu Issahaku were picked from the Under-20 team but Afriyie Barnieh was left out. He is the top marksman in the Hearts of Oak attack. Why has he been overlooked?” Sarfo Gyamfi, a former Black Stars midfielder quizzed during an interview with Kumasi based Kessben FM.

“He (Barnieh) is one of the best strikers in Ghana football because he is a struggler, who fights for balls in attack. Are we saying a player is only good when he plays abroad? Benjamin Tetteh is not better than Afriyie Barnieh. Barnieh has to be called to Black Stars,” the 1992 AFCON silver medallist opined.

To land a call-up to the Black Stars, Barnieh would face stiff competion from Ghana’s Europe-born forwards including Ansgar Knauff, Hudson-Odoi, Eddie Nketiah, Nico and Inaki Williams once they complete their nationality switch.

Asamoah Gyan backs former club Liberty Professionals to return to GPL

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Asamoah Gyan backs former club Liberty Professionals to return to GPL

Former Black Stars captain, Asamoah Gyan who played for Liberty Professionals on the local scene before embarking on his sojourn abroad says that he can’t wait to see his former side back to the elite division.

The Dansoman based side suffered relegation last season after being scared by it on several occasions.

Liberty Professionals now play in the Division One League zone 3 and are primed to make a swift return as theylie second.

After 25 matches, the scientific soccer lads have 53 points and lie second on the league table same as league leaders Tema Youth with 52 points.

Asamoah Gyan speaking in an interview says he hopes to see the once upon a time Black Stars conveyor belt back to where they belong to.

“Liberty Professionals is one of the best clubs in the country because the club has produced some great players. The likes of Michael Essien, myself, Sulley Muntari, Baffour Gyan among others,” he said.

“So being relegated and coming back to the Premier League is something I am hoping to see happen and I think it will be a massive achievement for the club,” he added.

Liberty Professionals will be hosted by Tema Youth in the Round of 26 games at the Tema Stadium next week Wednesday.

Kotoko’s Mbella gets maiden Cameroon call-up

Dennis Murpuri
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Kotoko’s Mbella gets maiden Cameroon call-up

Asante Kotoko’s prolific striker Franck Etouga Mbella has been handed his maiden call-up by Cameroon FA following an impressive stint in the Ghana Premier League.

The 20-year-old is one of five debutants listed in Coach Rigobert Song’s 34-man squad for next month’s 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers. FECAFOOT has officially written to Asante Kotoko to invite the attacker for the continental assignments.

Mbella’s invitation letter

Cameroon will open its AFCON 2023 qualifying campaign with a Group C encounter against Kenya at the Japoma Stadium in Doula on June 4 before facing Burundi at the Dar es Salaam National Stadium in Tanzania on June 8.

Despite making his debut for Kotoko five matches into this season’s GPL against Karela United in November 2021, the former AS Fortuna de Mfou goal monger has made an instant impact, recording 19 goals in 24 appearances to emerge as the league’s leading scorer.

GFA Boss Kurt Okraku confirmed as CAF ExCo member

Dennis Murpuri
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GFA Boss Kurt Okraku confirmed as CAF ExCo member

Ghana FA Boss Kurt Okraku has been confirmed as a member of the CAF Executive Committee after making his presence felt at the continental football governing body’s recent meetings he has attended.

The 50-year-old football administrator was handed the promotion following his impactful service as President of WAFU B after replacing Niger’s Djibrilla Hima Hamidou in May, 2021.

The sudden rise of the ex-Hearts of Oak Marketing and Communications Director in African football administration has redeemed the image of Ghana at CAF following the 15-year ban to ex-CAF Vice President Kwesi Nyantakyi in October 2018.

Kurt Okraku will serve on the CAF Executive Committee along with 5 other African regional football administrators including CECAFA Boss Wallace Karia of Tanzania, UNIFFAC Leader Jean Guy Mayolas of DR Congo, WAFU A Boss Mustapha Raji from Liberia and Libya FA Boss Alshelmani Abraheem.

The ex-GHALCA Administrative Manager has served 2 years and 7 months of his 4-year tenure after assuming office as GFA Boss on October 29, 2019.

Hearts legend Mohammed Polo urges Ghana FA to naturalize Kotoko star Franck Etouga

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Hearts legend Mohammed Polo urges Ghana FA to naturalize Kotoko star Franck Etouga

1978 African Cup of Nations winner Mohammed Polo wants the Ghana Football Association to lure Asante Kotoko forward Frank Mbella to play for the black stars.

Mbella is a Cameroonian and his exploits in the Ghana Premier League has caught the attention of a chunk of clubs with some reporting Atletico Madrid, Sevilla and others interest.

In his debut season in the Ghanaian top-flight, has stood out with brilliant performances for Kotoko who are destined to win the title for a record-extending 25 times.

Mbella has scored 19 goals after 28 matches into the campaign and could break Ishmael Addo’s 22 goals record.

Since the exclusion of Asamoah Gyan, Ghana has struggled in scoring goals.

However, according to Polo, Mbella’s success in the GPL is a confirmation of how quality a finisher he is and is in support of those calling for his nationality switch.

“Of course, there’s nothing wrong with that. He is African, he is playing in the Ghanaian league, he is playing the highest level of football and he is doing well. In his country, nobody saw him and if he’s come into our country and doing well in our league, it means we have given him the chance and so there’s nothing wrong with that.” He told Beach FM.

The Black Stars in the last two AFCON tournaments have scored a little of 7 goals with two of the goals being scored by a striker, Jordan Ayew.

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