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Asante Kotoko midfielder Justice Blay out of 2021/22 season

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Asante Kotoko midfielder Justice Blay out of 2021/22 season

Asante Kotoko have been dealt with another injury blow as Justice Blay has been ruled out of the season.

The player sustained a niggling injury during Asante Kotoko’s slim win over city rivals King Faisal where he was deployed as a centre-back in the absence of Ganiyu and Appau.

The 30-year-old recovered and was in line to start against Hearts of Oak in Kumasi but suffered a setback in a warm-up session at the Baba Yara Stadium.

Blay after undergoing a successful surgery at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) in Kumasi is expected to be on the sidelines for two months.

Blay has featured in seven games for the Porcupines since his return to the club from Medeama in the second round of the season.

Francis Andy Kumi and teenage goalkeeper Abdul Rafiu Yakubu are already in the treatment room for Asante Kotoko together with Isaac Oppong.

The Porcupines who are leading the league log are left with 9 games to end the season.

Referee Kennedy Padi quits refereeing after GFA ban

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Referee Kennedy Padi quits refereeing after GFA ban

Suspended Ghanaian referee Kennedy Padi has called it a quit few days after he was slapped with a suspension by the Ghana Football Association, according to reports gathered on Kessben Sport.

The Ghana Football Association suspended referee Kennedy Padi for the rest of the season after the FA Review Panel found his penalty decision against Accra Hearts of Oak in the Ghana premier league matchday 24 with Asante Kotoko describing the penalty decision as a “serious error”

However, Eric Owusu Mensah who is a referee confirmed that Padi has told him he will no more continue the job because the decision by the review committee is unfair.

Watch video below;

https://youtu.be/GBdbP0kXRDY

AFCON 2023 Q: Angola coach Goncalves tips Ghana to qualify from Group E

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AFCON 2023 Q: Angola coach Goncalves tips Ghana to qualify from Group E

Pedro Goncalves has mentioned that the Black Stars are favourites to qualify from Group E for the 2023 African Cup of Nations.

The Angolan national team head coach said he expects to come second behind Ghana as they seek to book a place in the next tournament after missing out on the last edition.

“Ghana is a very powerful national team in Africa; one of the five teams representing Africa at the World Cup. So sure, they are favourites.

“I believe between Angola, Madagascar and the Central African Republic, it will be a big fight but I believe we will make it,” Goncalves is quoted.

Angola is paired together with Ghana, Madagascar and the Central African Republic in Group E for the qualifiers scheduled to begin in June 2022 and conclude in March 2023.

Meanwhile, the 2023 African Cup of Nations final is planned for June 2023.

‘It’s too early’ – Asamoah Gyan reacts to Afena-Gyan’s comparison

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‘It’s too early’ – Asamoah Gyan reacts to Afena-Gyan’s comparison

Ghana luminary striker Asamoah Gyan has shot down comparisons between himself and AS Roma starlet Felix Afena-Gyan.

Aside from the similarities in their surname, Ghanaian football enthusiasts have drawn comparisons between the aforementioned duo following Afena-Gyan’s debut appearance for the Black Stars.

But the former Ghana captain reckons it is too early to make such comparisons despite the visible similarities in their style of play.

“Don’t put pressure on the boy, it’s too early to do that comparison, maybe there might be a lookalike,” Gyan told on Citi TV.

“He is a very good player, the pace and passion I watched him play in the game against Nigeria shows he wants to give something to the fans.”

“He had cramps and when a player has cramps, it shows that he gave everything, that is what I love about him.”

Afena-Gyan joined AS Roma youth academy from Ghanaian based lower-tier side EurAfrica Academy in January 2021 but broke the headlines after after scoring brace against Genoa in the Italian Serie A.

His qualities at the AS Roma youth side attracted first team coach Jose Mourinho to hand him a promotion to make his debut against Cagliari in October last year.

Born in January 2003 in Sunyani, he was still playing schoolboy football in Ghana until January 2021, when picked up by Roma via the EurAfrica FC Academy.

Afena-Gyan is the first player born in 2003 to score in the Italian Serie A against Genoa in November 2021. He has made twenty (20) appearances for AS Roma in all competitions with two goals in his debut season.

He honoured Ghana’s invitation to feature in the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Nigeria last month. Earlier the year, he turned down a call-up to play for Black Stars at the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon.

Lions battle Hearts Of Oak in Accra derby today; Muntari likely to play

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Lions battle Hearts Of Oak in Accra derby today; Muntari likely to play

Accra Lions will square off against Accra Hearts of Oak in the Accra derby on Match Day 26 of the Ghana Premier League at the Accra Sports stadium on Friday. Both clubs head into the match with an eye on the three points having churned out an uncharacteristic and inconsistent performance all season.

Accra Lions recorded their first ever away win against King Faisal on Sunday. Frederick Asante won the day for the new boys as they beat The Greens 1-0 in Kumasi to condemn the Insha Allah boys to their 7th straight defeat in their last nine outings.

Accra Lions have been overly impressive in their last six matches after winning 4 and losing two in the process with their last defeat coming against Eleven Wonders on April 3, at the Techiman.  They sit in 10th place with 33 points – 5 points away from the bottom three clubs.

Samuel Inkoom scored a perfect free-kick to give Accra Hearts of Oak a 1-0 lead against Elmina Sharks but the Phobians failed to protect that goal as Sharks came from behind to snatch a point in a 1-1 stalemate.

The former Dnipro and FC Basel right back who made his Hearts of Oak bow against former club Asante Kotoko on Sunday, April 10, also featured in the MTN FA Cup quarter final against Skyy FC.

Accra Hearts of Oak – 6th in the Premier League table with 37 points have yet to win a Premier League match since April 2, when they defeated Medeama SC 1-0 in Accra. Their inconsistency can be traced down to the long layoff of Salifu Ibrahim and the misfiring of Kofi Kordzie, Daniel Afriyie Barnie, Patrick Razak and Isaac Mensah.

Experienced midfielder Sulley Muntari who missed the games against Asante Kotoko, Skyy FC and Elmina Sharks is likely to feature on Friday after returning to training this week. The former Inter Milan star player has not played for the Phobians since the win against Medeama.

Midfielder Nurudeen Aziz and defender Caleb Amankwaa will return to the team but Richard Atta is still a doubt due to injury.

The match is scheduled for 3pm kick off at the Accra Sports stadium on Friday, April 22, 2022 and broadcast live on StarTimes Adepa channel 247.

‘Don’t focus on Uruguay revenge’ – Gyan tells Black Stars

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‘Don’t focus on Uruguay revenge’ – Gyan tells Black Stars

Former Ghana Captain Asamoah Gyan wants the Black Stars to prioritise qualification from the 2022 World Cup group stage over the target of seeking revenge against Uruguay in the final Group H encounter.

In a tense quarter-final match at the 2010 against Ghana, Luiz Suarez intentionally blocked Black Stars striker Dominic Adiyiah from scoring a winner in the final minute of extra-time with a handball, that got him red carded.

With a chance to win the game and avoid a penalty kick shootout, Ghana forward Asamoah Gyan struck the crossbar on his penalty attempt, and Suarez celebrated the miss behind the benches.

Suarez memorable handball incident against Ghana

After 12 years of pain, majority of Ghanaian fans expect the current Black Stars to use their final group game against Uruguay to settle old scores.

“The most important thing is to qualify from the group stage and go further. When we think about revenge, I don’t think, yes sometimes it good. Psychologically it boosts your morale, you are going for revenge. But, it’s a different generation altogether,” Gyan told Paul Adom Otchere on Metro TV’s Good Evening Ghana.

Ghana will open its 2022 World Cup campaign with a Group H top liner against Portugal in Doha on November 24. The Black Stars then face South Korea in Al Rayyan four days later before rounding up their group campaign against sworn-rivals Uruguay in Al Wakrah on December 2.

Kwadwo Poku was talented than me but… — Asamoah Gyan

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Kwadwo Poku was talented than me but… — Asamoah Gyan

Asamoah Gyan has revealed that former Asante Kotoko striker, Kwadwo Poku was highly gifted than him but he couldn’t reach his full potential due to injuries.

Gyan feels sad that Poku who was known as ‘Mahala’ touted as one one the best forwards in the early 2000s didn’t live up to expectations looking at the enormous quality he possessed.

The former Sunderland striker made this revelation on Angel FM in Accra when he appeared on their show to talk about his book launch scheduled for April 30.

“Kwadwo Poku was hugely talented. I think he didn’t live up to his potential,” Gyan told Angel FM.

“I can’t blame him, he had some bad injuries. For me what, he had the talent to reach higher”

Poku’s despite his injury woes played for Danish clubs such as FC Midtjylland, Ikast FC, Skive, Tjørring IF and Ringkøbing IF.

Poku announced his retirement from football in 2015, making only nine appearance for Ghana and sciring two goals.

He was part of the Ghana’s 2004 Olympic football team.

Because of betting issues, our league is no more attractive —Annor Walker 

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Because of betting issues, our league is no more attractive —Annor Walker 

Accra Great Olympics trainer Annor Walker has admitted that Ghana’s top-flight league is unattractive because of betting issues.

According to him, the Ghana league cannot be compared to other leagues on the continent because it has lost its value due to the involvement of some players and club officials in betting.

He called on the Ghana FA to be Swift in dealing with the betting issues in order to ensure a proper league that will attract the corporate world.

“Our football is no longer attractive. This is not the kind of football or league we were involved in before going into coaching, ” Annor Walker told Kumasi-based Hello FM.

“We didn’t hear of any betting, but now some people plan this betting before their matches. I have always said that if anyone calls me for such a thing, I will let the police arrest him or her. 

Look at the games we played last week in the Ghana Premier League. So was it good? There were so many betting issues, but until now they have not been solved. Just look at what happened in Techiman between Eleven Wonders and Bechem United. I don’t want to talk much, but look at how the goals were scored during the time added on. Definitely, there is something wrong somewhere.

“Last season was the same. Even during the game, you will see players asking why my players are not playing it soft and if they were not informed about the outcome of the game. My players were telling me.

 He disclosed that he has given his players a stern warning revealing that he would sack any Olympics player who will be caught in any betting issue.

“I have warned my players not to involve themselves in the betting. They do so at their own peril. I have told them that every player who gets caught will be sacked from the team, no matter his contribution to the entire team.”

Last season AshantiGokd and Inter Allies were alleged to have played a fixed match when Hashmin Musah, a former defender of Inter Allies who was a second-half substitute, intentionally scored two own goals as his side suffered a 0-7 defeat at AshantiGold on 17 July, 2021.

Musah later explained his decision to score the own goals in last season’s Ghana Premier League match-day 34 fixture, stating his intention was to foil what he suspected to be a fixed 5-0 scoreline.

‘I always knew I will play for Ghana’ – Alexander Djiku

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‘I always knew I will play for Ghana’ – Alexander Djiku

France-born Ghana defender, Alexander Djiku has stressed that he always knew he would play for the Black Stars.

The centre-back in the last few months has become a key member of the national team of the West African country.

Speaking to ‘So Foot’ in an interview, Alexander Djiku has opened up on why he initially rejected advances from the Ghana FA when he was contacted about the possibility to play for the Black Stars.

According to him, he always knew he would play for Ghana but wanted to sort out his club football issues.

“I first wanted to settle in a club before thinking about the selection. I knew that one day it would happen, I had no doubts, even if it took a few years,” the Racing Strasbourg defender said.

Since making his debut for Ghana in the game against Mali, Alexander Djiku has gone on to win 10 caps.

He was a key player for Ghana when the Black Stars brushed aside Nigeria to qualify for the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

-Footballghana

I have never tasted alcohol in my life – Asamoah Gyan

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I have never tasted alcohol in my life – Asamoah Gyan

Former Black Stars captain, Asamoah Gyan has stunned Ghanaian fans everywhere by revealing he’s never tasted alcohol before in his entire life.

Gyan indicated that although he has been attending and organising parties he’s never had a pint of beer in his life.

Speaking in an interview with Angel FM in Accra ahead of his book launch, the former Sunderland attacker opened up about keeping focused as a player, revealing he doesn’t drink to ensure he is ready to play every game when called upon.

“I’ve never tasted alcohol in my life, I go to parties, I do parties but I don’t drink any alcohol .what makes me happy is a comedy, I like Dr. Likee.”

Gyan is Ghana’s all-time top scorer with 51 goals in 106 appearances.

An extraordinary marksman, Gyan has played in six AFCON tourneys — 2008, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2015 and 2017.

He is on record as the man who scored Ghana’s first-ever FIFA World Cup goal — a second-minute strike against the Czech Republic at the 2006 tournament in Germany — and the country’s last World Cup goal, a 57th-minute header against Portugal at the 2014 edition in Brazil.

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