Defending champions, Hearts of Oak will engage Premier League rivals, Elmina Sharks this afternoon at the Ohene Gyan Stadium in round of 16 of the MTN FA Cup.
One of these two sides definitely won’t able to meet their mark last season in the league since there is definitely going to be one winner, having met each other in the quarter final of the last edition where Caleb Amankwah’s extra time goal earned Hearts of Oak the edge in the end.
The Rainbow club started their defence with a narrow 1-0 victory over Accra Lions in the first round kind courtesy a lone goal from playmaker, Ibrahim Salifu.
They furthered on with their blistering performance after annihilating lower tie side Golden Kicks FC by an emphatic 5-2 to get to this stage. However, in the league, Hearts of Oak after that sweet 2-1 win over AshantiGold have now jumped to the 6th position with 32 points.
On the other hand, Elmina Sharks edged out Achicken FC in a five goal thriller to advance into the second round of the competition. In the round of 32, they exhibited a five star display to marmalize first second-tier side Nzema Kotoko by 3-0.
Elmina Sharks also lost narrowly to Goldstars in Bibiani, and currently found at the bottom of the league log with just 12 points after 21 matches.
TEAM NEWS
Hearts of Oak first choice goalie, Richard Attah is getting better but is still likely he will sit out once again for Richmond Ayi. Ibrahim Salifu has started training for two weeks now but is still unlikely to feature tomorrow.
With Sharks, goalkeeper Lord Bawa Martey was relegated to the bench again for Joseph Essam and is likely he will still be keeping the post this afternoon.
Thirty-two players have been invited into the women’s senior national team, Black Queens to begin with preparations towards the upcoming friendlies in Morocco.
The players are to arrive at the Ghanaman Soccer Centre of Excellence (GSCE) on Monday, 27th March, 2022 at 4:00pm.
Here is the list of selected players and their respective clubs;
Asante Kotoko thrashed lower-tier side Rainbow Sc 3-0 in a friendly encounter on Sunday morning.
The current league leaders embarked on the low profile friendly encounter with the Division One league side to keep their form due to their absence in the Round of 16 of the MTN FA Cup.
Striker Samuel Boateng scored twice on the day, with Stephen Amankona snatching the other goal to complete the demolition.
Kotoko will play Karela United at home on matchday 22 of the Ghana Premier League on Thursday when the league resumes after the World Cup qualifying matches.
They lead the league log with 45 points, 8 more than second-placed Bechem United.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) have okayed 60, 000 spectators for Nigeria’s 2022 FIFA World Cup playoffs second leg tie against the Black Stars of Ghana at the Moshood Abiola Stadium, Abuja.
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) made the request which was promptly granted by CAF.
CAF initially approved 30, 000 fans for the highly anticipated encounter.
The continent’s soccer govering body allowed 40,000 fans for the first leg at the Baba Yara Stadium, Kumasi on Friday.
The Super Eagles held the Black Stars to a 0-0 draw in the first leg.
The overall winners of the contest will proceed to Qatar 2022.
New players who were called to the Black Stars team for the first time were made to show the others what they have in stock in terms of dancing skills.
Per tradition, all debutants are required to perform an initiation dance in front of the whole squad.
New boy, Denis Odoi, delivered a solid performance on his debut, contributing immensely in keeping a clean sheet as Ghana drew goalless against Nigeria in the FIFA World Cup playoff first leg in Kumasi.
After him came A.S Roma youngster Felix Afena-Gyan who led the attack against Nigeria on Friday. The 19-year-old indeed showed that he isn’t only called Gyan but dances like the country’s all-time topscorer Asamoah Gyan.
His moves, timing and antics all depicted the one-time captain, Asamoah Gyan, who always set the camp in high mood.
Other players like Dennis Korsah of Hearts of Oak, Antwi-Adjei and Elisha Owusu and some of the new technical team members were all able to entertain the players through dancing.
Ghana will face Nigeria in the second leg of their FIFA World Cup playoff game in Abuja on Tuesday, March 29.
On Saturday night, without warning, news spread on social media that several of Ghana’s players were on Instagram Live.
They were having a team bonding session that’s become customary, ushering in new members of the side by asking them to dance. It was a welcome vibe from the dark cloud that’s hung over the team even before the recent Afcon, and it mirrored the belief ahead of the World Cup qualifying playoff second leg in Abuja.
Just before the initiation was done, technical advisor Chris Hughton asked all phones to be switched off, after which – following his own little dance – he reminded the team of the permutations: he said the Black Stars are going to Nigeria for Ghana’s ticket to the World Cup, either by getting a score draw or by winning outright.
He needn’t have bothered, because every member of that squad knows what time it is.
The kids are alright
Ghana paraded inexperienced players in the goalless first leg in Kumasi, as compared to the Nigerian lineup.
Here’s the Stars XI (number of caps before the game): Jojo Wollacot (6), Denis Odoi (0), Daniel Amartey (36), Alexander Djiku (10), Gideon Mensah (5), Thomas Partey (38), Baba Iddrisu (10), Mohammed Kudus (9), Fatawu Issahaku (5), Jordan Ayew (73), Felix Afena-Gyan (0).
Only three players had more than 10 caps, as compared to Nigeria, whose XI had five players with 20 or more caps, and nine players with 10 or more: Francis Uzoho (17), Ola Aina (20), Will Troost-Ekong (52), Leon Balogun (42), Zaidu Sanusi (8), Innocent Bonke (1), Joe Aribo (11), Moses Simon (42), Samuel Chukwueze (18), Kelechi Iheanacho (36), Victor Osimhen (17).
For Ghana, underdogs ahead of the tie, to have controlled the game as they did, showed that minor improvements could lead to the result needed.
The problems will be fixed
At the last Afcon, Ghana suffered greatly from coaching lapses. What we witnessed in the first leg was structure and a plan; an attempt at having an identity. But there were a few niggles, and Addo promised to work on them in his post-match presser:
• Late subs: Nigeria completed five subs before Ghana – who needed fresh ideas as early as the hour mark – started throwing on new men.
• Set pieces: the Black Stars could have killed the game in a dominant first half, but none of the six corners or three freekicks within range did much damage.
• Ghana can also take a note from the one-touch football Nigeria played for much of the game, rather than over–elaborating when attacking.
• In the words of former Ghana striker Mahatma Otoo: “We need a clinical striker, one who knows how to run behind defenses and also one who can hold the ball upfront. The players we have are not typical strikers so they don’t know how to move in the box.”
Super Eagles are very beatable
Ahead of the series, there was too much respect shown to Nigeria, who are decent, but actually not that good. A few observations:
• Troost-Ekong is rusty due to a lack of game time, and, but for Balogun – who outdid himself with key interceptions – the tie would have been done early. If Troost-Ekong starts, Ghana must constantly attack his side of the defense, especially on his weaker left foot.
• Djiku did a number on Osimhen, who completed just one pass in 90 minutes, because the Napoli attacker lacked service to run onto balls as he prefers. In his bid to be productive, he kept playing deep, becoming an easy target by the time he got into dangerous areas. Meanwhile, Iheanacho couldn’t be the crucial link between defensive midfield and attack; Simon and Chuwueze had problems of their own and couldn’t assist, either.
• Nigeria will likely add an extra body in midfield to wrestle control in the second leg. In that case, Ghana cannot afford to have another quiet Partey performance. The Arsenal man lost possession 17 times, more than any other midfielder in the game. It can be argued that he suffered from a lack of movement from his teammates, which will be fair.
• One cannot complain about the desire shown by the Ghana side, and a repeat of that on Tuesday is assured.
The $12 million bonanza
Beyond pride, beyond banter.
The winner of this two-legged series is guaranteed this payoff from Fifa: $2 million preparation fee and $10 million guaranteed group stage fee. The 0-0 first leg score means there’s all to play for. This Ghana FA administration have been hit hard by financial pitfalls due to the pandemic and prevailing tough economic conditions.
Jordan Ayew is the only player in this Ghana playoff squad to have tasted World Cup football, and the hunger within the camp is unmistakable. By the time the series ends at the Moshood Abiola Stadium, the Black Stars should be heading to a first World Cup since 2014.
Simba FC forward Bernard Morrison has reacted furiously to his continuous snub by the Ghana Football Association over an invite to the national team.
Morrison feels he has been ignored because of he plays in Africa despite the belief that he is better than some of the players invited.
After the Black Stars’ game against Nigeria, the former Ashantigold forward took to Twitter to vent his spleen.
“Imagine getting ignored all because of these attackers downgrading the league you play in because others got the chance and luck to be in European leagues and clubs outside Africa. They’ve made the Ghana National team like family business, you don’t get invited if you are not linked,” he started.
“What’s sooo special about these attackers that we cant represent the nation?? You look down on the leagues in Africa but u call players from the Ghana league into the national team imagine players from Ghana league that don’t even play champions league,” he added.
“You don’t blow your own trumpet” but sometimes u state the fact as and how it is. I chose jersey number 3 because Asamoah Gyan is the best striker I looked up to from childhood, which I believe he’s better in all areas, but to be not recognized because of these,” he continued in a Twitter rant.
“Attackers we call into the national team its better to focus on Simba SC duties and forget about this most African national teams give chances to players in the local league and even within Africa. Ghana is not like that. U will be noticed only when u have someone to.
“Talk to people in the federation I played for AS Vita, Orlando Pirates and now for the biggest in Tanzania Simba SC, but never was I recognized because I’ve got no friend there.
““Tanzanian League is not that good” but you call 2 players from into the national team while Simba beats this club that the players came from. All because they have links into the national team. Let me end here because I can go on and on.”
The Black Stars were held to a goalless draw by Nigeria at the Baba Yara sports stadium on Friday night.
The Black Stars of Ghana will leave the country on Sunday for the second leg of the World Cup playoff against Nigeria in Abuja.
An exciting young Black Stars team held the Super Eagles to a goalless draw in Kumasi on Friday night, leaving the second leg open for the taking.
The team will return to Accra on Saturday for a little shake up at the Accra Sports stadium before leaving for Abuja on Sunday. Ghana will travel via a chattered flight.
The Black Stars will then train at the Mashood Abiola stadium on Monday, the venue for the crucial second leg.
In the first leg at the Baba Yara sports stadium, coach Otto Addo handed debuts to Dennis Odoi and Felix Afena-Gyan, both of whom impressed.
Ghana had chances to take the lead, with Abdul Fatawu Issahaku and Mohammed Kudus coming close at either side of the half.
Afena-Gyan could have given Ghana the lead deep in the second half after a corner kick from Kudus evaded everyone.
Meanwhile, Nigeria gave Ghana a scare when the referee awarded a penalty only for the decision to be reversed by VAR.
The second leg will be played on Tuesday night at the Mashood Abiola stadium.
How the game ended 0-0 at Baba Yara Sports Stadium
Ghana and Nigeria played out to a goalless draw in first leg of FIFA World Cup playoff at Baba Yara Sports stadium in Friday night football.
Ghana started the game brightly and just a minute into the match won a corner which was wasted by the Black Stars before AS Roma teen sensation Felix Afena-Gyan half volleyed a half chance three minutes later.
A defensive mishap by Nigeria nearly saw Ghana profiting but a quick tackle from Leon Balugon prevented Fatawu Issahaku from taking a shot.
Few minutes later, Afena-Gyan tried to outwit Trost-Ekong before forcing a strike which was kept out and just on the hour mark, Fatawu Issahaku nearly grabbed the opener after firing from outside the box only to be parried away by Francis Uzoho.
Nigeria had their moments in the first half with Victor Osimhen and Joe Aribo coming close in the final ten minutes of the half.
The Black Stars controlled the half but had nothing to show for it as the half remained barren.
Ghana returned from the break determined to get a goal but it was Nigeria who had the best of opportunity early in the half, when Moses Simon pulled a great save from Jojo Wollacot.
With twenty minutes left Mohammed Kudus weaved his way into the box before firing but Uzoho was there to save Nigeria, forcing the ball off for corner kick.
Nigeria were awarded a penalty after Iddrisu Baba had his hand to the ball but a VAR check reversed the decision.
Coach Otto Addo replaced Fatawu Issahaku with Osman Bukari, who added the some fire power in attacker with his marauding runs.
However, the end product was not there for the Black Stars as the game ended in a goalless stalemate.
Ghanaian striker Kwame Opoku returned from injury to secure a point for USM Alger in their 1-1 draw with HB Chelghoum Lad in Algeria’s Ligue Professionnelle 1 on Saturday evening.
Opoku announced his comeback from a long injury layoff with a spectacular goal on the 27th minute of the game after Ahmed Khaldi had put the visitors ahead two minutes earlier for Chelghoum at the Stade Omar Hammadi in their match-day 23 fixture.
The former Asante Kotoko man equalised with an overhead kick to ensure his side avoided the home defeat.
He has so far scored a goal in 8 appearances for the Red and Blacks this season.
Opoku joinedUSM Alger in 2021 scoring 5 goals in his debut campaign in 17 appearances with 4 assists.
Former Nigerian forward, Daniel Amokachi has praised the referee’s decision to reverse the penalty awarded to the Super Eagles in Friday’s 2022 World Cup qualifying playoff against the Black Stars of Ghana.
Nigeria was awarded a penalty in the 76th minute when the referee pointed to the spot after the ball had struck the hand of Ghanaian midfielder Iddrisu Baba.
However, the official reversed his decision after a VAR review, which showed that Baba had been fouled in the build-up, prompting screams of joy and relief from the largely Ghanaian crowd.
And Amokachi believes that it would have been a stonewall penalty if Iheanacho had not pushed Baba in the build-up, insisting that the referee made the right call.
“When the referee was called back to look at the monitor, we knew it was going to be disallowed. That’s when I saw the trip,” Amokachi said on SuperSport along with Austin Okocha and John Paintsil.
“We saw the replay, the referee that went to see the monitor had a better chance to see it.
“It was a penalty kick one hundred per cent without the pull, but when you look at it, a foul before the penalty kick, I think the referee got it spot on,” he added.
The Black Stars of Ghana will travel to Nigeria for the return leg after a goalless draw game at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium last night.
Ghana will need a win or a scoring draw to secure qualification to the World Cup finals in Qatar, while Nigeria must win to advance.
The second tie will take place at Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja on Tuesday, March 29, 2022.
The winner of the tie will compete in the World Cup finals in Qatar later this year.
