Accra Great Olympics scored in added time to edge Real Tamale United in their Ghana Premier League Match Day 18 encounter on Monday.
Ibrahim Sulley scored a 93rd minute winner to give them a 2-1 win over the Northern giants to move to the second spot in the League log.
The Dade boys took an early lead through George Asamoah in the 5th minute after capitalizing on an error from RTU goalkeeper Yaw Osei to slot home from close range. Osei failed to deal with a free-kick as he fumbled with the first save as the ball fell to Asamoah who made no mistake to slot home the opener.
Ronald Frimpong converted a penalty in the 85th minute to draw the Northerners level. But their celebrations were cut short 8 minutes later as Great Olympics restored their lead through substitute Ibrahim Sulley. Raymond Oko Grippman brought down substitute Martin Akolgo inside the box resulting in the penalty to RTU.
Sulley fetched the winner in stoppage time as he connected a pass from Philip Nii Sackey to give Great Olympics a hard fought win.
The win takes Olympics to the second place on the premiership standings with 31 points – 9 points behind leaders Asante Kotoko SC who lead the table with 40 points.
Hearts of Oak midfielder, Salim Adams has received several offers from clubs abroad, president of New Edubiase football club, Abdul Salam Yakubu confirms.
The youngster joins the league champions before the start of the current season from Division one side New Edubiase on a season-long loan.
Adams has been impressive in the midfield for the Phobians this season, cementing his place as the preferred defensive midfielder for coach Samuel Boadu in most part of the season.
However, Abdul Salam Yakubu who manages the 19-year-old says he rates Salim Adams as a top footballer and wants the player to continue his career development outside the shores of Ghana.
“I have received three offers from abroad, one from America and two from Europe. In Europe for instance, a Danish club has shown interest in him. Also a team in Minnesota, USA has even made an official request for the player” he said in an interview with Kumasi-based Wontumi radio.
He added that Hearts of Oak have also approached him for a permanent deal with a promise to ship him abroad should suitable offer comes.
Chelsea FC winger Callum Hudson-Odoi has refuted claims that he has snubbed England.
Earlier this seaosn, he preferred to train with Chelsea rather than play for England Under 21s. He was accused of picking and choosing his games for his country and he could yet opt to play for Ghana, as all his senior caps have come before the age of 21.
He insists that is not the plan, that missing the Under 21s was all about getting back into manager Thomas Tuchel’s good books, the Chelsea first XI and proving himself ready for Gareth Southgate’s senior squad.
“I didn’t not go to England because I thought I was bigger than them or I was being big time or anything like that,” he told the Daily Mail.
“It was just me trying to get back into the team in Chelsea and focusing on club football as much as possible: to be a regular player, an option to always play and be involved.
“People thought: ‘Oh, he’s being big time or arrogant’. Or he’s being somebody he shouldn’t be. I’m not that person at all.
“I’m not big time. I’m not cocky. I’m very humble. I’m very relaxed. I was always thinking to myself: ‘What’s best for me in this moment’?
“For me, it was more of a fact that I wanted to stay back and try to get into the team and work as much as possible and show the manager what I’m capable of.
“I was like: ‘Sit back, don’t make a scene, don’t make any problems with England’. I’m good with all the coaches there. I have no problems with any of them. If it [an Under 21 call-up] came again, who knows?”
Legislator for Bantama Constituency, Hon. Francis Asenso Boakye, has expressed his readiness to support his favourite club, Asante Kotoko’s stadium project after Nana Yaw Amponsah had announce his plans.
The fans of the club have been calling on the club’s Board and Management to build a stadium as they are not comfortable with the exorbitant amount they pay as tax whenever they use the Baba Yara Sports Stadium.
Nana Yaw Amponsah earlier today on Kumasi-based Oyerepa FM/TV challenged Kotoko supporters to increase attendance for home games regularly in order to attract investors whilst launching campaign to get 100,00 committed fans on board to aid their stadium project in 18 months.
Reacting to the brilliant idea shared by Nana Yaw Amponsah, the Minister for Works and Housing, wrote “Great! I’m ready!” under a post on Asante Kotoko Supporters page on Facebook.
Meanwhile, Kotoko will soon begin a club census to enumerate the exact number of supporters of the club globally.
The Chief Executive Officer Asante Kotoko, Nana Yaw Amponsah says that he will build a stadium for the club if he can get a number of supporters to contribute an amount of money.
Kotoko since it was founded in 1935 have used the Kumasi Sports Stadium now christened Baba Yara Stadium as their home grounds.
Most Kotoko supporters have been reeling from the huge deductions that is made from gate proceeds each time the club uses the Baba Yara Stadium by the National Sports Authority.
Speaking in an interview on Kumasi based Oyerepa FM, the Kotoko CEO says that he will build a stadium for the club in 18 months if he can get 100,000 supporters to contribute $100 each.
“Indeed we have several millions of fans but we have not been able to prove it,” Nana Yaw Amponsah told Kumasi-based Oyerepa FM on Monday.
“I don’t need 10 million supporters. I only need 100,000 committed supporters and I will build a stadium for Kotoko in 18 months.
“Each of the 100,000 committed fans should contribute 100 USD each. That is 10 million US Dollars. This amount can build a stadium for the club” Amponsah said to Oyerepa FM.
“Look if 10,000 fans attend a single game of our club , averagely we can get about 200,000 Ghana Cedis after all deductions. That is 400,000 Ghana cedis for two home games and convert that amount to dollars. It’s a huge amount and we can keep our best players and build stadium” he added.
Etouga Mbella has scored 13 goals in 14 games in his debut season at Kotoko and it is believed several clubs abroad have started asking bout the Cameroonian already
Kotoko is set to begin a club census to enumerate the exact number of supporters of the club globally.
Head coach of Legon Cities, Maxwell Konadu has applauded champions league winner Sulley Ali Muntari for his decision to return to the Ghana Premier League.
The ferocious midfielder now 37 years has signed a one year contract with Ghana Premier League champions Accra Hearts of Oak.
“WELL DONE LEGEND SULLEY, HAPPY TO SEE U BACK ON THE PITCH, MOST OF THE VERY YOUNG PLAYERS ARE HAPPY SHARING THE SAME PLATFORM WITH U TODAY, THEY ARE LEARNING FROM U, ONE OF THE BEST PLAYERS OF OUR TIME, GOOD LUCK LEGEND.” Konadu tweeted.
WELDONE LEGENG SULLEY, HAPPY TO SEE U BACK ON THE PITCH, MOST OF THE VERY YOUNG PLAYERS ARE HAPPY SHARING THE SAME PLATFORM WITH U TODAY, THEY ARE LEARNING FROM U, ONE OF THE BEST PLAYERS OF OUR TIME, GOOD LUCK LEGEND. pic.twitter.com/KIhBbji5zT
After four matches in the Ghana Premier League, veteran Hearts midfielder Sulley Ali Muntari provided an assist for his side in their game against Legon Cities.
Despite the assist, it was not enough for the phobians to end their four match winless streak as they had to share the spoils with Legon Cities.
After a 20 year hiatus seeking greener pastures and making a name for himself in Italy, England among others, the midfielder decided to look back home and settled with Accra Hearts of Oak prior to the end of the first round.
His first game was a cameo appearance in their 1-0 loss to Accra Hearts of Oak and has since started matches against RTU, Kotoko and Legon Cities.
Muntari had been without a club since leaving lower tier Spanish side Albacete in June 2019 after a short stint.
The Ghanaian has had a glittering career in Europe and will be fondly remembered in South Africa especially for that vicious strike to give Ghana the lead in the 2010 World Cup quarter final game against Uruguay in South Africa.
The former Liberty Professionals midfielder has in the past played for Sunderland, Porsthmouth, Udinese, AC Milan, Inter Milan winning the treble in 2010 with the Italian giants.
He is the second player of the 2006 World Cup squad to have returned home since Asamoah Gyan for Legon Cities after a glittering career in Europe.
The Chief Executive Officer of the Angle Group of Companies , Dr Kwaku Oteng has donated an amount of 10,000 Ghana Cedis to Ghana Deaf National Team
Dr Kwaku Oteng presented the physical cash to the Officials of the Ghana Deaf Rugby Association led by Mr Wilson Agbesi the Acting Secretary General of the Association.
Mr Kwaku Oteng speaking: ” I reallying feel touched any time I come across our brothers and sisters in the disability fraternity and especially Deaf people , I can confidently say that disabled people are very hard working when given the opportunity to work in a conducive atmosphere and I am happy to see lot of persons with disability in sports and I think that is good for us as a country as far as inclusion is concern .It is in view of this that I have given employment to some good number of the deaf in my company and I have never regret ed it because they are hard working and always put in their best.
Dr Oteng made it clear that the donation is his personal support to the Team as much as their preparations towards the international friendly with their Wales counterpart which he understands is a preparations towards the 2023 World Deaf Rugby Championship which will take place at Argentina and has task the marketing manager of Angel Group to work hand in hand with the leadership of the Association as much as the companies support to the Team is concerned .
The President of the Ghana Deaf Rugby Union , Mr Yaw Konadu express his sincere appreciation to Dr Oteng for his generous gesture towards the Team and as well seek God blessing for the humble Dr Oteng and the entire Angel Group of companies.
Mr Owusu Ansah the Secretary of the National Sports Authority , Ashanti Region who was part of the delegation which met with Dr Oteng as well express his appreciation on behalf of the NSA to Dr Oteng and the Angel Group of companies for this great support and requested from Dr that he strongly believe this is the beginning of strong working relationship between the Angel Group of companies and the Deaf Rugby Union and he assured the NSA full support in making sure this partnership goes beyond expectation.
Mr Wilson Agbesi on his side Stated he was surprised about the urgent response of Dr Oteng to the need of the Rugby Team .
He revealed that he was a bit scared when a friend of his requested he get intouch with Dr Oteng for support for the Rugby Team because he strongly believe Dr Oteng will support because of his love for Deaf people .
I become a bit bold when his number was given to me and I humbly put in a call to him and he responded positively that we should meet at his office at Kumasi which we did and God been so God he has surprise us with a physical cash of the said amount on that same day, all I can say at this moment is God continue to bless such a wonderful Personality.
I can see that sooner or later Angel Group of companies and the disability sports movement in Ghana will have a solid partnership in promoting para sports in Ghana and I will do my best in bringing all the Federations on board because I believe that is the way to go as far as para sports is concerned .
By Akakpo Agodji -Ghana Deaf Rugby Association Acting communications manager
Communications Director of the Ghana FA, Henry Asante Twum has admitted the poor pitches in the country affects the coverage of the Premier League henceforth makes it difficult to attract sponsorship.
Tatted pitches like the Theatre of Dreams, Golden City Park, Bechem, El-Wak Stadium and more has truthfully made the telecasting of the GPL on television very unattractive and takes away a lot from the championship.
Speaking to Akoma FM in Kumasi, the enterprising broadcaster has confessed some of the pitches are very bad but will look for means to get them in a good condition in order to improve the marketing aspect of the game. He said;
“I feel sorry sometimes seeing some of our league matches on TV because the pitches are very poor and the optics don’t look good on TV.”
“Maybe we need to find a way to keep our pitches in healthy condition because it affects our product in terms of marketing.”
The second round of the 2021/22 Ghana Premier League season continues this Friday with other games to be honoured during the weekend.
State broadcaster, GTV Sports Plus has secured the exclusive Free to Air rights to telecast the 2022 President’s Cup between giants Hearts of Oak and Asante Kotoko on March 4.
Many Ghanaian football fans will get the opportunity to watch the titanic clash at the Accra Sports Stadium next week.
The Ghana League Clubs announced on Tuesday that the two powerhouses will clash for the second time in two weeks at the Accra Sports Stadium.
The two teams sold out an entertaining 0-0 stalemate during an outstanding Ghana Premier League match last week at the same venue.
The match will take place at 6pm at the Accra Sports Stadium.
President Nana Akufo-Addo will perform the ceremonial kick off and decorate the players with medals.
Kotoko were crowned champions the last time both sides met in the President’s Cup in 2019.
Kofi Kordzi scored first for the Phobians but a Mohammed Alhassan own goal and a Naby Laye Keita effort secured a 2-1 comeback win for the Porcupine Warriors at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium.
Kotoko have won the trophy on six occasions, two more than Hearts of Oak.
The second round of the 2021/22 Ghana Premier League commenced over the weekend with some intriguing actions across the venues.
Asante Kotoko are 10 points clear at the top of the Ghana Premier League following a 2-0 win over Dreams FC on Sunday in Kumasi. In-form striker Etouga Mbella scored both goals in the second half as Kotoko completed the double over Dreams this season having beaten them 3-1 in Accra in the opening weekend.
Second-placed Bechem United suffered a 1-0 defeat in Tarkwa. Vincent Atingah scored a late penalty for Medeama. Aduana are level on points with Bechem after two first half goals from Bright Adjei sealed a 2-0 win over Karela United.
Hearts Of Oak on Saturday drew 1-1 with Legon Cities at the ElWak Stadium. Isaac Mensah opened the scoring for the Phobians but two minutes into injury time youngster Osman Amadu equalised for the Royals.
Scores at a glance:
KUMASI: Asante Kotoko 2-0 Dreams
Scorer: Franck Mbella Etouga (2x)
Man of the Match: Franck Mbella Etouga (Kotoko)
ELMINA: Elmina Sharks 1-1 Accra Lions FC
Scorers: Ishmael Antwi | | Kassim Osuman
Man of the Match: Samuel Arthur (Elmina Sharks)
OBUASI: Ashantigold 1-4 Eleven Wonders
Scorers: Ali Mohammed | | Tetteh Nortey, Osman Zackaria, Andrews Kuma, Laar Ibrahim
Man of the Match: Ali Mohammed (Ashgold)
TARKWA: Medeama 1-0 Bechem United
Scorer: Vincent Addae Atinga
Man of the Match: Kwasi Donsu (Medeama Sc)
DORMAA: Aduana Stars 2-0 Karela United
Scorer: Bright Adjei (2×)
Man of the Match: Bright Adjei (Aduana Stars)
BEREKUM: Berekum Chelsea 1-0 Bibiani Goldstars
Scorer: Owusu Osei
Man of the Match: Lord Amoah(Chelsea)
FT WAFA 1-2 King Faisal
Scorers: Konadu Yiadom | | Osman Ibrahim, Mawuli Wayo
Man of the Match: Richard Akrofi (King Faisal)
ACCRA: Legon Cities 1-1 Hearts of Oak
Scorers: Isaac Mensah | | Osman Amadu
Man of the Match: Dennis Nkrumah-Korsah (Hearts)
MONDAY
ACCRA: Great Olympics 2-1 RTU
Scorers: George Asamoah, Ibrahim Sulley | | Augustine Ronald Frimpong
