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Four top-notch European coaches express interest in vacant Ghana coaching job

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Four notable European coaches have slapped in their CVs to be considered for the vacant national team post of Ghana following the sacking of Charles Akonnor.

Among the early applicants for the Black Stars vacant is Italian coach Francesco Guidolin who coached Stephen Appiah at Udinese and Andre Ayew at Swansea City.

Former Borussia Dortmund boss Lucien Favre, longtime Pep Guardiola assistant Domènec Torrent and Frenchman Alain Giresse who has vast working experience in Africa.

All the four coaches are among the early people to have sent their CVs to the Ghana FA following the decision to appoint coach within three days.

This comes after the sacking of Akonnor and with the three-man committee set to start its job today the four coaches are hoping to convince the GFA to be handed the post.

The top calibre of coaches to apply for the job shows that there is big interest in the Black Stars but the salary might be a sticking point if Ghana needs a top quality coach.

Favre, a 63-year-old Swiss professional football coach and former player, is a former coach of Borussia Dortmund in Germany.

He was a playmaker in various Swiss and French clubs. He was the longest player for Servette, who also won the championship.

Favre was a successful manager and won the Swiss Cup with Servette and Zurich.

He was also responsible for Borussia Monchengladbach and Hertha BSC in Germany.

Another coach keen on the Black Stars job is Torrent, a 59-year old, who was a key figure behind Pep Guardiola’s success in Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Manchester City.

After managing Girona in 2007, Torrent joined Pep Guardiola’s FC Barcelona B staff, initially as a tactical analyst.

Torrent was promoted to the third division, and Guardiola was appointed manager of the first team. Torrent assumed the same role in May 2008.

Torrent stayed with Guardiola when Guardiola moved to FC Bayern Munich Munich and Manchester City. Together, they won 24 trophies over eleven years.

Torrent, who had expressed a desire to be back in head coaching, was appointed the head coach of Major League Soccer’s New York City FC. He replaced Patrick Vieira.

Torrent was appointed to Campeonato Brasileiro Serie A side Flamengo on 31 July 2020. He had signed a one-and a half-year contract, but was fired four months later following their away defeat to Atletico Mineiro.

Guidolin, a former player in Italian football and manager of Premier League Swansea City is 65 years old.

He has actually managed two top Ghanaian players in his coaching career, including Stephen Appiah at Udinese and Parma before coaching Andre Ayew to Swansea.

He was a coach for several Italian clubs in Serie A and won the 1996-97 Coppa Italyalia with Vicenza.

Guidolin is also competing in European competitions alongside Vicenza and Udinese as well as Bologna, Palermo, Bologna, Palermo, and as the manager of French Ligue 1 club Monaco.

The 69 year-old has a lot of experience working in Africa, mainly with France. He was also in charge of Toulouse and the Georgian team.

Giresse was the Gabon’s national football coach and was appointed as Mali’s manager for the 2010 African Cup of Nations.

From 2013 to January 2015, he was the national football coach for Senegal.

Giresse resigned on 7 September 2017 as Mali’s national football team manager.

He was appointed to the vacant Benin national soccer team manager’s position in December 2017. He was one of 77 candidates for the Cameroon national job.

Giresse was appointed manager of Tunisia on 13 December 2018. In August 2019, he resigned.

Source: Ghanasoccernet

GFA sacks Akonnor and Assistants

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The Executive Council of the Ghana Football Association has taken a decision to terminate the appointment of Black Stars Coach Charles Akonnor and his two Assistants with immediate effect. This follows the receipt of the Technical Report from the Head Coach of the Senior National Team and the report from the Black Stars Management Committee following Ghana’s Group G World Cup qualifying matches against Ethiopia and South Africa.

The Executive Council after considering the two reports have decided to terminate its relationship with the Head Coach C. K Akonnor and the two Assistants.

The Executive Council has formed a three (3) Member Committee made up of Vice President Mark Addo, Upper East Regional Football Association Chairman, Alhaji Salifu Zida and Dr. Randy Abbey to find a Head Coach and Assistant Coaches for the Black Stars within the next 72 hours.

The Association wishes C.K Akonnor and his Assistants the very best in their future endeavours.

Ghana currently have three (3) points after the two opening matches.

The Black Stars will take on Zimbabwe in the next round of games in October 2021.

GFA

Home Stars shed tears as All Stars shone with joy to division one

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It was a moment of heartbreak for the people Ho, as Home Stars Fc straggled to Akasti All Stars in a 3-1 penalty shoot out, after a 0-0 draw in regulation time in the Volta Regional division 2 middle league play off on Sunday, September 12, 2021.

VRFA Chair, Daniel Agbogah hands Trophy to Akatsi All Stars Captain Francis Akpalu.

Both sides started the game with caution in front of a huge crowd never seen before at the Ho Sports stadium but game steadily found its tempo after 25 minutes of play with the midfield battles, the fluent passing abilities, the hard tackles, defensive blunders, and fantastic saves.

Both sides as well created glorious opportunities but couldn’t break the deadlock.

The 3-1 penalty results, with All Stars having the first kick, saw Michael Nayram Dawuso’s kick denied by the cross bar before Atsu Torxo’s effort was saved by goalkeeper Michael Agbanyo. Mawunyo Agbenorxevi stepped up for the second kick but was saved by Propser Agbeko, yet Richard Lawoe who came in as a substitute for Home Stars also got his kick saved.

Left back, Ranous Amegatsey got the first one in for All Stars to give them some hope and Julius Okoh, (who is a penalty expert) made no mistake to make it 1-1 after 3 kicks each.

Lead Attacker, Roland Klenam shedding tears after the loss

George Kwesi Nanegbe made it 2-1 for All Stars but Onashonku Latief, another substitute, blasted the ball over the bar and brought chaos into the minds of the over two thousand Home Stars fans. Gameli Tonni Toworfe’s goal became the heart breaker, as Akasti All Stars cheered on, to victory with their 20% fans at the Stadium.

There were tears, from the technical bench, the players, and fans whose cars couldn’t find parking space, resulting to traffic on the Ahoe-Kabore road.

Akatsi All Stars TM, Peter Gatsi consoling Assistant Coach of Home Stars FC, Kofi Atiso.

Ho based Home Stars Fc who had lots of supporters thronging to the stadium in an expectant qualification mood, had better records ahead of the Akatsi lads; winning 9 games, drawing 3 and losing 1 in 13 outings, against All Stars’ 8 wins, 6 draws and 2 loses in their 16 outing.

The Middle league itself also had Home Stars scoring 6 and conceding 2, with a 100% winning record, while Akasti All Stars scoring 2 goals and conceding 1 with a loss to Roberto Fc in their group.

The goal that brought the Glory.. Gameli Tonni Toworfe’s kick

Some Home Stars fans couldn’t believe the outcome of the finals and so couldn’t leave the stadium, but those who were able to but immediately in disappointment, lost appetite.

While the bench of Home Stars were without words, but could only congratulate their opponents, Head Coach of All Stars, Prosper Korsi Dorkenoo who spoke to Extv.com live on Facebook, says he will to beef up the current squad for the division 1 journey.

“I am more than word happy because we have been pushing to qualify to division 1 for long. I wasn’t worried on the touchline because I knew the game will go to penalties and I will win. I am now going to beef up the squad. I have 14 players who I had wanted to use for this middle league.”

Head Coach, Prosper Dorkenoo being appreciated by players..

The 2021/2022 National division 1 League season, in Zone 3 will have Akatsi All Stars represent Volta region.

By: Davis Nii Attuquaye Clottey

2021/22 Caf CL: Ivorian Patrick Vlei to officiate Hearts-CI Kamsar clash

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A quartet of Ivorian referees, led by Patrick Tanguy Jean Philippe Vlei, will officiate the 2021/22 Caf Champions League one-off tie between Hearts of Oak and Club Industriel de Kamsar.

The Ghanaian champions will be hosting the Guineans – who finished as runners-up to Horoya AC in the 2020/21 season – at the Accra Sports Stadium on Sunday, September 19.

The two sides were originally scheduled to face off in a two-legged tie but a coup d’etat in Guinea almost a fortnight ago forced the Confederation of African Football (Caf) to invoke its laws to make it a one-off game to be played in the Ghanaian capital.

Patrick Vlei, who became a Fifa international referee in 2020, will be helped on the lines by compatriots Kouame Gabriel Kangah (Assistant I) and Kalilou Bamba (Assistant II).

Allou Franc Eric Miessan, also from Cote d’Ivoire, is the Fourth Official.

Sekou Wieh Konneh from Liberia will serve as the Match Commissioner while Dr. Christiana Baah works as COVID-19 Officer.

Hearts vs CI Kamsar – Match officials

Referee: Patrick Tanguy Jean Philippe Vlei (Cote d’Ivoire)

Assistant I: Kouame Gabriel Kangah (Cote d’Ivoire)

Assistant II: Kalilou Bamba (Cote d’Ivoire)

Fourth Official: Allou Franc Eric Miessan (Cote d’Ivoire)

Match Commissioner: Sekou Wieh Konneh (Liberia)

COVID-19 Officer: Dr. Christiana Baah

©FG

OFFICIAL: Asante Kotoko announce the capture of Richmond Lamptey

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Asante Kotoko have officially announced the capture of midfielder Richmond Lamptey, their first signing this transfer window.

The 24-year-old has been a long-time target of the Porcupine Warriors. The club missed out on his services when he left WAFA SC as a free agent and signed for Inter Allies in January 2018.

But after three years and some 8 months, Lamptey finally becomes a red.

Kotoko, looking to bolster their attacking options, returned for his signature and secured an agreement with Inter Allies who will be playing Division One football in the coming season.

Lamptey signed a three-year contract, keeping him at the club until the end of the 2023/24 season.

Inter Allies days

Lamptey settled for Inter Allies after many tempting offers in January 2018 when he was available as a free agent. He had then ended a five-year stay with Academy Boys WAFA SC.

Few months after his arrival, Lamptey left for Lebanese side Salam Zgharta on loan after bagging a goal and an assist in 13 matches for Allies during the 2017/18 Ghana Premier League.

The attacking midfielder returned from the loan prior to the start of the 2019/20 GPL in which he registered an assist in 7 matches before the campaign got cancelled due to the outbreak of COVID-19.

Richmond Lamptey enjoyed his best season in the Allies shirt in the 2020/21 campaign. He played 27 games, scored thrice with two assists and won the man-of-the-match award four times.

One of his goals was a famous belter against champions Hearts of Oak.

©FG

Match Report: Accra Lions rally from behind to beat Hearts Of Oak

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Ghana Premier League newboys Accra Lions handed Hearts of Oak a reality check after staging a strong come-back to beat the Phobians 3-2 at the Accra Sports Stadium in a pre-season friendly duel on Sunday.

Samuel Boadu’s side threw away a 2-1 lead from the first half to surrender victory to the Ghana Premier League newcomers.

Black Stars attacker Daniel Afriyie Barnieh got on the score-sheet with Lions also scoring to make it 1-1 but Isaac Mensah registered his third goal of the pre-season but strucking the back of the net with a good effort.

However Lions sneaked through the Phobians backline to register the equaliser midway through the second-half before youngster Salim Adams committed a hurrendous error with a poor back pass to give Lions an opportunity which they took with both hands to register the match winner with few minutes left to play.

Hearts of Oak coach Samuel Boadu named Black Stars trio of Richard Attah, Fatawu Mohammed and Daniel Afriyie Barnieh in his starting XI to face Accra Lions in a pre-season friendly game on Sunday afternoon.

Midfield jewell Gladson Awako is down with malaria and missed the game. However Patrick Razak and Kofi Kordzi came off the bench to feature in the second half.

The loss becomes Hearts of Oak’s second pre-season friendly loss after succumbing 1-0 to Togolese champions ASKO de Kara.

Source:Ghana SSports Online

First batch of License A Coaches to report for refresher course on Sunday [FULL LIST ]

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Thirty-six CAF License A Coaches will be at the Ghanaman Soccer Centre of Excellence, Prampram for the Coaches Refresher course.

This is the first batch of coaches for the refresher course which is in line with CAF’s new Coaching Convention to hold refresher courses for all license coaches every two years.

Licensed coaches who fail to undertake the refresher course run the risk of having their licenses expired or invalid.

The first course will take place at the Ghanaman Centre of Soccer Excellence at Prampram from September 12 -16 September 2021 before the second batch begin their course.

Director of Coaching Education Professor Joseph Kwame Mintah will lead the training with assistance and directives from Technical Director Bernhard Lippert and other CAF/FIFA instructors.

1ST BATCH PARTICIPANTS FOR COACHING REFRESHER NO. FULL NAME

1 OCLOO DAVID DICKSON

2 THOMPSON QUARTEY ERNEST

3 BABA NUHU

4 ISSA NAJAHU

5 PREKO YAW

6 OSEI-FOSU IGNATIUS KWAME

7 SARFO ISAAC KOFI

8 ANSAH EDWARD AYIKWEI

9 ACHEAMPONG YAW

10 ADJOVU DAVID KABU

11 ABOAGYE DACOSTA

12 AMISSAH KOBINA

13 JUNIOR JOHN EDUAFO

14 OCANSEY KASSIM MINGLE

15 APPIAH JAMES KWASI

16 ABUBAKARI MUMUNI SOKPARI

17 ABDUL-RAHMAN DAMBA ABUKARI

18 AMANKWAAH NANA YAW

19 AMPAH STEPHEN JOJO

20 OGUM PROSPER NARTEH

21 ADOTEY AUGUSTINE EVANS

22 KOFFIE PRINCE GEORGE

23 OGBA MOHAMMED BASHAR

24 IDDI RASHID

25 SEIDU OSUMANU

26 UMAR ABDUL RABI

27 SHAIBU IBRAHIM TANKO

28 AMADU NURUDEEN

29 WHYTE SAMUEL KOJO

30 LUTTERODT DAUDA SOLOMON

31 NASSAM MOHAMMED

32 DADZIE JAMES KUUKU

33 ABUBAKARI FATAWU AHMED

34 ASSIBU ROBERT RAYMOND

35 CORBBLAH JIMMY JAMES

36 ABUBAKAR NASSAM

Source:GFA

BREAKING NEWS: Asante Kotoko officially part ways with coach Mariano Barreto

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footy.ghpush.com/ can exclusively report that the management of Asante Kotoko has officially parted ways with their Portuguese trainer Barreto Mariano after 5 months.

Barretto, who was appointed on 26th March 2021 by Kotoko has officially reached an agreement with his appointees.

footy.ghpush.com/ can reveal that, official communication has been sent to the platform of the playing body informing them about the decision.

The team will resume training on Tuesday, 14th September, 2021.

Story by Emmanuel Owusu @lilpromzy27 on Twitter

Kotoko board member sues Kumasi-based Light FM Sports crew

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Asante Kotoko board member and former broadcast journalist, Evelyn Nsiah Asare has sued Kumasi-based radio station Light FM for defaming her character.

A writ of summons cited by Footy Dreams dated September 9, 2021, shows five integral members of the Light FM Sports crew have all be dragged to Kumasi Circuit Court.

Light FM, owned by Kotoko board chairman, Osikani Kwame Kyei, has been one of the fierce critics of the current Asante Kotoko administration led Chief Executive Officer Nana Yaw Amponsah.

The CEO, some management members as well as some board members have constantly been their target on their program aired between 1500hrs to 1800hrs.

The Plaintiff believes the allegations were made with “malicious intent” and has, therefore, sued for damages.

Snippets of information gathered indicate that the Sunyani Polytechnique lecture is demanding GH¢2 million in damages from the radio station, as well as a retraction and an unqualified apology from Light FM.

It would be recalled that Evelyn Nsiah Asare came under media intense pressure after she tweeted a cryptic message which heavily criticised the board chairman over his relationship with the CEO.

Break: Meeting to sack Akonnor postponed to Monday

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Ghana coach, Charles Akonnor’s skin is saved at least for the next 72 hours as the meeting called by the Ghana Football Association to decide his future has suddenly been postponed to Monday.

It is not clear why the GFA Executive Council meeting was called off at the last minute but political pressure can not be ruled following two big public statements made by two top officials of the ruling NPP government.

The political pressure started mounting on Thursday evening when some GFA leaders were keen on firing Akonnor after the country made an unimpressive start to the 2022 World Cup qualifiers.

Ghana football boffins would have overwhelmingly voted to sack the bungling Black Stars coach on Friday when the Executive Council of the federation meets to delibrate on the country’s future in the 2022 World Cup qualifiers.

But the meeting has now been postponed to Monday, giving Akonnor some more time before a decision is taken whether he would stay in his position or not.

The GFA’s leadership would have voted to dismiss the former Ghanan international winger from his position to save the country from an ignominious exit from the qualifiers of the global tournament to be played in Qatar next year.

The leaders of the federation were ready to wield the BIG AXE on Akonnor despite the coach having an existing contract with the federation that expires early next year.

Some members of the Council revealed that the ramifications of keeping Akonnor is costlier as compared to losing the chance of going to the World Cup and performing poorly at the Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon in January.

Several members of the powerful Executive Council have under the condition of anonymity said that, they will table the motion for Akonnor to be sacked.

While the future of Akonnor was not on the agenda for the meeting, the discussion on the Black Stars performances in the two matches has been tabled which will give members the chance to deliberate the matter.

We understand that several members who were on the trip to South Africa and also saw the Black Stars play against Ethiopia will report to the meeting that Akonnor has lost the dressing room of the Black Stars.

Private conversations of Black Stars players with some management which confirms that they have no confidence in the coach will also come to the fore of the discussions.

The widespread public mood in the country calling for the sacking of Charles Akonnor will also be a factor to salvage Ghana’s qualifying campaign.

Powerful political figures that are thought to be the protectors of Akonnor will ask government not to support the GFA’s decision to sack the coach. That could be the only saviour of Akonnor.

But the root and branch members of the GFA have decided that Akonnor is not the man to lead Ghana to glory.

Questionable player call-ups and dodgy starting line-ups have all conspired against the former international.

Ghana will continue their search for a place at the 2022 World Cup by playing home and away matches against Zimbabwe next month.

Only the A-J winners in each group will be able to progress to the final round for Qatar 2022 qualification.

The five remaining African nations will face off in a draw to determine the winners.

The next World Cup, which will be held in the Middle East for the first time, is scheduled to take place between 21 November and 18 December.

Souce: ghanasoccernet