Former Ghana Football Association (GFA) vice president, George Akwasi Afriyie has expressed his disappointment over the GFA’s Disciplinary Committee decision to ban division one league side Phar Rangers for 5 years.
Phar Rangers announced their decision to pull out of the Division One League early last month as well as withdrawing from all GFA Competitions with immediate effect.
In the said letter, dated June 7, 2021, the Club stated that it should be considered defunct.
They later wrote back to the FA to rescind their decision but the FA’s Disciplinary Committee decided to activate the appropriate provisions in the GFA Rules & Regulations relating to withdrawals.
But George Afriyie, who contested for the GFA presidency in 2019 alongside Kurt Okraku and Nana Yaw Amponsah feels the decision is bad and wrong and is of the view Kurt Okraku wouldn’t have been the President of the FA if they had banned the directors and stakeholders of Dreams FC when they were banned.
“The GFA ruling on Phar Rangers is WRONG and BAD. Okraku Kurt wouldn’t have been an FA President if the GFA had banned the Board of Directors and the Shareholders of Dreams FC when they were banned,” He told Pure FM.
“I have told Phar Rangers to appeal the Disciplinary Committee decision and I strongly believe that the decision would be overturned. How can you ban a shareholder without a charge?”
The hierarchy of Phar Rangers has three days to appeal against the decision after receiving the ruling.
Tottenham Hotspur has confirmed the appointment of Portuguese Nuno Esprito Santo as the new head coach of the side ahead of the 2021/22 football season.
Nuno Santo comes in as a replacement for outspoken gaffer José Mourinho, who was sacked in December last year.
The former Wolves manager penned down a two-year deal.
“When you have a squad with quality and talent, we want to make the fans proud and enjoy,” he told the club’s official website.
“It’s an enormous pleasure and honour, there’s joy and I’m happy and looking forward to starting work. We don’t have any days to lose and we must start working immediately as pre-season starts in a few days.”
Spurs chairman Daniel Levy added: “We should like to thank our supporters for all their patience throughout this process.
“I’ve spoken already about the need to revert back to our core DNA of playing attacking, entertaining football and Fabio and I believe Nuno is the man who can take our talented group of players, embrace our young players coming through and build something special.”
Paratici said: “The brief for this appointment has always been clear, we wanted a head coach that can instil all the values that are important to this club.
“You only have to look at Nuno’s time at Wolves to see his ability to take a group of players and implement an adaptive style that brings success and allows players to develop and thrive. We are all looking forward to getting started in what we hope will be a successful time with the club.”
His previous stint in England was with Wolves, where he spent four years guiding them back to the Premier League and even to the Europa League quarter-finals in 2020.
Abuakwa Super Kings have equaled Pupuni’s 3 wins in 3 matches after defeating Senchi Royal Batters in week 5 of the Asuogyaman Boys U-19 T20 Community Cricket League.
The second match played today, Wednesday, June 30 at the Senchi Methodist School Park, saw Super Kings terrified, after Senchi Royal Batters gave them a scare with swift falling of their wickets, beginning the 2nd ball of the first innings.
Super Kings, however came into the game proper, with a great partnership between Sylvester Teye, who emerged Player of the Match, and Godwin Agbenyenu. The two, 7th & 8th batsmen, helped their team to record a score of 56 runs, all out in 10.4 overs. Sylvester, scored 21 runs, off 17 balls, not out.
Super Kings, in the second innings were a delight to watch, as their bowling efficacy, coupled with their fanciful fielding restricted Senchi Royal Batters to score 27 runs, all out in 9 overs.
Although Super Kings won by 29 runs, Royal Batters’ Abraham Asamoah was instrumental in the bowling figures, taking 4 wickets and giving away 21 runs in 3.4 overs.
The win takes Abuakwa Super Kings, back on top of the Zone 2 Table with a better NRR, leapfrogging Pupuni Community Cricket.
Tortibo Twinkle Star Gentlemen Cricket Club maintained their 3rd place spot on the table but with 2 more points after their famous win over Senchi Master Batters.
The rained off game on Saturday which continued before Super Kings versus Royal Batters saw Tortibo push their nemesis to the wall, taking the 3 more of their wickets, restricting Senchi Royal batters to a score of 74 runs, all out in 16 overs.
Tortibo Twinkle Star Gents, who had scored 83 runs, all out in 11 overs in the first innings however won by 9 runs.
Benjamin Oloko won the Man of the Match accolade with a batting performance of 20 runs, off 7 balls plus taking 3 wickets, and giving away 15 runs in 4 overs in the bowling figures.
With 4 loses in 4 outings, Master Batters’ Kaka Atsu improved upon his individual brilliance, taking 3 wickets and giving away 14 runs in 3 overs.
James Awui, Head Coach of Master Batters says they will still taste victory before the league ends.
“We have prepared very well for this game and a win was certain but some missing players caused us this defeat. I promise we will bounce back strongly with the players who were absent to win our last game.”
Meanwhile, Coach of Tortibo Twinkle Star Gentlemen, Michael Teye believes, they have what it takes to qualify to the Semis.
“I am very sure I will qualify to the semifinal because I was having a strong team and most of my players travelled, the reason we lost the second match, but this time, they are back. We will win with a vast margin next week because my boys did magic today due to classroom learning and training.”
Three (3) Clubs will qualify to the semi’s and it looks good for all Clubs except the Senchi’s, who will only have to watch how, either an NRR or point difference disqualifies just 1 Club.
Division One league side Phar Rangers have been handed a five-year ban from all Ghana Football Association (GFA) associated competitions.
On Monday, June 7, Phar Rangers FC sent a letter to the GFA stating they had withdrawn from all GFA competitions including the Division One Zone 3 League and the FA Cup with immediate effect. In the said letter, the club also stated they should be considered defunct from henceforth.
The GFA on the same day activated the appropriate provisions in its rules and regulations relating to the matter.
24 hours later, the GFA Prosecutor drafted a charge sheet in relation to the withdrawal from all competitions by Phar Rangers FC and emailed it to the Secretary of the Disciplinary Committee which was served on the club the next day.
Phar Rangers was charged with two counts; Withdrawing from all GFA competitions without just cause after the 2020/21 Division League had started and withdrawing from all GFA’s competitions whilst failing to give satisfactory reason for the withdrawal from the 2021 FA Cup competition.
Phar Rangers then wrote to the GFA to rescind their earlier decision and withdraw the previous letter. Two letters were also sent by Ghana League Clubs Association (GHALCA) on the subject matter.
Despite the club pleading NOT GUILTY to the charges, the Committee satisfied itself that the evidence adduced before it supports the charge of misconduct against the club for withdrawing from all competitions without just cause and thereby found the club guilty of the charge.
Having found Phar Rangers guilty of withdrawing from the 2020/21 Division League, the Committee hereby imposed the following punishment on the club and its Shareholders and Directors:
Phar Rangers FC is hereby suspended from all competitions of the Ghana Football Association for a period of Five (5) years effective this 2020/2021 football season in accordance with Article 13(3) of the Division One League Regulations
Phar Rangers FC shall only be allowed to join the Regional Football Association league upon the return after five season at the lowest league of the region.
The Shareholders and Directors of Phar RangersFC on the records are hereby also banned from all football activities for a period of five (5) years effective from this 2020/2021 football season in accordance with Article 13(3) of the GFA Division One League Regulations.
Having suspended Phar Rangers FC from all competitions of the GFA, the Disciplinary Committee hereby furthers orders that the players of the club shall apply and shall be granted free agent status by the Players’ Status Committee of the GFA, free all encumbrances save the conditions attached to the transfers from their previous clubs to Phar Rangers FC.
The Disciplinary Committee further orders that the suspension of Phar Rangers FC shall not relieve the club of its financial obligations which have already accrued towards the GFA or any member of the Association.
The GFA and its Committees are hereby ordered that any match which that Phar Rangers FC is scheduled to play shall be considered forfeited and accordingly three (3) points and three (3) goals shall be awarded in favour of the opposing club.
Parties dissatisfied with the decision by the GFA can appeal within three (3) days of being notified of this ruling.
The Referees Committee of the Ghana Football Association has announced Match Officials for Matchweek 32 of the Ghana Premier League.
Below are the Match Officials for Week 32:
DATE: SATURDAY, JULY 3, 2021 MATCH: ASANTE KOTOKO VS KING FAISAL – LIVE ON MAX TV (STARTIMES) VENUE: LEN CLAY SPORTS STADIUM – OBUASI REFEREE:CLEMENT KWAME NKUAH ASSISTANTS: GILBERT ADOM MENSAH & COURAGE KUEDUFIA 4TH REFEREE: WISEMAN GHANSAH MATCH COMMISSIONER: ADJIRI BANOR VENUE MEDIA OFFICER: NUHU ADAMS
2.DATE: SUNDAY, JULY 4, 2021 MATCH: DREAMS FC VS BEREKUM CHELSEA VENUE: DAWU PARK REFEREE: CHARLES BULU ASSISTANTS: PAUL ATIMAKA & PASCAL MAWUSI 4TH REFEREE: JULIAN NUNOO MATCH COMMISSIONER: MIKE NTOW AYEH VENUE MEDIA OFFICER: RICHARD ACHORE GFA CAMERAMAN: ISHMAEL ODARTEY MILLS
3DATE: SUNDAY, JULY 4, 2021 MATCH: GREAT OLYMPICS VS ELEVEN WONDERS VENUE: ACCRA SPORTS STADIUM REFEREE: PHILIP ARTHUR FORSON ASSISTANTS: ISAAC ODOOM & STEPHEN BALANGUENA 4TH REFEREE: ALFA BA-ADEY MATCH COMMISSIONER: EMMANUEL ASANTE VENUE MEDIA OFFICER: DESMOND ACKUMEY GFA CAMERAMAN: ELVIS MENSAH
. 4.DATE: SUNDAY, JULY 4, 2021 MATCH:WAFA VS INTER ALLIES VENUE: SOGAKOPE REFEREE: MOHAMMED MISBAOU ASSISTANTS: RICHARD APPIAH & ERIC NDEBUGRI 4TH REFEREE: OBED DANQUAH MATCH COMMISSIONER: EUGENE AKORNOR VENUE MEDIA OFFICER: TILDA ACORLOR GFA CAMERAMAN:HERBERT SEMAKOR
5.DATE: SATURDAY, JULY 3, 2021 MATCH: LEGON CITIES VS BECHEM UNITED- LIVE ON MAX TV (STARTIMES) VENUE: ACCRA SPORTS STADIUM REFEREE: BISMARK APPIAH ASSISTANTS: FRANCIS BONZIE ARTHUR & HALILU ALHASSAN 4TH REFEREE: MUSAH MUBARICK MATCH COMMISSIONER: JOHN YAKUBU VENUE MEDIA OFFICER: DESMOND ACKUMEY
6.DATE: SUNDAY, JULY 4, 2021 MATCH: EBUSUA DWARFS VS HEARTS OF OAK- LIVE ON MAX TV (STARTIMES) VENUE: CAPE COAST STADIUM REFEREE: BENJAMIN SEFAH ASSISTANTS: SINTIM MUSAH & BAWA HARUNA 4TH REFEREE: JOSHUA SAMADJI MATCH COMMISSIONER: PAUL AYAMBA VENUE MEDIA OFFICER: LUKEMAN AYINDE
7. DATE: SUNDAY, JULY 4, 2021 MATCH: MEDEAMA SC VS ELMINA SHARKS VENUE: TARKWA AKOON PARK REFEREE: RUSTUM GAMELI SENORGBE ASSISTANTS: EMMANUEL DEI & KENNETH TWENEBOAH- KODUA 4TH REFEREE: ESO DOH MORRISSON MATCH COMMISSIONER: GIDIGLO WILLIAMS VENUE MEDIA OFFICER: RICHARD BAFFOUR NRUMAH GFA CAMERAMAN: MARK SASU
8.DATE: SUNDAY, JULY 4, 2021 MATCH: LIBERTY PROFESSIONALS VS KARELA UNITED – LIVE ON MAX TV (STARTIMES) VENUE: RED BULL ARENA REFEREE: IBRAHIM ABDULAI ASSISTANTS: EMMANUEL DOLAGBANU & ISAAC NYAMEKYE 4TH REFEREE: SELORM YAO BLESS MATCH COMMISSIONER: ANNAN LOMOTEY VENUE MEDIA OFFICER: SETH ACQUAYE
9.DATE: SUNDAY, JULY 4, 2021 MATCH: ADUANA FC VS ASHANTIGOLD VENUE: NANA AGYEMANG BADU II PARK REFEREE: ABDUL LATIF ADAARI ASSISTANTS: ALI TIMUAH BAAH & DAVID ADDICO 4TH REFEREE: ANDREW AWURISA MATCH COMMISSIONER: AWUDU DJANG VENUE MEDIA OFFICER: VINCENT AMPAABENG GFA CAMERAMAN: KWAKU KWANING
Nana Yaw Amponsah will step down as the CEO of Ghanaian giants Asante Kotoko with immediate effect after he was slapped with a five-year ban by the Disciplinary Committee of the Ghana Football Association (GFA) on Wednesday.
The decision by the Disicplinary Committee means that the former football agent will not be able to hold his position as the CEO of the Kumasi-based giants as he will not be qualified because of the ban.
The decision also ends Amponsah’s hopes of contesting the Ghana FA presidential election in two years’ time.
The football administrator has three days to appeal the decision at the Appeals Committee of the GFA.
Amponsah, who doubles as director of Division One club Phar Rangers FC, is suffering the consequences of the decision of the club to pull out of the league without just cause.
Even though the administrator resigned from Phar Rangers as the CEO of the second tier side, he maintained his position as the director or shareholder of the club which has forced the decision to ban him.
According to Article 13(3) of the GFA Division One League Regulations all directors of a club will be banned from all football activities for five years if their clubs pull out of GFA orgnisazed competitions without a just cause.
“That the Shareholders and Directors of Phar Rangers FC on the records are hereby also banned from all football activities for a period of five (5) years effective from this 2020/2021 football season in accordance with Article 13(3) of the GFA Division One League Regulations,” the ruling from the Disciplinary Committee of the GFA read on Wednesday.
Phar Rangers announced their decision to pull out of the Division One League early this month as well as withdrawing from all GFA Competitions with immediate effect.
In the said letter, dated June 7, 2021, the Club stated that it should be considered as defunct henceforth which pormpted the Disciplinary Committee to activate the appropriate provisions in the GFA Rules & Regulations relating to withdrawals.
The Disciplinary Committee delibrated the matter before coming to the conclusion that all provisions of the GFA regulations must be enforced including banning their directors for five years.
If Amponsah is not satisfied with the decision of the Appeals Committee he can go to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Switzerland to have his case heard.
But he will vacate his position as the CEO of Kotoko if he wants to fight the decision unless he places a stay of execution order on the GFA to prevent them from enforcing the decision of the Disciplinary Committee.
Phar Rangers have also been banned from playing in any competition in Ghana for five years and they will be relegated to lowest tier of Ghana football on their return after the ban expires.
CSK Cricket Club have defeated high flying and consistent Supreme Cricket Club in their week 5 fixture of the ongoing President’s Invitational T20 League, played on Sunday, June 27 at the Achimota Oval A.
CSK who lost to Karizma in week 1, took the game to leaders, Supreme, restricting them to a score of 86-7 in the first innings, as all games for the week were reduced to 15 overs.
Due to the unfavorable condition of the pitch caused by the rains on Saturday, the match delayed, hence the collective decision to play 15 overs.
In the fall of wickets, James Kwaku Vifah, had an early exit after the first over, scoring just a run, off 5 balls. Moses Anefi spent 14 minutes and scored 15-9 while Charles Ohene and Samson Aweh fell at the 6.1 over and 7.3 overs respectively when Supreme had 51-4.
Chockalingam Selvaraj took 2-8 in 3 overs in the bowling figures.
CSK scored 87-8 in 14.3 overs, and won the game by 2 wickets as Sam Michael Merbin won his second Player of the Match accolade after scoring 27-19. He also took 1-17 in 3 overs.
In the other morning match on Oval B, Karizma, who lost to Supreme in week 2, saw off BGC in a fashionable manner, winning by 17 runs to rub shoulders with BGC, 6 points apiece.
Karizma, scored 115-4 and limited BGC to 98-8 in the second innings. Captain of Karizma Rohit Makhija, won the Man of the Match award, with an impressive bowling figures of 3-22 in 3 overs, together with a score of 8-7. Rexford Bakum came to the party, as he took 2-19 in 3 overs.
The afternoon matches saw Defenders winning their 4th game against Don Bruce to be level on points, 8, with Supreme at the summit of the table.
The match played on Oval A, saw Don Bruce score 110-7 while Defenders needed 111-5 in 14.4 overs in the second innings to win by 5 wickets.
Sanob won the Player of the Match award with 3 wickets, giving away 18 runs in 3 overs. Francis Bakiweyem scored 46-40 for Defenders, while Alex Osei’s 41-26 for Don Bruce can’t be written off the batting performances.
On Oval B, Salt n’ Pepper were 76 runs victors over Ras Bingi, who looked helpless in second innings, scoring 40-10 in 12 overs after Salt n’ Pepper had scored 116-9.
Shijo Devasia was Player of the Match, taking 5-5 in 3 overs.
Ras Bingi lost their 5th match in a row but had Rufus Ntiamoah taking 4-12 in 3 overs, and Nurudeen Ibrahim also taking 4-25 in 3 overs, in the bowling figures.
With 4 more weeks to wrap up, a better Net Run Rate requires the ultimate champions as the single round robin tournament becomes competitive.
On July 4, MMG bounces back to play Karizma on Oval A, in the morning. Defenders stands a chance to move top of the table for the first time with a win but faces a stiff competition from CSK on Oval B.
BGC then welcomes Ras Bingi on Oval A whereas Salt n’ Pepper meet up with Don Bruce on Oval B in the afternoon matches.
President of the Sports Writers Association of Ghana Mr Kwabena Yeboah has eulogised Ghana FA President Kurt Okraku for his exceptional qualities in bringing back the love to Ghana Football.
Mr Kwabena Yeboah who’s not hos his criticism of the FA say the circumstances that led to Mr Okraku taking over the Association offers the platform to commend the leadership of the Association for picking up within few years.
Accra, Tuesday March 16, 2021 – Ghana FA President Kurt Okraku hands the 2021 Africa U20 Championship trophy to SWAG President Kwabena Yejoah after dedicating the trophy to the Ghanaian Media [ Photo/Ghanafamedia]
The head of the Sports scribes in Ghana told Kumasi based Hello FM, the FA has worked hard to lift the images of Ghana Football base on the context in which they took over the reigns of power.
‘I think that the Ghana Football Association led by Kurt Okraku have done a wonderful job. And I think that Kurt has exceeded my expectations’.
‘I say this in the context that he took over the reign of Ghana football at a very very difficult time. This was after the Anas’ Expose where Ghana didn’t play for over one year. And then as soon as we started a new era CoVID-19 issues came in. So we went off for a very long time and for Kurt to come on board to organise our football to this level, Premier division, first division, second division, women’s league and to whip up that interest to this level and to bring back the love, I think it’s been wonderful’.
Mr Kwabena Yeboah maintains, his praise for the Ghana FA President does not take away his criticism of the FA on odd times, and will not mince words to praise them for a good job done
‘Having said that, I have not suggested for a moment that it has been absolutely flourishing. I have had my criticism against him, in certain regard but I think that overall he deserves a great deal of commendation’.
The SWAG President shared gis excitment at how far Kuet has brouggt Ghans Football, and hope it continues into the future
‘I’m very very excited about what he has done so far and I am hoping that he would continue on this trajectory’.
Slavia Mozyr midfielder Dennis Tetteh says he is ready for a Black Stars call-up following his explosive performances in the Belarusian top-flight.
The former Ghana U-20 talisman is targeted Black Stars call-up ahead of the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations tournament in Cameroon.
Ghana secured qualification to the tournament after emerging as group C leaders in the qualifiers.
Ahead of the tournament, Tetteh is hoping to break into coach Charles Akonnor’s squad for the much-anticipated tournament.
He called on the technical team of Ghana to give a little attention to players plying their trade in Belarus because it’s of a high standard and boast of great talents like his teammate Francis Narh and himself.
“I am very ready. The thing is I’m a Ghanaian. It’s nice to wear the colours of your country to defend it, so it’ll be a dream come true to wear the colours and defend my country, ” he told Hello FM.
“My team is not one of the top clubs here (Belarus) but the names you here in our team are Francis Narh and Dennis Tetteh.
“I think those of us here need a little attention from the handlers. Francis and I have proven ourselves in Belarus. Muniru Sulley is also doing well.
“We need a little attention. If the opportunity comes, we’ll gladly grab it and do what we have to do.”
Tetteh has played all matches for Slavia Mozyr this season, scoring one goal to his name and one assist.
Former President of the Ghana Football Association (GFA) Kwesi Nyantakyi has been charged with fraud and corruption over a video documentary released by investigative journalist Anas Aremeyaw Anas which uncovered supposed rot in Ghana football.
Nyantakyi is also facing the charge of Conspiracy to commit fraud with the former Northern Regional Representative of the GFA, Abdulai Alhassan.
The accused persons pleaded not guilty after the case was moved at another court when their pleas were taken.
Lawyers for the two pleaded for bail for their clients insisting the accused had complied with the court’s orders after the initial bail they were granted and had not interfered with evidence.
Moreover, they reside in the country with their families and will not go against the order of the court. They therefore pleaded for self recognissance bail for the two.
State Prosecutor did not oppose the bail application.
The court presided over by Justice El-Freda Denkyi in its ruling admitted them to their previous bail of GHc1 million each with three sureties, to be justified. They are also to report to the case investigator until the final determination of the matter.
The court further ordered the prosecutor to serve the defence lawyers with disclosures and witness statements to the defence.
The case has been adjourned to July 23, for Case Management Conference.
Background
Kwesi Nyantakyi and Abdulai Alhassan have been dragged to court following a video documentary released by investigative journalist Anas Aremeyaw Anas which uncovered supposed rot in Ghana football.
In the said video, the then GFA boss was seen using the President Akufo-Addo’s name, that of the Vice President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia and other senior government officials, to illegally request for various sums of money from investigators disguised as investors.
Per the facts of the case, Nyantakyi was allegedly paid a sum $65,000 as an inducement.
He is also alleged to have made a request for $12 million to be shared among the President, Vice President and the Minister of Roads in securing lucrative contracts in Ghana.
Abdulai Alhassan is also alleged to have witnessed Nyantakyi’s signing to a Memorandum of Understanding with the Qatar company to facilitate the transfer of money for the deal.
