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Don’t Be Surprised To See Legon Cities In The Top Four – Bashiru Hayford

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Don’t Be Surprised To See Legon Cities In The Top Four – Bashiru Hayford

The Former Premier League winner has made a statement that people should not be surprised when his team happens to be in the top four clubs at the end of the season.

Head coach for Legon Cities Bashiru Hayford is seeing Legon Cities as one of the potential top four clubs on the evidence of their position in the league and the points they have accumulated after week 28 of the ongoing Ghana Premier League.

Bashiru predicted that Legon Cities will play the top four if they [Legon Cities] win four out of their remaining six games.

“Ones we are on the winning way, if we get four [wins] out of the six [remaining matches], then you will know where we are going to lie.

“It won’t be a surprise for people to see that we are playing in top 4, it won’t be a surprise at all.

“Nobody is counting us among the top four but [with God] everything is possible.” Bashir Hayford told Africa-foot.com

We Are Comfortably Seated To Avoid Relegation – Bashiru Hayford

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We Are Comfortably Seated To Avoid Relegation – Bashiru Hayford

The Former Ghana Premier League winner has claimed the Royals will survive relegation because they are comfortably seated at their current position in the league.

Head coach of Legon Cities FC Bashiru Hayford is making a bold statement that Legon Cities have the propensity of surviving relegation because the team is comfortably seated 9th on the league log in the ongoing 2020-21 Ghana Premier League campaign.

Legon Cities are currently 9th on the league table with 38 points after beating Inter Allies 1-0 away from home last Sunday in Dawu.

In an interview with Africa-foot.com, the Former Black Queens coach says they are comfortable at their current position because the gap is widened;

“We are comfortably seated at the 9th position because the gap is now widened.

“So even if we lose the next match, all those behind us, even if they win they cannot catch us. Bashiru told Africa-foot.com

“So comfortably we are at the 9th position, yes.

“Our next game and the following game, you will see us coming up again.” Bashir added.

Legon Cities play Karela United in their next fixture where Legon Cities will be playing as guests at the Crosby Awuah Memorial park in Aiyinase.

INTERNATIONAL FRIENDLY: Gladson Awako Declared Fit For Ghana Against Ivory Coast Clash

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INTERNATIONAL FRIENDLY: Gladson Awako Declared Fit For Ghana Against Ivory Coast Clash

The experienced attacking midfielder is declared fit ahead of the Black Stars game against the Elephants of La Cote d’viore after recovering from a minor injury.

Great Olympics Skipper Gladson Awako is declared fit ahead of Ghana against Ivory Coast game which is scheduled to take place on Saturday, June 12, 2021 at the Cape Coast stadium in the international friendly.

Awako sustained injury ahead of Ghana’s first encounter with the Atlas Lions of Morocco.

However, the midfielder has passed a fitness test, and therefore makes him available for selection in Ghana’s game against Ivory Coast

Awako trained with the team this evening at the Cape Coast stadium.

Ghana’s head coach CK Akunnor will use the two friendlies to assess the strength and the weakness of his team towards the forthcoming World Cup qualifies.

Ghana will take on Ivory Coast on Saturday, June 12, 2021 at the Cape Coast stadium at exactly 16:00 GMT.

Yahaya Mohammed picks Salifu Ibrahim as his best player ahead of Diawisie Taylor and Awako

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Yahaya Mohammed picks Salifu Ibrahim as his best player ahead of Diawisie Taylor and Awako

Aduana Stars forward, Yahaya Mohammed has rated Hearts of Oak’s Salifu Ibrahim as the best in the 2020/21 Ghana Premier League.

Ibrahim , 20 , has been a revelation since joining the Phobians from Eleven Wonders in a 3-year deal in the last transfer window.

Salifu Ibrahim has been a revelation for Hearts of Oak

Yahaya Mohammed, who is out injured, believes Ibrahim towers above Great Olympics’ Gladson Awako and Diawisie Taylor of Karela United.

“He played for Eleven Wonders and carried the team on his shoulders.

“When he came to Hearts of Oak, the pressure at Hearts of Oak is different from Eleven Wonders.

“They [Hearts Of Oak] are too too eager to win the cup [league] but look at how confident the guy is.

“So for me let me put it on paper, Awako[Gladson] is doing well, Diawisie[Taylor] is doing well but for me I will say Salifu [Ibrahim] is the best.” Yahaya Mohammed told Goodnews fm.

Salifu Ibrahim has collected seven “best player” awards in the ongoing season.

Salifu Ibrahim(middle) mobbed by mates

He had collected four of those awards at Eleven Wonders before claim three with the Phobians.

Hearts of Oak will play coach Samuel Boadu’s former club, Medeama SC in match day 29 at the Accra Sports Stadium.

The 20 times Ghana premier league champions lie top on 50 points, same as rivals Kotoko but on superior goal difference.

-Africa-foot

GFA announce Match Officials for Division One League Match-week 24

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GFA announce Match Officials for Division One League Match-week 24

The Referees Committee of the Ghana Football Association has announced Match Officials for Matchweek 24 of the Division One League.


Below are the Match Officials for Matchweek 24:

ZONE ONE

DATE: SUNDAY, JUNE 13, 2021
MATCH:  YOUNG APOSTLES VS BOFOAKWA
VENUE: SUNYANI CORONATION PARK
REFEREE: BASHIRU DAUDA
ASSISTANTS:  KENNETH TWENEBOAH KODUAH & AZOR CLETUS AZUPELO
4TH REFEREE: SIRAJ  YAHAYA
MATCH COMMISSIONER: RICHARD GYABAAH YEBOAH
VENUE MEDIA OFFICER: ERNEST TIEKU
GFA CAMERAMAN: ERIC ASOMA


DATE: SATURDAY, JUNE 12, 2021
MATCH:  NSOATREMAN VS UNITY
VENUE: SUNYANI CORONATION PARK
REFEREE: ALBERT AZANTILOW
ASSISTANTS:  SULEMANA YAHAYA & FORKOR ALIDU M.
4TH REFEREE: MOHAMMED ZAKARIA
MATCH COMMISSIONER: ABUBAKAR  MUSTAPHA
VENUE MEDIA OFFICER: RICHARD AGYEI
GFA CAMERAMAN: PAUL EGBENYA


DATE: SATURDAY, JUNE 12, 2021
MATCH:  TAMALE CITY VS BEREKUM ARSENAL
VENUE: ALIU MAHAMA STADIUM, TAMALE
REFEREE: BISMARK APPIAH
ASSISTANTS:  EMMANULE DOLAGBANU & BONOMIA TORDIA BASHIRU
4TH REFEREE: SAMUEL BANAHENE
MATCH COMMISSIONER: ISSAKA ABDUL ANAS
VENUE MEDIA OFFICER: SEY MUBARIK
GFA CAMERAMAN: ERNEST ASSAW


4.DATE: SATURDAY, JUNE 12, 2021
MATCH:  TECHIMAN CITY VS YENDI GBEWAA
VENUE: OHENE AMEYAW PARK, TAMALE
REFEREE: EMMANUEL QUANSAH
ASSISTANTS:  SINTIM MUSAH ADUKO ROBERT SUNDAY
4TH REFEREE: ATUAH MATTHEW
MATCH COMMISSIONER: RANSFORD SOLOMON ADDAI
VENUE MEDIA OFFICER: OSMAN FAISAL
GFA CAMERAMAN: ERIC ASOMA


DATE: SUNDAY, JUNE 13, 2021
MATCH:  NKORANZA WARRIORS VS B.A UNITED
VENUE: NKORANZA CHILDRENS PARK
REFEREE: MARTIN AKUDZI
ASSISTANTS:  ADAM ALHAJI MUTAWAKIL & KWOSE BONIFACE
4TH REFEREE: HASSIM YAKUBU
MATCH COMMISSIONER: AMOAKO WILLIAMS
VENUE MEDIA OFFICER: FRANK AMANKWAH
GFA CAMERAMAN: WILLIAM ARTHUR


DATE: SUNDAY, JUNE 13, 2021
MATCH:  KINTAMPO VS STEADFAST
VENUE: KINTAMPO
REFEREE: ISAAC OSEI
ASSISTANTS:  FRANCIS BONDZIE ARTHUR & ELVIS ATTAKORAH
4TH REFEREE: SINTUO ELIASU TONSUGLO
MATCH COMMISSIONER: DAWDI ABDUL RAZAK
VENUE MEDIA OFFICER: THOMAS OPOKU
GFA CAMERAMAN: SAMUEL DZIMADO


DATE: SUNDAY, JUNE 13, 2021
MATCH:  PAGA CROCODILES VS WA SUNTAA
VENUE: PAGA PARK
REFEREE: SAMUEL YEBOAH
ASSISTANTS:  MOHAMMED MOHAMMED & FESTUS N. NBANGNAN
4TH REFEREE: AYAABA IBRAHIM
MATCH COMMISSIONER: ABDULAI OSMAN
VENUE MEDIA OFFICER: ABAGNA NELSON
GFA CAMERAMAN: ABDUL SAMED


DATE: SUNDAY, JUNE 13, 2021
MATCH:  R.T. U VS MIGHTY ROYALS
VENUE: ALIU MAHAMA STADIUM, TAMALE
REFEREE: SELORM YAO BLESS
ASSISTANTS:  FREDERICK DANFUL & KINGSLEY ASARE
4TH REFEREE: JOHN KOOMSON
MATCH COMMISSIONER: HAMIDU SEIDU BOMISON
VENUE MEDIA OFFICER: SEY MUBARIK
GFA CAMERAMAN: ERNEST ASSAW


ZONE TWO

DATE: SUNDAY, JUNE 13, 2021
MATCH:  SKKY FC VS NZEMA KOTOKO
VENUE: DABOASE
REFEREE: SOLOMON MORDEY
ASSISTANTS:  MARY TEI & JOHN ANSAH
4TH REFEREE: THERESA BREMANSU
MATCH COMMISSIONER: RICHARD OSEI YAW
VENUE MEDIA OFFICER: HADI MOHAMMED
GFA CAMERAMAN: AFRIYIE AKUFFO KING


DATE: SUNDAY, JUNE 13, 2021
MATCH:  B.Y.F. ACADEMY VS NEW EDUBIASE
VENUE: GYAMFI PARK BEKWAI
REFEREE: ERIC KORNIE
ASSISTANTS:  KENNETH ARMOO & MICHAEL LAMME
4TH REFEREE: ALFRED TABI
MATCH COMMISSIONER: FRANK AGYEI
VENUE MEDIA OFFICER: ABDUL JALIL AHMED
GFA CAMERAMAN: YAHAYA SWALIHU


DATE: SATURDAY, JUNE 12, 2021
MATCH: PROUD UNITED  VS STAR MADRID
VENUE: CAM PARK, AIYINASE
REFEREE: EMMANUEL GRAHAM
ASSISTANTS:  JOSHUA ANANE & YEVOO YAO
4TH REFEREE: GODWIN TORDZRO
MATCH COMMISSIONER: AUGUSTINE AGYEI KANE
VENUE MEDIA OFFICER: STEPHEN APAKA QUAICOE
GFA CAMERAMAN: KOJO SASSAH


DATE: SUNDAY, JUNE 13, 2021
MATCH:  UNISTARS VS ASOKWA DEPORTIVO
VENUE: SWEDRU STADIUM
REFEREE: IDDRISU MUSTAPHA
ASSISTANTS:  NDEEGO ABRAHAM & ISAAC MUMUNI BAGURICHER
4TH REFEREE: JOYCE OBENEWAA APPIAH
MATCH COMMISSIONER: ISAAC NIMAKO
VENUE MEDIA OFFICER: EMMANUEL AKROBOTO
GFA CAMERAMAN: MARY NANQUENTERA


DATE: SUNDAY, JUNE 13, 2021
MATCH:  WASSAMAN VS HASAACAS
VENUE: OKESE PARK, EJISU
REFEREE: EBENEZER TETTEH
ASSISTANTS:  ANTHONY APPIAH MENDS &  SEIDU ABDULAI
4TH REFEREE: UMAR ABUBAKARI SADIQ
MATCH COMMISSIONER: MUSTAPHA MOHAMMED
VENUE MEDIA OFFICER: PRINCE BAAH
GFA CAMERAMAN: ISAAC NYARKO


DATE: SUNDAY, JUNE 13, 2021
MATCH:  PACIFIC HEROES VS VIPERS
VENUE: AGOGO
REFEREE: DAVID ADANNEY
ASSISTANTS:  SAMULEL OWUSU & SETH ARMAH ASHAI
4TH REFEREE: ALHASSAN ABDUL RASDI W.
MATCH COMMISSIONER: KWASI ASANTE
VENUE MEDIA OFFICER:
GFA CAMERAMAN: REINDORF OPOKU


DATE: SUNDAY, JUNE 13, 2021
MATCH:SAMARTEX VS ALL BLACKS
VENUE: SAMREBOI
REFEREE: MORO IDRISSU
ASSISTANTS:  ERNEST AKATEY & SUMAILA ISSAH
4TH REFEREE: EDWARD ANNAN
MATCH COMMISSIONER: ALEXANDER AZAMETI
VENUE MEDIA OFFICER: KWASI ABRONOMAH
GFA CAMERAMAN: GABRIEL FRIMPONG


DATE: SUNDAY, JUNE 13, 2021
MATCH:  GOLD STARS VS ACHIKEN FC
VENUE: BIBIANI
REFEREE: ERNEST BAAFI
ASSISTANTS:  THEOPHILUS AKUGRE & GABRIEL  BOATENG
4TH REFEREE: ROBERT MUSEY
MATCH COMMISSIONER: SAMUEL ACHAMPONG
VENUE MEDIA OFFICER: SETH ADJEI
GFA CAMERAMAN: JOHN AFFUL


ZONE THREE

DATE: SUNDAY, JUNE 13, 2021
MATCH:  TEMA YOUTH VS DANBORT
VENUE: TEMA STADIUM
REFEREE: JACOB ASSAFUAH
ASSISTANTS:  JAMES AINOSSON & KWAME FRIMPONG
4TH REFEREE: NII COFFIE GIDEON
MATCH COMMISSIONER: KWABENA AGYEI SARPONE
VENUE MEDIA OFFICER: GABRIEL OBU
GFA CAMERAMAN: JAMES MCKWEON


DATE: CALLED OFF
MATCH:  PLANNERS VS PHAR RANGERS
VENUE: AKIM TAFO ROVERS PARK
REFEREE:
ASSISTANTS:
4TH REFEREE:
MATCH COMMISSIONER:
VENUE MEDIA OFFICER:
GFA CAMERAMAN:


DATE: SATURDAY, JUNE 12, 2021
MATCH: MIGHTY JETS VS KOTOKU ROYALS
VENUE: MATS PARK, TESHIE
REFEREE: AMADU IBRAHIM
ASSISTANTS:  EMMANUEL ESSUMAN & IBRAHIM MORO ADAMS
4TH REFEREE: GILBERT AMOAH AYARIGA
MATCH COMMISSIONER: WILLIAM LANTE QUAYE
VENUE MEDIA OFFICER: CALEB ABLORH
GFA CAMERAMAN: AARON TETTEH NARH


DATE: SATURDAY, JUNE 12, 2021
MATCH:  VISION FC VD AGBOZUME WEAVERS
VENUE: TEMA STADIUM
REFEREE: FREDRICK SAMENA
ASSISTANTS:  ISAAC DUODO & AUGUSTINE AFFUL
4TH REFEREE: DAVID JABEZ KPATAPKLA
MATCH COMMISSIONER: B. DANQUAH WILSON
VENUE MEDIA OFFICER: GABRIEL OBU
GFA CAMERAMAN: MARK SASU


DATE: SUNDAY, JUNE 13, 2021
MATCH:  KRYSTAL PALACE VS NANIA FC
VENUE: AKOSOMBO
REFEREE: JABREAL SULEMAN
ASSISTANTS:  ISAAC NYARKO & DANIEL AKOTO
4TH REFEREE: JOSEPH OSAFO
MATCH COMMISSIONER: JOHN MENSAH
VENUE MEDIA OFFICER: ISAAC YIRENKYI AKUFFO
GFA CAMERAMAN: EKOW DAVIES


DATE: SUNDAY, JUNE 13, 2021
MATCH:  HEART OF LIONS VS ACCRA LIONS – LIVE ON FACEBOOK
VENUE: KPANDO STADIUM
REFEREE: ERIC OWUSU PREMPEH
ASSISTANTS: GILBERT ADOM MENSAH & ISAAC NYAMEKYE
4TH REFEREE: IMORO OSMAN
MATCH COMMISSIONER: EMMANUEL ANIM NYARKO
VENUE MEDIA OFFICER: ERIC ELI ADZIE
GFA CAMERAMAN: EMMANUEL KPAB

DATE: SUNDAY, JUNE 13, 2021
MATCH:  UNCLE T VS ACCRA CITY
VENUE: GSCE, PRAMPRAM
REFEREE: HANS MENSAH
ASSISTANTS:  JOSEPH LARYEA  & NII KPOTI NARTEY
4TH REFEREE: APEAMENYO BRIGHT
MATCH COMMISSIONER: ALBERT COMMEY
VENUE MEDIA OFFICER: STEPHEN ABOAGYE
GFA CAMERAMAN: STEPHEN APPIAH

GFA announce Match Officials for Ghana Premier League Match-day 29 

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GFA announce Match Officials for Ghana Premier League Match-day 29 

The Referees Committee of the Ghana Football Association (GFA) has announced the list of referees appointed for the Ghana Premier League (GPL) Matchweek 29

Referee Kenny Padi has been named to officiate Asante Kotoko vs Inter Allies on 14th june 2021 at the theatre of Dreams in Dawu.

The game between league leaders, Accra Hearts Of Oak and Medeama SC at the Accra sports Stadium on Sunday, 13th June, 2021 will be handled by referee Ali Musah.

Below are the Match Officials for Week 29 fixtures:

DATE: FRIDAY, JUNE 11, 2021

MATCH: ELMINA SHARKS VS ELEVEN WONDERS – LIVE ON STARTIMES

VENUE:  NDUOM SPORTS COMPLEX

REFEREE: CHARLES BULU

ASSISTANTS: BAWA HARUNA & PROSPER AVINOU

4TH REFEREE: ERIC SEFA ANTWI

MATCH COMMISSIONER: FELIX ADJETEY SOWAH

DATE: SUNDAY, JUNE 13, 2021

MATCH: WAFA VS DREAMS

VENUE: WAFA PARK, SOGAKOPE

REFEREE: ADAARI LATIF

ASSISTANTS: PAPALA PATRICK & ISAAC ASANTE

4TH REFEREE: MUSAH MUBARIK

MATCH COMMISSIONER: THOMAS NUNOO

MATCH: KING FAISAL VS GREAT OLYMPICS

VENUE: TECHIMAN

REFEREE: BENJAMIN SEFAH

ASSISTANTS: JASPER ADENYO & HALILU ALHASSAN

4TH REFEREE: MISBAU MOHAMMED

MATCH COMMISSIONER: ADAM MUKAILA

MATCH: ASHANTIGOLD VS EBUSUA DWARFS – LIVE ON STARTIMES

VENUE: LEN CLAY STADIUM, OBUASI

REFEREE: JULIAN NUNOO

ASSISTANTS: KWESI BROBBEY & EMMANUEL DEI

4TH REFEREE: RUSTUM GAMELI SENORGBE

MATCH COMMISSIONER: AWUDU DZANG YAKUBU

MATCH: ADUANA STARS VS LIBERTY PROFESSIONALS

VENUE: DORMAA

REFEREE: CLEMENT K. NKUAH

ASSISTANTS: KOFI KYEI ANDOH & ERIC NDEBUGRI

4TH REFEREE: MAHAMA EWUNTOMA

MATCH COMMISSIONER: STEPHEN KPEN

MATCH: BECHEM UNITED VS BEREKUM CHELSEA

VENUE: NANA FOSU GYEABOUR PARK

REFEREE: MAXWELL HANSON

ASSISTANTS: TIJANI MOHAMMED & ISAAC OPOKU ANTWI

4TH REFEREE: ALFAA BA-ADEY

MATCH COMMISSIONER: NANA OPARE AKUFO

MATCH: KARELA UNITED VS LEGON CITIES

VENUE: AIYINASE CAM PARK

REFEREE: EMMANUEL OTOO

ASSISTANTS: SULEMANA SALAU DEEN & ALHASSAN ABDULAI

4TH REFEREE: PHILIP ATTA FORSON

MATCH COMMISSIONER: GIDIGLO WILLIAMS

MATCH: HEARTS OF OAK VS KARELA UNITED – LIVE ON STARTIMES

VENUE: ACCRA SPORTS STADIUM

REFEREE: ALI MUSAH

ASSISTANTS: PAUL ATIMAKA & FREEMAN ANWULO

4TH REFEREE: ABDULAI IBRAHIM

MATCH COMMISSIONER: EMMANUEL ASANTE

DATE: MONDAY, JUNE 14, 2021

MATCH: INTER ALLIES VS ASANTE KOTOKO – LIVE ON STARTIMES

VENUE: THEATRE OF DREAMS, DAWU

REFEREE: KENNY PADI

ASSISTANTS: KOFI NYARKO BAKAI & ALEX OSAM

4TH REFEREE: JOSHUA SAMADZI

MATCH COMMISSIONER: NANA BOAMAH DARKO

Black Stars Train at Cape Coast Ahead Of The Ivory Coast Clash

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Black Stars Train at Cape Coast Ahead Of The Ivory Coast Clash

The Black Stars have trained at the Cape Coast stadium earlier today ahead of their fixture with the Elephants of Cote d’Ivoire.

Ghana’s Senior National team, the Black Stars are training at the Cape Coast stadium ahead of their encounter with Ivory Coast’s Senior National team which is scheduled to be played at the Cape Coast stadium on Saturday, June 12, 2021 In the international friendly.

Ghana who are set to play two games in the current international friendly have already played one game and lost 1-0 to Morocco in Rabat, and therefore will be playing their next game with Ivory Coast before the international friendly door closes.

The contingents arrived in the country yesterday and have been camping in Cape Coast Since.

The team trained at the Cape Coast stadium today ahead of their fixture with Ivory Coast.

Ghana’s head coach CK Akunnor will use the two friendlies to assess the strength and the weakness of his team towards the forthcoming World Cup qualifies.

Ghana will take on Ivory Coast on Saturday, June 12, 2021 at the Cape Coast stadium at exactly 16:00 GMT.

Ivory Coast announce squad list for Saturday’s friendly against Ghana

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Ivory Coast announce squad list for Saturday’s friendly against Ghana

Ivory Coast coach Patrice Beaumille has announce a 24-man squad for Saturday’s friendly against Ghana.

The Elephants are coming at the back of a victory over Burkina Faso on Saturday, 5th June.

The squad includes AC Milan star Feanck Kesse, Manchester United defender Eric Bertrand Bailly, Tottenham’s Serge Aurier, and a host of top players to test the might of the Elephants.

Below is the full Squad:

Goalkeepers: Sylvain Gbohouo (TP Mazembe – DR Congo) Ali Sangare Badra (JDR Stars – South Africa).

Defenders:Serge Aurier (Tottenham) Willy Boly(Wolves –England) Wilfried Singo(Torino FC– Italy) Eric Bertrand Bailly (ManUtd–England) Diomande Sinaly (Lyon–France) Wilfried Kanon (Al Gharafa–Qatar)Hassane Kamara(Nice–France) Odilon Kossounou (Club Brugge) Maxwell Cornet (Lyon)

Midfielders: Serey Die Geoffroy (FC Sion) Sangare Ibrahim (PSV Eindhoven)Ismaila Wafougossani Soro (Celtic FC) Franck Yannick Kessie (AC Milan) Serge Arnaud Aka (El Gouna) Hamed Junior Traore (Sassuolo ) Max Alain Gradel (Sivasspor) Amad Diallo Traore (Man Utd – England)

Forwards: Junior Lago (Real Mallorca – Spain) Sebastien Haller (Ajax Amsterdam – Netherlands) Christian Koffi Kouame (Fiorentina – Italy) Jeremie Boga (US Sassuolo – Italy) Chris Vianney Bedia (FC Sochaux – France).

Jerome Otchere writes: Buck up, buck up Abalora…

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Jerome Otchere writes: Buck up, buck up Abalora…

The role of goalkeepers in the football makes them nearly an indispensable part of a team’s scheme of things such that, any mistake they make leave coaches furious, break supporters’ hearts and definitely get the media on with their critical lenses. When the mistakes are repetitive they give cause for concern.

That’s why I’m concerned about Razak Abalora’s careless mistakes. Goalkeepers are not small cogs. They are no minor players. They man the post. Essentially prevent goals from being scored. A goalkeeper can save a team from defeat by his timely judgment, excellent anticipation and overall response to sticky situations.

A goalkeeper who exhibits poor anticipation and bad timing and is, additionally unable to decide confidently, what he must do with a shot (especially when the shot is harmless and goes on to concedes culminating in his team’s defeat), like we saw of Razak Abalora in the Morocco-Ghana friendly on Tuesday, deserves criticism.

Coach C. K. Akonnor might want to rest Abalora to give the chance to others and encourage the Asante Kotoko goalkeeper to buck up. There shouldn’t be too much fuss if he’s dropped. We don’t have to normalise goalkeeping mistakes but while rejecting Abalora’s mistakes, I’m irked by the sheer glee with which we want to crucify him.

Criticisms of Abalora should aim at reforming him, not to destroy his confidence. There’s no guarantee that whoever takes over from him won’t commit mistakes. Would we have an unending cycle of changing goalkeepers for the one or two mistakes they make? We should help him to get the work done properly, not yo harm his psyche. 

It’s time Abalora’s trainer sits up. It’s either he’s isn’t helping him adequately or that, the goalie isn’t learning well enough. Any way you look at it, Abalora must minimise if not eliminate his mistakes. In his book the Principles of Modern Soccer Coaching, CAF and FIFA Instructor, Ben Koufie lists 12 vital points  for goalkeepers.

A relevant part of the late GFA Chairman’s book to this write-up is where he talks about goalkeepers having the ability to read games and react well. Under “Principles of Play – Defensive and Offensive”, Ben Koufie stresses the importance of playing safe at the rear; communication and concentration in the goal area.

He further states with no ambiguity: “Never give the ball away in the penalty area”. Unfortunately, that’s what Razak Abalora did in Morocco. He’s now on the table at the slaughterhouse. Let’s spare him the sharp knives drawn to cut his throat. Rather, let’s teach him again and again, and help him to recover for our greater good.

By Jerome Otchere

Abubakar Damba Calls For Help For Razak Abalora, Says Abalora is In Bad Psychological State Following The Backlash

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Abubakar Damba Calls For Help For Razak Abalora, Says Abalora is In Bad Psychological State Following The Backlash

The Retired Goalkeeper has called for help for the Asante Kotoko Goalkeeper at the crucial moment the latter is said to have been receiving some backlashes for committing a blunder in the Black Stars game against the Atlas Lions on Tuesday

Former Black Stars Goalkeeper Abubakar Damba is calling on people to help Abalora at the time Abalora is receiving some backlashes from Ghanaians after he [Abalora] committed a blunder which led to Ghana’s 1-0 lose to Morocco at the Prince Moulay Abdellah stadium in the international friendly.

This, the former Goalkeeper believes should be the time the player needs help because the player is psychologically bad as a results of the backlashes.

“Currently he [Abalora] is in a very bad state psychologically and he needs help.

We must make conscious and deliberate effort, we must put structures in place to help this individual.

If things of these nature happen, care must be taken to help or the victim can do the unthinkable.” Abukari Damba told Africa-foot.com.

The Black Stars of Ghana will take on Ivory Coast at the Cape Coast stadium in Ghana on Saturday June 12, 2021 in the ongoing international friendlies.

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