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Asante Kotoko have tied down young striker Osman Ibrahim to a new contract, the club officially announced Wednesday.

The 21-year-old has been on the books of the club since 2018 when he arrived from Division One side Asokwa Deportivo on a three-year deal.

Ibrahim was subsequently sent out on loan to city rivals King Faisal for the 2019/20 season where he excelled with 8 goals before the season got cancelled due to the outbreak of COVID-19.

His impressive showings while at Faisal earned him a recall for first-team football at Kotoko prior to the start of the ongoing 2020/21 campaign.

Osman Ibrahim has now signed a two-year extension, keeping him at the club till 2023.

“I’m happy to be continuing my stay here at the club.

“I feel I am yet to hit my full potential at the club and I am taking this new deal as an opportunity to achieve the targets I set for myself and the club when I first came here in 2018,” he told the club’s media channel.

The season so far

Ibrahim started well by scoring on his Caf Champions League debut when Kotoko drew 1-1 away to FC Nouadhibou in Mauritania.

He went on to net his second of the season but first in the Ghana Premier League when Kotoko beat Legon Cities in a home fixture in December last year.

Osman Ibrahim’s season has, however, been hampered by injuries – from one which forced his substitution after celebrating the goal against Cities to a training ground thigh injury in January which kept him out until his return last weekend when the Porcupines thrashed Dreams FC 3-1 at Obuasi.

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Coach Mariano Barreto has named Asante Kotoko starting XI for their matchday 24 clash against Ebusua Dwarfs this afternoon at the Len Clay Stadium.

Youngster Francis Andy Kumi starts as well as left-back Patrick Asmah – who will play as left winger.

Below is the full lineup:

Razak Abalora (GK)

Christopher Nettey

Mubarik Yusif

Abdul Ganiu

Imoro Ibrahim

Habib Mohammed

Fabio Gama

Patrick Asmah

Emmanuel Gyamfi

Mudasiru Salifu

Francis Kumi

Lineups for both clubs:

Legon Cities came from behind to beat Liberty Professional 2-1 at the Accra Sports Stadium in this matchday 23 fixture.

Liberty Professionals took the lead in the 80th minute through Kweku Karikari.

The home side responded few minutes later through Baba Mahama in the 81st minute with the equalizer.

Legon Cities dominated the game afterward and were able to get the win in additional time

Jonah Attuquaye scored late in the game to secure a vital win for The Royals in this matchday 23 fixture.

Legon Cities have moved up from the relegation zone to the 15th position with 26 points after the win.

Watch full highlights below:

Great Olympics are eyeing a return to the summit as they welcome Aduana Stars to Accra Sports Stadium for a Ghana Premier League matchday 24 encounter.

Olympics will take over first position, again, if they win and Kotoko drop points against Ebusua Dwarfs on Thursday.

Their opponents are 9th on the table, a reward for their inconsistency. Many tipped Aduana to win the title but they have been far from their best, with a top four finish now their priority.

They are currently seven points off fourth place.
Irrespective of that, Olympics cannot afford to underestimate them.

Aduana have quality in their ranks and on a very good day can overcome any side in the top-flight.

Both teams come into the game on the back of victories. Olympics ended WAFA’s six years unbeaten run in Sogakope while Aduana won at home against Berekum Chelsea.

Olympics are bookmakers favourites looking at the two teams’ performances this season.

It’s however worth noting, Aduana won the first meeting 2-1 earlier this season.

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League leaders Asante Kotoko will host Mysterious Ebusua Dwarfs on match day 24 of the Ghana Premier League at the Obuasi Len Clay stadium on Thursday.

The Warriors come into the game with two wins on the bounds against Legon Cities (1-0) and Dreams FC (3-1) – and have their eye on the three points to retain the top spot.

Kotoko’s only defeat at home came at the hands of Medeama SC on match day 21 as they gave away an early lead to lose 2-1 to the Tarkwa lads – Mariano Barreto’s only defeat since he took office in March.

For Asante Kotoko, Coach Mariano Barreto will be a happy man as two of his strikers Michael Vinicius and Francis Andy Kumi both got on target on Sunday against Dreams FC.

Kumi replaced Vincius in the second half and immediately stamped his authority on the ground by winning a penalty which was expertly converted by Ismail Ganiyu. The former Unistar Academy forward later got his name on the score sheet to give Kotoko a 3-1 advantage.

Ebusua Dwarfs have been very unpredictable in this campaign – picking some incredible on the road. They defeated Liberty Professionals (2-1) and drew 1-1 with Aduana FC and Great Olympics.  The Cape Coast side also defeated Legon Cities (2-1) and Inter Allies (2-0) at the Accra Sports stadium.

Great Olympics will play at home to two-time champions Aduana Stars at the Accra sports stadium at 6pm.

Four Players have been shortlisted for the Ghana Premier League NASCO Player of the Month award for the month of April.

The winner of the 2020/21 GPL NASCO Player of the Month for April award will be announced on Friday, May 14, 2021.

Winner will receive a NASCO Television set and a personalized trophy.

The nominated players are:

• Stephen Amankonah (Berekum Chelsea): The Berekum Chelsea attacking midfielder scored twice in April to take his goal tally to 8. He has been a key player for the Blues who are currently lying 13^th on the league log. The 21 year old won one MVP award in the month of April.

• Benjamin Tweneboah (Aduana Stars): Tweneboah joined Aduana Stars from Elmina Sharks in February and has been a key player for the Dormaa-based club. His impressive form saw him score two goals in April and also win an MVP award.

• Abdul Basit (WAFA): The 18-year old’s got the winner for his side when he scored his second goal of the month in the 5-goal thriller between WAFA and Berekum Chelsea. Having made his mark in the WAFA squad, Basit has also won the MVP award in two consecutive matches.

• Hans Kwofie (Legon Cities) – The experience forward added two more goals to his tally in the season. With 9 goals so far this season, the Legon Cities forward is currently the third most prolific scorer in the Ghanaian topflight. He also won one MVP in April.