The Round of 32 of the MTN FA Cup produced lots of shocking results with some lower tier sides edging out their topflight opponents to advance to the next round of the tournament.
Reigning Ghana Premier League champions Medeama SC have been knocked out of this year’s MTN FA Cup competition after losing 1-0 to Skyy in their Round of 32 match played on Sunday, January 7,2023.
A first half goal helped Skyy FC to sail through to the next round of the competition.
At the Bibiani Duns Park, Asante Kotoko SC pipped Goldstars by a lone goal to keep their FA Cup dream alive.
Nania FC also added Great Olympics to their list of victims after edging out Great Olympics 5-4 on penalties after their Round of 32 game ended 1-1 at full time.
Second division side Wa Power are through to the Round of 16 after beating Premier League side RTU 2-0 at the Malik Jabir Stadium.
Check out the results of MTN FA Cup matches played over the weekend.
Ghana star Mohammed Kudus has arrived in Ghana to join the Black Stars team ahead of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
The former Ajax star’s presence is anticipated to boost the national team’s performance in the continental tournament.
Kudus, known for his skillful play, will not be available for the pre-AFCON friendly against Namibia scheduled for Monday, January 8, 2023, as he continues his recovery from a minor injury.
Despite his absence from the friendly, his arrival in Ghana provides an encouraging development for Ghana coach Chris Hughton, who values the midfielder’s contributions to the team.
Having won the title four times, Ghana aim to clinch the trophy again. Kudus’ addition to the squad adds depth and talent to the attack, as the Black Stars face tough competition in Group B against record-winners Egypt, Mozambique, and Cape Verde.
The 2023 AFCON tournament is set to commence on Saturday, January 13, and will run through February 11, 2024, with matches taking place in neighbouring Ivory Coast.
Unfortunately, Kudus missed the last edition of the tournament held in Cameroon and is hoping to make his debut in the upcoming edition with the zeal to transfer his impressive form at West Ham United to the national team.
Bibiani GoldStars marksman Prince Owusu Kwabena has confirmed he will be joining Asante Kotoko in the second round of the season.
According to him, he has reached an agreement with the hierarchy of the Porcupine Warriors and will be completing the deal in the next few days.
Speaking in an interview with Kumasi-based Oyerepa FM after GoldStars’ 0-1 defeat to Kotoko in the MTN FA Cup round of 32 fixture on Sunday, Owusu confirmed his move.
“I will be joining Asante Kotoko in the second round of the league. I can’t disclose the number of years now, but in the next two or three days, the deal will be done. So Kotoko supporters should be expecting me in the coming days.
“It is likely this will be my last game for the Gold Stars. I have been here for a long time without having any problems with me. They supported me even during my difficult times.
Prior to the start of the season, Kotoko were reported to have had talks with Gold Stars, but was not fruitful.
The 25-year-old was instrumental for the Miners when they joined the Ghana Premier League in the 2021/22 season, leading the side to remain in the league.
He was very influential when Gold Stars secured promotion for the first time in the club’s history from Division One to the Premier League.
He bagged in 19 goals while supplying assists in the Division One League Zone II to help his team.
However, he could not replicate that in the 2022–23 season, as he managed to chip in only two goals.
Asante Kotoko secured their spot in the Round of 16 of the MTN FA Cup with a narrow victory over Bibiani Goldstars in a tightly contested match on Sunday.
The lone goal that determined the outcome came from the foot of Peter Amidu, who showcased his skill with a brilliant first-time finish, scoring a sensational volley in the second half.
The clash between the two teams proved to be a closely fought battle, with both sides putting in a determined effort. The fact that a remarkable goal decided the contest highlights the intensity of the match.
Despite playing on their home turf, Goldstars couldn’t capitalize on the advantage, and Asante Kotoko emerged victorious, keeping their hopes alive for a domestic double.
The win further solidifies Kotoko’s recent impressive record, boasting eight wins across all competitions in their last nine games. Currently positioned third in the league, Kotoko now look forward to the next stage of the Cup competition.
This success represents a remarkable turnaround for Asante Kotoko, especially considering their disappointing start to the season. With their current form, the team aim to maintain this positive momentum and potentially end the season with significant silverware.
In a few days’ time, Africa will be vibrating to the rhythm of the 34th edition of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Côte d’Ivoire 2023. An array of African football talent will be on display between 13 January – 11 February.
CAFOnline presents a Top 10 list of players to watch.
Sadio Mané (Senegal, 31)
Best player of the previous edition, the Lions of Teranga star player will once again be the man to watch when he captains his side in their title defense this year. After leaving Europe for Saudi Arabia last summer, Sadio Mané has lost none of his sharpness. He remains the guiding light and leader of a Senegalese team whose ambition is to achieve the double.
Vincent Aboubakar (Cameroon, 31)
For several competitions now, he’s been carrying the Indomitable Lions. Vincent Aboubakar is Cameroon’s captain and trusted goalscorer. His mental strength and leadership will be key in guiding his teammates to a 6th star for Cameroon.
Sehrou Guirassy (Guinea, 27)
The centre-forward has been coming back to life in Germany this season. He’s racking up goal after goal and rivalling other top Bundesliga strikers. Guirassy is undoubtedly the striker who was missing from the Syli de Guinée’s puzzle to excel in the TotalEnergies AFCON finals.
Sébastien Haller (Côte d’Ivoire, 30)
For his second TotalEnergies AFCON, he couldn’t have dreamt of anything better than playing it at home and in front of supporters that adopted him very quickly from his first steps with the Elephants. At 29, Sébastien Haller has reached maturity and intends to make a big impact at Africa’s biggest football spectacle in front of his fans.
Mohamed Amoura (Algeria, 23)
While other illustrious elders in the Algerian squad (Mahrez, Feghouli, Slimani) need no introduction, Mohamed Amoura should be the big attraction of this TotalEnergies AFCON 2023 for the Fennecs. The midfielder has excelled for his Belgian club over the past two seasons and has the opportunity to lead his national team into a major competition.
Victor Osimhen (Nigeria, 25)
It’s hard not to include the Best African Player of the Year in this thread. Victor Osimhen, fresh from his recent accolade as the best African footballer, is celebrating his new status on the continental stage. He is the figurehead of Nigeria’s rich attacking frontline, which he will have to guide in Côte d’Ivoire.
Azzedine Ounahi (Morocco, 24)
With the Moroccan team at the 2022 World Cup, he was part of a strong collective. Azzedine Ounahi once again has the opportunity to confirm the high regard in which he had with the star-studded Atlas Lions.
Mohammed Kudus (Ghana, 23)
A livewire for West Ham United in England’s Premier League, Mohammed Kudus has set one of the best leagues in the world alight with his explosive speed, skill and goalscoring prowess. Boasting seven man of the matches accolades this season with his side, the 23-year-old Ghanaian sensation will be one of the key players for the Black Stars in their pursuit of an elusive fifth TotalEnergies AFCON title.
Mohamed Salah (Egypt, 31)
As he has done for the last 3 finals, Mohamed Salah will once again be one of the attractions on the banks of the Ebrié Lagoon. A Liverpool star (top 5 scorer in the club’s history) with a string of goals every weekend, the Pharaoh remains the leader of his national team. Under his leadership, Egypt made it through the qualifiers unscathed.
Peter Shalulile (Namibia, 30)
Peter Shalulile is at the prime of his career with South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns. Fresh from lifting the inaugural African Football League and currently a key member of the team’s chase for a second TotalEnergies CAF Champions League gold medal, Shalulile will be key for the Brave Warriors of Namibia in Cote d’Ivoire.
Former Ghana manager Otto Addo considers Egypt as the easiest team for his country to play against in the 2023 AFCON group stages.
The Pharaohs are set to take part in the 2023 AFCON this month as they have been drawn in Group B along with Ghana, Cape Verde, and Mozambique.
Egypt will open its campaign by facing Mozambique on January 14, the day Ghana faces Cape Verde before both giants come face to face four days later in matchday two.
Former Ghana boss and Borussia Dortmund assistant manager Otto Addo thinks that Ghana’s easiest group game will come against Egypt due to the advantage of the Black Stars being the underdogs.
“I think the easiest game may be against Egypt because their team is very well-balanced,” Otto Addo said in an interview with GTV Sports Plus.
“They are the favourites in this game, so it is easier to stand behind when people don’t expect too much from you.
“It’s easier than to play the so-called small countries which are football educated, know how to defend, and it will be very, very tough to break them down.”
The tournament is scheduled for January 13 kick off.
Ghana will test their strength against Namibia in an International friendly at the Baba Yara Sports stadium on Monday, January 8, 2024 as a preparatory game for the 34th edition of the TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations Cote D’Ivoire 2023.
The game is scheduled for 8pm kick off at the Baba Yara Sports stadium. The public is informed that Centre Line and Popular stand is free of charge.
Both teams will use the friendly to draw up a plan for the tournament that kicks off in Abidjan on Saturday, January 13, 2024. Ghana are placed in Group B alongside Cape Verde, Egypt and Mozambique while Namibia have a date with Tunisia, South Africa and Mali in Group E.
With seven days to kick-off of Africa’s biggest event, the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Cote d’Ivoire 2023, CAF today released the final squad list for the 24 qualified teams.
The opening match of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Cote d’Ivoire 2023 will be played in Abidjan on 13 January 2023.
In line with the new Regulations, each Participating Member Association (“PMA”) is permitted to submit a final squad of up to 27 players; with only 23 available for selection for each match during the Tournament.
A player in the final squad can only be replaced after a serious injury no less than 24 hours before the team’s first match.
Click BELOW for the TotalEnergies CAF AFCON squads.
The lads held their final training at the Dr. Kwame Kyei Sports complex at Abrankese on Saturday, January 6, 2024 – bringing to an end, four days of intensive training sessions at the facility.
Chris Hughton’s side will resume training at the Baba Yara Sports stadium on Sunday, January 7 ahead of the International friendly against Namibia on Monday, January 8, 2024.
Twenty-six players are currently in camp in Kumasi in preparation for the 34th edition of the Africa Cup of Nations scheduled for Cote D’Ivoire from Saturday, January 13 – Sunday, February, 11, 2024.
The players in camp include: Richard Ofori, Joseph Wollacott, Lawrence Ati-Zigi, Alidu Seidu, Denis Odoi, Kingsley Schindler, Gideon Mensah, Abdul Fatawu Hamid, Nicholas Opoku and Salisu Mohammed.
The rest are, Daniel Amartey, Alexander Djiku, Baba Iddrisu, Elisha Owusu, Abdul Samed Salis, Richmond Lamptey, Majeed Ashimeru, Andre Ayew, Ransford Yeboah Koningsdoffer, Osman Bukari, Joseph Painstil, Ernest Nuamah, Jordan Ayew, Antoine Semenyo, Inaki Williams and Jonathan Sowah.
The training on Sunday is not open to both the media and the public.
The Management of the Black Stars would like to express our profound gratitude to the owner of Nations FC Dr. Kwame Kyei, the entire staff and groundmen for their support and assistance during our time at Abrankese.
Here are photos from the Dr. Kwame Kyei Sports complex.
