FootyDream

Hearts dismantle lower-tier side 4-1 in build-up friendly ahead of Karela showdown
The Phobians ran riot over Banana FC in a low key friendly tie at their training grounds on Tuesday

Ghana Premier League title contenders Hearts of Oak ran riot over lower-tier side Banana FC in a low key training game on Tuesday at the club’s training grounds.

Samuel Boadu lined up Congolese Raddy Ovouka, Ivorian Eric Dizan, Kwadwo Obeng Junior and Michelle Sarpong in a highly dominant performance which produced four goals.

Striker Isaac Mensah opened the floodgates for the resurgent Phobians as he scored the opening goal through the penalty spot inside the opening 15 minutes.

Winger Michelle Sarpong added the second goal moments later following a beautiful combination play from the right.

Youngster Daniel Nana Yeboah and a trialist scored the 4th goal before the visitors pulled one back.

Hearts take on Karela United FC on Sunday in a matchday 20 clash.

Hearts Starting lineup

Benjamin Nana Yeboah
Larry sumaila
Raddy Ovouka
Caleb Amankwa
James Sewornu
Benjamin Afutu Kotey
Dominic Eshun
Mitchell Sarpong
Obeng Junior
Eric Dizan
Isaac Mensah

ByEl Akyereko

Asante Kotoko lost 1-2 to lower-tier side Benab FC in a training match at the Adako Jachie training complex this afternoon.

As part of preparations for this weekend’s league game against Medeama SC, Asante Kotoko today locked horns with Benab FC in a friendly match as Mariano Barreto is planing his strategy to maintain the club’s position on the league log following impressive results of the second round.

In a game that saw some fringed players getting minutes on the pitch, the visitors jumped into the lead as early as 6 minutes into the game.

The game was fairly balanced with both sides taking turns to dominate possession, though Latif Anabila received a knock before the break and was replaced by Martin Antwi who has been out of the team this season.

The visitors were exceptional in the first half but huffed and puffed in the second half as the Porcupines enjoyed the chunk of possession.

The Porcupines drew level in the 71st-minute through Martin Antwi’s spot-kick after Fabio Gama was brought down in the penalty box.

Benab FC in the dying embers of the games scored the winner from a close-range header to end the game.

Asante Kotoko who are first on the Ghana Premier League log after holding the top position for the second week running now shift attention to the weekend’s game against Medeama SC on Saturday in a matchday 21 clash at the Len Clay Stadium in a battle for the top spot clash.

©Myfabulousonline

Hearts Of Oak Pobiman ultra-modern office and training complex is gradually taking shape as the second phase is near completion.

The first phase, which was completed in three months by local contractors, K.A Estates Company Limited, began in July last year.

PrefabEx Ltd and CUBE Ltd have taken over the second phase of the project.

The Ultra Modern Training Complex, when completed, will be housed with;

• Staff Residence
• Senior Housing Unit,
• GYM
• Training Centers (Pitches)
• Laundry, Swimming Pool
• Lockers
• Toilet Facilities
• Kitchen and Dining Hall.

See Photos below

Good news coming from the camp of Asante Kotoko indicate that, the life patron of the club, His Royal Majesty Otumfuo Osei Tutu II has released funds to the club to settle players arrears.

It could be recalled that, players of the Reds were summoned to Manhyia few days ago to have a private meeting with the Asantehene as Opemsuo wanted to know about the current state of the club regarding the welfare of the players.

This was to ensure that all players have their welfare issues well taken care of, and to ensure smoothness in the running of their duties.

The inquiry was on a peaceful note, taking into consideration the rise in the team’s performance in the domestic league.

However, Asantehene has released an amount of GH₵710,000 cedis which is around US123,000 dollars to settle players’ unpaid signing-on-fees, Otumfuo’s Ankobeahene and Kotoko board member Baffour Kwame Kusi II has confirmed to Kumasi-based Light FM sports.

“Yes, it’s true. A week ago, Otumfuo invited the playing body which was accompanied by the team manager (Ohene Brenya), though CEO was informed before the meeting. Nana had a lengthy chat with the players about their welfare. Their major worry was their signing-on-fee owed the senior players, though they shared a lot of their problems which we can’t bring them to the public. When we calculated the debt, it was about GHc7.1 billion (old currency) which was to clear all the signing-on-fee. After a week, Nana called the BoD chairman (Kwame Kyei) to come for the money to settle the players,” Ankobeahene Baffour Kwame Kusi II confirmed.

The King of Asante is poised to furnish the team with quality players in order for the team to return to its glory days.

Meanwhile, the management of the club led by Nana Yaw Amponsah are yet to meet and start paying the players debt.

Source Ghanasportspage.com

Asante Kotoko have announced a friendly match against a division two side Benab FC on Tuesday, April 20, 2021, at the Adako Jachie, the club’s training ground as part of their preparations ahead of their match against Medeama SC of the ongoing Ghana Premier League (GPL) matchday 21.

The match will be against Kumasi-based second division side Benab FC . The Porcupines will engage the lower tier side in the friendly match which has been scheduled for Tuesday at 2:00PM prompt at the club’s usual Adako Jachie training grounds.

In the ongoing season, Asante Kotoko is currently sitting 1st on the league log with 35 points out of 20 matches. The Porcupines will host Tarkwa Based giants Medeama SC on 24th April 2021 at the Obuasi Len Clay Sports Stadium.

Source:GhanaSportsPage

The Match Review Panel has suspended some Referees, Assistants and a Match Commissioner after reviewing some Division One League matches.

Emmanuel Odoom who was Referee for the Division One league match between Kotoku Royals and Accra Lions has been suspended as well as Siraj Yahya and Asamoah Eric Osafo.

Ashai Seth Armah, Asante Bismark and Amoo Joseph William who were Assistant Referees and Match Commissioner for the Day 14 match between Skyy FC and Sekondi Hasaacas have all been handed suspensions.

Below are the decisions:

1. COMPLAINT BY ACCRA LIONS FC (KOTOKU ROYALS’ FC VS. ACCRA LIONS’ FC)

SUMMARY OF COMPLAINT

According to Accra Lions, Referee Emmanuel Odoom awarded a bad penalty to Kotoku Royals in the 2nd half of the game.

They added that a shot at goal by a player of Kotoku Royals was blocked by an Accra Lions player with the chest. Accra Lions FC claimed that the incident was too glaring for the referee who was about 10 meters from the action to have missed. They also said that the hand of the Accra Lions player was in a natural position and thus the decision by Referee Emmanuel Odoom was unconvincing and doubtful.

Lastly they stated that in the 70minute, the referee awarded a dubious penalty which also led to a yellow card shown out captain Richmond Tetteh Ankrah (No. 4).

The Match Review Panel observed that there was no hand ball incident in  the 69^th minute. It was found that the ball rather hit the chest of the player as such there was no foul committed, therefore the penalty was wrongfully awarded. This changed the outcome of the match.

The Club also complained about the issuing of the yellow card which is not within the jurisdiction of the match Review Panel.

DECISION(S)

The referee, Emmanuel Odoom is therefore suspended for the rest of this season’s football activities.

2. COMPLAINT BY SEKONDI HASAACAS FC (SKYY FC VRS. SEKONDI HASAACAS)

           SUMMARY OF COMPLAINT

Sekondi Hasaacas made the following claims:

1. In the 28th minute there was a goal scoring opportunity but was flagged offside by Assistant Referee Divine Gbolomor.
2. In the 30th minute of the 1st half, a tackle on player Daniel Egyin attracted no card to the offender. Referee Eric Osafo Asamoah whistled for foul and issued no card.
3. Referee Eric Osafo Asamoah awarded two penalties to Skyy FC in the 54th and 67th minute after a tackle by Fuseini Issaka (No. 26)
4. There was a clear incident of penalty in the 89th minute when player Obed Asamoah Ackah, (No. 7) was pulled down inside the box but the referee waved play-on.

a.Per the video watched, the match officials decisions were correct.

1. The referee rightfully whistled for a reckless challenge in the 30^th minute as complaint which should have attracted a yellow card.
2. The 54^th minute penalty, the referee’s decision correct because the ball hit the hand of the defender.
3. In the 89^th minute, there was no foul per the video watched.

Per the complaint, referee Eric Osafo showed yellow cards to Hasaacas player number 10 twice which did not go with expulsion.

In the 67^th minute incident, there was a contact between the attacker and defender, as such the referee’s decision is deemed to be right.

In all the complaint the referee’s decision were good, except the yellow card which was not shown to the player in question. However he also failed to expel player number 10 of Hasaacas who had two cautions in the game.

DECISION(S)

The referee, Eric Osafo Asamoah should be cautioned, and advised to be always vigilant in his matches and keep proper records.

All referees are hereby advised to be observant in all their matches.

Commendation

The Committee is also impressed about the sincerity expressed by Hasaacas about their own player receiving two cautions without an expulsion. The Committee commend Hasaacas for their good example shown and encourage other clubs to emulate their example.

Other observations

It was also observed that some of the players of Hasaacas were wearing shirt which numbering was different from the number on the shots. This caused the referee to show the same player the two (2) yellow cards without the expulsion.

The match officials namely:

Asamoah Eric Osafo (Referee), Gbolomor Divine (Assistant 1), Ashai Seth Armah (Assistant 2), Asante Bismark (Fourth Referee) and Amoo Joseph William (Match Commissioner) failed to observe the inspection protocols  of the players shirts (Jersey) and shots which is the core purpose of inspection. They equally failed to include it in their various reports even though their attention was drawn to the miss-up.

Decision

The Panel recommends that all the match officials including the Match Commissioner be suspended for four (4) matches.

3. COMPLAINT BY NKORANZA WARRIORS SC

SUMMARY OF COMPLAINT

According to Nkoranza Warriors, Referee Siraj Yahya and his Assistant Line 2, Mohammed Alhassan, disallowed a goal scored by player Gaps Godey number 31 of Nkoranza Warriors in the 7^th minute of the 1^st half.

Per the video watched, the Match Review Panel found that there was no offside and so the referee’s decision was wrong. The disallowed goal should have been accepted as a goal. The Assistant Referee 2 erred in his offside judgement.

DECISION(S)

The referee, Siraj Yahya, is therefore suspended for eight (8) matches effective notification date.

Assistant Referee 2, Mohammed Alhassan is suspended for the rest of the seasons football activities.

GFA COMMUNICATIONS

Referee Gabriel O. Arhin and Assistant Referee Peter Dawsa have been be suspended for the rest of the 2020/21 football season and the first eight matches of the first round of next season.

The GFA Match Review Panel has announced this decision after reviewing the video recording of the Ghana Premier League Week 19 match between Ashantigold and Hearts of Oak played at the Len Clay Stadium in Obuasi.

Below are the decisions taken by the Review panel at its last meeting:

1. COMPLAINT BY HEARTS OF OAK – (ASHGOLD VS HEARTS)

SUMMARY OF COMPLAINT

1. Goalkeeper of Ashantigold, Kofi Mensah moved from the base line before Victor Aidoo of Hearts of Oak kicked the penalty. The penalty should have been retaken once the goalkeeper moved off his line but Referee Gabriel O. Arhin and Assistant Referee Peter Dawsa ignored it in the 17 minute of the 1^sthalf.
2. The referee and his assistant took a penalty against Hearts of Oak in the 91minute when the ball touched the body (pelvic) of Fatawu Mohammed before hitting his arm which was in a natural position.

After watching the video, the Panel observed that the goalkeeper blatantly moved off the goal line in between the goal post before the kicker kicked the ball.

It was aalso observed that the penalty awarded should not have been penalty because the ball hit the player’s hip before touching the hand, per the law under handball, it is not an offence if the ball touched a player’s hand/arm directly from the players own head or body: including the foot.

DECISION(S)

The Panel therefore recommended that Referee Gabriel O. Arhin and Assistant Referee Peter Dawsa be suspended for the rest of the seasons football activities and half of next season’s first round (i.e eight (8) matches of next football season).

2. COMPLAINT BY STAR MADRID – ACHIKEN VS STAR MADRID

2. SUMMARY OF COMPLAINT

According to Star Madrid FC at about 55^thminute of the match, Star Madrid player Eric Tuffour in jersey number 18 was elbowed that ended him in the hospital with disfigured face. He has sustained fracture, the referee failed to caution Achiken FC’s player.

They also made the following claims that in the 85^th minute, a questionable foul was awarded to Achiken FC which gave them the equalizer. Also, Star Madrid stated that Achiken’s  goal scored in the 89^th minute is also questionable from the angle the goal was scored.

Star Madrid further stated that player Richard McCarthy in jersey number 23 was brought down in Achiken 18 box but the referee rather awarded against us in the 92minute and in the 95^th minute a handball in Achiken FC’s 18 box through re-bound but the referee and his assistant two overlooked it and ignored the penalty.

After watching the video of the match, the Match Review panel observed the following:

1. The 55^th minute incident there was Noelbowing it was a head collation.
2. The 85^th minute incident there was a foul. There was second movement of an opponent leg that caused the foul.
3. The 89^th minutes the goal scored was a perfect goal. There was nothing wrong with the goal.
4. The 92^nd and 95^th complain, per the video watched there was no offense committed.

DECISION(S)

The officials are exonerated and commended for their good decisions.