Ghanaian giants Asante Kotoko have sealed a long-term international partnership with English Premier League side Southampton FC.
Over the course of the partnership, Southampton will support the development of Kotoko’s strategy both on and off the pitch.
The Saints will share their industry-leading coaching expertise to help their new partners to realize their ambition of building a sustainable Academy and pathway to the first team.
The agreement also includes a year-round remote support supplemented by regular visits to Ghana throughout the partnership from the club’s International Football Partnership team.
Furthermore, Kotoko’s young players will have the chance of attending annual UK Player Development camps and experience the Southampton Academy methodology first-hand, when travel corridors open up and it is safe to travel.
Commercial and Operational Strategy
Southampton will also support the development of Asante Kotoko’s commercial and operational strategy through collaborating on key projects.
Mark Abrahams, Director of Business and Community Development expressed content on the new partnership.
“During these challenging times we’re delighted to have agreed a long-term partnership to work with Asante Kotoko.
“Nana Yaw Amponsah (Kotoko CEO) has a clear vision to make their club a self-sustainable football club both on and off the pitch.
“We look forward to working with him and his team to support their development.”
Asante Kotoko SC becomes Southampton’s first professional club partnership.
In-form WAFA SC forward, Daniel Lomotey has departed the country to sign for Tunisian top-flight side AS Soliman
After scoring against Asante Kotoko on Sunday in the Ghana Premier League, the 21-year-old – who is a joint-top scorer with Karela United’s Diawisie Taylor with 8 goals in 9 matches in the ongoing 2020/21 Ghana Premier League jetted off later on Monday, January 18, 2020.
Lomotey is expected to pen down a three-year deal with Soliman after passing mandatory medical.
He will be joining countrymen Elvis Kyei Baffour who joined the Tunisian side in October 2020.
AS Soliman is currently lying 6th on 2020-21 Tunisian Ligue Professionnelle 1 after 8 round of matches.
Ghanaian second-tier side Accra Lions duo have joined Malaysian giants Selangor FC on loan.
The two players, George Attram and Jordan Ayimbila completed the switch to the Yellow and Gold lads on a season-long loan on Monday.
It’s the first time a player from the club is heading to Asia, but Accra Lions manager Ishmael Hamid insisted it’s part of their strategy to announce themselves to the global market.
“The cooperation with Selangor is part of our strategy to develop Accra Lions into a globally recognized brand. Football in Asia is a fast growing industry. It’s a good moment to leave our footprint there.”
The Ghana Football Association (GFA) has agreed a one-year partnership deal with Woodin Ghana Limited as Official Textile sponsors.
According to the partnership agreement, Woodin will provide the GFA with customized fabrics worth GHc250, 000 throughout the year.
The Fabric Company is also expected to provide customized Office wear including Polo shirts, joggers, jackets, baseball caps to the GFA.
The sponsorship Agreement is subject to a renewal after December 31, 2021.
Woodin is a leading fabric retailer with 22 stores across the continent. Its stores and styles reflect the African pride and versatility in a vibrant and creative atmosphere with an aim to be the top retailer in Africa.
Asante Kotoko are reported to have signed former AS Vita Club winger Zakaria Mumuni on a free transfer.
The WAFA graduate is available after seeing out his contract with the Congolese side.
Mumuni had a stellar career with the Sogakope-based academy which earned him a place in the home-based Black Stars squad.
After three seasons in the Ghana top-flight, he was transferred to then Ghanaian champions Aduana Stars.
His performances with the club in the 2018 CAF Confederation Cup Group stage earned him the move abroad.
Asante Kotoko are looking for reinforcements as they seek to revive their flagging CAF inter-clubs competition campaign and in the Ghana Premier League too.
The Premier league once again brought us some exciting games. Olympics bounced back to winning ways, Karela thrashed Berekum Chelsea, Hearts continue their impressive run, whiles Kotoko picked a valuable point at WAFA.
We take a look at our things unfolded in all nine (9) games:
INTER ALLIES 0-2 GREAT OLYMPICS
Great Olympics defeated Inter Allies 2-0 in the Accra derby to bounce back to winning ways. Olympics started the game the better side and found themselves ahead in the 8th minute, they were awarded a spot kick after Desmond Abuga tripped his opponent in the box. Maxwell Nii Abbey Quaye stepped up and beat goalkeeper Rashid Seidu. Inter Allies in most parts of the game saw more of the ball, but they failed to do anything useful with it in the final third. Great Olympics made it 2-0 in 80th minute, they were awarded a spot kick after Ernest Adu handled the ball in the 18 yard box. Maxwell Nii Abbey Quaye stepped up once again and sent the goalkeeper the wrong way.
Man of the match: Philip Nii Sackey (Great Olympics)
LIBERTY PROFESSIONALS 1-2 EBUSUA DWARFS
Mysterious Ebusua Dwarfs came from a goal down to defeat Liberty Professionals 2-1 at the Carl Reindorf park. Liberty dominated the opening minutes of the game and took the lead in the 16th minute through Abraham Wayo from a spot kick. Liberty failed to hold on to their lead into the break, Michael Asamoah headed in a cross to make it 1-1. The opening minutes of the second half saw both teams create good opportunities, but the goalkeepers were at their best to stop the ball from hitting the back of the net. Dwarfs went ahead in the 83rd minute, Moro Sumaila pounced on a defensive error and calmly beat the goalkeeper. Ebusua Dwarfs were reduced to 10 men in the 86th minute, Simon Martey was shown a straight red car for a high foot challenge. Despite being a man down, Dwarfs held on to win 2-1.
Man of the match: Kojo Kordah (Ebusua Dwarfs)
ADUANA STARS 2-1 LEGON CITIES
Legon Cities’ poor start to the season continued as they lost 2-1 to Aduana Stars in Dormaa. Aduana Stars took the lead the 20th minute through Yahaya Mohammed, the veteran striker scored from about 35 meters to give his side the lead. The Royals went into the break a goal down but hit back right after the break, Francis Addo Nuer scored to make it 1-1. Aduana Stars quickly regained the lead in the 49th minute, Fatawu Abdul Rahman scored to make it 2-1. Aduana Stars held on in the remaining minutes to pick all 3 points.
Man of the match: Hafiz Adams (Aduana Stars)
ASHANTIGOLD 0-0 MEDEAMA
AshantiGold failed to score in a league game only for the 2nd time this season as they were held by Medeama. The first half of the game ended scoreless with both sides failing to create any big opportunity. Ebenezer Ackahbi had the first big chance of the 2nd half but he failed to beat Felix Clottey in a one on one situation. AshantiGold also at their chance at the other end, Frank Boateng prevented the ball from hitting the net twice, he denied Hans Kwoffie and Emmanuel Owusu in the 61st and 78th minute respectively. The game after 90 minutes ended scoreless.
Man of the match: Michael Enu (AshantiGold)
BECHEM UNITED 1-1 DREAMS
Bechem United failed to win at home for the second consecutive time as they were held by the rejuvenated Dreams FC side. The home side opened the scoring in the 11th minute through Moro Salifu from the spot. Dreams FC pulled parity in the 73rd minute, Ibrahim Issah scored from a spot. The remaining of the game saw Bechem United ask the Dreams FC defense questions, but the Dreams FC were also there to provide answers.
KARELA 4-1 BEREKUM CHELSEA
Karel United continued their impressive form at home as they defeated Berekum Chelsea 4-1 at the Crosby Awuah Memorial (CAM) Park. Diawisie Taylor opened the scoring for Karela in the 11th minute. The home side failed to protect their lead into the break, they were pegged back by a Joshua Andoh strike in the 30th minute. Karela regained the lead just minutes of the recess, Kwame Boateng the goal scorer. Kwame Boateng was on target again in the 62nd minute to make it 3-1 for his side. Diawisie Taylor wrapped things up from the spot in the 73rd minute.
Man of the match: Kwame Boateng (Karela United)
KING FAISAL 1-1 ELMINA SHARKS
King Faisal picked a point against Elmina Sharks at the Ohene Ameyaw Park. Elmina Sharks took the lead in the 40th minute, James Bissue scored from the spot to give them the lead. King Faisal came from the break firing at all cylinders and had a deserving goal in the 60th minute, Toufic Razak scored a sweet free kick to make it 1-1. The remaining minutes of the game saw both sides push for the winning goal but it wasn’t meant to happen today. The game ended 1-1.
Man of the match: Frimpong Boateng (King Faisal)
WAFA 1-1 ASANTE KOTOKO
A Kwame Poku second half strike earned Asante Kotoko a point against WAFA at the Sogakope park. WAFA dominated the opening minutes of the game and came close twice through Augustine Boakye and Christian Agbevor. WAFA finally got the goal they deserved in the 29th minute, Daniel Lomotey lobbed the goalkeeper in a very complex situation. Kotoko came close to leveling mattress on a number of occasions but were denied by Boliver Owusu. The Porcupine Warriors cancelled WAFA’s lead in the 62nd minute, Kwame Opoku received a through pass inside the penalty box, shielded the ball from the opponent and calmly beat the goalkeeper. Both sides from then pushed men forward with the hope of grabbing the winner, but to no avail, the game ended 1-1.
Man of the match: Augustine Boakye (WAFA)
HEARTS OF OAK 2-0 ELEVEN WONDERS
Hearts of Oak scored in each half to defeat Eleven Wonders 2-0 at the Accra Sports Stadium on Sunday evening. The Phobians after missing two good opportunities in the early minutes of the game took the lead in the 12th minute, Abdul Manaf Umar connected with a good cross from skipper Mohammed Fatawu to beat John Moosie at his near post. Hearts of Oak dominated the half and came close again in the 45th minute through Fredrick Ansah Botchway, his effort from long range missed the post by inches. The Rainbow boys made it 2-0 just minutes after the recess, Victor Aidoo scored with low drive from outside the box. Both sides failed to create any big opportunity in the remaining minutes of the game. Hearts of Oak held on to win 2-0.
The 2020/21 Ghana Premier League continued with match-day games across the country.
Hearts Of Oak continued their impressive performance with a 2-0 win over Eleven Wonders, while Asante Kotoko played 1-1 stalemate with WAFA at Sokagope.
Ebusua Dwarfs cane from behind to beat Liberty Professionals 2-1 at the Carl Reinfolf Park on Saturday.
Karela United humiliated Berekum Chelsea 4-1 to move top of the standings.
Below is a summary of all the games, man of the match winners, scorers and top scorers in the season so far.
ACCRA: Inter Allies 0-2 Great Olympics
Scorer: Maxwell Quaye 2× pen.
Philip Nii Kojo Sackey
Man of the match: Philip Nii Kojo Sackey (Great Olympics)
DANSOMAN: Liberty 1-2 Ebusua Dwarfs Scorers: Abraham Wayo pen. | | Michael Asamoah, Sumaila Moro
