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The official announcement of Nana Yaw Amponsah (NYA) as Asante Kotoko’s new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for the next three years in Kumasi, marked the first important step by the Kwame Kyei-led Board of Directors to fulfill the “ambitious task” handed them to “rebuild the Kotoko brand not only for its performance on the sporting field but as a viable economic entity”. 

The Board has been working since their appointment on May 28, 2020 to ensure, Kotoko get a managerial head whose knowledge and experience will be the platform on which we will ride on to be competitive on and off the pitch – locally and on the international scene. NYA is the young man thrusted onto the club’s hot seat with loads of expectation. He is the 18th Kotoko leader in 40 years if we collectively count the Chairmen and CEOs the club has had since the 1979/80s. 

NYA holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology and Political Science from the University of Ghana, Legon, plus a Master’s Degree in Sports Law and Practice from the Leicester DE Monort University, UK. Between 2008 to 2018, he was a Licensed Player Agent/Intermediary; transferring over 50 players from Ghana and 100s globally. NYA has considerably good expertise in commercial, ethical and legal as aspects of the game. 

“He is a guy great of ideas. He looks a man of action” former Board member, Ambassador, Kabral Blay Amihere told the media in June when news of NYA’s appointment was first broke. NYA comes in as the second Kotoko leader (after Dr. K. K. Sarpong) to have shown a verifiable blueprint for the club’s development in the last decade. He has vibrant ideas to energise Kotoko for action at the administrative and technical level of the game. He exhibited his quality at Phar Rangers and indeed on the GFA presidential campaign trail last year. 

This is not GFA presidential campaign platform. It is Kotoko – a subgroup of Ghana football which has diverse challenges that could either make its leader a scorned or an idolised god. NYA must maintain his usual calm, confident and assertive posture. He is intelligent and smart. He will have to consult properly though and be decisive while engaging his publics purposefully. Effective planning, identifying sustainable means of financing, patiently and diligently implementing what has been planned, winning matches – being able to drive the massive support base of Kotoko to accept his vision are some sure ways to excel at the club. 

How NYA sets up his managerial structure, who he appoints to assist him execute his mandate, how he goes about his work, the output of his managers, the team’s overall performance on and off the field; his relationship with fans and the Board of Directors will offer early yet insightful pointers to the exact direction the club may chart. Work at Kotoko is made easier or difficult by the team’s performance. That has been the notion. While this is true, fans must constantly be reminded that, results will not always go our way. Management’s plans for the club will also take time to mature.

Utmost patience is therefore imperative. The Board must remain supportive of NYA’s Management, who must inject high doses of professionalism into our life as a club. Communication of club policies must clear, precise and timely. NYA’s must engage meaningfully on their plans and remain focused. NYA needs maximum our support at every turn of his work. From afar, he comes across as a meticulous football man, whose diligence, overall could help re-write Asante Kotoko’s modern history. It is a daunting task he has but it is also one that he can surmount with hard work. I wish him well.

By Jeromeotchere.com

The astute football administrator was unveiled at a well-attended program at the Sports Hotel in Kumasi a short while ago.

READ MORE: OFFICIAL: Asante Kotoko appoint Nana Yaw Amponsah as CEO

Video credit: Kotoko Express App

Asante Kotoko Sporting Club has found solace in the founder of Division One side, Phar Rangers as the new Chief Executive Officer (CEO).

The young but knowledgeable and experience football administrator, Nana Yaw Amponsah will lead the club through management for the next three years following the dissolution of the George Amoako-led Management team.

The defeated 2019 GFA Presidential election candidate comes in with a lot of clouts to spring dynamism and inculcate modern-day football administration to the dwindling fortunes of Asante Kotoko with an enviable track record as a club owner.

In a meeting held on Tuesday, August 4, 2020, the Board of Directors were overwhelming in their decision to place the management and the day-to-day administration of the club into the folds of Nana Yaw Amponsah to infuse professionalism and corporate practices to the club so as to ensure Asante Kotoko become a financially viable entity.

The club today, Friday, August 7, 2020 announced Nana Yaw Amponsah as the CEO of the club in a ceremony held at the Sports Hotel in Kumasi and will commence full-time job next week as the Board seek to achieve monstrous achievement in their mandate stipulated by Manhyia in their three-year tenure.

Credit:Myfabulousonline

The Uncle of Eddie Nketiah, Vincent Owusu has disclosed that, the Arsenal forward is not likely to switch allegiance to Ghana due to poor structures at the Ghana Football Association.

The Football governing body of the West African country sent a congratulatory message to Eddie Nketiah after helping the Gunners to clinch their 14th FA Cup in a 2-1 win over Chelsea.

Reports were rife that the Ghana FA have commenced talks with the player to represent Ghana despite playing for England at the Under-21 level.

Nketiah’s Uncle confirmed that Ghana FA president Kurt Okraku has initiated with the 21-year-old over a possible switch to play for the Ghana Black Stars.

But according to Nketiah’s uncle, the player’s father has rejected the calls, citing poor structure at the Ghana FA.

“There has been so many discussions with the GFA during Nyantakyi’s era and now as to my nephew to play for the Ghana national team, we cannot say that our boy should come and play for Ghana due to the incorrect structures at the GFA, ” he told Wontumi Radio.

“I’ve even discussed with his father as to whether his boy should consider playing for Ghana but he was uncertain with his decision, he even made some examples of Quincy Abeyie, KP Boateng and co by saying if you get a little issue in Ghana you will be lost into thin air so for him the boy should decide for himself,

“We last time asked the player (Eddie), will he play for Ghana BUT he told us when he compares England and Ghana with the structures both have putting up it’s not the same.

“England is too far ahead so when he considers playing for Ghana, it will affect his career because of him changing from Arsenal to Leads and back to Arsenal, he wants to concentrate on securing his place in the Arsenal team, he wouldn’t add that burden because he is too young for that BUT when he thinks it’s time for him to take such decision he will but not now”

Asamoah Gyan and Michael Essien have been named in the Top 10 Richest African Players in a list released by South Africa-based football website, Soccerladuma.

Cameroonian legend Samuel Eto’o topped the list with an estimated worth of $140 million.

The South African-based football website ranked the top 10 richest players of the African continent and the list includes the two Ghanaian legends.

Essien has been ranked ahead of Asamoah Gyan with an estimated net worth of $32 million. Essien had a good time in Lyon before later joining Chelsea with a number of fantastic performances in Europe.

Gyan, according to the publication has a net worth of $30 million. He has had an impressive career with clubs including Udinese, Stade Rennes, Sunderland, Al Ain among others.

Below is the full list.

10. Asamoah Gyan   $30 million
11. Michael Essien    $32 million
12. Aubameyang        $35 million
13. Sadio Mane           $38 million
14. John Obi Mikel    $43 million
15. Salah                       $48 million
16. Adebayor                $50 million
17. Yaya Toure             $80 million
18. Didier Drogba        $98 million
19. Samuel Eto’o           $140 million

President of the Ghana Football Association Kurt E.S Okraku has inspected a 6.5-acre land secured by the federation at Wintogo, Bolgatanga in the Upper East Region for the construction of an AstroTurf.

The land, which was donated by Mr. Ababu Afelibik, headmaster of the Bolgatanga Senior High School, has been duly registered in the name of the Ghana Football Association.

The GFA, with the help of the Upper East Regional Football Association, the Chiefs, elders and the Community on Wednesday, August 05, 2020, unveiled the signpost for the project at a brief ceremony.

This follows the decision of the Executive Council to use part of the project funds from the FIFA Forward 1.0 programme for the construction of two Astro Turfs – one at Prampram and the other at Bolgatanga.

Executive Council members Nana Sarfo Oduro and Alhaji Salifu Zida Shaibu, who doubles as Chairman of the Upper East Regional Football Association, accompanied the GFA President. Also, in attendance were Executive Council members of the Regional and District Football Association for Upper East.

The construction of this AstroTurf will come as a relief to the people of Bolgatanga who have been without a quality playing field for years.

The pitch, when completed, will serve the people of Bolgatanga and its environs.

The FIFA Forward 1.0 fund was one of the key issues that President Kurt Simeon Okraku discussed with FIFA President Gianni Infantino during his visit to the Home of Football, Switzerland in December 2019. Since the visit, the GFA has been working with the FIFA Development officers who visited Ghana in March 2020.

Other projects earmarked under FIFA Forward 1.0 will be announced in due course.

Source: GFA COMMUNICATIONS

The Ghana Football Association (GFA) has decided on an investment of $280,000 into a strategy to improve competitions via the provision of mechanized boreholes at game centres across the country.

President Kurt E.S Okraku announced this during a working visit to the Tamale Stadium annex and the Tamale Kaladan Park on Thursday, August 06, 2020.

The borehole project will be used to develop Premier League, Division One League, Women’s Premier League and Game centres of Regional Football Associations.

The mechanized borehole strategy will be funded via the FIFA Forward 1.0 programme.

Executive Council member Nana Sarfo Oduro and Abu-Hassan Mahamadu (Rhizo), Chairman of the Northern Regional Football Association and Jones Alhassan Abu, Member of the Black Stars Management Committee, accompanied the GFA President.

The provision of boreholes is aimed at improving the quality of pitches and ultimately improve competitions across the country.

Source: GFA COMMUNICATIONS

Ashanti Gold Medical Chief, Dr. George Chidi has debunked reports indicating that some players of the club have tested positive for the novel COVID-19 pandemic.

Rumours in a section of the local media were that four players of the Miners have contracted the disease.

But according to the medical officer, the club is yet to take the players through the COVID-19 test as reported.

He explained that, the Ghana Premier League side is done with the pre-competition medical assessment, and the COVID-19 test is slated for Saturday, August 8, 2020.

He noted that they have informed the testing Center – KCCR of their intentions to test the players.

“That’s not true, because we have not started testing them of Covid-19, we are yet to start the COVID test, all things being equal on Saturday we should start, ” he told Kumasi-based Oyerepa FM.

“It’s no big deal anyone testing positive but we are yet to do the Covid-19 test, KCCR is ready to come to pick the samples but we are trying to put our logistics together. We need to put in place the protocols.”

The players will go in batches of 10 for the all-important test.

Ashanti Gold has been approved by the Ghana Football Association to represent Ghana in next season’s CAF Confederation Cup.

The Court of Arbitration of Sport (CAS) has for the second time extended the date for the ruling of the hugely-anticipated case between Wilfred Kweku Osei “Palmer” and the Ghana Football Association (GFA) to Tuesday September 1, 2020.

READ MORE HERE: Palmer vs GFA- The Story So Far Ahead of CAS Verdict On Tuesday

It would be recalled that the Sports Court Tribunal adjourned the judgment last month when it was expected to disclose it on Friday, July 17 to August 4.

READ MORE: Osei Palmer – We’ve not received the verdict yet

Massive tension was in the air when Tuesday when it became clear that CAS was not going to release the verdict.