Ghanaian midfielder Majeed Ashimeru, scored for Red Bull Salzburg in their 5-0 trouncing of Austria Lustenau in the Austrian Cup final on Friday, paving the way for him to win his first career silverware.
In a match played without spectators at Klagenfurt’s Woerthersee Stadium, the favourites took control of the match with two quickfire goals midway through the first half.
Dominik Szoboszlai put Salzburg ahead from a free kick in the 19th minute and Dominik Stumberger put through his own goal two minutes later as Lustenau, making their second final appearance, fell apart.
Noah Okafor took advantage of poor marking to fire the third in the 53rd minute, Majeed Ashimeru drove in the fourth from the edge of the area in the 65th minute and Sekou Koita completed the rout when a clearance ricocheted off him and into the net.
It is the seventh time that Salzburg have won the competition, all of them in the last nine seasons. The league season is due to restart on Tuesday.
The former WAFA star lasted the entire duration of the match.
Ashimeru joined Red Bull Salzburg from Ghana Premier League side West African Football Academy.
He earned a spot in the RedBull Salzburg after successful loan spell at Austria Lustenau and FC St. Gallen.
Former AshantiGold Chief Executive Officer(CEO), Frederick Acheampong says he will not decline to work with the management team of Asante Kotoko, that is expected to be formed by the newly-constituted Board of Directors.
Manhyia on Thursday afternoon retained Kwame Kyei as the club’s Board Chairman, as the Asantehene announced a nine-member Board of Directors to steer the affairs of the club.
Speaking an interview with Happy FM, the Ghana Football Association Executive Council member reiterated his readiness to work with the yet to formed management team.
“If anyone calls me to work with the club I will do that because I have been giving ideas to a lot of clubs even when I was the CEO for Ashantigold. We are all Ghanaians so I will not decline to work or share my views to management of Kotoko when they call me” he said.
Head coach of Kumasi Asante Kotoko, Maxwell Konadu has congratulatied Dr. Kwame Kyei and all members of the newly-constituted board of Directors for the club.
On Thursday, May 28, 2020, His Royal Majesty Otumfuo Osei Tutu II constituted a 9-member board of directors to serve as the highest decision making body of the club. They will be formulating policies for its to be implemented by management.
Dr. Kwame Kyei was again named to head the board having single handedly financed the club for the past three years.
Other members on the board include Kwadwo Boateng Genfi, Kwasi Osei Ofori, Lawyer Kwamina Mensah, Alhaji Lamine, Joseph Yaw Adu, Baffour Kwame Kusi, and Evelyn Nsiah Asare.
In a Twitter post from Coach Maxwell Konadu today, he has congratulated the entire composition of Asante Kotoko’s new board of directors.
“Congratulations to Dr. Kwame Kyei and the new board members”, the gaffer’s post reads.
The newly formed board has been tasked to make the club a viable and self-sustaining economic entity that will take its rightful place amongst the elite clubs on the African continent.
A member of the newly-constituted Asante Kotoko Board of Directors, Kwadwo Boateng Genfi has insisted that players welfare will be great importance to them as they strive to restore back to the glory days of the club.
Manhyia, on Thursday released a Press Statement announcing a nine-member board led by Dr Kwame Kyei to steer the affairs of the Porcupines.
However, they have been tasked to establish an academy to create opportunities for the Youth in the community.Also, they are expected to ensure that Kotoko becomes self-sufficient at all levels, and among other things.
Mr. Boateng Gemfi, asked about the measures they will bring on board to be able to keep players for long in the team stated that:
”Player motivation will be key, give a player better welfare and you will get the best out of the player. Taking a cue from how Herbert Mensah handled welfare of the players those times, players welfare is very important to me,” He told Oyerepa FM.
”I agree with Felix Annan on his suggestion of $1000 for local players, Football is about money so we will discuss that unless it’s beyond our reach as management and board but players welfare will be very important”
Asante Kotoko is among a few clubs in the Ghana whose players can boast of a meaningful take-home salary.
The board is,however, yet to hold their first meeting.
Mr. Kwadwo Boateng Gemfi, who was appointed onto the newly-constituted Board of Directors has assured the club’s fans the board’s readiness to make Kotoko an entity that is financially sound through accepted management policies and practices.
According to the Business Management expert, all members of the board have the requisite knowledge and capabilities to manage the club to create worth to finance its activities as seen in the corporate world.
Otumfuo Osei Tutu II on Thursday afternoon released a list of a nine-member board of directors to steer affairs of the Porcupines Warriors.
Aside, Kwadwo Gemfi, Board Chairman of GCB Jude Arthur ad Businessman Alhaji Abu Lamin are on the board among others.
“We are grateful to Otumfuo for the honour done us by appointing us to steer the affairs of Kotoko. I know some of the members; they’re men of high literate whose capabilities will help uplift the image of Kotoko again,” he told Kumasi-based Hello FM Friday.
“Football management is all about formulating good policies. and taking good decisions. Football is capital intensive so Kotoko on it own as an business entity can run to make money. If managed well. It is management through good leadership. Those appointed to help Dr Kyei, i think we have that clout.”
“I congratulate the other members. Kotoko has been the soul and spirit behind Asanteman aside the Sika Dwa Kofi (Golden Stool). we’re in to serve as it has always been the case.
He indicated that all stakeholders will be brought on board as they strive to uplift the image of the club again.
“We would need all stakeholders especially the supporters on board to assist in everything we plan to do.
“Everyone needs to help in every aspect. We’re in to help Dr. Kwame Kyei.
“I’m a fan of football and you can check that from Some . Kotoko players like Papa Arko, the late Opoku Afriyie, Ember, they’ll tell you about my football prowess.
“I have been following Kotoko since the era of Rev. Osei Kofi to the present.”
A member of the newly constituted Asante Kotoko Board, Kwadwo Boateng Gemfi has admitted that there is pressure at the club, but it will not be problem combining with his work at the Exim Bank.
The sole Shareholder of the Porcupines Warriors, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II on Thursday afternoon announced a new nine-member Board of Directors for the club.
They have been tasked to establish an academy to create opportunities for the Youth in the community. The board is also expected to ensure that Kotoko became self-sufficient at all levels, and among other things.
However, Boateng Gemfi indicated that they are ready to make the club great again if they have to purchase players outside Ghana.
“If the need be to buy players from outside Ghana to augment the squad ,we will do so” Mr Kwadwo Boateng Genfi newly appointed board member Asante Kotoko told Oyerepa FM.
“I accept there’s pressure at Kotoko and combining that with banking won’t be easy but it’s not a problem because i knew this before accepting to join the board.”
The board is expected to hold their maiden meeting soon although football activities have been put on hold due to the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic.
At its meeting on Thursday (28 May 2020) via video-conference, the CAF Emergency Committee has approved the immediate distribution of financial relief fund for its members in light of the outbreak of the deadly COVID-19 pandemic worldwide which has affected football activities.
A total of USD 10.8 Million will be transferred to the 54 MA’s on the continent as part of a relief plan to ease the financial burden on the African football community during these unprecedented times as various countries continue to gind solutions to the problems created by the novel disease.
“Due to the fast-spread of COVID-19, African MA’s have suspended all domestic competitions, which has brought about huge financial burdens on their shoulders. CAF has thus decided to wave the eligibility requirements to access the annual grants, so all MA’s can benefit during this difficult period,” said CAF President Ahmad Ahmad.
Also, CAF is assessing the opportunity of additional financial support to MA’s for the resumption and organisation of their domestic competitions.
Two weeks ago, CAF announced the distribution of USD 3.5 Million to the participants of the Interclub competitions for the 2019/20 season. The two club competitions, Total CAF Champions League and Total CAF Confederation Cup, were suspended after the quarter-final matches due to COVID-19.
Meanwhile, CAF is monitoring the situation closely and working with the relevant authorities including the Wealth Health Organization (WHO), FIFA amongst others on the impact of the virus on the continent, and will announce developments to our competitions at the appropriate time.
The amount is expected to help the Ghana football Association which is a member of the Caf. The GFA has already written to the governor of Ghana for financial support for the clubs.
Sebeta Kanema FC goalkeeper, Daniel Agyei says unity coupled with effective communication will help CK Akonnor to halt Ghana’s Africa Cup of Nations trophy drought.
The Black Stars have not been able to annex the diadem since 1982 in Libya, having won it on four occasions.
The senior national team of Ghana have come close to winning the trophy on three occasions – 1992, 2010 and 2015.
Agyei believes that teamwork among the staff will enhance Akonnor’s chances of clinching the trophy which has eluded the country for long.
“I think he can. Why not? If there is an effective communication between the coach, handlers, players and technical team, I do not see any reason why he can’t win,” he told footy.ghpush.com/.
Ghana League Clubs Association(GHALCA) Chairman, Kudjoe Fianoo has hinted that the government of Ghana will come to the aid of the Ghanaian clubs through the Youth Employment Agency(YEA).
The Ghana Football Association met the Sports and Youth Ministry for financial support but are yet to receive any help from government’s stimulus package.
Last week, Deputy Sports Minister Perry Okudzeto revealed that the GFA were not captured to receive portion of the relief package.
However, the former AshantiGold Capo disclosed that government still has plans for Ghanaian clubs.
“I have being hinted by a high powered source that Government still has plans for us and that said package is meant for the playing body thus the statement from the ministry of Youth and Sports,” he told Kumasi-based Oyerepa FM.
“Government has so many ways of meeting our needs and the YEA(YOUTH EMPLOYMENT AGENCY) could be a channel that package for the playing body can come from.
“Let’s not forget the MOYS plays a dual role in sports and also the youth sector because the players or athletes are also youth.”
Football activities in the country have been frozen since March due to the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic.
We bring you a compilation of blood brothers who have don the colours of the senior national team of Ghana – Black Stars.
1. Ben Kayode and Dan Kayod
The Kayode siblings were part of the Black Stars sqaud that conquered the African continent in the late 70s and mid 80s. Daniel was among the 1978 AFCON winning squad while Ben was an AFCON winner in 1982.
2. Joe Addo and Simon Addo
The Addo brothers played for the Ghana national team during the 1990s.
Joe Addo was the first to play for the senior national team. Simon Addo, the previous Goldfields and Ghapoha goalkeeper likewise had the chance to play for the national team at the 1994 and 1996 AFCONs.
3. Richard Kingson And Laryea Kingston
Arguably the Kingson brothers are among one of Ghana’s best football families. Richard Kingston, prominently known as Olele was one of the Black Stars’ best goalkeepers during his active days.
Kingston made two World Cup appearances with the Black Stars at the 2006 and 2010 FIFA World Cup.
His younger brother Laryea Kingston who played in midfield made 41 appearances for the Black Stars
4. Asamoah and Baffour Gyan
Baffour Gyan who is six years older than his brother played for Ghana from 2001 to 2008.
He and Gyan were combined a couple of times for the Black Stars, especially during the 2006 World Cup qualifiers.
Asamoah Gyan who later captained the Black Stars, is Ghana’s all-time top scorer with 51 goals and also Africa’s all-time leading scorer at the World Cup with six goals.
5. Abedi and Kwame Ayew
The footballing family as we call them, Abedi Ayew Pele popularly known as the ‘maestro dominated the Black Stars between the late 80’s and 90’s. The two brothers two part in two AFCON tournaments with the Black Stars.
Abedi Pele who captained the Black Stars is regarded as one of Ghana’s all-time great.
Abedi Pele is apparently the best player in Ghana’s history with three African Player of the Year grant and an AFCON title shockingly.
6. Mubarak and Alhassan Wakaso
The two brothers played for the Black Stars during the 2016 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. Wakaso who made his debut in 2013 has been a regular feature for the Black Stars.
Alhassan Wakaso just made one appearance for the Black Stars at the Cape Coast Sports Stadium against Egypt in November 13.
7. Andre , Rahim, And Jordan Ayew
Andre and Jordan Ayew are among the key players for the Ghana Black Stars.
Andre Ayew is the current captain for the Black Stars whilst his brother Jordan Ayew is the currently leading marksman for the Ghana national team.
Rahim Ayew who is the eldest, played for the Ghana national team at the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
