Category: Sport

Accra,- The Black Stars of Ghana have arrived in Rabat, Morocco for an International friendly match against the Atlas Lions of Morocco.

The team departed Accra on Sunday, June 6, and landed in Rabat on Monday morning.

The match will be Ghana’s first game since March this year when they drew with South Africa (1-1) and defeated Sao Tome and Principe (3-1) to qualify for a record ninth straight Africa Cup of Nations tournament.

Ghana would play Morocco on Tuesday, June 8, at the FAR Sportive stadium in Rabat.

The two countries would use the match to prepare for the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifiers rescheduled by CAF/FIFA to September 2021 over COVID-19 concerns.

Ghana is paired with Zimbabwe, South Africa, and Ethiopia in Group G.

Herein the full squad:

Goalkeepers: Razak Abalora, Lawrence Ati-Zigi, Ibrahim Danlad

Defenders: Gideon Mensah, Andy Yiadom, Philemon Baffuor, Daniel Amartey, Joseph Agyei, Nicholas Opoku, Ismail Ganiyu, Alexander Djiku, Baba Abdul Rahman

Midfielders: Emmanuel Lomotey, Kudus Mohammed, Baba Idrissu, Moro Salifu, Gladson Awako, Rashid Nortey, Abdul Fatawu Issahaku

Strikers: Andre Ayew, Emmanuel Gyasi, Kwame Opoku, Joel Fameyeh, Jordan Ayew, Samuel Owusu.

Source: Ghana News Agency

The attacking trio of Kamaldeen Sulemana, Kamal Sowah, and Joseph Paintsil has turned down the latest Black Stars call-up for the two scheduled friendly matches this month, a statement from the Ghana FA has said.

The three Europe-based players were among a 30-man squad named by Ghana head coach CK Akonnor last month for friendly matches this month against Morocco and Cote d’Ivoire.

Ahead of the friendlies this week, the Ghana FA has announced that Kamaldeen Sulemana, Kamal Sowah, and Joseph Paintsil have all communicated that they will not be available for the games.

“The trio gave varied reasons that clearly confirm that they are not ready for the games. They, therefore, turned down the invitation,” part of a GFA statement said on Monday evening.

The first of Ghana’s friendly matches against Morocco will be played in Rabat on Tuesday, June 8, 2021.

Source: Modern Ghana

Chelsea and England forward Callum Hudson-Odoi has hinted he could possibly play for the Ghana national team in the future.

The 20-year-old who’s capped three times by England is still eligible to switch to Ghana after the eligibility rules were revised by FIFA.

Hudson-Odoi falls under this bracket as he is eligible for Ghana because of his dad, Bismark Odoi who played for Hearts of Oak.

Questions have been raised about a possible switch to Ghana after he missed out on the England Euro 2020 squad.

Odio, who is in Ghana for holidays was honoured by Chelsea Supporters Group in Ghana and was asked if he could switch nationality and play for the West African country.

He said, “I think obviously when you’re young, you have the opportunity to play for England throughout all the years, from under 15 to under 16 all the way up.

“When they obviously gave me the opportunity to come I was in the country already. It’s something that I already had in my mind, set on already playing for England.”

Despite playing for England’s U16, U17, U18, U19, U21 and senior teams, Hudson-Odoi can still choose to play for Ghana.

“So it was the thing obviously choosing Ghana or England, and at the end of the day I said I always had the right people around me who always advise me – what’s right, what’s wrong.

“England came and I said yeah, let me go and play for my country. But I said Ghana is my home as well, so we’ll see, we’ll see. You’ll never know, so,” he said.

Hudson-Odoi was part of the Chelsea team to win the Champions League. He’s the youngest player to ever win both the Champions League and Europa League.

Source: Modern Ghana

Accra,– The Ghana Football Association (GFA) has stated that Thomas Teye Partey Deputy Captain of the senior national team, the Black Stars was not sacked from camp as being reported in sections of the media.

A statement from the GFA said, Partey travelled to Cape Coast on Thursday to meet Coach Charles Akonnor over some personal issues.

“After the meeting which lasted for about an hour, the Coach excused him from the trip to Morocco – and asked him to report to camp for the second game against Ivory Coast.

“As the 1st Deputy Captain of the Black Stars, Thomas later joined his colleagues at training to show solidarity and support before leaving for Accra,” the statement added.

The Arsenal midfielder would therefore team up with the rest of the squad on Thursday when the team returns from Morocco.

Source: Ghana News Agency

The official Chelsea Supporters Club of Ghana have honoured club star Callum Hudson-Odoi in Accra, where the player is visiting for holidays.

The award was presented by David Akwasi Amofah, President of the Chelsea Supporters Club of Ghana, with support from Executive Members such as the Tagoe Sisters, Mavis Amanor (Firelady), Albert Akoto, Francis Aryetey and Sigisimond Sarpong.

The award was a traditional Ghanaian stool with an Adinkra symbol symbolising authority, unity and linkages between Africa and the diaspora.

According to Mr Amofah, stools are symbols of authority in the African country and as such Hudson-Odoi, a player of Ghanaian roots, had demonstrated authority in his ability to rise from academy player to the Chelsea first team.

Hudson-Odoi’s father, Bismark Odoi, was born and raised in Accra and played for Accra Hearts of Oak in the 70’s.

The citation on the stool read, ‘From the Chelsea Supporters Club of Ghana to Callum Hudson Odoi, for being an outstanding player for Chelsea Football Club”

Hudson-Odoi, who was in the company of his brother and agent, Bradley-Odoi, expressed gratitude to the group and the support they have offered him since his days at the club’s academy.

Mr Amofah also congratulated him for making all the Chelsea Supporters of Ghana proud by winning the 2020/21 UEFA Champions League and urged Ghanaians to join the club for benefits such as discounts on match tickets and merchandise.

Other awardees of the night included the Tagoe Sisters, who were awarded for their support to Chelseafc over the years and the Founder and owner of Alisa Hotels Mr Bamfo (Sikkens) for his outstanding support to the Chelsea Supporters Club of Ghana over the years.

The event was MC’ed by Lexis Bill of Joy FM, an ardent Chelsea Supporter.

Source: Modern Ghana

Former Asante Kotoko captain, Yussif Chibsah has expressed his disappointment in Black Stars head coach CK Akonnor for making the recommendation for an expatriate to be appointed as his second assistant.

Last week, the Ghana Football Association (GFA) in an official communique announced that its Executive Council has agreed on the appointment of Dutch tactician Patrick Greveraars as a Black Stars assistant coach.

In an interview with Pure FM that followed, Exco member Dr. Randy Abbey revealed that the appointment was made upon the recommendation of Coach CK Akonnor.

Read More: https://www.modernghana.com/sports/1085823/patrick-greveraars-was-recommended-by-ck-akonnor.html

Being engaged on the recruitment of the expatriate, Yussif Chibsah who wants local coaches to be handed chances to handle the national team says he is disappointed.

“For me personally I have been a bit disappointed because we have been fighting for local coaches all these while and we all stood by him [CK Akonnor] when he was given the nod. We were all happy when he brought on David Duncan. So at least we expect that there are a lot of local coaches here which I believe they will be capable of occupying the second assistant coach position,” the renowned player representative told Class 91.3FM in an interview.

Yusif Chibsah continued, “We are advocating for demystification. We are advocating for our own local coaches to be given the opportunity so if there is an opportunity then why do you go for a foreign coach?.

Patrick Greveraars, 45, is a UEFA License A holder with over 25 years of worldwide top football experience.

He is with the Black Stars in Rabat currently ahead of Ghana’s friendly encounter against Morocco on Tuesday, June 8, 2021.

Source: Modern Ghana

Accra,- The chase for the 2020/21 Ghana Premier League title is getting keen with front-runners Hearts of Oak and Asante Kotoko pegged at 50 points apiece.

Asante Kotoko was able to secure maximum points against regional rivals AshantiGold after Fabio Gama provided the solitary strike for the Porcupine Warriors.

AshantiGold is in real danger of slipping into the relegation zone as they are now only three points above the drop despite placing 10th on the league log.

Accra Hearts of Oak couldn’t capitalize on the numerous opportunities that fell their way as they were held by Great Olympics in the Ga Mashie Derby.

Maxwell Abbey Quaye cancelled out Emmanuel Nettey’s 25-yard screamer in one of the best games of the season thus far.

Berekum Chelsea produced the biggest win of the match-week 28 after putting five past King Faisal at the Golden City Park.

King Faisl who have the worst defence in the league (18 goals conceded) are now in real danger of relegation as they are four points from safety with some tough fixtures coming up.

Liberty Professionals made a second successive comeback at home when they edged WAFA 3-2 at the Red Bull Arena in Sogakope with the Scientific Soccer Lads down 2-1 at the break.

It was a comfortable victory for Dreams and Ebusua Dwarfs who edged Elmina Sharks and Aduana Stars respectively.

Elmina Sharks having suffered a 3-0 defeat at the hands of Dreams, are now level with Ebusua Dwarfs (31 points) who are third from bottom.

The last fixture of week 28 would see Legon Cities host bottom placed Inter Allies later on Monday.

Below are the results of match-week 28:

Tarkwa: Medema 1-0 Karela

Obuasi: Kotoko 1-0 AshantiGold

Berekum: Berekum Chelsea 5-0 King Faisal

Cape Coast: Ebusua Dwarfs 1-0 Aduana Stars

Sogakope: Liberty 3-2 WAFA

Techiman: Eleven Wonders 2-1 Bechem United

Dawu: Dreams 2-0 Elmina Sharks

Accra: Great Olympics 1-1 Hearts

Source: Ghana News Agency

Accra,- Samuel Boadu, Head Coach of Accra Hearts of Oak, says they couldn’t get all three points against Great Olympics due to wasted opportunities.

The Phobians were held to a 1-1 draw by Great Olympics in the Ga Mashie Derby which was very intense with about 30,000 fans in attendance.

According to the gaffer, the referee’s decision on the day didn’t favour Hearts especially with Isaac Mensah’s disallowed goal.

“It was a good game as both teams exhibited their talent. We had numerous opportunities which we couldn’t take but for me we scored a clear goal which was disallowed.

“This should send a signal out there that we are not being favoured match officials as purported,” he said in a post-match press conference.

Hearts is now level at the top with arch-rivals Kotoko on 50 points with six matches to end the season.

The Phobians would host Medeama in their next home encounter slated for the Accra Sports Stadium on Sunday.

Source: Ghana News Agency