Kumasi Asante Kotoko Officially Declared Ghana League Champions

Monday, 28 May 2012 09:48

Kumasi Asante Kotoko was yesterday officially declared Champions of the 2011/2012 GLO Ghana Premier League after the last round of matches were played at the various centers. It was all joy for Kotoko as they wrapped up victory over Tema Youth in front of their home fans at the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi. Kotoko won the game 1-0 through a Richard Yeboah goal. The magnificent league trophy was presented to the Captain of Kotoko, Isaac Amoako, by the President of the Ghana Football Association, Mr Kwesi Nyantakyi, assisted by the Ashanti Regional Minister, Dr Kwaku Agyemang-Mensah, to thunderous applause from the home fans at the highly attended match. This brings to 21, the number of League Trophies won by Kotoko, and marks a return of the Club to the CAF Champions League. The rest of the results, as monitored by ISD Sports Desk are: Aduana Stars           1 - 1     Liberty Wa All Stars             1 - 0     Medeama SC Ebusua Dwarfs         0 - 2     AshGold Edubiase FC             1 - 0     Bechem United Wassaman United    1 - 0     Heart of Lions Hearts of Oak           4 - 0     Arsenals Berekum Chelsea     1 - 1     Mighty Jets Three teams, namely, Bechem United, Tudu Mighty Jets and Wassaman United have all been relegated to the Division 1 League.

Monday, 28 May 2012

Kumasi Asante Kotoko was yesterday officially declared Champions of the 2011/2012 GLO Ghana Premier League after the last round of matches were played at the various centers. It was all joy for Kotoko as they wrapped up victory over Tema Youth in front of their home fans at the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi. Kotoko won the game 1-0 through a Richard Yeboah goal. The magnificent league trophy was presented to the Captain of Kotoko, Isaac Amoako, by the President of the Ghana Football Association, Mr Kwesi Nyantakyi, assisted by the Ashanti Regional Minister, Dr Kwaku Agyemang-Mensah, to thunderous applause from the home fans at the highly attended match. This brings to 21, the number of League Trophies won by Kotoko, and marks a return of the Club to the CAF Champions League. The rest of the results, Aduana Stars            1 - 1     Liberty Wa All Stars             1 - 0     Medeama SC Ebusua Dwarfs         0 - 2     AshGold Edubiase FC             1 - 0     Bechem United Wassaman United    1 - 0     Heart of Lions Hearts of Oak           4 - 0     Arsenals Berekum Chelsea     1 - 1     Mighty Jets Three teams, namely, Bechem United, Tudu Mighty Jets and Wassaman United have all been relegated to the Division 1 League.

Lionel Messi :1994

Baffour seals Antalyaspor deal

Footy-ghana.com understands that New Edubiase United striker Emmanuel Baffour has sealed a deal to move to Turkish top flight side Antalyaspor at the end of the season.

Footy-ghana.com sources close to the New Edubiase United management reveal that Baffour underwent successful medical examinations with the club and will return later tonight to play against Bechem United in the final Glo Premier League match of the season on Sunday.

Baffour will join his new club after Ghana's 2014 World Cup qualifiers against Lesotho and Zambia next month. He will join up with the Black Stars currently training in preparation for the matches, with his first training session tomorrow morning.

Glo premier league: Final matches rescheduled

The Premier League Board, in consultation with the Emergency Committee of the GFA, has decided to reschedule the 30th Week Fixtures of the GLO Premiership to Saturday 26th May 2012 instead of Sunday 27th May 2012 except the Kotoko/Tema Youth match.

This decision, pleasantly endorsed by the clubs, is to afford the football fraternity the opportunity to watch the Coronation of the Champion Club for 2011/2012 season either on television or by attendance.

This means all the 30th Week league matches will be played on Saturday expect the Kotoko-Tema Youth game which will be played on Sunday.

The Board takes the chance to congratulate all the participating teams and invite Chairmen of Clubs to watch the historic match between Kumasi Asante Kotoko and Tema Youth on 27th May 2012.

 

 

Free entry for women and kids at Kotoko-Arsenal match

The Premier League Board has approved Kotoko's request to allow free entry for certain categories of people for their league match on Sunday.

The Porcupine Warriors host Berekum Arsenal in Sunday's Glo Premier League game in Kumasi.

The PLB has approved Kotoko's request which means women and children under the age of 10 will be allowed to watch the game free of charge.

Leaders Kotoko are on the verge of winning the league title.

Baffour takes goal tally to 20

New Edubiase FC lead striker, Emmanuel Baffour leads the scorers chart of the 2011/2012 Glo Premier League on 20 goals with five matches to go.

Baffour scored his 20th goal of the season during his side's 1-2 loss to Wassaman United at the Tarkwa Park last Sunday.

Information gathered by GNA Sports indicates that the New Edubiase hit-man is trailed by Yakubu Mohammed of AshantiGold, who has scored 12-times.

Richard Addae of Bechem United has nine goals whilst Louis Agyemang of Medeama SC follows on eight goals.

On seven goals are Ebusua Dwarfs forward Seidu Bancy, Emmanuel Clottey of Berekum Chelsea and Hearts of Oak's forward Mahatma Otoo.

Asante Kotoko's Ivorian-import Ahmed Toure is on six goals alongside Gilbert Fiamenyo of Heart of Lions, James Abban of Hearts of Oak and Latif Salifu of Liberty Professionals.

Below is the full scorers chart as at Week 25 of the 2011/2012 Glo Premier League;

20 – Emmanuel Baffour (Edubiase)

12 – Yakubu Mohammed (AshantiGold)

9 – Richard Addae (Bechem United)

8 – Louis Agyemang (Medeama SC)

7- Emmanuel Clottey (Berekum Chelsea), Seidu Bancy (Ebusua Dwarfs), Mahatma Otoo (Hearts of Oak)

6 – Ahmed Toure (Asante Kotoko), Gilbert Fiamenyo (Heart of Lions), James Abban (Hearts of Oak), Latif Salifu (Liberty Professionals), Godfred Saka (Aduana)

5 – Nathaniel Asamoah (Asante Kotoko), Abdul Basit (Berekum Chelsea), Abubakar Sidi (Mighty Jets), Kwabena Edusei and Hans Kwofie (Medeama SC)

4 – Frank Sarfo Gyamfi (All Stars), Douglas Nkrumah, (Hearts of Oak), Francis Narh and Hamza Abdulai (Tema Youth), Benjamin Padi (Heart of Lions), Aaron Amoah, Bernard Akuffo and Didier Kore (AshantiGold), Ben Acheampong (Asante Kotoko), Joseph Masel (Berekum Arsenal), Mumuni Shaffiu (Wassaman)

3 – Sylla Moussa Foda (Liberty Professionals), Daniel Nii Adjei, Kofi Nti Boakye, Michael Akuffo and Michael Helegbe (Asante Kotoko), Isaac Amoah, Daniel Appiah (Tema Youth), Peter Essien (Bechem United), Stephen Amankwaah (Berekum Arsenal), Emmanuel Laryea (Mighty Jets), Godbless Asamoah (Wassaman), Bernard Ofori (Edubiase), Bismark Asiedu and Kwame Frimpong (Ebusua Dwarfs), Daniel Bonsu (Heart of Lions)

2 – Frank Osei (Mighty Jets), Daniel Agyei and Fuseini Zuberu (Liberty Professionals), Laryea Kingson and Uriah Asante (Hearts of Oak), Eric Opoku, Nicholas Gyan and John Arthur (Ebusua Dwarfs), Abel Hammond, Jeremiah Akorful, Joshua Oninku, Nicholas Odjer, Moses Odjer and Benjamin Terry (Tema Youth), Joshua Otoo, Samuel Azumah and Godfred Gyasi (All Stars), Prince Amponsah and Jafaru Danjuma (Berekum Arsenal), Daniel Larbi Koomson, Karim Abubakar, Nana Yaw Afriyie, Jacob Apau and Francis Coffie, (Medeama SC), Michael Anaba Richard Yeboah (Asante Kotoko), Kwasi Acheampong, Richard Arhin, Emmanuel Allan and Daniel Gozah (Aduana), Evans Nyarko, Jordan Mintah, Yufa Zugah and Abubakar Mahadi (Wassaman), Franklin Osei and Emmanuel Anaafi (Heart of Lions), Kwame Boahene, Issa Yakubu, Ibrahim Camara (Liberty Professionals), Joseph Ato Bissah, Ibrahim Issaka (Berekum Chelsea), Issa Adamu (Bechem United)

1 – Gideon Baah, Iddrisu Sacko, Prince Baffoe, Michael Mensah, Nafiu Iddrisu and Fatau Mohammed (Asante Kotoko), Razak Egyir, Mohammed Abdulai, Francis Adjei, Francis Aggrey, James Boadu and Enoch Asare (Berekum Arsenals), Hafiz Adams, Albert Gaisie, Samuel Boateng, Samuel Norgbey, Eric Mensah, Alex Tawiah and Saeed Adnan, (All Stars); Sadat Karim, Kofi Agyare, Isaac Ofori, Attakora Gyimah and Joe Tagoe (Hearts of Oak), Joseph Mugre, Ekow Ghansah, Francis Aduhene, Issah Saliu, Richard Mensah, Abubakar Mununi, Kassim Razak and Paul Danso (Wassaman), Solomon Asante, Richard Kissi Boateng, Edward Kpodo, Eric Agyemang, Jackson Owusu, Musah Mohammed, Moro Awudu, Mubarak Moro and Yaw Alexander (Berekum Chelsea), John Nanitey, Badu Asiamah, Bright Nsiah, Godfred Asante and Prosper Avor (Heart of Lions), Daniel Appiah, Kenneth Owusu (Tema Youth), Peter Ofori Quaye, Akwasi Adu and Eric Fordjuor (Bechem United), Alex Asamoah, Latif Mohammed, Daniel Asamoah, Moussa Kassie and Aminu Mohammed (AshantiGold), Francis Larbi, Nurideen Ali, Johnson Adomah, Samuel Asiedu and Emmanuel Akuoku (Aduana), Richard Mpong, Daniel Ocran, Emmanuel Ephraim, Augustine Sefa, Sampson Cudjoe, Emmanuel Dogbe and Ekow Benson (Medeama SC), Francis Morton, Ernest Baffour, Frimpong Tuffuor, Christopher Nkansah and Yusif Ayoma (Liberty Professionals), Adams Basit, Abeiku Ainooson, Iddrisu Yahaya, Stephen Manu, Asiedu Attobrah and Ibrahim Moro (Edubiase), Tamimu Muntari, Mamuda Salifu, Jacob Quao, Kofi Owusu, Benjamin Eli Agbeko, Isaac Klevor and Nayaro Alhassan (Mighty Jets) GNA

 

THE NATIONAL PLEDGE: Do we really mean what we say?

THE NATIONAL PLEDGE.
I promise on my honour to be faithful and loyal to Ghana my motherland. 
I pledge myself to the service of Ghana with all my strength and with all my heart. 
I promise to hold in high esteem our heritage, won for us through the blood and toil of our fathers;
And I pledge myself in all things to uphold and defend the good name of Ghana. So help me God.

Premier league returns on Sunday

Accra, Feb. 14, GNA – The Glo Premier League will return to action after a month long break with League leaders Kumasi Asante Kotoko returning to the Essipong Stadium to face Medeama SC in a top liner opener of the season.

At the Dansoman Stadium, Acra, Liberty Professionals will take on Wa All Stars while Berekum Arsenals play host to Tudu Mighty Jets at the Golden City Park, Berekum, with Heart of Lions engaging Accra Hearts of Oak at the Kpando Park.

Struggling Bechem United will battle against Wassaman United at the Bechem Park with AshantiGold FC playing host to Edubiase FC at the Len Clay Stadium, Obuasi while Tema Youth will seek to add Cape Coast Ebusua Dwarfs to their victims at the Tema Stadium.

The game between Aduana Stars and Berekum Chelsea will be played on Thursday, February 23, due to a continental assignment by the defending League champions, Chelsea.

Ghana striker Asamoah Gyan received a rousing hero’s welcome

Ghana striker Asamoah Gyan received a rousing hero's welcome reception on his return to his United Arab Emirate side Al Ain on Monday morning.

The 26-year-old was flown to his Dubai-based from Malabo, Equatorial Guinea on a self-financed private airplane and landed at the Al Ain International Aiport at 2:20 am local time.

Hundreds of Al Ain fans organized a cars procession after his car from Al Ain airport to his house in Al Shuaibah Area.

After he got home he again went out, expressing his gratitude and appreciation for his fans and the unforgettable welcoming he received.

Drogba enjoying Elephants' smooth run

Ivorian captain Didier Drogba has said he is enjoying his team's
perfect run at the ongoing 2012 Orange Africa Cup of Nations.

The highly rated Elephants reached the last four of the tournament
after seeing off co-hosts Equatorial Guinea in their quarter final
clash on Saturday in Bata.

Drogba, who scored a brace after missing a first half penalty, said
encouragement from his colleagues aided his comeback. African
Footballer of the Year, Didier Drogba scored the other goal.

"My teammates encouraged me and were very supportive. I had to get
back in the game and I owe ​​them these goals. I'm glad I did it for
them and I am proud of my teammates."

The 33-year old adds that his team has exhibited character and are
poised to go farthest in the competition.

"In 2006, we were in the final and lost. In 2008, we scored many goals
but failed to reach the final. Here we have shown character."

The Elephants, winners in 1992 will face either co-hosts Gabon or Mali
at the last four

Ghana edge Tunisia to keep the title hopes alive

Tournament co-favourites Ghana are still on course for dream final
against Ivory Coast after the Black Stars beat Tunisia 2-1 after
extra time to book a semi-final clash with Zambia on Wednesday. Ghana
edged Tunisia in a fiery match played in Franceville , Gabon.
Ghana drew first blood courtesy of returning captain John Mensah'
second goal of the tournament ten minutes unto the match. In similar
fashion to his first goal against Botswana during the his side's
opening match, Mensah reacted quickest in the box from a corner kick
and headed past Aymen Mathlouthi . The clock had just

Ghana had midfielder Sulley Muntari back in the side but for the first
time since 2006 defender and stand in captain John Panstil missed out
on starting as Black Stars coach Goran Stevanovich a solid side .
Tunisian coach Sami Trabelsi brought back into the side amongst others
goalkeeper Mathlouthi and captain Karim Hagui.
Ghana dominated the early exchanges and bossed the midfield with Dede
Auew Emmanuel Badu and Muntari lively. Tunisia looked rattled by the
early goal and struggled to get into rhythm and the frustration was
evident when captain Hagui was booked for dissent when an appeal for a
penalty was waved away.

Ghana 's Asamoah Gyan sent a shot just wide of Mathlouthi's goal while
a rocket of a shot from Badu sailed centimeters off the upright during
a period the Black Stars were on top. Tunisia did look dangerous
though whenever Yousef Msakni was on the ball. The Esperance man
played in some through balls to Khalil Chammem and Zouhaier Dhaouadi
as the Carthage Eagles looked to hit back. In the 42nd minute very
much against the run of play Tunisia found the equalizer through
Sabeur Khalifa. The tall striker headed past Larsen Kwarasey after
Ghana had failed to clear a high bal from a couple of attempts.
Dhaoudi 's chip was too high for defender Samuel Inkoom at the far
post but Khalifa attacked the ball from close range and knocked in an
equaliser.

A few minutes into the second half Ghana was forced to make a change
as captain John Mensah went down under a challenge to be replaced by
Isaac Vorsah. Both teams stepped up play with chances opening up at
both ends. Badu went on a mazy run and let go a stinger of a shot
which was on target until a Tunisia defender blocked it and from the
resultant corner kick, substitute Vorsah was just centimeters over the
bar with a header. At the other end Msakni saw his effort bundled out
for a corner before Jamel Saihi broke through on goal and was only
stopped by a timely tackle from John Boye. The was now fiercely
contested with both sides looking for the winning goal during the
dying minutes of the match. Substitute Issam Jemaa almost won it for
Tunisia when he let fly from a distance and Kwarasey had to beat the
shot away for a corner kick. Gyan then turned his man inside the box
before shooting but his effort whistled past Mathloutthi's left hand
post and the tie was heading for extra time.

In the first period of extra time Tunisia aided by fresh substitutes
pressurized the Ghanaian defence sensing the momentum was with them.
Ghana broke at the other end and the Black Stars could not believe
their luck when the outstanding goalkeeper Aymen Mathlouthi gifted
them a goal. Mathlouthi went up to collect a cross and seemed to have
the ball gathered but as he came down he dropped it at Andrea Ayew's
feet and the midfielder gladly accepted the gift and scored Ghana's
second goal. Tunisia went down to ten men after Aymen Abdennour was
sent off for raising his hands on Dede Ayew. The Carthage Eagles went
in search of the equalizing goal while Ghana defended for their lives.
Ghana hung on for victory and now head to Bata Equatorial Guinea where
they meet Zambia in the semi-final on Wednesday

Rio Ferdinand not interested in England captaincy

Manchester United's Rio Ferdinand has ruled himself out of the running to replace John Terry as England captain.

Terry, who will stand trial in July over allegations he racially abused Ferdinand's brother and QPR defender Anton, has been stripped of the role.

"I don't want to be England captain after the last episode," Ferdinand wrote on social network site Twitter.

"Just want to concentrate on playing for Man Utd and if I make the squad then as ever I'll be delighted."

Ferdinand was handed the captaincy for the first time in 2008 as part of coach Capello's rotation ploy ahead of the 2010 World Cup qualifiers.

Later that year, manager Fabio Capelloappointed Terry as permanent skipper, only to stand him down following allegations that the Chelsea defender had an affair with team-mate Wayne Bridge's girlfriend.

Ferdinand then took over,before managerFabio Capello's decision to turn back to Terry in March 2011, the "eposide" to which Ferdinand refers.

Terry was in line to face Ferdinand inChelsea's meeting with Manchester Untied on Sunday, but the Blues skipper has pulled out with injury.

Speaking before that news emerged, United manager Sir Alex Ferguson said: "I think I'd have a word with Rio to see what his stance is.

"He's been fighting the racism issue for years. But if he has to rise above that he's got nothing to be ashamed of - if he does decide to shake John Terry's hand [on Sunday]."

Source: www.bbc.com

AFRICAN CUP OF NATIONS 2012 : JOURNEY SO FAR

Group A

	P	W	D	L	GF	GA	Pts
Zambia	3	2	1	0	5	3	7
Eq Guinea	3	2	0	1	3	2	6
Libya	3	1	1	1	4	4	4
Senegal	3	0	0	3	3	5	0

21/01/12: Equatorial Guinea 1-0 Libya, Bata
21/01/12: Senegal 1-2 Zambia, Bata

25/01/12: Libya 2-2 Zambia, Bata
25/01/12: Equatorial Guinea 2-1 Senegal, Bata

29/01/12: Equatorial Guinea 0-1 Zambia, Malabo
29/01/12: Libya 2-1 Senegal, Bata

Group B

	P	W	D	L	GF	GA	Pts
Ivory C	3	3	0	0	5	0	9
Sudan	3	1	1	1	4	4	4
Angola	3	1	1	1	4	5	4
Burkina F	3	0	0	3	2	6	0

22/01/12: Ivory Coast 1-0 Sudan, Malabo
22/01/12: Burkina Faso 1-2 Angola, Malabo

26/01/12: Sudan 2-2 Angola, Malabo
26/01/12: Ivory Coast 2-0 Burkina Faso, Malabo

30/01/12: Sudan 2-1 Burkina Faso, Bata
30/01/12: Ivory Coast 2-0 Angola, Malabo

Group C

	P	W	D	L	GF	GA	Pts
Gabon	3	3	0	0	6	2	9
Tunisia	3	2	0	1	4	3	6
Morocco	3	1	0	2	4	5	3
Niger	3	0	0	3	1	5	0

23/01/12: Gabon 2-0 Niger, Libreville
23/01/12: Morocco 1-2 Tunisia, Libreville

27/01/12: Niger 1-2 Tunisia, Libreville
27/01/12: Gabon 3-2 Morocco, Libreville

31/01/12: Gabon 1-0 Tunisia, Franceville
31/01/12: Niger 0-1 Morocco, Libreville

Group D

	P	W	D	L	GF	GA	Pts
Ghana	3	2	1	0	4	1	7
Mali	3	2	0	1	3	3	6
Guinea	3	1	1	1	7	3	4
Botswana	3	0	0	3	2	9	0

24/01/12: Ghana 1-0 Botswana, Franceville
24/01/12: Mali 1-0 Guinea, Franceville

28/01/12: Botswana 1-6 Guinea, Franceville
28/01/12: Ghana 2-0 Mali, Franceville

01/02/12: Botswana 1-2 Mali, Libreville
01/02/12: Ghana 1-1 Guinea, Franceville

---

Quarter-Finals:

1. 04/02/12: Zambia v Sudan, Bata
2. 04/02/12: Ivory Coast v Equatorial Guinea, Malabo
3. 05/02/12: Gabon v Mali, Libreville
4. 05/02/12: Ghana v Tunisia, Franceville

Semi-Finals:

08/02/12: QF1 winner v QF4 winner, Bata
08/02/12: QF3 winner v QF2 winner, Libreville

3rd place play-off: 11/02/2012, Malabo

Final: 12/02/2012, Libreville