Drogba's mother dishes up for Ivory Coast fans

While Ivory Coast's Didier Drogba is on the football pitch, his mother
is cooking for Africa Cup of Nations fans.

Clotilde Drogba's makeshift kitchen is at a dusty stadium on the
outskirts of the Equatorial Guinea capital of Malabo, the Associated
Press reports.

She serves up chicken and fish with rice, plantains and spicy sauces
to fans, while her Chelsea star son eats at the hotel with the other
players.

Mrs Drogba also prepared food for fans at the 2006 World Cup in Germany.

Drogba is one of the most famous people in Ivory Coast - last year he
was named on the country's Truth Reconciliation and Dialogue
Commission set up to ease the wounds after a bitter election dispute
and years of division.

A group of about 60 fans has travelled to Equatorial Guinea, where the
Ivory Coast team - the Elephants - are playing their opening matches -
and every day they sit down to a plateful of traditional food cooked
up by their star player's mother.

"Everyone has their thing and what they like to do,'' Mrs Drogba,
wearing the orange of Ivory Coast, told AP after preparing lunch on
Monday.

"This is not about my son, it is about supporting my country."

Mrs Drogba told AP that she watched Ivory Coast's opening two
victories on a TV screen - in between cutting onions, tomatoes and
chicken.

She added that she hopes to watch the semi-final in the stadium in
Bata - if Drogba and his team-mates make it that far.

She says she respects the rules that means her son cannot eat her food
- and eats only at a luxury hotel.

Even without her cooking, Mrs Drogba told the AP she is confident she
will see her son finally lift the African Cup of Nations - which they
are favourites to do.

"The team plays very well and it's my wish that they win the cup,'" she said.

Morocco and Niger looking for consolation victory

Morocco takes on Niger in Libreville as both teams conclude their Group C Orange Africa Cup of Nations matches. The game is a  battle between two sides who have lost both matches and can no longer make the quarter finals. Across the country in Framceville  co-hosts Gabon will be facing Tunisia in their quest for the group's top spot at the same time Morocco entertains Niger.

 

Managers of both Morocco and Niger  expressed theie desire to restore some dignity with a win in the last group match and leave the tournament with heads held high and perhaps make up to their disappointed supporters.

 

Morocco lost their first game to Tunisia 2-1 before conceding a last gasp goal to lose 3-2 to co-hosts Gabon despite leading early in the game. Debutants Niger lost to Gabon 2-0 before going down  to Carthage Eagles 2-1. Niger are playing in their  first ever finals  after they qualified ahead of  Egypt, South Africa and Sierra Leone.

Zambia tops Group A after beating Equatorial Guinea as both make quarter finals

Zambia inflicted the first defeat to the co-hosts Equatorial Guinea 1-0 to win Group A and book a place in the quarter final of the Orange Africa Cup of Nations .Co-hosts Equatorial Guinea lost for the first time in the competition but the Malabo result ensures that both sides qualify for the quarter finals from this group which also saw Libya finish third after beating disappointing Senegal 2-1 leaving the Teranga Lions in fourth place in the group.

 

The match in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea got off to a  cagey start as both sides sizing up the other up with the co-hosts looked slightly more adventurous but without really threatening Kennedy Mweene 's goal.  Chipolopolo of Zambia looked contend to let their opponents dominate the early possession while they counter attacked. Zambia looked dangerous though whenever they ventured into the Equatorial Guinea box and Emmanuel Mayuka's  header sailed just over the bar after a lovely cross from Rainford Kalaba. The best chance for the co-hosts in the first half fell to  Ivan Bolado when a through pass from Juvenal Edjogo saw him onto the goal but Mweene charged off his goal line to block the shot.

 

Mweene was called upon to deal with a shot from Equatorial Guinea captain Edjogo and the South African based goalkeeper showed his usual agility catching comfortably the effort from long range.

Zambia upped the tempo upon resumption and Mayuka and Katongo were soon keeping the home side defence busy as the play opened up. Zambia impressively maintained their pattern and shape and started dominating the midfield exchanges with player maker Kalaba pulling the strings.

In the 67th  minute Zambian pressure paid off when captain Chris Katongo picked up a throw in and went on a diagonal run beating two defenders before firing into the bottom right hand corner past a diving Danilo for the opening goal.  Equatorial Guinea found themselves behind for the first time in the competition and the response to going down did not seem to threaten Zambia who looked in control still. Both coaches made changes but there were few clear cut changes.  Ben Konate, who has been very impressive in this tournament so far was replaced by Rolan de la Cruz for Equatorial Guinea while  Mayuka made way for  James Chamanga  who was once doubtful for these finals through injury. Zambia played out the remaining time and their keeper Mweene and his defence comfortably dealt with Equatorial Guinea's last ditch efforts

Ghana Premier League: Kotoko beats Medeama, maintains lead

Kumasi Asante Kotoko Sporting Club maintained their position at the
summit of the Glo-Premier League after chalking a hard-fought 2-1 win
over visiting Medeama F/C in their league match at the Baba Yara
Stadium, Kumasi on Sunday.

The visitors gave the Porcupine Warriors a hell of a time,
particularly in the closing stages of the match as they kept probing
for the equalizer with series of attacks but lack of precision in
their final deliveries denied Medeama from snatching at least a point
in the uncompromising encounter.

Kototo began the match on a slow note as they found it difficult to
string their passes together and make any meaningful impact in the
early stages of the game.

Mike Akuffo, however, drew first blood for the home team from a
spot-kick in the 16th minute as he beat goalkeeper Muntari Tagoe with
his shot after striker Kofi Nti was brought down in the Medeama goal
area.

Kotoko increased their goal tally to two in the 21st minute in a
dramatic fashion courtesy Daniel Nii Adjei.

It was a beautiful goal by all standards, which was initiated on the
left flank by speedster Nathaniel Asamoah as he intercepted a pass,
raced deep into the goal area of the visitors and let go an in-swinger
which was beautifully connected home by Nii Adjei.

In the second half, Medeama brought on Emmanuel Dogbe for Attiah
Sumaila, while Emmanuel Ephraim substituted Hans Koffie to bring more
urgency in their attack which paid off for them.

The changes quickly yielded results as Medeama went on to score their
only goal in the 69th minute through Mohammed Tanko whose close-range
shot found the back of the net in a goal mouth scramble.

The visitors piled up pressure on their opponents in the latter part
of the match but missed the clear-cut chances that came their way in
the 77th , 88th and 90 minutes to give a sigh of relieve to the Kotoko
following.

Source: GNA

I am not perturbed over Stars snub: Emmanuel Baffour

New Edubiase Striker and leading goal scorer in the ongoing Glo
Premier League, Emmanuel Baffour says he has taken his failure to make
the Black Stars final 23 in his stride.

The New Edubiase striker was part of the 25 man squad who left the
shores of Ghana on the 6th of January, 2011 to prepare ahead of the
Cup of Nations in South Africa hoping to make the final cut.

Speaking on Asempa Fm's Sports Morning Show on Friday, Baffour said
his few days with the team was special and will forever cherish it
even though he was dropped.

He explained that having had the opportunity to train with the team
has added to his footballing credentials and believes it will help
him.

According to Baffour,the technical handlers spoke at length with him
and adviced him not to worry on being dropped because there are better
days ahead.
The Edubiase Striker sounding confident on a future stint with the
stars said there are more opportunities ahead so the onus now lies on
him to train hard and keep sharpening his striking prowess to put
himself in a position to make the Stars cut.

Emmanuel Baffour who touched the Kotoka International Airport on
Thursday night said he was "handsomely" taken care of before leaving.

In a related development, Emmanuel Baffour promised his teeming fans
to look out for him this weekend as he stars for New Edubiase in their
match against Ashgold in the Glo Premier League on Sunday because he
is coming with a bang.

Source : myjoyonline.com

'Battle Of Hearts' In Accra…As Round One Ends

The first department of the Glo Premier League hits the end of the
road this weekend with attention-grabbing fixtures.

Second-placed Hearts of Oak host Heart of Lions in a battle described
by students of the game as 'battle of the Hearts' at the Accra
Stadium, while the other battle will see Bechem United playing as
guests of Wassaman United.

Most definitely, the quest to finish the first round to make way for
the Nations Cup tourney on a good footing by the 16 combatants has
raised the stakes in the last group of matches.

Of the 16 times the Rainbow family have engaged the Lions, the former
have won on most occasions.

But Lions have proven a mountain too tall to climb to Hearts in recent
months and having peaked in performance under coach Augustt lately,
makes the game dicey.

The battle of the Uniteds involving Bechem and Wassaman is another
clash likely to ignite fireworks.

The two have struggled to find their rhythms since joining the elite
league this season, and their resolve to finish the first round on
high note makes the game worth watching.

At the Baba Yara Stadium, Medeama will play as guests of Asante
Kotoko with reigning league lords Berekum Chelsea hosting Aduana Stars
at the Golden City Park, Berekum.

Wounded Liberty Professionals, having lost on home soil to Kotoko will
travel to Wa to battle another wounded side, All Stars, who lost 0-2
to Aduana, while Ebusua Dwarfs welcome Tema Youth to the Robert Mensah
Stadium.

New Edubiase will stay at Bekwai to play Ashgold.
Today at the Ohene Djan Stadium, Mighty Jets host Berekum Arsenals.

By Kofi Owusu Aduonum

Source : modernghana.com

Asante Kotoko and Aduana Stars draw : Ahmed Toure's absence affecting Kotoko ?

Asante Kotoko could only settle for a point at home as they kicked off
the New Year in a rather unconvincing manner in the Glo Premier
League.

The Porcupine Warriors drew goalless with visiting Aduana Stars and
see their lead at the summit cut as rivals, Hearts of Oak are now
level on points with two matches to end the first round.

Ahmed Toure's absence from the team appeared to have robbed Asante
Kotoko off the much needed finishing as Nathaniel Asamoah could not go
past the resolute display at the back by Aduana.

Hearts Move Joint Top Of Glo Premier League

Accra Hearts of Oak registered their highest number of goals in a
match this season at home by beating AshantiGold 3 goals to 2.

The phobians now move to joint top spot with arch rivals Asante Kotoko
who were held to a goalless draw by Aduana stars at the Baba Yara
Sports Stadium.

Douglas Nkrumah got the match opener in the 34th minute through a
penalty after referee Seidu Bomison whistled for a penalty on a foul
on him by Michael Boakye in the box.

The combination of Uriah Asante, Mahatma Otoo and Douglas Nkrumah kept
the defence area of the Miners boiling with Uriah Asante coming close
on few occasions.

Mahatma Otoo's thunderbolt from outside the 18 yard box, after he beat
his marker and went straight into the net to make it double for the
phobians in the 51st minute.

Mohammed Yakubu got a consolation goal for the miners in the 67th
minute after the defenders of Hearts of Oak were caught watching,
thinking that referee was going to whistle for offside.

AshantiGold lifted their game and took control over the midfield but
the dismissal of John Ashong in the 78th minute for throwing his hand
at Uriah Asante brought them to a numerical disadvantage.

Isaac Ofori scored his first goal for the phobians to make it three,
after he received a pass from Uriah Asante, beat his marker and placed
the ball behind Fatua Dauda in post for AshGold, in the 82nd minute.

Mohammed Yakubu scored his second for AshGold, during injury time to
make it two for the Miners but it was not enough to save his side from
the defeat.

Source: ghana.gov.gh

Edubiase President resigns from Meteors Management Committee

President of Edubiase United Football Club, Abdul Salam Yakubu says he
is taking a bow from the Management Committee of the National U-23
side, the Black Meteors after the Ethics Committee's ruling.

The Ethics Committee of the Ghana Football Association on Wednesday
ruled that the President of Edubiase United Football Club should pay a
fine of GHS2000 and handed him a four match ban for failing to
substantiate allegations leveled against Referee Eric Owusu Mensah
after the Glo Premier Leagues's Week 7 encounter with Berekum Chelsea
which Edubiase lost by a lone goal.

But the Edubiase Football Club President in an interview on Asempa
Fm's Sports Morning show on Thursday said he had been given a raw deal
and was thus resigning from the Meteors Management Committee.

According to him the posture of the Ethics Committee only ascribe to
the fact that they had already taken their decision before the
hearing.

He explains that the Football Association is supposed to be fair to
all and sundry but it was not so in his case and wondered why an
allegation made to the same referee by other members of the
Association goes unpunished but his had attracted the hefty sanctions.

The display of favoritism and selective justice at the GFA is not good
and thus resigning from his post as a Management Committee member of
the National U-23, the Black Meteors he added.

In a related development, Emergency Committee member of the Ghana
Football Association, George Afriyie has cautioned Mr. Abdul Salam
Yakubu to tread cautiously and not go about accusing everybody

Source : Myjoyonline

Nations Cup experience excites Kwarasey

Goalkeeper Adam Kwarasey is focusing his attention on the up-coming
Africa Nations Cup ahead of all club matters as he hopes to help Ghana
to the title.

Kwarasey, 24, is one of the three called up goalkeepers in Ghana's
25-man pre-Nations Cup squad and he is hoping to enjoy a good
tournament after making his debut last September.

Since his debut, he has represented Ghana against Brazil, Nigeria and
Gabon. He told KickOffGhana.com that playing for the Black Stars has
already had a positive impact on his career.

"I may be inexperienced but I have a lot of qualities and I am very
determined to do well at the Nations Cup. I am really looking forward
to it and I want to be part of the team that brings the Nations Cup
title to Ghana for the first time in 30 years," Kwarasey said.

The Stromgodset shot-stopper prefers to complete his first competition
for Ghana before entertaining any thoughts of making a higher profile
league move from his base in Norway.

Kwarasey, though keen on a move, says that ambition has to be put on
hold until after the Nations Cup in Gabon and Equatorial Guinea.

"Naturally I want to play in a higher league but for the next weeks
the most important thing is the Africa Cup of Nations," he said.

"Afterwards we can deal with what is rumour and what is concrete
interest from clubs."

Source : Myjoyonline

Follow Arena Q Ghana on Twitter @ArenaQ_Ghana

Kotoko v Medeama televised coverage cancelled

The Glo Premier League match day 15 clash between Asante Kotoko and
Medeama SC in Kumasi on January 15 2012 will not be telecast as
originally scheduled.

The match was originally scheduled to be broadcast live on Supersport
from 6pm on January 15.

This development came about after a meeting between the Premier League
Board and Optimum Media Prime, television rights holders of the Glo
Premier League.

It will be recalled that after the Glo Premier League match between
Asante Kotoko and Berekum Chelsea, OMP commentator Nana Agyemang came
under a near attack from angry supporters and broadcast equipment
belonging to OMP was damaged.

This led OMP top officials to threaten to black out the coverage of
Asante Kotoko games in Kumasi unless cast iron guarantees over the
safety of personnel and equipment are given.

Currently, the Ghana Football Association is awaiting the details of
the cost of damage to the equipment from OMP before the matter will be
referred to the Disciplinary Committee.

OMP thus requested not to televise the Asante Kotoko-Medeama match and
the PLB approved the request.

The televised schedule for weeks 13 to 15 are now as follows.

Match day 13

January 7 2012

New Edubiase v Medeama SC (live on Metro TV from 2.45pm)

January 8 2012

Wassaman v Tema Youth (live on Supersport from 6pm)

Match day 14

January 11 2012

Heart of Lions v Mighty Jets (live on Metro TV from 2.45pm)

Liberty Professionals v Asante Kotoko (live on Supersport from 6pm)

Match day 15

January 15 2012

Wa All Stars v Liberty Professionals (Live on Metro TV and Supersport
from 2.45pm)

Source : Ghanaweb

Follow Us @ArenaQ_Ghana

GFA grants Marseille, Udinese and Rennes to delay player arrivals

The Ghana FA has granted the request made by three European clubs to
delay the arrival of influential players to the Black Stars camp for
the Africa Cup of Nations.

According to Fifa laws, the players should be released by their clubs
by 7 January when the Black Stars camping starts.

But Marseille wanted Andre and Jordan Ayew to delay their arrival
until 15 January but they were given just one day of extra stay which
means they must join camp by the 9 January.

Udinese and Stade Rennes made request to have Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu &
Kwadwo Asamoah and John Boye respectively to delay their arrival to
the Ghana camp for two weeks so as to feature in crucial games when
their respective league's resume this weekend.

The Ghana authorities however decided to meet the clubs half way and
will only compromise on a few days as a gesture of good will and
magnanimity.

"We have very good relationship with most of the clubs that our
players are engaged with and Olympique Marseille is one of them and
they made a request to delay player arrivals," Ghana FA boss Kwasi
Nyantakyi told Citi FM.

"Initially the request was for them (Andre and Jordan) to play three
games; on the 7th, on the 10th and on the 14th of January and they
happen to conflict with our team program.

"But we had to bend a bit backwards in order to them half way so the
compromise we struck was to allow Olympique Marseille access to the
players to the first game which will be played on the 7th and then we
expect the players to leave on the 8th and arrive to camp on the 9th.

"We cannot meet them 100% but we've tried to do something, the same
dispensation has been granted Udinese and so Emmanuel Agyeman-Badu and
Kwadwo Asamoah will also be playing a game on the 7th and they leave
on the 8th.

"The same applies to Stade Rennes so John Boye will also be allowed to
play on the 7th and then come on the 8th so by 9th we should have a
full house.

"We think that if we did anything more than that it will affect the
team's preparations and if the team is not well prepared nothing can
compensate us for any poor showing in Gabon.

"Therefore to prevent that we pleaded with them to bear with us that
at this particular moment there is little we can do and the best we
can do is to offer them this limited dispensation which they accepted
and everyone is happy."

The Black Stars begin camping ahead of the start of the Nations Cup on
January 21 in South Africa on January 7th.

Source: Ghanaweb

Ghanaian referees snubbed for CAN 2012

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has overlooked Ghanaian referees for the African Cup of Nations scheduled for Gabon and Equatorial Guinea later this month.

Information pieced together by GNA Sports indicates that no Ghanaian referee made the list of 18 officials for the three-week competition that parades Africa's best 16 teams.

The selected 21 official assigned with the duties of assistant referees for the tournament is also without a Ghanaian.

The information indicates that no Ghana official was able to make the cut for the tourney that has Ghana tipped among the favourites.

At the previous competition in Angola, 2010 where Ghana finished second after losing 0-1 to Egypt in the final, Haruna Ayuba, an assistant referee was the only Ghanaian official to make the grade.

Below is the full list.

No..NAME.........................COUNTRY
1..Maillet Eddy Allen.............Seychelles
2..Seechurn Rajindraparsad........Mauritius
3..Abdel Rahman Khalid............Sudan
4..Bennett Daniel Frazer..........South Africa
5..Benouza Mohamed................Algeria
6..Diatta Badara..................Senegal
7..Coulibaly Koman................Mali
8..Gassama Bakary Papa............Gambia
9..Alioum Neant...................Cameroun
10.El Ahrach Bouchaib.............Morocco
11..Doue Noumandiez Desire........Côte d'Ivoire
12..Lemghaifry Aly................Mauritania
13..Jedidi Slim...................Tunisia
14..Haimoudi Djamel...............Algeria
15..Otogo-Castane Eric Arnaud.....Gabon
16..Sikazwe Janny.................Zambia
17..Nampiandraza Hamada el Moussa.Madagascar
18..Grisha Ghead..................Egypt

Assitant Referees

No..NAME...................COUNTRY
1..Hassani Bechir..........Tunisia
2..Damoo Jason Joseph......Seychelles
3..Edibe Peter Elgam.......Nigeria
4..Menkouande Evarist......Cameroun
5..Champiti Moffat.........Malawi
6..Range Aden Marwa........Kenya
7..Siwela Zakhele Thusi....South Africa
8..Kabanda Felicien........Rwanda
9..Birumushahu Jean-Claude.Burundi
10.Bouende-Malonga Richard.Congo
11.Ogbamariam W. Angesom...Eritrea
12.Doumbouya Aboubacar.....Guinea
13.Moussa Yanoussa.........Cameroun

 

Source: GNA

Turkish second-tier side claim Mahatma Otoo deal

Turkish second-tier side Elazigspor claim they have reached an agreement to sign striker Mahatma Otoo from Hearts of Oak.

Details of the deal are still not known but it is being speculated that it will be a permanent deal for the former Ghana Under-20 captain.

Elazigspor lead the Bank Asya 1.League after 16 rounds of matches and are in good stead to play in the Turkish Super League next season.

Otoo will be eager for a move abroad after falling out with the Hearts faithful.

Last month, aggrieved fans of the club threatened his mother over his profligacy.

Otoo has scored two goals for Hearts of Oak this term in the Glo Ghana Premier League.

 

Source: Ghanasoccernet

Al Ain Confirm Asamoah Gyan Injury Not Serious

UAE side Al Ain has assuaged fears about Asamoah Gyan's injury claiming he will be fit for Ghana's Africa Cup of Nations campaign. Gyan pulled up while chasing a through ball and was forced to leave the pitch after half an hour in Al Ain's 4-0 victory over Emirates last week. It was feared Ghana's lead striker will be ruled out of the Nations Cup finals but further checks reveal he will recover in time. His absence will felt in tonight's top-of-the-table match against Al Shabab. "This was to be his last game before he joined his national team in the African Cup of Nations," Al Ain coach Cosmin Olaroiu said. "His injury is not as serious as we thought. He leaves us one match earlier than we expected and now we have to find solutions until his return. So we will apply teamwork to fill the gaps of any missing player." Gyan is expected home on Thursday and he is expected to travel with the Black Stars for the pre-tournament camping in Rustenburg, South Africa on Friday.

Source: Ghanasoccernet

 

CAF Unveil African Cup 2012 Match Ball

The Confederation of African Football today revealed the official Adidas match ball for the African Cup of Nations 2012. The ball is named "Comoequa" after the Como River, which runs through the co-hosts of the tournament, Equatorial Guinea and Gabon. Comoequa shares the same construction as the Tango 12, the official match ball for the UEFA Euro 2012 tournament. This is the third ball Adidas has provided to CAF; it was the previous official supplier of the Wawa Aba ball in 2008 and the Jabulani ball in 2010.

Source: Ghanasoccernet