Elmina Sharks vs Aduana Stars – Ndoum Stadium, Elmina

League champions Aduana Stars will begin the defence of their title away at Elmina Sharks. The Ogya boys are kicking off their league season a week late, following their involvement in the CAF Champions League last weekend. That journey ended miserably as they were bundled out following a 4-0 thrashing by Algerian side ES Setif, and a 4-1 loss on aggregate.

The consolation though is that Aduana have a chance to play for a place in the group phase of the Confederation Cup, CAF’s second-tier club competition. They have been drawn against Madagascan side Fosa Juniors and they will be hoping a good run in the league will help galvanize morale ahead of the first leg.

But against Yaw Acheampong’s Elmina Sharks, Aduana are coming up against a difficult opposition with the stubbornness of a hard nut. The Sharks lost narrowly to Dreams FC last weekend, conceding an injury-time goal from Zuberu Sharani.

Liberty Professionals vs WAFA – Carl Reindolf Park, Dansoman

At Dansoman, Liberty Professionals, another team yet to play a game this season following the postponement of their Matchday 1 encounter against Aduana Stars, welcome WAFA to the Alhaji Sly Tetteh Park.

The scientific soccer lads only just survived relegation on the final day of last season, and have hired a new coach, Reginald Asante Boateng, to replace former Kotoko gaffer, Michael Osei. Asante Boateng’s first task is to secure victory against bad travelers WAFA. The academy boys have never beaten Liberty away from home. In fact, WAFA have just 5 victories from their last 44 away games in the Ghana Premier League.

Berekum Chelsea vs Dreams FC – Golden City Park, Berekum

Berekum Chelsea welcome Dreams FC to the Berekum Golden City Park with the aim of returning to winning ways following their opening day defeat to Ebusua Dwarfs. These two have been involved in some high-scoring games in the past. In the only two previous meetings between the pair, 7 goals have been produced. Dreams beat Chelsea 4-0 in the first round before the blues returned the favor in the second round, beating Dreams 3-0.

Dreams FC on the other hand, are coming off a confidence-boosting victory at home to Elmina Sharks on Match Day 1.

Wa All Stars vs Ebusua Dwarfs – Malik Jabir Stadium, Wa

Up in Wa, All Stars will host Ebusua Dwarfs looking for a positive result that will kick-start their campaign. The Northern Blues have lost as many as 13 players going into the season with a completely new look team full of youngsters. Their inexperience showed as they succumbed to a 1-0 defeat to AshantiGold despite dominating large spells of the game.

But goalkeeper, Rashid Seidu, seen as perhaps the most underrated goalkeeper in the league, is one person the other players can always look to for inspiration.

Bechem United vs Medeama – Nana Gyeabour Park, Bechem

Elsewhere, Bechem United host Medeama looking to put their opening day disaster behind them; and there’s a battle of the newcomers in Ainyinase when Karela United welcome Techiman XI wonders. Karela lost narrowly to Medeama on opening day despite dominating the game.

Asante Kotoko vs Inter Allies – Baba Yara Stadium, Kumasi

In Kumasi, Asante Kotoko play host to high-flying Inter Allies in what many pundits believe is the tie of the round. The Porcupine Warriors are coming off the back of a rare point at WAFA while Kenichi Yatsuhashi’s Allies were the biggest winners on Match Day one. In 8 previous meetings between the two clubs, Kotoko edge it with 3 victories against Inter Allies’ 2. But Allies have a reason to be confident, knowing they have beaten Kotoko before in their own backyard with a 1-0 victory at the Baba Yara Stadium back in 2014.

Hearts of Oak vs Ashantigold – Cape Coast Stadium, Cape Coast

In Cape Coast, where Hearts of Oak have pitched camp as their home ground for this season following the closure of the Accra Sports Stadium for renovation works, they welcome AshantiGold to the Cape Coast stadium on Saturday for their first home game.

The Phobians have had a turbulent pre-season. They fired their coach and lost a lot of key players. But once the season got underway, new signings such as Joseph Esso showed signs of promise of good times ahead. Henry Wellington’s side gave away a 1-0 lead to draw 1-1 with new boys Eleven Wonders.

But against AshantiGold, who themselves have struggled since last season, the Phobians will be expecting to win.

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By: Citi Sports

The post GHPL Preview: Aduana begin title defence at Elmina; Hearts host AshGold appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

He has also wished the injured who are still receiving medical attention a speedy recovery.

The President conveyed these sentiments in a tweet on Thursday morning.

Former President John Mahama also joined other Ghanaians to commiserate with Kumasi Asante Kotoko after the fatal accident on Wednesday night.

John Mahama, who is a fan of Division 1 side, Real Tamale United (RTU) posted on his Facebook timeline that, “Let’s remember Asante Kotoko S.C. in our prayers.”

The team’s bus ran into a stationary KIA truck close to Nsawam in the Eastern Region,  leaving all passengers on board with various degrees of injury and one person dead.

After news of the incident broke, many have taken to various social media platforms to commiserate with the team which was returning to their base in Kumasi from Accra after a Premier League game.

Black Stars skipper, Asamoah Gyan posted via his Twitter handle that his thoughts and prayers were with the management of the team.

“My thoughts and prayers are with the management, playing body and the supporters of Kumasi Asante Kotoko on this fatal accident,” he tweeted few hours after the incident.

Archrivals of Kumasi Asante Kotoko SC, Accra Hearts of Oak also in a tweet said, “Please, please, please, GOD! Do not let this news we are hearing about our brothers Asante Kotoko be true. #PrayForKotoko. #TogetherWeStand”

It also said, “We are extremely sullen and crestfallen to learn about this tragedy. Our prayers are with you. #Pray4Kotoko.”

They also changed the name of their account to #PrayforKotoko.

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By: Jonas Nyabor/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Nana Addo, Mahama, others commiserate with Kotoko after crash appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

The team including the coach, Steve Polack was returning to Kumasi from Accra after a week 22 Premier League game when the unfortunate incident occurred.

[contextly_sidebar id=”rrHhS0TVxrTSF4ubMgMQ78zFiPARibJ2″]Thomas Asare is said to have died on the spot as a result of the accident.

The team’s bus ran into a stationary KIA Rhino truck which was parked on the shoulder of the road close to the Nkawkaw by-pass.

The Eastern Regional Police PRO, Ebenezer Tetteh, who confirmed the incident to Citi News said all occupants of the bus sustained various degrees of injury and were initially rushed to the Holy Family Hospital in Nkawkaw but were subsequently transferred to the Okomfo Anokye Teaching Hospital for treatment.

“At about 10pm, Asante Kotoko Football team, numbering about 25 including the players and officials on board Yutong Bus No.GT 4327-16 driven by one Nana Boakyi, aged 60, from Accra towards Kumasi.

On reaching the Nkawkaw by-pass motor road at Nankyia, the bus ran into the rear portion of a KIA Rhino truck No. AS  7321 – 13 driven by one Abass Francis, aged 28, also towards Kumasi direction loaded with quantities of fertilizer.

All the occupants of the bus sustained various degrees of injuries and were rushed to Holy Family Hospital Nkawkaw for treatment.

The physical instructor of the team one Asare Thomas died on the spot”.

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By: Neil Nii Amartey Karnaku/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Kotoko team’s equipment officer confirmed dead appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

It was then that I realized that the former Ghana coach had also achieved so much and that is what is inspiring this article.

He began his coaching career with SS 74 in 1978 and was in charge until 1981 when the team was disbanded. After a short spell in charge of Fankobaa and Okwahu United, whom he took to Ghana’s top flight, he handled Sekondi Hasaacas and led the ‘Giants of the West’ to glory in the West African Football Union (WAFU) cup in 1982.

Some of his players that year, including the late Emmanuel Quarshie, Kwame Sampson, Kofi Abbrey and John Essien, were also members of the Black Stars team that won the African Nations Cup that year, with the late Sly Tetteh also a member of that all-conquering team.

He then moved to Kumasi Cornerstone in 1985 and two years later, with a squad that contained futue Asante Kotoko stars Frimpong Manso, Emmanuel Ampeah as well as Opoku Sampene, he won the WAFU Cup again.

It was also in 1987 that Herbert Addo, assisted by Anthony Adusei, led Ghana to its fifth consecutive West African Nations Cup victory with a 2-1 win over Liberia in Monrovia.

Addo tells me that the then Liberian head of state, Sergeant Samuel Doe tried to bribe Ghana in the final game.
“My captain at the time was Opoku Nti and he informed me that he had been approached by Sgt. Doe with a bribe offer of $70,000 to throw the match. In the end, we decided to ignore the offer and play to the best of our abilities, and we ended up winning 2-1.”

The team also had in its ranks the late Rauf Iddi, who was a stalwart in defence, as well as Okwahu United midfielder Alhaji Bello and Opoku Nti himself, who was in his final season with Asante Kotoko.

After a brief stint with Asante Kotoko, Herbert Addo moved to Gabon to coach Shell FC, where he won honours with the club.

He returned to Ghana to coach Ghapoha Readers, a side he guided to promotion to the Premier League.

He then joined Obuasi Goldfields in 1994 as an assistant to Jones Attuquayefio and took over the club in 1997, when he guided the team to the final of the inaugural CAF Champions League before a loss on penalties to Raja Casablanca denied him a chance at landing Africa’s biggest club prize.

He had moulded a top team with the likes of Agyemang Duah, Lawrence Adjei, Yaw Owusu, Joe Okyere and Togo goalkeeper Nibombe Wake.

After working with other clubs, he landed the Hearts of Oak job in 2002 and led the Phobians to the Premier League title. He went through the following season unbeaten in 30 games, but lost the title to Asante Kotoko because he had played too many draws.

Interestingly, Asante Kotoko looked at him as a possible replacement for Abdul Razak, who had led the Porcupine Warriors to their first league title in 10 years.

At the time, Asante Kotoko legend Malik Jabir was the acting Chief Executive and together with then Board member, Kwabena Kesse (Kessben), they were prepared to hand Addo a one year contract to co-coach Asante Kotoko with German Hans Kodric.

Unfortunately, because he coached Hearts of Oak the previous season, the other Board members kicked against his appointment and so the move to Asante Kotoko did not materialize.

After a spell outside the country, he returned to coach Pure Joy Stars, but with Asante Kotoko languishing in the relegation places in 2009, the then Alhaji Njie-led administration called him and he took over Asante Kotoko.
Addo then worked a minor miracle that saw the Porcupine Warriors mount an unlikely challenge for the Premier League title.

On match day 29, Asante Kotoko travelled to Obuasi to face relegation threatened Ashanti Gold and Addo tells me that external pressures led to a 2-1 defeat that effectively ended Kotoko’s title hopes.

“We had a better goal difference and we were neck and neck with Hearts of Oak. I was aiming to win the match to go two points clear of Hearts of Oak, but a lot of external influences were brought to bear on the game in order to save Ashanti Gold from being relegated. Eventually we lost the game 2-1 and even though Hearts of Oak drew 1-1 with Arsenal in Berekum, we knew that we had lost the title because we were now level with Hearts of Oak, who were ahead on head-to-head. I was disappointed with the turn of events because I really wanted to win the title with Kotoko.”
Addo then left Asante Kotoko and joined newly promoted Aduana Stars. With him was a full back named Godfred Saka, who had attended a justifier with Asante Kotoko and had been rejected.

He brought in experienced midfielder Emmanuel Allan and moulded the rest of the team there, with the likes of Stephen Adams brought in from Real Sportive and the likes of Johnson Adomah, Emmanuel Akuoko, captain Samuel Asiedu and Francis Larbi all in the team.

Addo, whose reputation for building teams with tight defences is legendary, then proceeded to guide Aduana Stars to an unlikely Premier League triumph, despite scoring only 19 goals.

What made this title even sweeter for Addo was that he won it by beating the team responsible for his exit from Asante Kotoko, Ashanti Gold on the very head-to-head rule that a year before would have cost him even if he had won the final game against King Faisal in 2009.

He was appointed the head coach of the local Black Stars in 2010, but failed to gain a point after Ghana lost all three games at the 2011 Championship of African Nations (CHAN) tournament in Sudan. He had a couple of spells at Wassaman United and B.A. United, but sadly lost his wife and so he went underground for a bit.

During the 2013/2014 season, after Inter Allies had gone six games without a point, he was brought in as head coach and he did it again.

From a position of certain relegation, he guided Inter Allies to finish sixth at the end of the season and his work also took the club to the FA Cup final, before a 1-2 loss to Asante Kotoko denied him another shot at glory.
He had another spell at Hearts of Oak that was not too good but he has cemented his reputation as one of Ghana’s finest ever coaches. Only yesterday I was telling a close friend that Herbert Addo needed national attention and today he is gone. RIP Herbert Addo.

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By: Christopher Opoku

The post Christopher Opoku pays tribute to Herbert Addo appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.