Ali Jaraa urges club owners to register players on SSNIT scheme

By Russell Wiafe

Legendary Ghanaian goalkeeper Ali Jaraa is urging club owners in the country to help register their players onto the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) in the coming days to help secure their future after their football career.

He was speaking when the Ghana League Clubs Association, GHALCA with support from SSNIT and Ghana Life Company, held its annual congress at the media centre of the Accra Sports Stadium on Thursday. Jaraa, who played active football for 3 years before paralysis ended his career, thinks if club owners are able to help register their players onto the pension scheme it will be beneficial to the players in the near future.

“I played football for just 3 years, and I need to beg at times. Had it not been SSNIT it would have been a different story all together, so I know how it is. Now that most of the players are active they have to be registered so that in the near future it will be beneficial to them and their families rather than moving from office to office for small money, so I’m urging the club owners to try and register them onto the scheme so that when they retire they will be able to get something out of it.”

Meanwhile the chairman of GHALCA, Alhaji Ali Raji also paid a glowing tribute to SSNIT for their contribution to Football in the country.

“We at GHALCA have been deliberating on how to help our clubs and the players. We want the best for them and so we will urge all club owners to try and register these players so that when they bring their career to an end they will be smiling and will be able to get something out of their hard fought careers.”

The congress saw over 50 club officials gracing the annual occasion.

Kanawu goes home...

The Late Kanawu

Hearts, on Saturday, sent one of its illustrious sons K. "Kanawu" Adusei to his final resting place with full honours in what will rank among the best patronized funerals ever.

At noon saturday, the remains of Kanawu were laid to rest at the Tafo Cemetery in Kumasi after a solemn pre-burial service at the Corners Park, Asem. The officiating minister, Apostle Amoako of the Blood of Jesus Redemption Church at Sawuah recounted the humble nature of the departed; his love for his fellow men no matter their social, political or ethnic background, his dedication to duty, his sense of loyalty, and, above all, his trademark sense of humour. "It is said that the voice of the people is the voice of God. If that saying is anything to go by, then we can confidently say that our colleague is beloved of God because, no doubt, he was beloved of all," Minister Amoako remarked.

The remains of Kanawu having been interred at the Tafo Cemetery in Kumasi at about 11.50, the mourners returned to the Corners Park once again to continue with the obsequies of the departed son of the Oak Tree.

This time, the attendance had swollen to something akin to a big-match crowd. With the body gone, the outpouring of grief was massive as the reality dawned that indeed the affable K. Adusei had left the material world.

United in their grief, supporters and officials of Hearts of Oak and their counterparts from other clubs as well as the GFA for once forgot all dividing factors.

The Deputy Minister of Youth and Sports, Hon. Joseph Y. Amin; Former Hearts board-members Isaac Tetteh of T.T Brothers and J.Y Appiah, Alhaji I.A. Issaka; Ashanti Regional RCC patrons, CSP Hamza A. Yakubu,Mr. James Akoto, Nana Ntiri Koduah Asabere, Mr Isaac Acheampong, Mr Dapaah and a host of others; former Hearts Official, the Great Kokor; current NCC PRO Kwame Agyepong, and the two vice Chairmen, Aziz Futa and Ofosu Agyare, as well as Eastern Regional Chapter Committee Chairman, William Adjei Twumasi; Hearts Ladies President, Vincentia Doku, and Ex-NCC boss and the General-Secretary, Ato-Quagraine and Maxwell Koranteng respectively, Maxwell Asabere; the Municipal Chief Executive of Ejisu, Afrifa Yamoah Ponkoh; Ex-Kotoko Board member Kennedy Agyapong; Medeama's Mohammed Alhassan and Albert Commey; Technical director of the Ghana Football Association Coach Oti Akenteng.
Source : Accra Hearts of Oak

How Ghanaian Pastors Crushed 25 Zambian ''witch doctors''

With the dust now settled following the epic World Cup qualifier between Ghana and Zambia, more facts and revelations continue to emerge. Did Ghana really employ pastors to counter the alleged threat of witch doctors from Zambia?

Reports suggest that the Ghana Football Association intercepted information about the advanced Zambian contingent of 200 supporters on a chartered flight from South Africa.

The mystery surrounding 25 of them being alleged ''witch doctors'' suddenly took centre stage.

Whether or not they had in their possession what was believed to ''sea water'' taken at the site of the tragic plane crash off the coast of Gabon 10 years ago, we may never know.

But what is certain is that for one week, the Kumasi sports stadium became a fortress where pastors battled against what was coming but never came.

Other media reports also suggested the same ''ghosts'' water had been spiritually fortified and would have been sprinkled on the pitch at the Baba Yara Sports Stadium if the Zambian team were allowed to train before the game.

According to a specific report emanating from Zambia, the plan was to avoid Accra and fly straight to Kumasi to perform rituals at the main gate, pitch and dressing room ahead of the match.

This was also thwarted due to lack of access by a combination of national security, GFA and ministry efforts.

The plot thickened as information was leaked to the GFA who notified the Sports Ministry.

Following this, it is alleged that the Sports Minister then had two pastors embedded with the Zambian team immediately they landed under the pretext of additional security.

Interestingly, the Zambian hotel in Kumasi had already been secured by Ghanaian national security operatives and several pastors who had checked in as fans to monitor their every move.

According to a stadium worker, just before midnight on eve of big match, the Youth and Sports Minister led the pastors to the stadium to pray on the pitch.

When asked to confirm the reports, Hon Afriyie Ankrah stated that ''Ghanaians prayed for victory and the Black Stars won so that is the most important thing and not necessarily where and how people prayed.”

Meanwhile the GFA has clarified a number of vexing issues in a statement that rejected all the Zambian claims aimed at twisting the facts and deceiving the public following their inability to train at the Baba Yara Stadium. 

The GFA assured the world football fraternity that they played according to all FIFA Fair Play rules towards Zambia as has always been the case with all visiting teams. 

Source: Ghana Sports International

£42.5m record buy Ozil's arrived at Arsenal... and Oxlade-Chamberlain's already making sure he fits in

Settling in at a new club can always be daunting for a player but if first impressions are anything to go by Arsenal's £42.5m Mesut Ozil will be just fine.

It can potentially make matters worse to walk into a dressing room full of egos as the expected new star among them, particularly with those who play in the same position and feel threatened by the new arrival.

The signing of Ozil means Jack Wilshere, Aaron Ramsey, Tomas Rosicky and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain have another to vie with for Arsenal's attacking midfield role but, if anything, the latter appears to be doing his most to make the German feel welcome.

Friends already? Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is among the first Arsenal players to meet Mesut Ozil

And if there were any concerns that the next Arsenal forward he met might have a different reaction they were clearly unnecessary, given it was Ozil's compatriot, long-term friend and international team-mate Lukas Podolski.

Many believe Ozil has the ability to transform Arsenal from a top four team into genuine Premier League title contenders.

The attacking midfielder underlined exactly why in Germany's 3-0 victory away to Faroe Islands on Tuesday night, where he scored the second of his nation's goals.

In-form and already settling in, Arsenal fans could be in for a treat.

New surroundings: Ozil has been pictured at Arsenal's London Colney training ground for the first time

Club and country: Lukas Podolski and Ozil have already combined for the Germany national team

Classy operator: Ozil again highlighted his ability in Germany's 3-0 win away to the Faroe Islands

The Galacticos meet at last! Ronaldo welcomes £86m Bale to the Bernabeu

The two most expensive footballers in the world have met for the first time since Gareth Bale's incredible £86million move to Real Madrid.

He shook hands and shared a warm greeting with new team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo - the former most expensive player in the world - after reporting back to the club's training complex following the international break.

Bale played 32 minutes of Wales's World Cup qualifier with Serbia in Cardiff on Tuesday night and returned immediately to Spain in order to prepare for a likely debut at Villarreal on Saturday evening. 

Can't stop smiling: Gareth Bale looked delighted as he trained with Real Madrid for the first time at their Valdebebas training ground on Wednesday afternoon. The £86m world record signing is set to make his debut against Villarreal on Saturday

Friends reunited: Bale talks to former Tottenham team-mate Luka Modric as they walk out to the training pitch

Team talk: Bale (third left) stands behind Cristiano Ronaldo as he listens to Ancelotti

Dressed casually and sporting a trademark slick haircut, Bale was given a guided tour of the club's facilities, meeting Carlo Ancelotti and his colleagues on the coaching staff. 

Ronaldo was formerly the world's most expensive player - Real paid Manchester United £80m for him back in 2009 - but the Portuguese, who has also been on international duty this week, didn't seem to mind that his status had been usurped.

After both Marcelo and Fabio Coentrao picked up injuries during the international break, it's possible that Bale will make his debut out of position at left back on Saturday.

Galacticos United: Cristiano Ronaldo welcomes Gareth Bale to Real Madrid on Wednesday

Welcome aboard: Bale and Ronaldo share a smile as they arrive at Real Madrid's training ground

Greeting: Coach Carlo Ancelotti shows Bale around

Guided tour: Bale has a look around the training complex and gets to know the staff

Brazilian Marcelo hurt his thigh during the 6-0 thrashing of Australia at the weekend and missed the friendly with Portugal in New York on Tuesday night. 

Coentrao - whose deadline day move to Man United fell through at the last moment - limped off during that same match, which Brazil won 3-1.

Casual: Bale didn't seem to be feeling the weight of expectation following his world record transfer

Bale knows how strong the Real Madrid squad is - so he has been bulking up in preparation for the tough task of cementing himself in the team at the Bernabeu.

From his early days at Southampton he was known for his professionalism, athleticism and commitment to training, and just like Ronaldo, Bale has transformed from skinny teenager to supreme, muscular athlete.

Bale's pre-season has been disrupted because of his move from Tottenham to Real but he has spoken before about how crucial having a good summer is.

Arrival: Gareth Bale lands in Madrid after being on international duty with Wales

Question time: Bale was besieged by reporters as he got out of the car at his hotel in Madrid

Muscling in: Bale has worked hard to bulk up

Nothing to stomach: Bale reveals his six-pack as he prepares to come on

Armed and dangerous: Bale is much stronger, down to his training regime

Slim pickings: A much thinner teenage Bale (right) training with Wales in 2006

Bale told FourFourTwo: 'It’s vitally important. It gets me physically and mentally fit for the season. If you don’t complete pre-season you’re 80 per cent more likely to get injured during the season.

'I’ve found that if I get a good pre-season under my belt it kick-starts my season and I hit the ground running.'

He has always looked for ways to get ahead and last season was spotted wearing special non-slip 'Trusox' socks, which claim to help anchor a player’s feet inside his boots, improving traction and increasing acceleration.

Working in a similar way to a golf glove, the socks have distinctive rectangular, non-slip patches on the outside and inside, which help to stabilise the foot inside the sock and the sock against the boot, allowing the wearer to push off with optimal power so less energy is wasted.

Strong candidate: Cristiano Ronaldo is a supreme athlete

Biceps bulging: Ronaldo takes his shirt off and celebrates a goal

Well on his way: Bale was looking after his body when he was at Tottenham last season

Transformer: Ronaldo went from being a skinny teen (left) to being built like a middleweight boxer

On the ball: Bale is unveiled at the Bernabeu and should make his Real debut on Saturday

For a player like Bale, whose game is based on lightning pace and, increasingly, the ability to hit powerful shots and free-kicks from distance, this is particularly important.

The Welshman also started using black Kinesio tape to help prevent hamstring and quadriceps tears in September 2010 and wears strapping around his ankles.

As for the weekend, Wales boss Chris Coleman says Bale is not fit enough to last a full match and it would be 'dangerous' to make him play 90 minutes.

'We have looked at him in these 10 days and he is nowhere near ready for 90 minutes even if Spanish football is slower,' Coleman told the FIFA website.

'If he starts on Saturday, he will not finish the game. I would be amazed if he does.

'He may get 45 minutes, I don't know, but he will feel better in himself after 30 minutes here.

'But he has only had four training sessions in two months which is dangerous.'

Don't over stretch him: Wales boss Chris Coleman says Bale is not ready to play a full match

Kotoko board hands Opoku Nti 3-month extended mandate

The new Asante Kotoko board led by Lawyer Paul Adu-Gyamfi has given the club’s stop-gap Chief Executive Officer Samuel Opoku Nti an extra 3 months to continue running the day-to-day affairs of the league champions as the directors weigh on appointing a substantive ‘General Manager’ by January 2014, footy-ghana.com can exclusively reveal.

At the inauguration of the new Asante Kotoko board last month, the club’s owner and Life patron, His Majesty Otumfuo Osei Tutu II was full of praise for Opoku Nti for ‘stabilizing’ the club during the period of Dr. Sarpong’s resignation but refused to impose him on the new board saying he doesn’t want to meddle in the day-to-day affairs of the club by leaving the decision at the hands of the board to appoint a competent substantive Chief Executive who will be under remuneration.

Footy-Ghana.com understands the board in guarding against shifting focus from another successful title defense as the 2013/14 Premier League starts this weekend, has resolved to advertise the position of a Chief Executive while allowing the ex-footballer to continue his role till an appointment is made after the next three months.

Opoku Nti himself has openly declared his willingness to work as Asante Kotoko’s substantive General Manager and is ready to apply for the job when the opportunity arises.

In confirming the latest development to footy-ghana.com, interim manager Opoku Nti has immediately requested for the clearance to make certain key appointments to aid in his work.

“It is true the board has given me a mandate to further run affairs till after the next three months. It is refreshing to be given another chance to continue serving our great club. We have a big task ahead as the Premier League season starts this weekend so I encourage all to support our new cause of another title defence,” Opoku Nti told footy-ghana.com in an exclusive chat.

On the club’s lack of a Public Relations Officer and Operations Manager, Opoku Nti tells footy-ghana.com: “I have officially requested from the board to be given clearance to make appointments in that regard as the new season begins.”

Asante Kotoko has been without an official spokesperson and Operations Manager since the departure of the KK Sarpong-led board and management a few months ago.

In other news, the club’s board expects to sign a contract extension with title sponsors MTN when they meet on Wednesday.

Exclusive: Ghana to face Italy in friendly in October

Footy-ghana.com can confirm that Ghana’s Black Stars will face former World champions Italy in a friendly match on October 15 2013.

According to our sources, the match will take place at Craven Cottage, home of English Premier League outfit Fulham.

Footy-ghana.com has learnt that this game was agreed upon after a decision by the Ghana Football Association to turn down the opportunity to play against Brazil on the same date in China.

Footy-ghana.com understands that this could result in Ghana’s 2014 World Cup playoff  first leg match against yet-to-be-determined opponents taking place on Friday October 11 2013.

Thelast time both sides met was during the 2006 World Cup where Italy beat Ghana 2-0

source:footy-Ghana.com