2014 MTN FA Cup: Round of 16 games confirmed for March 22-23

By Stephen Amos

The MTN FA Cup Committee has released confirmed fixture dates for the fourth round of matches in the 2014 competition.

According to the Committee’s statement, “the Protest filed by ROYAL FAITH FC against DAWENYA FC (winners of their Preliminary Round match between the two clubs) is still at the Disciplinary Committee.  The winner of that Protest will host Bazooka FC in a Round of 64 match. The winner of that Round of 64 match will then travel to Dormaa to play Aduana Stars in their Round of 32 match.” It is after these games are cleared that the eventual winner will play host to Bechem United in the fourth round at a date to be announced later.

Adams makes Ghana squad for Montenegro match

  

Goalkeeper Stephen Adams has earned a place in the Black Stars for Ghana's friendly against Montenegro next month. The Aduana Stars goalkeeper has been included in the squad announced by coach Kwesi Appiah on Monday for the friendly with the Brave Falcons on 5 March. Rennes defender John Boye returns to the squad after missing out with an injury. The match against Montenegro forms part of the Black Stars preparation for the World Cup in June. The game will be played at the Stadium Pod Goricum in Podgorica. The match will kick-off at 1800 local time.

Coach Opeele Boateng wants CAF to encourage clubs to exchange tapes prior to inter-club encounters

Development thinking Ghanaian coach, Isaac ‘Opeele’ Adade Boateng, has spoken of his intention to put forward a proposal to the Confederation of African Football (CAF).

The former National Under-17 Assistant Coach thinks it will be a prudent measure for teams to exchange previous match videos prior to any African Inter-club encounter.

The former Asante Kotoko coach last Sunday saw his former club struggle to beat lowly Barrack Young Controllers in the first leg of the 2014 CAF Champions League preliminary stage with the Porcupine Warriors’ technical staff attributing part of their struggle against the debutants to their inadequate knowledge about the Liberian side.

Hearts bounces back as First Capital Plus Premier League continues

 

The First Capital Plus Premier League bounced back on Saturday afternoon following Friday’s only game which saw Amidaus Professionals beat Inter-Allies by 2-0 at the Tema Stadium.

A first half stoppage time goal was all King Faisal needed at the Baba Yara Stadium to boost their confidence for next week’s away fixture at Inter-Allies with a slim 1-0 victory over Sekondi Hasaacas in Kumasi. Wilson Andoh’s goal now sees the Kumasi-based side temporarily move to the 5^th position with a couple of outstanding matches plus a game on Sunday yet to be decided.

Paintsil Eyes Ghana world cup squad place

 

By Russell Wiafe

Ghanaian international John Paintsil is eyeing a spot in Kwesi Appiah’s final 23-man squad for the upcoming world cup in Brazil after making an impressive start to life in South Africa with Santos.

Paintsil, who has played in all 6 games this season for the people’s team in the National First Division, has been deployed as a makeshift centre back in most of the games.

With his experience at national level with the Black Stars close to a decade, Paintsil is seen as the Pillar in defense for the Peoples team

The former Fulham enforcer says he has to continue with his impressive form in other to be regarded as one of the best players to be named among the final 23 man squad for the upcoming world cup in Brazil, adding that he will be available for selection if needed.

“It’s every player’s dream to play in a world cup, and I am hoping that the way I have started playing will continue like that. Ghana is a team I love and I will continue to give my all if needed. If I am called for National assignment I will not turn my back on the Nation. I want to help my motherland. We have equally good players who are doing well for their clubs, and if they get the call-up fine with me, but I think that with the experience and the kind of performances I have been putting up it will be nice to be part of the squad”, John Paintsil told footy-ghana.com in an exclusive interview.

The 32-year-old last played for the Ghana Black Stars team during the 29^th edition of the African Cup of Nations in South Africa last year.

footy-ghana

MTN FA Cup Round of 32: Kotoko get First Klass

 

Premier League champions Asante Kotoko were handed tricky draw on Tuesday when they were paired with third-tier side First Klass in the last 32 of the MTN FA Cup.

Kotoko reached this stage of the competition edging out, third-tier side Wiaga United 4-0.

Defending FA Cup Champions Medeama were also given a hard draw as they need to navigate past Division One campaigners, Pure Joy in order to keep their title defence going.

Brong Ahafo RFA Chairmanship needs another candidate

In every institution, reshuffles or changes to every position is very important. One-man show in any organization results in selfishness, backbiting, self interest, dictatorship and so on.

Augustine Asante has been Brong Ahafo RFA Chairman for two good terms and there is a need for change.

The RFA elections are not on yet but l would like to use this article as an encouragement tool for football enthusiasts in and around Brong Ahafo to prepare fully for the next election to challenge Mr. Asante. He is currently enjoying a monopoly of free ruling because he has gone unopposed before.

After thorough investigation around the structures upon which any RFA in this country must be operated, it reveals a damning truth that there are so many lapses going on in the office of Mr. Asante. Lack of effective advice and security has always brought an abrupt end of Bofo and B/A United matches, all due to Mr. Asante's inconsistent administration as RFA boss.

The RFA chairman instead of always being at the venue to watch some of the matches played at the Sunyani Coronation Park, he is rather interested in his personal gains so you only see him as match commissioner in other venues.

Mr. Asante must fully prepare to accept the future challenges ahead of him because the days of his going unopposed will be fading out in the near future as many are on the grounds ready to grab his position, I dare say.

I am done.

source: ghanaweb.com

EK Afranie backs embattled 'keeper' Fatau Dauda

Thursday, 9th January 2014 

 

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Former Ghana coach Emmanuel Kwesi Afranie has urged current head coach Kwesi Appiah to keep Fatau Dauda as first choice goalie.

Dauda has suffered a noticeable dip in form after opting to move South African giants Orlando Pirates last year, leading to skepticism about his showings for the national team since.

"Fatau has been in post throughout the qualification and is necessary, we maintain him at the World Cup," Afranie reasons.

All this, despite Dauda's inactivity down south.

The former AshGold shot-stopper has been down the pecking order from the moment he joined Pirates, as coach Roger De Sa has favoured Senzo Meyiwa.

Indeed, in December the comment: "Dauda is our third-choice keeper” as De Sa told Sports24 caused mixed reactions on both sides of the continent.

That said, the Ghanaian football public are notorious for being sticklers for players who have regular playing time and Fatau is well aware of this.

In the past week, Dauda has been seen in public places with his newly hired personal trainer Sean Guy - a popular fitness expert - who is to assist him keep up in form.

Source: citifmonline.com

Breaking News: Hearts of Oak ordered to pay ex-coach Duncan GH¢86,500 for unlawful dismissal

Thursday, 9th January 2014 

 

The status Committee of the Ghana Football Association has ordered Ghanaian giants Accra Hearts of Oak to pay GH¢86,500 as penalty for unlawful dismissal of former coach David Duncan, footy-Ghana.com can reveal exclusively.

The coach had petitioned the Status committee, claiming unlawful dismissal by his former club and demanded that the Ghana employment act be used to grant him some compensation.

After three sittings where both sides made their cases, the committee’s ruling finds the Phobian club culpable for sacking the gaffer without prior notice as stated in his contract. Hearts of Oak have been ordered to pay up an amount of GH¢86,500 representing a year’s expected revenue of the former Free State Stars Coach if he had been allowed to see out his contract which would have ended on November 11 this year. Duncan

In the sitting prior to Thursday’s ruling, Hearts of Oak presented a GH¢21,000 cheque [representing three months salary] to Duncan as the stipulated compensation for sacking him without prior notice. It is understood this amount would form part of the total penalty charged on the Phobians.

 Duncan has already received the stipulated three-month salary compensation fee in his two year contract signed with Hearts of Oak on November 11, 2012.

FootyGhana can also confirm that Hearts have also been surcharged an amount of GH¢5,000 for the failure of their lawyers to attend one of the sittings of the committee which led to its adjournment. The amount to be paid will go to the coffers of the committee.

The Phobians have 14 days from the date of ruling to settle all amounts to avoid further sanctions. However, footy-Ghana.com understands the club will move for an appeal.

David Duncan officially signed a two-year contract with Hearts of Oak on November 11, 2012 but his stay was short-lived by the club over unexplained circumstances on November 8 last year. During his stay, he took charge of the club for 39 games in all competitions bagging 21 wins; 11 drawn games and lost 7 times.    

source: footy-ghanacom

The Ghanaian Local Premier League Standings. Head-to-head Rule Applies Position P W D L GF GA GD PTS 1 Kotoko 15 11 1 3 22 11 11 34 2 AshGold 15 7 6 2 15 9 6 27 3 Hearts of Oak 15 8 3 4 17 13 4 27 4 Heart of Lions 15 7 3 5 17 13 4 24 5 Hasaacas 15 6 4 5 16 12 4 22 6 Medeama SC 15 5 7 3 12 12 0 22 7 Liberty 15 6 2 7 14 17 -3 20 8 Faisal 15 5 4 6 14 17 -3 19 9 Aduana Stars 15 5 4 6 16 17 -1 19 10 Wa All Stars 15 5 3 7 15 14 1 18 11 Bechem United 15 4 6 5 13 16 -3 18 12 Edubiase FC 15 4 6 5 14 13 1 18 13 Amidaus Profs. 15 5 2 8 14 18 -4 17 14 Berekum Chelsea 15 4 5 6 10 16 -6 17 15 Dwarfs 15 4 4 7 12 16 -4 16 16 Inter-Allies 15 4 0 11 13 20 -7 12

The Ghanaian Local Premier League Standings. Head-to-head Rule Applies Position P W D L GF GA GD PTS 1 Kotoko 15 11 1 3 22 11 11 34 2 AshGold 15 7 6 2 15 9 6 27 3 Hearts of Oak 15 8 3 4 17 13 4 27 4 Heart of Lions 15 7 3 5 17 13 4 24 5 Hasaacas 15 6 4 5 16 12 4 22 6 Medeama SC 15 5 7 3 12 12 0 22 7 Liberty 15 6 2 7 14 17 -3 20 8 Faisal 15 5 4 6 14 17 -3 19 9 Aduana Stars 15 5 4 6 16 17 -1 19 10 Wa All Stars 15 5 3 7 15 14 1 18 11 Bechem United 15 4 6 5 13 16 -3 18 12 Edubiase FC 15 4 6 5 14 13 1 18 13 Amidaus Profs. 15 5 2 8 14 18 -4 17 14 Berekum Chelsea 15 4 5 6 10 16 -6 17 15 Dwarfs 15 4 4 7 12 16 -4 16 16 Inter-Allies 15 4 0 11 13 20 -7 12