GRi Sports 09 – 07 - 2003

Ghana must reassess its approach to soccer - Minister

Coach Duncan moves to Hasaacas

Tijani gives to Sekondi Hasaacas and Eleven Wise

 

 

Ghana must reassess its approach to soccer - Minister

 

Accra (Greater Accra) 9 July 2003 - The Deputy Minister of Education, Youth and Sports, Joe Aggrey has said the defeat of the Black Stars by Rwanda in the African Cup of Nations qualifier is a wake up call for the nation to reassess its approach to football on both the local and international scene.

 

He said this is because the football landscape in Africa has changed, in that countries that were once considered "soccer minnows" are now performing better. The deputy Minister was speaking to journalists on his return from Kigali, Rwanda, after accompanying the Black Stars, who suffered a painful defeat at the hands of Rwanda.

 

He said we need to change the way we do things in order to regain our position, adding, "we should therefore, put our heads together to achieve greater feat." As to whether the coach must be changed, Aggrey said in his opinion there was the need for change, since building a team is a process.

 

"There is the need to have a core team to play regularly. In that way, teamwork and cohesion among players could be enhanced." Rashid Bawa, Minister of State at the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports said, there is the need to accept the defeat, adding, "it is only in doing so that we could reorganise ourselves to build a better team."

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Coach Duncan moves to Hasaacas

 

Accra (Greater Accra) 9 July 2003 - David Duncan, former coach of Accra Great Olympics, has finally pitched camp with another premier league side Sekondi Hassacas after almost four months after his resignation from the club.

 

Information chanced upon by the GNA Sports revealed that the coach joined the team early this week after completing negotiations with his new club and took the team through some training exercises in preparations for the league.

 

Coach Duncan is expected to be at the helm of affairs of the club on Sunday when they welcome Brong Ahafo United at the Gyandu, Park on Sunday in the eighth week Kinapharma Premier League. Richard Quarshie, Accra Representative of the Club confirmed the story when GNA Sports contacted him saying that the coach's appointment took effect from 1 July 2003.

 

He however failed to disclose any details of the contract signed between the club and the coach.

 

Quarshie said Duncan now takes over from coach Johnson Smith as the head coach of the club. Coach Duncan last season took over the technical affairs of Accra great Olympics after the resignation of J.E. Sarpong and managed to place fourth on the 2002 premier league table.

 

He later lost favour with the fans and management of Olympics following the clubs poor performance during the LG Top Four Competition, which it lost all three matches in the first round and eventually placed last after the tournament.

 

Hasaacas are currently lying 12th on the on going Kinapharma premier league table with five points with one outstanding match against Obuasi Goldfields at the Gyandu Park.

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Tijani gives to Sekondi Hasaacas and Eleven Wise

 

Kumasi (Ashanti Region) 9 July 2003 - Ahmed Hussein Tijani, former player of Sekondi Hasaacas and Eleven Wise has presented sports equipment valued at ¢20m to the two teams.

 

The items include a set of "Jacko" jerseys, a set of hand gloves, five footballs and 20 sets of training vests. Tijani, who is now a businessman, made then presentations during the Kinapharma Premier league match between the two clubs at the Kumasi Sports stadium. The match ended goalless.

 

He said nobody approached him for assistance but as an old player, he knew the problems facing the clubs and hoped the items would help boost the morale of the players.

 

Tijani, wishing the clubs well in the on-going premier league, said he is solidly behind them and would be prepared to give further assistance when called upon. He asked the players to train hard and to remain committed and dedicated to their respective clubs.

 

P.S.K. Paha, Team Manager of Hasaacas, thanked Tijani for the gesture and said they would go a long way to help in the development of the club. He called for more of such support from the soccer loving public.

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