Ghana misses Claude Le Roy but interest still lies in Foreign coach
Accra (Greater Accra) 19 March 2002 - The Ghanaian Times has gathered that the senior national soccer team, the Black Stars’ next match, be it competitive or friendly will be under the tutelage of a top class expatriate Coach. The foreign-coach, as a matter of fact will however, not be German Burkhard Ziese or Italian Guisseppe ‘Kofi’ Dossena.
These were the revelations of the Ghana Football Association (GFA) management board chairman, Mr Ben Koufie, in an exclusive interview with the paper. “I do not have a name now, but I can certainly tell you that, it will be a quality one,” he said.
As to why, coaches Ziese and Dossena, who have expressed interest in the job will not be given the opportunity, the straight forward and candid FA boss said, “We are talking about quality, and I do not think that if they are of such calibre they would be sitting waiting for an appointment from us (GFA). Somebody would have certainly snatched them long ago without them staying long without job.”
He explained that, because Ghana delayed for just a week, the GFA lost the services of Claude Le Roy to another country. Mr Koufie, said, Le Roy, would have been signed on last November to take the Black Stars to the CAN 2002 tournament, but for the failure of the GFA to beat the signing-on deadline of November 15.
The disclosure brings to an end the rumour of Ghana signing on Messrs Ziese or Dossena who has been invited by his former Italian national team-mate Maldini, to assist him handle the Paraguayan national team during the World Cup Championship in Japan/Korea.
The GFA boss revealed that numerous friendlies or invitations have been extended to the Black Stars, but the FA has turned down some of them. He said among those turned down was one against the Brazilian national team which would have been honoured on the March 7 but could not materialise due to the short notice. However, GFA is getting itself prepared for other friendlies starting from the late April to the middle of May against other countries that have qualified for the world cup.
Mr Koufie agreed that quality coach means money. “We need good money for a quality product and the Sports Ministry has the power over there,” he said. He said the expatriate coach will have the duty to keep the job till the year 2006 before handing over possibly to a local Ghanaian coach.
The man who has initially been against the signing on of an expatriate coach says the current situation forced him to have a change in policy. With patience and unified front, uncle Ben believes the task is not insurmountable. – The Ghanaian Times
Send your comments to viewpoint@ghanareview.com
Coach Dauda Lutterodt to resign from Power
FC
Accra (Greater Accra) 19 March 2002 - Mr Dauda Lutterodt, coach of newly promoted Power FC has said that he would quit the club at the end of this month. The coach who disclosed this to the GNA Sports in an interview at the Accra Sports Stadium at the weekend said the decision to resign from the club is personal, adding that he had already served notice to the management and would leave at the end of March.
Mr Lutterodt said his contract wit the club ends on March 31 and he would thereafter render no services to the club adding that "Its all over between me and Power FC. Having stayed with the team for a long time, there is the need for me to change environment and to take up other challenges elsewhere since I cannot continue to coach Power FC all my life."
On whether his resignation would not affect the performance of the club, he said he had built a formidable squad which is capable of doing well in the league, adding that, he had also psyched up the players about his intention to quit. Mr Lutterodt said he has led the club to qualify for the Premier League once again and "it is their responsibility to maintain and improve upon this in his absence."
On his next move, Mr Lutterodt refused to reveal the club he would be joining because it is time for him to take some rest and decide on what to do next. He however wished the playing body and the entire management of the club the best in all their endeavours and assured them of his incessant prayers.
Coach Dauda Lutterodt successfully guided Power FC to regain qualification into the Premier League this season, when they beat former premier league campaigners Tema GHAPOHA in a play-off after placing third in the national middle league.
GRi…/
Send your comments to viewpoint@ghanareview.com
Accra (Greater Accra) 19 March 2002 - The Ghana Boxing Authority has dismissed a protest lodge by Mr Emmanuel Armah, manager of dethroned Super Featherweight Champion, Smith Odoom in his fight against Raymond Narh last month.
A statement released to the GNA Sports Desk in Accra on Monday and signed by Justus A. Agbeko, secretary of GBA, said the GBA has accepted the findings and recommendation of its disciplinary committee, which dismissed the protest of Mr Armah that the new champion's camp used foul means to win their February 22 fight.
The statement said, Mr Armah complained in a protest among others that upon entering the ring, a liquid was thrown into Odoom's face from supporters behind Narh's corner and that while the fight was in progress various object such as stones were thrown at Odoom and his seconds. Additionally, they claimed that some of the rounds travelled beyond the stipulated three minutes. Odoom’s manager therefore called for an immediate rematch.
But the GBA stated that after evaluating the testimonies of the various parties, the committee was unanimous in it findings that there was absolutely no merit in the protest to warrant an immediate rematch.
It said though there was an incidence of stone throwing, there was no evidence to suggest they came come from Narh's corner and directly aimed at Odoom. Accordingly, the GBA has dismissed the protest by Mr Emmanuel Amarh, but fined other persons found who had misconducted themselves during the bout.
Mr Kwartei Quartey and Mr Raynox Narh are to pay 50.000 cedis each for gross misconduct during the fight. Boxers Emmanuel Clottey, Joshua Clottey and Malik Jabir were issued stern reprimands for their conduct.
GRi…/
Send your comments to viewpoint@ghanareview.com
Tamale (Northern Region) 19 March 2002 - Mr Abubakari Abdulai, an Executive member of Real Tamale United (RTU), has said that the allegations made by a group calling itself "concerned supporters of the club" against the management are untrue.
He described the group as " detractors and enemies of the club" adding that they are not recognised supporters of the club since they have no affiliation with supporters union of the club.
According to Mr Abdulai if the so called concerned supporters have any cause to fight for, they should have channelled it through the supporters union saying their behaviour is rather aimed at disturbing the peace in the club. He said the allegation of lack of motivation for the players made by the group has no basis because two senior players of the club, Bobby Moore and Hamza Mohamed had denied them in separate interviews in the media.
Mr Abdulai called on all supporters of the club to come together to help build the club and improve upon their performance in the league rather than engage in acts that would derail their progress.
On the league, Mr Abdulai said this year is going to witness a massive improvement for the club because the players have trained well for the league. It would be recalled that, a group identifying itself as concerned supporters of RTU organised a press conference during which it called for the removal of the current management members from office citing mismanagement of the club’s fortunes, including selling of the club's Club House, among others.
GRi…/
Send your comments to viewpoint@ghanareview.com
Awudu Adama eyes goalking title in 2002
Premier League
Accra (Greater Accra) 19 March 2002 - Awudu Adama, Dawu Youngsters prolific striker who placed second behind Hearts of Oak's Ishmael Addo in the 2001 Star Premier League has vowed to clinch the goalking title this season. Adama told the GNA Sports that having come second last year, he believed the time was ripe for him to emerge the over-all winner this time around.
He said even though that position would be fiercely contested, nothing can prevent him from clinching the title. When quizzed about his weight, which many soccer fans believe has been affecting his sharpness, the player said his weight had nothing to do with his play since every individual has his style of play.
He said winning the goalking race had been his long-term dream and he would therefore not allow the opportunity to slip from him. Soft-spoken Adama told the GNA Sports that though one may have the ability to bang in goals, having the right quality of players to play with would help achieve the desired results.
He was full of praise for three-time goal king, Ishmael Addo for his contribution to Ghana soccer and his unique ability as a striker. "Ishmael was a great striker and I pray that he gets equally good players around him to enable him prove a point out there in France with Bastia."
Concerning rumours that his (Adama) services was being sought by Hearts of Oak in the absence of their striking double duo, Emmanuel Osei Kufour and Ishmael Addo, Adama confirmed that some top men in Hearts had approached him. He said they promised seeing his club chairman for the needed arrangements of which he was still awaiting the outcome. He however said he was ready for any club in and outside the country adding that since football is his carrier, he was in for any good deal with any high profile club.
GRi…/
Send your comments to viewpoint@ghanareview.com
Ho (Volta Region) 19 March 2002 - Mr Kofi Dzamesi, Deputy Volta Regional Minister on Monday inaugurated an eight-member Volta Regional Football Association at Ho with a call on them to take the region out of the soccer doldrums it finds itself.
"For sometime now things have not been smooth. We have found it difficult to take our teams out of the doldrums into formidable sides", he stated. Mr Dzamesi said sports has now become business and, therefore, advised them to market the teams and players in the region to attain national and international standards. He asked members to approach their duties diligently in order to avoid litigation.
Mr Francis Dogbatse, an accounting staff of the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG), Ho is chairman of the association with Mr Wilson Danquah, Manager of Heritage Distilleries also at Ho as vice-chairman. Other members are Mr Safadzi Frank Dzawu, a retired teacher, Mr Francis Akpo, a retired referee and Match commissioner, Mr Paul Nutsugah of the Regional sports council, secretary and Mr Godwill Geraldo-De-Lima, Regional sports Development Officer. Mr Dogbatse said the association would live up to the challenge by raising the standard of football in the region.
Meanwhile Mr Geraldo-De-Lima has announced that Mr Anue Kofie, a former national star has donated two trophies to be competed for in juvenile and women's soccer in the region. He also announced that Winneba Sports Academy under-15 soccer side would meet their Ho counterparts at the Ho Sports Stadium on Saturday.
GRi…/
Send your comments to viewpoint@ghanareview.com
Accra (Greater Accra) 19 March 2002 - Sam Sowah returned 70 net to win the first Achimota Golf Club Seniors competition of the year played at Achimota in Accra on Sunday. Agyemang Agyekum came second with 71 net, Subash Sareen took the third position with 72 net, Kojo Duku placed fourth with 75 net, beating Lee Mensah on countback while Miguel Ribeiro was sixth with 76 net.
The 50-54 year Group was won by David Martins with 68 net, Phil Hewlett was second with 70 net, while Yaw Assah-Sam was third with 72 net. Kofi Agyemang won the 65-year Group with 74 net, Kofi Acquaah-Harison was second with 76 net while Kofi Addo placed third with 79 net.
Florence Etwi-Barimah won the Ladies event with 70 net, Rita Dzubey was second with 71 net, while Francisca Vandyck was third with 72 net. Miiki Baan won the 50-54 year Group with 70 net while N. De Boer was second with 74 net. The one-day 18-hole stableford competition open to members of the Club aged 50 years and above, was sponsored by All Risk Insurance Company.
About 100 members of the Club took part in the competition, which is aimed at preparing members adequately for the Ghana Open Championship scheduled from March 29 to April 1. Mr Mike Ezan, President of the Ghana Golf Association, praised the members for their participation and urged them to keep it up. He called on the members to strive hard so that they could win more members for the Club. Mr Albert Brock, Managing Director of All Risk Insurance Company gave the assurance that his company would continue to support the Club.
GRi…/
Send your comments to viewpoint@ghanareview.com