CAF selects Ghana to host its Academy
Accra (Greater Accra) 19 May 2003 - Accra Hearts of Oak face
an uphill task in their African champions league second round second leg tie
after losing their first round tie 3-0 in Angola to Atheletico Sportive
Aviancao. The result means Hearts must score four unanswered goals in the
second leg to make the lucrative league stages of Africa's most prestigious
club competition.
While Hearts were flopping in Luanda, Asante Kotoko were
doing just enough to keep their chances of progress into the next round stage
on course. Kotoko drew 2-2 in Duala against Mont Cameroon.
Hearts conceeded two goals after thirty minutes before
Aviancao scored another late in the game to virtually seal qualification for
the second round.
Reports say Hearts were poor defensively in the first half
conceeding the first goal after just four minutes before Sammy Adjei's wrong
anticipation of a corner kick allowed the Angolans to score a second.
The Phobians were also poor going forward and that was
mirrored in the fact that coach Herbert Addo substituted his two best players
who had failed to deliver on the day Bernard Don Bortey and Emmanuel Osei
Kuffour.
But Hearts coach Herbert Addo refused to give up hope of
qualification to the league stages saying just as Aviancao conceeded three
goals, so can they score four themselves.
"Things happen in football and we are hoping that in
the second leg we can put up a good display. We made mistakes and when we
created we couldn't take them", he said on Adom FM.
In sharp contrast to Hearts' poor form, Kotoko were super in
the opening twenty minutes of their African Cup Winners Cup game, racing to a
two-nil lead in that period.
Michael Osei, the club's top scorer in last year's
competition when they reached the finals of the same competition scored the
first after seven minutes and added a second after some good work by Aziz Ansah
on the right.
But the Cameroonians, cheered on by a passionate crowd
including Africa's player of the century and local hero Roger Milla rallied
back to score one before half time and draw even from the penalty spot shortly
after the start of the second half.
That would not worry Kotoko much especially when all they
need to do in the return leg in Kumasi would be to draw goalless to make the
third round stage.
Kotoko: 1. Louis Quainoo 2. Aziz Ansah 3. Michael
Ofosu-Appiah 4. Dan Acquah 5. Joe Hendricks 6. Daniel Yeboah 7. Stephen Oduro 8.
Michael Asante 9. Michael Osei 10. Edmund Owusu-Ansah 11. Shilla Alhassan/Nana
Arhin Duah.
Hearts: Saamy Adjei, Dan Quaye, Phillip Kutsu, Dan Oppong,
Emmanuel Osei, Joe Ansah, Adjah Tetteh, Charles Allotey/Edmund Copson, Bernard
Don Bortey, Emmanuel Osei Kuffour/ Masawudu Mumuni, Wisdom Abbey. – Adom FM
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Cape Coast (Greater Accra) 19 May 2003 - The management of Stay Cool Football Club based in Tema has decided to use Cape Coast sports stadium as its home ground for the rest of the 2002/2003-football league season.
The decision was taken at a meeting with officials of the central region football association and the sports council last Saturday. Hitherto Stay Cool was using Tema sports stadium as its home grounds.
Meanwhile a number of sports fans have hailed the decision of the club and promised to give the club all the necessary support during league matches.
GRi…/
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Accra (Greater Accra) 19 May 2003 - Here are some results of the Premiere league matches played throughout the country today.
Accra: Okwahu One (1) Olympics Three (3)
Prestea: Minestars Stay Cool
Kpando: Lions Two (2) B.A. United One(1)
Berekum: Arsenal Two (2) Faisal One (1)
Sunyani: Bofoakwa One(1) RTU One (1)
Tema: Power One (1) Liberty Two (2)
The league matches involving Hearts Vrs Hasaacas and Kotoko Vrs Goldfields have been postponed due to CAF encounters involving Hearts and Kotoko.
GRi…/
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Accra, May 18 - GNA - Accra Great Olympics defeated Okwawu United 3-1 in their Kinapharma Premier League match played at the Accra Sports Stadium on Sunday.
Paa Joe Kumah put Olympics in the lead on 29 minutes when he thundered a left footer past Fatau Dauda in goal for Okwawu after he was set up petite, Joe Tagoe.
Okwawu tried to even the scores but they appeared lethargic in front of goal as Olympics' skipper of the day, Numo Mohammed marshaled his colleagues at the back to spoil the ambition of the soccer mountaineers.
Within a minute of the second half, Olympics doubled their lead when Andy Pomayie finished off a move from the midfield by toeing the ball past Fatau after his defenders were caught flat-footed.
Joe Tagoe who was enjoying himself in the middle for Great Olympics was ejected for Amui Quaye in the 57th minute and the substitution seemed to have taken the wind out of the sail of Olympics as they conceded possession to their opponents.
It was a mater of course when Okwawu reduced the count on 61 minutes when Osei Bonsu headed home after a great run on the right by substitute Thomas Avorgbedor whose floater produced the opportunity.
From then it was all Okwawu United as they pressed, looking for the equalizer but failed woefully to translate their superior possession into goals.
With ten minutes left for play, the Okwawu attack brought the best out of Theodore Atsu in goal for Olympics as he dived and palmed a threatening shot to safety after Elvis Opoku had ghosted past three Olympics players on top of the penalty area before creating a shooting chance for Osei Bonsu.
The Okwawu dominance continued, forcing Olympics coach Emmanuel Afranie to remain on his feet for a long spell, shouting instructions to his boys who responded positively in added time with a goal of class.
Okwawu lost the ball in midfield and the Dade Boys countered swiftly as Amui and Francis Mantey played a one-two, which freed the latter on the right flank. He picked Amui in the box unmarked and sent a telegraph of a pass onto his head and the connection left keeper Dauda helpless.
The third goal sent the Olympics fans into a frenzy of jubilation, as they sang songs in praise of the team, saying, "the difficult days of the team are over and all must look forward to a new beginning."
Results from other venues are as follows:
Sunyani-based Bofoakwa Tano drew one-all with visiting Real Tamale United (RTU) in their premier league encounter at the Sunyani Coronation park.
A goal was scored in each half with RTU getting the leader in the 38th minute through inside-right Gilbert Ayikade, while Abeiku Aikins, captain for Bofoakwa equalized for his side in the 53rd minute.
Bofoakwa who gallantly lost 2-3 to Hasaacas at Sekondi last week attacked from the commencement of the game obviously determined not to lose twice in succession but squandered all the chances that came their way due to poor shooting at goal.
RTU raised their game from the 20th minute but like their opponents they could not convert any of the numerous chances they created until in the 38th minute when Ayikade grabbed the opener.
A wrong judgement by the Bofoakwa boys who thought Ayikade was at an offside position as they looked on for the opposing striker to ran with the ball through their defence to put the ball past onrushing goalkeeper Addai Michael.
In the 40th minute RTU's Abu Issah attracted the referee's yellow card for rough play, but the resultant kick was wasted by Bofoakwa's Kwasi Matthew.
Just before the end of the first half Ayikade, who played a yeoman's game also attracted the referee's yellow card for arguing. On resumption Bofoakwa missed a glorious chance that could have cancelled the goal deficit in the 47th minute as centre forward Tahiru Abdulai's header sailed over the bar.
The homesters effected a change in the 51st minute when Kofi Asiedu replaced Minta Anthony and his inclusion brought good dividends as the Sunyani boys grabbed the equalizer in the 58th minute through captain Abeiku, who delivered a thunderbolt from a freekick to beat goalkeeper Abu Michael of RTU.
In the 60th minute RTU's Alhassan Weah Abdulai's goal-bound shot was beautifully intercepted by substitute Kwasi Owusu of Bofoakwa thus saving his side from a possible defeat. At Berekum, home team Arsenals defeated visiting Alhaji Grusah's King Faisal 2-1 in their clash at the Berekum park.
Power F/C on Sunday suffered their first defeat in this year's Kinapharma Premier League when they lost 1-2 to Liberty Professionals in their match played at the Koforidua Sports Stadium.
Power who were under pressure from the start of the match surprised their guest when inside left, Dennis Odoom received a long pass from in the 8th minute and managed to beat his marker but his shot was blocked by Kotei Blankson in goal for Liberty and the ball bounced back into play.
In the ensuing scramble for the ball in the goal area of Liberty, centre forward Eric Sefa Boateng got his foot to the ball and blasted it into the net for the opener.
Liberty, who have dominated the exchanges from the start of the match, should have taken the lead in the second minute but missed that opportunity when Asamoah Mensah Gyan shot straight at Alfred Mills in goal for Power.
After the goal, Liberty took up the challenge and pushed more men upfront and in the 10th minute took advantage of a defensive mix-up by the Power boys and sent a perfect cross from the left flank which was headed home by Gyan for the equaliser.
Two minutes after resumption of the second half, the Dansoman boys increased the count when Michael Helegbe sent a powerful shot to the blind side of Mills.
In the closing stages of the match Power mounted pressure on the Liberty defence with smallish looking Odoom leading the attack but they failed to convert any of their chances till the final whistle.
Kpando based Hearts of Lions, newly promoted Premier league club in the Volta Region snatched an injury time 2-1 win over Brong-Ahafo United at Kpando. The victory sent the entire Kpando township into ecstatic jubilation with the tooting of horns and a traffic jam.
It was BA United who took an early lead in the 24th minute of the first half through Kojo Owusu, who playing at inside left back-heeled the ball from a corner-kick into Lion's goal.
That goal sent the partisan crown dead silent after several attempts by Hearts of Lions to redeem pull even in the first half fizzled out. On resumption Hearts of Lions raised the tempo of their game and earned a 55th minute equaliser through Yaovi Atikpe.
Both teams threw in their best to win the day but it was Hearts of Lions, who got the upper-hand through an injury time goal by Amenu Komla to the relief of its teeming supporters.
Meanwhile the Kpando District Assembly has constructed a ¢450m inner perimeter fence and three urinals at the stadium with plans to construct a dressing room in future.
Miss Akua Dansua, Member of Parliament (MP) for North-Dayi also presented 100 plastic chairs worth ¢5m for use at the stadium from her share of the Common Fund.
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Standings after the second week of the
Kinapharma league
Accra (Greater Accra) 19 May 2003 - Standings of the 16-club Kinapharma Premier League after the second week matches played on Sunday.
HOME AWAY
P W L D F A ... P W L D F A GD.. pts
Olympics 1 0 0 1 0 0 1 1 0 0 3 1 2 4
Liberty 1 0 0 1 1 1 1 1 0 0 2 1 1 4
King Faisal 1 1 0 0 4 1 1 0 1 0 1 2 2 3
Kotoko - - - - - - 1 1 0 0 1 0 1 3
Hasaacas 1 1 0 0 3 2 - - - - - - 1 3
Goldfields 1 1 0 0 1 0 - - - - - - 1 3
Arsenals 1 1 0 0 2 1 1 0 1 0 0 1 0 3
Lions 1 1 0 0 2 1 1 0 1 0 1 4 -2 3
Hearts - - - - - - 1 0 0 1 1 1 0 1
Mines Stars - - - - - - 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 1
Stay Cool 1 0 0 1 0 0 - - - - - - 0 1
Bofoakwa 1 0 0 1 1 1 1 0 1 0 2 3 -1 1
Power 1 0 1 0 1 2 1 0 0 1 0 0 -1 1
B A United 1 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 1 0 1 2 -1 1
R T U 1 0 1 0 0 1 1 0 0 1 1 1 -1 1
Okwawu 1 0 1 0 1 3 1 0 0 1 0 0 -2 1
NB: The matches between Hearts/Hassacas and Kotoko/Goldfields have been declared outstanding whilst the match between Mine Stars and Stay Cool was not available.
GRi…/
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Accra (Greater Accra) 19 May 2003 - Leading goal scorers in the Kinapharma Premier League after the first week matches played on Sunday.
2 - Komla Amewu (Lions) Asamoah Gyan (Liberty)
1 - Don Bortey (Hearts) Michael Helegbe (Liberty) Frank Osei (Kotoko) Eric Boakye (Goldfields) Ben Wilson, Eric Gawu, Eliasu Alhassan, Wasiu Mohammed (King Fiasal) Paa Joe Kuma, Andrew Pomayie, Amuni Quaye (Olympics) Osei Bonsu (Okwawu) Gilbert Akiyede (RTU) Abieku Aikins (Bofoakwa) Yaovi Atikpe (Lions) Kojo Owusu (BA United) Eric Sefa Boateng (Power)
Scorers chart does not include goals from Sekondi Hasaacas/Boafoakwa, Mine Stars /Stay Cool, Arsenals/Faisal matches.
GRi…/
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Accra (Greater Accra) 19 May 2003 - The Professional League Board (PLB) has referred to the Disciplinary Committee of the Ghana Football Association (GFA) the violence that characterised Real Tamale United (RTU) and Kumasi Asantie Kotoko Premier League match at Bolgatanga last week.
The match, which was the first Kinapharma League match this season was characterised by stone throwing and violence.
A statement from the PLB, said supporters of both teams invaded the field of play during the match and in the process an RTU supporter was assaulted while Frank Osei the scorer Kotoko's lone goal of the match received a slap on the face.
The statement said the incidents brought the game to a halt for six minutes. The two teams are to explain why they should not be punished for the unruly behaviour of their fans.
The PLB has also referred to the Disciplinary Committee the incident were fans of Hearts of Oak converged at the entrance of the VVIP lounge of the Accra Sports Stadium in the process holding personalities hostage for the GFA's refusal to validate the registration card Charles Taylor.
It also asked M. D. Arthur, second assistant referee for the match between King Faisal and Hearts of Lions to explain in writing why he failed to turn up for the match.
The statement said Arsenals and Hearts of Lions have been fined ¢200,000 each for turning up late for pre-match technical meeting in their respective matches against Goldfields and King Faisal.
PLB also fined Olympics ¢500,000 for reporting three minutes later than the scheduled time. The statement asked all clubs fined to pay within 21 days or lose their next match.
GRi…/
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Accra (Greater Accra) 19 May 2003 - The Professional League Board (PLB) has asked that the broken walls of the Tema Sports Stadium be demolished and a new wall reconstructed by the two clubs using it since they posse a great danger to fans.
A statement signed by Kofi Nsaih, Secretary General of the Ghana Football Association (GFA), said owing to the serious nature of the wall, the PLB has given the clubs - Liberty Professionals and Stay Cool Professionals - up till May 30 to rectify the situation.
Failure to comply will leave the Board with no choice than to close down the stadium.
GRi…/
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Accra (Greater Accra) 19 May 2003 - The Ghana Football Association (GFA) has informed all clubs using the Tema Sports Stadium that it has been closed down with immediate effect.
A statement signed by Kofi Nsaih, Secretary General the GFA, said the closure was due to a directive from the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports and the National Sports Council because the walls are unsafe.
He therefore directed that second week Kinapharma League match between Liberty Professionals and Power F/C be shifted to the Koforidua Sports Stadium.
GRi…/
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Accra (Greater Accra) 19 May 2003 - Ghana has been selected among six countries to host the Confederation of African Football (CAF) for the Western Zone B. The selection was made CAF's Executive Committee meeting held on April 1 in Johannesburg South Africa.
A release signed by Kofi Nsaih, General Secretary of the Ghana Football Association (GFA), said other countries chosen to host similar programs are - Tunisia, Cameroon, Senegal, Zimbabwe and Ethiopia.
The statement said the objective of the academies is to perfect the education of the continent's football experts in the different fields of the "Beautiful Game" namely, coaching, refereeing, administration, sports medicine, marketing and the use of new technology.
It said the academy would consist of an administrative block, work area, a cafeteria, one or more lecture rooms, two football fields (one with natural grass and the other with artificial) and a multi-purpose sports arena.
The statement said according to CAF the site would be situated in the outskirts of Accra and the cost of construction and the long-term running of the facility would be borne by CAF.
GRi…/
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