by Silas Boahene | Jul 23, 2024 | Africa, Ghana, International, Soccer
Asante Kotoko is set to embark on a pre-season tour of South Africa starting August 15, as reported by Kumasi-based Oyerepa FM.
Led by the club’s life patron, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, this initiative aims to provide the team with the best preparation for the upcoming season. The Porcupine Warriors will play a series of friendly matches against local South African clubs during the tour.
This pre-season trip is designed to enhance team cohesion and fitness levels, ensuring that the players are well-prepared for the season ahead. It follows their recent victory in the Democracy Cup, where they triumphed over arch-rivals Hearts of Oak.
The win was a significant boost for Kotoko, particularly after a major squad overhaul that saw the departure of 21 players, including key figures like goalkeeper Danlad Ibrahim and striker Stephen Mukwala.
Finishing sixth in the Ghana Premier League last season, Asante Kotoko is keen to improve their standing. The South African training camp is expected to be pivotal in helping them achieve this goal, offering an opportunity to strengthen team dynamics and refine their strategies.
The club’s management and supporters are hopeful that this pre-season tour will lay a solid foundation for a successful campaign in the upcoming season.
by Silas Boahene | Jul 23, 2024 | Africa, Ghana, International, Soccer
Ghanaian coach Ignatius Osei-Fosu has taken on a dual role by joining Al Merriekh’s technical team while retaining his position as assistant coach of the Sudan national team.
Osei-Fosu’s appointment comes as Al Merriekh prepares for the Value Jet Cup in Nigeria, a tournament that doubles as a scouting platform for potential Sudanese national team players.
Balancing his club duties with his national team responsibilities, Osei-Fosu aims to identify and develop talent for Sudan’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification campaign.
The Value Jet Cup, organized by Remo Stars, features several competitive Nigerian clubs alongside Al Merriekh.
Osei-Fosu, who relocated to Sudan with former Ghana coach Kwesi Appiah, brings a wealth of experience from his previous roles with Liberty Professionals, Medeama, and Techiman Eleven Wonders. Holding a CAF License A badge, he also has experience as a scout for Dramani Mas-Ud Didi during his tenure with Asante Kotoko.
Osei-Fosu’s new role at Al Merriekh and his continued commitment to the Sudan national team underscore his dedication to advancing football talent in the region.
by Silas Boahene | Jul 23, 2024 | Africa, Ghana, Soccer
Legon Cities are keen on keeping head coach Paa Kwesi Fabin beyond his current contract.
Kwame Dwomoh Agyemang, the club’s communications director, has announced plans to offer Fabin an enticing new deal to secure his services for the upcoming season.
Despite guiding the Royals to a 15th place finish in the Ghana Premier League last season and narrowly avoiding relegation, the club is impressed with Fabin’s performance and believes he is the right person to lead them forward.
Legon Cities are committed to retaining Fabin and are confident that a substantial contract offer will persuade him to stay.
“I think the most important thing is that if we really want him, we need to present an offer that he cannot refuse,” Dwomoh told Joy Sports. “If he still decides not to stay, then we will know we gave it our best shot, but for whatever reason, he might choose to move on.”
by Silas Boahene | Jul 23, 2024 | Africa, Ghana, International, Soccer
The Black Princesses of Ghana are preparing with renewed determination to break their long-standing jinx of not advancing past the group stage in the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup.
Head coach Yussif Basigi shared the team’s resolute mindset during a recent media briefing at the Cape Coast Sports Stadium on July 22, 2024. Basigi emphasized the team’s commitment to overcoming past challenges and achieving their goal this time around. Reflecting on their 2018 World Cup experience, Basigi noted that the administrative normalization process had impacted their performance.
“In my case, I will say it was unfortunate that we went for the World Cup in 2018. That was the time of the expose normalization, so things were not normalized as we went there,” he said. “I wouldn’t say that is an excuse, though. This time around, we are motivated to go again and make a mark because we are all looking forward to breaking that jinx. So we have made the girls aware just as we, the technical staff, are also aware,” he added.
Ghana will face tough competition in Group E, where they are drawn against former World Champions Japan, Austria, and New Zealand. The Black Princesses are determined to make history and advance beyond the group stage for the first time in their seventh consecutive appearance at this level.
The 11th edition of the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup is set to take place in Colombia from August 31 to September 22, 2024. Fans and supporters are eagerly watching as the team prepares to showcase their skills and determination on the global stage.
by Silas Boahene | Jul 23, 2024 | Africa, Boxing, Ghana, International
Ghanaian super middleweight contender Sena Agbeko has called for Ghana to advocate more strongly for rigorous drug testing in boxing following the Ryan Garcia doping controversy.
In an exclusive interview with Channel One Sports from his base in Ghana, Agbeko, who is preparing for his upcoming fight against Osleys Iglesias in Canada, emphasized the importance of this issue.
Garcia received a one-year ban after testing positive for performance-enhancing drugs following his victory over Devin Haney. Agbeko stated that the ban was justified but highlighted the need for stronger advocacy from Ghanaian stakeholders to ensure thorough testing in bouts involving Ghanaian boxers.
“Advocacy for stronger testing rules is needed to even the playing field a little more because genetically, we are superior. Their (foreign boxers’) training methods are universal now, we do the same thing, yet somehow, during the event, they always come out on top. There is a lot that goes on behind the scenes that we need to uncover,” Agbeko said.
Agbeko has 28 wins and three losses in his professional career, including a second-round knockout loss to David Morrell in 2023 in Minnesota.
