by Silas Boahene | Jul 13, 2024 | Africa, Europe, Ghana, International, Soccer
Black Stars assistant coach John Paintsil has defended the growing trend of Ghana Premier League players moving abroad for more lucrative contracts. Recent notable transfers include Emmanuel Keyekeh, Richmond Lamptey, and Steven Mukwala, who have signed with clubs in Rwanda and Tanzania.
Paintsil, a former defender for Berekum Arsenal, emphasized that football is a business, and players should seize opportunities to advance their careers and financial prospects.
“Running football is a business, so if a young player has the opportunity to go, why not?” Paintsil said in an interview on Asempa FM. “It is just about doing the right thing. That’s why you don’t build a team around one or two players.”
He further explained that clubs need to adopt a broader strategy when building their squads, ensuring they have depth and flexibility to accommodate player transfers.
“You need to have a big squad if you really want to do business. A team in Europe can buy a 16-year-old player for a long-term contract,” he said. “The chairman or president, who is investing their money, needs to get a return. So I don’t think there’s a problem with that.”
Paintsil stressed the importance of a solid team structure to mitigate the impact of losing key players, advising against over-reliance on individual talents.
“When you are building a team, you need to build the structure well so that you have many players. Don’t build a team around one or two players,” Paintsil concluded.
His perspective highlights the balance between nurturing local talent and recognizing the economic realities of football, where players and clubs must navigate opportunities for growth and financial stability.
by Silas Boahene | Jul 13, 2024 | Africa, Ghana, International, Soccer
Nsoatreman FC has been drawn against Chadian giants Elect Sport FC in the preliminary round of the 2024-25 CAF Confederation Cup.
The Ghana FA Cup winners earned their spot in the competition by winning the cup for the first time with a victory over Bofoakwa Tano FC. The draw ceremony took place at the Confederation of African Football (CAF) headquarters in Cairo, Egypt, on Thursday, July 11, 2024.
Nsoatreman will begin their continental journey at home, hosting Elect Sport in the first leg before traveling to Chad for the second leg. The Nsuatre-based club has chosen the Baba Yara Stadium in Kumasi and the Accra Sports Stadium as their venues for the CAF Confederation Cup campaign.
The preliminary round will take place in August, with the winner of the tie advancing to face either Algerian side CS Constantine or Police FC of Rwanda in the second round in September.
by Silas Boahene | Jul 13, 2024 | Africa, Ghana, International, Soccer
FC Samartex 1996, the Ghana Premier League champions, have been drawn against Victoria United FC of Cameroon in the preliminary round of the 2024-25 CAF Champions League.
This marks Samartex’s debut in the competition following their historic league title win. The draw ceremony took place at the CAF headquarters in Cairo, Egypt, on July 11, 2024.
Samartex will play their home leg at the Accra Sports Stadium, which they have selected as their venue for the competition.
The preliminary round is scheduled for August, with the winner advancing to face either ASGNN of Niger or Moroccan giants Raja Club Athletic in the second round in September.
Eager to make a positive impact in their first Champions League campaign, Samartex sees this draw as an exciting opportunity to showcase their skills against a strong Cameroonian side. The team aims to secure a favorable result in the first leg before traveling to Cameroon for the second leg.
by Silas Boahene | Jul 13, 2024 | Africa, Ghana, International, Soccer
For the second consecutive time, Umar Bashiru has been shortlisted for the 2023/24 Ethiopian Premier League Player of the Year award.
The Ethiopia Nigd Bank midfielder faces stiff competition from teammate Fetuhdin Abdul Karim, Chernet Gugsa of Bahir Dar FC, and Kenean Makenen of Defence Force FC. Other nominees include Shemeles from Defence Force FC, Ali Suleman from Hawasa City FC, and Biniam Woleyta of Dicha FC.
The winner will be announced in August.
Bashiru had an impressive season, scoring seven goals and providing nine assists in 30 appearances. The former Asante Kotoko, WAFA, and Karela FC midfielder is in his second season with Ethiopia Nigd Bank.
by Silas Boahene | Jul 13, 2024 | Africa, Ghana, International, Soccer
Yaw Preko has been tasked by the owners of Nsoatreman FC to lead the club to the group stage of the CAF Confederation Cup. The former Ghana international was named head coach of the FA Cup winners on Monday following the departure of Maxwell Konadu, who has moved to South Africa to work with Black Leopards.
At an official ceremony in Nsuatre, Preko was introduced to the players and management as he signed his contract to lead the team. During his unveiling, club owner and Member of Parliament for Sunyani West, Ignatius Baffour-Awuah, set the ambitious target for Preko.
“Just like we agreed with Maxwell Konadu that in his first season, we were not expecting much but aimed for him to win the league in his second season, we are also not expecting that much from [Yaw Preko] in his first season,” he said. “However, for Africa, at least he should take us to the group stage, and the rest in the course of the league season, we will review our positions.”
Nsoatreman FC will learn their opponents for the preliminary stage of the competition on Thursday, July 11, 2024.
