by Silas Boahene | Jun 18, 2024 | Africa, Ghana, Soccer
Great Olympics’ Public Relations Manager Emmanuel Saint Osei has officially resigned just a day after the club was relegated from the Ghana Premier League.
In a resignation letter dated Monday, June 17, Saint Osei expressed his sorrow at stepping down but emphasized the necessity for new leadership to guide the club forward.
“With a heavy heart, I tender my resignation from my position as the Club’s Public Relations Manager. I have served and given my best to this great club, and I believe it is time to step aside and allow others the opportunity to serve,” Saint Osei stated in his letter.
He also reflected positively on his time working with Managing Director Oloboi Commodore, praising his dedication and hard work.
“Working with our Managing Director, Mr. Oloboi Commodore, has been a fantastic experience. He is a committed and hardworking individual from whom I have learned a great deal. It is unfortunate that I must leave during this crucial period when our great club has exited the Ghana Premier League, despite the dedicated efforts of the current management,” he continued.
Great Olympics’ relegation was confirmed despite being awarded three points and three goals on the final day of the 2023/24 Ghana Premier League season.
The club finished with 44 points after 34 matches, securing 11 wins, 11 draws, and 12 losses. However, these points were not enough to save them from relegation due to unfavorable results from their rivals.
Saint Osei’s resignation marks the end of a challenging season for Great Olympics. The club now faces the task of rebuilding as they prepare for life in the lower division.
As the club looks ahead, fans and stakeholders will be watching closely to see how Great Olympics navigate this transition and prepare for future success.
4o
by Silas Boahene | Jun 18, 2024 | Africa, Ghana, Soccer
Ghanaian giants Asante Kotoko have expressed interest in signing Great Olympics goalkeeper Benjamin Asare ahead of the next season.
The Golden Glove winner is at the top of the Porcupine Warriors’ transfer targets as the Kumasi-based club begins early negotiations before the transfer window opens.
Representatives of Benjamin Asare and Asante Kotoko have already initiated talks regarding his potential move to Kumasi.
Asare is viewed as a potential replacement for Moise Pouaty and Danlad Ibrahim, who are expected to leave the club at the end of the 2023/24 season. Both Ibrahim and Pouaty have lost their starting positions to Fredrick Asare and are looking for more playing opportunities elsewhere.
Meanwhile, Benjamin Asare is keen to continue his career in the top division after Great Olympics were relegated from the Ghana Premier League. Despite his team’s struggles, Asare kept 16 clean sheets in the recently concluded season, earning him the title of best shot-stopper in the league.
4o
by Silas Boahene | Jun 18, 2024 | Africa, Ghana, International, Soccer
Bechem United has lodged a formal complaint with FIFA against Tanzanian club Young Africans (Yanga) for failing to fully pay the transfer fees for Augustine Okrah.
Reports indicate that Bechem United and Yanga had agreed on a transfer fee of $120,000 for Okrah. However, Yanga has only paid $20,000, which was sufficient for the release of the International Transfer Certificate (ITC). The remaining $100,000 remains unpaid.
Besides the unpaid transfer fees, Yanga also owes Okrah a portion of his signing-on fees, salaries, and winning bonuses. Okrah has been promised these payments and plans to take his case to FIFA if Yanga fails to fulfill their commitments.
This issue is not an isolated incident for Yanga, as they previously faced a similar situation with Hafiz Konkoni, another former Bechem United player.
Augustine Okrah, who also played for Kotoko, joined the Tanzanian side in the middle of the season, following in the footsteps of Konkoni.
Despite persistent follow-ups by Bechem United, the club has yet to receive the outstanding payment, prompting them to seek FIFA’s intervention. The club hopes that FIFA’s involvement will compel Yanga to honor their financial obligations and ensure that Okrah receives the dues owed to him.
4o
by Silas Boahene | Jun 18, 2024 | Africa, Ghana, Soccer
Former Black Stars coach CK Akonnor has confirmed that he remains actively involved in football coaching, despite being out of the public eye.
Akonnor, who initially served as an assistant to Kwesi Appiah before becoming the head coach in 2020, was dismissed after less than a year due to a series of disappointing results. His departure led to the reappointment of Milovan Rajevac for the Black Stars.
In an interview with Channel One Sports, Akonnor emphasized his ongoing commitment to football and his efforts to enhance his coaching skills.
“I watched the match against Mali, and our performance was solid. In the second match, we scored four goals, which is commendable. The coach identified areas for improvement, and I understand that. I believe the future looks very promising,” Akonnor said, reflecting on the recent performances of the Black Stars.
Akonnor is currently focused on furthering his education in football coaching, aiming to develop the traits necessary for a successful technical director. “I’m still in coaching. What’s important is that I’m continually learning within the football circle. I’m pleased with the knowledge I’ve gained. As a coach, I’m also learning aspects of the technical directorate,” he explained.
The former Ghana international last coached the national team in 2021. Despite his dismissal, Akonnor remains optimistic about his future in football and is open to new opportunities that may arise.
As the Black Stars continue their journey under current coach Otto Addo, Akonnor’s ongoing dedication to improving his coaching abilities underscores his passion for the game and his readiness to contribute to football in any capacity.
by Silas Boahene | Jun 18, 2024 | Africa, Ghana, International, Soccer
Former Ghana coach Charles Kwablan Akonnor has advised Black Stars coach Otto Addo to focus on improving the team’s defence. Under Addo’s leadership, the Black Stars secured consecutive victories in World Cup qualifiers, marking his first competitive matches as coach.
Despite these successes, Akonnor noted some defensive weaknesses that he believes should be addressed before the qualifiers resume in March next year.
“From my perspective, our attacking play is solid—we create chances and perform well in that area. However, we need to enhance our defensive capabilities to ensure we can defend effectively,” Akonnor said in an interview with Citi Sports.
“It’s crucial that we defend well when we don’t have the ball,” he added.
4o
