by Silas Boahene | Jun 14, 2024 | Africa, Ghana, International, Soccer
Alex Neequaye Kotey, the referee manager for the Ghana Football Association (GFA), has unveiled advanced plans to introduce Video Assistant Referee (VAR) Lite into the Ghana Premier League.
The announcement was made during the launch of the 2024 Ghana Football Awards.
Kotey explained that the decision to adopt VAR Lite, rather than the standard VAR system, is driven by financial constraints. Despite the limitations of VAR Lite, Kotey is optimistic about its potential impact on officiating in the league.
“We are working assiduously on that – providing VAR – we have not let it go. FIFA is trying to introduce a less costly VAR which is the VAR Lite, so when the VAR Lite comes, we will see how best we can bring it on because that one doesn’t need a lot of cameras,” Kotey told Citi Sports.
He acknowledged that the Lite version may have fewer cameras and lack certain features of the full VAR setup but emphasized that it represents a significant step forward for the league. “The only challenge there is that you don’t get some features in the VAR Lite as compared to the full VAR, but of course, it is just a stepping stone,” Kotey added.
This initiative aims to help officials reduce errors due to oversights, thereby improving the integrity of the game in the Ghana Premier League. The adoption of VAR Lite is expected to enhance the accuracy of refereeing decisions, contributing to fairer and more transparent matches.
4o
by Silas Boahene | Jun 14, 2024 | Africa, Ghana, International, Soccer
Organizers of the Ghana Football Awards have announced the highly anticipated nominees for the 2024 edition, marking the sixth year of this prestigious event.
The awards ceremony will take place at the Dome of the Accra International Conference Centre on Saturday, June 29.
Headlining the nominations for the Footballer of the Year Award are Mohammed Kudus (West Ham United), Osman Bukari (Red Star Belgrade/Austin FC), Abdul Fatawu Issahaku (Leicester City), and Inaki Williams (Athletic Bilbao). These stellar athletes emerged from a competitive long list to vie for the top honor in Ghanaian football.
Other categories set to celebrate excellence include the Women’s Footballer of the Year, honoring outstanding players from both local and international leagues, and the Home-based Footballer of the Year, recognizing Ghanaian talents excelling in domestic competitions.
The event, promising a celebration of Ghanaian football talent and achievement, also features categories like Best African International, Goalkeeper of the Year, Most Vibrant Club Brand on Social Media, and several others highlighting various facets of the sport.
The nominees were officially unveiled at the Big Leagues Sports & Lounge in Osu, Accra, on Wednesday, June 12, setting the stage for an evening that will showcase the best of Ghanaian football across different spheres.
Here are the full nominees for this year’s awards:
Footballer of the Year
- Mohammed Kudus – West Ham United
- Osman Bukari – Red Star Belgrade/Austin FC
- Abdul Fatawu Issahaku – Leicester City
- Inaki Williams – Athletic Bilbao
Women’s Footballer of the Year
- Comfort Yeboah – Ampem Darkoa Ladies
- Ophelia Serwaa Amponsah – Ampem Darkoa Ladies
- Bridget Adu – Tut FC, Egypt
- Abdulai Mukarama – Hasaacas Ladies
- Jennifer Kankam – Zed FC, Egypt
Best African International
- Ademola Lookman – Atalanta & Nigeria
- Victor Boniface – Bayer Leverkusen & Nigeria
- Edmond Tapsoba – Bayer Leverkusen & Burkina Faso
Home-based Footballer of the Year (Male)
- Abdul Aziz Issah – Dreams FC
- Steven Mukwala – Asante Kotoko
- Stephen Amankona – Berekum Chelsea
- Emmanuel Keyekeh – Samartex
- Evans Osei-Wusu – Samartex
Home-based Footballer of the Year (Female)
- Ophelia Serwaa Amponsah – Ampem Darkoa Ladies
- Comfort Yeboah – Ampem Darkoa Ladies
- Abdulai Mukarama – Hasaacas Ladies
Most Vibrant Club Brand on Social Media
- Nations FC
- Samartex
- Dreams FC
Goalkeeper of the Year
- Benjamin Asare – Great Olympics
- Emmanuel Kobi – Bofoakwa Tano
- Felix Kyei – Medeama SC
- Kofi Baah – Samartex
Odartey Lamptey Future Star Award
- Abdul Aziz Issah – Dreams FC
- Jerry Afriyie – Thoughts FC
- Theophilus Ayamga – Third World FC
- Mark Kagawa Mensah – Attram de Visser
Women’s Coach of the Year
- Yussif Basigi – Hasaacas Ladies/Black Princesses
- Nora Hauptle – Black Queens
- Nana Joe Adarkwa – Ampem Darkoa Ladies
Men’s Coach of the Year
- Karim Zito – Dreams FC
- Desmond Offei – Black Satellites
- Nurudeen Amadu – Samartex FC
- Kassim Mingle – Nations FC
Male Team of the Year
- Black Satellites
- Dreams FC
- Samartex
Female Team of the Year
- Black Princesses
- Army Ladies
- Ampem Darkoa Ladies
- Hasaacas Ladies
4o
by Silas Boahene | Jun 13, 2024 | Africa, Ghana, Other Sports
Manasseh Augustine, a professional golfer based in Tema, showcased his skill and determination once again at the PGA Masters tournament held at Damang in the Western region. Emerging as a favorite after a previous win at the Center of the World Club qualifier, Manasseh delivered a stellar performance over three days, clinching victory with consistent play across 72 holes.
The PGA Masters tournament, a crucial qualifier event, attracted thirty participants across regular, senior, and female divisions. Facing tough competition, including notable names like Maxwell Owusu Bonsu and Vincent Coffie, Manasseh rebounded after a challenging first day to secure his lead among twenty-five regular professionals.
Reflecting on his achievement, Manasseh attributed his success to meticulous preparation and acknowledged the competitive spirit of his fellow golfers. He expressed gratitude to the PGA leadership for organizing a successful tournament in Damang.
Maxwell Owusu Bonsu, who led initially, demonstrated strong play but ultimately secured second place, followed by Vincent Coffie, Anthony Gbenyor, and Kwabena Poku in third, fourth, and fifth places respectively. In the senior division, Robert Allotey claimed victory, with Teye Tetteh and Kwame Korsah taking second and third places.
Jessica Tei, representing Achimota and leading the ladies’ division, impressed with her performance, highlighting the inclusion of three female golfers in this historic tournament. Tei expressed gratitude for the opportunity to compete alongside male counterparts and emphasized the importance of dedication and improvement among amateur golfers aspiring to turn professional.
Rev. Akwasi Prempeh, the manager at Goldfields Golf Club and coordinator of the tournament, praised the participants for their discipline and thanked the staff and course workers for their contributions to the tournament’s success.
3.5
by Silas Boahene | Jun 13, 2024 | Africa, Ghana, International, Soccer
The National Amputee Football team, known as the Black Challenge, attended a special Thanksgiving service at the Believers Worship Center to celebrate their remarkable victory at the recent African Amputee Football Cup of Nations. Led by Stephen Adom Kyei Duah (Voice of God), the congregation praised the team for retaining their championship title and encouraged them to continue representing Ghana with pride despite challenges.
Stephen Adomoo Kyei Duah, founder of the Believers Worship Center, pledged support for the Black Challenge, promising to provide them with their own bus for future travels instead of relying on public transportation.
Following a dinner hosted by the church council and community leaders for the team, a generous donation of 200,000 GHC was presented to the Black Challenge to support their endeavors.
The visit to the Believers Worship Center included prayers and guidance from the man of God, who additionally contributed a significant amount of 100,000 GHC to further assist the team.
3.5
by Silas Boahene | Jun 13, 2024 | Africa, Boxing, Ghana, International
Nat Attoh, a prominent boxing writer and licensee of the Ghana Boxing Authority (GBA), expressed his disappointment in Ghana’s boxing team failing to secure a slot at the 2024 Olympic Games, calling it an unfortunate setback.
In an exclusive interview with Yours Truly and the Omashi TV crew, Attoh emphasized that Ghana’s boxing achievements, exemplified by Samuel Takyi’s bronze medal at the Tokyo Olympics, should have spurred greater investment and support for the sport. He criticized the lack of proper developmental strategies, including residential camps for national teams and adequate exposure through training tours and international competitions.
Attoh highlighted the need for Ghana to identify and capitalize on sports where it has a competitive advantage, similar to Jamaica’s success in sprinting. He pointed out systemic flaws in Ghana’s sports infrastructure and called for proactive measures to sustain boxing’s legacy and restore national pride.
“As media practitioners, we have a responsibility to not only identify problems but also propose solutions for implementation,” Attoh stressed, underscoring the importance of conducting sports affairs with diligence and professionalism.
He concluded with regret over Ghana’s absence in boxing at Paris 2024, urging stakeholders to address these issues promptly to uphold the sport’s integrity and honor.
